Ashley dressed up in a dark blue skirt suit, sheer stockings, and purple pump heels. She added to that a Philip Treacy fascinator hat that had a face net. Ashley loved the public attention that her luscious body drew. She equally despised the gasps that her damaged face induced. And hence, occult fashion wear suited her best.
As she walked out of the suite, a butler, two footmen, and three maids-in-waiting surrounded her, asking for orders. She dismissed them all. There were two Master Suites and twelve bedrooms in Malory Towers. But she did not have to go through all of them to leave the building. The Billionaire’s wife took a private turbo elevator next to her bedroom door, with fingerprint security. Only Jake, Ashley, and the Head Butler had access to it. She reached the ground floor within a minute.
Outside, a 1936 Mercedes-Benz had been warmed up for her. Two valets and a chauffeur stood in waiting. One took her bag; another opened the door for her.
“Where to, Mrs. Grayson?” the chauffeur asked merrily.
“To the company headquarters.”
“Oh good, shall I call in and inform Mr. Grayson’s secretary?”
“Oh no, I want it to be a surprise. I wish to see the look on my hubby’s face.”
“Very, well, ma’am. We’ll be there in a jiffy.”
Ashley entered the towering Grayson Entertainment Inc. building alone. She made the heads of men turn as she cat-walked in, swinging her hips on the long way to the reception. The suit clung to her like skin, outlining her curves, pokes, and handles. The face net of the designer hat hid her face.
Wait until you see my face, you jerk-offs.
Or perhaps some among you have a fetish for deformed faces.
The receptionist hailed her.
“Hello. Welcome to Grayson Entertainment. Are you here for an audition?”
Ashley stood there and said nothing, staring a hole into the forehead of the receptionist.
“Ma’am?”
The Head Receptionist came running from the back office as he had spotted Ashley walk in through the security cameras. He chastised the receptionist.
“This is Mrs. Grayson, you idiot!”
“Oh, I am so sorry, madam,“ the receptionist apologized.
“Forgive her, Mrs. Grayson. She’s new. Please come this way,” the Chief Receptionist beckoned her.
“I will personally escort you to the management floor.”
The CEO’s office was on the forty-fifth floor. The Chief Receptionist, on his way, had informed the secretary of Ashley’s arrival through the private lift intercom. The CEO’s secretary stood outside his room, waiting. She was a tall red-head bombshell.
“Mrs. Grayson, this is a pleasant surprise,” she said, “Mr. Grayson is just about to wrap up an important meeting. He’s asked you to wait in the VIP lounge.”
Ashley knew that the secretary was one of those Jake was having an affair with.
“Get out of my way, slut,” she snapped and barged into the office.
The CEO’s corner office was of decadent decor, mineral-plated desks, and stylish swivel chairs. It boasted a luxurious lounge space with a liquor bar. A series of designer desk lamps, elegant bookcases were aesthetically placed. Serene blue statement lighting added a classy ambiance. The entire office was fitted with state-of-the-art technology.
As Ashley entered, she ran into a young woman who was on her way out. She recognized the woman as an attractive lead in one of the shows produced by Grayson Entertainment. The actress shied away from Ashley, keeping her eyes down while wiping her face with a bundle of tissues.
The CEO chair was facing away, towards the panoramic view of the city.
“Jake!” The Billionaire’s wife thundered. “That was Tiffany Williams from the show Good Cop Bad Cop, right? Is this your important meeting? Getting a blowjob from a studio actress?”
Jake Grayson swiveled around on his chair and left his seat. He was a handsome man in his early thirties. Jet black hair swept back with pomade. He walked over to the liquor bar and fixed himself a neat scotch.
“What are you doing here, Ashley?” he posed, slowly ambling towards her.
“Oh, NOW I am Ashley to you? I was acquainted with being addressed as bitch for years now. You raped me! Abused me! Used me as your punch bag! For years! And now you remember my name?!”
Jake stopped a few feet from her, taken aback by her sudden outburst. His eyes focused on her with piercing intensity.
Ashley had not seen him sober for a while now. He always came to see her when he was drunk or high. At other times, she was not allowed to see him at home. With bloodshot eyes, jittery limbs, and on the verge of passing out, he violated her. He was a monster of her nightmares.
In the real world, he looked different. Charming. Composed. Well-spoken. Rakishly good-looking. The man she fell in love with.
The Jake she met at night would hit her and force himself on her as a penalty for her outburst. However, the morning CEO Jake seemed different.
“Bitch, whore, slut,” he uttered bitterly.
“They call you everything in the urban dictionary, but only one word suits you. Murderer!” Jake concluded and gulped down his entire drink.
He went to his desk and reclined on it, letting himself be haunted by the past.
Ashley felt cold and alone. She wanted Jake to understand her, but now it was too late. She had already decided.
“Jake,” her voice trembled. “All I wanted was for you to see the truth and forgive me. To love me like you did before this happened to me.” She cast off her netted hat to show her mangled face.
“But all you wanted to do was to vent your anger on me. I think at some point you enjoyed doing it. Now, I’ve had enough.”
Don’t do it, Ashley- a voice inside her said. Stay with Jake. He’s suffering as well. Jake’s your one and true love.
Listening to that misleading voice had made her weak. It had brought her three years of violation and suffering, she contended, revisiting the horrors of the previous night’s abuse. They were still fresh in her mind.
No more.
Ashley walked towards him and slammed a document on the CEO’s desk. These are our divorce papers. I have already signed them.”
Jake looked at her. This time, really at her. Their eyes met. Ashley saw conflicting emotions on his face. He began to say something but stopped himself.
“My legal team will be in touch with you,” Jake replied curtly.
Ashley was not surprised by his composure. He was a magnate among men, the CEO at the top of the pecking order. He could easily make mincemeat of situations like these.
“Goodbye, Jake. I will see you in court.”
The Billionaire’s wife put on her netted hat and left the building.
Ashley felt relieved. She had finally taken control of her life. Perhaps things were going to get better. She could go back home and help her sister, Scarlet, run the family business.
When she reached the parking area, she received a text on her phone.
It was from Harry Doyle, the detective she hired to look into Tessa’s murder.
The message said-
<< Come to our usual location.
<< I know who killed Tessa Grayson.