~Elena~Flynn withdrew the thermometer from my mouth, "Your temperature is perfect, ma'am, same as your look. You've been working all day, I'm sure you just need some pain reliever and you're good to go."My shoulders slouched when I realized he wasn't buying it.This was my second attempt to slide away from meeting the Waltons and Flynn was just too smart, he wouldn't buy my excuses."Would you like to check out the dresses now and tell me if there are any adjustments you'll like me to make?" He asked."Yeah sure," I nodded and followed him to the walk-in closet."I understand that you were caught off guard by the news, hence your reason for being nervous. It was an impromptu invitation. But I'm pretty sure things will go well, ma'am." Flynn tried to comfort me."Do you know what they're like? Asher's family."Flynn was quiet for a moment, "they're quite interesting people. I'm sure they'll love you and you'll like them too."Before I could ask another question, Flynn tapped a button
~Ian~I've been looking forward to this meeting for a long time.Asher thought he had stolen my love but what he married was only a fake. I had imagined many times how I could laugh at him.But after meeting Elena Rogers in person, my heart twisted with jealousy. Julia that bitch lied to me. How could she call such a stunner an ugly fat ass.?I wanted her! Even after she gave me a punch last night, I wanted her more. She must be really hot in bed.I was seated across from her on the dining table and constantly sending glances her way, while she looked away when she caught them.True, she was a little fleshier than Julia but I didn't mind it. I found hers unique. She was thick in the right places and the gown did a perfect job of accentuating her curves.Just knowing that she was Asher's made me a little envious. It was absurd because more than anything, I hated being envious of him.Just like the time I discovered he was Grandpa's favorite grandchild, I was having that exact feeling a
~Asher~After a brief private discussion with Grandpa, I sat on the balcony watching Elena happily pick strawberries in the garden. She would pluck them and keep them in the fruit basket that a maid carried around for her. She seemed to be having fun with the activity.I heard from the butler that she had insisted I stayed inside as it was cold outside, and that I would try to come meet her since we were inseparable. As I said, she was doing the perfect wife role a bit too perfectly.Staring at her, I couldn't help but wonder the kind of person she was. It was almost as if the tabs I had on her were wrong, it was like she was an entirely different person from what my crew dug her to be. But I knew they wouldn't lie to me.With her, I had to remind myself frequently that she was a dangerous person and someone I should never be carefree around, but that personality didn't seem to be something she had.She looked so soft and fragile like she wouldn't even hurt a fly. She was not as fierc
~Elena~Harvesting strawberries was an activity I enjoyed doing, despite the hassle that comes with it, because it gave me a sense of my childhood. It reminded me of a memory, the only good memory I had of living in an orphanage home before my foster father found and adopted me.I cherished it since then, even though I was at a tender age when I experiencedIt was a sunny Friday and I had been sent out to the garden behind the orphanage as a punishment for something I was accused of. I was barely a teen, but being in an orphanage home showed me how cruel the world can be, even to a child.There was a strawberry farm in the garden and I was left to harvest a basketful. I had no experience, hence I found it difficult to carry out the task. The sun went down but I was still overwhelmed by the task, I managed to fill the basket halfway. I was tired and hungry but I dared not complain to my caregivers.I was still harvesting when I noticed a silhouette figure on the fence, struggling to cl
~Elena~The atmosphere in the car was a lot hotter than being under the sun, even in the presence of the blasting air conditioning unit. When Asher joined, it got even hotter, especially when I took a glance at his face.As usual, he bore a stoic expression but I could see all of his emotions beneath it and I needed no soothsayer to tell me I was in for the unimaginable."Take us home," he informed the driver who started the car at once.The quietness that came after made me sweaty and I dropped my jaw a thousand times, intending to explain myself, and failing every time I tried.Maybe if I explained to him what truly happened, he would believe me."What happened was-He turned his face away, and I swallowed back the words. But his ears were still available and he didn't shut me up, so I chose to continue."Nothing happened between Ian and me, Asher-"Master," his gritting correction came.Right. I almost forgot we were no longer with his family."Master," I gulped. "Nothing happened
***I was fuming by the time I dropped the phone but I held myself from acting out. I was going to find out in detail what happened first and then act later.Elena? I glanced at her face, unable to stop my teeth from gritting.I placed her on the bed and started to cover her up with a blanket when I discovered that she was burning up. Quickly, I reached for my phone and placed a call to Richard, my doctor.He answered on the first ring, "Good day, Asher.""Come to my Villa immediately. It's an emergency." Confirming that he got my word, I ended the call.I grabbed my shirt and pulled her into it before covering her with a blanket. With her in my arms, I walked to my bedroom and placed her gently on the bed before going in to dress up properly.Richard arrived in a few minutes and I ushered him into my room, he immediately began examining her and asking questions."Will she be okay?""Yes. She just has a fever. She'll be fine with some meds and more rest.""I have somewhere to go, take
