Chapter Six

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Courage doesn't happen when you have all the answers. It happens when you are ready to face the questions you have been avoiding your whole life.
- Shannon L. Aldern

Ashley Davis

Three days went by and I still could not build up the courage to save my family from ruins.

My mind was made on that unfaithful night but putting it on action was as difficult as it gets. From childhood, I was taught to do what was right for my family. More importantly, never bring disgrace to the family name. As the eldest child, it was drilled into my head by my Grandmama.

For every holidays, we would visit our ancestor estate in Mayfair, London. Grandmama was aristocratic by blood and by marriage. She was the daughter of a Viscount and wife of a Duke. Hence, we had aristocracy in our blood but papa could not be the heir because he was the younger son.

The previous Duke, our Grandpapa passed away leaving the dukedom to his first born, my uncle Matthew when I was barely five and now, could only remember him through the stories from Grandmama. She had a special sitting room where she would teach us what we needed to learn and tell us stories about our ancestors. She was our very own governess. A strict one at that.

For the past years, I had somehow convinced papa to take us to Mayfair only on Christmases because not only grandmama and Uncle Matthew lived there but Alex, my uncle's adopted son yet such a vile creature too.

A click of the door brought me away from my thoughts and Julie was standing at the doorway of my closet with a dress hanging from her hand.

"You would look beautiful in this dress, Miss Ashley."

My breath quickened. I gripped the bedsheets tighter in my hands and blanked at the sight of the white dress.

Marry me, Ashley Davis.

"No!" I stood up and shook my head. "Julie, take it away. I am not wearing white."

Her cheery face turned down as she glanced at the metallic print white dress with rhinestones covering the borders. "What's wrong with this one, Miss? Your mother specifically bought this dress just for tonight."

I swallowed nervously. "Mama choose this dress?"

"Yes." She nodded, laying the white sleeveless dress on my bed. "She said you must look special tonight since they'll be announcing your engagement to Master Eric."

"What?" My eyes widened and I took two steps back. "They are announcing?"

But I have to break it off.

My eyes prickled and I turned away so that Julie wouldn't notice. Mama did not even bother to inform me but that was not what made me emotionally weak. It was the thought of Neil Harris showing out of nowhere and turning my life upside down.

See you soon, princess.

The words shimmered into my head with a horrified warning bell. These past two days, I had been cooped up in my room in fear that anytime Neil Harris would storm into our house and take me away regardless of my failure to break off my engagement with Eric.

He meant it when he said he'd see me soon. I just hoped he would have patience and give me more time before doing anything reckless.

"Miss? Are you okay?"

Calming myself, I blinked repeatedly to rid any emotions from my face. I was taught to be a proper, composed lady. I could go through tonight without any huddle.

Portraying a practiced smile, I turned back to the young maid, who had been my companion for years and said. "If Mama wants me to wear that dress then I shall."

Forty five minutes later, I was standing before the antique mirror in the foyer, studying myself. My blonde hair were tightly braided and styled into a bun as always. Grandmama said open hair enticed man and I should refrain from encouraging it.

The white dress hugged my body like a second skin. It reached just before my knees. Nothing too extravagant but simple yet elegant. Smokey eyes and light blushes greeted me back from the mirror. I had a recently gifted diamond bracelet from Papa around my wrist and the daunting weight of Eric's ring around my left hand's fourth finger.

Slowly, I raised my right hand and shivered at the sight of Neil's black diamond ring on it. I could not store it away in fear of the invisible power he had over me. It would not let me keep it away. So due to complex feelings, I let the mysterious ring wrap around my finger for now.

"Ashley?"

Turning around I saw my sisters standing at the foot of the stairs and instantly, my mood brightened.

Both of them wore beautiful dresses yet different from each other but complimented their personality quite well.

Steph had a sage coloured belted shirt dress with classic lapels and waistline pleats. Her straight blonde hair same as mine was locked away in a high ponytail but nonetheless, did not deter her young beauty any less.

