Dinner started off quietly, with only the clattering of cutleries filling the air. The meal of garlic mashed potatoes with roasted turkey was delicious and Ashley filled herself heartily.“The food was delicious.” She commended Mrs Leon as they feast on the fruit custard served for dessert.Mrs Leon smiled with appreciation. If there was one thing she loved, it was getting praises for her cooking.“My wife sure has great culinary skills. I can give you that.” Mr Leon remarked with pride adorning his tone. “That's one of the reasons why I love her. Good food everyday.” Mr Leon whispered in addition.“Oh please.” Mrs Leon crimsoned with embarrassment. “Stop being silly.” She jokingly chided her husband.Everyone at the table laughed. For once, the ambience was warm and relaxed until Bruce spoke. The sound of his voice always irked Ashley. “So Ashley, do you cook?” Ashley rolled her eyes inwardly. Small talks! All so he could talk to her. She wondered how Lilian never saw this side of
“What was all that about?” Rachel shot at Bruce once they had left his parents and had begun driving home. “What?” Bruce asked genuinely. He had not noticed how upset Rachel was. “Don't give me that! You damn well know what I'm talking about!” Bruce sighed. “If I did I wouldn't be asking… Baby can you just tell me what it is.” His endearment was aimed at diffusing her fury. He was in a good mood and did not intend to spoil it by having banter with Rachel. “Maybe you could thank me by treating me to coffee sometime and then we can begin talks about business.” she mimicked him, her tone sarcastic and her expression adorned with disgust. Bruce rolled his eyes as he tried to work his way through her statement. He didn't think that was the cause of her rotten mood. “What is it about that? I was expressing my intention to do business with her. You know how much we have been trying to get a partnership with her father but his reluctance has always made it impossible.” He defended.
Ashley cussed under her breath. She had forgotten about him and didn't think he would take her promise seriously when she said they'd talk after her return.“Paul.” She called in greeting. “You shouldn't have waited up for me.” “You stayed out late.” Paul stated with authority. His tone was stern and angry. “I was waiting for you.”Ashley raised her eyes and met his. He was beginning to get under her nerves with his constant whines for her attention. Who was he to determine when she went and when she returned? “I didn't ask you to.” She responded offhandedly as she cracked her neck to ease the dull ache she felt. She was exhausted and the last thing she wanted to do was to deal with Paul.‘You said we'd talk.”“I’m tired, Paul.” Ashley said over her shoulders, already making her way to her room.Paul's eyes glowed with rage. Her indifference to him was affecting him in many ways than he could admit and awakening in him something he had fought to bury.“Let me guess. He took you and
“She couldn't have asked you that.” Bruce said to his wife, refusing to believe what she had just told him. “I'm telling you she did. She was asking too many questions about Lilian.” Rachel insisted.“What use is the information to her?” Bruce asked, voicing out his thoughts.Rachel, who had not realized that her husband was only thinking out the question in his mind, responded. “I don't know.” “How did she even come to know about Lilian?” He turned to Rachel this time, expecting her to answer.“She said DJ-”“That swine!” Bruce spat with venom. Hatred for his brother filled him and he began to see all of this as he did every other thing; a dirty competition with his brother.Bruce immediately convinced himself that his brother was only trying to sabotage his future business dealing with Ashley by painting a bad picture of him, ruining his reputation.“I think she was just curious. Only heaven knows what DJ had told her just to paint me bad. You know he is interested in investing in
Ashley sat in the restaurant all by herself, alone with her thoughts. The cup of hot coffee she had requested sat on the table, long forgotten and now cold. Her vision blurred and her mind in disarray, she paid no attention to the figure that walked past her table. She was tired of everything. She was tired of the life and everything that came with it. She was more confused than ever on who to trust. She needed someone by her side as she embarked on this journey. She missed her carefree self. The happy Lilian who saw the good in everyone and loved life without the constant fear and suspicion. But that path hadn't been so kind to her. She had had her fair share of betrayal in her past life with her closest pair stabbing her so brutally. She didn't want to repeat the same mistakes. And she needed someone by her side to advance her plans, not just anyone but the right one. A person she could trust wholeheartedly. She sighed as the thought of it all exhausted her. She just wanted t
