Eric strolled into the living room wearing plaid shorts. He looked lean and tired. His hair was overgrown, and he was spotting more than a day’s stubble on his chin. An unlit cigarette was in his mouth, and an opened bottle of wine was in his hand.He let out a huge sigh when he saw her. "How did you find me here?" he drawled."I have my ways," she retorted. "I want you to keep that in mind from now on, because you know I will find you if I want to.""What do you want?"Angela chuckled, clearly unamused. "What do I want? Really, you ask me, what do I want?"Eric opened the windows and peeked. He turned to her. "I hope you weren’t followed."She frowned."The media? They have been camping at my house and office and every other place they know, hoping to get the first piece of information from me. Or at least get the last pictures of me before I am thrown in prison," he explained."Not that I know of," she shrugged.He sighed. "So why are you here?" He lit the cigarette and took a puff.
"I am glad you all came." Natasha said. She passed a plate to Ashley, who dried it."I am also happy we did," she replied with a smile. "It makes me happy to see Henry spend time with his father, especially with all that has been happening."She sighed. "You cannot imagine how much this means to Elijah. It has been a long time coming. For years, he would beat himself up for not reaching out,and even though I urged him to, he was too scared to reach out. You should see how elated he was when Henry called."Ashley grinned."He made plans ahead of time, double checked, and obsessed over every little detail. He was ready by eight in the morning and sitting in the living room waiting to see his son and grandson," she sighed in relief. "I never knew this day would come."Ashley nodded. "I didn’t realize how much Henry was hurting and how much he needed to heal until I met his family, they are the most vile people I have been unfortunate to meet. I am glad he now has a real family and a budd
She slipped her hand into his and inhaled deeply. "This is it then..."He glanced at her briefly. His eyes strayed to the number of reporters clamoring for an audience with him outside the car window. "I suppose it is."She tugged at his hand, drawing his attention to her. "There are no doubts, Henry, no doubts..." she cupped his face, her ocean blue eyes bored into his gray ones. "This is the final defining moment for us. We can finally put this ugly past behind us for good and open up a new chapter for us."His eyes twinkled in excitement. "It is about time...""About time," she echoed, and she gave him a reassuring squeeze.He leaned closer and planted a kiss on her soft lips. "Are you ready?"She nodded.The car doors opened, and they were hit by the loud voices and the scorching heat. The bodyguards had to form a barricade around the vehicles to stop the desperate reporters from getting to them."Do you hav
There was a collective gasp in the room, and every eye in the room turned to them. Adrian shook his head, it was taking everything in him not to lash out. Ashley was holding on to both hands. “When I tried to tell the truth, Adrian sent one of his goons after me." The prosecution lawyer shot up from his seat. “That’s absurd, your honor, he is making a mockery of this honorable court with his elaborate lies." “Let us hear him...” “Eric didn’t have a hand in any of this. He has no relationship with his brother, he has no motive to go after him." “That is highly contestable, your honor, and we have proved in this court that Eric Allen had sufficient reasons to be jealous of his brother and make an attempt on his life." The judge’s piercing gaze rested on Mason. “Do not attempt to make a fool of this court, Mr. Blackwood. It would be unwise to do so. Do you have anythi
He heard her light footsteps as she walked up to him from behind. “What’s on your mind?” Her soft hands ruffled his hair. He shut his eyes and sucked in a breath. Her light chuckle that followed warmed his heart. “Does this make you happy?” He nodded. She continued to massage his head. “You know, worrying about it won’t make it go away,” she said after a while. “I need to know what they are planning. I need to stay a step ahead of them at all times.”. "Henry,” she whispered in his ear. “That’s for the authorities to figure out. This isn’t your duty. You cannot tell what’s up in their minds. These people are insane. I want you to take your mind off this. Of course, they don’t blame you for anything. It will take more than a dead man’s tale to turn the hearts of everyone against you,” she paused. "Me, on the other hand, that’s a different...” He pulled her toward him. “What’s the matter?”
