"You bet, baby girl. So how..."
The door swung open and a sharply dressed man sauntered in. Clearly, he held some disdain toward me.
"Well, well, if it isn't the living Miss," he commented with a sneer.
"'Miss'?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, that's the title you demanded. I address you as 'Miss'," he replied coolly.
Did marrying Alexander turn Ashlyn into a complete airhead? I thought to myself.
"That title is null and void from today," I declared firmly.
"I'm sorry?" He seemed taken aback.
"Starting today, you address me as ma'am or mistress. I'm a married woman now."
Charles stared at me, mouth agape. I couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Why the shocked face, Charles? I've come to my senses. A brush with death tends to do that. Now, can we go home, please?"
"Of course... Mistress or ma'am?"
"That will do," I smiled, turning to Izzy, who was struggling to suppress her laughter. "Thank you, doc. I'll call you later."
"Take care of yourself, darling," she said, hugging me tightly.
And with that, I nodded confidently, certain that I would indeed take care of myself.
***
As I settled in the backseat, I could feel Charles's eyes fixed on me in the rearview mirror.
"You know something, Charles?" I broke the silence.
"What is it, Mistress?" he inquired cautiously.
"I'd prefer if you asked me the question instead of staring as if you've seen a ghost. I'll answer you, but I hope you can focus on driving us safely."
"I apologize for staring so blatantly, Mistress."
"Oh, so now you'll stare furtively?" I teased.
"Haha, no Mistress. I apologize."
"What's on your mind, Charles?" I pressed.
He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Are you sure you're alright, ma'am? You didn't hit your head or anything?"
"Pfft. I'm perfectly fine, Charles. No injuries."
"Well, you seem... different," he remarked.
"Perhaps a brush with death has given me a newfound perspective on my past behavior," I mused.
"Hmm," he replied, a hint of relief creeping into his gaze as a bit of the distrust seemed to melt away.
***
"Mistress?"
My eyes snapped open at Charles's voice. Had we arrived?
"We're here," he announced, stepping out of the car to open the door for me. I gazed at the magnificent mansion before me, a mixture of ancient and contemporary design. It was an opulent sight to behold, and I was grateful for Ashlyn's memories and descriptions, which would surely help me navigate my way around this grand residence. This place was so vast, I could easily get lost.
"Shall I escort you to your room, Mistress?" Charles offered.
"No need. I can find my own way. Get some rest, Charles," I replied, stepping into the luxurious house.
As I entered the grand parlor, my mesmerized gasp echoed through the room. If the exterior was breathtaking, the interior was heaven itself. The space was adorned with large windows and elegant chandeliers, while a soothing sky blue color scheme added a cozy touch. Ashlyn had impeccable taste, which seemed to resonate with my own preferences.
Making my way to the bedroom, I plopped down on the bed, eager to escape the uncomfortable dress I was wearing. It was time for something more comfortable.
I opened the first closet, only to be greeted by a gaudy array of flashy clothes. It was a bit overwhelming. Thankfully, I knew Ashlyn had prepared a separate closet for whenever I resurfaced. I certainly wouldn't subject myself to wearing these extravagant garments. They were just too much.
Closing the door of the first closet, I moved to the second. A smile formed on my lips as I saw the collection of loose, black, and comfy clothes. This was more like it. I quickly changed into a tank top and shorts, relishing the freedom of being in a space devoid of Ashlyn's husband. I had the whole house to myself now.
I descended the stairs and made my way to the kitchen, contemplating a movie night with popcorn. But first, I needed to find the popcorn seeds.
"Miss?"
Looking up, I saw a young maid staring at me in astonishment.
"Miss, what are you doing in the kitchen? Is there something you'd like to eat?" she asked, clearly flustered.
"Tina, right?" I inquired, studying her face.
"Yes, Miss."
"Mistress," I corrected with a smirk.
"Miss?"
"Please address me formally."
"Of course, Mistress. How can I assist you here?"
"Oh, don't worry. It's nothing. I just need to find the popcorn seeds," I replied casually.
"One moment, Mistress."
Tina hurried out of the kitchen, returning shortly with the desired seeds. Her behavior struck me as odd, but perhaps my suspicions were unfounded.
"Here they are. Should I prepare the popcorn for you?" she offered.
"Absolutely not, Tina. I can handle it myself. You're excused, unless you'd like to stay and enjoy the movie with me," I suggested.
"I'd love to stay, Mistress."
"Very well, then."
I prepared the popcorn, reveling in the simplicity and nostalgia of the task. Once finished, I retrieved a tin of milk, some honey, and sugar.
"Erm..." Tina hesitated.
