My last day at Hardin's group started like every other day. People chatting away while getting coffee hoping to start their day with vigor. I felt almost tearful. I had grown to love the place.Last night when I got back from our trip, I messaged Henry to let him know when I would resume work. He promised to pay double of what I received from Asher. It wouldn't hurt to earn more, would it?He sent some regulations and rules that his secretary is expected to follow. I was to follow him on trips and record what goes on in the company. It wasn't so hard I guess. Hopefully he would leave Asher alone.Early that morning, Mr Lee Yang was summoned by Asher.When he came out, his face was void of emotions. He walked towards my desk.‘why are you leaving?’ He asked. Guess my boss didn't tell him the reason.‘he offered to pay better.’ I grinned.‘not that, why did you offer to work with the enemy and save the ass of this company?’ He asked again.I swallowed. Too many people will be affected
The weekend past quickly and soon it was Monday. I groaned as I forced myself out of bed. I did my morning business and got ready for work. I was dressed in a black pencil skirt and a sky blue sleeve. Checking the mirror and seeing that I was fit to go, I left the house.I stood where the cab had dropped me staring at the magnificent building where I would now call my work place. It was big. It was different from Asher's company but it was still as almost as big as our company. Oh my former company. I signed. It was going to take a while to adapt to this new environment.I walked in to the receptionist. She was chewing a gum while checking her painted face in the mirror.‘good morning.’ I greeted she didn't reply. She was obviously paying more attention to an eyelash that have gotten out of line. I stood awkwardly there waiting for her to reply me. I didn't know which floor Henry's office was located and she wasn't ready to help.When she was done with her lashes, she turned to me
I waited almost eagerly for the closing time. Something I have never done. Sitting down there all day and doing nothing was not my forte.I watched as everyone around me hurried about going on with their work. Perhaps was it Henry's plan to keep me here bored and practically useless?I signed.Reaching for my bag I searched for my phone to watch some movies. When a message from Jasmine popped up.Hey babes. I replied immediately.Hi Jas.She was typing. She must be in the kitchen or the restroom probably hiding from manager Lee.How's it over there?Boring without you I guess.Aww, you love me so much, don't You?Unfortunately. I laughed.Wanna hang out after work? I would love to but I can't. Work happened.Alright.I typed againKitchen or restroom? Where are you hiding? You know me too well. Restroom. Gotta go now. Being gone for long wouldn't want Manager Lee to bite my head off.Byeee!I missed my former workplace. Asher hadn't said anything to me since we last saw, when he h
The next day, I left for work very early, since I was expected to come an hour earlier than my boss. This was ridiculous. I get the fact that as employees that we need to arrive early butan hour earlier is ridiculous and what's more ridiculous is the fact that if one arrives a minute later it would be considered late.Despite my efforts to make it to the office an hour earlier than Henry who arrives exactly at 7 am, I arrived at the office thirteen minutes past six. The traffic was horrible. The receptionist was more friendly than the last one. I met her yesterday when I was going home. She had smiled at me saying she hopes we get along. Hopefully she still won't be strict with the arrival time thing.‘Good morning Lorie.’ She was smiling brightly at me. It wasn't fake.I returned the smile.‘Good morning Mia.’ I said waving at her.‘You came exactly thirteen minutes late. I will assume it’s because you are new.’ She said, glancing briefly at her watch and gave me a booklet. ‘write
Asher's pov.‘If you are not going to do a better job, hand in your resignation letter. I don’t want a lazy person working for me.’ I shouted at the trembling man in my office.Ever since Lorie left, the man was acting as my secretary and so far he was doing a very horrible job. He messed up my emails, the calculations were wrong and he even mixed up the numbers.‘I'm.. I'm so sorry sir. I will do my best.’ He replied. Could he quit stammering? It was getting on my nerves.‘that was what you promised on the first day, yet you keep on doing floppy shit. This is obviously your best.’ I could barely hold in my anger as I flung the reports at him. It was filled with misspelled words and the report was not even accurate.A knock came and Director Smith entered.‘Sir, please calm down, you wouldn't want the company to know that their boss has anger management issues.’ He said picking the report papers scattered on the floor and waving the scared secretary away. They already say things ab
Lorie’s pov ‘I have said it and that's final.’ He said throwing his shoe at me. Luckily my reflex was good. I bent down dodging the shoe aimed at my head. I wasn’t ready to show up at work with a bruise or masked with makeup to cover the dark spots caused by his hits.‘Garrett I can't really. We are having a gala hosted by the company that day and as the secretary I ought to be there.’ I said trying to make him see reasons with me but being Garrett he was adamant.He wanted me to go to his family house the same day we were hosting a gala, to help his mother with house chores. The thing is, they have a house help yet they wanted me to come over to assist as their son's girlfriend claiming it was a traditional thing. If it weren't for the gala I might have considered going.‘Who the hell is giving you the audacity to talk back at me?’ He growled as his hands reached out for my throat but I was quicker. Days like this with Garrett have made my reflex response better.‘I'm just saying th
