Chapter 11Asher stepped out of his car after he pulled over in front of the cafe shop. With his hands tucked inside his pockets, he strode into the shop and rolled his eyes when he spotted his Dad seated at the far end, sipping from a cup of coffee.Asher strode to his Dad and sat on the chair across from him."You asked me to meet you. I don't have much time. I still got some things to deal with at the office, so I would appreciate it if you make it quick," Asher was as usual not careful with his words. Besides, he didn't want to be there in the first place, so why should he be nice?"We haven't been able to discuss lately, and I've been waiting for you to talk about the company, but it seems that it's never going to happen," Mr. Greg uttered as he placed the coffee cup carefully on the table. Asher scoffed silently and rolled his eyes. A part of him told him earlier before he came here that this might be the reason why the man had asked to see him."I told you that I'm not intereste
Chapter 12Ashley Gustavo POVAnn managed to ruin my day today, but I still tried to smile for the sake of my patients at the hospital. My shift was finally over, and I couldn't be less excited because I really needed to get off work and have some time to think about my life."We are here, ma'am," Came the cab man's voice as he finally pulled over in front of the mansion. I had been wallowing in thoughts ever since the ride started, and I didn't know we were already at home."Thank you," I said to him as I stepped out of the car, and after I paid him, I proceeded inside.'Ace got the car for me two weeks ago on my birthday' Those words were hard to get off my head no matter how hard I tried to. It hurts, no matter how hard I try to get rid of it.Stepping into the house, I paused when I saw Mrs. Greyson seated on the couch in the living room. My heart missed a beat, and for a moment, I regretted not taking the backdoor instead. I wasn't in the mood for anything tonight.Pretending not
Chapter 13After hours of crying her eyes out, she picked herself up tiredly. With the little strength left in Ashley, she dragged herself to sit on her bed, but something caught her attention. It was a beautiful box lying on the nightstand."What's that?" She mumbled then sniffled and wiped her tears away. She hesitantly reached for the small box, but her jaw dropped to the ground when she opened it and saw her two beautiful jade bangles lying inside and shining brightly.A gasp escaped her lips as she quickly picked up the bangles and examined them. They were the ones Asher had taken from her earlier. Did he get it fixed? She still wondered even as it was obvious that he fixed it.Ashley's aching heart suddenly started to dance in joy and a smile formed on her lips. She was mad at Asher for being like that to her earlier, but now, she couldn't be more than grateful to him. She stood from the bed and strode to the door, stepped out of the room, and went to the living room where he wa
Chapter 14Asher pulled over at the hospital's parking lot. He breathed out as he glanced over to the seat beside him, welcomed by the beautiful bouquet of flowers lying carefully and beautifully on the seat. He had gotten that on his way here, but now he didn't know if he still wanted to give her that. To him, she never did anything to deserve the tiniest gift from him, she didn't even deserve the slightest of his care and worry, but still, he couldn't help himself. He always felt the pain each time she was in pain."You are just a nice man, nothing else," With that in mind, he grabbed the flower and stepped out of the car. He walked elegantly toward the entrance of the hospital, and the smell of medicine welcomed him once he stepped inside the lobby. Well, it was a usual thing for a hospital to reek of medicines, so it wasn't something to find strange.He strode to the reception where a young lady was standing behind the counter."Good morning, Sir. How may I be of help, please?" The
Chapter 15Ashley Gustavo POVAfter a very long day at work, attending to over a hundred patients, I finally had the time to get some rest. At times, I do rethink my decision of being a nurse, at some point, I thought of quitting, but seeing the smile on every patient's face whenever they were getting better, was what kept me moving."I'm going to the courtyard to get some rest. Call me if anything happens here," I said to Lisa before I left for the courtyard.I thought coming here would help me feel relieved, however, I was instead struck with the thought of Asher. Why did he react like that yesterday? Where was he? What did he come to the hospital to do? I kept asking myself the questions I was sure I might never get the answers to.The sound of someone whimpering caught my attention, and I looked in the direction of the voice, welcomed by a woman seated under the big tree in the courtyard. She was wearing the usual patient's gown, and she looked pale."Why is she crying there alone
Chapter 16Ashley Gustavo POV"You really didn't have to pick me up from work, you know? It's still early, and I guess you would still be busy at work by now if you didn't...""Stop asking questions and just meditate if you have nothing important to say," He cut me off, and I breathed out. What was I expecting from an annoying man like him?I had expected Asher to drive me home, but taking another route took me by surprise, and I had to look at him for an explanation."Where are we going?" I asked him."You will find out when we get there," He replied to me, and I breathed out briefly as I rested on the seat and stared at nothing, waiting for him to take me to wherever he was planning to. I didn't trust him, but Asher was the last person I would ever argue with, so I knew best to just sit and watch him.After about twenty minutes of driving, he finally pulled over, and as I saw him removing his seatbelt, I did the same and stepped out of the car. I was even more confused when I steppe
