~Elena~
I clasped my thigh, dragging the duvet closer to my naked body.
I never expected that agreeing to be a substitute bride would drag my life into another nightmare.
My new husband was disfigured as well as disabled, but it didn't affect his aura and power.
I had no idea what I did wrong to piss him off. Didn't he marry Julia for love? Or had he recognized that I was just a fake?
I followed the butler down the hall, the cold floor masking my feet. We arrived at a different section of the house on the ground floor. We passed a corridor connected with doors and stopped in front of one. He pushed open the door and ushered me in first before following.
My jaw dropped when I saw what a maid's room looked like. It was twice the size of my old room in the Rogers house, with everything else twice as big.
"This is where you will be staying henceforth until the master says otherwise." Flynn interrupted my moment, there was a quick flash of emotion in his eyes but I couldn't pinpoint what it meant.
I nodded, accepting the fact that I was demoted to a maid from being Asher's wife. Actually, I was more glad I wouldn't be sharing a room with that monster.
"Alright then. When you're all set, meet me in the hall by four sharp so I can fill you in on your duties."
I nodded, "I will." And he left.
Giving a few minutes into checking out my room, I walked into the bathroom and my heart clenched slightly when I saw my reflection in the glass walls.
The love bites on my neck and my bleeding cheeks gave my tummy a shake. My boobs looked like they passed through heat and my nipples were sore. I looked like I had an encounter with a voracious being. I could still remember the pain from every one of them, and how he paid no attention to any of it.
I couldn't help but wonder if more of this awaited me in my future with Asher. I hoped not.
I sniffed, wiping the tears from my eyes.
After a painful shower, I walked back to my room and pulled into a pair of sweats. I glanced at the time and it was close to four, so I walked out to find Flynn.
He gave me a hefty lecture on what I was to do, accompanied by a tour around the house, and a list of Asher's likes and dislikes. Asher hated not being punctual the most.
It was almost five o'clock after the whole training and I took a quick nap on my bed to rest my tired body.
I was to serve Asher his coffee at 6 a.m. and I couldn't be late even by a second.
I popped out of bed as soon as the alarm went off. After properly fixing the maid attire on my body, I pulled my hair into a ponytail and sprinted out of my room.
"Good morning, Flynn," I passed him at the kitchen entrance.
"Oh good morning, Julia. The master is in his room and it's almost time. You remember all that I told you yesterday, right?"
"I think so," I nodded, "but if I have some questions-
"Marla will assist you." He spoke as he nodded at the maid who was preparing the coffee. Then he left and I walked into the kitchen
"You must be Marla," I spoke to the one who was making Asher's coffee.
"It clearly says so on my tag," she replied icily.
"Right, it does," I rubbed my sweaty palm on my skirt. "You must be one of the old staff here, can I ask what Ash- the master is like?" I quickly rephrased.
"You're just a new maid. I warn you not to play tricks," the coldness came again and I somehow sensed her hostility.
"The young master hates sloppy servants," she turned to give me a full stare and then scoffed. "Good luck on your first day, rookie."
She turned around and left, leaving me with the coffee on the counter.
I checked my outfit and hair, wondering if I looked messy in any way. I concluded that I misunderstood her words.
Bracing myself, I picked up the saucer and head out of the kitchen. Getting to Asher's room door, I did a quick reexamination and knocked.
"Come in," his response came stiffly.
I walked in, noting that he was focused on his computer.
"Uh, I brought your coffee."
"You're late," he spoke through his teeth, "it's one second past the time."
"I'm sorry, I took the stairs."
"A goddamn excuse," he gritted. "Flynn is so fucked." He grabbed the telephone and placed a call, "Come to my room immediately!"
I shook slightly at the thunderous sound of his voice. At this point, I realized Flynn wasn't being extra when he overemphasized the time, he wasn't exaggerating when he told me that to Asher, even a millisecond counts.
It was a stupid mindset and if I wasn't focused on not getting my father in trouble, I would have blurted out my thoughts.
"It's my fault, Flynn did nothing. He taught me everything, I was slow," I said.
He faced me and that was when I realized he was smirking. "You're learning how to take responsibility now. Ian must be impressed."
I sucked in my breath.
"How hot is it?" He suddenly asked as he looked at the coffee.
"Really hot. A hundred degree centigrade hot." I emphasized.
"I don't believe you." Skillfully, he swiveled the chair and moved towards me. Each push made my heart thump but I defeated the urge to retreat.
"Kneel," he ordered and I went on my knees, now on the same height level with him.
"Asher, I-
"Quiet. It's master to you. I am your master. Say it. Call me master."
"Master," I said in a breath, gulping. "I-
"Quiet."
He circled me and I felt his heat behind me, my breath hitched when I felt his finger lightly graze my neck as he reached for the coffee cup.
***"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