AsherAll through the drive, I stared at my father.He was completely restless as Asher drove us all to Joseph's location.Olivia seemed uncomfortable too and lost in thoughts. I knew she was troubled over her best friend and it made me feel bad that she had to hide so much from her best friend just in a bid to protect me and my family.Everyone seemed to be really worried except Sebastian.I knew he was worried too but somehow, he just always managed to mask his anxiety and appears bold.Soon, we arrived at the location Sebastian had described. It looked really shabby and unhealthy. We passed through the hospital before we got to the orphanage. It looked really small and unkept. I glanced over at Olivia as we passed by the hospital. It was too sad to imagine what poor people must be going through suffering so much without having access to the right facilities. And to think that my own brother had gone through so much despite his original identity. I just hoped whatever my mother w
AsherWhat condition was he talking about?Right now, I was regretting ever meeting him.After I got to know he even existed, I had always thought he was going to be….I really wasn't expecting anything but I was definitely not expecting him to turn out so rude and be so bossy.Was this how he was going to treat the workers when he eventually assumed his position?"What condition?" I asked him with clenched teeth.One reason I was still doing this was because I couldn't keep up with my mother at the company while knowing there was a solution to her.It was just quite unfortunate that he had to be the solution.Moreover, Anna would definitely be suspicious of everyone right now.And I wanted to give her freedom from her marriage, and also a place she deserved in the company.So I couldn't help but take all of the dirt from him."When I come to the family, I want you out of the company for good." He smirked.What?!Was he insane?"What?!" I was going to leave the company anyway but his
Asher"What are you talking about?" I asked him, rising to my feet.It better not be the she I was thinking."A lady had sent me a text saying everything I know right now. She didn't say her name but she hinted saying she was someone I was most likely to eventually meet. According to her, our father had kept us all in the dark and his plan had been to continue to keep us in the dark until the end of time." Joseph explained.I already knew that was what my father had planned to do but the question was, who had sent him such message?It was obviously my mother as my grandmother would never do such a thing. Anna didn't even have the idea of what was going on in the family.This left me with no other option but my mother.She had done it!"I'm so sorry about everything you had to go through. I might not be able to fully understand how you feel but I'm really sorry." I knew no amount of apology could make up for all the hurt my parents had caused him."It's all in the past now, isn't it? T
AsherWhat was she doing here?Well, whatever it was that she had come to do here, she was still going to explain the nonsense that she had texted Joseph.I turned off the engine of my car and got out, slamming the door shut.I matched toward her, anger filling my very soul.She was inside the house already, I knew it.No matter how many times I changed my pass code, she always found a way to still get in.Was I so predictable?"What are you doing here?" I thundered, getting into the house and finding her on my couch."Oh! Asher! You came back earlier than I expected." She smiled, still sitting on the chair."That doesn't answer my question mother. What are you doing here? How could you even get into my house without my presence nor permission?!" Now, I was no longer going to take more of her bullying and pushing around.I have had enough of it for over the years, not anymore!"You haven't had a problem with it, have you?" She wasn't even sorry!That was the most annoying thing about
OliviaI knew Asher and his mother were going to have a big quarrel and it looked like Marianna and Sebastian did too.So we all stayed outside and waited for whatever was going to happen between Asher and his mother.Several minutes passed, almost an hour and all we heard were yells.I couldn't quite make up what they were saying but I was sure it was either about Joseph, me or the both of us.Suddenly, Mrs Smith stormed out of the house and walked to her car.Seeing her was really frightening.I thought I had gotten over my fear for her but seeing her looking so angry just made me quiver.Sensing my presence, she closed her car door and turned to look at me.I froze on the spot as our eyes locked.I gulped down nothing as I noticed that she was walking toward me."You." She seethed once she was really close to me.I didn't need a soothsayer to know that Sebastian and Marianna were going to stand up against her for me.So before they did, I signaled to them to leave her be.We should
OliviaI dialed Rita's number for the third time but still, no response yet."Anything yet?" Asher asked, coming out of the kitchen with two giant mugs of chocolate milk."No." I sighed for the umpteenth time.Initially, I wanted to wait until Asher's family issues had been settled before discussing anything with Rita.But Asher had implored that I talked to her and told her everything.I was going to talk to her but definitely not tell her everythingFor whatever reason, I did not feel safe telling her everything that had happened, from the beginning.Was she so mad at me, she wasn't going to pick her phone?If her plan was to ignore me, why then did she ask me to call her?I paced to and fro the living room, endlessly, dialing her number over and over again, hoping that she would pick up the call."Maybe you should let her be for now, she seems really mad at you." Asher walked up to me and handed over one of the mugs to me.I mouthed a thank you as I took the drink."Maybe." I agree
OliviaAsher was merely close to my face when the door flung open."Shit!" Sebastian cussed upon seeing us in the position we were."Seriously Seb?" Asher growled, getting off me.As he did so, I noticed how sleek his abs were.Or was I just imagining things because I felt horny?"I'm really sorry, I could leave. You know what? I'm leaving now, you can just carry on with whatever it was that you two were doing." He said, turning around and walking briskly to the door.I remained on the couch, laughing at him.It was weird and rare to see Sebastian embarrassed."You ruined it already." Asher said angrily, completely getting off me but ignoring his shirt."It's okay Seb, you can come in. It wasn't thoughtful of us to do anything on the couch anyway." I eventually got to the chair, thankful that Asher hadn't taken off my shirt.When he turned around, I noticed how red his face was and it only made me laugh.Embarrassed, Sebastian ran away, straight to the room he occupied."Always coming
