" It's not a party until the main guest arrives, and the uninvited guest shows up"
The lady who entered the elevator, ended up on the 14th floor, where the CEO's office was.
"I'm sorry ma'am, but you can't enter the CEO's office," Lexie, Ashton's new secretary said.
"What? Why can't I go in?" She asked.
"CEO's orders, he doesn't want anyone to disturb him, no one can enter" Lexie replied.
"Then, I'll just wait for him here, he'll have to meet me," Claris said.
What's wrong with this woman?
"I cannot promise you anything ma'am" Lexie replied, heading back to her desk.
It was clear that Ashton was avoiding her, no one could enter his office without his permission or approval, especially with the jammed doors that only he could open with control from inside.
Tobe had improved his office security today itself.
Time went by quickly, inside the office, Ashton held Ariana's file in his hands, he wanted to know what was happening in her current life, everything including relationship status.
Was she a family woman or not.
Married or still single.
He couldn't stop this ongoing research just for Claris.
He was deep in his work, that he lost track of time. By 7 pm,most of the workers had got off work, purposely to prepare for the cocktail party that was just in an hour.
Lexie and Ariana were among the last to get off work including Ashton, who'd even forgotten that Claris even came.
He saw her by surprise, just outside hua office, tired, in such a skimpy dress.
Who was she trying to impress??
"Ashton, you finally came out,I almost thought you'd die in there," she said jokingly, but the cold man in front of her was in no mood for such.
"It's late, you should go home" he replied,before turning to leave.
"But Ash,I came here straight from the airport, I don't have a car,or place to stay...." She tried to say before he cut her off.
"You should have thought of that before coming here,dressed up like that," he coldly replied.
"I wanted to surprise you like your mother requested me, I waited here just to see you, can't you atleast help me....this once...please" Claris said, more like begging.
If anything happened to her, his mom wouldn't let him off the hook.
"Let's go" he said after draping his coat over her shoulders.
However....as they came out of the elevator into the car that was waiting for them outside, it was witnessed by Lexie and of course, Ariana....
~~~~~
"Does this look nice on me?" Lexie asked, she had cleared out her wardrobe just looking for what to wear to the cocktail party.
The person she was talking to was in a daze, Ariana didn't expect that the woman who insulted her and almost hit her was Ashton's 'wife?
Everytime she thought about it, she wanted to burst into tears, she felt like her heart was stabbed over and over again.
She still loved him
Did he really move on and forget her that easily....he heart was broken yet again.
"You know Ari, the new CEO is a hottie, like a Greek God, tall, perfect shape, so handsome. Too bad he's already taken by that classy woman, she waited almost all day just for him and he took her home, she must really have his heart, and I'm sure he'll definitely bring her to the party." Lexie abruptly said.
"I'm not going" Ariana replied.
"What!!" Lexie almost snapped at her, but the door bell rang.
"I'll get it" she said, stepping out to check.
"Delivery for ma'am Ariana," it was a delivery guy, holding a large bouquet of blue roses and a gift box.
"Sign here" as soon as Lexie signed, the guy left.
She rushed back to the room.
"Ari! look, someone sent you these" Lexie said as she set them in front of her.
Only one person could do such a thing, Ashton.
".... ..." She was speechless.
"Don't tell me you have a secret admirer, he went out of his way to get you these, I heard they were out of season and so expensive,he must have spent a lot" as soon as Lexie said that, Ariana got a flashback 4 years back, of how clearly Ashton said,
"I know you love these roses, I'll always get them for you, even if I have to go to the other end of the world, I'll fo it for you" she couldn't take it any longer, she cried.
"I don't want them, I don't, he'll only hurt me in the end, throw them out" she cried so helplessly planning to throw them out.
*Hey... don't do such a thing you'll regret soon, you can't waste them" Lexie said, stopping her.
" He left me...he hurt me .. he's bad" Ariana said, continuing to cry louder.
"What's wrong with you?" Lexie asked.
"Check that gift box, I want to throw it out to!!" Ariana was pissed.
The gift box had a beautiful red dress, perfect for the cocktail party.
"Wow,Ari, whoever picked this knows your size too well, he knows you too well" Lexie exclaimed.
"I've changed my mind let's go to this party" Ariana suddenly said.
What was she planning to do there?
She changed and wore the red dress Ashton had sent for her, designing her hair and putting on some makeup.
Let's see who's the better woman.
~~~~
Meanwhile..."Just like you asked Sir, Ms Claris has settled down at the hotel we've booked for her and the package has been delivered to the address you gave" Tobe reported to his boss.
Ashton had made it to the party with such a commanding presence and excuding a king like aura, dressed in a black suit, looking handsome as ever.
He wouldn't have come if it weren't for Ariana, he was expecting her to be there but she was no where in sight.
All the other workers from the Architectural Department were present but she wasn't.
"Where was she?"
The invited guest had arrived, but an uninvited guest also showed up, Claris.
"Claris! What are you doing here? " Ashton asked, obviously angry.
Her presence suffocated him.
"I'm here for you Ash" she replied.
All eyes were on them, they looked like a couple.
Ashton planned to drag her out, grabbing her hand...but after he did...Ariana and Lexie entered, and saw them together.