BELIEVER

Ashley's POV

I took my phone and purse then went downstairs.

"Please tell my parents I went to meet Blake" I told Natalie, one of the maids

"Yes ma'am" she said.

I went to the garage and hopped into my blue Cadillac then made my way to the meeting place.

When I got there I noticed he was not there yet so I just went in and ordered a glass of lemonade. I was on my phone trying to take my mind off my upcoming encounter with my brother while sipping my lemonade. After waiting for a few minutes he finally arrived

" I thought you might not show and do what you recently love doing running from your problems but looks like you finally have the guts to do so" he said as he slid into the booth

"Antonio you..........." I started but he cut me off

" Don't even start just go straight to the point and please don't lie to me" he said coldly and it pains me to hear him talk like that because I only hear him talk like that when he's being professional.

"Look I'm sorry I did not mean to hurt you"I said and signalled him to listen to me instead of interrupting me and he complied so I continued.

" Please what I'm about to say is painful for me but I'm saying it because I trust you to accept my decision about it" I said but paused to get both of us ready psychologically and emotionally for what was coming next.

"I am begging you not to freak out and kill someone so promise me you would accept my decision without making a scene" I said

"yes I promise now spill it" he said blankly.

"I was raped" I blurted it out in one breath.

He laughed humorlessly which was shocking because that was definitely not the reaction I was expecting from him.

"Seriously Ashley Andrea Brooks I knew you were going to lie but this, this is just outrageous how can you think of something like this to lie about" he said venom dripping with every word he uttered which caused a shiver to run down my spine and I don't mean that in a good way.

"Fine you don't believe me so let me fill you in on how the hell it happened. It was on the night of Nick's party after I was done with my drink soda of course I went to the restroom and on my way I bumped into a man I said sorry I swear I did but when I saw you and Adriana I was about to go meet you so we could go home the guy pulled me back then drive me to a room and raped me I'm not going to go into the details I really wanted to tell you I swear I just couldn't"I said crying.

"What! Tell me this is just a prank" he exclaimed.

"Does it look like I'm joking" I said drying my tears

"Who is the bastard that did it I'll kill him I swear I would make him regret coming to this life" he said fuming.

" Please calm down don't do anything you're going to regret I said.

"Trust me when I'm done with him I'm not going to regret it but enjoy every bit of it" he said with a smirk that sent shivers down my spine.

"I'm sorry but I can't disclose his name to you if you are going to kill him" I said with a serious face

"You can't be serious" he said with a smile thinking I was joking.

" Yes I am and you're going to listen to me because I'm pregnant for the guy you want to kill and I would not appreciate it if my child's father is dead and his uncle is in jail for killing his father" I said looking him in the eye.

" You can't be serious are you sure?" he asked now a little calm

"why do you always think I'm joking why would I tell you if I'm not sure" I said getting a little irritated

" well because it is hard to believe" he said.

" Does he know about the pregnancy and the fact that he raped you? he asked

" Yes he knows I'm pregnant" I said not wanting to disclose the fact that he accused me of throwing myself at him.

"And does he know he raped you" he asked again

" Well I didn't spell it out for

him but yes I did tell him but he doesn't believe" I said lowering my head.

"what!"He exclaimed again.

" Can you please not cause a scene here" I said apologizing to the people who were now looking our way with unsatisfied looks.

" oh so you expect me to be calm about it right? Because I can't" he said annoyed

" I know it's a lot to take in but you promised not to do anything and accept my decision also not to make a scene" I said pointedly.

" Yes but that was before you told me such a crazy story but I will try to accept what you want to do however you want to handle it, also know I'll be here if you need anything" he said holing my hands trying to make me feel better.

We talked about different things until it started getting dark and I went home and Blake didn't want mW driving at night.

"How was your day with Blake" my mum asked as I reached the bottom of the stairs.

" I turned and went to greet her while kissing her both cheeks.

"Evening mum and yes it was good, it felt good talking to him" I said sitting on the sofa across her

" That's good then go take a shower and rest a little. Dinner will be ready in about an hour I'll send for you when it's set" she said smiling.

" Thanks Mum I really need to rest" I said hugging her before going upstairs to my room.

