“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
“Is he really Bruce's brother?” Pamela asked in a whisper as DJ led the way to his apartment.“Why didn't you ever mention that he was made to perfection? He is so fine!” Pamela drawled on her last word. Her eyes traveled up and down DJ's bare back to the slim of his waist that disappeared into faded denim jeans.Ashley couldn't deny that the sight was entertaining and like Pamela, she couldn't stop looking.“Behave!” She chided Pamela through gritted teeth.They reached DJ's front porch and he stepped up and held the door open for both women. He directed them to his living room and offered them seats.The house was warm and welcoming. The interiors, typical of a single man but neat. Simple furniture; a centre bear rug, sitting a small centre table. A large TV and few artificial flower vases here and there at strategic locations. He had three paintings on the wall; a popular basketball player, an intricate piece of painting to which Ashley couldn't interpret any meaning to and a woma
The drink was served and placed before Rachel. An awkward silence stretched between them in the noisy bar.Rachel's mind mulled over Ashley's knowledge of such a tiny detail about her. She began to wonder how close Ashley was to her husband, Bruce.Not many people knew about her strong aversion to wine. Only her parents, Bruce and Lilian. But Lilian was dead and her parents have never met Ashley. That left only Bruce in the equation.She kept stealing glances at Ashley, the Martini in front of her barely touched.“Got to do a number one. I’ll be right back!” Pamela excused herself, scurrying off to the ladies, leaving Ashley and Rachel alone.“You know, this isn't a funeral, Rachel. I believe you came here to have a good time but you've barely touched that drink.” Ashley turned to her, lewd assumptions flitted through her eyes. “Or are you perhaps waiting for someone? A lover maybe?”Rachel scoffed. “I’m not a tràmp.” Her tone betrayed her insinuating accusation. “Unlike you, I'm marr
“It's done.” Pamela scurried behind Ashley as her wide eyes trail Ashley's back as she enters the office and beeline for her seat. “So quickly?... Did he see you?” Pamela asked. “No.” Ashley took her seat. “I didn't go as me. I used a proxy.” She said with a satisfied heave. “Wow! So now you own the company?” Pamela asked with incredulity. “Now I own, Bruce.” Ashley smiled. “But he doesn't know it yet.” Pamela gasped and let out a chuckle. “Oh my God! You finally got what you wanted.” Ashley's gaze fixes straight past Pamela. Her mind, brooding and brewing. “Not yet. I still have many scores to settle. One of which I haven't been giving a lot of attention to.” “What's that?” Ashley raised her eyes to meet Pamela's. “Rachel.” “That bitch!” Venom dripped from Pamela's voice. “She won't be one for long. I intend to strip her of that snarky attitude of hers.” Excitement flicked through Pamela's eyes. She had always, always hated Rachel and her ‘better than everyone else's atti
A towel wrapped around his waist, Bruce dried his damp hair with another towel as he walked out of the bathroom. His head still ached from his drunkenness last night. Rachel entered at that moment and Bruce smiled. His erection springing back to life very quickly. Ashley had stirred a lot of steam in him the previous night. He had wanted to let some of it out on his wife after the party. But he had slept off waiting for her. There was a lot of cleaning left to do and Rachel had deliberately stayed back to supervise the maids that night. She didn't want to be anywhere near Bruce as she was still very mad at him. She wanted to talk to him but needed to simmer down. Bruce smiled and tugged the towel around his waist loose, freeing his díck. He walked towards her with a smug smile. “You came back late last night.” He said as he made his way to her, hoping she would welcome him like she always did. “I didn't think you'd notice.” Her voice was tight. He reached her and spread his ha
Ashley left DJ's place floating on cloud nine. She headed straight to the office after making a stop at her house for a change of clothes, all the while pleasantly humming to herself. She reached her office and paused at her door when she heard movement from inside. She had earlier met Benita on her way up and was certain it couldn't be her inside. Slowly, she peeled the door open. “Pam?” Pleasant surprise adorn her tone. Pamela, who had been busy setting down files that needed Ashley's attention, raised her head, glanced at Ashley and continued her work. “Good morning.” Pamela muttered under her breath. The telltale of annoyance tinged her tone. “I thought you said you wouldn't be coming in today?” Delight coursed through her voice at the sight of Pamela. “You need to sign these.” Pamela responded in a tight voice. “They are due next week.” Ashley strode into the office, her gaze fixed on an unsmiling Pamela. She placed her bag on the table and walked up to stand in front of
