First Meeting

He came very late last night. And for the first time in these last two years, he didn’t torment her in any way. He didn’t curse her for being a burden to him. Or slapped her hard for making tasteless food. His mind was occupied with something. Perhaps something from his work. Whatever it was, his ignorance brought her relief. He didn’t eat the dinner either. He must have had it in his office. He was talking to someone on the phone when he entered. “Yup. I need the preparation to be at its best. I can’t let this opportunity slide man. So just work your ass off” She heard him talking about some celebration that was going to take place in his office tomorrow.

What she could gather from his conversation was that someone very important was going to visit his office tomorrow. She thanked her star and the visitor whose arrival had kept her monstrous husband occupied and spared her a night without amy sort of torture. After confirming that he was not going to eat, she retired to her bed. Michael stayed glued to his phone talking to different people discussing impending celebration. Whoever was coming tomorrow must be very very important, wondered Ash before letting her guards down in front of the angel of dreams.

“Wear something elegant tonight. We are going to my office party,” Mike instructed her while eating his breakfast. “Party?” she asked, confused. Michael had never taken her to any of his office parties. This was the first time he was taking her somewhere in the last three years. She is just an embarrassment for him and he makes no bone about that. He feels ashamed of the fact that his wife is not as classy and educated as his colleagues and friends are.

She clearly remembers the day his close friends came to their house unannounced. They had come to meet her. It happened about three years ago when Michael had freshly joined this company and had made new friends. He had been employed as a senior manager in the company. Michael was just a small employee when they got married and in a span of two years he rose up to become senior manager. No doubt, he had come a long way. But with each success in his professional life, he began to distance himself from her.

Their sudden appearance at the door took them by surprise. Michael welcomed them but the discomfort was visible in his face. At first, she could not understand why he was not happy about his friends coming over but all her questions got answered once they left. He did not want them to meet her, for he thinks she is way below their standard. The cover was blown. Their friends found out that she is an orphan with no education and class. That day he let loose all his frustration on her. That was the first day, he used the word “burden” for her. And soon this word became her synonym. He even admitted how much he regretted marrying her and how much he wished to go back in time and correct his mistake.

A girl like her doesn't deserve a man like him.

“Yes. Be ready by 7. I’ll come to pick you,” Michael said while feasting on his breakfast. “You have never taken me to any party before. Then why now?” She could not hide her curiosity. Her question made Michael clench his jaw “Trust me, I don’t want you to attend the party as you are nothing but a disgrace but my boss has asked me to bring you along. That’s why I have to. So, be ready and make sure you hide those ugly marks on your body,” he commanded while gesturing to the scars she had earned from him night after night. He strode off the house and she opened her closet to choose a dress for tonight.

She had a lot of dresses that she hadn’t worn since her husband rarely took her out. Her life was limited to making food for Michael and spending days all alone in the house. And with time, her interest in the dresses and makeup had only faded away as her husband had made her believe that she is ugly and a burden.

The day went in a blur. Ash wore a plain royal blue knee length dress. Though the dress was simple, it looked amazing on her. Ash decided to put on red lipstick and keep the hair down. In a few minutes, she got herself ready. She checked if all the scars had been concealed properly. There was no trace of them. After slipping into her heels, she begins waiting for Michael.

She is nervous because this is the first time she was going to meet Michael’s colleagues. It’s true that she had met few of his friends but this time it was going to be different. There will be a lot of people. And the mere thought of that makes her anxious. She wondered about the person in whose honor this party was being thrown. Michael had been straining his every nerve to make it a success.

A harsh knock on the door abrupted her train of thought. She got up to open the door knowing who was at it. Michael stood there. He sauntered in without acknowledging her presence. He didn’t even bother to spare a glance at her. His cold reaction had already dampened her spirit. She was expecting him to say something. Maybe, just a compliment. But nothing came out of him. Michael padded to the room to get ready. After about fifteen minutes he came back to the living room decked up in a blue suit jacket and black pants. He gave a once over Ash and nodded in approval.

Ash exhaled the breath she didn’t know she was holding. He filed out of the house with Ash at his heels. The next minute, Michael put the car in motion and they sped off to the party. Frustration was apparent on Michael’s face. He didn’t want Ash to take along. For him, she was just a disgrace. He silently hoped for others to not take note of her at the party. The duo didn’t exchange a single word during the journey. Ash was nervous and scared. Michael was frustrated and angry.

“Just behave. And try to stay away from people. I don’t want you to talk to anyone and tarnish my image,” he spat at her before opening his door. She imitated Michael’s action. His words were like a slap on her face but she had become used to it. Ash saw herself standing before a grand hotel. Michael moved towards the hotel and Ash followed the suit. Her eyes widened when she entered the hall. She had never seen something like this. The entire hall was decorated with blue flowers and fairy lights. There were many people in the hall and some of them approached on seeing them. They were his friends that had come to their home a few years back. They greeted them before engaging in some office gossip with Michael leaving her out.

She was completed enchanted by the embellishment. The girls were looking pretty and elegant. They all were educated, confident and independent unlike her. She found them intimidating, though, none of them had done anything to her. Her lack of confidence was making her nervous. A part of her wanted to run away but also wanted to stay put and experience these beautiful strings of moments that life had presented to her. She didn’t know when would be the next time Michael would allow her to attend a party as grand as this. She was so lost in her thought that she could not register two men standing before her.

“Hello, Mrs Johnson”, an elderly voice followed her into her revire. And in a snap she was back to reality. The hard cold reality. A man in his 50s was standing in front of her. He had a smile on his face and was looking at her confused. When she lowered her gaze she noticed a hand held out to her. She clasped the hand without thinking much and smiled back at him. “It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Johnson” his smile widened. The man was giving off positive vibes. After breaking the handshake, the man turned to Michael who was trying to control his anger. “Michael, I must say your wife is quite dreamy.” The old man said to him. Michael replied with a laugh that Ash knew was fake. “Yes boss, Ashley is very imaginative,” Michael finally said. “That's good, Mrs Johnson meet our new partner and the guest of honor, Mr. Daniel Smith,” the old man said. It is after his statement, her mind registered the presence of the second man standing next to the old guy.

A firm hand reached out to her with the hope of being held. She shifted her gaze to the guy for whom this grand party was being held. She found that his eyes were already fixated on her. He wore an indescribable expression. His eyes were feasting on her as if they were seeing a woman for the first time. As far as she is concerned, Ash’s breath hitched in her throat at the sight of him. He had never seen a face as handsome as his. His intimidating personality was making it difficult for her to breath. If looks could kill then he would have been a murderer of countless women. But it was not only about his looks. The air around him screamed power and danger. He resembled a devil in a shining armor. “Nice to meet you Ashley,” he addressed her in a husky voice that reaffirmed his power. He didn’t address her as Mrs. Johnson.

Now.. Now... What do you think is going to happen next?