I went to my room and stripped off my clothes before entering the shower. While under the shower I started thinking of everything that happened in the last 12 hours. I decided I needed to go back to work since no one was leading the team and there was just little Bianca and Aurora could do. I got out of the shower and wore my pyjamas( shorts and crop top) then went through my mails. I was in the middle of a mail when a maid came to call for dinner so I finished reading it and went down for dinner.

I met the maids setting the table so I joined them.

"Honey you shouldn't be doing this don't stress yourself while you're pregnant" my mum said when she came out of the kitchen with a bowl of salad in her hands.

"I'm not handicapped Mum I'm just pregnant" I said smiling while taking the salad from her and placing it on the table.

When we were done we started eating and then when desert came I dropped the bombshell of work on them.

" I want to go back to work" I said calmly.

"No!" My dad said

"why can't I Adriana is out of town and Bianca can't control everything especially the new employees" I said seriously.

" Well you are pregnant and I would not allow you stress yourself in your condition" my dad said

"Why do you guys keep treating me like that handicap I'm just pregnant not sick" I said getting angry.

" We know you are not sick but we don't want anything to happen to our first grandchild" my mum said smiling.

" Don't worry I'm not going to stress myself but I need to go" I said I'm continuing eating to signal the fact that I don't want to talk about it again.

"Fine you can but be careful" my dad said

" So you are actually allowing her to go!" My mum exclaimed.

" Yes I am because if I disagree she is going to still go so what's the use of arguing when she's still going to win" he said as a matter-of-fact.

"Fine but at least let's hire a bodyguard for her" my mum said.

" NO WAY NO!" i exclaimed.

" I was not asking nor suggesting I was informing" my mum said with a frown and I knew if I tried arguing further with her I would not even be able to leave the house.

"Fine Mum so it's settled I'm going to work tomorrow with a bodyguard even though I don't need one" I said rolling my eyes.

" Well we also don't want you to go to work tomorrow but you disagreed so I suggest you mind what you say young lady" said pointing her fingers at me warningly.

I woke up early and went to the gym then went to take my bath when I was done I tied a towel around my head and body. I went into my Closet and took white knee-length gown which has a Lacy long sleeve, I styled my Hair by curling it to one side then wore my black stilettos and Pearl pair of earrings and necklace, I put on some light makeup then wore my wristwatch. I took my phone and wallet then kept it in my white handbag which had some black designs.

" Morning Matilda " I greeted one of the maids and sat down for breakfast.

" Good morning Miss Brooks. Hope you enjoyed your night " she replied with a thick Latino accent while serving my breakfast. Just when my parents came downstairs my phone started ringing but I regretted checking the caller ID when I saw " Beast" so I just ignored it.

"Morning Mum, Dad. Hope you slept well" I greeted them smiling

" Good morning and yes we did thank you honey but won't you pick up the phone" my dad said.

" It's work"I said trying to close the conversation before it even starts.

"That is even more of a reason why you should pick it up so they can fill you in on what is happening before you get there" he said persuading me.

"Don't worry when I get to work I would know" I said silently pleading they would stop with the persuasions.

" Come on dear pick the phone" my mum said handing the phone over to me.

"Fine, excuse me" I said getting up smiling.

I went to the living room and picked up the phone

" Hello" I said softly

"Where the hell are you? what have you been not been picking my call?" he yelled into the phone

" I've been busy" I answered blankly

"Well what are you doing that is making you busy you should not be going up and about in your current condition" he said and if it were that he was my loving husband my heart would have melted with those words but he isn't so it doesn't even faze me.

"Bye i need to go have breakfast"I said

" Don't you dare......" I hung up before he completed his statement.

"Well I've lost my appetite and will be leaving" i said entering the dining area back and picking up my bag.

" Try to eat your food finish darling it would make me happy" my mum said.

"I'm not in the mood for food I'll just stop at Starbucks to get something before I get to the office" I said picking up an apple and left after kissing my parents on the cheeks.

I entered the backseat of my car while my driver / bodyguard drove me to work. When I got to work everyone started looking at me in a weird way but I just ignored it and went to my office I told my bodyguard whose name i found out to be Taylor( Fifty Shades I know right ☺) to leave and come back when I call him.