Part 5

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I woke up at ten in the morning that Sunday. I went to the super market as usual but this time I went for shopping too.

I bought a silver coloured clutch and silver coloured heels to match the dress.

I saw a beautiful necklace but it was too costly that I didn't even try it.

I went back to my apartment then did the weekly chores like cleaning the floor, washing clothes, cleaning the kitchen etc.

It was four in the afternoon when I was done with all the chores and had my lunch in the mean time. I switched on the television and started flipping the channels.

Should I go?

Will it be a right decision?

Of course Liz! Don't think too much. You will be meeting your friends. Mel, Ben, Dave and Diego will be there.

Yes! I am going to meet them. I am so glad that Mrs. Ashton invited me.

It was unexpected that Mrs. Ashton would come to my apartment and invite me for the party.

But..today is his birthday too...

Should I give him something?

Yes! A bottle of poison.

That would be excellent.

I rolled my eyes at the thought.

But he gave me this dress on my birthday... I think you should return the favour.

Only because he wasted his money on this dress, I am going to return his money.

Yes! I will pay him back as a birthday gift.

I took out an empty necklace box and put a cheque slip of hundred dollars in it. I closed it and wrapped it with gift wrappers.

I put the box in a small carry bag.

Yes! I am serious about paying him back.

It is odd to give him... Uhu uhu.. money as a birthday present.. but who cares.

*******

It was already six in the evening and I was getting ready for the party.

I put on the silver coloured dress which he gave me on my birthday. I tied my hair in a pony tail before puffing my hair at the front. The dress was not revealing and I might add that it was perfect.

I put on a red lipstick and black mascara. I searched for matching earings but there were none so I didn't wore any jewellery.

It was already seven and I was still at my apartment.

I took the clutch and put my identity card, credit card and mobile phone. I was about to wear my heels when my phone started ringing.

It was Ben.

"Hey! How are you?" I asked her.

"I am totally fine. Where are you Liz? We all are waiting for you."

How did she know that I was coming?

"Umm..how do you know about...."

"We all know Liz. Dave told me that you have been invited by Mrs. Ashton. Now hurry up! Everyone has already came."

"Okay. I am coming. Bye."

"Bye" she said and hung up the call.

As soon as I ended the call, it started to ring again.

It was Robert.

What does he wants now?

"Where are you?"

"At my apartment. Why? Is there any problem?" I asked.

"No. Actually I thought that you will be going to that party." He said and I could hear the traffic's noise.

"Yes. I am going."

"What? I mean.. are you really going?"

"Yes Robert I am going. Now if you please cut the call. I am already late."

"Great. Then wait for five minutes, I will be there to receive you."

"It's okay Robert. I...."

"No. I am coming. Bye." He ended the call.

At last I put on my heels then took the key card and the gift bag. I locked the door and walked towards the elevator.

I reached down to the parking lot and waited there for Robert.

I saw his car coming at the parking lot so I started walking towards it. He stopped the car and came out of it.

"Why are you here? You should have waited in your apartment." He said.

"I am already late and the place is an hour away from here, so if you please stop wasting the time and start your driving." I said and was about to open the door of the passenger's seat when he put his hand on it.

"Hey! Let me do this." He opened the door for me.

"After you madam." I laughed at his behaviour.

******

"So...what is there in that bag?" He asked referring to the gift.

A hundred dollar cheque for Mr. James Ashton.

"A gift." I said and started looking outside of the window.

"Umm..so you know that today is James' birthday."

"Yes."

Can't he just keep his mouth shut and drive.

"I see you have a good memory to remember your previous boss' birthday." He said without any emotion in his voice.

"No. Actually I didn't know about his birthday until Mrs. Ashton told me last week." I said the truth.

"Oh.. by the way you are looking beautiful." He smiled while looking at me.

"Thanks. You are looking handsome too" I smiled back.

"I always do. Thanks anyways." He winked at me.

"Yes that is right. You both are very good looking."

I could see him giving a shy smile.

Whoa! Is he blushing?

But soon his expression changed into a serious one.

"What do you mean by 'both'?" He said.

"You and Diego and even your sister is very beautiful." I said smiling.

"Oh... I thought you were talking about... Anyways what is there in the bag?"

Was he referring to James?

"It is a surprise gift. Why are you so interested in it?" I asked.

"I was only asking. I brought him his favourite perfume. He is very fond of perfumes."

"Hmm.."

I don't care what he likes or not.

*******

We reached the hotel, where the party was going to be held, after forty five minutes.

As soon as the car stopped, Robert jumped out of it and came to open the passenger's door.

"Thank you." I smiled at him.

"You are always welcome. Ma'am."

"Sometimes you really make me forget that you are my boss."

He laughed at that.

