“Are you out of your goddamn mind, Raven?!” “There’s no need for you to be yelling at me like that. I know I did the right thing.” “What, so you want to be lonely for the rest of your life? Why? Tell me everything. Tell me why you didn’t kiss him then and tell me why you kissed him yesterday and said no to him afterwards.” Ray spoke. I stared at her through the screen and sighed. “You already know why. I don’t have to explain everything to you again.” “Get over the past. You need a new man in your life. Do you have any idea how hard Mama prays for you that you get a good husband soon? She’s concerned and she’s starting to believe that you might be-” “Why would she think that? I’m sure she wants me to get married soon because her relatives have raised eyebrows. But I don’t care. Mama will do anything to look good in front of her relatives. Look Ray, I have priorities now. Me, myself and I are my priorities.” “What? You’re a feminist now? No. I don’t get it, tell me why. Aren’t you
RULES ON HOW TO BE A BETTER ASSISTANT TO MR. BLACK1. Your outfit shouldn’t look too ordinary. The way you look when you’re with Mr. Black emphasises his standards, and the power and authority he has. 2. Be at Mr. Black’s penthouse every morning to help him choose the perfect suit – shirts, ties, watches, belts etc. Thus, you’ll need knowledge in business suits. 6am is the preferred time to be there.3. Mr. Black is always pleased if you make him his preferred coffee from home. 4. You will always ride with Mr. Black to work and other places when he requests. There will be instances where he’ll ask him to drive him to his desired destinations.5. Anytime Mr. Black is before his employees, make his presence before them known. Employees will pause their duties and stand up to greet him with the needed respect. He responds and gives them the permission to return to their duties. That also includes you, Miss Snow. Every time Mr. Black passes by your desk, you do as it has been stated abov
I carefully observed and took in every detail of Ace’s house as I drove inside. Correction: it’s a villa. Because of what happened last time, I didn’t think to take note of my surroundings. Ace’s villa had tall walls surrounding it with two gates that led into the compound of the villa. An outer gate which had ‘Black Villa’ engraved on it and an inner gate. I told the security at both checkpoints who I was and they let me in. The villa had a lot of trees in its compound. Staring at the building itself, I noticed that it looked simple and yet it had a unique design. Moreover, it looked like a home for a family. But I’m not sure if Ace has a family. I’ll look that up later. Immediately I stepped out of my car, a housekeeper walked up to me. I wasn’t expecting anyone to be up at 6am in the morning. But then again, she is a housekeeper so I shouldn’t be too surprised. The young lady bowed and I quickly grabbed her by the shoulders to stop her. “Please don’t bow to me. I’m just an ordinary
“So how is work?” “Work? I sent you pictures of my new car right?” “That’s your new car? Ace bought it for you? Is there something I should know? I thought you were trying out photography now.” I nodded in response to her first two questions. “There is something you should know. I freaking hate my job so much. And that new car he bought was to replace my old car that he had scrapped.” “He scrapped your old car?! I don’t believe it unless you did something to offend him. But he replaced it which means that you didn’t do anything wrong. You treat that thing like your baby. So what did you do about it?” “I decided to do nothing Lana. The damage had already been done.” Lana burst into laughter. We were having lunch together in her office. I was glad Ace allowed me to. Throughout the day, he had left me to work in peace and I enjoyed it even though I daydreamed a few times about that little peck. Now I’m enjoying my lunch break with my good friend Lana. “You didn’t scream at him or an
“Stop fighting it.” “What’s there to fight?” “Just give in. He probably likes you genuinely.” “He probably just wants to get in my pants and make me his office slut.” “I know what this is all about. You’re afraid you’ll get hurt again but if you don’t face your fears how will you move on? I thought The Great Raven fears nothing and fears nobody.” “Of course I fear nothing and nobody. I’m fierce, bold, brave and confident. Stop making me believe in things that aren’t true.” “Stop lying to yourself.” “Are you talking to yourself again?” Lana startled me as she walked into my bathroom. I jumped away from the mirror when she spoke. “I’m not talking to myself.” I cleared my throat and changed the topic. “What are you doing here? How’d you get in?” I asked her and walked to my bedroom to change my sweater and put on a hoodie and joggers. I was freezing. “I rang the door a few times. Then I found that the door wasn’t locked so we walked in. It’s dangerous to leave your door unlocked
“Have you replied all my emails Miss Snow?” “Yes sir.” “Have you scheduled the meeting with the executives of our cosmetic brand?” “I have.” “What about the meeting with the owner of the airlines that we’re trying to buy?” I stopped in my tracks and tried to remember if he asked me to. He also stopped walking and turned to look at me. His face was hard and his dark blue eyes made me shiver when he turned to me and our eyes met. “’I’m sorry Mr. Black. I don’t remember you asking me to schedule a meeting with-” “I did ask you Miss Snow. How could you have forgotten to do what I asked? Schedule the meeting immediately. I’ll be waiting for feedback. When you’re done, get me lunch from the restaurant uptown.” “Mr. Black, I’m supposed to meet with the management staff of the hotel and bring in their weekly report before 3pm.” Ace’s jaw clenched. He slid his hands in his pockets and spoke. “However you’ll get all that done before 3pm is your job, Miss Snow. Have it done quickly.” Then
