Chapter 90
ASHTON
"What did you say?"
Cree shakes her head. "I told you. You wouldn’t believe me." She hisses a breath. "Nicci and I go way back. We met while auditioning to be the poster girl for an ad back when we were teenagers and became good friends. Something happened between us and we lost communication. I stumbled into one of her loyal friends during one of my audition gigs and he sent my contact to Nicci who called me. I guessed she wanted to gloat over how successful she’s become compared to my own shitty life. She promised to forgive and forget the wrong I did to her and even help me out with a good job if I was willing to loan her my acting skills. The rest is history."
Nicola is responsible for tormenting Ashley? How did she know about Tobias and for how long has she known? The second I ask myself the question, the answer comes flooding in. She was with Ashley for years as a couple. He was completely smitten by her.
Their relationship coincidentally kicked off during the peak of Nicola’s career. At that time, Ashley was still dealing with major PTSD while building his brand as a fashion designer. I can only imagine that he must have accidentally mentioned Tobias while spending the night with Nicci as a result of his nightmares. I have been around him when his sleep is plagued by a nightmare. He blurts out A LOT and most of what he says are supposed to be secrets.
How could Nicola hurt him like this? What does she stand to gain by torturing the man she claims to love?
"Why would Nicola do such a thing to a man she claims to love?" I ask Cree.
"I told you. I didn’t ask questions. That was Nicci’s one rule."
I guess I’ll have to leave it to Ashley to figure that out himself.
"Cyril is going to give you your phone and you’re going to call Nicola. I want you to call her and talk to her about her schemes as Shay. I want to confirm your little story." Cree sighs as her phone is brought to her. She quickly dials Nicci’s line. "Turn on the loudspeaker, please."
"She must be pissed at me. I have been avoiding her calls due to the Billion-Err incident." Nicola finally picks up and Cree clears her throat nervously. "Hi Nicci."