"What is it, Tina?" I inquired.
"Oh, nothing, Miss. I thought you didn't like sweet things," she pointed out.
"Hehe, I must have been in a foul mood earlier. Sugar is life, Tina," I proclaimed, drizzling honey and milk over the popcorn before adding a sprinkle of sugar.
I made three bowls, offering one to Tina.
"Take one for yourself and give one to Charles," I instructed.
"For us, Mistress?" she questioned in surprise.
"Duh! Do you expect me to make a snack while you watch and not share it with you?" I retorted with a grin.
"Thank you so much!" Tina exclaimed, her excitement evident.
Food seemed to be her weakness, I observed.
"Taste it and tell me your thoughts on my popcorn special," I urged.
She eagerly took a bite and her eyes immediately lit up.
"It's delicious! I'm sure Mr. Charles will love it!" she exclaimed.
"Oh, really? He has a sweet tooth?" I inquired.
"Yes, Mistress."
"Well, you both can have one each. I'll make more another time," I offered.
"Thank you so much!" she gushed, taking the bowls and scurrying out of the kitchen.
Silly girl, I thought, realizing I had been suspicious for no reason. Now, it was time for a movie.
***
"Boss, something's not right."
"What's the matter?" came the concerned reply.
"She woke up, and her behavior... it's strange. I suggest you get here as soon as possible and see for yourself."
"Any leads on who poisoned her?"
"None so far."
"I'm on my way."
I stood in my office, gazing out the window. What was this idiot trying to achieve now?
***
I sensed a tingling in my ears. Someone was talking about me. However, I brushed the thought aside and settled on the plush rug, facing the large television screen. Ah, blissful movie time.
Engrossed in the romantic plot unfolding before me, I failed to realize that someone had entered the room. My view of the screen was obstructed by a pair of feet. Irritated, I glanced up, ready to give Charles a piece of my mind.
"Charles, you could have at least called my name! I'm well aware that the popcorn was delicious. No need for a verbal thank you. Now, move!" I grumbled.
To my surprise, Charles remained stationary. Confusion turned to annoyance as I realized it wasn't Charles at all. It was Alexander Don, the man Ashlyn was forced to marry.
So, this was the man who tormented Ashlyn's life? Despite his undeniable good looks, I felt a surge of anger toward him. Who did he think he was? A bastard like him had no right to treat Ashlyn so poorly. I glared at him, my eyes colder than ice.
"Are you going to move out of my way, or are you going to continue squatting there like a rock?”
“Hmm. I heard you came back hale and hearty with an attitude. I wanted to check in and see for myself.”
“As you can see, I am doing just fine now. Would you please move?!”
He stayed still. Just like a rock,deaf and impervious to what I said.
“Dude, are you hard of hearing or something? Look, this is a really great part of the movie and I can't watch it because you're obstructing my view!”
“I thought you'd rather sneakily look at me and vye for my attention. You always put up theatrics for that.”
Ok..I felt insulted. Damn Ashlyn for dragging down our reputation. He was so dead! Just who did the bastard think he is?
“Listen to me, Axel Don. You can either move or I will move you myself! What or who in the goddamn world gave you the audacity to interrupt my movie time? Scram!”
He looked shocked but then his expression changed to one of amusement. The moron thought I was joking huh?
I grabbed his leg and pulled it forward. He slipped and landed hard in his butt.
“Serves you right you bastard. Sigh… my precious movie time is ruined. I'll ask Charles to order a damn television and keep it in my room. I can't let your face ruin my good mood.”
And with that, I walked out on him. Leaving him sprawled all over the rug.
