The Veiled Heiress

Ashton felt she was slowly dying inside. She was once again listening to her psycho mom talk about moving in with another boyfriend. She has been doing this quite a bit after her father died ten years ago. She would date these men for a short time, move Ashton and her into their homes, then get bored and move onto the next man, after using up a lot of their money. Ashton has been fighting with her mother over this for years. Ashton did not feel that her mom should be alone since her father died, but also no one could compare to her father. Declan Johnson was a force to be reckoned with; a formidable business executive in the office but a kind and loving man to his friends and family. He had a tall stature and just a glance from him could have his enemies shaking in their shoes. Not that he had many enemies. For Ashton, he was always kind and encouraging. She felt that she did not get enough time with him. Ashton was only eleven when he died. Her mother was not an easy woman to build a relationship. Lucinda came from a poorer background. The daughter of two working parents, Lucinda felt that she never had enough. Now, as an adult, she wanted more and more. Nothing ever seemed to be enough for her. The woman was 45 years old with dyed blonde hair, fake nails, and some plastic surgery, so even her body was not enough for her. Lucinda worked as a paralegal for a mid-sized legal firm. She met Declan there when the attorney that she worked for did some work for his company. At first, their relationship was good, mainly because Lucinda was getting everything that she wanted. When Declan felt that she was spending too much, he tried to cut her off. Lucinda would become belligerent and neurotic. She was pregnant at the time with Ashton and Declan did not want anything to happen to the baby, so he would relent. After that, it only got worse because Lucinda would use Ashton as a means to threaten Declan. It finally became so bad that Declan had a heart attack that he was not able to survive. It was the worst day of Ashton’s life. Now Ashton is standing here at the doorstep of her latest boyfriend, thinking of her father and how much she missed him. He was her stability, and all this moving was driving her nuts. Ashton was 21 years old, with a couple of careers that she loves and a life that she wishes that she could live without her mother in it. Whenever Ashton talks to her mother about not moving around with her, Lucinda threatens to kill herself. She loves to use emotional manipulation to get what she wants. She has even followed through a few times to make Ashton know that the threat is real. Ashton is standing on the doorstep of boyfriend number whatever, with the few boxes of her possessions. She purposely packs little, preferring to keep most of her stuff in her apartment in the Upper East Side. That apartment is decorated to her likes and feels like her safe place. She often escapes there during the day to do what she cannot do near her mother. This house is nice; a long two-stories with a black marble façade and larger than normal windows. Ashton can tell that there is a lot of natural light and open rooms. A butler welcomed them into the house. Standing in the beige carpeted foyer, Lucinda introduced Ashton to Henry Collins, her new boyfriend. He was what you would expect in a multi-billionaire, a full head of gray hair and a stern expression on his face. He looked like the type of man who was always serious and always thinking about business. Ashton had the feeling that he did not care for silliness or absurdity. She may not get along with him so well. Past boyfriends, at least, had a smile when being introduced to her. His son, Tyler, was the complete opposite; tall with a strong build, black hair and piercing green eyes. He had this air of indifference around him that Ashton was not sure if it was for them or if this was his regular attitude. Tyler just stood staring at them, neither frowning nor smiling. Henry and Tyler are the owners of the Collins Group, a real estate conglomerate that specializes in high-end business structures and mansions for the rich. Ashton had heard all about them from her half-brother, Warrick. They were known to be ruthless monsters who did not care who they hurt. As Ashton looked them over, she could definitely believe that about Henry. Tyler, on the other hand, she was having a hard time reading. Lucinda did the introductions. “Henry, Tyler, meet my daughter Ashton.” Henry looked down his nose at her but still extended his hand to shake. Ever the businessman, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, young lady.” He was not sure what to make about Ashton. Lucinda talked very negatively about her. Henry did not really want her to move in, but Lucinda was adamant about having her move in, claiming that she could not live without her daughter. Ashton looked down at his hand, hesitating to shake his hand. She hasn't actually touched another person in almost six months. Lucinda elbowed her hard in the ribs, glaring and darting her eyes back and forth from Ashton to Henry’s extended hand; a silent warning not to embarrass her. Slowly, Ashton extended her own hand. “Nice to meet you too,” she replied shyly.