When it reached six in the evening, Hayden decided to also pack his things and go back home but something disturbed him, Ashley hadn't reported to his office as she did every evening. He packed all the necessities in his briefcase, switched off the lights and he left his office. The hallway was so quiet with just the security lights on. He proceeded to the elevator to take him down to level one.  He found the night security guards on his way and they greeted him "Good evening Mr Matthews" He replied all of them with a gentle nod and he continued to the parking lot. Since everyone had left, there was only one car which belonged him. He headed to it and he checked in his pockets but he didn't find his keys.

"Oh no it can't be " he muttered to himself as he checked in his pockets thoroughly, he also checked his briefcase maybe he might had put them inside accidentally but they were not there, he had left them in his office.

He released a tired breath "Christ going back that side is also tiring " He thought about calling James to take him back home but he had given him a day off, that day he had to take himself home. He had nothing to do but to go back at level seven.

He went back to his office picked up his keys and he moved out immediately. As he was passing by Ashley's office, he had some silent noise coming from inside and he stopped moving, he remained quiet and he heard nothing coming from Ashley's office again. He thought maybe they were his imaginations and he lifted up his right leg to proceed with his journey but then he heard something.

He immediately knocked on Ashley's office but there was no response, was there a possibility that someone had broke into the office? Hayden asked himself as he continued knocking softly on the door. He grew impatient and he decided to open it, just like anyone suspicious, he slowly opened the door and he first peeped in.

"Any one here?" He asked.

When he didn't get response, he threw the door open and he entered, there was no enough light, the only light that illuminated the office was that coming from the outside through the glass windows which was also dim. He switched on the lights and what he saw scared the hell out of him.

"Ashley!!!!!!!!" Hayden panicked, he ran over to her side and he shook her, her head was rested on her office desk with her eyes shut.

"Ashley, may you please wake up " He whispered in her ears as he shook her continuously.

Ashley's eyes lazily opened and she shut them immediately due to the light. Hayden immediately made space between them and he watched Ashley as she rubbed her eyes and she opened them, she felt so weak and it took all her effort to sit upright.

"Ashley what happened?" Hayden asked as he studied her.

Ashley's eyes looked up at him "well I don't know, I felt so bad all of  a sudden and the last thing I remember is me resting my head on the office desk because it felt so big on my body"

Then suddenly her eyes widened "Mr Matthews what time is it?"

Her mood change flabbergasted Hayden and he replied confusedly "well its approaching 6:30 in the evening "

"Christ!!!! I have to go now, I have to go" She stood up to leave but dizziness engulfed her and she immediately fell back in her seat.

Hayden caught her and helped her back in the seat " Ashley may you please tell me what is going on"He said in a calm caring voice .

Ashley massaged her temples and she stood again, this time round she was stable and she firmly  stood on her feet.

"Mr Matthews I have to go " She panicked. She picked her bag and she put in everything quickly.

"Sir I am truly sorry, but I will explain everything tomorrow" She said apologetically as she ran to the door.

Hayden immediately shut the door and he ran after her. 

They both entered the elevator and Ashley's eyes never left the elevator  doors. When the elevator reached level one and the doors opened, Ashley rushed to the door and she ran outside.

Hayden also ran after her "Ashley what is going on"
Ashley kept on running and when Hayden caught up with her he pulled her and he tightened his grip on her arm.

"Please let me go Mr Matthews" Ashley said in a shaky voice "Let me go please , I have to be some where now "

"Now let me give you a ride" When Ashley's face didn't change Hayden continued "Please"

Ashley looked at him and she replied hesitantly  "o...okay"

They headed to Hayden's car and he unlocked it immediately, he motioned for Ashley to enter. He sat in the driver's seat , they both buckled their seat belts. Ashley told him the address and the car sped off instantly.

They sat in the car silently. Ashley tapped her feet continuously and Hayden peeped a glance at her through the rear view mirror once in a while.

Hayden noticed her paleness and he pulled out a bottle of water and he handed it to Ashley "Hey take this, it might make you feel better"

Ashley looked at the bottle then at Hayden "Thank you" She said and she started taking the water immediately.  She remembered also the day she gave Hayden water and she wondered whether it was his payback to her.

When they reached the school, Ashley jumped out of  the car  and she rushed inside . Hayden moved out and he leaned against the car, hands shoved into his  pockets.

Ashley looked around and she wondered where Emma was because it was too late, she headed to the security personnel's office and she saw Emma seated with a young man.

"Emma" She called out in excitement.

Emma turned around and she noticed her mother"Mummy!!!!!" She ran to her and she gave her a tight hug.

"Mummy where were you?" She asked in a shaky voice as she hugged her tighter.

Ashley stroked her hair " I am sorry baby, something happened but don't worry am here , am so sorry ".

After she thanked the man , caught Emma's hand and they headed outside. She was surprised to see Hayden in the same spot she had left in him earlier, she expected him to be long gone. Meanwhile also Hayden was surprised to see Ashley with  a young girl kinda a young  version of her, they shared some facial features with the girl and he wondered her relationship with the girl.

A sincere smile crept on her face" Mr Matthews thanks for the ride "
Hayden brushed her off "its really not much" He diverted his gaze to Emma who was looking at him without blinking.

Ashley noticed it "Mr Matthews this is my daughter Emma  Ashimore " She looked at Emma and ruffled her hair  "Say hi to Mr Matthews  "

"Hi" Emma waved at Hayden shyly.

Hayden squatted down and he looked at Emma with  a wide grin "Hey little lady there, how are you ? "

Emma's face relaxed a bit "I am fine "

Hayden stood up and he looked at her with a confused gaze, he was so astonished that Ashley had a daughter and that only reminded him about Alison.

He scratched behind his neck nervously " Is it okay if I drop you guys home ?"

"No its really okay, you have already helped me_"

"I insist Ashley" Hayden cut in "besides I am okay with it " He continued.

Ashley looked over at Emma to see her excited, she gave her her puppy eyes, telling her it was okay to be dropped home by her boss in a expensive SUV.
She gave up and she accepted the offer. During their ride , Emma was the only one talking, telling Ashley about her day at school and how she was scared when she didn't come to pick her up at the usual time.

Finally they were in front of Ashley's apartment, she unbuckled Emma's seat belt and she helped her out then she also followed. She sent Emma inside and she stayed outside with Hayden.

She rubbed her fingers nervously "Thank you for the ride again "

Hayden just nodded and after a moment of awkward silence he said "Your daughter is adorable didn't know you have one even "

A small laughter escaped her lips and she looked at her apartment "Yeah she is , thank you "

"Now take it I have a daughter of  seven years old" She continued.

Hayden's mouth hung open "Are you kidding me, Ashley you just don't look like a mother honesty" he said in a joking way.

"How does a parent look? " Ashley also asked jokingly.

Hayden smiled "now you have me, I can't answer that question"

"You see everyone can be  a parent then " Ashley nodded her head and she wrapped hands around her torso , it was getting cold outside.

Hayden noticed her actions and he took it as a clue to say his good night.

"I see you getting cold, good night Ashley" He said as he entered his car.

"Good night Mr Matthews " Ashley replied and she left.

Hayden just remained in his car watching Ashley through the window, he was surprised Ashley was a mother of a seven year kid, now his minds shifted to that one question who was the father of Emma?
When she  entered  inside, he put the engine to life and he joined the road to go back home.