Ashley managed to find the bathroom, she had momentarily forgotten about her long dress until she arrived at the doorway, she lifted the dress high, above her knees. She tied the lengthy part of the dress around her. She opened the bathroom door and almost sighed in relief when she found nobody inside. She walked up to the mirror and stared at her reflection, her facial expression was a sharp contrast to how she was feeling on the inside, she tucked her hair behind her ear. She sighed deeply. It was hard not to worry. It was clear she loved Henry. There were many times she thought he felt the same too but he had given her reasons to doubt. She didn’t want to relive the time after the Bahamas trip all over again. It was a hard time for her. She turned on the tap and washed her hands, it was hard to tell whether Henry was being serious or not. She peered at her reflection in the mirror, she told herself to calm down, she would never be able to achieve anything by constantly worrying, t
Golden sun rays crept through the tall glass windows, the reflection causing Ashley to stir in her sleep. She let out a relaxed sigh. She loved the feel of the silk sheets against her body and the caressing feel of the soft blankets over her body. She pulled it tightly over her. For some reason, her bed felt very comfortable. She stretched, it felt good. Her arms and legs did not dangle from the ends of the bed. Even though the sun's reflection was on her, she did not feel hot. The room was airy enough, quite unlike her room at home. Even the pillows were soft and cradled her head... She got up suddenly, startled, her sleepy eyes scanned the room and then they met his. With sultry grey eyes, he was grinning from ear to ear. She willed her curious eyes to not stray further down his unclad chest. It was not like she hadn’t seen him like this many times before. The problem was it did not matter how many times he was unclad before her, she was still going to make a fool of herself... Hen
Thoughts of Henry flooded her mind now and then. She had lost count of the number of times she had replayed past events over and over again. This time around there was no scepticism. Reality had hit hard. The dynamics of their relationship had changed forever. She wasn’t Henry’s employer and neither was he her boss. They were partners. It made her heart warm. She smiled to herself. She reached to get the kitchen gloves, and just then her phone buzzed interrupting her musings. She had received a new text from Leonard. She let out a huge sigh when she read it. He was ranting. His reason was the fact that she was all over the news. She had almost forgotten about the whole stunt Henry had pulled earlier until she got on social media to find out she was trending. She had received countless texts from a lot of people. She had resolved not to pay attention to them. Maybe if she ignored it for a while, it would disappear she thought to herself. She took in a deep breath. She could not afford
Ashley’s jaw dropped open. Henry opened and closed his mouth repeatedly. “What do you...” Adam raised a brow. “Fuck this!” Henry got up from his seat and pulled her close, his lips captured hers immediately. Ashley let out a gasp, startled by the sudden action. He kissed her hungrily as he needed her. His hands cupping her face, wandered to the back of her head pulling her even closer. Ashley was standing on her toes so she could reach him. Suddenly he lifted her and placed her on his waist. His hands were firmly around her thigh. Her short dress bunched up giving him access to her, his hands wandered towards her ass... Adam dramatically cleared his throat. “Sir, I did say you should jump on yourselves but not...” he looked around at the maids with their heads bowed down. “Out in the open...” Henry’s face was flushed. “Of course” he nodded. “Adam...” Adam had a pleased smile on his face. It was not every day you find Henry Allen flustered. “Yes sir. Do you need my help with anyt
“Lay down Ash...” It was a simple instruction that had her coming undone. She did lie down but her chest continued heaving. It was all out of anticipation. She turned to look at him. He walked towards the fridge in the bedroom, she saw him open the ice tray. She looked away and shut her eyes. She felt the bed dip when he got on the bed. “Look at me” He instructed. She opened her eyes to see he had an ice cube in his hand. He placed it on one of her breasts. She moaned as soon as it got in contact with her skin. He moved it in a circular motion paying close attention to her nipple, he moved it to the other nipple and did the same thing. He moved the ice down to her belly button. Ashley was already a squirming mess underneath him. The burning desire between her legs had increased. He smirked. “What do you want Ashley?” She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. He went back to her breasts, the ice was beginning to melt. “I asked a question, what do you want Ash?” he repeat
Eric didn’t know he was taking deep breaths until he saw his reflection on the elevator wall. He looked like an exhausted cheerleader after delivering an iconic performance. He steadied his breathing, staring at the team standing behind him from the corner of his eyes hoping they had not seen him. It was later it occurred to him that they didn’t need to see him to know he was nervous because they must have heard him breathing aloud. He shut his eyes. He was nervous and slowly losing every bit of his sense of reasoning. He fisted his hands but it was clammy despite the functional air conditioning. He didn’t think he had ever felt this nervous in all his life. He had never needed to impress anyone not even his father. Now the case was different, he didn’t just need to beat Henry for his bruising ego and Arnold’s sake. He needed to do this for his father as well. It might be all he needed to get his father’s absolute approval once and for all. He had called for his team immediately after
The car door opened, Ashley carefully got out and picked up Asher and safely placed him in his stroller. It was a hot afternoon. She grabbed her purse and immediately the door was closed shut by the bodyguard. In the past, she would have protested about having guards follow her everywhere but after the experience with Asher’s mother, Angela, she had been too terrified to take Asher anywhere alone. Also, the fact that she had somehow turned into a celebrity overnight. She put on sun shades and pushed his stroller into the hospital. Although the bodyguards were clothed and had no visible weapons, they still attracted stares and whispers. There was somebody on the inside to meet them. They were quickly ushered into the elevator. They entered the doctor’s office. “Good morning Doctor Grey” “Good morning ma'am" he smiled at her. Ashley did not fail to notice the change in his choice of words to address her. She smiled uneasily. “I am just here for Asher’s monthly check-up" “You shouldn’
Adrian arrived at the company a little past noon. They had fixed a dinner meeting for later that day. Although Henry was supposed to come over, when he wouldn’t respond and Olivia wouldn’t take her calls, he had been forced to drive over as quickly as possible. The company looked almost cleared out. There were a few cars parked in the garage and a few guards littered about, Adrian rushed to one of the men. “What’s the problem? What is happening? Where is everyone?” “Mr Allen said they were closed for the day...” Adrian sighed audibly in relief. He had almost called Ashley in fear, he was glad he had not unnecessarily rattled her. “What important meeting is he...” Adrian muttered to himself. “Do you know with whom he is having this meeting with?” he asked the guard. “I do not know. We were only told it was important” Adrian nodded. “Of course” he dialled his line hoping to get to him but it went unanswered. He knew Henry had a policy of no phones during a meeting but he wanted to tr
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