Pamela was more than baffled with the strange woman claiming to be her long lost friend. The switch from being all joys and cheers into an erupted volcano of tears surprised her and left her speechless.“Are you alright?” Pamela asked the weeping woman tentatively. She was unsure how to address the situation. She had even begun to consider the fact that Ashley might be crazy. Still, she retrieved the box of tissues kept on the table and offered it to Ashley.Ashley sniffed, reached out and pulled some tissues from the box Pamela had offered. She blew her nose into the tissue. “I'm sorry.” Ashley apologized and sniffed again.“It's okay. Are you feeling better?” Pamela asked and Ashley nodded in response.“Thank you.” Ashley told Pamela as she stood up from the seat. “I'm sorry for the bother.” She apologized again. Pamela's order arrived just as Ashley was about to leave. “You know I can't finish all these by myself?” Pamela said. It was an invitation to Ashley as Pamela thought t
“Dad, I want to go away for a month.” Ashley said to her father later that evening after they had dined. They were alone and having a father and daughter moment when Ashley suddenly blurted out her intentions.With everything that had recently happened, she needed a break from all of it before she lost herself.Mr Knox gave her a ridiculous look. The fear in his eyes was palpable. “Why?” The single question was filled with bewilderment.She chuckled. Understanding lit her eyes. “I'll be fine.” She tried to reassure him.She knew why he reacted that way. The last time his daughter went away was when he received the news of her death. Mr Knox didn't want to take any chances. Even though Ashley was taking permission from him, unlike his late daughter who just stole money from him and ran off, he still couldn't help but worry about the outcome of going far away from him.“I know you're worried, but you'll agree that I've been a good girl all the while and I promise I'll continue to be e
“I hope we are on the right lane this time.” Pamela whined in exhaustion. They have been going in circles unable to pinpoint their exact destination; DJ's house. This was the third driveway Ashley was taking and she hoped that they were on the right way this time. “If this isn't it, I'd suggest we go back home and just call him over the phone.” Pamela continued her whining. Ashley rolled her eyes listening to Pamela complain. She didn't want to inform DJ of her visit and so didn't call him for the address. She retorted to other means in getting his contact address. Ashley hadn't been to DJ's house before. Because she hadn't thought of it and he hadn't offered. She thought it was because he was trying to make her comfortable around him first, especially since she had just had the accident then and remembered nothing about her life. An involuntary smile graced her lips as she thought of how gentlemanly DJ was. Sweet and nothing like his younger brother, Bruce. “Why are you smiling
“Sorry I kept you waiting.” Ashley apologized as she stepped into her office. Bruce stirred, his eyes gleamed with admiration as he watched her walk in and round her table to her seat. “It's fine. I didn't tell you before coming. In such short notice, I can't blame you.”Ashley scoffed and rolled her eyes without getting noticed. Bruce could easily fool any one with his courteousness, making someone believe he was well mannered and considerate. Anyone but her.She forced a smile. “You're not a stranger. I can always make time for you.” She didn't miss the proud glint in his eyes. He felt important.Idiót! Two can play this game of pretence. Only this time, Bruce was getting beat at his one game.“Thank you.” Bruce said sheepishly.She smiled and darted her eyes to the man seated beside Bruce. He understood the cue and immediately introduced the man.“He is with me. He is Alex, my designer.” Ashley nodded her greeting to Alex before peeling her eyes on Bruce.“Yes. Straight to busin
TWO WEEKS AFTER THE EXHIBITION Ashley poked her head through the door to Pamela's office. Her brows knitted as she stepped inside. “Why are you doing that?” Ashley asked Pamela who was standing by the workstation in her office, head bent and intently focused on the mass of material, sweat beads sat over her forehead and temples as she worked on a delicate fabric of beads. It has been two weeks since the success of their fashion exhibition and they have been swamped with orders on the newly launched line. It was more work than ever, more success than ever and more money than ever. The fame of their brand had spread quickly all over London and everyone in the world of clothing and designing wanted to be associated with Ashley and ‘The Knox fashion world’. Pamela snatched her handkerchief from her pant pocket and swiped it unethically over her face. She raised her head to look at Ashley. “They've got their hands full at the atelier. Mrs Maxwell brought in a late request but she's o
“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.