True to his words, Ashley barely got any sleep. DJ had woken her up in the middle of the night so they could move to his bedroom where he took her to intense pleasurable heights. Not once, but over and over again until they were both drained and spent.She fell asleep right after. By morning, she was pleasantly exhausted and was sleeping like a baby. A deep peaceful slumber that she hadn't noticed when DJ slipped out for his routine morning run.A distant ringing infiltrated her euphoric dream. The sound grew louder and closer with each passing moment, before Ashley realized it wasn't her dream but reality.She stirred, fluttering her eyes, blinking lazily and tiredly, the weight of sleep heavy in her eyes. She didn't want to wake up yet, but the ringing was not relenting.Who would ring so early in the morning?She groaned, irritated at the persistent disturbance. She exhaled, flipped her eyelid open and sleepily looked around her. This wasn't her room. Every corner of the room had
“You?”“Me!” Pamela grinned jovially and walked past Ashley into the house.Ashley's brows knotted with confusion and her eyes shone with surprise as she closed the door. She hadn't told anyone that she was at DJ's. Pamela didn't even know she met with DJ. “Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?” Pamela strode inside, making herself comfortable, settling on the sofa.Ashley grinned inwardly at the thought that Pamela wouldn't be so comfortable on that couch if she knew the things she and DJ had done there.“Ashley!”Ashley jolted. She shook her head bringing her mind back into the room. “How did you know I was here?” she asked, moving to join Ashley on the couch.“You didn't return after your meeting with Bruce. I got worried, so I texted DJ and he told me you were here.” Ashley furrowed her brows. “When was this? Have you seen him?” She was curious. She hadn't seen him since the morning and she didn't know where he was.Pamela's brows knitted. “Uh, I texted him last night and he
Ashley and Pamela exchanged looks. Fear filled their gaze. Had DJ heard them? Why did he call them out that way? “Who would pay?” DJ asked, walking into the kitchen to join them. He was still panting slightly from his run. Ashley's and Pamela’s hearts raced as they passed each other fearful looks. They were so engrossed in their fear of being caught that they missed the tease in DJ's voice. “Um…” Ashley fumbled. “If I had known you would come here to bother my fiance with work problems, I would have never told she was with me, Pam.” DJ said, walking to the freezer helped himself to a bottle of cold water. He paused, clinging onto the fridge handle, noticing the tension reeling from both women. “Is everything alright?” His eyes scanned them. “No. We were just talking about work. There are a couple of pending payments to be made.” Ashley explained. “Yes. I'll get the invoice for you to sign.” Pamela said, moving away to get her bag. “See what I mean? You don't give her any break
“The guests have begun to arrive.” Pamela said in a breathless tone. She peeked through the large curtains hiding them behind the stage.The past weeks have been so busy for everyone at the office.The fashion exhibition day was upon them and as Ashley had instructed; nothing was to go wrong. Being an evening event, Ashley had spent the whole day ensuring that the hall and everything else was in place.“Good! And the models?” Ashley asked Pamela. “Don't leave that there.” She instructed one of the handymen. “Put that by the side.” She turned just as Pamela responded to her question.“All ready. Just a few finishing touches… You should go get ready. Change your clothes.” Pamela advised Ashley who looked tired and was drenched in sweat. She looked at her friend with compassion. Ashley had barely sat the whole day.“Sure.” Ashley responded. Her eyes roved around one more time, checking to see if there was anything out of place. She didn't want anything to go wrong. “Go oversee the model
The room zoomed in dangerously and everything blurred from Lillian's standing spot at the entrance to her room.Her room, her matrimonial room. Laid atop her matrimonial bed was her husband vigorously and pleasurably thrusting deeper and deeper into the honeycomb of her sister. Their moans, the only deafening sound that filtered through the hazy cloud in her mind.She refused to believe her vision. The two most important people in her life could never think to do this to her. The only people that cared about her would never do this. Her heart said differently. Her eyes saw reality. Reality she vehemently refused to believe. She moved closer to the bed. She wanted a closer look at them. She wanted to confirm their faces, even though she already knew. She wanted it to be a mistake.Just as she reached the foot of the bed, she saw her husband shake violently, emptying his release into the depths of her sister. Their sigh of deep satisfaction caused her eyes to water.As Bruce finished o
"Toss it over! Come on, hurry!" There was urgency in Rachel's voice."Don't you think we should check if she's still alive.""No one can survive such a beating. Didn't you see how they almost splattered her brain out? The guys did a good job. Her head and face is destroyed. Toss this trash into the river before someone sees us." Rachel urged. She darted her eyes back and forth the darkness of the overhead bridge on which they stood.Bruce grunted as he lifted the bag enclosing Lillian's body. "I don't know why you didn't pay them to dispose of the body too." He whined."You want it to be traced back to us? Is that what you want?... Just hurry up and let's get out of here!"Lillian heard the voices in a haze. Her body felt numb and alienated. The physical pain she felt was like nothing in the world. Her breathing was so slow, she thought she would die the next minute. She held her breath when she was lifted. The pain heightened with the contact. She felt herself rise. Her pain increas
