Mum.." Ashlyn heard that familiar voice and she opened her eyes and her fingers stopped working. Slowly turning around, her eyes met with the added pair of eyes watching her. She saw a spark of guilt in them and she wondered why.
"Vincent.." Ashlyn called softly and he staggered backwards.
"You're not her." He said. His breathing getting heavy, and he felt his body hot. Beads of sweat started forming on his forehead and he felt unable to breathe.
"Are you okay?" Ashlyn asked in concern when she noticed his expression.
Panting for air, Vincent knew he was suffocating but why. what was happening to him? Was his time up already or it was something else? Shutting his eyes for some minutes, he tried breathing through his mouth.
"Are you okay?"
"Boss, are you okay?"
Both Ashlyn and Brandon chorused. Brandon said in fear and concern and was about taking a step when he heard Vincent voice.
"Stay back." Vincent yelled. He could feel himself losing control and he wasn't ready to hurt anyone especially someone he has no issues with. "No one should come near." He yelled and both Brandon and Ashlyn became confused as to what was happening.
The whole room stayed frozen as to what was happening and after what felt like ten minutes, Vincent took one deep breathe and opened his eyes. Looking at Ashlyn, he saw the concern on her face and she was about saying a word but he spoke instead.
"Sorry for mistaking you for someone else." He said calmly and turned to his back and started walking towards the door. Halting his steps at the front of Brandon. He saw the worried expression and couldn't help but feel grateful for still having someone worrying over him.
"I'm okay Brandon. That's the effect of the drugs the doctor gave me. I just need rest that's all." He lied and patted Brandon on his shoulder before walking out of the room.
They was no need saying anything to Brandon since he was the boss and Brandon was just someone he employed as his butler but knowing he doesn't have much time left, he wanted to act kind and do as much good thing as he could then maybe he'll be able to meet her in the other side if he died.
Even though his good can never outnumber the bad things he's done, he just hope he could be lucky enough to see her face one last time before going were he belongs. He just wished he had enough time but it was all wishful thinking. He was a time bomb already in his final minutes and could explode at anytime.
Confusion and concern etched on Ashlyn face as she stood watching Vincent leave the room. She could tell from what happened that something was going on with him but even though she heard his explanation to Brandon she still felt doubt within her but why. She could understand being worried about him because he saved her but why was she curious. It was all confusing to her.
Ashlyn walked towards Brandon who felt like he was waiting for her before he said something. Immediately she neared him, he spoke; "Mr Yong has never acted that way before. I've been with him for more than twenty years and this is my first time seeing him that way." His voice, tender and calm and Ashlyn couldn't help but feel envious.
She had a rush of emotion within her and she felt like tears were about forming in her eyes. She knew Brandon wasn't Vincent father but the affection she saw in his eyes was that of a fatherly love. A love she wished she had... A feeling she's never experienced.
Though she was very grateful for the woman who loved her at all time and tried to fill the gap missing in her heart, she couldn't ask for a better mother than her but yet she still prayed silently that she would see the man who left them. She still hoped that someday, he'll come back knocking at their door and saying he's sorry and no matter how angry she is he won't leave.
Hugging him gently, she knew he needed it and also she needed it at that moment. "Maybe it's actually the effect of the drugs. You shouldn't worry, he'll be alright." Ashlyn said, backing up Vincent excuse.
Meanwhile, Vincent got to his winery room, took a bottle of vintage wine, went to his cupboard, took a wineglass and went to his sitting room. He sat down on his couch, opened the bottle, poured a quantity into the glass and gulped it down in haste before releasing a loud sigh.
Keeping the glass on the stool at his side, he leaned backwards, raised his head up and closed his eyes.
*******
After the comforting hug, Ashlyn left Brandon and walked out of the room. Getting to the sitting room she saw Vincent seating down with his eyes closed. She looked at the bottle of wine and wine glass on the stool at his side and she sighed.
Taking a step, she walked gently towards Vincent and sat down beside him on the couch. She could hear his gentle heartbeat and her eyes locked on his face. Was he asleep? she had thought and felt an urge to touch his face.
Raising her hand to touch his face, she stopped midway. "What are you trying to do Ashlyn? Are you crazy?" She scolded herself at the last minute and retracted her hand. She knew she had to leave before she did anything stupid.
Standing up, she glanced at him once more before leaving the sitting room. Ascending the stairs, she walked slowly till she got to her room door, opened it and entered.
"What exactly is going on with me? What is this feeling?" She muttered under her breath as she clenched her shirt while trying to steady her breathing slowly.
Leaning her head backwards on the door, she felt a thousand questions going through her mind but one question overshadowed it all. "Why him?"