Chapter 25

A/N: Jazziejazz94: There is something coming up between Spencer and Kyla but probably not what you expect. I'm strictly Spashley with drama in between. Please continue to read.

Hotcutii3: Thanks for your comments. You've been with me since my first story.

And to everyone else reading my story, thank you. You guys are awesome.

Ding dong…

"Ashley what brings you by so early in the afternoon," Christine asked.

"I need to talk to you mom, is dad here?"

"No, come on into the kitchen I was working on a dinner menu. You know he's at the record company. He's always at that damn company, listening to groups and than complaining about how they can't sing or play."

"Mom!"

"Oh, sorry I digress. So what's wrong Ashley?"

Ashley looks at her mother, "why does anything have to be wrong for me to see my mother?"

"Because… it's early afternoon and a workday and your father is not here. So what is it?"

Sighing, Ashley looks forlorn out the kitchen patio door, "is Kyla in L.A.?" Christine remains silent until Ashley faces her, "well is she mom?"

"Yes Ashley she came by last night, we didn't know she was in town."

"Well what is she doing here? Why did she come back after all these years?"

"Her job transferred her here, she came by to see her father."

"Did she… did she mentioned me?"

"Yes, she wanted to know how you were doing."

"Oh, is that all."

"No she also wanted to know if you were still with Tony, she didn't know he was killed in that awful accident and she told your father she wanted to see you, make amends for what she did to you in the past."

"The past is the past, she can't make up for that, it's over. I don't want her coming here and bringing up sad memories. I'm happy now. Mom, Spencer makes me so happy. I can't believe how happy I am sometimes. I'm so happy it scares me."

"Why does happiness scare you Ashley?"

"Spencer is my life. I keep feeling that it's all going to be snatched away from me. If I should ever lose her I think I would die," she said fumbling with her hands.

"Ashley stop thinking like that and listen to me, Spencer loves you doesn't she?"

"Yes very much."

"And you love her, right?" "Yes."

"Than you don't have anything to worry about," Christine said. "Anyway I'm glad you came by, your father wants to have a family dinner this weekend and he wants you there."

"Oh! Is he talking to me now? Since that fiasco at my place I thought he wouldn't want to see me anymore."

"Ashley he has to get used to the idea of his daughter being gay."

"But you're okay with it mom."

"Ashley I'm a little more open minded than your father, besides I'm your mother. I could see the unhappiness in your eyes, the searching for something or someone you could never seem to find."

"Mom I was happy with… Jason."

"Were you Ashley? Think about it, you were engaged to him for three years with no wedding plans insight and you two were drifting apart, that's how Kyla…" Ashley gives her mother a stern look.

"Well let's not talk about that. Dinner will be Saturday at seven o'clock sharp."

"I'm not coming unless I can bring Spencer with me."

"Yes of course dear, he expects to see Spencer at the dinner."

"Fine mom, I'll talk to Spencer and let you know."

"Ashley it's not an invitation or request, you are demanded to come to dinner Saturday evening."

"Demanded… hmpt, whatever mom. Seems like I'm being demanded to do a lot of things lately. I've been requested to be at the reading of Tony's will tomorrow afternoon."

"Tony had a will and left you something, that's surprising. I figured with you leaving him for Spencer he wouldn't leave you anything."

"If Tony did leave me something I don't want it and it doesn't matter whatever he had the IRS is going to take it since he didn't believe in paying taxes. Bye mom I'll see you on Saturday."

"Goodbye darling, please don't worry about you and Spencer or Kyla."

/////////////////////

"So Kyla what was it you said you did for a living," Glen asked.

"I told you I work for the U.S. Treasury Department."

"Yes but what is it you actually do in the treasury department?"

"I'm an assistant supervisor to the director. We investigate companies that try to hide large amounts of money from the government."

"That sounds like the IRS."

"We work together to find corporations not individuals hiding monies they shouldn't be to avoid paying taxes. Why so interested Glen, is Carlin Enterprises hiding money they shouldn't be?" Kyla asked jokingly.

"No of course not. I was just wondering if you were too dangerous for me to see. Maybe the president of one of the companies you investigated wants to get revenge against you because you helped in sending him to jail." Glen said countering with his own bit of sarcastic humor.

"That's funny Glen, are you scare of me now? Seriously, I don't do the actual leg work. My department finds the paper evidence. The IRS does the actual investigations," Kyla said as she silently watched Glen while he continued to eat his lunch. "I know we just met but my father and stepmother are having a dinner Saturday and I would like it if you would come with me as my guest."

