The next few weeks went by in a blur of pleasure. Scott and Ashley were barely able to keep their hands off of one another. Ashley was eager to learn what she'd been missing out on, and Scott was eager to show her. She learned the finer points of love-making over the remainder of the year, and Scott showed her just what it took to pleasure a man. They made love in nearly every room of the house, exploring each other's bodies with the wild abandon of teenagers who were tasting love for the first time.

And as the holidays approached, their relationship together began to take on a tone of domesticity. Scott noted that the two began to act less like a pair of business associates around each other, but more like a couple who had finally decided to move in, and were overjoyed about their decision. Olivia and Ashley grew closer, and Scott found himself wondering if he'd finally found the women who'd be able to fill the role in Olivia's life that she was so desperately missing.

They spent Christmas together, decorating the house, buying the tree, and doing secret shopping for one another. When the morning of the holiday came, they exchanged gifts. Ashley gave Scott the watch that she knew he'd had his eye on, and Scott gave Ashley a diamond tennis bracelet, her eyes welling with tears as she looked upon the gift, which she considered perfect. The three spent New Year's at a party for investors and their children, the façade of their fake marriage holding up. And when midnight hit, they kissed as Auld Lang Syne played as though it were something they'd done for years. The New Year arrived, and both of them felt nothing but eager, happy anticipation.

But the happiness wasn't to go interrupted for long.

It was the middle of January, and Scott had informed Ashley days prior that there was to be one last meeting with Michael, in which he would go over the last few details of the investment. Once the details were finalized, however, Scott's funding would be secured. But Scott seemed preoccupied with the meeting, and the day of, as they finished getting ready, Ashley asked him what the matter was.

"Michael said that there were a few surprise details that he hadn't considered," said Scott, adjusting his slim, gray tie in the mirror. "He said it was no big deal, but I'm not convinced."

Ashley stepped backward towards him, gesturing towards her unzipped dress. "Probably nothing," she said, trying to stay positive.

"Something about bringing on some additional investors. It's not unheard of, but I don't like surprises."

"You liked my surprise for you last night," said Ashley with a coy smile.

"Coming home to you lying in bed in lingerie is about the only kind of surprise I do like," he said, his voice low and sensual.

Once dressed, they got in the car and headed to Michael's offices. Once there, Michael enthusiastically greeted them in the lobby.

"Great to see you both," he said. "So, there's someone in my office that I want you to meet. He's one of the top investors in the city, and when I told him about your business plan and the software you were developing, he wanted to be a part of it. And…this is good, because some of my finances have been tied up in the last few weeks."

"Oh?" asked Scott.

"Yeah, my ex-wife. She's not done draining the life out of me just yet, it seems. But I can still put up half of what I proposed, and this investor will cover the rest, so it's not a problem."

"Assuming the investor doesn't change his mind," said Scott.

"Not going to happen," said Michael, leading them down the hall. "He's a real stand-up guy, the kind who's as good as his word."

"That's quite the endorsement," said Scott.

Ashley was getting a nervous feeling in her stomach; something wasn't right. And sure enough, when Michael opened the door, she had an explanation for her feelings.

Sitting in one of the chairs of Michael's office, his hands folded over his rotund belly, was Leonard Welsh, the boss who'd made the pass on Ashley that had cost her her job. His fleshy face lit up as soon as he saw Scott and Ashley; he didn't seem to feel a trace of embarrassment.

Michael introduced Scott and Leonard. But when it came time for Ashley and him to be introduced, Leonard held up a palm of sausage-like fingers.

"Oh, not," he said, his tone pleased. "That won't be necessary; Ashley and I are well-acquainted."

"Oh?" asked Scott, curious. "How do you mean?"

"I…used to work for Mr. Welsh," said Ashley, her tone soft and a little scared.

"Yes," said Leonard. "We had a little bit of a…misunderstanding which forced us to part ways."

Ashley cast an eye at Scott. She could see the gears turning in his head before a flash of realization crossed his expression- she knew right away that he knew what the euphemistic speaking truly meant.

"These two are engaged, I forgot to add," said Michael.

"Ah," said Leonard. "Congratulations. I'm sure you two will be very, very happy."

A moment hung in the air.

"Well," said Michael, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the room. "Shall we begin?"

"I…neeed to use the ladies room," said Ashley. "You all start without me."

And before anyone could respond, Ashley darted out of the room and down the hall, her face hot, tears of frustration forming in her eyes. She dashed to the bathroom and ducked into a stall, slipping her phone out of her purse. Not knowing what else to do, she started typing a text to Scott.

That's the man who fired me. I can't work with him. Please, you have to understand.

Hesitating for a moment, she hit "send." She knew Scott wouldn't be able to respond, but at least he could read it. Taking a deep breath, she composed herself, put on her best smiling, professional face, and headed back to the office.

But once back in, she was confronted with the sight of the three men exchanging handshakes. It seemed the deal had already been done.

"Ashley," said Michael, his tone pleased. "Sorry to jump ahead, but there really wasn't much negotiating to be done."

"You mean, it's settled?" asked Ashley.

"We put a nice little bow on things," said Leonard, his mouth in a grin.

Ashley shot a wide-eyed glance to Scott, who was wearing an apologetic look, the kind that said: "there was nothing I could do."

Rage began to boil within Ashley.

"I'm very much looking forward to working with you," said Leonard, taking Ashley's hand shaking it softly, his palm sweaty.

"Yeah, me too," said Ashley.

Then, as if something took control of her, she burst from the room once again.

"Thanks for everything," she heard Scott say. "We'll be in touch."

Scott followed Ashley out of the hallway and into the elevator, which they rode down to the lobby in silence. Once the doors opened, Ashley sped out, walking with quick steps towards the front doors.

"Ash-" said Scott, walking behind her.

She didn't respond, instead choosing to fight back the tears of frustration that welled in her eyes. But, as soon as she reached outside, her composure collapsed. Tears poured from her eyes, and when she finally stopped to face Scott, she could hardly keep herself together.

"You made the deal?" she asked, her voice strained with anger. "How could you, knowing what he did to me?"

"That's the key investor for this plan!" said Scott. "I can't just break off the deal at the last minute because you had a bad experience with him."

"It was more than a bad experience!" cried Ashley. "He...he…"

"He what?"

Ashley wanted to tell him, but couldn't find the words. It was all too painful to consider.

"You just have to trust me," she said. "You have to trust that I have my reasons for not working with that…that man."

"But if I don't work with him, the whole deal falls through," said Scott. "I don't have any other options."

"But you do!" said Ashley. "You have to option to trust me, to say no, and to work with me on finding someone new to invest."

"I…can't do that, Ash," said Scott.

As soon as the words left his mouth, Ashley felt a force take over her body. A stern, uncompromising force.

"Then you're going to have to do it without me."

With that, she turned her back on Scott, and walked towards the city, her destination unknown.