Dr Tony was taking off the bandages wrapped around Lillian's face. He worked with dexterity as he pulled on the bandage. It's been five weeks of waiting since after the surgery."You will feel numb around your face when the bandages come off, but it shouldn't alarm you. It's normal and the feeling will wear off in a moment." Tony explained as he unwrapped the bandage. Sam Knox stood by the corner of the room, his heart racing and his eyes shone with fear. He was eager to see the result of the surgery and yet, uncertain how Lillian would react to her new face.Lillian had only been able to communicate by nodding whenever she was spoken to. The bandages had prevented her from speaking. So they had not been able to have a real conversation with her.Tony had said that the chances of Lillian remembering anything about her past was very slim. But Knox couldn't shake off the fear that she would remember her past life. It would be a disaster if that happened.Tony finally removed the last o
"Yes." Knox nodded at her. "Yes. You are Ashley Knox." He reiterated with tear filled eyes. "You are my Ashley.""You are my daughter." He announced with tearful glee. She watched him move near her. Uncertainty flooded her gaze. She looked up at Dr Tony whom she inexplicably had a measure of trust in. Tony sensed her insecurities and he understood them. He had seen it a thousand times, patients waking up to memories of their life snatched away from. Knowing nothing. Remembering nothing. The feeling was depressing. He nodded silently at her, consenting to the information she had just received.She turned her gaze away from Tony to regard Knox who had stopped in his tracks. Her countenance had not been welcoming causing him to pause."You are my father?" She inquired.Her innocence burst open the flood gates of Knox tears. He shook violently, collapsing on the bed on which she sat. She suddenly felt guilty. He was her father and she didn't know him. She imagined how that must hurt. S
“The guests have begun to arrive.” Pamela said in a breathless tone. She peeked through the large curtains hiding them behind the stage.The past weeks have been so busy for everyone at the office.The fashion exhibition day was upon them and as Ashley had instructed; nothing was to go wrong. Being an evening event, Ashley had spent the whole day ensuring that the hall and everything else was in place.“Good! And the models?” Ashley asked Pamela. “Don't leave that there.” She instructed one of the handymen. “Put that by the side.” She turned just as Pamela responded to her question.“All ready. Just a few finishing touches… You should go get ready. Change your clothes.” Pamela advised Ashley who looked tired and was drenched in sweat. She looked at her friend with compassion. Ashley had barely sat the whole day.“Sure.” Ashley responded. Her eyes roved around one more time, checking to see if there was anything out of place. She didn't want anything to go wrong. “Go oversee the model
Ashley and Pamela exchanged looks. Fear filled their gaze. Had DJ heard them? Why did he call them out that way? “Who would pay?” DJ asked, walking into the kitchen to join them. He was still panting slightly from his run. Ashley's and Pamela’s hearts raced as they passed each other fearful looks. They were so engrossed in their fear of being caught that they missed the tease in DJ's voice. “Um…” Ashley fumbled. “If I had known you would come here to bother my fiance with work problems, I would have never told she was with me, Pam.” DJ said, walking to the freezer helped himself to a bottle of cold water. He paused, clinging onto the fridge handle, noticing the tension reeling from both women. “Is everything alright?” His eyes scanned them. “No. We were just talking about work. There are a couple of pending payments to be made.” Ashley explained. “Yes. I'll get the invoice for you to sign.” Pamela said, moving away to get her bag. “See what I mean? You don't give her any break
“You?”“Me!” Pamela grinned jovially and walked past Ashley into the house.Ashley's brows knotted with confusion and her eyes shone with surprise as she closed the door. She hadn't told anyone that she was at DJ's. Pamela didn't even know she met with DJ. “Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?” Pamela strode inside, making herself comfortable, settling on the sofa.Ashley grinned inwardly at the thought that Pamela wouldn't be so comfortable on that couch if she knew the things she and DJ had done there.“Ashley!”Ashley jolted. She shook her head bringing her mind back into the room. “How did you know I was here?” she asked, moving to join Ashley on the couch.“You didn't return after your meeting with Bruce. I got worried, so I texted DJ and he told me you were here.” Ashley furrowed her brows. “When was this? Have you seen him?” She was curious. She hadn't seen him since the morning and she didn't know where he was.Pamela's brows knitted. “Uh, I texted him last night and he
