CEO's Contract Obsession-Chapter 307: Good Benefits

Amy can’t help but feel a little nervous about Ash’s terms and conditions, but she tried to calm herself and hear what he has to say first. But she hopes that it’s not something that they can’t give and she believes that Ash is a reasonable person when it comes to business.

"Alright, let us hear your condition," Amy heard Henry say.

"I want this project to be under Theodore Oswald too just like the wellsite. Would you allow him to add this to his plate?" Ash stated.

"Consider it done, what else," Henry answered.

"I can’t do this alone. Now that I know there’s a spy in Brighton Industries, I don’t want to bring in any employee from there. I need someone I trust and someone I can rely on," Ash said before pausing briefly, but Henry was impatient for he wanted to close the deal right away.

So, he asked, "What are you suggesting, then?"

Ash sighed visibly to the people on the other end of the call and said, "I would be needing Ava for my startup. She studied business administration and already has experience when she worked with Bellory. And we all know her background on why she ended up as a bodyguard. You already worked with her and I am sure that we can all agree that she deserved the spot as my Operations Manager, don’t you think?"

Everyone on both ends was stunned by Ash’s revelation, including Ava who had no idea about Ash’s plan. She looked at Ash with her jaw dropped and wide eyes. She cannot believe that Ash had included her in his business plans without asking her first.

On the other end, Amy did the same, shock was evident on her face. She was astounded that Ash would think of such a thing, at first she wondered if Ava had agreed to it since they were already engaged but seeing how she reacted to Ash’s condition, she was certain that she was not informed as well, it was a complete surprise for everyone.

Henry was not able to react right away and after seeing Rei’s sour face and Amy’s stupefied expression, he felt as if he wanted to reject Ash’s second condition but he also knows that deciding right away is not the best course of action.

"Ash, your request is quite difficult. Ava is not only Amy’s executive assistant but she’s also the head of Amy’s security team and Rei’s right-hand woman, so it will be hard for us to decide right away," Henry replied.

"I know, and I am willing to wait for your decision. But this is non-negotiable. So I am giving you time to think about it," Ash stated.

"Alright, but I will let my wife and Ava decide about it, looking at their faces now, I think you haven’t informed Ava as well," Henry boldly mentioned.

Ash then looked at Ava and hold her hand tight that was resting on her lap, "Yes, I am sorry, Hon, for not telling you I have been thinking hard about this but it was only this morning that I finally decided on what I should do," he then focused back on the screen and address Amy, who was trying to suppress a smile after hearing their word of endearment.

"Amy, I am sorry too, but I hope you will understand that I have no one right now. I can’t even trust my own father, and you know that. So if Ava will agree, this is my only request to you... Or maybe not..." Ash then paused again.

"Please go ahead, Ash. What is your third condition?" This time it was Amy who urged him to speak up.

"Uhm..." Ash scratched his head feeling shy and embarrassed about what he is about to say, for it is not part of the business but more of a personal request.

However, Amy is the only person besides Ava that he can trust right now, "If our deal is a go, I decided to sell my penthouse. It will help me a lot financially because putting up my own refinery will surely end in me getting cut off from the funds of Brighton Industry. The board of directors and shareholders will definitely kick me out and will force me to sell my share, which I will do to help with the funding of my startup, but..." Ash took a deep breath first, it was a hard decision for him but he believes that it is for the best.

Ash continued, "Once I sell my penthouse, I would be living in Ava’s apartment until we find a house before we get married. Her apartment is only enough for two people, so what I really wanted to say is i-if you would b-be kind enough to t-take Beethoven and let him l-live in your mansion. It would be the p-perfect place for him to live since he can run around and I believe Jayson and Jena will also be living there. He can be a good p-pet and companion to the k-kids, and I t-think–"

"We’ll take him."

Amy interrupted, she can see how Ash is having a hard time convincing himself and not them to take his dog. He knows Ash very well, and she can see that he loves his dog and only thinks of its well-being even if it means they have to part ways.

