Chapter 3.

”Well?” Ashton asked as he took a sip from his glass of water.

”I don’t believe that anything makes me stand out from them, I do however believe that I can do a better job.” I answered honestly. I heard the other girls gasp and I felt their eyes trying to burn holes on the side of my face.

”And how is that?” He asked me.

I was getting really sick of his attempts to embarrass me.

”Because I don't want to fuck you, I am here to do a job and obviously the others have something else in mind.” I stated.

”What the hell is your problem?!” Jasmine shrieked.

”I don’t have one,” I said, trying to remain calm.

”That was rude Elena!” The others chimed in and gave me nasty looks.

”Might have been, but honestly none the less,”

”Anything else Mr.Carlson?” I said.

”Yes,” He said as he stood up and walked towards me.

”Stand,”

I did as he asked and stood up. Ashton towered over me as he always has and our eyes locked in a long awkward gaze. A challenge of dominance, to see who would avert their eyes first.

I swallowed hard and bit my tongue so to not be intimidated, I would not look away.

Something in Ashton's eyes flickered over and they turned dark, his jaw clicked and I could see the vein in his forehead starting to throb. He was getting mad. I folded and looked away.

I could see from the side of my eye how a smirk crept up on his face and I internally sighed in annoyance.

”Jasmine would you please come,” He said and looked at Jasmine. She scurried over and the envy in the other girls' eyes was not missed.

”How do you feel regarding Ms. Shaws' answer?” He asked her.

”I Belize that she is thoroughly mistaken. Of course, your attractive but I would never let that get in the way of my work,” She purred as she brushed her hand over his arm in a flirtatious manner.

I felt my body stiffen and my jaw tense, and I lost all control.

”How about you say those words again without touching the boss? Or maybe that’s too hard, having to speak in the presence of the man you want to fuck?”

”Ms. Shaw,” Ashton warned.

”I-” I cut her off before she could speak.

”That’s what it is, isn't it? You need him close to you, you need his touch and if you get the internship then your chances of getting into bed with him are larger. You’ll be near him often and be able to persuade him. You’ll miss an assignment or an event in the hopes that he’ll help you, assist you.” Good gracious Elena, you've officially lost any and all self-respect.

Well, there's no turning back now.

”No I-”

”Or perhaps that’s not enough…no you want more. What? Marriage? To the rich CEO, that’s it isn't it?” Jasmine was on the verge of tears and Ashton practically had smoke coming out of his ears.

”ELENA ENOUGH!” He shouted. Using my first name, making me silent.

”You bitch!” Jasmine yelled as she threw her glass of water at me.

It nearly full meaning all content of her glass was poured over my white blouse. Leaving it completely and utterly, see-through.

I looked down in shock and then up at Jasmine who had her and over her mouth.

Ashton's eyes were fixated on the glass that Jasmine was holding and I just wanted to crawl back into my bed and stay there.

”Holy…” Pazzi began. My head jerked up and when I saw where Pazzi was staring, I quickly covered myself up with my hands.

Ashtons slowly turned to face his friend. As soon as Pazzi saw Ashton's face, he gulped and his eyes met the floor.

”Get.Out.” Ashton warned. Pazzi quickly left the room without lifting his gaze.

I was so embarrassed, I wanted to run. And I did, or I tried. I turned around but Ashton was quick to grab my arm. He held me in place and I felt his pulse against my wrist. His heart was beating fast.

”Everybody, out.” He said slowly and quietly. Nobody hesitated but quickly left the office.

When the last person was gone I breathed out. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep the tears from falling.

”Ashton please,” I begged. Hoping he would let me go, let me leave.

With one swift motion, he had me turned around and facing him. My eyes were glued to the floor and my free arm was covering my chest.

Ashton pulled at my arm, forcing it down, revealing myself.

”This all used to be mine once,” He whispered. He put the fingers under my chin and tilted it up.

”There’s no need for you to hide it from me,” He said. His face and his voice were so smooth, so soft.

It reminded me of before.

”I don’t however like knowing anybody else seeing it,” He said. His voice was hardening again and I know he was referring to Pazzi staring so very unsmoothly at me earlier.

”Ashton,”

”Don’t. I’ll get you some clothes.” And just like that, the old Ashton was gone and was replaced by the cold, tough shell of a man.

__________________

The interviews were over and we were waiting outside of the office.

I was furious, my blood was boiling and I desperately wanted to punch something, or perhaps rather someone.

Both Jasmine for what she did but also Ashton for all the embarkment he’s putting me through.

He lent me a hoodie that I was currently wearing.

”All girls were called in one by one, and all had left crying. Jasmine was in there now.

I didn't know what I hoped for. Did I really want this internship? Give Ashton the opportunity to embarrass me further, to claim his revenge?

But I wasn't doing this for me. That was the thing. I was doing this for them. For my parents.

The door opened up and a very happy Jasmine came skipping out. She shook hands with Anna before giving me a small smile and leaving for the elevators.

I nodded my head and stood up, ready to leave.

”Wait, Ms.Shaw!” Anna called. I turned around.

”Yes?”

”Mr.Carlson wants to see you," She exclaimed.

I looked at her in confusion.

”But I assumed that Jasmine got the job?” I said, gesturing with my hand to where Jasmine had just left.

”Mr.Carlson wants to see you,” Was all she said. Apparently, if Mr.Carlson wants to see you, you see him. I rolled my eyes and gave her a smile before passing her.

”You wanted to see me,” I said, trying to not sound too bored.

In all honesty, I was kind of relieved to not have gotten the job.

”Yes, I have a position for you,” He said. His eyes held mischief and his lips were tugging in a smile. My stomach turned upside down and the blood drained from my face. There I have my answer, I do not want to work here with him.

”I’m sorry Mr.Carlson, I thought Jasmine got the internship,” I said.

”Yes she did. The internship was never yours, you never had a chance,”

I felt my face drop and my knees buckle beneath me.

”Excuse me?” I said in a gasp.

Ashton stood and walked towards me once again. This time in front of everyone, his arm slinked around my waist and he tugged me towards him. I was on the verge of tears, fainting and collapsing right here and now, and his touch was only making things worse.

”I said, you never stood a chance. Do you really think I would give such a free portion to the woman who broke my heart? To the woman who rightfully belongs to me,”

”Ash-” I tried cutting him of put his hand dug into the small of my back, making me whimper.

”You’re going to work for me, as my personal assistant,”