A Deal With The Billionaire

EPISODE SEVENTY THREE

THEME: She hates Raven

CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

CRAWFORD’S MANSIONNôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

FEW DAYS LATER

Ashley felt victorious at the result of her fervent search. It was with extreme delight that she had placed a call through to Christopher to check the articles online. For months she had searched for a way to contact Jessica because her detest for Raven kept expanding especially when she sees how her brother acts sweet with her. She didn’t want the lady in their midst at all.

Thanks to one of the articles she was able to get all of Jessica’s social media handles. And she had dropped her series of messages for the past few days but hadn’t gotten any response. However, Ashley stayed hopeful.

Ashley and Matthew were back to normal and she didn’t want anything that would trigger his annoyance. This is why she went underground with her plans.

“Why do you have that smug look on your face?” Ava queried, giving her sister a scrutinizing look as she settled next to her.

It was a regular ritual amongst the Crawford women to lay lazily by the pool side on some days in their bikinis to cool off the stress. They were at it as usual and Ashley had come join them. She had been consistent despite being married for a while. Their mother joined them, taking her own place on Ashley’s right side, putting her in the middle.

“What has my expression got to do with you?” Ashley retorted. “Can’t I smile the way I want?”

Ava raised her hands up in surrender. “No… no one said you can’t smile. I was just asking.”

Ashley adjusted the sunglasses on her hair and she snorted. “You can do well to mind your business.”

Hope groaned. “Why are you both bickering at each other, this is suppose to be fun for us.”

Holding up her hand in surrender again Ava responded. “I didn’t say anything wrong. She took it the other way.”

“You should learn to be respectful. I am way older than you.” Ashley told her.

Ava mocked her in response. “Yes, your majesty.”

Hope laughed, taking a sip of her cocktail. “Raven was meant to join us, but I realized she doesn’t like getting off work.”

“You are right mom. She is one of the most valuable assets in the restaurant. It’s not a surprise that she has limited time to spare.” Ava told her mother.

Ashley groaned inwardly as she mumbled in some curse words. “Why must you both always bring Raven into the picture and ruin the atmosphere.”

Sitting up from her sleeping position, Hope turned to Ashley. “I don’t seem to understand your aggression Ashley.”

“It is something that has to do with her not liking Raven.” Ava added quickly.

“I like her. Have you seen how much those two care about each other? I thought you already had this discussion with your father and brother?” Hope said.

“She is so hell bent on hating the girl!” Ava muttered under her breath.

Ashley imitated her mother’s position “Don’t I have a right to my feelings? Do I have to feel the way you all do?”

“We are family Ashley. Raven is a part of us now. Why don’t you get it?” Ava retorted in frustration. She was getting pissed at her sister’s insensitive attitude. Why she would hate on Raven with no solid reason?

“Do not talk to me like that Ava!” Ashley warned. “Mom, don’t you get it? Raven is a single mother and she can never love Christopher more than she loves her child. I am certain she is after his inheritance to give to her son!”

“Ashley, why would you say that? I would disagree with you baby. Raven isn’t like that, I feel you should take some time out to know her better. And since when did you become so judgmental?” Hope sounded exhausted.

“She has been this way since time immemorial!” Ava said, glaring at her sister.

“Ava!” Hope cautioned.

Ava shook her head in refusal, she stood up but fixed her eyes on Ashley. “No mom, I won’t keep quiet this time. I have had to bottle up a whole lot of things for years all because of her. Why does it always have to be all about you? I mean… you make it seem like you are the only one who knows what’s right and what’s wrong. Your indulgence deprived me of the one man I truly love. He is out there having the best time of his life with another woman while I am all buried in works because I am scared that no one would be good enough for me. Your insecurities should be limited to you alone, do not tag innocent people along with your bullshit!” She said in a raised tone without missing a beat.

Her screaming out got to Ava and she stood up almost immediately. “Learn to stay out of people’s business!” She spat.

Ava made an attempt to stomp off back to the house but Ashley whipped her around and gave her a thunderous slap causing Hope to gasp out in shock.

“You bitchy brat! I warned you to not talk to me in whatever way you desire.” She spat.

Ava put her hand on the affected cheek as she stared at her mother with teary eyes expecting her to say something. However, she was met with a pitiful look, which only broke her heart into pieces. She didn’t wait to be called back before running off to the house in anger.

“Ava!” Hope called out to her.

Taking her seat, Ashley slurped on her drink. “Leave her be mom. You indulge her excesses too much.”

Hope raised an eyebrows at her daughter’s words. She took in a deep breath and stood up too. “You know what Ashley, thanks for ruining my mood. You can enjoy the serenity all alone.” Having said that, she walked into the house.

“I can’t believe this!” Ashley gaped in disbelief. Her mother not saying anything about Ava disrespecting her made her terribly angry. Balling her fist tightly, she imagined Raven’s face and wished to punch the daylight out of her.

A woman who came from only God know where, had her whole family in her pocket. It made her more irritated at Raven. Picking up her phone she opened her Instagram message app and typed furiously on it. Seeing the delivered signal, she tried to take a deep breath before calling Matthew to come pick her up.

‘I am at work Ashley.’ He told her on picking the call.

‘Then send your driver or something to come get me!’ Ashley whined like a child.

‘I can’t do that right now. I sent him somewhere. Why don’t you just drive your car or better still put a call through to the children chauffeur he would come get you. I am really busy at the moment baby. I will call you when I am done. Love you!’ Matthew replied before hanging up the call.

Ashley stomped her foot violently, she felt all alone. Looking around and seeing how empty the swimming arena was without Ava and her mum. It made her curse loudly at Raven. She hated Raven.

“You won’t get away with this Raven. I promise you.” Ashley swore as she picked up her things. She stormed out of the Crawford’s mansion not bothering to say goodbyes to anyone in the house.