NARRATIVE
Ashton was just about to step out the Grey's family manor upon receiving an urgent call from his friend, Logan when his sister stopped him.
"Ashton, where are you going dressed like that? Did you forget? That woman's death anniversary is today and you know the rules. Especially with that strange girl showing up. Also the press conference is going to hold in few minutes. I hope you're not trying to get off father's good books? Mother would be disappointed." Imogen said with a lazy smile on.
She was just coming downstairs from her room when she saw her brother dressed casually, his car key in hand as he walked hurriedly, towards the entrance/ exit door of their home. On a normal day, she wouldn't be concerned over her twin brother's activities but today, for their sake and their mother's, they needed to trade cautiously.
Unlike herself, Ashton had always been the obedient one and as such, Imogen was surprised when she saw him in this situation. He wasn't wearing the traditional black mourning suit and he was planing to go out!
As Ashton turned around to reply her, he almost gave himself a mental knock.
She's the one correcting me now... He chuckled.
"I'm just going out briefly, Logan needs my help. I'd certainly be back before father returns." He said and she gave him a lazy stare.
"I hope you do, Ash. Mother and I are preparing for the press conference, don't be late!"
Ignoring his sister _who seemed in the mood to be bossy, he turned back and hurried to the car park.
_______
KYLE'S POV
I push my dripping wet raven hair backwards with both hands as I walked out the swimming pool. The weather was warm and perfect for an afternoon swim which I'd just engaged in. I was only in my briefs and water dripped gloriously, over my body.
Good thing each time I'm in the mood for a swim, I prefer using my private pool in my manor. I don't want to be the latest topic in the mouth of gossips. I mean, I'm damn hot. My attractiveness always cause many shameless oglings I'm not usually comfortable with_not like I seriously care though.
I stared at Min Ha, my secretary who was obviously trying hard not to drool over my appearance, while she stood few steps from the pool, holding a clean white towel in hand. I just smirked lazily. It's hard, yeah I know. I walked to her and she hurriedly gave me the towel.
"Were you able to find it?" I asked, while using the towel to wipe my body. She sighed, shaking her head in the negative and I paused, my forehead creasing slightly, my brows knitted closely.
There's no way I'd have lost that wristwatch. It's a priceless possession, my most treasured possession.
"I'm sorry Boss. Sam and his boys couldn't find the wristwatch in Titanic's Bar. Even the attendants said they never saw any wristwatch like that." She paused briefly. 'I'd suggest you have someone track it down. It's a trackable one right?' She said and my eyes lit up instantly. I turned around and almost gave her a hug but quickly controlled myself.
"You are always so reasonable Min Ha. Why didn't I think of that? For this, I'll have your salary doubled for three months." I smiled. Her eyes lit up instantly as she looked at me.
"Thank you so much Mr Kwan. Thanks so much Boss." She grinned, bowing slightly.
She's always calling me Boss or Mr Kwan, she doesn't call me specifically either like many others do. But well, that's cool. Kim Min-Ha has always been very smart and helpful. I have no regrets making her my secretary and PA.
"Thank you too, Min Ha. Hurry, send someone from the technical department over." With that, I hurried back into the manor to get dressed, feeling so relieved.

ASHTON'S POV
I walked into the casino and Rhys and Dexter, hurried to me.
"Ash, it must have taken a lot for you to be here. We're sorry about the inconvenience, especially on a day as this." Dexter said and Rhys nodded in agreement. I just sighed.
"Where's Logan?" I asked and Rhys pointed at a corner of the casino.
Logan sat there looking so pitiful, his head hanging low as he stared with uncertainty at his few cards, beads of sweat creasing his forehead. Tristan Milan sat opposite him, grinning from ear to ear over his success. He was winning in the gamble and he was proud about that.
