Bleary-eyed and throbbing with pain, Ashleigh finally cracked open her eyelids. The day was already bright, the morning long gone. Lifting a hand to her head proved a monumental task, met with a fresh wave of nausea. A groan escaped her lips as she attempted to sit up, but the sound was cut short by the approaching footsteps."Footsteps?" she thought, bewildered. Room service wouldn't enter a locked room, so who could it be? Her questions were answered abruptly by a familiar voice."Mrs. Ashleigh, you're awake! Chef Larry whipped up a special concoction for hangovers," chirped Susan, causing Ashleigh to snap her eyes open in a jolt, disregarding the spike of pain that accompanied the movement.Panic washed over her as she took in her surroundings. She was back in the mansion, specifically her room. Her mind reeled. Noticing the shock etched on Susan's face, she squinted and croaked,"I… I was brought back?""Yes, the boss brought you home early this morning. He instructed that you sho
Surprise contorted Ashleigh's features. This wasn't how she envisioned her return."Where are they?" she pressed, urgency lacing her voice. Her colleagues pointed towards Mrs. Smith's office before dispersing back to their duties.A frantic rush of movement carried Ashleigh through the door, where she found Mrs. Smith mid-conversation on the phone. James and Fiona stood before her, fear etched on their faces. Relief flickered in their eyes upon seeing her. Ashleigh rushed towards them, engulfing them both in a tight hug."Ashleigh! We were worried sick!" Fiona exclaimed in a hushed whisper. "You disappeared the next morning, no message, no call, nothing!"Remembering the abruptness of her departure, Ashleigh could only manage a weak smile."My apologies, Fiona. My leaving was… hasty. An emergency came up, and I had to rush out."James, unconvinced, raised an eyebrow. "At midnight? What kind of emergency couldn't wait until morning? Besides, you were hammered and went straight to sleep
Ashleigh's jaw clenched tight. "Absolutely not," she gritted out, her voice barely a whisper above a growl. Adrian met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "Then consider this conversation over," he finished, his voice devoid of emotion as he redirected his attention to the paperwork littering his desk. Silence descended upon the room, heavy with tension. Ashleigh forced herself to take a deep breath, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. "With all due respect, Mr. Cagliari," she began, her voice calmer this time, "I fail to see how firing me or my friends will solve anything." Adrian leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers before him. "On the contrary, Mrs. Cagliari. From the beginning, we've been at odds over you working here after our marriage. Between your household duties and your workload, it all contributed to your breakdown." Ashleigh's temper flared. "That was because—" she started, but Adrian held up a hand, silencing her. "Yes, I know," he conceded, his
In the following days, the whispers surrounding Ashleigh's resignation faded to a dull hum. Assigned to the executive floor, she found the pace far more relaxed. Fewer offices meant less hustle and bustle, and the remaining space was dedicated to conference rooms and media events. The only real disruption was the constant presence of the company owner himself.Back home that night, after hours of stewing in silence, Ashleigh made a decision. She wouldn't let Adrian turn her into a pawn in his elaborate game. Until she found a way to regain the upper hand, silent compliance seemed the best course of action.Adrian, however, took full advantage of her presence on his floor. He piled on the tasks, transforming her workload into a relentless beast. Breaks were confined to the snack room, where Mr. Turner, ever dutiful, presented lunch for Adrian alongside a weary Ashleigh. Any lull in her schedule was promptly filled with nonsensical errands. By day's end, she was a mindless automaton, co
The door creaked open, shattering the charged atmosphere and jolting them both back to reality. Mr. Turner, mid-conversation with a group outside, caught a glimpse of the scene unfolding in the office. He quickly ushered the visitors out, muttering about needing a few minutes.Ashleigh's cheeks burned a fiery crimson. The near-miss sent a jolt of panic through her, and she struggled even harder to disentangle herself from Adrian's embrace. But he remained unyielding.A kaleidoscope of emotions warred within Adrian. Relief, a strange and unwelcome sentiment, washed over him at Mr. Turner's interruption. His behavior in the past few minutes had been uncharacteristically impulsive. But a stronger current of anger surged through him, directed at his oblivious secretary for shattering the moment. His piercing gaze pinned Mr. Turner in place, silently demanding the man understand the situation and leave."I-I apologize, Boss," Mr. Turner stammered, his voice barely a whisper under the withe
A surreal sense of accomplishment washed over Ashleigh as she sat in her room, surrounded by mountains of clothes. Susan, her ever-reliable assistant, meticulously folded them into a large suitcase, a team of helpers bustling around her. The news of her acceptance into Robin College had arrived a week ago, yet the memory of jolting awake from the couch, sleep forgotten in a surge of joy, remained vivid. Back home, she'd found the official letter nestled amongst her mail, a crisp confirmation that she was to report to campus for a mandatory freshman orientation that very weekend.The news had been met with ecstatic reactions – her aunt and friends bursting with pride, the latter particularly curious about the sudden turn of events. Sharing the news with Larry and Susan had set off a joyous chain reaction, with Susan spreading the word amongst the other staff members. The week since had flown by in a whirlwind of excitement."Madame," a familiar voice cut through Ashleigh's daydream, st
