CONTRACTLY, IT'S YOU
13 - CHASE

It wasn't making sense. "How did you get here? When did you get here?" I looked at Noami, and her warm, loving eyes were glued to the miraculous sight I couldn't believe it either.

I sighed heavily, interrupting whatever was going on. "Mom?" I called, and her gaze turned to me her eyes turned cold immediately, but she turned to Kai and smiled at him.

I looked at Kai, and he pouted and continued feeding her. "I have a daughter. Would you like to marry her?" My mom said.

My eyes widened. What? Did she not recognise me? I gulped, hoping that wasn't the case. I walked closer and held her hand.

"She's very pretty. I'm sure you'll like her," Mother said, trying to convince Kai. However, he looked at me and replied.

"We are married already," He whispered. I shut my eyes briefly, shaking my head slightly. No, I needed her to remember me. So, I walked closer.

"Mom, it's me. Tiffany, your daughter," I smiled at her. My mother gazed at me head to toe. Her eyes danced around my face and lowered to our hands locked in each other's. Her hands slipped from mine, and she opened her mouth, Kai immediately pushed another spoon into her mouth.

I took a step backwards, staring solely at my mother. My mind couldn't process what was going on.

"Mom?" I muttered. Her memory wasn't as bad as it was. Now, she didn't recognise me at all.

I stared at her for a while, contemplating. My mind couldn't decide. Would she recognise me by my birth name? The name she adored and gave me.

I opened my mouth to speak, but my gaze caught Kai's. He shook his head gently. "Give her a minute," he murmured. I blinked, darting at him and my mother.

"Mom, it's Ashley, your daughter. Remember? Me, Ashley. Ashley Chase," I held her hands, and her eyes shifted to me. The name Chase was one name I knew she could never forget. A name with so much pain and misery. "Ashley?" Her eyes warmed.

"Yes, Ashley, your only daughter," I said. My gaze became watery. Mother held my hands tightly.

"Oh, you poor soul," she said. I looked up at her, and tears gathered in her eyes. The relief of her finally recognising me warmed me. I quickly hugged her and felt her hands wrap around me, too. I couldn't hold my tears anymore. It rolled down my cheeks, but I held onto my mother, who was also sobbing.

"Oh, God. It's me, Ashley," I said, I needed her to remember me for a while.

An hour later, Mother was sleeping soundly. My gaze had refused to shift anywhere. I couldn't look at Kai, and neither could I look at Noami. Even if I couldn't, I could feel her penetrating glares as I adjusted my mother's blanket. "Send me every detail, and Amelia," my brows raised. I looked at Kai and immediately looked away, blinking. I pressed my lips tightly. Amelia? I took a deep breath. It doesn't matter what happens between those two. "I'll be back. Let me take this outside," Kai said. I nodded with my gaze, still focused on my mother.

The door shut, and I exhaled loudly. Leaning away from my mother, I turned around, and my heart skipped, Noami's glares and distance sent my heart on a short trip. I held my aching heart, taking breaths. "What were you thinking saying, Ashley, in front of Kai? Have you gone nuts?" Noami asked.

I moved away from my mother. "Shush, you don't want to wake her up," I signalled, pressing my index finger on my lips.

Noami sighed, and her shoulders sagged. "How many years of hiding your identity, and you go around spilling it?" I don't think he would ask questions. It's a rule in the contract. He doesn't mind," I replied, exhausted. "Oh my God, Tiffany. That's the deal. He won't because he is a mother fucking billionaire meaning he would run a background check on you without you knowing."

Noami was right. He could, but I don't think he would. I shrugged, cleaning the table where my mom ate with Kai.

"No, girl. Don't tell me you're falling in love with him. I would too if he acted that way in front of Mother. But, no, you shouldn't, Tiffany."

"I'm not. I'm not in love with him. I just missed my mother so much. You know she's the only one I have," I stopped, staring at Noami. "I'd give her the best of everything I have, you know that, Noami."

She looked at Mother, and a small smile graced her red lips. "Yeah, I know that. But you have to be careful, rich men aren't nice."

"Thank you for worrying," I rolled my eyes playfully. The door opened, and Kai stepped in. "Don't you have to go to work?"

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"I have an important meeting. I called Audrey, and she would be here soon."

I watched him pick up his belongings. "I'd drop by the house to pick a few things before leaving. Let's have dinner together," he said, walking towards me, and leaning closer, I flinched in fear, shutting my eyes, and he kissed my forehead instead.

My eyes shot open. I could feel sockets about to fall. I gulped hard. His kisses felt like a spell to my heart. It chilled me, and my shoulders were going rigid.

"I'll text you, okay? And oh, I had them bring some food over. Let me know when you leave,"

I looked at Kai, surprised. There was no need to act all nice. It was Noami here alone with us, and she knew about the contract.

"Okay? You'll text me," His voice felt so warm. My thoughts became a mess in my head. What was happening?

I nodded. "Yes, I'll."

Kai smiled and grabbed his jacket. The door opened, and Peter bowed. He handed everything he was holding to Peter and walked away. The door shut, and a squealing sound snapped me back to reality. I looked at Noami, the subtle shake of her head accompanied by amusement.

"WHAT. THE. FUCK. JUST. HAPPENED!"

I sighed, embarrassed.