“Oh Raven.” Lana cooed. “I’m sorry about your ankle.” “It’s not your fault. It’s his fault.” I said glaring at Ace. “You should be grateful that I’m even doing this. Gosh, you’re so dramatic.” He retorted, while slowly massaging my ankle. “It’s alright. Ace is definitely at fault here from how the story was narrated.” Ace rolled his eyes. “I’m taking Raven home and then I’ll order something for her. You will have to find someone to boss around.” Lana said to Ace. “How are you going to leave the building? You can’t walk.” Ace stated. “Yes I can.” “Don’t be stubborn.” “I’m not stubborn. I can walk.” I stood up and took a step and bit back the urge to cry. I was in pain but I didn’t want Ace to see that. I turned to them and flashed both of them a fake toothy grin. “I’ll carry you downstairs.” He offered. “No!” I quickly said. “You can call anyone to help me downstairs. Not you. If you can’t do that then don’t bother, I’ll walk.” “She’s stubborn. Just leave her.” Lana said to Ac
“Don’t you dare!” “Don’t I dare what Ray? The past is in the past.” “I don’t know what gets into you when it comes to Todd. It’s like you shut down your brain every time you talk about him. You really don’t think.” I gasped. “Well, how dare you Rachel Abena Snow!” I joked. “I’m serious.” I become serious. “He hurt you very badly. He wanted you to become someone you’re not. He left you because you weren’t the girl he wanted you to be. That’s an offense Raven.” “In his defense, I had bad behaviours.” I defended myself. I was at the cafeteria on the phone with Rachel telling her about Todd and she certainly didn’t like the idea of me hanging out with Todd. “And everyone accepted you for it, except him. Fuck him.” “How many times do I have to tell you to stop cursing when you’re talking to me?” I didn’t like swearing out loud so I didn’t like it when someone else did it. It was somehow triggering but fortunately I’ve got it under control. “Sorry not sorry Sis. Todd was a total jerk
My door rang right after I had finished rearranging my flat and making it look more like home again. I took in deep breaths and answered my door.“Hi.” Todd was smiling when I opened the door. He had something in his hand, plastic bags. “I brought snacks.”“Come in.” I let him inside the flat.“Nice place.”“Thank you.” I let Todd sit while I got him something to drink. “So what’s up?” I started.Todd brought something up about the stuff he did when he moved away after we broke up and how he missed me. I knew they were all lies but at least I was being entertained by those lies. Then he brought up those fun times we had when we were dating.“Do you remember the time when you poured dye in the swimming pool while the swim team was practising and everyone on the team turned black?”“Oh I remember.” I chuckled. “Those racists.” I said under my breath. “But it was fun.”“Yeah. You showed them not to mess with you. It was really cool. It was menacing but it was very bold of you.”“Of cour
“You wanna go out for lunch at that Asian restaurant?”“The one five blocks from my flat? Or is there a new one?” I asked her.She chuckled. “The one close to your apartment. Come on Raven please?”“Uh..” I had been avoiding Lana. I felt bad that she knew nothing about my engagement. Ace found ways to block the news from reaching her and her family. But I was afraid she was going to find out soon. Avoiding her would also raise suspicions too. I just have to go this time. “Sure Lana. I just have one or two things to finish up and I’ll be out soon.”“Great. Can’t wait to see you.”She hung up and then I heaved a sigh. “What’s wrong?’ Ace asked, entering my room, with just his towel around his waist and his hair was wet. The temperature in the room suddenly rose up.“Do you mind going back to your room and putting on some clothes?”“From the look on your face, you’re enjoying the sight.” He smirked and I tried to look anywhere but his face. “you can’t even hold eye contact.”“Just go and
My stomach rumbled as we drove to my flat and Ace made a look.“I asked you to eat at least something, don’t deny that you’re not hungry now Raven. I just heard your stomach rumble.”“Would it hurt if you minded your own business?”“You’re my fiancée I have to make sure you’re healthy.” I glared at him. “At least as my assistant, it’s my duty to make sure you’re well taken-care of.”“Oh really?” I retorted. “I didn’t think so when you were making me work endlessly to death.”“I was sort of pissed that you didn’t kiss me that day.” He sighed. “Let’s not do this now. I’m taking you to the closest restaurant right now for you to eat something, I’m not going to listen to anything you say. You will eat something.”“I prefer a diner.” He narrowed his eyes at me. My expression matched his.“Fine.” He mumbled.I gave Ace directions to a diner I usually ate at. They had great food even though it looked mediocre. To my rich and snobbish soon-to-be husband, it would look low-class and he’ll prob