Adrian hit the cutlery against the plate, staring off into nothing."Adrian...Adrian!" She shook him hard.Adrian was drawn out of his musings. "What?"She held his hand. "Are you okay?"He nodded.She stared at him, still not convinced. "You know whatever it is, you can tell me, right?"He forced a smile. "Of course..."She held his gaze for a moment. "Do you want to help me in the kitchen?"He stood to his feet and kissed her forehead. She snaked her hand into the crook of his elbow and let him lead her. "You know, if you’re anxious about meeting Chloe, you shouldn’t be. She is the sweetest child I know, there won’t be any trouble.""Of course," he said, flashing her a smile. "Her mother is really sweet, she has to be to..."She chuckled heartily.He helped her set the food on the table. Stephanie untied her apron and peeked at her wrist watch. "Chloe will soon be here any moment now. While we wait for her, we should..."He closed the distance between them. "I have a few ideas of how
"Coming here was a great idea," Henry assured. "Especially after the grand press speech at the funeral."Ashley pulled off her sunglasses as she peeked at him. He was laying on a chair by their private beach, sipping wine. "I know it is nice to take a little break away from reality, but I still feel uneasy. The press has been breathing down our necks since the funeral, they even showed up at our house. It just doesn’t feel right that they are not here."Henry sat upright. "You have nothing to be worried about. If you are still unsettled, I can ask the guys to...""Mr Allen! Mr Allen!"Henry shut his eyes and sucked in a breath. "For God’s sake..."Ashley got up to her feet and tied her robe securely around her."Mr. Allen, what do you have to say about the allegations put against you?" they rushed in droves towards them."Did you really kill Mason?", one man asked."Miss Ashley...""Hey, hey! Hey, wait!" he stopped them. "I have a question for you. How did you guys find us?" he nodded
She sighed as she spotted him waving from outside the glass doors. She wiped her hands on the paper towel and walked up to him.“Normally when a door has a really large sign with the words closed, it means they are closed for the day and are not entertaining any more customers.”Leonard flashed her a wide grin. “Would you at least let me in first?”Ashley glared at him, before pulling the door wide open and letting him through. “Why are you here Leonard...”He peered around, his hands in his pocket. “Why to see you of course...”“I am closed for the day...”“I am not a customer Ash” he interjected.“Ashley...”His expressions dampened. “Does he call you that now?”She looked away, not bothering with a reply.Leonard ambled forward and drummed on the table with his fingers. “I used to call you that...” his voice had cracked.“Leonard...”“I always want t
A FEW WEEKS AGO... Leonard stared at Ashley. She was on the couch staring out the window lost in thought, he had only just managed to calm her down. The altercation with Henry had upset her more than he imagined it would. He wanted to help so bad, he wanted to make her forget everything about Henry, and then a thought occurred to him. “Hey Ash,” He walked up to her and sat beside her on the couch. She flashed him a wide smile. “Hey, Leonard.” “How are you feeling?” He asked. She shrugged. “I think I might have an idea of how to make you feel better.” Her eyes lit up and it caused his heart to swell in excitement. “It is going to be Christmas very soon and I will be going home for a family vacation. We do this thing where every member of the family comes back home and spends time together. It would be a lot of fun, I want you to come back home with me.” He explained. “Leonard...” “Don’t say anything.” He cut in. “You are going to love it there, my family is amazing and they ar
Adrian peeked into the rear seat of the police car. A look of triumph on his face. He held their gaze. “You should know this is only the beginning. I have more in store for you” The grin on his face was wide. He straightened up and walked up to Henry. “You did it!” “Man, it was too easy. How did you know they were going to show up?” Henry asked with a look of bewilderment on his face. Adrian shrugged, he was beaming with pride. “Common psychology I guess. I was sending subtle signals to them, to unsettle them. It was only a matter of time before they showed up. I predicted sooner but that was the time for uncertainties...” He noticed Henry’s shocked expression still. He explained. “The other day at the restaurant, I spotted the paparazzi and although Ashley was terrified I told her to smile and laugh for the cameras...” “What purpose would that serve?” “It was just the day after Ashley was attacked, of course, I knew it would set them off. The pictures of us played a role too, the
Henry rolled his eyes when he saw Adrian walk in. “What are you doing here?” “Olivia told me you’d be working late...” He checked his watch, “But this late...Henry...” “Adrian, why are you here?” Henry asked sternly. Adrian pulled out a chair and sat across from him, “I cracked the case, Henry” He furrowed his brows in confusion. “What case?” “The Mason case and what Eric and Angela are up to" Henry got to his feet and began packing his bag. “Adrian, I am not in the mood...” Adrian stood to his feet. “I promise you, this isn’t like other times, I finally have all the evidence I need against them.” “Frankly, I don’t care” Henry retorted. “None of this matters and Adrian please just leave me out of it...” “Henry, I promise you, you’re gonna want to hear it. They were lying! They were all bloody lying...” Henry rolled his eyes. “About what part exactly?” Adrian sighed. “That’s not important. Henry, forget whatever problems are there between us. This is beyond us! Mason is alive
