Chef Larry is not just an ordinary chef ! What do you feel Mr. Atkinson should do about this situation?
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 entered the grand conference hall, a centerpiece of the college known for its imposing architecture. The high ceilings and expansive space left her in awe. Sunlight streamed through the large glass windows, bathing the room in a warm glow. The hardwood floor, polished to a high gloss, reflected the light, and the echoes of footsteps filled the space as students settled into their cushioned seats.Ashleigh took her place among the other students, facing the stage where a podium bearing the college’s logo stood prominently. Behind the podium, a row of chairs was occupied by department and school officers, and a massive screen displayed the college’s name in elegant cursive. Contrary to her expectations, only a small number of students had gathered for the program. A tall, middle-aged woman in a suit approached the podium and began the orientation."Good day, new students! Welcome to the orientation program designed for you to meet your faculty members and advisors, who you’ll b
My contract love storyChapter 50Edit1,712 / 5,000Chapter 50The chill that Cassidy’s words sent through Ashleigh’s heart became more than a mere shiver—it turned into a bone-deep truth she would come to understand fully. The days following the orientation were a whirlwind for Ashleigh. Between her newly commenced classes and a mountain of coursework that loomed over her with the mid-semester exams just two weeks away, she also had to contend with the icy, indifferent attitudes of her classmates. The biochemistry department she had joined was the largest in the department's history, with fifty students, her inclusion being the final count. The senior classes, by contrast, had fewer than twenty students each. Despite their small numbers, the collective presence of these students was overwhelming, their attitudes creating a palpable sense of exclusion.From the moment she arrived, it was clear that Ashleigh was not welcome. Her classmates made it apparent through their actions and di
As the timer began, the work commenced. While some students struggled with the problem, others worked quietly. For Ashleigh’s group, it was a mix of confusion and cooperation, with some members unsure of the next steps but receiving help from those more knowledgeable. Ashleigh chose to work silently, preferring to compare answers later rather than risk making a mistake and incurring the wrath of her group.An hour into the session, Professor Patel and the lab assistants moved around, checking progress and offering guidance. After an intense period of beakers clinking and pipettes working, a group finished and confidently submitted their results. Diane submitted their work to Professor Patel, and the class watched enviously as she returned to her seat. Alana, seated in the middle, wore a small smirk of satisfaction.As the other groups completed their submissions, Ashleigh’s group finished second to last. When Professor Patel began reviewing the submissions, the tension was palpable.“
Ashleigh smiled and replied, “Thank you.” Alana then grabbed Cameron’s hand, signaled to the others at the back, and turned to leave. Samantha and Diane didn’t miss the chance to shoot her fierce looks as they departed, and soon after, the rest followed suit. The guy from earlier, along with other students from Ashleigh’s row, gathered around her once the classroom had emptied. She looked at them in confusion. “Ashleigh, why did you do that?” the boys questioned, their frustration evident. “Their work was incorrect, and I merely pointed it out to the professor,” she explained, which only seemed to heighten his frustration. “I know that! But why did you handle it like that? You could have simply met with the professor privately and explained your observations. Instead, you did it publicly. You’ve attracted Alana’s attention, and this is the first time someone has scored higher than her. Now, she’s in last place. Don’t you see the issue?” he countered, and Ashleigh narrowed her
Adrian’s office was heavy with silence, the kind that pressed down on the air like a suffocating weight. Mr. Turner sat quietly in the corner, doing his best to make himself invisible. He’d worked with Adrian Cagliari for years and had witnessed many of his moods: sharp anger, cold detachment, and moments of ruthless efficiency. But today, there was something different—something he couldn’t quite define.Adrian sat behind his massive oak desk, his fingers steepled, his gaze fixed somewhere beyond the window. He hadn’t said much since they returned from the hospital. His posture was as composed as ever, but the set of his jaw and the faint crease in his brow hinted at something far more volatile simmering beneath the surface.Turner shifted in his chair, his instinct to speak overridden by experience. He had long since learned that silence was often the safest response when Adrian’s mood darkened. Especially now, when the man who normally seemed invincible looked... troubled.The quiet
Adrian gazed at Ashleigh's fragile form, curled up in the backseat of the sleek black BMW. Her breathing was shallow, her brows occasionally furrowing as she shifted in her sleep, her pale hospital gown clinging to her delicate frame. His eyes lingered over her face, tracing every familiar feature—the soft curve of her lips, the faint shadow beneath her eyes, her slender hand supporting her head. It had been so long since he’d last seen her, and he couldn’t tear his gaze away.The steady rhythm of raindrops against the window and the gentle hum of the car’s engine were the only sounds in the silence. Up front, Mr. Turner and the driver remained still, sensing the tension radiating from Adrian. The mood was heavy, laced with unspoken anger that simmered just beneath his composed exterior.The drive back to the mansion had been filled with Adrian’s restrained fury. The sight of Ashleigh in that hospital bed, weakened and vulnerable, had ignited something he hadn’t felt in a long time—a