Henry stared at me blankly. ‘Drop it there. I will send it when I'm done.’ He turned to continue his conversation with William. But I couldn't let this chance slip out of my hand especially when there's every possibility that Henry could have falsified the evidence he had against Asher.I glanced quickly at the flash underneath Henry's desk.‘You can just call for me instead sir.’ I gave him another smile hoping it wasn't as weird as the first. He nodded and kept on talking to Williams in hushed tones but Williams' sharp eyes were fixed on me. He gazed at me suspiciously.Had he noticed?What if he knows I now recognise him?Pretending not to notice, I walked past them and rushed into my office making sure to lock the door. I placed my hand on my chest to calm my racing heart.Calm down Lorie.Yes, Let's calm down and be rational.First try to think of what to do.Should I call Asher?No! not without evidence.Or should I confront Henry?That would be like walking into a war zone un
Henry stared at me blankly. drop it there. I will send it when I'm done.’ He turned to continue his conversation with William. But I couldn't let this chance slip out of my hand especially when there's every possibility that Henry could have falsified the evidence he had against Asher.I glanced quickly at the flash underneath Henry's desk.‘You can just call for me instead sir.’ I gave him another smile hoping it wasn't as weird as the first. He nodded and kept on talking to Williams in hushed tones but Williams' sharp eyes were fixed on me. He gazed at me suspiciously.Had he noticed?What if he knows I now recognize him?Pretending not to notice, I walked past them and rushed into my office making sure to lock the door. I placed my hand on my chest to calm my racing heart.Calm down Lorie.Yes, Let's calm down and be rational.First try to think of what to do.Should I call Asher?No! not without evidence.Or should I confront Henry?That would be like walking into a war zone unp
TEN YEARS LATER.‘Dad, Jasper won’t let me kick the ball.’ Eliza my three-year-old girl said with her face stained in tears.‘Jasper, don’t be mean to your sister.’ Asher called out to the boys who were busy kicking the ball trying to score a goal against each other. We were seated on the lawn enjoying the evening view and the sunset.‘Eliza can’t even kick the ball, she’s always on the way.’ Jasper complained frowning his face.‘then teach her how to.’ Asher said sternly.‘come, Lizzy, I will teach you.’ James the older twin said holding out his hand for Eliza.James was the kinder twin, he was nice to a fault. Not just to his sister but to everyone. He took that trait from me while Jasper was more like his father. He may be mean at times but he loved his sister to death. One time when Eliza was ill, Jasper cried while holding the doctor’s coat to save his sister. He is the type likely to fight and bully people who mess with his sister. He’s the only one allowed to mess with her.Eli
Lorie's pov.Two weeks later.‘the stakeholders have concluded that the expansion of the enterprise to Japan should continue.’ One of the directors said.‘that was what I expected to hear.’ Asher said with his pen in his mouth. We were having a board meeting with the heads of departments, managers, and directors of the group.Last week, Asher had proposed that one of our departmental stores should open a branch in Japan. The board of directors asked for some time to think about it. They argued that the store might have a hard time prospering because of the difference in language. Asher insisted that wasn’t a problem since they could employ Japanese citizens who understand the English language to be in charge of the sales.‘the expansion of the stores to Japan will commence with immediate effect.’ He turned to the director of stores.‘Can you speak Japanese?’‘no sir but I will try my best to learn.’ Director Charles said.‘don’t bother, that will take too much time since you are old,
Lorie's pov.‘You’re ready?’ Asher called from downstairs.‘almost.’ I shouted back shoving my hair into a bun and reaching for a slipper to wear. We were on our way to the supermarket to get some groceries for ourselves and Asher had insisted on getting some provisions for Mom and Elle also, so we were on our way to get the items. I hurried downstairs with my purse under my arm. I sighted Asher sitting on the sofa dressed in a white V-neck polo and denim Jeans. His hair gleamed as the sunlight from the window reflected on it. He raised his head from his phone in my direction.‘mine.’ His eyes were filled with admiration as he stared at me. Butterflies as always found their way to my stomach when He stared at me in that manner and called me his. I walked to him and wrapped my arms around his waist in my embrace, snuggling into him.‘I love you, Asher.’ I murmured in his ear sincerely.‘I love you too Lorie.’ He smiled and kissed my lips.Leo suddenly leaped from the chair to Asher's a