I don't know how Logan thinks seriously. The guys told me over the phone that somehow, he had challenged the ex CEO of dad's company into a gambling game and unfortunately, after placing all his important assets on the table, Tristan already won them over and according to the bet; whoever wins the game get to have Amelia Mills as his girlfriend and the loser must retreat and give her up. However, as the game progressed, Logan knew he wasn't winning and Rhys and Dexter weren't good in the gambling game, his only option was to drag me to his rescue.
I don't gamble unnecessarily_except with the guys, but I know the game a lot to be considered an expert in it.
But of all days Logan...why today? What would father think of me? Sadly, I don't think I'm ready to lose Father's trust in me now, especially with the new girl around. Imogen was right and I knew it. I have to be careful.
I'll just try and talk things over with Tristan, hopefully he'll listen, and I'll hurry to the press conference. I hope I'm not late.
I sighed again as I walked towards the gaming table.
"Look who we have here!" Tristan chuckled immediately he saw me. "Did you come to rescue your little puppet?" He grinned, obviously out to start trouble. I decided I was gonna ignore his annoying remarks today. I my mind I was slapping his shiny bald hair for referring to my friend as my puppet.
"Ash, I'm sorry but you'll have to forgive me one more time." Logan started and I gave him a slight nod. Did he even know what today is? Did he? If he did and still had to drag me here, then I can swear with full assurance that Logan has fish brain.
"But come to think of it young Mr. Grey," Tristan began sarcastically. "Are you supposed to be out in a casino on a day as this? I thought you knew better. After all, you're your Father's favorite." His tone as he said the last words, showed how pained he was. But I wasn't the one who asked him to steal company funds right? He should be grateful he's still able to walk about freely and even gamble. Yet he was right, I wasn't supposed to be here.
"I'm so glad you understand, Mr Milan how I'm not supposed to be here." I said as I sat down in the cushion between them, the guys standing around and Toby, behind me. You didn't think I walked in here alone, did you? "I'd take this in good faith and hope you'll understand with me." I turn to stare directly at him. He smirked.
"Let's see what you have to offer first, young Mr Grey."
"I need you to pardon my friend here, return all his assets to him and drop charges you've made. I'll compensate you handsomely." I stated confidently. Tristan Milan burst into laughter immediately, along side his goons. I gave them a bored look, not finding anything funny in what I said.
"You mean, you'll compensate me handsomely for your friend's offense? Ashton Grey, are you sure you're up for this? This dude here is already in my bad books, do you have what it takes to save him?" He chuckled between his words and I stared at him slightly confused. Didn't he hear me just now? There seems to be a double meaning behind his words. I turn to glare at Logan, he sighed and shake his head negatively. I looked sideways at the guys, Dexter shrugged and Rhys mouthed an 'I don't know what he's talking about' to me.
On instinct, I turned to look at Tristan. I've always known him to be a conniving fellow and I've learned to be cautious when making any deals with him. His eyes were shinning with mischief and a smirk played at a corner of his lips now.
"What do you want, Tristan Milan?" I leaned forward as I stared directly in his eyes.
"Now you're talking Ashton Grey, very impressive. You see, Logan already offended me a lot of times and I admire how you want to help your friend." He eyed Logan who returned his glare. "I heard you have something really impressive in your possession of recent. Give me that and your friend goes free, he can even have the girl as well." He leaned back on his chair and my eyes widened immediately I realized what he meant, what he wants.
"Hmm, Tristan Milan, you're way too conniving for your own sake. You'd better rethink about what you want because you won't be getting that property. Your spy could have informed you better. Well, as you've stated earlier, I shouldn't be here. There's a press conference commencing soon in my company, I don't have time for chitchat so I'll just tell you my offer." I said.
This guy thinks he's smart.
"Don't you understand? I'll say this once again in clearer terms this time. Give me the tracker wristwatch and Logan would be free. It's not much to ask for_if you'll reason properly, considering it's not yours."
"What?! You conniving snake!" I yelled, standing up instantly.
"Ashton what's he talking about?"
Gosh!