Ashleigh grumbled as she climbed the stairs. It seemed everyone was picking on her today, constantly bringing up Adrian. Why did they hold this perception of their relationship? They were hardly affectionate or a love couple. Perhaps her behavior unintentionally portrayed otherwise. But Adrian, the constant subject of their whispers, hadn't even bothered to address the events of the previous week. Pushing those thoughts aside, Ashleigh focused on getting ready for the night's festivities.By 7 pm, everyone had gathered in the event hall. Mr. Atkinson and Susan had opted for a simple yet elegant design. Beach-themed decorations were strategically placed, adding a touch of whimsy. The stage was more elaborately decorated this time.A "Congratulations!" banner flanked by streamers adorned the background. An upgraded karaoke machine boasted various microphones, and additional games promised to spice up the evening. The entrance table, overflowing with culinary delights, showcased Chef Lar
With a determined glint in her eye, Susan announced, "Unfortunately, it seems our boss won't be joining us for karaoke tonight. But hey, the night's been fantastic so far, and we can't let that dampen our spirits! Let's get this karaoke party started!" A wave of cheers erupted from the crowd, quickly dispelling any disappointment. Mocktails, meticulously prepared beforehand, were distributed to lighten the mood. While most were non-alcoholic, a few cheeky younger staff members saw an opportunity for mischief. They pretended to request refills, distracting the assistants while their friends surreptitiously spiked some of the remaining mocktails. One particular young man exchanged a knowing glance with Chef Larry as he passed by. Larry acknowledged him with a subtle nod, his gaze flickering towards a disheartened Ashleigh. All evening, Larry had been waiting for this moment. Adrian's absence was the icing on his cake. Without him there, his plan would be much easier to execute. It wa
After Fiona and James left, Ashleigh had spent the whole Saturday devising possible ways to get Adrian’s attention. But each suggestion only made her realize how unmatched she was against a woman like Caelia. Though Arthur left her that evening with words of encouragement her heart remained heavy…. and her aunt took notice. The next morning, Mrs. Smith insisted on driving Ashleigh home herself, sending the driver back to his quarters for extra rest. Ashleigh was surprised to learn her aunt could drive but agreed anyway. Whilst Mrs. Smith maneuvered the car with ease, Ashleigh remained glued to her phone, glaring at a particular message— or rather, the lack of a response from Adrian.“He really knows how to make me feel shitty, doesn’t he?” she muttered as she saw her message marked as read.“What’s the matter, dream girl? Why so angry at your phone?” Mrs. Smith's voice broke through her thoughts. She glanced at Ashleigh before returning her focus to the road.Ashleigh quickly shoved
The drive back to the Cagliari mansion was silent, but Adrian’s mind was anything but that.Megan’s words echoed in his mind, chipping at his indifference. Now, he fully understood how isolated Ashleigh had been at Robin College. Megan’s confession about her indifference stung, but he held back his anger— out of respect for Alexander, yes, but also because he knew that the main fault was with him. Ashleigh won’t be so affected by Megan’s treatment if he had been by her side. The realization gnawed at him. The car pulled into the driveway and he stepped out with purposeful strides. Mr Atkinson approached him with a slight bow, and he nodded in acknowledgement.“Welcome home sir. Any instructions for this evening? Will you be having dinner?”Adrian shook his head, replying curtly. “I won’t be having dinner tonight. I don’t want to be disturbed.”Mr. Atkinson nodded but hesitated before speaking again. “Sir, should I inform the kitchen about Mrs. Cagliari’s return tomorrow morning as we
“Adrian! To what do I owe the pleasure or displeasure?” Alexander greeted, arching a brow as he leaned against the doorframe. Adrian didn’t bother with a response, pushing past him into the mansion. He wasn’t here for pleasantries.After reviewing the results of the investigation into Ashleigh’s supposed stalker, Adrian had been forced to acknowledge something that Ashleigh had been telling the truth, and he had never truly paid attention to her struggles. That realization led him here, to the one person who had spent the most time with her at school.He needed answers.“Babe, where are……oh.” Megan’s voice trailed off as she entered the room, stopping short when she saw Adrian standing beside Alexander.Her eyes flickered between them, uncertain. Alexander casually draped an arm around her waist in a grounding gesture.“Babe, this is my friend Adrian—the one I told you about,” Alexander said. Recognition flashed in Megan’s eyes.“Oh… hi. Nice to meet you.” Her voice was polite, but t
