She sat on the gravestone. “I know I should have come earlier. I was too scared, too scared to come to see you, to know you’re in here, that I will never be able to see that beautiful heartwarming smile on your face...” she flicked a tear from her face. “That I will be unable to hear your voice, to hear you talk back to me...I didn’t want any of that" She paused, and tears began to flow freely down her face. “I am so sorry I couldn’t be strong for you, I couldn’t do it again, I did it once for my father, I couldn’t do it another time...” she let the tears fall. When she became composed, she resumed speaking. “Yet here I am again. I couldn’t run for so long. Somehow even in death I still needed you, I need you right now...” she frantically wiped at her face. “I need to stop crying I know that. I need to think of something, a memory that makes us both happy...” She smiled because she thought of one almost immediately. “Remember the one time we cooked a meal together? Of course, we ended
Henry had been having a great day, okay technically not exactly great. He couldn’t concentrate at work at all and so he had come back earlier to work from home. When he came back he had seen Asher with one of the maids, he had not thought much of the fact that he was not with Ashley. He assumed she was in the kitchen helping or maybe in the bathroom. The latter was a bad idea, he was left at the mercy of his tortuous imaginations of her in the bathroom, water dripping down her luscious body... She was the reason why he couldn’t work, she was in his thoughts every moment, and it was maddening. He didn’t think it wise to go look for her and so he had gone to his study to work. Work turned out bland too but he would prefer bland over this torture he had to endure right now. He was still thinking about Ashley, she was in his dreams and his waking thoughts, he was still thinking about her the moment Adam ran into his study, his chest heaving. It would be the first time he would see the ma
Ashley securely fastened Asher to the baby chair in the back seat of the car. It was his one-year birthday in a few days and she had offered to be in charge of planning, definitely not one of the wisest decisions she had made in a long while but it was worth it. Henry had looked utterly confused about the whole thing and where to start, he had even considered not having a party but Ashley was not having it at all. It was a good thing they had paid for an event planner to handle it, it was still hard to make all the decisions but she wouldn’t deprive Asher of this very important moment in his life, the few months with him, she knew she loved him so much just like he was her own. She hopped into the car. “Good morning Barry” “Good morning Ashley" “Where are we going today?” She showed him the address on her phone. Not quite long after they were on their way, the drive was relaxing, she and Barry chatted away with Asher making input now and then. They got to the mall, she was pushi
“Adrian" “Hop in my man!” Henry did, he looked behind him, rolled his eyes and let out a huge sigh. “Adrian, what did I say about just wanting to talk?” He shrugged. “You didn’t say don’t bring the company” They drove out of the compound. “I assumed when I said I want to simply talk I thought you understand that I meant no violence...” Adrian scoffed. “Who said anything about violence?” “I don’t know...” Henry turned around and stared at the large men, with scary tattoos covering their whole arms, one of them was pumping his chest, another had a scarf tied around his bald head, and he faced forward. “I think it is pretty clear these men are violent, no offence boys...” They merely shrugged. “None taken” one of them mumbled. Adrian groaned and hit the steering wheel dramatically. “Okay fine, fine, fine...dad!” “You need to behave son” Henry replied. Adrian gave him the stink eye. “Slow down...” Adrian looked at him quizzically. “What?” “Just slow down”. Henry said aloud. “
They drove into a gas station. Henry pumped the gas whilst Adrian walked into the shop to get something. Henry finished and had to wait for Adrian outside, the minutes stretched out. If Adrian wasn’t Adrian, Henry would have been genuinely worried. He securely locked the car and walked into the shop. He spotted Adrian, hitting it off with the shop attendant. “Adrian!” He spun around like he had been caught. “Dad...” he spat in annoyance. “You mind?” “Well I walked in and I met this really pretty girl...” Henry walked up to him. “Not now mister...” Adrian shook his head and stormed off. “Your number miss...” he flashed her a smile. “Stephanie" she answered with a smile and scribbled down on a piece of paper and handed it to him. He smiled at her. “I will make sure he gets it" When Henry got back to the car Adrian was sulking. He turned on the car and drove off. “As much as I like the solitude, I am also very concerned about my life and the way you’re toying with it driving lik
The birthday celebration was already underway, Henry’s residence was the venue, and the poolside had been reconstructed into a water-themed park suited for kids. There were a lot of guests. Ashley tied her hair in a high-up ponytail and had on a simple black dress with a thin strap, stopping just below her knees, it clung somewhat loosely to her body. Not undersized nor oversize, just perfect. She carried Asher on one hip as she hurriedly descended the stairs. He had on a beautiful blue bathing suit. Henry stared in admiration as she approached them, he was always awed by her beauty anytime he laid eyes on her. He feared she would fall even though she had on low-heeled sandals. Adrian whispered in his ears. “You won man" Henry was beaming with smiles. Adrian walked up to them. “How is my favourite God son in the whole world doing?” he took Asher from her. “Hello beautiful" he kissed her cheeks. “Hello, Adrian. It is nice to see you” “Hey I wouldn’t miss this for the world" he re
Ashley was beaming with smiles as she laid out the last of the cookies she had made on a tray. Asher was playing beside her. This had been her mood since Asher’s birthday party. The aura in the house had changed drastically, it was uplifting. She hadn’t felt this much happiness in a long while. She turned around when she heard the front door open, her smile widened because she knew who it was. She heard his footsteps approaching, and not long after she saw him. “Good evening" His smile was instant when he saw her. “Ashley, Asher" Asher giggled excitedly and raised his hands to be lifted by him. He picked him up immediately and planted a kiss on his cheeks, he turned to Ashley. “Someone’s been busy" he put Asher down and turned to her. She smiled. “Yea, I just thought about this lovely cookie recipe from my childhood. I remember my father and I used to make it all the time...” she smiled at the memory. “Sometimes my mother wouldn’t allow us to make it and we will wake up at night an
Ashley took one last long look at herself in the full-length mirror before coming down the staircase, she held a silver clutch in her hands. Not too long before Adrian had not too subtly stopped by to gift them dresses which they were to put on later, in his words, “...to attend a party he was planning” It was hard for Henry and her to keep a straight face. Henry knew it was important to Adrian to think he had handled everything perfectly. This was how she ended up with a beautiful velvet dress for the party tonight. She had help with fixing her hair and make-up too. Adorned with the diamond earrings Henry had given her on their trip to the Bahamas, it felt like so long ago but it was very important for their relationship. It was the time she got to truly know who Henry Allen was. It was also a time when their relationship had moved a step forward, regardless of what happened afterwards she would not change a thing. Henry spun around the moment he saw her descending the stairs, dress
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