The Love Of Money - Episode 208
31-07-25 (07:19)
When it rains, it pours.
"Marcus!"
Ashlee stood in the middle of Erin's office looking... well,
there wasn't a better word than disheveled. It was
strange. Ashlee had always looked so put together. Her
makeup was always understated and natural-looking,
giving her a healthy, youthful glow. She always wore
the best clothes.
Tonight, she was wearing a simple pair of sweatpants,
a pink T- shirt with one of the My Little Ponies on it, and
her hair pulled back in a simple ponytail. She was
nervously washing her hands as she clutched them to
her chest. Her emerald eyes were dark, suggesting a
lack of sleep as they darted about the room.
"Oh my god!" she said, bringing her hands to her mouth
as she stared at me in horror. "You look horrible!"
"Thanks, I guess," I said, looking her up and down. "You
don't look your best either."
"I didn't know this would happen?" Her voice cracked
with emotion.
"What?"
"This shouldn't have happened... I didn't mean..." She
trailed off, unable to finish whatever she was saying, as
she stared at me in shock. I knew I didn't look bad
enough to get that kind of reaction; this was more than
about a few bruises on my face.
Erin and I exchanged glances, and knew she was
thinking the same thing.
"What are you talking about?" asked as I approached
her. "Why did you disappear after got kidnapped.
Ashlee? Do you know who did this to me?"
"No!" She said, dropping her hands to her sides and
emphatically shaking her head. "It's not my fault! None
of this is my fault!"
"Then who's fault is it!?" I was having difficulty not
raising my voice as I closed the distance between us
and towered almost a foot over her.
"Marcus," Erin cautioned.
"Who did this, Ashlee!?"
Ashlee looked on the verge of crying. "I'm so sorry,
Marcus! I didn't know I'd like you!"
She started to bow her head, but I grabbed her chin
and forced her to look up at me. I'd already been
pissed at Ashlee for abandoning everyone the moment
I disappeared. It reeked of guilt. This, though... this was
almost worse. Now, she was in my house rambling,
and I didn't know what it meant. "No," I growled.
"You're going to tell me what the hell happened."
By this time, her face was completely twisted as she
began openly crying in front of me, seemingly unaware
that I was manhandling her. "I did everything he
wanted! Why won't he retum any of my calls?"
"Ashlee!" I shouted, "Who?"
"Marcus," Erin said, "Chandler's trying to reach you."
Distracted by the news that Ashlee was in Erin's office,
I'd momentarily forgotten that I had asked Chandler to
take Hiro to my study, where' they were waiting for
me. "Fuck. Okay." I said, pulling out my phone as I let
go of Ashlee and turned my back on her. I called
Chandler as I headed toward the door, he answered on
the first ring.
"Marcus?"
"Hey, Chandler," I said.
"Marcus," he said, his voice dropping in volume, 'where'
are you? It's been twenty minutes. The usually jolly
man sounded more annoyed than I'd ever heard.
"Sorry, Chandler. Something came up. It's going to take
me longer than I thought. Can you keep Hiro busy for
another ten to fifteen minutes?"
"Marcus, this is Hiro Tanaka we're talking about. He's
not a man who's used to waiting on others." Don't forget to leave a Comment 