"Damn that bastard!" I muttered, frustration coursing through my veins. What was his problem? He was being annoying and causing me unnecessary stress. I plopped down on the bed, desperately needing a moment to gather my thoughts.Ashlyn lived the life of a typical billionaire's wife, but she was too naive and easily manipulated. And to make matters worse, she had a boy toy? Well, I was breaking up with that pathetic excuse for a man immediately.I picked up Ashlyn's phone, scrolling through her contacts. Ah, there it was. She had saved his number as "Zaddy." How pathetic. I dialed the number, anticipating an intense confrontation.The call connected, and I heard a voice on the other end say, "Hello slut."My blood boiled. How dare he speak to her like that? "What the fuck did you just call her?" I snapped, barely controlling my anger."Why are you wasting my time, slut? We aren't supposed to meet today," he replied.I had to restrain myself from unleashing a torrent of insults and thr
"What the hell am I supposed to say to her?" I muttered under my breath, noticing that every pair of eyes in the room had turned to us. This situation was rapidly spiraling into the realm of pure awkwardness.Desperate to break the tension, I impulsively reached out and enveloped her in an embrace, a smile plastered on my face. "Well, well, well, look who it is," I said, attempting to sound nonchalant.To my surprise, she quickly pulled away with a look of shock on her face. I couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction. "Are you alright, Lana?” “Hmm… Did the doctors say anything about the side effects of the poisoning? Should we go somewhere quieter to talk?" I shook my head and smiled at her. “Let's go somewhere else to talk. Her concerned expression quickly turned into a mischievous grin. "Haha, you're such a joker, Ashlyn. But sure, let's get out of here."I led her towards one of the nearby rooms in the mansion, away from prying eyes and eavesdroppers. It wasn't far from the par
Reina had no inkling of the call that had just taken place and how it would shape her plans for the future. Little did she know that her encounter with Lilith in the midst of a lively party would set off a chain of events that would leave everyone stunned.As Reina reclined in her chair, savoring the succulent dishes prepared by the remarkable chefs, she couldn't help but notice the lingering gazes directed her way. Celeste, in particular, shot her a piercing glance but decided to keep her distance. Her eyes then fell upon Daren, holding a bottle of champagne. A thirst suddenly overcame her, compelling her to join him. Sneaking up behind him, she intended to surprise him with her sudden appearance.However, her plan was swiftly thwarted by Lana. The protective older sister caught Reina in the act and questioned her intentions. "What on earth do you think you're doing, baby sis?" Lana inquired.Without missing a beat, Reina replied, "You caught me that quickly, Lana? I simply wanted t
Daren burst into the closet, bringing out a collection of dazzling rhinestone dresses. "Oh no! Daren, I wouldn't be caught dead in those!" I exclaimed, shaking my head. "Lana may look stunning, but I want something more elegant yet laid back. Let me find something myself."I rummaged through the closet and found a cream sequin mini dress. It had a cowl neck, long sleeves, and an exposed but tasteful back. The dress exuded elegance with a touch of sassiness. Long dresses were always so inconvenient, after all.As I tried on the dress, I realized that pairing it with boots would make the outfit appear too outdoorsy. Instead, I opted for a pair of cream-colored lace-up heels. Luckily, Lana and I shared the same shoe size, so I quickly slipped them on. With my ensemble complete, I confidently stepped out of the closet, catching Daren's wide-eyed stare."Now that's the reaction I was expecting," I grinned, sashaying towards him. I needed his assistance to tackle my unruly hair, though. I h
"He–he caned you?!"Tina's eyes widened in shock as Reina's face contorted with rage."Ma'am please, it was a long—"The bowl slipped from Reina's trembling hands, crashing upon the floor and shattering the tense silence. Tina's body froze in place, her heart pounding in her chest."Can I– can I see the marks?""Ma'am, it's really not–""Please Tina," Reina pleaded with a shaky voice."Alright ma'am."Tina hesitated for a moment before slowly lifting her shirt to reveal the horrifying burn mark on her back. The scar was jagged and disfigured, a testament to the cruelty she had endured.Reina's hands shook even more as she reached out, her fingertips hovering just above the scar. The fury within her intensified, threatening to boil over."What sort of sick bastard– finish cooking Tina. I have something to sort out and don't you dare get in my way.”With those words, Reina stormed out of the kitchen and made a beeline for Axel's study. The doors swung open with force as she marched in, h
Tina froze up, her eyes widened in surprise, and I couldn't help but let out a chuckle. It seemed that the old lady, whom I had always known as a bit of a grump, had actually decided to meet with me. I couldn't help but wonder what in the world she could want. She had never exactly been a fan of Ashlyn, and had never supported her either.I let out a sigh, rolling my eyes playfully. "From one nuisance to another, huh? Fine, I'll be there, but make sure to tell Axel that I will go alone. He shouldn't even think about picking me up or coming to Lana's place. Trust me, Lana would castrate him before I even got a chance. And I'd hate to miss such an amazing opportunity," I said, a mischievous glint in my eyes. "So, he better not show up. I'll go with Tina as my escort."The poor servant, Charles, tried to protest, but I interrupted him. "You tell him what I said. And it'll be a pity if Lana gets to him before I do. I promise you, Charles, I would be pained to miss such an amazing opportuni
