Ashley shot up from her seat, startling Jonathan. "Keys.", she demanded. His eyes showed nothing but absolute confusion. "What?"
Ashley turned to him. "I didn't bring my car. I'm going to take your car. So, give me your keys. Jonathan said an 'oh' with a look of understanding. He then handed her his car keys.
"Wait." He frowned a bit. "What for?"
Ashley picked up her bag. "I'm going to put Felix in his place."
"Wait. Wait." Jonathan rushed after her, but Ashley paid him no heed and walked away. Once she got in the car, he stood at the window of the driver's seat, knocking.
Ashley rolled the window down, staring at him with an apathetic look. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Jonathan asked, breathless from the running back when he was following her.
"Of course." There was extreme confidence in her tone, which stunned Jonathan. "Are you getting in?"
…
"I honestly do not understand. You've never confronted Felix before, so why now?" Jonathan asked Ashley as the two stood in the rising elevator.
"I just feel this sudden rush of energy." Her gaze was forward. "I feel like I can finally go against mom's orders. It's a completely different feeling." She whispered the last part with a sense of loneliness before she turned to Jonathan. "And besides, I've grown sick of that bastard."
Jonathan turned and stared ahead when she turned to look forward. After a few seconds, realization came to him. "Wait. What?" Ashley grinned wildly, a change in her demeanor. "What have you done?"
There was a 'ding' sound, and the elevator doors opened. Ashley patted him on the arm. "I'll tell you later." She said before stepping out and walking toward the C.E.O's office with large, confident strides. Jonathan smiled before following.
"Where's Pierson?" Ashley asked the first person she met on the way.
"Ah?" The woman looked shock. Ashley's entire aura had practically changed. She didn't look like the polite 'Miss Scott' they all knew. Once she regained her sense, she replied. "He's in the C.E.O's office."
"Thank you." Ashley gave a brief smile before nonchalance clouded her face. She then headed toward the C.E.O's office. Just as she was about to enter, she was stopped by a chubby man in glasses.
"Ashley, you can't enter." He said with obvious rudeness.
Ashley stared at the man in front of her, annoyance in her eyes. Bennett Crews, Felix's personal assistant had always belittled her. Nevertheless, Ashley had never bothered about it because of her mother. Now, though, she wasn't going to put up with the man's nonsense.
"Why can't I?"
Bennett pushed up his glasses, a smirk on his face as he scoffed. "Because the C.E.O is busy. These clients are important. You can't bother him this time like you always do."
"The last time, I was told he was busy. How busy is he with his clients? Busy f***** them?" Bennett widened his eyes, completely shocked by Ashley's words.
She folded her arms and stared down at him, disdain emanating from her being. "And besides, is his status of any importance to me?" Bennett shook with anger and pointed in her face. "He-he is the C.E.O."
Ashley scoffed, a mirthless smile forming on her face. "And…have you forgotten what position I hold? You must have seen in the company's folders."
Bennett opened his mouth to speak. Realization then dawned upon him causing him to shut it and stare at Ashley with a hint of fear.
Ashley nodded, the indifference on her face coming back. "Move." And Bennett did as he was told with no questions asked. With the way things were going, he was probably fired. He didn't need to accumulate any more of Ashley's wrath.
Ashley had taken only two steps before she halted. "Ah, I forgot. Even the elites address me properly. Who are you to address me by my name?" She made a 'tch' sound. "You're fired." Bennett's knees went weak at her words.
The young woman took out her card and unlocked the door before walking inside with Jonathan in tow. The other employees stood outside, clearly waiting for the show.
The office was empty. Felix and his 'important clients' were nowhere to be found.
Ashley then remembered. She had designed this office. She knew every nook and cranny. There was a secret door next to the bookshelf which led to a private lounge.
Once she opened the door, she met sight with Felix and two other people, a man and a woman, in bed together.
She scoffed and with a disgusted look on her face, she picked up the bottle of water on the table, uncapped it and poured it on Felix, startling the man and his companions awake.
"Aaargh!" The man yelled out in annoyance and rage. "Ashley! What the hell?!" He exclaimed once he caught sight of her.
"You sure do have weird ways of entertaining clients." She chucked briefly before throwing him a derisive glance. "Get dressed and meet me in the office.", she said expressionlessly before walking away.
Ashley sat in the C.E.O's swivel chair in a relaxed position, her fingers rhythmically tapping on the table as she stared at the globe on the desk. Felix stood opposite her, a livid look on his face. "This is the second time you've interrupted me, Ashley!"
She made a 'tsk' sound and touched her ears for a second in annoyance. "You're so loud.", she said in an oddly calm voice. "Speak a little softly, would you?"
Felix shook in anger. "Wow, Ashley. You're really getting on my nerves. What are you even doing here? Why don't you go back to your husband and stay in your pretty cage. You're always in the way." His eyes were bloodshot, and Ashley suspected the man was on drugs. Either way, she wasn't here for that. She couldn't care less what he was on.
"Bennett spoke of your 'important clients' and I wanted to meet them." She stared at him as though he was an eyesore. "And besides, we're all working. What exactly am I getting in the way of?"
"That was my pleasure moment." He said with gritted teeth. "I work like a dog. I have to have some time to myself."
"How many 'pleasure moments' do you have in a day. You're the C.E.O but even security works harder than you." Felix was tongue tied but realization then hit him. He was the C.E.O.
"With what position are you questioning me, the C.E.O of this company." He smiled contemptuously.
"I don't see you as a capable C.E.O." She leaned forward, her arms resting on the table. Felix folded his arms, staring at her scornfully. His eyes held bits of haughtiness as though he were superior. "What you see me as doesn't matter. You have no power over me."
"Yes," Ashley smiled mockingly. "I do."
"Without your mother, you can't make any decisions about me!", Felix yelled out.
"Don't bring my mother into this, Pierson." She leaned back in her seat. And her indifferent attitude led Felix to realize, this time, he was actually done for. "You asked what position I had to question you. I'll let you know today."
"You say you work like a dog. How about you go be an actual dog on the streets." Ashley tilted her head and smiled, dimples appearing on both sides of her face.
"As Chairwoman of Gray Publications, I'm removing you, Felix Pierson from the C.E.O position."