Ashley's POV

The dinner was quiet mostly with the occasional conversation about the debate Harrison was preparing for. He's a very bright child, just like his parents. Looking at them gives me a lot of joy. Liam lost his parents pretty early in life and I know how much he misses them. I'm happy that he's finally got a family of his own.

"Now would you tell me why did you fire your new architect?" Jenny asked as we cleared the table. "I remember you telling me how much he fits into the new project and how much you like him."

"I never said I liked him. I liked his work" I defended myself which made Jenny more suspicious. She raised her eyebrows in a suggesting manner which made me sigh in defeat. "He had no sense of professionalism or boundaries. He's too intruding and arrogant. I can't deal with someone like him on a constant basis."

"Okay. I'm just asking cause I've lined up the interview for the new architect. You'll have the list by tomorrow."

"Thank you. That's great."

After the dishes, Ivana came running to Jenny. She carried her to the couch and stroke her hair while she fell asleep in Jenny's lap.

I've seen both Jenny and Liam so stressed with their busy schedule and job priorities and everything but every time anyone of them watches their kids sleep, they look so peaceful themselves. I envy that, I longed for that. It broke my heart at the sight of what I'm never going to have.

"I should get going" I whispered to Jenny since Ivana was sleeping.

"Hey, no, it's late. Let Liam drive you."

"No no.. he's with Harrison, let him be. I'll manage"

"Are you sure?"

I picked up my bag "I'm positive. I'll call you" I waved her goodbye and left.

I was walking down the street looking for a cab but found none. I saw a coffee shop by the corner and decided to have a cup of coffee before walking back home.

The shop was surprisingly crowded considering it was a little late. I placed my order and occupied a corner single table. I was looking outside and saw a broken neon light. It was fluttering, on and off. It was broken so I couldn't read what it said but I kept staring at it waiting for it flutters back to on. I don't know why but I somehow related that to me, waiting for my inner light and shine to turn on.

"Where the hell were you?" He questioned me as soon as I step in.

"I-I told you. I was with Liam. What happened?" I asked. I wasn't sure what was happening but he seemed in a very bad mood.

"I called you. Don't you have your phone? Why won't you pick up? What the fuck, Ashley?" She flipped the side table and I flinched. I fished my phone out of my purse and saw it was switched off.

"I'm sorry. My battery died. I didn't mean to-"

"You enjoy this, don't you?" He took a step at me and I took a step back. "You want to make me miserable and worried. You do it to get back at me. I've said sorry. Why can't you let go"

"I'm not doing anything. I've said it's okay, I mean it. I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

He held me and pulled me closer to him. I was scared to even look at his eyes. I kept my eyes down but he put his finger on my chin and made me face him "You know, I love you, right? You're my everything. You know that?" I nodded timidly "then why can't you just let go. Why do you have to go and meet other people? I'll keep you happy. I keep you happy, don't I?" I nodded again. "Good. Remember that, okay? I won't be giving many chances, Ashley" he let go of me and I stood there, scared to move.

He walked to the bar and made himself a drink while I stood there waiting for what happens next.

"Now, please, clean this mess and come up."

I nodded and went to the kitchen to bring the broom to clean the mess he created. I wanted to cry, scream, or run away but at that moment I felt all alone and too scared. I didn't know what I was doing or why it was happening to me but I couldn't do anything to save myself.

"Hey, can I join you?" A guy, in her early twenties, maybe standing in front me asks. I shake my head and say a polite no. I go back to looking at the broken neon sign.

He didn't take the hint, rather he pulled up the chair and placed it close to mine. He sat down and gave me a lopsided smile hoping I would be charmed with that.

I tried shifting my chair but there was no space. I felt cornered. I wanted to leave but my coffee was still hot and I was waiting for any cab to show up else I would've to walk home.

"So, what brings you to this little coffee show? Is it the coffee or the company?" He leaned in a bit and I shifted in my chair uncomfortably.

It is difficult for me to make conversation casually. People generally think I'm rude or have an attitude problem which is easier to understand than what the real reason is.

"You're new around here. I haven't seen you. Do you live somewhere in this area?"

I sighed "Could you not talk to me? I'm not interested. I just.." I trailed. I couldn't even finish a sentence since he was sitting too close to me.

"I find you intruding. Let me make you comfortable" he said and put his hand on my arm. I bolted and the hot coffee fell all over his crotch.

"You fucking bitch." He screamed and standing up. He tried to clean it with tissue paper. "My god" he glared at me to which I glared back. I wasn't at fault. He was being a jerk.

"Of all the woman in this place, you had to hit on this one" I heard a very familiar voice. I looked up to see David standing with tissues in his hand. "She could literally strangle you and make you beg for life." He continued as he gave him tissues. The guy gave me one look and left immediately.

"Why would you say that?"

"Did I say something wrong, Ms. Walker?" He asked me in a condescending tone.

"What are you doing here?"

He raised his eyebrow. I studied him and realized the stupidity of the question. He was wearing a name tag and an apron.

"Why are you working here?" I rephrased my question.

"Because you fired me and because-"

"You know what? Never mind. I don't want to know."

I ignored his gaze and walked out immediately. It has been quite a day and the last thing I want was to have a conversation with him.

I was walking towards when I heard someone call my name. I turned around to look David running towards me. I wanted to keep walking but I didn't. A part of me wanted to know what he wants.

"Hey.." he stood beside me catching his breath. He took my phone out of his pocket and gave it to me "you forgot this at the table."

"Thank you"

"Wow. You actually know how to be polite to people. That's shocking"

I glared at him but didn't say anything. I started walking and he did too. I couldn't understand why he was walking with me so I stopped and asked "what are you doing?"

"Walking" he shrugged

"Why? Don't you have work to go back to?"

"My shift is over. I'm off duty now"

"Then go home. Why are you walking with me?"

"Because my home is actually in the same direction."

I didn't say anything, just kept walking but at a faster pace.

"You're walking too fast" he pointed out.

"You talk too much"

"You're rude to people"

"You talk too much" I repeated

After a few seconds of quiet, he spoke again "can I ask you a question?"

"Will that make you quiet afterward?"

"Sure. I can try"

"What is your question?"

"Why did your company change its name?"

I didn't expect him to ask this question. It felt too close to my personal life. "Just felt like it," I said casually but it wasn't causal. It had a deeper meaning, something more important than just a feeling.

"I think there's more"

"I think you think too much. It is none of your business, anyway" I snapped.

"Yup. You made sure of that, didn't you?" He taunted me.

I stopped again and face him. I've had a long tiring day and the last thing I needed was this.

"I did what I thought was best and I'm sticking with it. I'm sorry for the inconvenience but it is done and so are we. Goodbye" I said and started walking but he stood there.

I saw the first cab in sight and called for it. I was getting into it when I heard him speak again. Something that felt nice, something that somehow gave me hope and possibly a smile that I carried until I was asleep.

He said "You know the thing about pain? It doesn't last forever. Goodbye. I'll see you around."

His smile was the last thing I saw before the cab took off. He meant it, not in a pity way but in a reassuring manner. He wanted me to believe in that as well. And even though I'm skeptical that I'll ever be free of the pain I feel, for that moment, I believed him. His eyes and his smile made me believe that. For the first time in a very long time, I slept with a small fraction of hope.