Catherine Ashton

I looked at myself in the mirror, I let out a little smile. At last, the real Catherine Ashton is here. I'm not Dakota Lennix anymore and the hiding is over now. I'm back with my blonde hair, my own fashion style and just be Catherine. I'm glad that I decided to come back even though I loved my work back in New York.

I looked at my watch and I quickly walked out the hotel room to go downstairs having dinner with a man named Jacob Williams that my grandpa wanted me to meet. Instead of meeting in LA, he has work in Vegas so he said he wanted to see me.

I walked into the restaurant and the waitress asked for my name. I told her my name and she led to a private room. I opened the door and yes, there's a man my age already waiting for me. He stood up and smiled at me when I entered the room. He was around 6' 1'', dark brown hair that was slicked back, blue eyes, thin beard and he's quite handsome.

"Hello, you must be Catherine Ashton. I'm Jacob Williams and I'm sorry for making you meet me here." He said as he walked to me putting his hand in front of me. I shook it and he pulled my chair and let me sit down first. I smiled awkwardly and he sat on his seat.

"So.. uhm.. Nice to meet you, I'm Catherine." I said introducing myself and he smiled.

"Do you want to order first?" He asked and I nodded. He pressed the button and a waiter came inside. I looked at the menu and decided to order a steak and Jacob ordered fish and chips. The waiter walked out and I turned to Jacob again.

"So.. I heard that you've been working in New York this entire time?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'm working under someone. How about you? I've never heard about you.. I know that sounds rude but.."

"I'm from Toronto, my company based in Toronto and it's okay. No hard feelings for not knowing it." He chuckled and I felt a little comfortable with this man.

"I guess you heard about arranged marriage huh?" He asked and I can't help but nod my head.

"Yeah." I said awkwardly.

"We can back out if we want, don't you want that?" He asked and I nodded lightly.

"It's the 21st century and the idea of arranged marriage is just weird.." I said as I took my glass of water.

"Yeah but I suppose we can get to know each other more and time can decide." He smiled and I drank my water.

"Well.. maybe." I said smiling back.

"You're taking over Ashton now?"

"Yeah, it's time to take over after 5 years trying to be independent. How about you?" I said nodding.

"Well.. me too. After enjoying my bachelor life, I think it's time to settle down."

"So you're planning to get married?" I asked raising my eyebrows.

"Maybe, if I found someone.."

"About this arranged marriage, do you want it?" I asked carefully.

"Honestly, I was doubting it because I didn't know you but now.. I want to know more about you. I mean.. I won't agree to it if you don't want it, I won't force you." He answered and that got me thinking. Should I try this or should I just back off? He seems like a really nice guy.

"I don't know. I never have really good luck in love.." I said completely I don't know how to deal with this.

"Every week I will come to LA to visit you so we can get to know each other more. Let's just let fate let us, I don't want to force it either." He said and I nodded.

"Sure.." I said and at the same time our food came. We talked more about our lives and I found out that he's the only child of the family, he went to Stanford University and he's more of a dog person. He's really nice and he's better than I thought he would be.

I was expecting an asshole but he's far for that. He was polite, well mannered and just so nice. Talking to him was not boring but not that fun, there's a flow to it but it's okay. After the lunch, we have to go to our seperate ways but he promised me that he will come to LA next week to visit me again.

After that, I walked to the lift to go up to my room and at the same time.. my grandpa called me.

"So how was it?" I can't believe he asked about it right away.

"It was okay.."

"Really?"

"He said he will come to LA next week to visit me." I said and I can hear my grandpa just laughing.

"I'm so happy for this, I don't know why." He said and I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah.. you're happy trying to play matchmaker for my love life." I hissed coldly.

"Oh come on, Cathy. He's not that bad right?"

"I hate you."

"Oh.. Joseph actually invited me this morning to Toronto in 3 days. How about you come with me there because they're having a charity event? I mean you can surprise Jacob there."

"Uhmm I don't want to." I said completely not keen to going to a charity event uninvited.

"He didn't mention about the charity event to me earlier so I don't think it's a good idea to just go."

"Catherine, his grandfather is my best friend. You don't need to feel uncomfortable."

"Besides.. you're sick and I won't let you go to Toronto." I said.

"I need to enjoy my life, Catherine. You are going with me to Toronto in 2 days, no more complaining." He said and I sighed.

"I hate you."

"Oh you'll love me." I can tell that he's smirking big time behind that phone.

Catherine Ashton

First day of work.

My grandpa got me a secretary that will be helping with all my works just like my old occupation. He introduced me to her and her name is Tiffany Brooks. She told me that I can call her Tiff.