~Elena~***My life in the orphanage home was one I would never forget, it was a part of my childhood that scarred me. No, my entire life scarred me.I could barely pick out a good memory from my time in the orphanage, it was always from one abuse to the other.We had celebrities come to donate to our home but most of them did it for the net, and after taking videos with us in pretty clothes and a big faux smile, their expression switches to disgust. Their original hateful selves return and they see us like garbage.Sometimes we are lucky to have a share in whatever was given, other times it was shared amongst our supposed carers. We were basically tools to enhance their reputation.Aside from the abuse from my guardians, I was also bullied by my peers and I didn't dare report it because I would be tagged as a weakling who couldn't fight for herself and then sent out to the field to work. In there, not falling sick was the biggest blessing, because when you fall sick it prevents you f
***~Asher~I didn't get her name. Even though I had comfortably shared out information about my life with her, I ended up leaving without getting any from her. Not even her name.That day would have ended with my death if she hadn't come to my rescue. I was hanging on a fence, between a home for orphans and death. I was just a child who was bearing the consequences of being born by mistake.My mother had a nightstand with a billionaire and refused an abortion, leaving him no choice but to marry her.I was the product of that mistake.All my life, I always knew I wasn't supposed to be born. My stepmother, Margaret, would always show me just how unwelcomed my mother and I were.Living with the Walton gave me a bittersweet experience. Even though I had a lot of love from my mother and Grandpa, the hate was too strong to overcome it. Ian's hate came solely from the fact that I found favor in Grandpa's eyes and how I was favored more. I swear, I didn't do anything to earn it. It was a nat
***"Asher!" Grandpa Schaeffer exclaimed before pulling Asher in for a close hug. "Hey there, Elena," he passed her a slight smile.Elena accepted it, concluding that it was preferable to the other times when he completely ignored her presence.His eyes dropped to her stomach, and she watched his smile grow. He was fond of doing that, but wouldn't openly admit how he couldn't wait to hold his great grandkids in his arms."The babies are doing okay?" He asked, his smile dying as he brought his eyes up to her."They're fine," Elena smiled widely. Asher chuckled at his grandfather's effort to appear mean to Elena. He knew that he hadn't fully forgiven her for lying to them but he also knew that Schaeffer didn't hate her. Even before he found out about Elena's secret, he liked her a lot and praised her for taking care of his disabled son.This was their last get-together before Asher departed for his surgery. At the table, Ian's mother was already seated, looking like she wanted to be any
~Elena~***Her house was an apartment, with a simple bathroom and an ensuite. In her living room, a corner was demarcated with drapery as her kitchenette and another as her bedroom.In the room was a small unmade bed, and her sitting room, which was the largest part of the house, had a small TV, a radio, a fridge, and two sofas.Her eyes were on me right from the moment we walked in.Harold was already by her side and I saw how sick she was. Unnaturally, she looked lean. Staring at her, one could instantly tell that she used to be a chubby woman. She wore a cap and leaned on Harold's shoulder, but I could see that she didn't have any hair on her head. Her eyebrows were very thin, almost without any hair and her eyes looked tired even though she wore a smile. A beautiful smile."Elena," that was her first word to me and I noticed the similarity in our voices. She was a beautiful woman and I had physically taken after her. Asher's arm was around me, proving to me that he was always by
~Elena~***"You cheat!" I hit Asher in the chest, pouting my lips, "that's not fair."He giggled, reaching to peck me but I covered his lips with my palm, rejecting his kisses."That was the best one!" I complained, staring into the empty cookie bowl with a frown, "you're so childish.""Now, you're mad over a cookie?" He asked, holding my hands."You promised you'd give it to me, but you ate it. I can't forgive you," my hormones kicked in and I felt tears gathering in my eyes.That was my greatest defense and Asher immediately opened his fist to reveal the cookie. "I didn't eat it, I was just messing with you. Please don't cry." He looked utterly concerned. "I'm sorry, I was only kidding." He cupped my face, wiping my eyes.I threw the cookie into my mouth and pecked his face. "Got you.""You sneaky woman!" He grumbled, and we ended up laughing. His fingers worked on my legs, giving me the best massage while he called a maid to get us more cookies."By the way, Grandpa wants us to co
~Asher~***Over the next few months, Elena stayed by my side, doing her best to take care of me until I fully recovered. Our relationship had developed over time and in every aspect, and I was elated about it.Now, I could hold Elena without being afraid of the spite in her eyes when I looked at them, and she would assist me whenever I got tired due to my bedridden state. It was blissful. It was all I ever looked forward to since our misunderstanding.Elena had stepped out of my study room, leaving me and the gang to discuss. It was the first time we were having a meeting in my house, and they all had to come looking ordinary to avoid suspicions. It was also the first time we were collectively meeting since my discharge from the hospital."What did you find out?" I asked Ricky."D.H Entertainment exists but it belongs to Penelope's family. It's their biggest investment. She lied about the ownership, and acted like her job was at stake so she could get preferential treatment from you.
