She slowly poured hot water into Asher’s flask. “Good morning Ashley" She visibly shook almost scalding herself. He rushed towards her taking the kettle from her hand, “Be careful...” She nodded. He gingerly poured the water into the flask. She watched him silently. It was not the fact that she didn’t hear him come in. It was merely hearing his voice that had startled her. The rich sexy baritone caused tingles to flow through her whole body. Hearing his voice brought back the memories of the previous night and all the things he had said to her. They had talked some more that night and she had to walk him to his room. She had concluded he was inebriated because he didn’t seem to remember anything from the previous night or if he did, he was doing a good job at concealing it. When he was done he turned to her. “How did you sleep?” “Very well thank you and you?” He nodded. “I had a good night's rest, the events of last night are quite hazy...” “Can I get a day off today?” she bl
Angela shut the door after her, she entered into Henry’s room. He had just left the house. He was going to travel for a couple of days. It was the perfect moment. She entered the code into his closet. Once it opened up, she set to work immediately, she picked up every single one of his jewellery replacing it with the fakes she had made. She didn’t have time on her hands anymore. She was counting the days until she left his life. She was a lone wolf working, she had blocked Mason on all social platforms and even his number. She was too pissed to talk to him and even though she loved him she wanted him to do right by her. She was doing so much for him. It was only a few days until she achieved her plans, she would rip him off of everything he had. Now she had her reasons, it wasn’t only that he had taken Mason’s spot and that had skyrocketed his career but he had dared cheat on her before her very own eyes. He had entertained his mistress in their house under the guise of a nanny. With
Henry alighted from his luxurious car, he put on his sunshades, and his eyes took a quick sweep of the area. The temperature was hot. He turned to his driver. “Barry get my luggage" “Yes Sir" He ran his fingers through his slightly overgrown dark hair, he heaved a deep sigh before he walked towards the airport terminal. He felt someone walk towards him from behind when he turned to see who it was, the person jumped on him. “What the...” “Henry!” He groaned. “What the heck Adrian?” Adrian laughed, he detached from him. “What happened to greeting someone like normal people do?” “I missed you...” Henry shook his head. “Now you ruined my whole ensemble...” he began to brush off his suit and looked around. “Relax no one is taking pictures of you, you’re not that important” Adrian made jest of him. Henry ignored him and began walking off. Adrian did not move an inch. “I promise you soon you’re going to miss my hugs and miss how I greet you, then you’ll look for me and I wouldn’t b
Leonard sat beside Ashley’s hospital bed and watched her silently. She was rushed in two days ago. He couldn’t recognise her at first sight neither could he recognise Henry when he brought her in. He was a far cry from the Henry Allen he knew. Yes, he still had on the designer suits and watches and still had on his expensive Italian shoes but he was without the composure that was typical of Henry Allen. His hair was ruffled, and he had tear stains on his face indicating that he had been crying. His always impeccably clean white shirt was stained with blood. Leonard would have taken a picture of him and sent it to the tabloids when he recognised him if he had not been worried about his friend who was dying. Even though he too had discarded his etiquette as a doctor, when he saw Ashley, instinctively he had reached for Henry and given him a hard blow, it was nothing serious but Henry was spotting a bruise. Leonard was hysterical after he had calmed down, his best friend was fighting for
There was a small knock on the door. Ashley knew immediately who it was. It was part of his daily routine. True to his words he cared for her just like he said he would. It didn’t matter that she told him repeatedly that she was fine and she could care for herself. At some point, she stopped complaining and let him do as he pleased. Maybe it was his way of healing, she couldn’t tell but she also loved every moment she spent with him. They had bonded well over the few days they spent together and she found herself missing him anytime he had to go to work. She opened the door. “Good morning” “Good morning Ashley” He entered the room, walked to Asher’s crib and picked him up. “How’s my little man doing?” Asher giggled excitedly. “Aren’t you just perfect?” he cooed affectionately. Ashley stared at them absentmindedly, she didn’t realise she was grinning from ear to ear until he turned around and looked at her. “Seems like I am not the only one in good spirits today...” “I just love
Ashley heaved a deep sigh before knocking on the door. An uneasy feeling washed over her. It didn’t matter that she tried to convince herself over and over again that everything was fine. It was just her home where she grew up and nothing else. True she had been away for a long time but it couldn’t be that bad she tried to assure herself. She tried to convince herself that it didn’t matter that it was the longest she had been away from home. She heard the locks turn indicating that someone was on the other end. Dread enveloped her as the door opened up. Vera's head popped out, her heart gladdened at the sight of her daughter, she had longed to see her but she didn’t let it show on her face. Her face hardened when she remembered the last confrontation they had. “You shouldn’t have” Vera stated. Ashley crooked her neck to the side. “Why?” Vera outstretched her hand. “You could have sent it like you always do or mailed it. You shouldn’t have bothered with coming down here...” Ashley
Ashley opened up the suitcases on her bed and stared at them in wonder. She would have never been able to afford these in a long while, she didn’t need anyone to tell her they were really expensive, she stared inside the suitcase that had been stacked with clothes she didn’t recognise. The smaller suitcases had shoes and sandals and all the other necessities. She took a deep breath, plopped down on the bed and lay sprawled on it. When Henry had suggested the vacation she had not made sense of his words at all. She had been focused on the primary fact that he was finally agreeing to go on a vacation with his family. In the past, he had been strongly against the idea giving her numerous reasons why he couldn’t stand his family at all. So she had played off his suggestion as a momentary excitement but with the days that followed she realised he was serious. He had taken weeks off work, he had also informed his family. She had been even more surprised when he walked in with suitcases say
Ashley got out of the bathroom, her towel wrapped around her chest, while she tried to dry off her hair with another towel oblivious of her surroundings. She felt a piercing gaze on her, she turned to see Henry staring at her, mouth open. She considered screaming down the whole cabin but that would be twice the embarrassment seeing as his family had returned. She had lost herself in the soothing waters of the hot tub and for a moment she had forgotten they shared a room. Her eyes wandered across the room and a bed too! How could she have missed that? Well, it wasn’t completely unbelievable that she had failed to notice. After they had shared the satisfying lunch. She had fallen asleep on the very large bed which she had imagined she was going to have all to herself. It didn’t help that when she woke up many hours later he was nowhere to be found. They had the first family dinner slated for 7 pm and it was already 5:30 pm. She rushed to take her shower, you could imagine her surprise
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