“I want you to move in with Ace before the engagement.” Adrianna spoke.“Huh?” I frowned. “I know I’ve had too much to drink but me, move in with Ace? Did I hear you correctly?” I slurred, Papa pinched me. “Let’s wait till after the wedding.”“Raven. Please, just listen.” Pleaded Papa. I sighed and glared at Ace, he smirked.“Fine, I’ll do it. But we’ll sleep in different rooms and he will stay a good distance away from me.”“That won’t be a problem.” Adrianna smiled brightly. I wonder why she’s always smiling as if there’s nothing wrong with everything right now. “I’d like it if you could move in tomorrow.”“Nope.”“Why not?” Mama asked.“Just no. I’ve got work tomorrow. My boss is the most arrogant person I’ve ever worked for. He wouldn’t be happy if I just skipped work.”“I’m very sure he wouldn’t mind.” Ace replied.“How do you know? My boss is very unpredictable. Today he’s in a good mood, tomorrow he’s in a bad mood and that’s annoying as fuck. I’ll move in when I want to.” Then
I confidently walked down the staircase to Ace’s spacious living room, which was now a ballroom, in my all-black outfit, catching everyone’s attention. People gasped, others whispered amongst themselves. Mama was glaring, Papa and Ray were amused. Adrianna looked confused and Ace was smirking. Mama walked up to me when I reached the bottom of the staircase. “What do you think you’re doing, Yaa?” She spoke in Twi. “I’m doing what I want.” I replied. Then I walked past her to Papa’s side. Adrianna came over, she was in shock. “What happened to the dress I bought you?” “I didn’t like it. So I changed.” Her face turned red. I could see how hard she was trying to stay calm. “The dress code for this event is all white.” “I like to stand out sometimes. I’m the bride to be, I need to be the centre of attention, not blend in with everyone else. Didn’t you want all eyes to be on your soon to be daughter-in-law?” Adrianna was speechless. I grinned at her in satisfaction. Her reaction was ex
How I was able to ignore Ace at the office was something. I didn’t speak to him unless it involved work. He kept his distance and so did I. I made sure to be cold to him. I was too busy building up hate in my heart for Ace to notice the tension that had built up in the office. Every evening when I returned from work, I’d cry so much that my head and eyes would hurt. I always felt like the walls I built up to make me mentally sane were going to crumble and fall on me. I was losing my shit. An arranged marriage. If something is not done about it, I might end up committing suicide and I’m not kidding about this. If my depression worsens, I surely will. Mama had been trying so hard to control my life and I always found ways to prevent that, until this arranged marriage got in the way. She should be rewarded for that, being able to accomplish the impossible, something no one has been able to do, controlling my life. She deserved it. I wondered if she was boasting to her relatives about h
“My mother wants me to seal a deal with one of her old friends” “She asked for something in return. And today, we’re going to pay her back.” “She’s been wanting to meet you for a very long time.” These words replayed in my head and nothing was making sense at the moment. “What’s going on Papa?” I turned to him. “Albert and Shirley.” Adrianna called my parents with a smile. She walked up to them and hugged them. I stood quietly watching everything. “It’s nice to finally see you two again.” “Thanks for the warm welcome Adrianna.” Mama said with a bright smile, full of enthusiasm. Adrianna glanced at me and smiled. “I’m guessing you’re Raven.” She spoke. “I’m Adrianna Black. Your father’s old friend.” “You’re Ace’s mother.” I said. “Ah, you know my son already. Wonderful.” She hugged me, glanced at Ray and went to hug my sister. “Rachel Burton.” “Hello Mrs. Black.” They shared a smile and hugged again. “How’s the project in Singapore?” “Going on smoothly thanks to you.” Adria
“Are you done?” Ace asked. He was leaning against my desk as he spoke to me. “No. I have to finish up two more documents and I’ll be done.” I answered. “Do you need help with them? I don’t want to leave you here alone.” “That’s very sweet of you Mr. Black, but I can do them on my own.” He chuckled. “You’re really something Raven. Independent and hardworking as I’ve observed. You’re also very focused on what you do. And the way you say my name is so sexy.” I laughed, looking up at him. He swept my bangs out of my face and cupped my chin. “If I leave you here, I might lose you to someone else, I don’t like losing what’s mine. I’m staying.” Ace spoke in a deep tone. Ace got off my desk and walked into his office. “Why is he so possessive of me?” I murmured and shook my head smiling. I like it when he acts like that, but sometimes, Ace can be a little extreme. It’s been about a month since Ace and I started dating and we haven’t had any problems so far. My feelings for him just grow
“Good morning Mr. Black.” I stood and greeted Ace as he walked into his office. “Good morning Raven.” “We’re doing first names now?” I asked him, playfully arching my brow. “No. it’s just me.” He smiled briefly and I rolled my eyes at him. “What’s my schedule for today?” “You have a photoshoot for the business magazine at 10 And you’ll have lunch with your mother. Afterwards we’ll visit the new art centre that is being built. I’ll send you a few documents that was emailed to me from the hotel branch in Busan, Korea. You’ll need to review them.” He nodded. “Follow me to my office.” I followed Ace into his office and as soon as we both entered, Ace pulled me into him and claimed my lips. He sucked the air out of my lung, his lips dominated mine and I gave in to him. We pulled away and I rest my forehead against his. “I guess we’re in trouble now since we just kissed in your office, during work hours.” “You didn’t get me my coffee and I needed to wake up.” “Now how am I supposed t