~Asher~***"Asher, can you see me?"I felt a light tug and then the voice came again, jerking me fully to consciousness."Oh my goodness, Asher! You're awake!" Footsteps followed.I recognized the face after a full minute of staring blankly at it, it was my grandfather."Grandpa," I mumbled and his face softened into a warm smile."That's right, son. It's me," he nodded, sobbing. "I'm so glad you're awake."I rolled my eyes, looking amongst the other people in the room for her but she was not there. I blinked and then tried again but I couldn't find her.I was sure that I saved her, I wouldn't have been able to go without ensuring her safety first. It was unlike me.Did I imagine it? I frowned the thought off. I definitely got her out!"Where is Elena?" I asked, bringing my gaze to rest on my grandfather. I asked him again when he said nothing."She's alive, right? I saved her. I'm sure that I saved her.""You did. She is alive." Richard spoke."Son, don't worry about her right now."
~Elena~***I stood outside the ICU ward where Asher was kept, staring at him through the window with tubes connected all over his body. I could faintly hear the sound of beeping machines.He looked so fragile and pale, not like the domineering and omnipotent Asher I knew that had overpowered me a number of times. He looked different, almost lifeless. The only source of life I saw in him was the many stuff connected to his body, the fact that they were still functioning proved that Asher was still in there fighting for his life.A pang of sorrow slashed my heart. Again, he sacrificed himself to save me. He discarded his own life to ensure I kept mine.If this was the first time it was happening, I probably would have concluded that he did it to save his baby's life, but it wasn't. I've never seen anyone care more about someone else's life than theirs, and I've never heard of anyone who performed such an act of kindness to someone they didn't care about.Can a man like that, who has ri
~Elena~**I sped towards the airport, my determination and anger soaring. Asher's action this time was inexcusable. How could he betray me with Julia knowing fully well what I thought of her?Even though I meant nothing to him, my sanity matters for his child to be safe. How could I successfully take care of our child, if my mental health wasn't guaranteed? This wasn't about me, but the child.Repeatedly, I dabbed tears from my eyes and sniffed but I didn't bother stopping or slowing down.Soon, I recognized Asher's car speeding up behind me. I expected this but there was no way he was going to convince me. My mind was made up this time and except Asher was willing to explain to the world how mentally disturbed he was, and how he locked me up in a dungeon, or how he ceased my freedom, he better not try to stop me.His car was giving me a hot chase and although I wasn't a very experienced driver, I tried to outrun him. I swerved in between cars and gave him no chance to directly get t
~Julia's POV~***His hands groped my waist as he pressed the upper part of my body into the bed, I arched my back for his comfort. I felt his thigh against my behind as he slid into me again, jerking me up to deepen his entrance. He grunted and paced up at the same time, riding me with a slow then successive pace.His fingers dug into the skin of my waist as he prepared to release, his body vibrating against mine.I smirked as the pleasure wavered off, glancing at the camera I had installed in the corner of the room unbeknownst to him. Ian was too carried away with the pleasure to even notice what I had done and I doubt he would have even suspected that I could do something like this.I just couldn't let Elena be. I've got to try out all my cards first before I decide if I should give up, trying to destroy her marriage, or not. I had thought the fabricated pictures were enough to break her and Asher up or cause a deep rift but instead, she came out pregnant.They had been fuckin whil
~Elena~***I opened my eyes to a bright light shining on my face. A few blinks fixed my discomfort and soon I adjusted to the ray of sunshine seeping from the opened window.I looked around the white room I was in and soon realized that I was in a hospital ward. The last place I remembered being in was in Asher's horrifying dungeon and the last sound I remembered was the sound of my scream as the door clicked shut and Asher stomped away.I tried to think of what happened after when the door went open and Flynn walked in."Thank goodness you're awake, ma'am," he said, looking relieved. "I was just about to contact the young master.""What happened?" I asked."I didn't know, we found you unconscious and brought you to the hospital. Thankfully, it's nothing serious."After Asher left, I suddenly felt nauseous being locked up in his dungeon. I couldn't help but wonder if he had locked anyone else in there in the past. The thought was horrifying. Was he always this kind of person?I wonde