I offered no retort. The intense crying I did leave my eyes tired and puffy. I watched Ashton for a while before I drifted off to sleep.
I then had a lengthy dream.
In it, Macy, Jackson and I were back in high school. We were lazing around beneath the shade of a tree, watching other kids play with crickets. The fearless Macy pissed off their head honcho. Jackson then charged up and tangled with them. He was like a brave gladiator who did not cry out even as his head bled.
When I awoke, there was only the sedate expression on Ashton’s face as he slept next to me.
I extended a hand to caress his face. There was simply no going back to where we came from.
…..
After the ten-day long hormone therapy, I was finally able to have an ovum successfully extracted from my body. The artificial insemination process also went well. In three days, the cultivated embryo would be ready to be inserted into my uterus.
It was also today that Ashton did not have me sent home as usual. Instead, he ferried me to the Fuller Corporation personally.
There was hardly time for me to warm my seat before Ashton produced a file from under the table, which he opened up before passing it along.
I was not sure what to make of it. The heading read—Letter of Authorization for the Shares of Fuller Corporation.
Ashton meant for me to transfer all the shares I have on hand to his name and make him my legal executor.
Confounded, I placed down the document. “Has this something to do with the investment with GW?”
Even though he had explained to me the importance of the financing, I still had reservations about it as the risks involved were too great.
Ashton nodded. “I could not categorically deny that. Though I haven’t green-lighted it, it’s inevitable that I might have to make a decision on this on your behalf once you sign the letter. More importantly, the lab results would be confirmed in the next few days. It was difficult enough for us to be able to conceive, so whatever GW may be up to, I don’t want you to become a target for them. Not only is this about the transference of shares, but you will also be completely removed from all involvement in Fuller Corporation.”
His reasoning was sound but his one-sided approach had me feeling that my opinion was made peripheral. “Are we discussing this, or are you informing me?”
“I am fine with either one. Which do you prefer?” He shrugged, but appeared sincere.
There was not much I could say in response as it did not seem that he had any ulterior motives.
His concerns were not completely unfounded. Everything that happened before this could have stemmed from our failure to maintain a low profile. Ashton might have thought that perhaps I should step away from the public eye before the pregnancy happened.
In the end, I declared in indignation, “You might as well publicly announce that you are divorcing me if you really want to ensure my safety.”
Ashton took into serious consideration something I merely said in jest, and nodded solemnly. “If it came down to that, sure.”
I was flabbergasted.
Who wants him to go down that route?
I rolled my eye disdainfully at him and dumped the file on the table. “I’m not going to sign on this.”
A frown appeared between his eyebrows as he did not expect me to turn him down. His mouth was agape as though he wanted to say something before he was cut off by a knocking on the door.
Knock! Knock!
Both us turned in toward it in unison. It was Joseph, and with him was Stella.
“Come in,” Ashton said.
I was delighted at Joseph’s sudden appearance. Be it in the company or elsewhere, I would greet him all the same. “When did you come back?”
Joseph tone was staid. “I came in on the morning flight, and just got back to work today.”