Chapter 17"You really got me a car?" Ashley couldn't still believe her eyes even though she was sure she wasn't dreaming. This was something she never expected to happen to her in her entire lifetime. "Can you drive?" Asher asked her instead, ignoring her first question."Hmm," Ashley quickly nodded her head with a smile displayed on her lips. Even though she had never owned a car in her entire life, that didn't stop her from learning how to drive a few times when she got the chance to. Not that she ever dreamt of owning a car in her entire life."Why don't we go for a drive, hmm? You should test it," Asher suggested, and she quickly nodded. She hurried over to the car, hopped inside, and started it. Ashley couldn't contain her excitement, but one question that kept ringing in her head was, 'Why did Asher get her a car?'Ashley started the car and drove off, while Asher shook his head as a small smile formed on his lips.After they left the car dealer's company, they went to the res
Chapter 18'I will take over the company' Asher read the message he had sent his Dad over and over again, giving it a second thought. He was held in a tight corner and he couldn't insist on not taking the company, but now he was reconsidering his decision. Did he do the right thing?'Meeting time, 8pm. Location, Garden' Asher briefly sighed after he read through the message his dad had sent to him. It was finally time for the meeting, but he still wasn't sure of his decision.Since the meeting was around the house, he just got casually dressed and left for the garden after he picked up his phone from the bed.He paused when he stepped out of his room and saw Ashley walk out of her room."Where are you headed?" He asked after he scrutinized her with his eyes. She was cladded in a pair of long jean trousers, and a black warm coat hooded jacket. She had a black scarf wrapped around her neck, and her long hair was falling freely down her shoulders."I'm going to take a walk... What about
Chapter 96Ashley Gustavo POV Nothing feels good more than having the one you love by your side. After Asher confessed to me last night, I could barely sleep. The pain in my shoulder suddenly disappeared and I was overwhelmed with excitement all through the night. Asher wasn't in the room when I woke up earlier, but the guard told me he went out early in the morning and would be back later.Instead of the maids, I volunteered to make breakfast for Asher's Mom and sister. After we all had breakfast together, I left for Asher's Mom's room since she asked me to come see her in her room.I took a deep breath when I arrived in front of her room before I knocked on the door and she ushered me in. I twisted the doorknob, pushed the door open, and peeked inside briefly before I finally walked inside. There she was, sitting on the bed with a smile on her face."You are here..." She held my hand and made me sit beside her on the bed. Earlier, I wore something to cover the injury so she wouldn
Chapter 95Ashley Gustavo POVAsher sat me on the bed after he carried me inside the room."Get me a first aid kit," He said to one of the guards and he left immediately to get it."Are you ok?" He held my hand and examined my bleeding shoulder, but I only forced a smile and nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. It's just a scrap. I'll be fine after it's treated," Deep inside me, I was freaking out. It wasn't my first time seeing bullets or experiencing a gunshot scene, but it was my first time being the victim. Who could that person be? Why was he or she aiming at me? Who could've wanted me dead?The door burst open and Ann barged inside."Ash... Are you ok? What happened?" Ann freaked out as she squatted in front of me."I'm fine. I just bumped into the doorframe and got hurt," I forced a smile, and she breathed out in relief."I was so scared. I thought something happened to you," she whined."You should be careful next time, please,""Hmm. I will,""I will take care of her. You should get some
Chapter 94Ashley Gustavo POVIt felt so good to have dinner with Asher's Mom and sister. Today, Asher was extremely happy. More than he had always been. After we were done eating in the dining room, I went back to the room before Asher. I was getting ready to go to the bathroom when Asher walked inside."Hi!" I said to him awkwardly, and he hummed as he sat on the bed."Come here," He patted his lap for me to sit on it, and I rolled my eyes."I'm going to bath...""Don't make me repeat myself," He hushed as he held my hand and pulled me to sit on his lap."Ash...""Shhhh!" He closed his eyes and sniffled my arm as he slowly rubbed his hand gently against it, and my heart fluttered."Do you think I'm a terrible man?" He stopped and asked out of the blue moon as he looked at me, and I scoffed."No, you're not. Why do you ask?" "You are not going to think about it before answering?" He looked at me and asked."Because there is nothing to think about. You are not a terrible man, and I
