Serena decided to drop by Asher's office while on her way to the hospital. "Good evening, Ma'am," everyone she passed by, bowed to her in reverence. The receptionist leaped to her feet when she saw her approaching. "Good evening, Ma'am," the receptionist greeted her in a warm voice. "Good evening, Claire. Is he available right now?" Serena asked, giving the receptionist a fond smile. She hadn't informed Asher about her visit. The plan was made in the car only. "Yes," the receptionist replied. Serena made her way towards his office. She opened the door only to find her man in a meeting with some other men. The room was dim-lit and the projector was on. The man explaining whatever was written on the project paused at the noise of the door opening. Silence filled in. Everyone's head snapped in her direction.Serena felt awkward, realising she had just interrupted a meeting. Why did the receptionist said he was free then? The light flooded the room an instant later. Asher swiftly
Shanice struggled to free her feet from Iron cuffs but to no avail. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead. Cold dread coiled in the pit of her stomach as her instincts told her she was in danger. Her gaze snapped to Asher who was watching her from afar with a neutral face. Perched on a red couch, he exuded an air of menace that made Shanice's heart pound with anxiety. The atmosphere around him was thick with hostility, turning up the temperature of the room into an inferno of hellfire. Cold ire burned beneath his calm, tranquil orbs."Why am I here?" Shanice demanded, her voice edged with apprehension. The desperation to escape this place grew stronger when she looked into his dark, soulless eyes. "My wife...," the menacing intonation of his voice thundered in the quiet room, setting her nerves on edge. His icy glare pinning her to the spot."...is my life..." he rose to his feet, his bearing regal and full of authority. Casually slipping his hands into his pockets, he advanced towar
"Why are you.... I am not a threat..why are you so hell-bent on seeing me as one? Serena is my best friend and I would never even dream of hurting her...please, stop it," Shanice cried out as though deeply hurt by his words. Even at the door of death, she was lying smoothly. Asher clenched his jaw. Seven years is enough for anyone to change. He had expected her to change too for if he can change then anyone can. But this woman was a liar back then and she is still a liar. "Why did you tell her about fly board?" he demanded, stabbing her with a withering glare. He couldn't even bring himself to say their first kiss, that disgusted he was with himself for kissing someone other than Serena. It was after kissing Serena, he came to the euphoric realization that his lips belonged to her along with every cell of his being. Shanice's eyes turned wide in realisation. "I..I they were talking about memorable kiss...I told mine..please, stop it ..please," she begged, throwing a fearful glan
"What?' Serena asked, not sure she heard right. Shanice averted her gaze to the window and sighed out as though preparing herself to speak further. After a moment she turned her eyes back on Serena, a sympathetic look in her red-rimmed eyes. She reached over the table and took her hand in hers. "I can see how much having a baby means to you, Ren. You can fool the whole world with your fake smile but not me. I can clearly see the sadness lurking behind your eyes. And your sadness saddens me. Motherhood is the biggest blessing for a woman and I don't know why God chose to not give it to you. I know it in my heart, Ren, that you will be an amazing mother and you deserve all the happiness in the world. And if I can..if I can help you in any way then I won't back off. I am ready to lend you my womb," her words conveyed conviction and sincerity. Serena was still not able to process her proposal Shanice had sprung on her all of a sudden. "I don't......I don't think it's a good idea," Se
He chased her. "He was the perfect boyfriend a girl could have. Would never stop telling me that he loves me. I didn't want to date him despite his insistence.....for I kind of had suspected that you liked him but he made me feel so loved and wanted that I couldn't resist the temptation," Shanice narrated, adopting an apologetic one. Would never stop telling me that he loves me. This particular sentence stood out to Serena. Asher had never used the word "love" for her. "We started hanging out in secret, those were the best days of my life. He would bring me flowers and gifts every time we met. I was surprised to find that tattoo on the right side of his chest. 07-16-2008 is written under it," Shanice purposefully mentioned this detail. The name could only be detected if seen from dangerously close. Serena felt as though the room was closing in on her, about to swallow her whole. "We would spend nights talking about random stuff and......." Shanice trailed off. Serena grasped the s
"You alright, ma'am?" the maid in the kitchen enquired in concern when she noticed Serena at the kitchen's door. The woman looked paler than sheet, eyes dimmed with hollowing sadness, and melancholy shrouded her like dark clouds. Serena didn't respond nor did she glance the maid's way as she quietly dragged her feet towards the tap to douse the burn in her throat. She reached out a hand to the glass sitting on the counter. It is then the maid noticed her trembling. Her hands were shaking uncontrollably. No wonder the glass slipped off her grip as soon as she picked it up. The glass shattered to tiny pieces near her feet but Serena didn't as much flinch. She just wrapped her arms around her trembling body as though seeking protection and rested her forlorn gaze on the broken glass. The maid, startled by the sudden turn of events, ran towards her. "Ma'am?" she called out to her but Serena just kept staring at the shattered glass. The once perfect glass- without so much of a crack on i
Her feet rooted to the ground, Serena put her hand in front of her face, shielding her eyes from the car's headlights. The car screeched to a halt in time, a centimeter short of touching her. The driver climbed out of the car, fuming, and slammed the door close behind him. Her brush with death had brought her to her tipping point. Her mental strain had reached its limit. She felt her head spinning, her lids dropping. "Are you mad?" an enraged voice thundered down on her, making her wince. She lowered her hand to see the driver. However, all she could see was a blurred figure advancing towards her. "Serena?" Henry squinted in the rain to make sure he wasn't mistaken. Serena blinked confusedly at him before her legs gave away and fainted. Henry leaped forward to catch her but she had already fallen. "Shit," he cursed, shocked and confused. He hastily crouched to her level and patted her cheeks in an attempt to wake her up but she had already passed out.Having no option, he picked
Serena was overwhelmed by emotions when her eyes settled upon him. He was here. Asher was here. The dam inside her burst open and she couldn't stop herself from running towards him, yearning for the solace only he could give her. Asher's expression morphed from anger to concern as she sprinted towards him with tears flying down her cheeks. She threw herself into his arms, causing him to almost lose his balance, making him stagger backward in response. He quickly secured his arms around her, enveloping her in warmth and supporting her weight. Serena's sobs were intense and unrestrained like those of a child seeking comfort, as she buried her face against his chest. "What's wrong, baby?" he worried out, feeling unsettled by the way she was crying. He pulled her closer, desperate to soothe her. She didn't say anything for a long time but just kept crying. He waited patiently, whispering sweet nothings in her ear, caressing her back. Once she was calmed enough, he lifted her chin and