Ashanti Harrison sat on the couch, holding a bag of marshmallows and popping them into his mouth one by one, while I was on the other side of the room, wearing headphones and nodding along to my favorite podcast. With a cloth in hand, I dusted the TV stand covered with photos and knickknacks. Maybe Chadwick's neatness was beginning to rub off on me. I wasn't a messy person myself, but compared to Chadwick, I was a damn sewage dump. I smiled at a memory from earlier when we fucked like wild rabbits and I felt giddy just thinking about it. My hand unconsciously went to my neck, rubbing the spot he nibbled. Our lovemaking made every second seem special. I missed being with him. A lot. The funeral went better than we expected. A lot of people came to pay their respects, and Carmen's aunt begged her to spend the night in her house. I lifted a bunch of plastic flowers and Harrison chuckled. "I ordered those online. I searched for funeral flowers and picked the first option because
Ashanti Monday rolled in, and I walked into the office building and waved hello to the receptionist; she waved back and even wished me a great day. Rumors were beginning to speculate that Chadwick was involved with me. But hey, I was the last person to get bothered by what people said about me. The women who wanted a piece of Chadwick shot me nasty looks whenever I walked past them but I ignored it all the same. They could label me an outcast, for I didn't fear being cast aside or shunned by anyone. The elevator doors opened, and I stepped out, scanning the top floor and walking past the three musketeers: John, the CTO James, the CFO and Jude, the COO. Ever since they noticed that Chadwick had eyes on me, they left me alone and didn't try their nonsense moves anymore. Well, except Jude of course. He looked like a snake - his mouth turned upwards in a smirk as though he knew some dirty secret about me and always looked at my ass whenever I walked past his office. I smiled poli
Chadwick It was customary for my son and I to have dinner at mom's at least once a week. Elen was always super excited to visit his grandma (even though she lived three streets down from him) I laughed when he eagerly pulled out his chair, ready to take his place at the table. My mom's house was just as beautiful as mine although minimalist, it had a warm vibe that made you feel welcome. I loved the lavender scent and Elen's pictures on every available surface in the house. Mom put on her favorite song, “When Your Day Comes” and brought the food out, dressed in a casual kimono. She had chef, Gilbert in the kitchen, working his magic “Here's some water to drink,” I said, pouring a glass of water for Elen but he refused and wanted food. “Coming, honey!” My mom announced from the kitchen and I shook my head, amused at my son's foot on the ground. Finally, she returned with a tray loaded with roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies, rolls, a salad for Elen, then rice and a gr
Ashanti Tim Walker's hardware company was a gigantic skyscraper in the heart of town. It looked like an old Soviet factory outfitted with modern amenities. There was nothing special about the exterior but inside was well put together. Everything was well ordered from the reception room to the elevators which all had their own dedicated lifts. The company had been going strong for nearly thirty years and its owner was proud of that fact. Guests streamed into the venue, including Chadwick and I. Although I was laid back while Chadwick mingled with other tech enthusiasts, who were eager for the product display. We walked through the door into a vast conference hall with an enormous flat screen hanging at one end of the room. A few people scattered around seemed engrossed in their devices as they spoke quietly amongst themselves. My heart banged against my rib cage when cameras flashed, capturing the scene and documenting the launch. I ducked my head feeling uncomfortable and wishing
Ashanti Carmen glowed in her eyes and laughed with a bubbling joy. We were getting ready for the picnic with Chad and Ken and Carmen bounced around the room and could not stop giggling. She put some apples and grapes into the baskets and chuckled. "I can not wait to see him again." Watching her reaction left me speechless. I have never seen Carmen so happy like this. “Come on, Carmen, what is up with your lack of restraint? It is only a picnic. Nobody is engaging you.” "Girl," she drawled. "Ken is fucking hot, my dream man. I need your help choosing what to wear. I need to be perfect to impress him." My mouth dropped open to say something, but nothing came out. She kept raving about Ken while glancing off into the distance. When I did not answer her question about whether girls were swarming around Ken in the office, she clasped my hand. "Not that I am aware of," I uttered, snapping out of my thoughts. "But you don't have to be so desperate for him or any guy in particular." Be
ChadwickAshanti's lips formed a thin line as her gaze dropped slightly. She had a frown on her face. She kept crossing and uncrossing her arms as she was lost in thought and her mind racing."Relax," I said, pulling her into my arms and loving the occasional jolt of him, brushing my thigh. I could not believe how her wild touch sent a warning shiver down my spine."I am at ease," she muttered.“What is occupying your thoughts, then? You're not present at the moment. Look around you, everyone is having fun."She grimaced when I pointed out a happy girl jumping on her partner's dick."Ugh," she groaned, her nose turning up in disgust. “For the love of Pete, this is public property. Why do they keep desecrating it?"I found her response amusing, and I burst out laughing."Coming from someone who flirted with me behind a graveyard?"Glancing at me, she looked ten years younger, her soft curves fitting my body as she buried her face against my throat."I'm just worried, that's all," she si
Bored as hell and tired of hearing Carmen yap about how hot and handsome Ken was, I supported my chin and head with my hand and swirled my hair repetitively. Her grin was too wide, and she bounced from foot to foot, bubbling and verbalizing her thoughts and feelings without hesitation. "... And he has the most amazing smile, don't you think? He's so charming. I can't believe he asked me to go to the picnic with him. He must really like me, right?" I nodded politely and shrugged, but she didn't notice my lack of enthusiasm. "We have so much in common, you know. Ken is a really private and conservative person. He's so sweet and not like other guys who just want to get into my panties to see what's underneath." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "He's the one for me,” she sighed wistfully. "Yeah," I said, trying to sound interested. “Guys like this are so hard to find. Oof!" “Carmen, I'm happy for you,” I said, leaning into my seat, “I am, but don't you think you're moving a
ChadwickBursting into the police station, I looked around frantically, searching for someone who could help me. I was sweating so badly, and Ken rushed behind me.A uniformed officer at the front desk was on a call. Breathless and panicking with fear almost eating me alive, I demanded his attention."Please help me. My son is missing," I said.The officer looked up and frowned. He was a middle-aged man with a mustache and stern expression. My frantic energy drew the attention of officers stationed at the front desk.They were accustomed to handling distressed people and remained professional."Sir, please lower your voice and take a deep breath," he said. I gasped for air, trying to control my panic, and felt Ken's hand on my shoulder squeezing tightly.Ken, who was behind me, explained that my son was missing and his window was found open."Sir, you'll have to fill out a missing person report," they said, "and provide as much detail as possible about his appearance and any distingui