Lunch hours were the only time I could relax. The pile of files I go through everyday was almost making me lose my sight. And that jerk of a boss was not making things any easier. He doesn’t like seeing me seated without doing something ‘productive'. He always emphasizes the fact that time is money.
Things weren't this hectic when Old Mr Hardin was here. Asher Hardin wanted to do something entirely different from his father. The meetings we had were very stressful too since he always argued with his father's old employees who believed in upholding his father's legacy. He had shouted at them once that if they do not like his methods they are very free to leave but without any severance payment from ‘HIS' company. Emphasis on the ‘his'. That had shut them up for awhile.As I sat in my favorite place; the kitchen couch during lunch, I couldn't help but think of my sister Elle.She was always a bright child. Our parents had her late hence our age difference.She was seven years old when this illness started. So she had been battling with it for years.We had gone out on a family outing. Elle insisted on playing on the swing. Mother was however against it. But I couldn’t say no to Elle's pretty puppy eyes.“Just once. Okay?"“Okay” her joy was everything to me at that moment. Having lost our father in a car crash the previous year Elle had shut everyone out. He was her best friend and she looked up to him. She hadn't smiled since then. So seeing her on that swing smiling and laughing I was teary-eyed.It happened so fast that none of us saw it coming. The swing had taken her up and then she fell off hitting her head in the process. Fear gripped me when I saw Elle's unconscious face.When we got to the hospital we were told that Elle was in a vegetative state. She was asleep for a very long time. When she had woken up the test revealed that a tumor had formed in her head but surgery was needed to find out if it was cancerous or not. It later turned out to be cancer.Ever since then Elle had been a very familiar face in the hospital.Thanks to Garrett her hospital bills were taken care of.My phone suddenly rang bringing me from my train of thoughts.It was my mum.‘Hey mum' I breathed immediately I accepted the call. But she didn't reply.‘mum what's wrong?’ I asked with fear gripping every core of me.Then I heard the sniffing from her end of the call.‘mum..?’‘Darling it's Elle..’ I didn't wait to hear the rest when I dashed out of the kitchen. I ran back to the office picked my bag and ran out.‘Don't hang up mum’. I breathed ‘I'm on my way there'.‘o.. okay'Getting a taxi was taking too long so I started running. I hadn't run for long before I spotted a yellow cab coming towards me. I immediately flagged it down and blindly got in.*~*‘oh you are here Lorie, I'm sorry I made you come. It's just that there's no one to call and ..’ my mum said immediately she saw me. She was seated beside Elle's bed. I stared at my sister. She didn't deserve this pain.‘what happened?’ I asked hugging my mum's weeping figure‘sh.. she threw up blood all of a sudden an.. and started jer.. jerking. Ah, didn't know why. Ah screamed for the doc.. doctors before..’ her tears made her I sound like ‘Ah'I kept on staring at my sister.She was unconscious with tubes sticking from her mouth and needles pierced into her skin. She was very pale.Tears welled in my eyes and I couldn't help but cry.I cried for my sister. I wished I could take her place.I wished to be the one lying there instead of her.I turned to look at my mum she was a mess. She looked ten years older than her age. And her collar bones were shooting out. She held Elle's hand and kept on smoothing it.I decided to be strong. Not for myself but for my family. For mum.‘Have you had lunch?’ I asked her.‘I will, soon’. She replied, giving me a dry smile.‘I will get you something' I said getting up.The hallway was extremely long but I appreciated it because it gave me time to think.At the hospital canteen I got my mum her favourite snack sandwich and coke.‘Hey Lorie'I turned towards the voice it was Henry. Henry and I got acquitted through my constant visit to the hospital. Henry was a nurse there and he was a very nice guy.‘you look like shit' he said chuckling‘Haha tell me what I don't know’ I snorted‘came straight from work?’‘yeah’.‘Don't worry she will be fine. Soon she will be dancing and rocking at some Jakes party' he said laughing.I imagined Elle drunk dancing in a club with stockings wearing a very short sexy gown. I even imagined us going shopping together, going for a swim and having lunch on the shore of the beach.‘I hope so.’