Lana's gaze locked onto me, her expression frozen in a mix of fear and curiosity. After a few moments, she mustered the courage to speak, her voice shaking with unease."Why... why do you need to know?"My anger welled up inside me, realizing that Lana was still haunted by her past experiences. Even the mere mention of his name sent shivers down her spine. I clenched my fists, desperately seeking answers."I have to find out where he sent Kyle and Amber. I've tried contacting them, but it's like they've disappeared off the face of the earth.""What?! I spoke to them just this morning.""Ash told me something isn't right. I need to investigate him thoroughly, but I can't because that devilish woman is demanding to meet with me and her annoying child."Lana's eyes lit up with a mischievous spark."Is he coming here to pick you up? I'd love to give him a taste of his own medicine."I let out a sigh. Lana's reaction was predictable, and I was grateful that I had warned Axel about coming h
***“Where the fuck are you Ashlyn? I've been waiting for you outside mom's residence for thirty minutes!” “Go in without me Axel. I'm coming with Tina.”“So you were serious about that?” “Don't sound stupid now Axel of course I was and also with every other thing I said. Do not wait for me and if you do, your loss.”“Mother wouldn't want–” I hung up before Axel could protest and annoy me even more. “Tsk how pesky. I already told him that I wasn't going to be available for him to pick up and he wants to make his mum think we're some happy couple? Who the fuck is he kidding.”“We're here ma'am.”“Oh thanks Tina so I guess it's back to formal addressing till we get back home. Let's get this over with.”“Alright ma'am and best of luck with the Matriarch.”“Haha thanks Baby girl but I don't need luck in this case baby girl. It either goes my way or nothing else happens so! Put on your brave face.”Tina opened the door for me and I stepped out of the car and stood right in front of the
I could feel the rumble in Axel's chest, a deep and hearty chuckle that reverberated through his body. His laughter was infectious, and I couldn't help but be drawn into the amusing scene that was unfolding right in front of me."Are you okay, Ashlyn?" Axel's concerned voice broke through his laughter, and I couldn't help but be amazed at his acting skills. If only he had pursued a career in entertainment, he would have been a star."What in the world are you doing, Axel? Put that woman down right now," Lilith demanded, her frustration evident in her voice."Shut the fuck up, Lilith. And what are you doing here anyway? Did I invite you over?" Axel retorted, his tone sharp and dismissive."N... no, but we had plans for today. We made the reservation over a month ago," She stammered, feeling a sense of disappointment welling up inside her and displaying itself all over her face."I remember canceling that. Didn't the restaurant inform you? I even asked Liam to let you know that I wouldn
"I pay him more than enough for all the stress he goes through," Axel stated with a sigh and a feeling of sympathy rose in my chest.Axel's secretary , Liam, looked worn down and exhausted as he tirelessly worked to handle the burdens of his job. "Still, poor Liam," I thought to myself, feeling a pang of guilt.Unable to withstand the tension any longer, Axel decided to confront the situation head-on. "Are we going to keep dancing around the main question here, or are you finally going to give me the answer?" he asked, his voice filled with impatience.I smirked mischievously, apparently finding his frustration amusing. "Dancing seems fun. How about we waltz?" I jokingly replied.He scowled at my attempt to lighten the mood. "Not funny, Ashlyn . What. The. Fuck. Happened?" He demanded, my voice laced with anger.I held up my hand, gesturing for him to calm down. "No need to emphasize every word, Axel. I'll tell you, alright? But first, could you get me my phone? I should be getting a c
"Pfft. You silly little thing," I scoffed, unable to hide my amusement. "I could never hate you, man. You're my brother and favorite person right after Reina."The room was heavy with tension as everyone turned to look at me. "Ok, ok, ok! No one is going all soft and emotional here," I proclaimed, trying to diffuse the seriousness. "I can't stand those. Lana? Do you have something to say to these two?"Lana hesitated for a moment before she mustered up the courage to speak. "I--I'm so sorry for jumping to conclusions without asking you what was going on first, Amber," she admitted, her voice filled with remorse. "On the other hand, I'm not sorry for hitting you, Kyle. You should have controlled yourself more.""Lana!" Reina interjected, her face filled with anger. "You broke his teeth and gave him two black eyes. He deserves that apology.""Fine!" Lana responded, her irritation evident in her voice. "Sheesh, Reina. I don't know why you're standing with him in this case, but I guess I'l
