Building Billions - Part 3

by Lexy Timms

  “I tried that, you know,” I said. “I sent him an email saying I quit, but he didn’t process the paperwork with HR. That was his choice.”

  “But when he offered you this position, you came back. You stepped back into this office and back into this role. Own up to the choices you made and stop trying to make it seem like someone else made them for you.”

  “You have no idea what my life is like outside of these walls, Ross. The shit I deal with and the pressure I’m under.”

  “We all have lives outside of these walls. That doesn’t mean you get to slack behind these walls,” he said.

  I tried to keep from crying, but a tear streaked my cheek anyway.

  “You’re a wonderful woman, Ashley, an intelligent woman. Stop being so scared.”

  I closed my eyes and turned my back on him as I opened his office door.

  I stormed down the hallway, rushing by the receptionist’s desk. I slammed into my office and locked the door behind me. I tossed my coffee into the trash can and tossed my shit into the corner. Then, I flopped down into my leather seat and put my head on my desk.

  I was going to have a good cry. I was going to sob as loud as I needed to. I was going to let the tears pour, and then I was going to splash some water in my face.

  Then, I was going to pull up my pants and keep going. Then, I was going to do exactly what was asked of me. Because as much as I hated to admit to any of it, they were right.

  Chapter 21

  Jimmy

  I was sitting on the porch of my beach house overlooking the ocean. The silence was comforting, and the alone time was necessary. I left my phone and my laptop behind, erasing the world in Miami as I stared out into the horizon.

  I couldn't remember the last time silence had been so welcomed.

  I needed some time to get away from everything and think. I had so many people chirping constantly in my ear, and it was drowning out my own thoughts and emotions. I was trying to keep all these damn balls in the air, and they kept crashing down as soon as I got a good rhythm going. The sound of the ocean ebbing against the shoreline soothed me, and my mind fell blank as I leaned into my chair.

  I’d had a long talk with my lawyer before I left. Trish thought we were in a good place with the investigation. The prosecuting attorney was tacking onto the charges already filed, which was something we could do since Markus wasn’t in custody yet. There was a warrant out for his arrest for the other charges, and he was now officially on the FBI’s watch list and Do Not Fly list. She felt we were in a good place to catch him and nail him to the wall, and that gave me some sort of peace.

  Then, there was Ashley.

  I didn’t know what the hell I was going to do with that woman. She drove me nuts, but she provided me with the greatest relief I’d ever felt in my life. When I was with her, nothing else mattered. When I was gazing into her eyes, nothing else existed. My heart fluttered in my chest whenever I heard her voice, and my body caved to her every time her lips connected with mine.

  I loved her. I was in love with Ashley Ternbeau.

  I had to figure out a way to fix our image in the media, but I wanted to be authentic about it. I didn’t want to force something that wasn’t there. Presenting a united front was a must, but we couldn't do that if she wasn’t coming to work.

  I couldn't blame her. She was thrust into a social situation she didn’t understand. It took me years to navigate the social world of the business industry. It took me years to cultivate the image I had and to manipulate the mainstream media to suit the tone of my company. Ashley didn’t understand any of that. She was a numbers woman. No one would expect her to understand.

  I pictured Ashley in my mind, and it drew a smile across my cheeks. My stomach clenched with happiness and butterflies were flapping in my chest. I’d never felt this strongly about a woman before. I’d never wanted to fight so badly for a woman before. At any other point in my life, once the media caught wind of a relationship, I would’ve dropped her. I would’ve broken up with her so I didn’t have to deal with the bullshit that came with the cameras and the rumors and the following us around to catch us kissing shit the paparazzi did.

  But with Ashley, it was worth it. With Ashley, I kind of wanted it.

  I wanted the world to know she was mine and she was at my side. I wanted them to see her the way I did. For her beauty and her intelligence and her strength. She had so much sitting on her shoulders, and people were asking her for more than she knew how to give. But instead of letting me help her, she was pushing me away, and it hurt.

  I opened my eyes and drew in the salty air. The sun was hanging high in the sky, and I allowed myself to bask in it. Ashley would’ve loved coming out here with me again, but it was tainted for her. I had to fix things with us and with the press before I could offer to bring her back.

  I knew her well enough to know she’d look over her shoulder if I didn’t.

  I closed my eyes again and saw Ashley again. Only this time, she was in a white dress, strapless and clinging to her body as the satin fabric fell to the floor. She had something covering her face and I looked down, seeing the decadent tuxedo I had on.

  I felt my heart clench at the sight of her.

  Those pouty red lips and the bouquet of flowers in her hands. The heels she walked gracefully in and how her hips swayed against the fabric of her dress. Ross was standing at my side, and Cass was in front of me, and Ashley was slowly coming down an aisle.

  I could hardly breathe, she was so beautiful.

  I ripped my eyes open and almost fell back in my chair. What the hell had I just seen? I looked down at my left hand, and for a split second, I could see a ring there. The outline of a wedding ring Ashley was sliding onto my finger.

  I ran down the stairs and got into my car. I rode into a small town that sat right outside of Miami. I came across a quaint little jewelry store, and I pulled into the parking lot.

