“Have you been getting enough rest?” Dr Tony asked as he switched off the pen torch he used to examine Ashley.Ashley nodded her head negatively in response to his question.“And how is the headache?” “Worse. And I feel dizzy too often.” “That is likely to happen as you are not getting much sleep… Are you using the pills I gave you regularly?”“I missed a few days.” She answered truthfully.Dr Tony kept his stern gaze on her. She was doing everything he had instructed her not to do.“I forget sometimes.” Ashley explained in response to the disapproval in his gaze.“Do you enjoy the pain?... You don't seem to want to get better, Ashley. You're not following the instructions I had given you. Instead, you're doing the exact opposite.”Tony kept a straight eye on Ashley. “Don't you want to remember your past?”Tony's question only earned him a glance from Ashley. She didn't respond to his question. At this point she wasn't certain what she wanted. Not after what she discovered last nigh
Ashley nervously smooths her hand over her dress for the nth time. DJ had picked her up for dinner at his parents house. They stood by the door and he patiently waited for Ashley to collect herself. He couldn't understand why she insisted they come here when it made her this nervous. Left to him, he'd rather be somewhere else than here. But Ashley had the inexplicable need to make it up to his brother. If only she knew. He looked at her. “Ready now?” She passed him a nervous look, a subtle plea for a few more minutes. “We could cancel this, you know. We don't have to be here if you're not up for it.” He offered, silently hoping that she would change her mind and they'd just turn around and leave. “No no no. I'm just…” She inhaled sharply. “Let's go.” She said, wearing a shaky smile. I raised my brow at her seeking confirmation before taking my next action. Ashley nodded a ‘go ahead’ at me. I raised my hand and rang the doorbell. It didn't take long before we were ushered into
The mention of dying with water clogging the airways was like a trigger that stirred something in Ashley. She suddenly felt her lungs fill with water, then the cold, tickling sensation of water on her skin. It felt so real that she couldn't breathe at that moment. She had been leisurely resting a hand on DJ's thigh as Mr Leon spoke. But she soon found herself digging her fingers into his thigh as she struggled to breathe. Her hand held her head as a heavy ache invaded her.The suffocation was so real and she felt as though she had been there before. Swallowed up in water and drowning. It felt all too real in her mind.She jolted back into consciousness when DJ repeatedly shook her, calling out her name.She clutched her chest staring up at DJ wide-eyed. Her breathing ragged as her heart raced.DJ gathered her into his arms protectively. Rocking her back and forth reassuringly.Mr Leon watched in perplexed confusion what had happened. “Is she alright?” He finally asked. “What happene
“You’ve come!” Mrs Leon beamed from behind the others, pushing past them to welcome her favourite son, Bruce and his wife.Bruce returned his mother's greeting distractedly as his gaze darted between the company of DJ, his father and the strange lady.“They came in early and are already leaving because his fiance seems to always fall sick at important events.” Mrs Leon took the liberty to explain to Bruce who was staring at DJ, surprised that he was on his way out.“Sarah!” Mr Leon addressed his wife by her first name. He was totally disgusted by her behavior.Mrs Leon passed him an unapologetic look, eyeing her husband for reprimanding her in front of the kids.Bruce turned to his brother, ignoring the angry glares being exchanged between his parents.Bruce didn't like this. He wanted a chance to gloat over his achievement to his brother. He wanted to see the hurt and bitterness on DJ's face as DJ's rights were being passed on to him.“Why are you leaving so soon?” He asked. “The din
“How could you let this happen?” Tony rebuked Knox who had the lines of worry embellished all over his expression.He had just stepped out of Ashley's Ward where he just finished examining her. He was still standing by the door when Knox approached him. Ashley had to undergo a minor surgery to stitch back her open wound. Knox had left the concerned group, DJ and his brother at the far end of the hall to speak privately with Tony. “How is she? Will she be alright?” Knox questioned, ignoring Tony's reprove. His concern was focused more on the girl, Ashley, his daughter.He had almost died in the instant he received the distressing call from DJ. He immediately made arrangements for Ashley to be taken to Dr Tony. A doctor who was familiar with her medical history.“She suffered a major concussion. The wound reopened. We had to stitch it again… Thankfully, she's stable now.”“And?” Knox asked anxiously, fearing the worst. It was a question Tony understood and he gave his honest response.
“What did you just say?” DJ asked as he strode into the room.Bruce followed behind him. He had helped DJ carry Ashley to the car when she fainted at their house. The ambulance was taking forever to arrive and DJ didn't want to wait doing nothing, so he insisted on taking Ashley to the hospital himself.Mr Leon had suggested that Bruce drive his brother to the hospital as DJ was not in the right frame of mind to drive.Bruce ended up bringing them to the hospital. He was just about to leave after DJ expressed his sincere gratitude when they glanced over to where Knox and Dr Tony stood by the door to Ashley's cabin.The rush with which Knox had charged into the room alerted DJ that something was wrong.He quickly sprinted for the door into which Knox had disappeared. He wanted to find out for himself what was happening with Ashley. Bruce instinctively ran after him and they were met with Dr Tony's announcement. His reaction was just as the same as Mr Knox's.“How old is the pregnancy?
The ground spinned under Mr Knox's feet. His heart skipped many beats and raced when it picked up. He felt as though his essence was seeping out of him.“Ashley?” He whispered.Ashley suddenly jerked her chest up and her eyes bulged, growing wide like saucers. The ECG machine beeped rapidly as she propped her upper body as though she was taking her last breath.Dazed, Mr Knox tripped back. His senses picked up and he ran for the door, darting his gaze between the path before him and the epileptic Ashley on the bed.Knox yanked the door, poked his head out and yelled out to Tony who was thankfully still waking down the hallway.“Tony! Come fast! I think something is wrong. She woke up… She…” Knox stammered in his agitation.Tony was quick on his heels. He pushed past Knox and stepped inside the room.DJ and Bruce, who had stayed back, waiting by the cabin after their argument, followed behind Tony.“I… I don't know what happened… I… She woke up… Looked at me… Opened her eyes. Then all
Ashley had lazily opened her eyes to the unfamiliar room. As her heavy eyes roved around the room, trying to figure out where she was, they met with the eyes of the strange man staring worriedly at her. “Who are you?” She asked. Her voice barely above a whisper.She watched as the man's eyes flew wide with fear.“Ashley?” He said.It was a vaguely familiar call and in that instance, it hit her. The sharp piercing pain at the back of head. Memories of a past locked in the deep recess of her mind and that of the past few days collided, clashing and battling for dominance in her mind.Lilian, Ashley, Bruce, DJ. Who was she? Her heart raced. Her pulse palpated. She felt a decline in her insides before she gave in to darkness.The faint voices, so closed yet so distant, floated in her mind. She could faintly hear the conversation between two people. She felt exhausted. The fierce mind battle she had fought had drained her. Now she was focusing on calming her racing heart.There was no w
“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