Ashley wakes up to a pair of eyes watching her with love and admiration. She scoffed and chuckled groggily. “Don't tell me you stayed like this all night.” She said in between stifling a yawn as she stretched her muscles to wake. DJ grinned. “What if I did?” Ashley rolled her eyes. “Creepy.” She twisted her head to check the digital clock on his nightstand. DJ rolled his eyes. “Lemme guess, you have to go.” Ashley chortled. “Accurate guess. I just need to handle a few things. And I need to see Pamela too.” DJ furrowed his brows. “You see Pamela every other day.” He said pointedly. Ashley sighed. “This is different. We had a fight last night after we left your brother's.” DJ lifted his brows and whistled. “That bad?” “Yup!” She responded, pulling the covers off her body to reveal her nudity. “She already texted last night that she wanted the day off today.” “Can she just do that?” DJ asked, his eyes raking the perfect symmetry of Ashley's body, feeling his member ha
Ashley shut the voice in her head constantly scolding her for spitting hurtful words at Pamela. Pam had been right. Maybe she was controlling, acting like an overbearing mother. And even though she didn't trust Thomas, she couldn't have at least respected Pam and tolerated him. All he did was help them. Grateful for the walk, she had enough time to reflect and simmer down. She would apologize to Pam. She reached her house and saw the car parked in front. She recognized the car as DJ’s. She glanced around and was pleasantly surprised to find DJ, but stunned to see him seated on the cobblestone step. “DJ?” She quickened her steps and met up with him. “Why are you sitting out here? Why didn't you go inside?” She asked, her gaze darting to the house, wondering if someone had asked him to stay out. “The maid who answered the door said you weren't in but would be back soon, and I didn't want to wait inside alone.” “You could have called me.” “I didn't want to disturb you.” She passed
Pamela's heels clicked angrily as she matched past Ashley. “Pamela.”. Ashley stopped her. “You should see these.” she dug her hands into her purse to fetch out something. “I got my hands on Bruce's financial record. And you won't believe what they contain.” “Good for you.” Pamela said sarcastically, not bothering to take a look at what Ashley had in her hands. “Are you alright?” “These damn signals.” Pamela muttered cusses under her breath. Her finger punched her device as though she was in a fierce battle with it. Frantically trying to book a cab, the reception on her cellphone was in opposition to her wants. “What are you so worked up about?” Ashley asked, catching up to her. Pamela ignored her, kept pressing on her phone, exiting and re-entering the app as she received the same service unavailable response. “Argh.” Pamela groaned in frustration. Ashley stole a glance at the screen. “Let's get to my house. I'll ask a driver to drop you off.” Ashley suggested seeing that P
Pamela eagerly got in the front seat, her interest in Thomas no longer subtle. “Thank you so much.” She buckled her seat belt, her gaze not once flickering off the young man. Thomas glanced at her. “It's no problem. Where're you girls headed?” “Up East.” Pamela answered. “Up East?” Thomas exclaimed. “That's on the other side of town.” He pointed out. Pamela chuckled. “Yes. Ashley's father lives on that side. And she lives with him.” “So what brings you all the way out here?” “Business. We are expanding our horizon, moving our business this way.” Pamela responded genially. “Oh!” Thomas nodded, understanding flooded his mind. “Yeah. We had our debut exhibition here sometime last month. A small awareness about our brand.” Pamela chortled. “I heard about that and I wouldn't call that small. Although I didn't attend, I saw a glimpse of it all over the net. It was a great show… Awesome designs… I couldn't get over the number two collection.” He chuckled. “So much so that I place
Ashley went back down. Her mission for attending the party had been a dead end. But not entirely unproductive. For one, she had Rachel in a messed up corner. That alone was enough to make up for the night. And it brought her great joy. The other, she got her hands on something very important. Something she could use to bring Bruce down. As she reached the base of the staircase, she weaved her gaze through the crowd to where she had left Pamela. She hissed. Pamela had moved. No longer in the same place. She would need to find her. She plowed ahead and blended into the crowd, darting her eyes through the small cluster of people, looking for Pamela. It didn't take long before she spotted Pam, intently focused in a conversation with a strange man. Ashley walked up to them. She heard Pam giggle girlishly as she closed in on them. Who was this man? And why was Pamela entertaining him? “Pamela.” She called, but her call went unanswered. “Pamela!” Ashley called forcefully. This tim