She led me to my office and told me a lot of things about the company that I should know. She's been working with my company for 3 years and that's why my grandpa decided to assign her for me.

I looked around the company to get to know everyone who's working with me and get to know the meeting rooms and etc. I'm a little nervous though but I think I can do it. I need to continue my family's legacy and this is the only thing that I can do.

Tonight, I will be taking a flight to Toronto with my grandpa to go to the William's charity event. The charity events are for cancer patients that need help financially. They will have a brunch event and it's a garden charity event so after this I will go shopping to find a dress.

My grandpa told me that I will start officially working next week, he wanted me to get to know the office first and my role so he said he wants me to adapt to my old life first after living as a poor secretary in New York, that's what my grandfather said.

I walked towards my dad's office and knocked on his door. He told me to come in and he smiled when he saw me wearing work attire and just be here in LA. He gestured me to sit down.

"What do you want to drink?" He asked.

"Ice Americano would be nice." I said and he told his secretary, Steve, to buy us Starbucks.

"You know.. I'm happy that you're back, Catherine. It's been a long time since I've seen the original Catherine." He said as he put down his glasses and looked at me.

"Yeah, I guess me too."

"We've missed you, especially your mom. No more working in New York as a secretary, pumpkin." He said and I nodded.

"So I heard that your grandpa will take you to Toronto tonight to see the Williams again, I'm guessing you like him?" He asked in a careful tone.

"I don't know, we just met yesterday. I mean his first impression wasn't bad. It's too early to say that I like him, dad." I said.

"I'm sorry for letting your grandpa arrange this, it's out of my control."

"It's fine, I understand." I said and he smiled.

"So.. how's the office? Do you like it?" He asked excitedly.

"Yeah I love it, thanks Dad."

"What time will you leave?" He asked.

"Uhmm around 7ish, I want to stop by at the mall before that." I said and after that he started to talk about business related topics. He told me about the meeting that will be held next week and he wanted me to attend it. After that, Steve gave me my coffee and I decided to go to the mall.

Fred drove me to the mall and I told Tiff to take my luggage at my house because I don't think I have time to go back to the house to take it after shopping. I walked around the mall to find a dress for tomorrow but it's damn hard.

I walked around the mall for 3 hours and at last I found the perfect dress. I checked the time and it's the perfect time to go to the airport because my grandpa is already texting me where the hell I am now. I quickly called Fred to wait for me in the lobby.

I got into the car and he drove me to the airport. Tiff was sitting beside me asking me if I needed anything or if she wanted me to add some schedules into my agenda. She already got my luggage back at home and they dropped me at the airport.

The airline staff came to pick me up because my grandpa clearly got us a first class flight. I texted my grandpa that I'm at the airport already and he told me that he's waiting for me at the lounge.

The staff helped me check in and they led me to the lounge so I can have my dinner. I saw my grandpa and he's currently eating a mushroom soup.

"Hey grandpa." I said as I sat in front of him. The waiter gave me the menu and I looked at it.

"Where were you? Why are you late?" He asked.

"I was looking for a dress for tomorrow, I don't have a garden theme dress." I said and I turned to the waiter ordering sushi and a cheese cake.

"How's the new office? Do you like it?" He asked and I nodded.

"Yeah, I love it."

"Good."

"You know, I've been thinking.. if you're arrange me with Jacob, I should move to Toronto right? What's the pointing of me moving to-"

"Catherine, I get that you're smart but me and Joseph already talked about it. The Williams have been planning to move the company to LA for years now so.. you don't have to worry about it." He said and I looked at him disbelief.

"I can't believe that you're doing this to me." I said and he chuckled.

"Oh.. you'll thank me later, Catherine."

"I don't think so.." I said confidently.

"Wow.. why is that? I mean me and your grandma were arranged at some point." He said and I shook my head.

"I don't believe that, she told me about your love story and she said nothing about arranged marriage." I said as I raised my hand to call the waiter.

"Nah.. she lied." I can't believe my grandpa said that. He loves my grandma so much that his condition went so down after she passed away.

"What if this arrangement doesn't work?" I asked and the waiter came at the same time, "Can I have wine please?" I asked the waiter.

"It will work." He said confidently and I facepalmed myself.

"You need to calm down, Catherine. Let it go with the flow.. you worried too much." He said and I sighed nodding weakly.

Catherine Ashton

I woke up early this morning to take a long bath because I really need it. I couldn't sleep last night and I just need time to relax. After taking a 40 minutes bath, I walked out of the bathroom getting ready. I dried my hair first and curled it with my curling iron. I put on my dress and started to put on my makeup.