"I am your boss only in the office. Now come." He extended his elbow towards me and I held it with my hand.

We entered the hall after showing our cards. Robert was furious that the guard didn't let him entered without showing his card.

"Doesn't he know who am I?" He asked me.

"Maybe but rule is rule."

"********.." he cursed and I gave him a dangerous look.

"Sorry.. " he smiled and then we saw Ben and Mel standing a little away from us.

They hurriedly came towards us with big smiles on their faces.

"OMG! I missed you soooo much." Mel said and hugged me.

"I missed you too."

"Wow! Liza you are looking stunning in that dress." Ben said.

"Yes it is really complimenting you." Mel said afterwards.

"Thank you guys. And you both are looking beautiful like always." I said to both of them.

"Umm.. hi! Mr. Williams." Ben said after noticing him.

"For once I thought I was invisible." He said.

"Sorry..we didn't notice you before." Mel said giving a shy smile.

"It's okay. You are meeting your friend after four months. I understand. So.. enjoy, excuse me." He smiled and walked away from there.

"Oops! We have hurt his ego. He and James are of same quality. Ignore them and then see their reaction." Mel giggled.

"So.. how are you?" Ben asked.

"Umm..fine."

"Liza please come back. We really miss you." Mel pouted.

"Hmm.. no I am feeling better at the William's." I said.

"But Liza why do you left the Ashton's?" Ben asked me in a confused tone.

"Don't you know?" I said looking between them.

They looked at each other dumbly.

"No." They said in unison.

"Dave haven't told you? He always tell you everything about me. Right?"

"Yes.. he told me that you left because...you were interested in Robert.. and he is paying you more than the Ashton's.. but I know it is not the truth. I want to know the reason. And you have to tell us." Ben said holding my shoulder.

I took a sharp breath to control my tears which were threatening to come out.

I don't want to remember that night.

I don't want to discuss about it.

"Maybe some other time."

"Hmm..fine."

"OMG! Liza you came. I didn't see you before." Mrs. Ashton said and hugged me.

I didn't see her coming.

"Excuse us" Mel said and they both went towards the other side.

"I came a few minutes ago." I said.

She looked down at me.

"This dress... is beautiful." She trailed off.

Your son gifted me. Don't you remember?

"Hmm..thanks."

"I asked you about a dress when I was in your apartment. Do you remember?" She asked.

Of course!

"Yes you were talking about a dress but then your phone was started ringing." I said giving a fake confused look.

"Oh.. umm.. if you don't mind. Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"From where did you buy this dress?"

What you are thinking is hundred percent correct!

"Umm.. actually someone gifted me on my birthday."

"Who?"

Your son.

"Mr. James Ashton."

Her face became pale.

"Oh.. I see. Enjoy the party." She gave a forced smile and walked towards the crowd.

Now Mr. James Ashton prepare yourself to give explanation to your mom.

I went to Diego and talked with him for a few minutes. I came to know that Kat is nine months pregnant.

We were seated on a sofa when I saw a raging bull coming towards us.

I meant to say Mr. James Ashton.

He was taking long strides and in a few seconds, he came infront of us.

He stopped abruptly in front of me.

He looked at Diego and said.

"I want to have a private conversation with Miss Liza Miller."

"Sure. See you later." Diego took his glass and walked away.

I was drinking some juice and was looking at the ground.

I could feel his gaze on me but he was not sitting beside me.

I am not going to stand for you. If you want to talk then sit.

He took some steps back then screeched a tool infront of me and sat on it.

I didn't mean you to sit... exactly in front of me.

He was almost hovering over me as the tool was higher than the sofa and he was tall too.

I was feeling a little uncomfortable at that position.

"Why are you wearing this dress?"

"I think a dress is made to wear." I shrugged and took a sip from my glass.

"Stop your nonsense. Why are you wearing my dress."

"Is it yours? Oops!"

"Shut up. You know what I mean." He said through his teeth.

"No I am clueless of what you are trying to say."

"Fine." He said and was going to stand.

"Wait. I have something for you" I said and extended the bag.

He looked confused.

"What is it?"

"Your birthday gift."

He opened the bag, then the box. His eyebrows scrunched together.

"What is this?" He asked examining the cheque.

"Bill for this dress." I said pointing to my dress.

"Is it costlier than hundred dollars?"

I asked feeling a little confused if that simple dress could cost more than that.

He gave me a dangerous look and stood up.

"You b****. How dare you?" I said.

"Oops! My mistake." He smirked and was out of sight in a few seconds.

How dare he!

I walked towards the washroom to wash my dress.

Yes that b**** spill his drink on my dress when he stood up.

I cleaned it and dried it under the drier.

He is such a ********!!

I walked out of the washroom and bumped into someone.

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