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
A dull ache throbbed in Mr. Atkinson's head, a lingering echo of the electrical malfunction he'd spent hours fixing. He patrolled the silent staff quarters well past midnight, ensuring everyone was tucked in. Finally, at 2 am, the quiet shattered with the arrival of Mr. Cagliari, his ever-present bodyguards flanking him like shadows. They deposited their employer at the door with a curt nod before melting back into the night.Adrian shrugged off his jacket, handing it to Mr. Atkinson with a sigh that spoke volumes. The air crackled with tension, and Mr. Atkinson, a seasoned observer, knew to navigate cautiously."Good morning, sir," he ventured tentatively. "Your trip seemed… taxing."Adrian grunted in response, his long strides carrying him straight for the kitchen. A midday flight to Italy, fueled by a supposed family emergency, had landed him face-to-face with his mother's machinations. Lunch with Caelia, another unsubtle nudge towards an unwanted relationship, had devolved into a
“A glass of water is more preferred, it will help you see things more clearly, don’t you think?” he said, making way for Susan to walk up to her and hand her the glass of water and anagelsic.She looked at him with her eyes squinted and nodded, grabbing the glass from the tray and taking the anagelsic. The water aided her parched throat, but for the headache she would still need to wait a while. Susan helped her relax at the head of the bed, and at her request passed her phone to her, before turning to leave. She opened her phone to see the texts asking why she wasn’t at work already, and it was then it was her: they planned to spend the day together and have a farewell dinner.“Oh shit! I am supposed to be at work right now. I have to meet my friends". Her eyes widened as the realization dawned on her, and with a little relief she felt she attempted to stand up and get dressed."What happened last night?" His voice was low, a dangerous growl simmering beneath the surface.Ashleigh st
After the confrontation, an uncomfortable silence settled between Adrian and Ashleigh. Adrian decided to spare Larry and the other staff from termination, as Ashleigh had requested, and departed for an extended business trip that same evening, before Ashleigh returned from her farewell party. The house felt emptier than usual for Ashleigh, and unable to bear the embarrassment, she decided to move into the hostel permanently, instructing Susan to pack her belongings accordingly.As they arrived at Robin College, Susan announced, "We have arrived, Madame."Ashleigh looked up from her device to see the college gates, marking the first verification point, where security would check her admission letter and orientation slip. Susan offered to handle the check-in process, but Ashleigh declined.“That won't be necessary, Susan. I'm the student, after all. There's nothing special about me." She unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out of the car, walking up to the security building to check hers
It was the next morning, and as part of her usual routine, Ashleigh woke up at 6 am, feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. The silence as she got ready felt different; typically, Susan would assist her and update her on the morning's developments, while Mr. Atkinson would only appear for urgent matters. As Ashleigh approached her dresser, she carefully selected a pair of accessories and a simple necklace. However, when she reached the ring box, she hesitated.Her gaze softened as she opened the box, revealing the wedding ring with a delicate chain attached. Memories flooded back of Adrian placing it on her neck, insisting she wear it at all times. She also recalled their last conversation, which left a heaviness in her heart."Is it necessary to wear the ring now?" she pondered, holding the box up to eye level and studying the sparkling princess-cut diamond.After a moment, she decided she didn't need to carry the identity of someone who didn't reciprocate. After all, she alre
Ashleigh adjusted the strap of her bag as she walked into her department, trying to keep her shoulders straight and her head high despite her nerves. Stiil, the buzz that erupted as she entered the class told her the news had already spread farther than she expected. The article Arthur sent this morning was now the latest buzz on campus.HOT: Ashleigh Hartman Spotted on Campus Yesterday with Security Detail! Click Here to Read the Full Article…The headline still echoed in her mind, she was unable to think of anything else after she finished reading it. Her heart pounded harder with every scroll as photos of her arrival, a blurry video of Tristan and Jake flanking her near the hostel. They speculated about her “wealthy sponsor”, giving theories about why she suddenly had so much security when she'd gone unnoticed in the first few weeks on campus. One paragraph even hinted that she was in “protective custody,” though it didn’t say what reason.Although the article didn’t mention Ad
Ashleigh stepped through the hostel doors in a haze. Her body was here, but her mind was still trapped in the car that had sped off minutes earlier. The way Adrian kissed her… it felt like he wanted to take a piece of her soul with him. She had to use practically all of her willpower to claw her way out of his arms and make it here. As much as she loved the thrill of his touch, she hoped this wouldn’t become his new way of negotiating with her because she wasn’t sure how far he’d want her to go next time.“Miss!” the hostel manager called out, snapping her back to reality. She looked to see Miss Maisie and Mrs. Johnson eyeing her with a curt smile, their eyes showing mild concern.“I-I’m sorry, what did you say?” she asked.Miss Maisie waved her hand gently. “We were just asking if you feel better Miss Hartman, we were informed of your departure due to illness” “I’m better now, thank you.”“Good.” Mrs. Johnson said, taking a seat behind the computer. “ We’ll begin the check-in proc
As the sleek black sedan rolled to a slow stop in front of the administrative building, Ashleigh shifted uneasily in her seat. Her fingers clutched her bag a little tighter as she caught sight of students bustling past. She wasn’t sure which made her more uncomfortable: the imposing car she’d arrived in or the man beside her who had refused to leave her side since the other night.Adrian sat calm and collected, his expression unreadable as he reviewed documents with Mr. Turner seated in front. The two men discussed what seemed to be logistics campus security for her as if it were just another business transaction.Ashleigh gave him a sidelong glance, her jaw tightening. Although she had some reservations, everything about this moment still felt surreal to her. She wasn’t just coming to college like she stormed out the mansion two months ago, she was returning with Adrian by her side, and under his protection…. no matter how overwhelming it was at the moment. She turned her face towa
“You said what? The stalker has been sending you messages?”Ashleigh’s froze as Adrian nodded with a grim expression. He turned the laptop to her, showing a glowing map of with scattered with glowing red dots across various regions.“ While I was in Italy, I had my private investigation team has been trace the message activity from your phone.” he explained, his voice low. “They have also monitored my messages as well. The patterns are much clearer now.”A chill ran down Ashleigh’s spine as her eyes scanned the map. Her college dorm,the library, the restaurant where she met Arthur, even the mansion were all marked.He clicked another window, and a black screen appeared with several lines of encrypted codes came up. “The last message was traced to Italy, and it has been confirmed this evening that the stalker is connected to an old Italian mafia organization.”Ashleigh’s brows furrowed, her pulse quickening. “Mafia?” she repeated, almost dumbfounded.Adrian’s next words were slower, h
The confidence Ashleigh had when she ordered Mr. Atkinson to get the driver fizzled as the Tixton building loomed ahead. Her palms were clammy, and her heart pounded unreasonably fast.What exactly was she doing? What was she going to say? She had no plan.....only a widening pit in her stomach and a need to see Adrian that wouldn’t stop growing no matter how she tried to crush it.One more mistake and she’d look desperate.She grimaced in the back seat, chewing her bottom lip before pulling out her phone in a panic.Ashleigh: HELP, I’m panicking!! He wasn’t home, so I’m going to his office. I think I’ve lost my mind.She stared at the screen like her life depended on it, tapping her fingers against her thigh until Arthur's three dots appeared.Arthur: OMG girl😯! Didn’t know you had it in you to make a move so fast.... proud of you😉Ashleigh: Not a move. A disaster in motion. What do I even say to him? I’m shaking😭😭Arthur: First off, breathe. Second... isn’t it still the weekend?
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