"This Saturday?" Glen asked.

"Yes at seven o'clock."

"Sure, why not, I'm not busy. I'll pick you up at your place. Meeting the rents so soon after just meeting you, I must be kinda special to you already."

"Yeah, but only as a friend Glen. Maybe something deeper will develop if you play your cards right. I think you're nice and I would like you to come and meet my father and stepmother. Well I have to get back to work Glen. Thank you for lunch. See you Saturday."

"Bye Kyla." I find Ms. Kyla Woods quite intriguing. I think I might keep her around for a little while, Glen thought, as he watched Kyla walk away.

///////////////////////

"This evening could not have come fast enough for me Spencer," Ashley said, weary.

"Rough day sweetie?"

"You could say that."

"How did it go with Christine? Did you get the answers you were looking for?"

"I guess so Spencer. That was Kyla, Glen met at Clay's party. She is here in L.A. She went to see our father last night. Christine said they didn't even know she was here until last night."

"She went to Chelsea's party first before letting her father know she was here in town? Spencer asked."

"Yes, that's how Kyla works. She could have been here for a whole month before letting anyone know. Sometimes she acts like she doesn't even have a family. Anyway speaking of family, my parents are having a family dinner Saturday at seven o'clock. My father has demanded that we be there."

"Your father has demanded, are you sure he wants me to come to his family dinner?"

"Yes I'm sure and I assume my sister will be there. We haven't talked in years, except for when she was at my wedding. There were no phone calls from her, no letters. It's like I didn't exist anymore."

"Were you two close?"

"Yes, very close until she…"

"Until she what Ashley?" Ashley shakes her head trying to hold back the tears.

"Ashley if you don't want to talk about it we don't have to. I can see whatever it is still bothers you."

"The only thing that bothers me is what she did and how she did it. I'm okay, you need to know about some things before the dinner."

/////////

Kyla's telephone rings several times before she answers it… "hello."

"Hello Kyla, it's Madison."

"Madison! How are you?"

"I'm fine, have you settled in yet?"

"Just about, so when are you coming to L.A. to see me, since we're so close to each other now? It's been ages since we last saw each other."

"I'm coming to L.A. Saturday, as a matter of fact. We can go to dinner and do some club hopping."

"Well maybe we can do the club scene, but I have a mandatory dinner with my folks Saturday and I have to be there. So we can go after my dinner and no hotel, you're staying with me. And I want you to meet someone."

"You're met someone already Kyla that was quick."

"Yeah well, he's a really nice person and cute."

"What does he do?" Madison asked.

"Madison you haven't changed. You still want to know what the man has and does before going out with him."

"You damn right, I'm not taking care of any man. He had better have his own if he wants to get with me. So what does he do and does he have money?"

"He's in the import/export business with his father."

"Import business, father," Madison mumbled under her breath, "uh, Kyla what's this guy's name?"

"His name is Glen," she said.

Rolling her eyes, "well does he have a last name, girl?"

"Yes of course he does," she said giggling. "It's Carlin, Glen Carlin." Madison drops the phone. "Hello, Madison, are you still there? Hello."

"I'm sorry my assistant was asking me something. I'll see you Saturday, I gotta go. Bye!"

"Bye Madison," Kyla said looking at her phone. "That was weird."

///////////

Ashley walks to Spencer's office to make sure she was going with her to the reading of Tony's will. "Spencer are you still coming with me this afternoon to the lawyers office?"

"Yes Ashley, two o'clock right?"

"Yes."

"We can leave work early and grab some lunch once we get near the office. I noticed the lawyer's office is not to far from where Tony's practice was and I know of a nice restaurant there. I wonder if that's a coincidence that the lawyer's office is so close to where Tony's practice was. What do you think Ashley?"

"Yes I noticed that when I looked at the return address on the envelope," Ashley said. "Spencer I don't know what to make of anything Tony has done. I just want to get this over with."

Walking into the building of the lawyer's office, Ashley and Spencer take the elevator to the twentieth floor. Finding the lawyer's office they walk up to the desk where a young red haired woman was sitting.

"Hi, may I help you," she said smiling, as she eyed Spencer up and down, much to Ashley's liking.

"Yes I'm Ashley Davies-Scott, I have an appointment with Mr. Tate."