Emily also had similar hair like us but her ones were braided in a fishtail. She stepped forward, dawning a peach chiffon sleeveless frock featuring a tied neckline and gathered waist which then flowed till her knees loosely.

"You look so pretty, Ashley." Emily gushed, adjusting her round white spectacles. "I wish I looked half as pretty as you."

I frowned and picked up her fishtail to drape it over her shoulder. "Quiet you. My little Einstein is always pretty."

"Yes." Steph joined us, her heels clicking away on the mosaic floor and rolled her blue-green eyes. "You would know if you ever get your head out of those books and face the mirror."

Ten year old Emily cocked her hip and crossed her arms over her chest. "You know Steph, pretty faces does not matter if you do not have a pretty head. Can you even recite A to Z?"

Stephanie gasped and pinched Emily's stomach. "I sure can!"

"Then please, enlighten me."

Red blotches started covering Steph's face as she glared at Emily. Before she said anything, I intervened. "Behave you two. Emily, you know Steph remembers the alphabet. Stop teasing her. And what did I tell you about testing people's IQ?"

A grin curved on her mouth as she faced the direction of the hall room where the thanksgiving party was held and rubbed her hands together. "There are going to be many ugly heads tonight. I cannot wait to peal their arrogance and show them their pea sized brains."

Then letting loose an impression of an evil laugh, she started on her way to the party.

I sighed, already picturing many preys falling into the ten year old's traps.

Emily and her little games.

"Who is she like? I mean she is so different from us." Steph huffed and walked alongside me to the hall room.

I smiled. "Grandmama said she took after Uncle Matthew. Remember he has a liking for books too?"

Fondly, she smiled back. "Yeah, I miss Uncle Matthew."

Clamping my mouth, I gave her a hard look. "But we are not going to visit there anymore if I have say in it."

She visibly shuddered. "I know. I do not want to either. I want to see Uncle Matthew but Alex's going to be there too. I do not want to see him. He creeps me out."

Neither do I, Steph.

And I would do everything to make sure my sisters did not face that lecherous cousin of ours.

Emily burst out the oak door and gestured us near. "Come on already. Papa's waiting."

Three of us passed through greeting our many relatives and family friends before we reached papa and mama on the centre podium.

"My three gems." Papa said as he hugged us all one by one. "You all look like precious gems."

Mama nodded and scanned us from top to bottom thoroughly, making sure we did not miss anything but her eyes paused on my right hand.

"Where did this come from?" She said picking up my hand and feathering the black diamond ring.

I swallowed nervously as my blood went cold. I did not prepare for the questions regarding this ring. What would I say? I never lied to them. I could not start now.

Steph snatched my hand from Mama and gasped, her eyes twinkling like the lights on the chandelier above. "Oh my god, Ashley! This is beautiful. I did not even notice this."

Momentarily forgetting my lipstick, I licked my lips as I thought of an answer. Mama narrowed her blue eyes and raised her perfect brows on me. "Well?"

Before I could let out even a single word of lie, Papa pulled her and flaked his hand in the air. "Oh, Cynthia. It must be one of my gifts. There's just too many. We cannot always remember every single one."

"But---"

"Hello, everyone."

A new voice cut off whatever Mama was trying to say and I closed my eyes in relief. Turning my head to the side, I reopened them and found Eric standing beside me.

"Eric, my boy!" Papa called out before hugging him, seeming genuinely happy to see him.

How can I break this?

After greeting Mama and my sisters, Eric faced me and gave me a peck on the cheek. "Ashley, you look good."

I smiled tightly. "Eric, you too."

And that was it. Everyone talked among themselves and I gazed at Eric. He was a great man, no matter what Neil said. Maybe he did not talk much but that was not a big problem. Maybe he did not touch much but that was not...

Who was I kidding? Eric was so much different than Neil. Neil was thrilling but Eric was...boring? No! Why was I comparing them anyway?

"Wait, is that who I think it is?" All of a sudden, Papa grinned and pointed something behind me. "What is he doing here? Oh, this is good. Really good."

With my forehead crinkled, I turned around to see who made him so excited and had a hard time restraining my eyes from bursting out. 

