Chapter 4: MONEY BAG
CHAPTER FOUR: Money Bag
Meryl's eyes popped out of their sockets, and she staggered a few steps backward. She had never beheld such money in all her life! How did Ashley get a hold of this? Her pulse sharpened as she accessed the bag's content, running her fingers through the shiny mint. She could not believe her luck, but she needed to find out something first. . .
She quickly zipped shut the bag.
"Uh, Ashley," she said.
"Yes, Auntie," said Ashley. "I am about to come out of the bathroom already!"
"You are?" Meryl panicked. "Er — um. Are you — Don't you want to freshen up first?" she asked.
"I could if only I had my change of clothes and body towel with me."
"And did you come with any of those?" Meryl asked.
"Of course," Ashley said. "My clothes are in the other bag. The one without my documents in it."
Right. Aunt Meryl thought. If she was sure that she had brought some clothes, did that mean she didn't know of the bundle of money inside the bag? Bloody hell! did she know that there was no cloth inside the bag? Not even a single piece of fabric. Just money, more money. And tons of it.
Aunt Meryl got greedy.
"Auntie, are you there?"
"Sure, sure. I will get your clothes and all of that ready for you to pick up, once outside the bathroom."
"Oh, alright. Thanks."
The woman quickly picked up the bag, tiptoeing out of her(niece's) room. The suitcase seemed heavy but she diligently pushed at the door. Opening it slightly, she slid herself out of there. And the bag as well.
*****
Ashley was stunned to find an unfamiliar dress sitting neatly on her bed. Her aunt was no more in the room, and as she stood adjacent to the sole mirror she could find, she appreciated her naked body for some lazy minutes as she stared.
"This is also strange," said Ashley as she walked closer to the box on her bed. "Where is my other bag?"
. . .
The family was complete and seated to dine, by the time she stepped inside the dining nook. A pretty girl, who was equally wearing a similar gown as her, hair up in a ponytail, darted over to her side and wrapped her arms around her.
"Ashley. . ."
It was Eva. A Hatton. Not half like Tom was. A full Hatton. Ashley smiled as they hugged, and giggled and laughed.
"I missed you too, cuz" — Eva deepened the hug — "I've missed you so much."
The girl's aura was the mesmerising type. Her laughs were genuine, and Ashley thought the same of her heart. She pulled out of the hug, held hands, and walked towards the dining table.
Ashley saw him.
"Phil. How's it going?"
Mr. Hatton did not mutter a single word. Ashley thought that he should have. At least. A phrase.
They dined for a while.
"So Ashley," said Phil, her aunt's husband. "What are your plans regarding your stay here?" He asked, amid forking a chunk of veggies down his throat. "What do you think you could do to help?"
"I am going to get a job." Ashley grinned at him, ignoring her Aunt's gaze. "Be rest assured, Mr. Hatton, that I will not be a liability."
"Nobody said you were going to be," said the man. "Also, I think 'Phil' is just about right. It sounds less formal than Mr. Hatton."
"Okay then," said Ashley. "Phil it is."
Lunch ended.
As the procession moved out of the dining square, Ashley thought that Eva would never let her go. While Tom was putting away the plates, Eva stayed by her side. Like glue. Arms strapped in hers. Her mouth pouting put Ashley in a difficult situation.
"I can't go with you, Eva," Ashley reluctantly said.
"Why not?" said Eva.
"I barely came here. There will always be plenty of time to sightsee."
"But it's only 4 o'clock. If we step out now, we can make it back in time for bed.
"Tom could drive us. Come on, say yes. Please, please, please. . ."
When Ashley looked at Tom, she spotted a smirk mark across his lips. What was he thinking then? Picking up the plates remaining, he disappeared into an adjoining door with them. Ashley breathed a sigh of relief.
"Okay, Love" — Eva stayed quiet for the moment — "I promise to give up my Saturday if it makes you feel any better."
"Saturday?" Eva whined again. "Why should it have to be that day?"
"Why not?"
"Ech!" said Eva, pinching her forehead. "You don't know anything. Do you?"
Ashley shuddered.
"Well then," Eva said. "I always hang out with him every Saturday. Geoffrey." The girl was smiling sheepishly, radiating much beauty.
Ashley laughed, "So, this Geoffrey is the lucky guy?"
"Lucky guy? Or I am the lucky girl." Eva grinned fatter.
"I think you're wrong," said Ashley. "Geoffrey is the lucky one. Him. And not you, Eva."
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