Ash who was looking somewhere else while making nonsensical hand gestures halted talking and looked at Amy with teary eyes. He saw Amy looking merrily at him, he sighed and pursed his lips before smiling back.

It was like the good old times when they have each other’s back. He felt good and light as if a dagger was pulled out from his chest. A lot of things are worrying him after that dinner with Vanessa and the heaviest part of it is Beethoven.

He needs to give up his penthouse which means he also needs to let go of his housekeeper and Beethoven’s dogsitter. That would mean that Beethoven will be alone most of the time since he needs to work overtime for at least the first few months. That would make the poor pup sad and lonely which he doesn’t want to happen.

He really doesn’t want to ask Amy for help after all the bad things that he has done to her but he has no other choice. She’s the only person that he knows that would treat Beethoven the way he treats him.

"Thank you, Amy. I don’t know how can I make it up to you," Ash uttered in a low voice while looking down on his lap.

"No need, Ash. Jayson and Jena would be very happy to have Beethoven. He will also be a big help to Jayson, we can enroll Beethoven in a dog school so he can be a certified therapy dog for him. So, no need to make it up to me Ash. We should be thanking you instead," Amy smiled wide showing her genuine appreciation, "I have an idea, why don’t you hand over Beethoven yourself to the kids once we get back? Tell them he is your gift to them, that way they will feel special, they will be more responsible and will surely take care of him."

Ash nodded as he tries to hold his tears from building up more and eventually falling. He knows that he is making the right decision and in time everything will be alright. "Those are just my conditions, thank you for taking the time to offer me this funding. I really appreciate it. And I hope you can make the decision soon," Ash said.

When the meeting ended and the video call got disconnected, Rei, Amy, and Henry were in silence as everyone are pondering Ash’s second condition.

"I cannot believe you threw the bomb at me like that!" Ava exclaimed after double-checking that the call is no longer connected.

"I am sorry, Hon. But it was last minute. I wasn’t sure about it until the meeting started. After seeing Amy and Rei on Henry’s side, I couldn’t help but think of the people who are by my side and unfortunately, I have no one. So forgive me if I suddenly demanded that without telling you first," Ash apologetically said while rubbing Ava’s arms with both hands trying to calm her down.

Well, it was a bit effective since Ava felt hurt as if her heart was pinched when she heard him say he has no one by his side. She knows it, but it really didn’t register in her mind until she heard him say it.

Ava sighed and held Ash’s hands, "Alright, I’m sorry too, for not considering it. I will talk to Amy. But you have to give me good benefits or else I will resign, got that?" Ava joked making Ash chuckle, then added, "I will call her later, let’s have our lunch first ok?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Ash nodded before giving Ava a hug, "Thank you, Hon. Having me as one of your benefits is already a big one," Ava playfully hit Ash’s chest making them both laugh.

Back in Henry’s study...

"It’s going to be hard to find a replacement for Ava, I should start the recruitment process tomorrow," Rei finally breaks the deafening silence in the room.

"Are you going to let her go that easily?" Henry frowned, he knows how much Rei trusts Ava and he is very fond of her professionally. Well, they all are. They have seen how she works and they have proven her loyalty over and over again. She is definitely an irreplaceable employee.

Amy butted in, "My love, whether we like it or not, it just makes sense to let her go to work with Ash. They are already engaged so why delay the inevitable? Once they get married, Ash’s refinery will be hers too so it’s better if we let her go now, so she can learn their business from the ground up. If it is not because of their future marriage, I would not let her go that easily," Amy explained.

"So that’s settled then if you two have already decided then I would not counter it anymore. I also believe that she could help Ash with the startup. It is time for her to retire from her bodyguard career and pursue what she originally wanted. I also want Ash to succeed, I don’t want to see my investment down the drain," Henry said which made Rei shook his as he scoffed playfully.

At the end of the day, Henry still decides on what is best for his business while considering everyone’s benefit. He wouldn’t be the rich and famous Henry Welsh if he didn’t think the way he did, Rei thought.