CHAPTER 5

The last time I had seen Asher’s father was about four years ago on the day I graduated from college, he didn't say anything to me but I saw him stalking me from the crowd reminding me of the promise I had made. I tried to remain as calm as possible as I stared at him while he made himself comfortable on the sofa opposite me.

“When was the last time I saw you? four… five years ago?” He scoffed as he looked around my office with a look in his eyes- as if he was judging, no one had to tell me he was.

“Are you trying to make small talk Mr. Stone? I imagine you are a busy man so let's cut to the chase. what do you want?” I asked as I crossed my legs, his eyebrows rose in surprise.

“You’ve grown bolder”

“I refuse to let your family ridicule me again” I finalized, he nodded with a smirk that irked me… why did Asher have to look so much like him? It makes it so hard to hate him the way I want.

“I only did what was best for my family”

I scoffed.

“And it was the best for me too” I added before I took a sip from my cup of coffee.

“How is my granddaughter doing?”

“That is none of your concern. you don't even know her name and you are sitting here asking about her? A girl you’ve never bothered to meet, a girl you denied a father” I snapped, he had no right to ask about her or even speak her name.

“Women. always so emotional” he chuckled. I felt heat rise on my face. discarding me was one thing… I could deal with it but shrugging off the way he discarded  Melodie was something I would never stand for. I rose from my seat, dropped my cup, and walked over to the door.

“Get out”

“What did you say?” his eyes narrowed as he stared at me, shock evident on his face as I gestured towards the opened door

“Leave”

He stood up and walked up to me, the glimmer in his eyes was undeniable. What sort of psychopath is this? How did he get to the point where my pain became his happiness? He stopped right in front of me, meeting my eyes as I glared at him.

“I have to say, this makes things very fun now. I hope you’ll be ready for what I have in store for you”

 the moment he was out the door I was finally breathing. fear gripped me as I thought about what he said.

What the heck did he mean by that??

******

I wasn't sure how much longer I could put up with the awkwardness between Asher and me, he had been actively avoiding me since he found out about Melodie and when we’d eventually make eye contact he’d just stare at me, his eyes devoid of any emotion which just made me feel worse than when we bickered about everything… even the sight of each other. 

I couldn't understand why he was acting this way. telling him about Melodie would have changed nothing, he didn't care when his father forced me to throw away the only life ever knew. he never fought for me when his father would treat me disrespectfully so why is he so bothered? he can't even begin to fathom everything I went through. how alone I felt. how long I waited and wished that he would come back and make everything right.

“Mr. Stone, shall we proceed to the conference room for the model selection meeting?” I asked immediately after we were done going through the themes for the photoshoots of the wears we were in the process of making.

“actually about that, I've changed my mind. let's have the meeting tomorrow”

“again?? this is the fourth time this week” I argued, I tried to keep my annoyance in check because I knew what he was doing. it was Asher, I knew him like the back of my palm. he was pissed and he was trying to piss me off… I am so close to getting pissed

“so? I say we are having the meeting tomorrow and if that doesn't work for you we can put an end to this contract. I couldn't care”

the staff in the modeling studio stared at us, confused and unsure of what to do. I ran my fingers through my hair as I stared at Asher who was carelessly flipping through a magazine. I've had it.

“Everyone leave now” I commanded and the staff scrambled out. when I was sure that there was no one around I turned to Asher.

“did you really have to do that?” I scoffed 

“did you have to hide Melodie from me?” he countered finally looking at me for the first time this week, his eyes still held the same anger.

“yes, and I did it to protect her. I do not regret it one bit”

“I can’t believe you right now. protect her? protect her from who? you of all people should know that I would have loved her with all of my being” he exclaimed as he stood up tossing the magazine away, he ran his fingers through his already tousled locks and paced. images of that night came flooding back… his father's words- I could feel my throat tightening.

“look, I'm sorry-” I tried to say

“Don't you dare? if you were sorry, you wouldn't have hidden her in the first place, you wouldn't have done everything you did” his eyes narrowed at me in anger, and my irritation rose.

“I didn't have a choice!”

“yes, you did. everyone has a choice, Samantha!”

“I didn't this time and you of all people should know why” I barked and his eyes turned curious like they always did whenever I hinted that I left because of him

“that's the craziest part… I fucking don't. you keep saying things- these vague comments and I have no idea what you are talking about. Tell me, what did I do that was so bad that made you run away?” he questioned, moving closer and stalking me as I moved back earnestly trying to prevent being near him.

“Don't make me laugh, stop playing dumb!” I hit the table

“you know what? fine! If this is how you want to play then I'll play the game with you”

“what do you mean by that?” I asked as I stared up at him, 

“I am going to fight for parental rights”

“EXCUSE ME???!” I questioned as my eyes widened in shock.

“Did I stutter?” he asked cooly… too laid back, I felt my skin crawl with fear of melodies being taken away from me. times like this, the look in his eye,  his demeanor, and his aura I am reminded of how much he looks like his father.

“as far as I know, I never did anything to cause you to hide Melodie from me. I never hit you or used abusive words on you, I was always there for you and would run to your aid at the smallest inconvenience so unless you have solid evidence against me then I have every right to have this much since I was deceived for the most part” he moved closer.

“You… you can’t be serious” I stuttered. he had a good argument and if I went to court and told the truth Mr. Stone would surely kill Melodie and me as well.

“You of all people should know I hardly play around. I mean this and no matter why I will go through with it… except-” his face held no amusement.

“Except what?” I asked, antsy.

“You let me see her whenever I want to” 

“I don’t think that is a good idea, she is just six and can barely comprehend what happened between us. Dropping the news that you are her father may be too confusing for her” I tried to explain.

“And whose fault is that?” he scoffed.

“We don’t have to tell her I’m her father for now, it’s a gradual process and she should at least get used to seeing me in person not some picture you have perched on your dresser” He added

“Deal and for the record your picture isn’t on my dresser, it’s buried at the bottom of a box. She found it while snooping around in my room” I argued and his stoic expression turned to one I only saw whenever I was under him or on top of him, I felt my face grow hot as he was only a few inches away from me.

“why exactly is my picture in your room to start with?” he was close enough now that I could feel the embrace of his distinct aroma as it enveloped her senses like a warm embrace… like it always had. just like I remembered it, it wasn't overpowering, but rather subtle, like the faint whisper of a breeze carrying the essence of distant oceans and chamomile 

“oh well…”

“I thought you wanted nothing to do with me. you left so why Sam? why do you still have my picture?” he purred in my ear, i folded my palms in a fist against the table to keep my composure

“It's just a picture, it’s no big deal” I scoffed, failing woefully at trying to sound confident. he moved back and held my eyes with his.

I should say something

he licked his lips and I felt my stomach tighten.

I should push him away.

I looked down at his lips and back to his eyes almost immediately but not fast enough… he caught me and now there was a smug smirk on his face but I didn't back down, I kept staring into his eyes.

“lie all you want Cariño but I know you and someday soon I’m going to find out what you are hiding from me” he chuckled sultrily as he slowly backed away.

“same here”