"Yes of course, just one minute." The young woman left her desk and walked into another office. When she returned she held the door open, "Mr. Tate will see you now Mrs. Scott," she said as she displayed a flirtatious smile in Spencer's direction. Spencer smirked walking passed her.

"Thank you," was Ashley's only response as she glared at the woman.

"Mrs. Scott?" Mr. Tate said looking between Spencer and Ashley.

"I'm Ashley Davies-Scott, this is my girlfriend Spencer Carlin. I would like her to sit with me for the reading of Tony's will."

"Carlin? Carlin… you wouldn't happen to be related to Arthur Carlin, the entrepreneur would you?"

"Yes, I'm his daughter. Is that a problem?" Spencer asked defensively.

"No, no Mrs. Scott can have whomever she wishes here. Please have a seat. I have two other people coming and once they arrive we can get started with the reading of Mr. Scott's will."

Spencer and Ashley look dumbfounded at each other. Ashley was about to inquire as to who the other people were when the woman at the front desk interrupted. "Mr. Tate the other party has arrived."

"Good show them in Marcia." Spencer and Ashley look up to see Franklin walking in with an unknown man behind him.

"Franklin," Spencer said surprised.

"Spencer I thought you might be here at the reading seeing that you never leave Ashley's side. Ashley it's good to see you. How are you?"

"Fine Franklin," Ashley said dryly.

"Spencer how are you?" Franklin asked. Spencer only glared at Franklin.

"Wow, Franklin you do have a way with women don't you. No wonder you're gay," the unknown man said, smirking.

"Shut up Edward," Franklin said smiling.

Spencer cocks an eyebrow at the stranger and his lighthearted repartee with her estranged husband's sexual orientation.

"So everyone knows each other, I assume," Mr. Tate said.

"No everyone does not know each other Mr. Tate," Ashley said eyeing the stranger in the room.

"Oh I'm sorry I just assumed you knew who this man was, well that let me introduce you. Mr. Edward Scott, Tony Scott's brother."

"Brother," Ashley and Spencer both say.

"Half brother," Edward said staring at Ashley.

"Half brother," Ashley said, "I was not aware of Tony having any siblings."

Walking towards Ashley, grabbing her hand, raising it up to his lips to kiss, "we have the same mother," he said intently staring into Ashley's eyes.

Spencer clears her throat to get Edwards attention. "Hello I'm Spencer Carlin, Ashley's girlfriend," she said extending her hand.

Franklin snickers and Spencer glares in his direction.

"Oh, well it's nice to meet you Spencer Carlin. I'm glad to see Ashley has a friend to keep her company at things such as this."

"I'm not…"

"Edward Scott," Ashley said interrupting, "do we know each other taking her hand away?"

"We should it's only been a year. You don't remember me?"

"No can't say that I do," Ashley replied.

"I was Tony's best man at your wedding although I guess you may not remember since you seemed to be in such a foul mood most of that day. I must say for it to have been your wedding day you did not seem happy at all. A beautiful bride, nevertheless. I don't remember your friend though, someone as pretty as she, I'm sure I would have remembered seeing her."

"I wasn't at Ashley's wedding," Spencer replied taking an immediate dislike to Edward.

"Oh."

"Okay since everyone is here and the introductions are out of the way shall we get started with the reading?"

Edward went to sit down but not without giving a wink in Ashley's direction which did not go unnoticed by Spencer or Franklin. Ashley glanced over to Spencer leaning in whispering, "are you okay?"

"No," she said tersely, openly glaring at Edward. Ashley intertwines her fingers tightly with Spencer's which did not go unnoticed by Edward, quirking a raised eyebrow in her direction.

Mr. Tate begins the reading of Tony's will… "I Tony Scott being of sound mind and body hereby bequeath one quarter of my worldly possessions to my good friend and confident Franklin Pierce and the remainder of what I own to my half brother Edward. If I could I would also give him my wife so that she can pleasure him the way she has pleasured me but that's against the law. Ahem," uttered Mr. Tate.

"Is that actually stated in the will Mr. Tate," Ashley asked annoyed and insulted by the statement.

"Yes it actually does state that Mrs. Scott. Let me continue please. I leave my beloved slut of a wife Ashley one dollar." Ashley stares at the lawyer wide eyed.

"He calls me a slut and leaves me one dollar, if I'm such a slut why the hell was my presence at this reading required? To be called out my name while he leaves all his possessions to these two men."