Lorie's pov.We walked along the beach with large goofy smiles on our faces but mostly mine.‘how did you do that?’ I asked linking my arm with Asher's.‘do what?’ He asked in return.‘The sky writing thing.’ I replied.‘Oh that, you like it?’‘yeah, I do. They freaking spelled my name in the sky.’He laughed.‘that's the work of a skywriter. I can do more for you if you’d like.’ He said pulling us to a stop and pressing a kiss to my lips.‘aww.’ I blushed.‘umm, can I ask you a question?’ his free hand went involuntarily to his head again. I am starting to think he does that only when he's nervous about something.‘yeah go ahead.’ I replied.‘I sounded so cheesy earlier right?’ His smile was nervous too.‘You want me to be sincere right?’ I turned over so that I faced him.‘yeah, I guess.’‘yes you did, but I absolutely loved it. I love every part of you.’ I pressed a kiss on the tip of his nose.‘You looked so cute and adorable.’ He pouted.‘I’m not cute.’‘aww look at that pout.’ I
Asher's pov.I woke up feeling energized and having a good feeling about today. I stared at the sleeping figure of my wife. She looked so pretty even while she was asleep. Her chest heaved slightly as she breathed while she slept. It’s no joke that Lorie is a pretty woman. We may have met in a very compromising situation, but I still don’t regret spending that night with her. If I’m being completely honest, ever since then, a part of me yearns for her. At first, it started with wanting her body, then it became wanting to see her, followed by craving her attention, and then I began wanting to be with her. Lorie came to me just when I concluded that I was done with love and women, just when I decided to close my heart to anything affection. Lorie brings peace to my wounded soul. Her determination to do something and go the extra mile for people was just top-notch.The truth is that even while I had proposed a contract marriage to Lorie, to avoid getting married to Sabrina, a part of me
Lorie's pov.‘I told you that no one who touches what’s mine go unscathed didn’t I?’ Asher's voice dripping with honey whispered in my ears making me feel hot. He had said so and today he proved it.Flashback to yesterday when I got back from the hospital and dinner with my mom, I waited in the garden patiently for Asher while occasionally tossing something in my mouth to chew and watching John pick out the disturbing weeds from his cabbages.‘do you like gardening?’ I asked my eyes following his every move as he bent down, grabbing a handful of weed and pulling it out from the soil.‘yes, I do.’ He answered wiping the beads of sweat that formed on his forehead.‘that’s so nice.’ I replied stuffing my mouth with popcorn.‘Yeah, when I first started working here, I was always bored and I felt useless. I never once liked sitting Idle. So I asked the master if he would like to own a garden, he didn’t live here then so he just gave his go-ahead.’ He looked around before using his hands to
Lorie's pov.I spent all day watching movies and eating my ice cream with Asher occasionally calling me to check up on me. Feeling tired and jobless, I decided to visit Elle. She was still unconscious and in the post-operative care unit. I Searched for my mom’s contact on my phone to call my mother. She had been visiting Elle every single day. She picked on the second ring.‘hey, mom.’ I said immediately she accepted the call.‘hi Lorie, how are you doing?’ she asked in return.‘I’m fine. What about you?’‘I’m doing great. How's your husband?’ she asked.A smile involuntarily crept to my lips.‘he's fine. He went to the office.’ I answered.‘I’m on my way to see Elle, wanna come?’ she asked.Bless her.It was as though she read my mind.‘yeah let me go get ready, I will call you back in less than twenty.’‘right, dear.’ With that, she hung up.I rushed to the bathroom, took a quick bath, did my business, and hurried out. I selected a black jumpsuit, sprayed a little amount of perfume,
Lorie's povI lay on the bed with tears running down my eyes and snot down my nose. I tried holding my sniffles to prevent my cries from being heard. Who said love can’t hurt? Love hurts really bad. My eyes were swollen from crying for so long but I couldn’t stop the tears from gathering and dropping from my eyes. I stared at the running figure of the man in search of the girl who was hell-bent on ruining his life but for the sake of the love he had for her, he kept on forgiving her unforgivable acts.‘Lorie, are you seriously still crying?’ Asher asked turning to me.That only increased my tears and I began sobbing like a baby.‘but it’s just a movie, it's acting.’ Asher said almost whining.‘I know. But it perfectly depicts the painful reality of love.’ I whimpered.‘You know it's not real, it’s just-'‘hush.’ I placed my finger on his lips to shut him up as the man held the lady’s hand and pulled her in for a kiss.‘aww, that’s so sweet.’ I was smiling with tears smeared on my face
Lorie's pov.I climbed down from the car feeling apprehensive and nervous. I dreaded seeing Garrett. He was like a nightmare I would do anything to avoid. Speaking of nightmares, mine stopped ever since Asher and I started sleeping together in the same room. Something about his arms made it easier to sleep and dream about only him.I cleaned my hand against my trousers for the umpteenth time. My palms were sweaty and shaky.‘babe? Are you Okay?’ Asher asked walking up to me.‘Oh yes, I’m fine, just a little nervous.’ I tried controlling my breathing as I felt it accelerating.‘don't worry, he won’t see you. I won’t let him come close to you if he mistakenly sees you.’ He took my sweaty palms in his. ‘I’m here for you babe, you don’t have to be strong, I’m strong enough for us, all you have to do is to lean on me.’ I felt so grateful to Asher so I squeezed his hand in gratitude. He didn't know what those words meant to me. His words told me that I am not alone anymore, and that I now h