Chapter 93Ashley Gustavo POVI sat on the edge of the bed and checked the wall clock for the umpteenth time. Ever since Asher left the house, he hasn't been back yet and I couldn't help but get worried about him. Did something bad happen to him out there? What exactly was happening?I reached for my phone and dialed his number, but it was unavailable and this got me even more worried.I stood up from the bed and advanced toward the door. The guard from earlier was right in front of the room when I opened the door."Do you need anything, ma'am?" I shook my head and sighed."Have you been able to reach Asher? Why is he not back yet?" I asked him worriedly."Boss is fine and will be back. I think he has something to take care of," Came another confusing reply yet again. What exactly does he always have to take care of? Just what the fuck was it?"Hmm... Can I go to see my sister?" I asked, and he nodded."Sure. Her room is right opposite yours," He pointed to the room in front of us, an
Chapter 92Asher arrived at the hospital minutes later and parked roughly at the parking lot. He alighted from the car and walked briskly into the hospital.Lisa gasped as soon as he walked over to the reception."You must be here for Ashley. She took the day off. I can call her for you if you...""I'm not here for her. Is the doctor around?" He cut her off impatiently, and she quickly nodded."Yes, he's around today. Do you have an appointment with...""I need to see him. I don't need an appointment to. Where is the way to his office?" He cuts her off, and she blinked her eyes a few times."Over there," He didn't wait for her to give all the directions before he hurried off where she had pointed.Asher walked restlessly down the walkway a few minutes later until he was finally able to locate the doctor's office. He stopped and knocked on the door."Come in," He pushed the door open and walked inside. Doctor Henry was seated behind his desk as usual with all of his attention fixated o
Chapter 90Asher pulled over in front of the warehouse and alighted from the car. He looked at the divorce papers in his hand and breathed out before he proceeded into the building where Lucas and Amelia were already waiting for him."Where is he?" He asked as he walked inside briskly."This way, boss," Lucas led the way while he trailed behind him. They arrived at an empty tattered room where Mr. Brown was tied to a chair."Hmph! I knew it was you. How dare you abduct me?" Mr Brown huffed angrily and spat out out as soon as he saw Asher."Leave us alone," Lucas left immediately after Asher ordered. Asher turned to him with a deep frown on his face."I will go straight to the point, Mr Brown..." Asher paused then walked over to the empty chair in the room and went to sit in front of him."If you want to get out of here alive, then sign the divorce papers, and let's end this once and for all," Asher offered, but he scoffed."What makes you think that I'm going to sign those papers?" "
Chapter 90Ashley Gustavo POVWe stood in front of the hospital for a few minutes until Asher arrived in his car and we walked over to him."You didn't have to pick us up by yourself. I understand that...""You can't go home, Ashley. I'm moving out of the house to a new place," I pulled a puzzled look."What do you mean?""I prepared a house where you'll be staying. Come on," He opened the front door for me and I hopped in confusingly. He hopped in the driver's seat and the ride began."Is everything alright, Asher? Did something happen back at home?" I was forced to ask curiously on our way, but he only told me that everything was fine even though I saw through him that something was wrong."Just calm down. Maybe he doesn't want to talk about it," My subconscious mind told me, but I couldn't help myself. I couldn't just stay calm in this situation, right? Many thoughts ran through my mind as I kept glancing at him. Could it be that someone was after him? What exactly happened?It too
Chapter 89"Excuse me? Who are you? Are you looking for someone?" Asher looked up at the door swiftly when he heard a feminine voice from outside. "Uhm... Sorry, I got the wrong room," He recognized the voice immediately to be Amelia's but told himself that it wasn't possible. She was at home when he left earlier, so how could it be her?He had intended to stand up and go confirm but changed his mind when he looked down at Ashley who was sleeping peacefully on his lap. When he walked inside earlier, he had found her sleeping on the sofa uncomfortably and managed to her head on his lap."Maybe it's not here," Even though he was convinced that was Amelia's voice, he didn't have a choice but to dismiss the thought, reminding himself that no way Amelia could've followed him down to the hospital in the middle of the night.Brushing all the thoughts to the back of his mind, he looked down at Ashley and couldn't help the smile that formed on his lips. Even though he was going through the to
Chapter 88'We found him, boss' Asher was seated on the chair beside his Mom's sickbed when his phone beeped and he read through the text that had just been sent to him by Lucas. "Is something wrong?" His Mom asked him worriedly seeing the look on his face as he stared at the screen of his phone, but he looked at her and smiled."No... Everything is fine," "Hmm," She slowly nodded.He held her hand and squeezed it gently. No matter how gentle he was to her, to him, he wasn't doing enough. He had wronged this woman so much and nothing he did that could change that."Son... About the woman I told you..." He quickly removed his hand from hers and straightened his back."Mom... I'm married, and I love my wife. I won't get married to someone else," Mrs Brown's eyes dilated in shock upon hearing that from her son."You are married? When?" Shock was written all over her face as she searched his face with her eyes for an answer."You will meet my wife soon. You will like her, trust me," Ash