True to his words, Ashley barely got any sleep. DJ had woken her up in the middle of the night so they could move to his bedroom where he took her to intense pleasurable heights. Not once, but over and over again until they were both drained and spent.She fell asleep right after. By morning, she was pleasantly exhausted and was sleeping like a baby. A deep peaceful slumber that she hadn't noticed when DJ slipped out for his routine morning run.A distant ringing infiltrated her euphoric dream. The sound grew louder and closer with each passing moment, before Ashley realized it wasn't her dream but reality.She stirred, fluttering her eyes, blinking lazily and tiredly, the weight of sleep heavy in her eyes. She didn't want to wake up yet, but the ringing was not relenting.Who would ring so early in the morning?She groaned, irritated at the persistent disturbance. She exhaled, flipped her eyelid open and sleepily looked around her. This wasn't her room. Every corner of the room had
Ashley, nestled on top DJ, was enjoying the feel of the satiating aftermath of their heated passion. She placed head comfortably on his broad chest, idling tugging on the hair on his chest.“You're so hairy.” She commented.“You don't like it?”“I like it. It gives me something to play with.”“If you want something to play with,-”“I'm good with this, thank you.” Grasping his lewd tease, Ashley quickly cut him.DJ chuckled. “Spoil sport.”“Your mind is so dirty.” Ashley remarked with a smile.DJ's chuckle deepened. “Don't tell anyone my secret.” He said in pretend seriousness.Amused, she shook her head against his chest at his naughtiness and snuggled into him.DJ sighed with satisfaction as his finger trailed the hollow length of Ashley's spine.She sensed him smiling and she propped herself on her elbow to look at him.“What now?”“Nothing.” She lifted one brow. “Then why are you smiling like that?”DJ adjusted himself to accommodate her positioning. “I'm happy.” He responded wit
Ashley returned to her table to find DJ waiting for her. Sonia trailed behind her, her face an angry storm that no one seemed to notice.DJ's impatience was evident in his expression. “Are you done?” It was clear to Ashley that Bruce and DJ may have continued their brawling in the absence of both women.“Yes. She turned to Bruce. “I'll instruct Pamela to send you a mail regarding the presentation.”Bruce nodded. “I'll be seeing you soon.” His words carried an underlying meaning, aimed at irking DJ .“We should go.” DJ said through clenched teeth, already taking quick long strides away from them.Ashley packed her bag and briskly followed DJ.“I'll see you at home, DJ.” Sonia called after them and Ashley passed her a glare.“Slow down. I'm almost running after you.” Ashley was breathing heavily.DJ slowed down, then paused, and waited for her to catch up with him. Just when she stood beside him, panting, clutching her chest and trying to gulp more air, DJ scooped her into his arms an
“Bruce!” Sonia walked up to their table, smiling gingerly. “You're here!” she beamed.DJ begrudgingly followed behind Sonia. His reluctance was evident, he didn't want to have to deal with his brother.“Rachel.” Sonia greeted the lady who had her back to them before she could see the face.Ashley raised her head and smiled at Sonia. “I'm not Rachel.”Sonia's smile dropped. She passed a look between Bruce and Ashley, hoping to get an explanation.The questions in her mind could be clearly seen in her eyes. Why are these two all cozy together at a restaurant? Does Rachel know that her husband is here with Ashley?“Ashley?” DJ was stunned. He hadn't seen her before now.Like Sonia, he passed a look between Bruce and his fiancee, wanting an explanation.A self satisfied smirk sat on Bruce's lips. From DJ's expression, he could tell his brother had not known his fiancee was meeting with him. Bruce took it upon himself to massage his own ego and salten DJ's wound. “We have a lunch meeting.
Pamela told Ashley what she knew. Her revelation only compounded Ashley's problems. Helen had openly threatened to kill her ‘again’ if she needed to and now Pamela had identified Paul as Ashley's killer. But it was said that Ashley died in a car accident.Nothing added up. There was no link between all suspects and the stories. Ashley didn't sign up for this. She had no intention of becoming a detective burdened with the task of finding the real Ashley's killer.But she would have no choice than to get involved. If Ashley was indeed murdered, and they thought she was Ashley, then she would need to watch her back more closely.To do that, she needed to know who wanted her dead.It didn't help that Helen moved Paul to an unknown hospital. Ashley would have to wait till Paul came to her.She knew Paul. He would come to her. His obsession would let him stay away from her. Everyone had decided to tell Mr Knox nothing about the incident. It will blow the covers for Ashley, Helen and Paul
Ashley opened her eyes to the white lit room. The pristine ceiling stared back at her and the beeping sound of machines filled her consciousness. It quickly registered in her mind that she was still in the hospital. After Helen left, the nurse had given her something to make her sleep as she had complained about a headache. Her eyes roved around with exhaustion. She looked to her right to see a gloomy face of Pamela seated next to her bed, watching her. Ashley sighed. She looked up to the table by her bed. “Please pass me that glass of water.” Ashley requested in a croaky voice. She was parched. Her mouth felt extremely dry, an effect of the medication. Pamela quickly obliged. She stood up from the seat, grabbed the glass, helped Ashley sit up and fed her from the water. Pamela returned the glass after Ashley had drank enough. They stayed in awkward silence for a while before Pamela spoke, breaking the silence. “How do you know that man? Who is he?” Ashley glanced at her, the