A perfect definition of tall, dark and handsome man, supposedly in his thirties walked toward us with confident strides. An aura of power radiating from him, commanding every eyes in the room to follow him.

I heard my sister, Stephanie let out a dreamy sigh but then, Emily bit out smirkily. "Ah, Steph. You might want to sigh at the woman next to him too."

At Em's words, I took in the woman next to him. It clearly showed who she belonged to, by the way the man was holding her.

The couple stopped before us and Papa exclaimed loudly. "Tyler Sanders in my house! What a pleasant surprise."

Tyler Sanders? The Tyler Sanders?

Looking once again at his straight face and strong stance, I realized he really was the great, intimidating Tyler Sanders who Papa admired so much. I remembered Papa saying one time; if he had a son, he would want him to be like Tyler Sanders and not himself.

And that was a huge compliment coming from him. Smiling, he raised a hand for a shake and Mr. Sanders returned it, without a smile. "It's nice to finally get the chance to meet you."

"Likewise." Mr. Sanders replied. "My father sends his regards as unfortunately, he's out of the country with my mother. So, I am here with my wife, Claire on behalf of them."

"Your wife?" As if noticing the beautiful woman next to him for the first time, Papa stepped back and gave her a strained smile. "So it was true after all. You are married again. I was hoping it was not true."

I sneaked a glance at Papa, wondering what was he up to. Papa could be very out front about his views and ideas.

The brunette named Claire frowned at Papa then glanced up at her husband questionably. Dark emotions floated in Tyler Sanders eyes as he lifted an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Marcus Davis, my father laughed and waved his hand in dismissal, not taking Mr. Sanders defensive figure seriously before hugging me to his side. "It's just if you had not, I would have saved my daughter for you."

As soon as the words were out, I stiffened. It was not only me. Everyone in the circle except Papa froze. Claire Sanders eyes flickered to mine, literally scanning me from top to bottom.

Emily rounded around me and stood in the middle with her hands on hips. "But Papa, he is ten years senior than Ashley."

Oh no, Em.

Papa slowly let me go and chuckled humourlessly. "Emily, you do not know anything."

Even though he tried to convey his strict message through his eyes, Emily did not back down. "Technically, I do. Last week I read an article about him and I know many things about him. Like how he's ten years senior from Ashley and how he has a daughter around my age, and also how he's married. Happily married."

"Emily." A sharp tick on his tone showed Emily was in for a tight scolding from Papa tonight. "Do not speak when adults are speaking."

"Em." I whispered and pulled her back to my side, encouraging her to back down.

"Mr. Davis." Tyler Sanders finally spoke out and raised a hand in the air to stop him from speaking further then glanced down at Emily. "But I do agree with Miss Emily here. Your daughter seems to be the smart one. I am happily married." He pulled his wife closer and slowly turned to Papa, giving him a sharp look. "You must remember you are just friends with my father and not me. You might be older than me, but know who you are talking to, Mr. Davis."

I gulped, feeling chills on my body. No one had ever dared to talk to Papa in this manner but I had heard from him before that Tyler Sanders was the one who never tolerated anyone speaking to him without respect.

Something in his tone cautioned Papa because with a nervous smile, he said. "Ofcourse. I can clearly see, you both make a very beautiful couple. I must had too much to drink. Forgive me." Then looking at his wife, he added. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Sanders. Welcome to my house. Cynthia? Come here."

Mama stepped forward and greeted them warmly. Papa swallowed and maintained his polite smile, but I could see right through him. He regretted ever talking Mr. Sanders in that manner.

Before Mama could offer refreshments for the couple, Mr. Sanders said. "Mr. Davis, I am sure you wouldn't mind, but I brought a friend with me." Then glanced over his shoulder. "Neil?"

Neil? No...it cannot be. Oh God, no!

My worst fear came alive as I saw the one and only vicious Neil Harris stepped out from behind the couple and produced a mysterious grin. His eyes met mine and they said it all.

I told you I'd see you soon, princess.

*******


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