‘Cheer up Lorie’. He smiled putting his hand around my shoulders.I gave him the brightest smile I could muster. Before we parted ways.The nurses at the counter kept on throwing me pity looks. I wanted to hate them but I couldn't.When I got to Elle's hospital bed mum was asleep. I covered her with a blanket, kept her food on the table and sat on a chair resting my head on the edge of the bed.The sun was setting when I woke upI didn't realise I had fallen asleep.I reached out for my phone to check the time then I saw 12 missed calls. 7 from Jasmine and 5 from an unknown number.It was then it hit me. I hadn't called my boss nor Jasmine to inform them about the situation on ground.Definitely I was going to get fired.Asher wouldn't open his blocked ears to listen to my reason for leaving the office without any reason or permission.I wouldn't call him.I don't have the balls to.Literally and otherwise if you know what I mean.He wasn't one to mix business with pleasure. Oh so I guess.I called Jasmine back.‘Lorie! What the hell happened?’ she screamed, I had to take the phone off my ear. I wasn't ready to go deaf.‘my mum called from the hospital.’ I repliedShe went quiet for sometime before asking‘how's Elle?’‘she's asleep now’‘okay, I will come over after work.’ She said then ended the call after telling me to be strong.*~*When she came by the hospital, she brought some fruits along with her.‘Hey Mrs Amaris, how are you?’ she asked hugging my mother.‘I'm good Jas. How's work?’ my mother asked, smiling slightly at Jasmine.‘work is how it ought to be'. Jasmine said dismissively.‘Thanks for the fruits Jasmine'. I said to her, placing them on a tray that was on the table.‘oh it's nothing'.She stared at Elle for a while before sitting down beside me.We chatted about work for awhile. She told me how Asher went livid when I didn't come back from lunch break and how manager Lee Yang got an earful from Asher.I felt bad for the manager.And I felt bad for myself thinking of the query that awaits me.Then my phone rang. It was the unknown number from before.‘Hello who's this?’ I asked‘Its Asher.’‘It's Asher'My eyes went wide and my hand instinctively went to the red button and I hung up.I wasn't ready to get fired. Not when I have bills to pay. Seeing the shock and panic in my face, Jasmine tried looking at my phone to know what went wrong.‘Who was it? She asked when her curiosity was not satisfied since the contact was not saved.‘My boss' I replied suddenly feeling hot. I walked towards the window and opened them.‘oh your hot boss.’ She said, smirking.‘I think cold is a more appropriate term Jas, I really don't want to get fired’ ‘then call him and explain how things are to him. I'm sure he would understand’. I was nervous. I didn't know how to tell him about my sister's illness. Working with his father was much easier. Suddenly my phone vibrated in my hand making me jump. It was him again. This time I accepted the call.‘Hel.. hello sir' Why do I have to stammer? Arrgg!‘Miss Amaris I don't appreciate people hanging up on me when I am still speaking’ his voice
We got to the cafe and ordered breakfast. I couldn't take my eyes off Asher. In his anger at the meeting he had ruffled his hair with his hand and that had given him a very dangerous look. I would love to admit that my boss was hot. His ruffled hair was giving me other ideas.My mind voluntarily went back to our first night in the car. How I had grabbed his hair and pulled. Thinking of that night made me shiver. ‘Do you feel sick?’ Asher's voice woke me up from my engrossed thoughts .It was then I realized that Goosebumps had coated my sleeveless arm.‘I feel fine sir. Just a little bit cold.’ I replied, taking my coat which I had taken off earlier from the chair and draped it around me. ‘Regarding my earlier question, Miss Amaris, what is your reply?’ He was done eating and was waiting for me to finish.My mind awry with different kinds of thoughts.He couldn't get enough of me and he wants it again?Was my boss attracted to me?I know I shouldn't be having thoughts like thi
Working on paperwork with back aches and your hair almost pulled out does not happen everyday but since I knew Garrett,I have gotten used to the pain. I buried myself in my work that I didn't realise it was closing hours.‘Hey babe,’ looking up I saw Jasmine strolling towards me. ‘Hi, you're leaving?’ I asked reaching for my watch. ‘yeah.’ Seeing that I wasn't getting up ready to leave she asked.‘you're staying overnight?’ ‘no I just want to finish these papers before leaving.’ I mumbled.‘It's Friday night and I have a blind date today. So I have to leave now.’ She was blushing.That made me ignore my work a bit to concentrate on her.‘a blind date? Who arranged it? Your mom?’ I was eager to hear the spicy juice.Jasmine unlike me comes from a well to do family. They are not entirely rich but they are not suffering.‘no an Aunt’ she paused ‘he is a lawyer.’ Oh my.‘aww that's so nice. You going on a date made me remember Tommy.’ I said showing her my thirty-two teeth.‘Ohhh don
