My Innocent Girl novel Chapter 10

As I was going through it all, I heard the doorbell.

Chris

I was fucked up as I retraced my steps of yesterday. I have been blaming her for the breach but the truth is that my brothers came to my house yesterday, totally unpredictable. I didn't know why they came, because we aren't exactly close. But anyway, I took it as their good intention and we celebrated for some time. They said that they never got to celebrate my success.

I didn't doubt them and now I remember, there was much time for them to figure my password out and access the files. And they left at night too. Don't cousins stay for some days when they visit?

I didn't even doubt them once, but I am pretty sure now that they were the ones to do that. I almost had a mental breakdown, and thus I insisted she leaves but she was stubborn. I couldn't help but say harsh words to her. I don't even know if she'll ever come in front of me again.

I had humiliated her so much, she'll not come. I know. And she... she might be just an employee, but she means a little more to me. Like, Like I feel a connection with her that cannot be with others. I don't know, I feel at home when I am with her. I can't lose her, after all these years, she is the only one who made me feel safe and better.

I have always been a cold boss for all my employees. She is the first and probably the last one for whom I wasn't exactly cold. But I ruined it all just in some minutes. I had decided to tell her about my suspicion related to my brothers but when we reached my house, I just couldn't get myself to tell her. And it was all my mistake.

Regret took over me as I remembered my last words to her. I asked her to never show her face to me again. A respected girl like her would now... now never wanna talk to me again. I have to do something. It is now or never.

I ran to my car and contacted Kate, the receptionist.

"Yes, sir"

"Message me Ash's address right now" I cut the call before she could reply.

If I have to beg for forgiveness, I will, Ash.

Ashley

I made my way towards the door as I heard the doorbell. I opened it and gosh, I think I am hallucinating. 

"A-Ash," he said and I think I am not.

"Why are you here? Not humiliated me enough?"

He looked down, but then entered the house.

"I didn't invite you inside" I took a step back, away from him.

He looked at me. "Look, I am sorry for that"

"Sorry? No one ever humiliated me like that!"

"I-I was fucked up, okay? Everyone has a bad day. It is mine"

"So, what can I do about it? And you know what? I think it was all pre-planned" I spat and he looked confused.

"What pre-planned?"

"That you'll stop me from resigning in the office and then insult me like that?"

"Gosh, Ash, I--"

"Ashley, please" I corrected him.

"Ash-ley, seriously I swear that I didn't plan--"

"You said swearing is a sin, isn't it? Don't your words apply to you? Or are you sinning willingly?"

"God, Ashley I said that all on impulse, okay? I didn't mean anything!"

"Well I mean it, I have already resigned and the resignation is approved, so" I turned around. "you should leave"

"I will triple your salary if you want and--"

"It is not about money" I interrupted him. "It is about... about how you insulted me"

"I promise Ashley it will never happen again," he said. "Come back, okay?"

I looked unsure for a moment. 

"I always respected you, Ash and you know it. It was... It was just on impulse, okay? and that is why I am here to apologize. Try to understand"

Well, he is here to apologize anyway.

"Okay, I'll... think about it," I said and he smiled.

Yes, he smiled. I have seen him smiling a little a few times but this time his smile met his eyes.

"Thanks. Will see you at work tomorrow"

"Most probably" I replied and he left.

What did I just do?

Did I just forgive him so easily?

What has gotten into me?

Maybe I wanted to forgive him and I just got too well of a reason to do it.