After finishing my makeup, I put my earrings on and necklaces. I put on my white ankle strap heels and checked myself on the mirror to see how I look. I took my LV bag and wore it checking it again on the mirror. I checked the time and I still have 10 minutes left. I turned on some music and started to dance weirdly. I mean.. I bet you all do that at home or somewhere right?

After 10 minutes, I went downstairs to the lobby and waited for my grandpa. He walked towards me with his nurse and his 2 guards. We got into the car and started to drive towards the charity event.

"I can't want to see Jacob's reaction seeing you, I bet he didn't expect you to be here." He said in a really cheeky tone.

"Grandpa, I wonder why aren't you resting at home? Your body needs a lot of rest and here you are in Toronto trying to be cupid for me and Jacob." I said in complete disbelief.

"Catherine, I just want to see you happy. Is that a crime?" He asked and I shook my head. The charity event is around 15 minutes away from our hotel so it's not that far and it's not that hot today too. It's a little bit windy and it was like it's going to rain but I hope it won't.

Our chauffeur stopped at the venue and I got out first. I rushed towards my grandpa and held him. The guards and nurse walked behind us watching for him. We walked into the venue and the staff led us to our seat. There's quite a lot of people here and I don't know anyone here.

Where is Jacob?

I looked around and tried to scan the room but I see no Jacob yet. Maybe he will come in later on with his grandfather.

"Where is your friend?" I asked my grandfather.

"He will come, maybe he's late." He said and I nodded. The waiter asked for our drinks and I ordered a non-alcohol cocktail. Suddenly the charity event started, the MC came out from the backstage welcoming everyone.

He introduced the charity event rundown briefly and he invited the Williams to the stage. He asked us to give a big applause to our host today. My eyes locked on the stage and my eyes widened to see 2 men coming out from the backstage.

"Oh there he is.. Joseph and Jacob." My grandpa said as he poked me. I turned to my grandpa confused and I started to look around the crowd. I got up from my seat and walked towards the man that I have my eyes on.

He saw me and his eyes widened. He gulped nervously and he smiled awkwardly at me.

"If you're not Jacob, who are you?" I asked in a cold tone.

"Okay.. calm down. I'm Brad Reed, I'm Jacob's bestfriend. How did you know about the charity event? I mean.. how did you end up here?" He asked in a nervous tone and I can't believe this. My head turned to the two men on the stage that's currently giving speeches about the charity event.

Once I realized that this is completely not a dream or.. an illusion, my body went numb and my heartbeat started to get shorter.

The two men on the stage were Joseph William and Kyle Denver or should I say.. Jacob William. The real Jacob William was my boss and I can't believe this. I saw Joseph Williams a lot when I was working with Kyle or.. Jacob, he always comes to the office once in 2 months and they always fight every time.

I closed my eyes and let out a frustrated sigh. I turned to Brad and gave him the you-gotta-explain-the-situation-here look. He nodded and he gestured to me to follow him. He led me to the back for a moment.

"Well?"

"He sent me to meet you because he wasn't keen on this arrangement. That's why he asked me to see you in Vegas instead of LA because he knew your grandfather will tag along if I asked you to meet in LA. I never thought you will come to Toronto today, Catherine." He said quickly and suddenly one of my grandpa's guards came to fetch me. My grandpa wanted me back on my seat. I followed my bodyguard again and walked back towards my seat.

They finished giving the speech and now the charity event proceeded. A staff member came to my grandpa and whispered something, my grandpa got up and gestured to me to follow him. I held on to him and we walked towards the backstage.

Oh shit.. I know where this is going..

The staff led us to a room inside the small buidling behind the venue and when we opened the door, there's Joseph and Jacob sitting side by side. Jacob's eyes widen when he saw me and he blinked his eyes a few times checking if it's real or not.

"Hey Joseph!" My grandpa hugged his bestfriend tightly and the staff closed the door behind us. I turned to Kyle Denver or Jacob William and he was still in shock.

"Timmy! I need to visit LA more, I miss you!" Joseph said and they both sat down beside each other. Joseph pushed Jacob towards me and he gestured us to sit together.

"Well well well.. do you think I'm dumb Jacob?" Joseph asked his grandson savagely.

"You told me she's beautiful.. she has blonde hair.. and she was just your type.. I'm surprised that you didn't rant about meeting Catherine because she was your secretary." Joseph said and I can't believe this.

"Same goes to Catherine." My grandpa said and I sighed.

"Sending Brad to Vegas to meet Catherine and now.. we both are trapping you, Jacob, so you can't hide from this again." Joseph said and I looked at my grandpa's disbelief.

"So.. you both can introduce yourselves again." My grandpa said and I turned to Jacob or Kyle awkwardly.

"Jacob Williams." He said as he put his hand in front of me.

"Catherine Ashton."