HENRY KINGSTON.The name that could send every old employee of importance working in the Hardins group fuming with anger, hatred and disgust. In fact, mentioning the name Kingston was banned in our company.I don't know much about the “beef” neither do I know how or when it started. But ever since I started working in the company, Henry has done a lot of harm that even made me dislike him even when I haven't met him.And I heard that Asher and Henry were enemies for a long time.I took the company's card and shopped online for a dress suitable for the party. I wasn't going to spend my own money on stuff like that when I have Elle's surgery to think of.I chose a black body con gown laced with gold and I got a bag to fit. While waiting for the delivery, I decided to continue working on the files.I was halfway done when I noticed Asher standing by the door with his hands folded. ‘do you need something sir?’ I got up from my seat prepared to get him what he needed.‘the file I was lo
Mr. Smile was Henry Kingston, who was my boss’ enemy.The one who was our company's number one rival. The very one my boss clearly warned me to stay away from. I didn't just talk to him, I danced with him.I was dumbfounded.The tall man turned out to be Mr Henry’s secretary and right hand man. He turned towards Asher as if he wanted to hit him.Let the kid be Carter, Let him whine. Seems he hadn’t let go of what had happened.’ Henry smiled coldly.This man was entirely different from the Mr. Smile from earlier.Like seriously! I heard Henry was an arsehole but seeing it for myself made me extremely mad. I get why Asher hated him. Asher’s cold eyes were filled with rage and it was obvious he wanted to reach out to Henry and beat the living hell out of him.They both silently threw arrows at each other with their eyes.I could feel the tension between the two. You can cut it with a knife.Thankfully the guests seem to not have noticed the exchange between the two. I tried pulling Ash
ASHER'S POV.As I drove into my garage, I got an international call from the city of Dubai. It was Omar, my soon to be partner.‘Hey man.’ He has been a friend since our university days. We were both heirs to our family business groups.‘Hey dude. How are you doing?’ He asked. ‘Good man. So what's up?’ ‘When do you board your flight?’‘tomorrow. So we can make it on time for the meeting on Monday morning.’‘oh I forgot you have always been scrupulous with time. I was thinking perhaps you might fly in on Monday morning.’ I nodded. Trust Omar to make sure everything is intact.‘You know you should have just asked your secretary to call me.’ ‘Nah. I don't let him handle critical matters like this. And moreover I have missed you a lot, Asher baby.’ His voice became corny as he drew the baby.‘hey!’He laughed.‘See you tomorrow man.’ He said then hung up.I walked to the door only to find the locks changed and the door was unlocked. Carefully I walked in. Who dares to come to my ho
LORIE'S POV I sat facing the mirror still wondering why Garret would ask me out for dinner. We were in a relationship, yes but our relationship was practically dead. He cheats and I cheated also. There's no love between us. Our relationship is more like a provider and receiver. He pays for Elle's bill and in return I obey his every demand. Whatever he hopes to achieve with this must not be good.I did my makeup and proceeded to apply my body spray. I was dressed in a knee length gown my mother had gifted me for my birthday last year.‘aren't you done yet?’ Garrett’s head popped into my room. He was obviously getting impatient. ‘I am done. Let’s go.’ I picked up my bag and hurried after him.We drove to a French hotel with silence in the air. He had reserved our seats earlier. While we sat, a waitress looking like a Barbie girl came to take our orders.‘Good day sir and ma'am, what would you like to order?" She asked‘I will take one of your expensive wines. Could you make a recom
I got home from the hospital very late and exhausted. I was too tired to do anything. Thankfully I had arranged my things earlier today.Garrett wasn't home. I remembered the money I had spent at the bar earlier, it made my eyes teary.I went to the fridge and took out a beer and a bag of chips to drown my anger while I waited for him, all the walking had made me hungry. I walked to the living room, turning on the television. Losing my appetite for the chips I concentrated only on the drink. I got another bottle.Lorie, remember that it was this drinking that resulted in you having a one-night stand with your boss of all people. I shouldn't drink, I'm going on a business trip tomorrow. But I feel too depressed and angry to sleep.I had to wait for Garrett to come home so I could confront him and I could not do that while I was sober. Soon I was on my third bottle and Garrett wasn't home.The time was 11 pm and my flight was scheduled for 8 am. I needed to sleep yet I had to talk to
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