"Ashley sit down and let Mr. Tate finish," Spencer said calming her down.

Mrs. Scott along with the dollar he is also leaving you the Lamborghini he bought you for your birthday and all your jewelry and furs. Mr. Pierce you are to receive the house on Hamilton Street and five million dollars. Mr. Scott you are to receive the bulk of his estate, which includes all his stocks and bonds, bank issued CD's and 401K, totaling ten million dollars. Mr. Tate looks up from reading the will to tell Edward about the 401K, "due to the economic situation there may not be too much left of the 401K."

"That's okay Mr. Tate I understand, please continue."

"And you are to do whatever with my medical practice. If you decide to sell it I have left names of several physicians who might be interested in buying the practice with Mr. Tate. Mr. Scott also had a Swiss bank account totaling another ten million dollars. These monies also go to Edward Scott. So Mr. Scott you are receiving a total of twenty million dollars minus my fees of course."

"WHAT!" Franklin screams, "he gets twenty million dollars and all I get is five mil and a stupid house, I was his lover for God's sake."

Both Ashley and Spencer smirk at Franklin's outburst. "Well Franklin I guess Tony really gave it to you in the ass," Spencer said laughing "and don't forget to pay the inheritance tax on what you've received."

"Shut the fuck up Spencer."

"Please calm down Mr. Pierce. That was Mr. Scott's instructions regarding his estate."

"Mr. Tate is there anything else because if we are finished I would like to leave. Some of us do work," Ashley said completely annoyed by the whole situation.

"Mr. Tate, I'm curious as to why you needed Mrs. Scott here today only to tell her she was being left one dollar and her car, jewelry and furs?" Spencer asked.

"That is what Mr. Scott wanted. His will insisted that she be present when the will was read. There is one other request specified in the will, I'm ashamed to say regarding Mrs. Scott."

"Another request, something bordering on the insane I'm sure," Ashley said.

"It states that you must go on a total of three dates with your brother in law, Edward Scott. The third date must end with you Mrs. Scott consummating that date with Edward Scott. Once this has been completed you can take full possession of the car, your jewelry and furs."

"WHAT! Are you crazy?" Both women say. "I already have possession of my car, Ashley snapped."

"Yes I'm aware of that, if you have the keys to the Lambo with you please leave them with Marcia. And before you start yelling Mrs. Scott this is not my idea, I suggested to Mr. Scott to not add that clause but he insisted. If you don't go on the three dates you will forfeit the car, the jewelry and the furs."

Spencer starts to say something but Ashley stops her. "Mr. Tate as of right now, this very instant you can take that car, the furs and the jewelry and shove them up Edward Scott's ass," she said glaring at Edward. "What the hell kind of request is that? How long did it take you and your brother to think of that asinine request?"

"Ashley you are getting beside yourself, please my dear calm down."

"DEAR! I am not your fucking dear. You know I do remember you at my wedding now. You were a pain in the ass. I had just married your brother and you were dogging me like a bitch in heat. I couldn't get away from you. You are sick and perverted like your brother was."

"Nevertheless I hope to see you on a more personal level at a later date," Edward said. Spencer jumped in his face. "Ashley has no intentions of getting to know or see you on a more personal level at anytime. She is not available to date you or anyone… Edward."

"Let's go Spencer," grabbing her hand they both storm out, but not before Spencer tells a smirking Franklin and Edward, "I hope you have a good time with the money Tony left you Franklin, you too Edward because you're not going to have it for long."

Franklin stares at Spencer not understanding the jest of her statement. Edward brushes her off with comtempt.

Outside the building of the lawyer's office, Ashley was still seething. "I can't believe that bastard put that shit in his will and the lawyer allowing it. Trying to give me away like… like a piece of fucking property… his property! That bastard, I swear Spencer if he wasn't already dead I would kill him myself. And to think I was upset at you because you bribed him not to marry me. I wish he had taken the money and run."

"Calm down Ashley you have the satisfaction of knowing once those monies are released the IRS will be on them like flies on shit. Haha! Franklin won't have anything left once they finish with his ass, he may even owe them some money. Edward is the one that will keep most of the money but not all, that smug son of a bitch, I didn't like the way he was looking at you. Too bad the IRS can't take all of his."

"Yes that's right Spencer come on."

"Where are we going Ashley?"

"Back to our office I have a phone call to make to the IRS, specifically… Mr. Dane Martin."