“Adrian...” the waitress said with a look of bewilderment. “Yeah, I want to have a quiet dinner, I do not want to be bothered by anyone, not even the press. Can you do that?” he dipped his hand in his pockets and flashed her crisp dollar notes. “Can you do that?” She nodded silently. “Good” He handed her the notes and entered the enclosed dinner area. “Why didn’t we just have dinner at your place?” He shrugged, “Well my house in the city doesn’t quite look like a habitable place at the moment. I thought of going to a hotel but I can’t escape the press there either, I was making plans to leave the city until you called and said you needed my help” Ashley stared at him with sad eyes. “How are you holding up?” He cleared his throat. “Do you want the version of the story that ends with me bawling my eyes out pathetically or the one where I act smug and unbothered afterwards?” “Adrian...” He shook his head, “This isn’t about me Ashley, this is about you, don’t make it about me. You
Things had been looking up in Henry’s household. Ashley coming into their lives was the best thing that ever happened after Asher’s birth. Adam was grateful for her, he was grateful for the change in the atmosphere in the house, it radiated through everyone and in every part of their lives. Henry always had a radiant smile on his face when she was sitting across from him at the dinner table and talking about her day. He had a smile on his face when he was alone at breakfast. Asher was not left out, he loved Ashley like any boy loved their mother. He was a sweet child.Things were great and then they weren’t. The radiant energy dissipated quickly and was replaced by a dark looming cloud above their heads. Henry was hardly around but whenever he was, his awful mood could be felt from a mile away. Ashley was sad, he hated that she was but she was.He sighed deeply before knocking on the door and letting himself in. Henry reclined on the chair, he was lost in space, and he didn’t notice
Henry lay sprawled on the sofa in Club Dazzle. He owned the place so he had access to the exquisite suite, the walls were soundproof and padded so it drowned out the noise from the crowd. Soft music played in the background, he had an empty glass in his hand, and he beckoned to the bartender. He rushed towards him and filled his glass.Just then Adrian walked through the doors, no one stopped him at the entrance because they knew who he was. Adrian took a long look at him. Henry was spotting a stubble on his chin, his eyes were sunken and drowsy. His hair looked like he had run his hands through them a couple of times. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, and his tie hung loosely around his neck. He was sat in between two beautiful ladies, they were scantily dressed and dancing to the soft tunes of the song. They whispered something to each other oblivious of his presence. He could see Henry smile but it didn't reach his eyes. Adrian signalled to the DJ who turned off the music.
Angela was lost in her head. Victory was sweet, it left a lingering taste on your tongue, it makes you forget everything else, makes you blind to your enemy's counter-offensive response. Everyone else would be fooled by victory’s sweet lingering taste but not her. She had been a victim of it in the past, she had relished her victory so much that she was oblivious to her enemy's attack and her victory had been spoiled almost as soon as it got to her hand. So she had to learn, the hard way and learn she did. So while Eric was off to wherever he was celebrating his newfound victory in the small publication she had influenced she was still plotting. No, it didn’t matter that a man was writhing under her, his face contorted in what undeniably pleasure, it didn’t matter that she was riding him. Her small mind wandered, so far away.The man gasped under her, he pulled out and shuddered violently as he released. Angela watched him with a blank expression on her face.Beads of sweat formed on
Leonard’s head was in the clouds as he listened to her. He would be wicked if he admitted out loud to anyone that he enjoyed this but it was the truth, for Ashley he was willing to be wicked. If it meant that in the slightest chance, she would be his. He loved her, he had loved her from the moment he had laid his eyes on her and no he didn’t think she deserve to suffer all she was suffering with Henry. He could give her better and he would.It wasn’t about the money, it was about how she deserved to be loved, wholly, truly...She looked up at him from underneath her lashes. “Do you promise me you wouldn’t tell anybody about this?”He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, “Ashley, everything you tell me today will stay between us, this I promise you...” he noticed her slight resistance but he was patient and willing to wait. This was what he had waited for all along. At first, she had refused to even look at him, then she refused to speak with him. Yet he had persisted becau
Henry unlocked the doors to his house and walked in. He sighed when he spotted Adrian reclined on a sofa, his legs crossed. “What are you doing here?” he asked. Adrian shrugged. “I am here to see my friend.” Henry shot him a glare before sitting down opposite him. “I saw Ashley earlier.” His eyes lit up at the mention of her name. He frowned and looked away trying to conceal his desire. He had not laid eyes on her for a while, she was doing a thorough job of avoiding him, he couldn’t blame her though. He rubbed his palm on his face. “What are you doing to yourself, Henry?” Henry got up from his seat immediately, “I don’t have that time Adrian” “You’re hurting yourself, you’re pushing the people you love away, that’s not...” “Adrian, spare me whatever advice you think you have for me. I do not need it, I do not need anything from you. You do not care about anyone else but yourself, all you do is lie!” “Your family is behind all of this, they are trying to ruin you, they are tr