ONE

=ASHLEY’s POV=

Carrying the papers given to me by the Red Agency I nervously walked towards Asher’s office. Every step that I made was full of excitement and also fear because this is the first time we would meet after three years since I left.

For the past three years, I went away and no one knew where I went even my father and my brother Hunter. Now I came back, not to go back to them or go back to my old life. But as a personal assistant to the CEO/OWNER of Happy Smile Hospital - Asher Miller my ex-husband who will now be my boss.

I knocked three times while trying to calm myself down. Various scenes have entered my mind of the possible happenings so my heartbeat got stronger.

"Come in." I took a deep breath when I heard his voice before opening the door. I should have to calm myself.

I felt all my organs go crazy when I saw him even though he was bent over. But I tried to calm down. When he looked up I saw how calm he is and did not seem surprised to see me.

He seems to be looking forward to my arrival.

"Come in, Miss Lewis. Have a set." His appearance had changed so much. From being a jolly person, shy type, and always smiling, now is different. Without a smile, he's serious and looked dominant.

"Good Morning, Mr. Miller, I was sent by the Red Agency to be your personal assistant," I said smiling and walked closer to him. I immediately sat in the opposite chair when he motioned me to set. I simply took a deep sigh as I waited for his answer.

"I know, I have your resume here. Now, tell me, why did the agency send you?" he asked me directly.

The truth is I was not sent here. When I found out that the HS hospital needed a PA for the owner himself I presented because I wanted to see him again and be with him even in this way. The Red Agency is owned by a friend of mine who was also one of those invited to our wedding. We just accidentally met at a mall and he mentioned that Asher’s need a PA so I presented. 

They didn't wonder why I was looking for a job because I said we had been separated for a long time and I had also left my family since Asher and I separated. But I know that they think that my family rejected me because of the shame I gave to my husband.

I said nothing would be lost if they tried to send me, if Asher didn't want me I wouldn't insist.

I still know Asher so it's easy for me to get along with him.

"It's because I am capable in this position, Mr. Miller." He nodded then lowered the paper he was holding.

"Everyone is capable in this position not only you. Now tell me, why should I hire you?" I cleared my throat first and then smiled at him.

"I don't have enough reason, because whatever my reason is, you are the one who can decide if I am accepted or not." He looked at me seriously. I can't look at him directly because I feel awkward. I feel like there is a fire in his eyes every time he looks and any time I can burn.

"What if I will reject you?" I could not answer his question. Does it mean he doesn't want to see me anymore? after all, the thickness of my face asked to be with him while I left him.

"Up to you, Mr. Miller. As I said earlier, only you can decide whether you will accept me or not." I told him with full of confidence.

"What if I say that.....you can go to hell. I mean, what if instead of being a PA you will indeed be in hell." I was devastated because of what he said but I tried to stay calm.

"I came here for work and I think our personal issues cannot affect my job. I think." I see him smirked. He did not speak and looked at me intently from head to toe as he examined me carefully.

"Look at you now, who thought we would meet again and not just meet, because you will work for me." He stood then walked closer to me and stood behind me.

"How about working me as a bed warmer. Who knows there is already hot because you haven't slept with me in a long time," he said as he ran his fingers over my shoulder.

All the creeps went up in my body because of what he did but I let him notice that I am affected.

"I am a professional personal assistant. I am no longer involved in any sexual activities between employee and employer and I respected my job," I replied so he immediately removed his hand but he stayed behind me.

"Really? How about, I will double your salary?" He challenges me.

I can't see his reaction but in his voice I know he's mad at me. And I can’t blame him, whatever belittling he says now I will accept. Because I didn’t come here because of work but because of him. This job is front for me because the real reason I am here is for him.

"Money is not a big deal, I can provide my needs with my salary and I don't need extra income from any extra activities." He left behind me then sat at the table and looked at me badly.

Fortunately, he didn’t wonder why I was working. After all, when I left everyone they also thought that my family had rejected me because I had embarrassed Asher.

Which is a little truth because my family doesn't know what really happened and I don't want to embarrass them because of what happened to me. So it would be better for them to reject me too and for me to live alone.

That is why I did not contact them at first and did not let them know what had happened to me. And I feel regret why I tell my father everything because he dies after he knows why I left Asher. He dies in my arms because of pain. Hunter my brother knows I left Asher, but all he knows is I go with another man. He hates me of course and I can't blame him but still, he is still my brother.

"Not a big deal huh?" he said then straightened up. "Then you're hired," he simply.

"Am I?"

"Yeah," I feel relief by his answer. Finally, I will be given a chance to be with him.

"Ok, thank you, when can I start?"

"You can start now, go to your place and start to do your job, now if you don't know what to do first you can ask my secretary." He formally said then started looking at the papers in front of him again. "That will be your table." He pointed to the table next to him.

"Ok," I replied then headed to a table with piles of notes.

I approached my own table. Ashers has his own secretary. My only role is to accompany him wherever he goes and all transactions will go through to me before I will forward them to Asher. His secretary also told me what to do and which of the notes to prioritize.

While sitting I pretended to be reading the folders here. But I looked at Asher's with my peripheral vision and I knew he was looking at me so I tilted a bit so I couldn’t see him.

It's been a long time. But his effect on me is still there. I admit that Asher was not the first one I loved but in Asher, I found the love that I have never felt. From then on I promised myself that he would be the last man I would love. He just and to this day he still is.

When I left him I had a hard time with everything. I am so used to having him with me and he takes care of me. I missed her hug, the kiss, her presence, most of all, his love.

I look up because I feel like I'm crying. Any time my tears want to fall when I remembered the pain I had gone through and at times I needed him by my side. I knew I could get through all that if I was with him but I chose to turn my back on him because I knew he would be hurt more if I stayed by his side.

I knew how much Asher loved me. So, I knew that between the two of us he would be hurt more. I don’t want him to blame himself for what happened.

I heard the door open and I immediately turned around to see who had entered. It's Agatha, Asher's younger sister, my best friend. I smiled when I saw her enter. I wanted to talk to her but it seems she hasn't seen me. I want to reconcile with her, with my best friend.

"Fuck! the thickness of that idiot's face, it's his fault and he has the courage to get angry. He has to thank that Paula was with there or else he will taste a slap from me." She didn't seem to notice me because she just kept coming in and then sat down at Asher's table.

"Hey, relax."

"How can I relax? My car crashed and you said relax? "

"I have a new PA, Agatha," Asher said smiling then looked at my seat. Agatha looked at me and immediately raised an eyebrow and stood up. Both annoyance and anger can be seen on his face.

"Hi," I simply greeted her as she just reciprocated by raising an eyebrow.

"The fuck, what is she doing here?" She angrily asked Asher while her face turned red while seeing me. "What the hell are you doing here?