  A peace unlike none other fell over my body.

  I’d never felt this way before. I’d never considered marrying any woman, but seeing Ashley in that dress and looking at that ring for a split second on my finger settled something inside of me, tugged at a part of me I didn’t think existed. I got out of the car and went into the jewelry shop, intent on simply looking.

  But the longer I looked, the more drawn I was to one specific ring.

  It had Ashley written all over it. The band was small, and the diamond was of a very clear quality. It was cut into the shape of a heart and had two aquamarine stones sitting off to the side. It came with a matching wedding band, whose stones alternated between the clear, shimmering diamond and the glittering aquamarine stone, like the color of the ocean reflected in her emerald eyes. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. It was like it was made for her.

  “Looking at rings?”

  I clenched my jaw as her voice wafted over my ears. Was the universe hell-bent on making my life a living nightmare? I tried to ignore her, and I kept looking at rings, walking around the store and trying to get away from her.

  But Nina was fucking following me like always.

  “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry Jimmy.”

  My movements ceased, but I refused to look up at her. To give her the time of day. To give her the energy of my focusing on her.

  She didn’t deserve any of it, but I did deserve her apology.

  “I’m sorry for all of the issues I caused and the hurt I brought into your life.”

  I continued to bite my tongue, but I could tell she wasn’t finished.

  “I’m seeing a therapist,” Nina said. “You know, working out my issues and all. I’ve got a long way to go, but he thinks I should have a fresh start somewhere. That I’m ready for it.”

  My eyes were scanning the jewelry mindlessly, but I wasn’t paying attention to any of it.

  “California’s a lot like here, but you know, with none of the people I’ve hurt. I’m moving out there in a couple of months. My therapist wants to have a few more sessi
ons before I leave.”

  I continued moving along, my eyes resting on some pointless watches and some gaudy necklaces.

  “I hope the two of you have a good life together, Jimmy.”

  And honestly? I did too.

  Nina sighed and turned away from me before she walked to the other end of the jewelry store. I went back over to the rings, my eyes falling to the one that reminded me of Ashley. I looked up into a mirror and saw Nina at the door, her eyes connecting with mine through the reflection. The two of us stood there for a moment with nothing but commemorative silence passing between us.

  Then she pushed through the front door and left.

  I was glad she was leaving. She wouldn't be around any longer for any of us to run into. We wouldn't have to put up with her bullshit or see her out at dinner or run into her randomly in town. I felt a massive weight being lifted from my shoulders as my hand rested on top of the glass.

  “Can I help you with anything, sir?”

  “Yes,” I said. “I would like this aquamarine wedding band set, please.”

  “Ah, that’s a good one. It’s been here a while. I’m surprised no one’s picked it up until now,” he said.

  “Because it was waiting for me,” I said plainly. “Could you box them up separately? And put the engagement ring in a black velvet box.”

  “I can do that, sir. Is there anything else you want?” he asked.

  “Nope,” I said. “Just put it on my card.”

  “Right away, sir. And congratulations,” he said.

  I nodded my head as he walked away, watching as he wrapped everything up. He swiped my card and handed me a receipt, but I bunched it up and threw it away. I didn’t care to know how much it cost, and if Ashley said no, it would still be hers to keep. That ring was made for her. Meant for her and only her. She could pawn it for money if she didn’t want it, but it wasn’t coming back here.

  Not when it reflected the beauty of her face every time I looked at it.

  Chapter 22

  Ashley

  I was sitting at my desk when a familiar pair of footsteps started falling on the carpet. Everyone fell quiet out in the hallway as Jimmy walked up to his office. I looked up and saw him, with his confident form and his stoic face, unlocking his office with a big coffee in his hand. He was in an all-black suit, from his tie to his socks. He hair was swooped back, and he seemed a little more rested. It made me smile as I watched him walk into his office.

  Then, the phone on my desk rang.

  “Ashley Ternbeau.”

  “Come into my office, please,” Jimmy said.

  He hung up the phone, and I looked up into the hallway. People were staring at me, and that was when I saw his office door hanging wide open. Everyone had probably heard what he had said to me, and they were all waiting to see what I would do.

  But I couldn't let them control my actions any longer. What was done was done, and if Jimmy needed to see me, then he would see me.

  I smoothed my hands over my pencil skirt and started out of my office. I walked into his, and when he looked up at me, he gestured for me to close the door. I furrowed my brow as I turned around, watching people gape as I closed them off from the view.

  Then, the hustling and bustling began again.

  “First off, I owe you an apology,” Jimmy said.

  “For what?” I asked.

  “For not speaking with you over the weekend.”

  “You have a life. That’s nothing to apologize for,” I said.

  “You’re a part of that life personally. I should have called you and told you where I was, and for not communicating with you after demanding you do it with me, I’m sorry. It made me a hypocrite.”

  “I haven’t been the best partner either, as Cass and Ross have brought to my attention. So I think an apology from me is in order as well.”

  “I’m also apologizing on behalf of Ross. What he said to you was unprofessional, at best. He was speaking to you as my friend in a professional atmosphere, and I’m not happy with him about it.”

