The Billion Dollar Break-Up!

Chapter 8

Violet

"You forgot the present for Leo!" he wheezes. Milton was a short little tubby man who was out of shape. He puffed and held his back a little as he handed a wrapped gift to Violet.

"Thank-you, Milton" she replies. He nods.

"Any time" he gasps. He heads back in the house.

Violet was not going to go to this birthday bash after what Leo had put her through. But after all he was the only one to put up with her for so many years. She could not miss out on his birthday. Leo meant the world to her. She knew he meant well with the whole Ashton bit.

"Limo is ready for you Miss. Harris" the driver informs her. He opens the door like a gentlemen for her, she climbs inside.

"Thanks" she replies curtly. She had not spoken to Ashton or Leo since the scene at the restaurant. Leo was lucky she was coming. Her phone buzzed. It was a message from Leo. She played his voicemail.

"Hey, I know you are really mad, upset with me and all. Please call me. Let me know how you are. Please don't miss my party. You know it won't be a party unless you come. SO please please come...anyway, I hope I will see you tonight. Miss you doll face" Leo left a long hefty message for her. She smiled. He was sorry after all. She leans back and gets her seatbelt on in the limo. At least Ashton Maxford was not going to be there.

He got under her skin. She was not really sure why. So it was best to keep him at bay.

"Daddy?" Violet answers her phone.

"Hey pretty! How are things? I got your message" her father answers.

"Oh yes, about Mr. Maxford. Can you fill me in on the Maxford's?" she asks her father.

"Stay away from that Ashton" warns her father.

"Why Dad?" she asks.

"His father is a real thorn in my side. He made himself money. He wants to merge with my company. I knew his no good playboy son would come at that gala. I want you to stay away from Ashton. Do I make myself clear?" warns her father again.

"Dad, what can Ashton do to me?" she laughs.

"Pretty girl of mine. Just listen to me. Ashton Maxford is the spitting image of his father. He is used to getting whatever woman in his bed he wants. If he has his sights set on you, he will go after you" her father explains.

"Well he already has been going after me now that you mention it" sighs Violet.

"What?" her father gasps.

"Leo, is a sucker. He thinks Ashton and I would make a good match. He had me meet up with Ashton at dinner. By the time I knew what was going down, I told him I was on to him. I left right away" explains Violet.

"That a girl!! You are a smart cookie! Don't let him get to you!" he laughs.

"Daddy, you have nothing to worry about with me" warns Violet sternly as she checks her make-up job in her compact mirror.

"Good girl! Keep me posted if he tries anything new" he demands.

"Will do Daddy. Kisses and hugs!" she says before they hang up the phone. Violet looks up information on her iPad on Ashton Maxford. And all his past relationships'. Sure enough Ashton has had many lady friends in his past. Some famous ones as well.

"You naughty little man you" laughs Violet as she feels amused reading on Ashton. Now she had the information on Ashton, she was ready to play. He would not have the upper hand. She would! She soon arrives at Leo's huge home, cars were already lined up in the driveway. She grabbed her gift, her purse and was heading out on her way once the limo stopped. She had gotten Leo a little bling. A gold bracelet with his name engraved on it. And hers as well. It read Happy Birthday Love, Vi. There were balloons out- side the doors. Crowds were heading in along with her.

"Hello there Miss. Harris" greets Norman whom was Leo's butler.

"Good to see you to Norman" she replies as she heads on inside. The party was sure in full swing. She spots Leo dancing away with a crowd cheering him on. Leo was a bit of an attention hound. He loved it. Craved it. He was a ball of fun to be around. Leo was break dancing! He went so far to spin on his head.

Violet smiled as the crowd chanted Leo's name over the music. They were blasting 80's music overhead. Some rap song Violet did not know. She walked over to the table of gifts and set the gift down. Violet shyly went over to the crowd to watch Leo. The crowd knew she was his bestie. They let her get closer in the circle.

Soon the song was over. Leo spots her right away. A silly happy grin crosses over his face. He bows after the dance. Everyone claps for him when he finishes. Another song comes on over on the speakers. Leo makes his way through the crowd to her. He hugs her tight.

"I am SO happy you came! You had me so worried! I was sure you were not going to come" he exclaims with joy as he hugged her tighter. She laughs.

"Leo, I never have missed your birthday. I never shall" she vows.

"I know doll. Forgive me?" he begs her.

"Maybe, we will see" she jokes.

"Come love. We have your favorite bubbly" he promises her as he leads her over to the snack bar.

"You went all out on this party huh?" she asks him.

"You only turn thirty again once" he jokes. He winks at her.

"Thirty? Are you not..." she was going to say his age. He covers her mouth.

"Shhh" he laughs.

"Sorry" she giggles. He gets her a glass of wine.

"Thank you" she says.

"You are welcome. Are you hungry? Tired? Want to take a walk?" he offers her choices. No matter what was going on Leo always put her needs first. It was one of the things she loved about him.

"Leo, we are at your party. Don't worry about me" she says as she smiles.

"There is that smile! My girl is back!" he jokes playfully.

"I hope you will like my gift" she worries.

"Don't I always love it?" he asks her. "Look I am wearing the gift you got me last year" he points out. He was wearing an expensive Ralph Laruen pink salmon shirt she had gotten for him.

"Good" she says smiling. She was starting to enjoy herself with Leo and his friends came over to join them. Things were going well until she spotted HIM across the room. She had to look twice to make sure she was seeing things correctly. She was sure enough. There he was. Drinking a glass of wine. Flirting with some skinny, blond bimbo across the room.

"Ashton Maxford....it figures" she grumbles under her breath.

"What?" asks Leo curiously.

"Tell me, what is he doing here?" she demands with anger burning in her.

"Oh" sighs Leo looking defeated.

"Didn't think I would notice the eye sore across the room?" she snaps.

"Please don't leave my party. I invited him. We became friends is all" begs Leo.

"You did now did we? No, won't be leaving the party" she decides. She sips her wine as she does Ashton notices her from across the room. He smiles over at her, sends a little wink. She nods her head. Smiles his way. Two can play at this game Mr. Maxford....she thinks to herself.