A soft stream of sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, painting the spacious bedroom in hues of gold and white. The scent of fresh lavender lingered faintly in the air, mingling with the crisp linen of the oversized bed. A faint chime sounded from the antique clock on the far wall, marking the beginning of a new day.
Under the silky sheets, Ashley stirred. Her lashes fluttered against her pale skin before revealing eyes the color of an unclouded summer sky—a piercing, almost unnatural blue that seemed to catch the morning light. Blinking slowly, she frowned at the room's brightness, shielding her face with a lazy arm.
The soft rustle of fabric broke the silence as she turned onto her side. Her gaze landed on her phone, resting on the nightstand. The screen was alive with a dozen notifications.
She groaned lightly, brushing her wavy, honey-blonde hair away from her face. Sleep still clung to her expression, but the blue in her eyes sharpened as her mind cleared.
A quiet knock at the door made her prop herself up on one elbow.
"Miss Ashley?" Evelyn, the family's housekeeper called her gentle and familiar voice. "Your mother is waiting for you at the breakfast table?"
Ashley glanced at the clock—7:13 a.m. Too early, yet somehow already too late. She rubbed her temple before replying. "Give me ten minutes. And please...espresso."
"Of course," Evelyn replied before her footsteps receded down the hall.
Ashley rubbed her temples as she stood by the window, staring blankly at the gardens below. The tranquil view didn't match the storm swirling in her thoughts. Last night felt like a blur, yet the vivid details of him—those warm honey eyes—refused to fade.
She tightened the silk robe around herself as if the motion could somehow block out the memory.
She hadn't expected him to be there. She hadn't even known who he was at first. Their eyes had met once, twice, and then it felt like the world tilted. He'd nodded slightly, almost unnoticeably, and she had found herself moving toward him.
But just as quickly as the pull began, she'd been snapped back into reality. A familiar face had appeared in the crowd—someone she'd prayed wouldn't be there. The realization hit her like a cold slap: this was dangerous, and not just for her.
Her guard had noticed her unease immediately, leaning in discreetly to murmur, "Miss Ashley, is everything all right?"
Her voice had wavered as she answered, "I need to leave. Now."
Letting out a heavy sigh, Ashley freshened up and made her way downstairs. As always, she found her mother seated at the breakfast table, with her assistant standing attentively by her side, engrossed in discussing the day's schedule.
''Morning Mom!''
Her mother Adriana Kingsley, the owner of Kingsley Wine Estates, was a powerful woman in the business world.
Ashley could already tell something was off. The tense set of her mother's jaw and the abrupt dismissal of her assistant were clear signs trouble was brewing.
"Where were you last night?"
Lying wasn't an option. "At a casino," Ashley admitted, her voice steady despite the weight of the question.
"And what had I advised you?" Adriana's tone softened, a disarming contrast to the fire in her eyes.
Ashley fidgeted with her fingers. "I didn't cause any trouble this time."
"No, not trouble," Adriana said, her voice laced with quiet sarcasm. "Just a minor incident where you smashed a bottle over your father's business associate's leg. Good thing he didn't recognize you".
''That old geezer was going to hurt a boy''. She said.
Adriana's face betrayed a trace of anxiety, something Ashley picked up on immediately.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Ashley asked, her brows furrowing with concern.
Adriana hesitated for a moment before responding, "Ash, you've always been fiery and headstrong, and I've never been too strict with you. But this time, I need you to promise me something—stay under the radar for a while."
"Why?"
"Our spies have reported that the Russian Bratva has sent secret operatives into New York City," Adriana revealed, her tone cautious.
Ashley frowned. "Didn't we have a peace pact? Why are they here again?"
Adriana's lips tightened into a thin line. "There's no such thing as peace in our world. Your father is already increasing security measures, so for now, listen to us until we uncover their intentions."
Ashley suddenly brightened, her train of thought shifting. "Mom, the Crown & Ivy Bar is opening tomorrow. It's going to be so much fun!"
Adriana sighed, her patience thinning. "Ashley, the Russian Bratva is our sworn enemy. This feud has been passed down through generations. Our ancestors are resting in their graves while their descendants continue to spill blood in this endless cycle of vengeance."
Ashley waved it off with a light chuckle. "Mom, that was ages ago. Surely, they've moved on by now."
Adriana shook her head firmly. "Your great-grandfather didn't just insult them; he eloped with the Bratva leader's daughter—on her wedding day—after killing her groom. He knew exactly the storm he was unleashing on future generations."
Ashley couldn't help but laugh. "Sounds like Great-Grandpa was the fiercest and bravest of them all!"
"Ashley," Adriana said sternly, "you're still too naive. Some stories are better left buried."