Reina's icy demeanor held the room captive, transfixed by her growing aura of intensity. Everyone couldn't help but be drawn to her. "Bi–big sis?" "Rei? I understand you're angry, but please, gather yourself... Your presence is frightening everyone here." "Kyle, get away from Amber this instant, and Amber, come sit next to me." Amber hesitated, hardly recognizing the person before her as her sister. "Amber!" "O-okay." "Good. Now, Kyle, can you explain exactly what happened?" Kyle nervously glanced at the women in the room until he was interrupted by a stranger's voice. "Kyle beat Amber mercilessly and raped her. All under the orders of Maximus Don." Shocked, everyone turned to face the stranger, her words hanging in the air. "And who might you be to accuse my brother of such a horrendous act?" "Oh, excuse me, my name is Donna, ma'am." "Ah, so you're Kyle's ex, I presume?" "Yes, and I sincerely apologize for everything you all went through. It was entirely my fault." "Is
“What expression?” I inquired, curiosity piqued.Axel promptly rose from his seat at the table, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.“I'll tell you someday, my love. But right now, I'm afraid I must rush off to a meeting or risk being embarrassingly late.”I scoffed, knowing well that Axel despised tardiness. “Oh please, you could never be late. It's simply not in your nature.”A smirk danced across his face. “Ah, but you see, my darling, I intentionally delayed to spend a few precious moments with you.”My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Pardon me? What was that? Have you gone all Shakespeare on me? He leaned closer, planting a tender kiss upon my hair before exiting the dining room. I remained seated, stunned by his words, struggling to process the unexpected encounter. It was then that I noticed Tina and Amber exchanging gleeful looks. What on earth were they so delighted about?"Reina, I believe you require a mirror," Tina teased, snapping me out of my embarrassed stupor. The
"Well, that was... Something," Amber said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice."Spill it, Amber," I demanded, rolling my eyes. "Okay, was it just me or did one of the most feared girls in the Organization just declare peace with her so-called 'biggest enemy'?" Amber questioned."First things first, Axel is anything but my biggest enemy. He's more like a minor annoyance that I unfortunately have to deal with, and trust me, I really need that bastard," I explained."Mhm," Amber replied, clearly amused by my choice of words.I noticed her phone buzzing incessantly and pointed it out to her. "Your phone has been going off since we left the dining room. Aren't you going to answer that?""Oh yeah, it's Lana," Amber remembered. "Pick up, you silly thing," I encouraged her.Amber pressed the speakerphone button as she answered Lana's call. "Hey big sis. What's up?""Hey baby girl. I tried calling Rei but couldn't reach her, so I had to bother you.""No probs. She's here with me, so you can s
I couldn't believe my eyes as I observed this eccentric woman going out of her way to save some random stranger, all with the sole intention of getting under my skin. "Fine, I'll give her to you," I finally conceded, unable to resist her antics any longer.Her initial amusement quickly transformed into surprise upon hearing my unexpected response. "Really?! Wait... What do you want in return?" she questioned, suspicion evident in her eyes."Nothing," I assured her, hoping to alleviate her doubts.She shook her head, a look of disbelief on her face. "Axel... I refuse," she stated firmly."And why is that?" I inquired, genuinely curious about her reasoning."You want to have sex with me, don't you?" she bluntly asked, catching me off guard with her boldness.I hesitated for a moment, caught between the truth and the desire to maintain some sense of decorum. "While I must admit that I do enjoy being intimate with Lilith, engaging in a sexual encounter with you would undoubtedly be equal
I had heard sounds of the wild antics that occurred in the living room, so I didn't hesitate to bring Amber downstairs to witness it firsthand. As we descended the stairs, Amber's eyes widened in shock as she stared at the unexpected sight of Lilith and Axel engaging in really passionate sex on the chair. Grinning mischievously, I urged Amber to capture the scandalous scene on video."Amber, get a close up! We can't miss this shot," I exclaimed eagerly."Wow, living with you just keeps getting better and better," Amber replied, clearly amused. She continued recording the shocking display as I moved closer to Lilith and Axel. Lilith finally noticed my presence and hurriedly pushed Axel away, embarrassment painted across her face."It seems that not much has changed since I left. How amusing," I commented dryly.Axel fell over in shock upon realizing my return, stammering out a greeting. Why did he always lose his composure whenever I entered a room? I couldn't help but suppress a laugh
I couldn't help but burst into uncontrollable laughter as I stared at Kyle. "Pfft. Hahaha, money?! Damn, she's even better than Axel now.""It's not funny, big sis," Kyle said, clearly unamused.I tried to nod and keep my laughter in check, but it was quite the task. "I don't know why she would do this for money, big sis. They aren't rich, rich, but at least they lived comfortably. Besides, she could have asked me for anything, and I would have given it to her without hesitation."Sigh... Did Kyle ever stop and consider that Maximus must have had some dirt on her? She must have lied about something from the beginning. "Kyle... Don't you think that Maximus had something on Miranda?""What? Of course not! I checked her and everything. She's completely clean," Kyle insisted."No, she's not," Amber suddenly spoke up.All of us turned to her, curious about what she meant. "What do you mean, Amber?" Kyle asked, his voice laced with tenacity."Exactly what I meant. She isn't clean, Kyle. She