  “But it didn’t make what he said any less true. Cass gave me a bit of the same lecture before I came to work. I can only figure you’re as fed up with my antics as they are,” I said.

  “I could never be fed up with you, Ashley. Frustrated, sure. Worried, yes. But fed up? Never.”

  I looked up into his eyes as he relaxed against his desk. He crossed his ankles and was fiddling with something in his pocket. My eyes dropped to the movement, and it stopped immediately. I furrowed my brow in confusion.

  “Is something wrong?” I asked.

  “I went back to the beach house this weekend to get away for a bit,” Jimmy said. “I needed some time to clear my head and think things through.”

  “I know how that feels.”

  “I know you do. This scenario you’ve been thrust into isn’t fair. You aren’t a press woman. You’re a numbers woman. And no one can expect you to know how to navigate something like this so quickly into your corporate career.”

  “Doesn’t excuse that me working from home was basically running from the problem instead of facing it head-on.”

  “I care about you, Ashley. A lot.”

  “I care about you, too, Jimmy.”

  “I don’t think you understand how much, though,” he said.

  His eyes fell to his lap as I took a step toward him.

  “What’s on your mind?” I asked. “I get the feeling you didn’t call me in here to talk about something professional.”

  “I’ve been thinking a lot about how to handle the press and about how to get our images back on track without having to lie to them any longer.”

  “Or at least make it seem like we aren’t trying to sneak around,” I said. “Because I think they know by now we were lying.”

  “I lied.”

  “We lied,” I said. “Jimmy, Ross was right about one thing. I’ve been leaving you to do this on your own, and that’s not right. We got into this situation together, so we should be navigating it together. Instead, I’ve been curled up in my apartment so afraid someone will corner me on the street or find me in another parking garage that I didn’t stop to consider that I was leaving you alone to deal with this.”

  “I get it. Ashley, I understand. I was there once too. Navigating the media and using them to benefit my company and my image is something I do well now because I used to not do it well. I had time to learn. Years, in fact. You’ve had weeks, and even that time frame is generous.”

  “So, you’re not mad at me?” I asked.

  “No, Ashley. I’m not mad at you. In fact ...”

  I watched his arm move from his pocket as he clenched something in his fist. Before I could see what it was, a rapid knock came at his door.

  “I’m really sorry, Miss Ternbeau, but I have a call for you.”

  I furrowed my brow as Jimmy jammed his fist back into his pocket. I opened the door, and the receptionist was standing there with her corded telephone stretched all the way across the hallway. My heart was slamming in my chest, but I didn’t know why. I looked back at Jimmy and saw him shaking his head, like he was upset at something.

  What in the world did Jimmy have in his hand?

  “Who is it?” I asked.

  “The nursing home. The lady on the line says it’s urgent,” the receptionist said.

  I ripped the phone from her hand and held it up to my ear.

  “Hello? Who is this?” I asked.

  “Ashley. Thank heavens. You need to get down to the nursing home.”

  “Why? What's wrong?” I asked.

  “Your mother’s come down with pneumonia, and with her Alzheimer’s worsening, her body isn’t handling it well.”

  “What do you mean? How long has she been sick?” I asked.

  I looked over at Jimmy, and he pushed himself off his desk.

  “It happened late last night. Came down with a fever, and we gave her some Tylenol to combat it. She kept coughing through the night, so o
ne of the nurses ordered some late-night tests. Fluid is still gathering, and her immune system is too compromised with her Alzheimer’s to keep up. Please, Ashley. You need to get down here.”

  I thrust the phone into the receptionist’s chest and ran to my office. I gathered my things as my hands began to tremble. Tears rose quickly to my eyes and rushed down my cheeks, and as soon as I whipped up, I felt a pair of hands on my shoulders.

  Jimmy turned me around to look up at him, and the waterworks unleashed.

  “I’ve already called my driver. He’ll meet you downstairs. Go, Ashley. My driver will take you anywhere you need to go.”

  I threw my arms around him and kissed his cheek repeatedly. I didn’t care who saw or who snapped pictures to sell to some bullshit magazine. I kissed him all over his cheeks before capturing his lips, and he wrapped his arms around me. I hoped he felt it. I hoped the love and appreciation I had for him bled from my skin and soaked into his. I pulled away from him and ran down the hallway, yelling for someone to hold the elevator door.

  I shuffled on my feet all the way down to the parking garage.

  Jimmy’s driver was there with an open door. I leaped into the car, and when he got to the driver’s seat, he squealed tires trying to get out of the parking garage. The paparazzi were thicker than ever, and we almost hit a couple of people, trying to get out to the road.

  Served them fucking right if they got hit.

  My hands were shaking as I pulled out my phone. I texted Cass what was going on and told her to be on standby. I didn’t know what was happening, but I knew I would need her.

  Something told me in my gut that I would need her.

  The car pulled into the nursing home, and I slammed out of it. I ran in my heels through the front doors, and a nurse caught me by the arm. She took my hand, and we raced down the opposite direction, away from my mother’s room and into the medical attachment the nursing home had right there on the grounds.