My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin-Chapter 19: Love-Hate

"That was close."

The woman briefly knitted her brows as she stared at the beautiful young lady holding her steady. Ashley’s smile was surely infectious, and the woman found herself smiling back.

"Thank you," the woman said.

Ashley let out a light chuckle and took a few of the grocery bags from her. "Auntie, why are you carrying all of this on your own? Where are the bellboys?"

She looked around, only to realize this small hotel didn’t have any. Aside from the missing person at the reception, there were very few staff members in this place. Not to mention the lack of security.

"Right." She cleared her throat as she faced the woman again.

However, the woman spoke first.

"It’s alright," the woman said. "You don’t have to help me."

"How can I do that, Auntie?" Ashley frowned. "I wouldn’t be able to sleep later, thinking I could’ve helped but didn’t."

A brief look of surprise appeared on the woman’s face before she stifled a laugh. Her reaction made Ashley tilt her head.

"Alright, then," the woman nodded in understanding. "But there’s more I need to carry to my room."

She turned her head, making Ashley shift her gaze to the other grocery boxes outside the hotel.

"Oh..." Ashley’s mouth formed an O-shape before she nodded in understanding and looked back at the woman. "That’s not a problem."

Then she whipped her head toward the guards who had just stepped out of the buffet area.

"Hey, you!"

The group of five stopped in their tracks, darting their eyes between Ashley and the slightly older woman in front of her. Ashley then puckered her lips toward the entrance, causing them to instinctively purse theirs as well in confusion while they glanced toward the door.

"Carry those—" she paused and turned to the woman. "Auntie, what floor are you staying on?"

The woman smiled and nodded, telling her the floor and room number.

"Fifth floor, 526," Ashley repeated as she turned to the guards. "Bring those things there."

Having said that, she faced the woman again.

"Auntie, don’t worry about those things. Let’s take these to your room first."

"Thank you."

With that, Ashley carried half of the grocery bags with her insistence, while the woman carried the other half.

Meanwhile, the guards who had just walked out of the buffet frowned deeply as Ashley walked away with the older woman.

"Does she think we’re her errand boys?" one of them clicked his tongue irritably. "First that damn luggage, and now these boxes that have nothing to do with us."

Reluctance was clear on their faces. They were even tempted to pretend they didn’t hear her. Still, they had no choice. If that woman started throwing a tantrum and told Lucian about it, they might get punished.

*****

"Just put them down anywhere," the woman said as she opened her room and carried her things inside.

Ashley followed in, still carrying the bags. When she placed them on the table, she turned to the woman.

"Thank you," the woman said again. "I went to the grocery store to buy some things, but I didn’t realize I bought more than I expected."

She chuckled before clearing her throat. "Do you want some tea?"

"Hmm..." Ashley thought about it for a second. "Okay! I don’t have anything to do, anyway."

The woman smiled, pleased by the young lady. With that, she prepared some tea for Ashley while telling her to make herself at home.

As for Ashley, she looked around the room, which seemed bigger than theirs. Dominion got them the executive suite, but this room looked larger, with a small living area and even a separate bedroom.

"Auntie, your room is better than mine," she hummed as she dragged a chair toward the small table in the corner, peeking out the window beside it. "Even the view is good."

The woman chuckled as she brought a tray of tea to the table.

"Because this unit is a private one."

"Oh," Ashley’s mouth formed an O-shape again. "I didn’t know there was such a thing."

"That is normal," the woman said as she sat down across from her, smiling. "After all, not everyone lives in their hotel."

"I see..." Ashley nodded in understanding before she paused. "Huh?"

She blinked and looked at the woman, her eyes slowly widening. The realization that dawned on her made the woman chuckle.

"You’re the owner of this hotel?" Ashley gasped in surprise. "Really!?"

The woman chuckled. "It doesn’t look like it, does it?"

"Auntie, how can you be the owner — I mean, your staff should’ve helped you at least at the entrance," Ashley pointed out.

The woman waved her hand dismissively.

"It’s alright," she chuckled. "Everyone here was exhausted. As you already noticed, there aren’t many employees. So I didn’t want to bother them with something so menial."

"..."

Ashley was rendered speechless as she stared at the woman, who was probably in her late forties. Even so, now that she was looking at her properly, the woman was beautiful. That was why she initially thought she was younger until she saw her up close.

"You should try the tea," the woman urged gently. "The tea leaves are ones I made myself. Seeing that you’re here, I assume you’re a tourist? This tea will help relax your muscles and ease the exhaustion from your travels."

"Oh..." Ashley picked up the teacup and sniffed it a little before snapping her eyes up at the woman. "Auntie, you make your own tea leaves?"

The woman maintained her gentle smile, which made Ashley wonder if it was the aroma of the tea or that smile that made her feel warm.

"I like plants," the woman said. "I grow all kinds of them... and make tea with some."

Awe was evident on Ashley’s face, making the woman laugh at her reaction.

"Surely this country is the world’s capital of plants and flowers."

"Haha! Young lady, what’s your name?" the woman asked out of pure curiosity. "You may call me Liza. And you?"

"I’m Ashley," Ashley beamed.

"Ashley..." the woman nodded, her eyes softening. "What a beautiful name."

"Is it?" Ashley lifted the tea to her lips as she mumbled. "I used to dislike it."

Her brows rose as she took a sip, her eyes widening slightly. She slowly lowered the cup and stared at it.

"Wow, this tea tastes so rich. There’s even this freshness at the end."

"Haha! You noticed?" Liza leaned against the table, looking at Ashley affectionately. "Ashley, do you like it?"

Ashley nodded profusely. "Can I have some? I want to make my husband one."

"You’re married?" Liza’s eyes drifted to Ashley’s hand, which wasn’t wearing a ring.

Her reaction made Ashley look down, only realizing now that she wasn’t wearing her wedding ring. The smile on her face faded slightly as she let out a shallow breath.

Right, I threw my wedding ring some time ago.

But before she could say anything, a knock came at the door.

Both women perked up and turned toward it.

"Oh, it’s probably them," Ashley said as she glanced at the older woman. Without waiting, she marched toward the door and opened it.

Outside, the grocery boxes were simply left on the floor. No one was there anymore.

They had just left them there, expecting her to carry them inside.

"..." Her smile disappeared as she stared at the empty hallway. "Those pieces of—"

"Ashley?" came Liza’s voice from behind her.

Ashley looked back with a smile, and Liza furrowed her brows upon seeing the boxes outside without anyone around.

"Auntie Liz, I’m sorry about those guys," Ashley said, refraining from calling those jerks pieces of shit. "We kind of have this love-hate relationship... and right now, it’s leaning toward the latter."

Liza studied Ashley’s expression before she chuckled. "It’s alright. I’m already grateful they carried them up here. I’ll just bring them inside."

"I’ll help!" Ashley intoned. With that, both women carried the boxes inside.

Meanwhile, as they did, one of the guards at the end of the hallway peeked out and saw Ashley pushing one of the boxes inside with great difficulty.

"Heh," he smirked, turning his head toward the others. "Now that’s how you teach someone a lesson."