The night was supposed to fun- a light-hearted escape from the stress of college and her marriage. But for Ashleigh, it was anything but that.While her friends lay passed out in their sleeping bags under, she sat on the couch staring at the empty bottles of wine on the coffee table, unable to sleep. No matter how hard she tried to distract herself, her thoughts kept circling back to Adrian and Caelia. The image from the article burned in her mind: the way they stood together, the warm smile on her face as she held him closely….. They looked perfect. They looked like the kind of couple Adrian and she were not.“Why should I care? It’s not like we were a real couple anyway” she thought bitterly, reaching for another bottle of wine.And yet, as she gulped it down, the bitterness in her chest remained…. Unwilling to leave. The more she thought about it, the more the pieces started to fit. A part of her felt cheated, her thoughts racing as she pieced everything together. His reluctance to
Ashleigh hummed along to the soft music playing in the background, releasing another curl from the iron. She ran a brush through her hair, watching in satisfaction as the waves settled around her shoulders. Paired with a cropped top and sweatpants, it was a casual yet put-together look—one she rarely put effort into.She stepped back, checking her reflection again. Was it too much? Her phone buzzed beside her, pulling her from her thoughts. She picked it up, skimming through the texts from her friends:Fiona: Ash did you give us a wrong address......?James: Girl is this your aunt’s house?Arthur: I’m at your aunt’s house apparently?A small chuckle escaped her lips. Their surprise was expected. Fiona and James hadn’t visited her since she got married, for obvious reasons, and Arthur was still getting to know her. This sleepover was meant to bridge the gap between them, to let them in, at least a little.Her gaze flickered back to the mirror. Maybe she really did need a second opinion
The scent of blood and dampness clung to the air, thick and suffocating. Desperate cries echoed off the stone walls as the restrained men struggled against the ropes biting into their skin.“P-please! Talk to your boss..... We’re not the ones he’s looking for." One of the men pleaded, struggling against the ropes. A figure emerged from the shadows, and the man’s heart momentarily leaped in hope. But as the dim light revealed the sharp, cold features of Mr. Turner, hope was crushed into dread.“You’ll only speak to my boss when you’re ready to tell me who your leader is.” Mr. Turner adjusted his glasses, his tone calm yet laced with authority.The man before him was a mess: his face swollen from repeated blows, blood crusting at the corner of his lips. Mr. Turner gave a nod of approval to the guards standing on either side, silently acknowledging their efficiency.“You’ve been here for a day now,” he continued, his gaze sweeping over the other restrained men.“Yet none of you have rev
Waves crashed against the gazebo's wooden pillars, sending sprays of salty water over the deck. Alana barely flinched as droplets landed on her legs. She lay stretched out on a beach chair, swirling the last of her wine in her glass while watching Diane, Cameron, and Samantha snap pictures at the edge of the platform. Music drifted from the speakers, mingling with the sound of the sea. The suggestion for a short vacation from her friends came suddenly, but she embraced it as she needed the break. School had been suffocating, and now that the source of her tension had been permanently removed, she could finally breathe again. Until Samantha’s sharp gasp shattered the moment. “What!” Samantha shrieked, eyes glued to the phone. Cameron, who had been holding Diane’s waist, immediately let go and moved to her side. “What is it, Samantha? You’re not saying anything.” Samantha hesitated, glancing at Alana before swallowing hard. “It’s a message from the department head on the faculty gro
The conference hall fell into stunned silence as Adrian’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. His presence alone was commanding, but his words sent an even stronger shockwave through the room. Ashleigh’s grip tightened on the edge of her chair, her heart hammering as she watched him walk toward the panelists with unshaken confidence. He’s here.The chairman, clearly unsettled but attempting to maintain control, cleared his throat. “Mr. Cagliari, this is a formal hearing. You cannot simply barge in and disrupt the proceedings.”Adrian’s lips curled into a smirk, his posture radiating quiet authority. “And let you pass judgment based on incomplete, biased information?”Murmurs rippled through the panelists, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. He strode to Ashleigh’s side, taking the empty seat beside her. His presence alone shifted the energy in the room, making the panelists exchange wary glances.Mrs. Cartwright however kept expression sharp, and leaned forward. “That’s a bo
The evening skyline burned with hues of orange and gold as a black SUV wove through the city’s traffic. Inside, Adrian flicked his gaze to his watch, then to the black envelope resting between his fingers. The insignia embossed on it caught the dim light, a silent reminder of the night’s purpose. Mr. Turner sat in front, assisting the driver in navigating towards the hotel.A low vibration from the phone interrupted the quiet, and he handed it over to Adrian."Mr. Cagliari, how is everything going?" Beau’s voice came through the speaker. Adrian exhaled, his tone smooth but unimpressed. “I’ll update you when I get there. I’m still en route.”Beau huffed. “Ashleigh and I went through a lot to get that card into your hands, so kindly make it worthwhile, sir.”Adrian’s fingers traced the insignia on the card, recalling the bank’s call from earlier. A smirk flickered across his face. “Must’ve been quite the ordeal. The bank took notice, after all.”“Oh, it was,” Beau replied. “Your wife s