The room was unnervingly still, the kind of silence that presses down on you, suffocating. Ashleigh lay stiffly in the hospital bed, her body motionless but her mind racing. The IV drip attached to her arm was slowly delivering something meant to make her sleep, but sleep had become a foreign concept. Her thoughts kept pulling her back to the past twenty-four hours, playing on repeat like a nightmare she couldn’t escape.Through the thin walls, she could hear Arthur talking in the hallway, his voice sharp, clearly dismissing whoever had come to visit her. He was keeping them away, and she was grateful for it. The whole school had seen the video—everyone was talking about it. But nobody was saying anything good.Ashleigh felt dirty. Filthy. Her skin crawled as if it had absorbed the shame of the entire incident. Damien’s cold indifference hadn’t helped. The memory of him walking out as soon as she woke up, ignoring her calls, was a fresh wound. She understood why he didn’t want to see
After the photo session, Adrian glanced quietly at Mr. Turner, who lingered at the edge of the crowd. Mr. Turner immediately made his way over to Mr. LaRosa, likely preparing for their meeting. Adrian was about to leave as well but was stopped by Caelia. “Adrian, let’s go inside. The event is about to start,” Caelia said sweetly, gripping his arm. “I’d love for you to meet some friends after the wine launch.” Adrian saw through her playful tone but didn’t want to spoil her evening. With a resigned sigh, he gently pulled away from her grasp and nodded. They entered the venue together, and heads turned. Adrian ignored the stares, heading to the space reserved for him, while Caelia took center stage. The event proceeded smoothly, with Caelia confidently addressing the crowd. She spoke about the prospects of her new wine brand, impressing both her younger and older guests. Her every move exuded grace, and she played the role of the charming host flawlessly—yet her eyes constantly flicke
He sat in the backseat, staring at his reflection in the tinted windows. His face was calm, a mask perfected over years of maintaining control, yet beneath the surface, his thoughts churned like a stormy sea. It had been hours since he’d heard from Tristan or Jake about Ashleigh’s whereabouts. They had fallen silent. And in Adrian’s world, silence was never a good sign.A flicker of irritation crossed his expression as he checked his phone once again. Still no messages. His fingers hovered over the screen, tempted to call them, but he stopped himself. However, that nagging voice in the back of his mind—the one that had been whispering to him ever since La Mano Nera started sniffing around—was louder tonight. Too loud to ignore completely."Boss?" Mr. Turner’s voice broke through his thoughts. He was sitting beside the driver, turning slightly to face Adrian. "They’re expecting you on the red carpet. There’s a lot of press."Adrian tore his gaze from the wi
Adrian sat at his desk, bathed in the muted glow of the suite’s floor-to-ceiling windows. The night stretched beyond the glass, thick with inky darkness. He absently rubbed the corners of his eyes, eyes that hadn’t seen sleep in over 24 hours. The presidential suite, once a haven of luxury, had turned into a command center. Papers were strewn about, laptops hummed, and the room had the quiet buzz of efficient chaos. The city outside was lively with nightlife, yet Adrian remained locked in, poring over reports.The voice from the call earlier still rang in his head:"Boss, a few members of La Mano Nera have been tracking Ashleigh’s whereabouts. They've traveled to America for further investigation. We believe they've found either her home or her college."That message had shifted everything. His mind replayed the voice with eerie clarity. No matter how many bodyguards he assigned to Ashleigh, no matter how many layers of security he placed, the thought of danger lurking near her kept g
Meanwhile, Ashleigh’s unconscious form lay on the cold, muddy ground behind the building. The hooded man standing over her grinned in satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with malice.“You two, drag her over there,” he ordered, gesturing toward a dark corner where trash was piled high. The stench of decay filled the air, making the men gag, but they followed orders, dropping Ashleigh into the filth.The hooded man stepped closer, pulling a small perfume bottle from his pocket and dabbing it on his mask to mask the horrid smell. As he knelt beside Ashleigh, his eyes traced her figure. Despite being covered in mud, she looked stunning, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths.“Such a shame,” he muttered, his voice filled with contempt. “She’ll pay the price for what her friend did.”He signaled to the others to start recording, their phones aimed at the unconscious girl. He ran a hand down Ashleigh’s face, his touch lingering as she whimpered i
The night was electric with energy. The music blared from the speakers, reverberating through the walls, while the lights flashed in hypnotic patterns, casting the room in vibrant hues. Oliver, Arthur, and Damien were in their element, dancing, laughing, and drinking to their heart's content. For Oliver, this was his natural habitat—he thrived on the chaos and excitement of parties. Arthur and Damien, on the other hand, had been laying low ever since the incident at the club, so tonight felt like a long-overdue release.After what felt like hours on the dance floor, the trio finally retreated to their table, sweating and out of breath. They flopped into their chairs, still buzzing with adrenaline. The others from their group remained on the dance floor, too wrapped up in the rhythm to notice their absence. Damien leaned back, taking in the sight of the room, while Oliver wrapped an arm around Sue, who had curled up on his lap, lips locked in a passionate kiss.Arthur was deep in conve
The party was already in full swing when they arrived. Music thumped through the air, neon lights pulsed to the beat, and the hall was packed with students dancing, laughing, and drinking. Ashleigh stood at the entrance, momentarily overwhelmed by the chaos. She glanced at the others—they seemed unbothered, immediately diving into the festivities. “Alright, guys, let me introduce you to my friends,” Oliver announced, leading them deeper into the crowd. He grabbed Ashleigh’s hand, pulling her toward a table near the bar where a group of students sat. Upon seeing Oliver, the group erupted in greetings, their faces lighting up. Ashleigh was welcomed with curious glances as they invited them to sit. "Arthurrrr, it’s been too long!" one of the girls slurred, clearly tipsy. She reached across the table to grab his hand, her voice wobbling. Arthur laughed, apologizing with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Sorry! It’s been a crazy few weeks, but I’m here now to turn up!" Before he could say more,