OliviaAsher drove me to the company but refused to come in.I pleaded with him to at least walk me to my office but his mind was made up already.Gloomily, I got out of the car and walked into the company.Thankfully, none of the workers passed me any weird stare today.When I got out of the elevator, I remembered that I still hadn't replied Rita's message yet.I hoped she didn't get the wrong impression that I was purposely ignoring her.I got to my office, still fumbling with my phone.I was definitely not a multitasker; walking and texting at the same time.When I touched the door knob, I realized how warm it was.Weird.I didn't return to the office after we had all gone to see Joseph and I was just coming in today.Moreover, the cleaners always made sure the office was tidy before the next day of work.Why then was my door knob warm, like someone had only entered into the office a while ago?I put Asher's number on speed dial as I slowly turned the knob, trying not to make any n
Several Weeks LaterOliviaA lot has happened since the abduction.Rita faced trial and sentenced to thirty years imprisonment with hard labour.I didn't want to be there at the court but I had to.The kids had spent quality time with my father just like Gloria had.She still hadn't said anything as regards her obvious feelings for my father but I wasn't going to rush her.She had all the time in the world to think carefully about her feelings for him.Jeremy got back once he heard the news of the abduction.He was horrified when I told him more about it, especially about Rita; my best friend being the perpetrator of such evil.It was often said that sometimes, it was the people we know that hurt us the most.Mrs Smith and Rita had in need no doubt, proved that to be true.Now that Jeremy was back, he helped out with setting up my business.I wasn't exactly sure of what I wanted to do but I was eager to try out something new, something that didn't involve me working under anyone."It
OliviaI jumped in fright when the door came down, dust rising in the air.I had to close my eyes for a second and when I opened them again, I saw Asher standing right before me."Asher?" I tried to get to him but the ropes that tightened around my skin reminded me that I couldn't.He noticed this and rushed to me."Olivia? Oh my goodness! What happened? Where is she?" He asked multiple questions as he freed me.I answered none, I had no time to.Once I was completely free, I tried to run in the direction I had seen her go after she said what she was going to do to the twins and I."Where are you going?" Asher dragged me back even before I could make a move.I tried to wriggle out of his grip but I couldn't."She has the kids Asher. She has Kian and Kianna!" I didn't realize that there were tears in my eyes until they began rolling down my face.I had never been this scared of anything before.The image of Rita's malicious laughter that continued popping up in my head reminded me of t
AsherSebastian arrived on time while I alerted the police.Mr Anderson seemed to be troubled by their presence but I was too worried about Olivia's absence that nothing else seemed to matter to me.According to them, they were close to finding her but I knew they were only saying that to make her family and I feel better.They couldn't track her phone, it was like it had been thrown into water.Whoever had called earlier, didn't call anymore which made me more nervous.Usually, when abductors want something, they keep calling and threatening the victim's family until they get what they want in exchange of letting the victim go.But it wasn't the same in this case.The abductor wasn't making any call which made me feel like he might have all of what he wanted already buy only called the other time to know that she had what I loved.I couldn't help but fear that she might try to harm Olivia and the twins.If she made any attempt to, I would make sure to punish her myself before handing
Olivia"Rita?" I gasped, staring at her."H…..h…No, this isn't real!" I tried to assure myself but failed miserably.Now that I listened carefully, Janette sounded just like Rita.Little wonder she felt oddly familiar and I felt strange around her.She was the person I had been looking for, for so long!"I had plastic surgeries done after the incident of the video. I thought that I could win Asher's heart if I came around when you were no longer in his life but that wouldn't work too. Even with you gone, no other girl was able to take your place in his heart. Despite how much he despised you for what he thought you had done to him, he still loved you. It was inexplicable but undeniable, Asher still loved you, deeply." She explained, moving away from the bed."So you never wanted me with Asher all these while? Best friends are always happy for each other's happiness and we were supposed to be best friends, Rita." I felt mad and hurt.I had trusted her so much as more than a friend.Rit
OliviaI felt a sharp pain at the back of my head and my eyes fluttered open instantly.I closed it back afterward, like the pain would magically go away afterward.And surprisingly, it did.I tried to get up only for me to realize that I couldn't.I struggled but I couldn't even get my hands away from my back.I struggled over and over but the more I struggled, the harder it became.I couldn't take my hands away from my back simply because I couldn't but because I had been tied up.How the hell did I end up like this?!The last thing I remembered was getting prepared for my date with Asher.I was supposed to be on my way to New York City if the driver hadn't switched lanes and……That was it!When I tried to argue with him, he locked the car doors and sprayed something in the car.I passed out afterward.Whatever he had sprayed in the car must have been the reason I passed out as I couldn't remember anything after that.I looked around wherever I was but I couldn't see anything but da
AsherSeveral minutes have passed after the time Olivia was supposed to meet up with me.I didn't want to call her because I needed her to take her time and do as she pleased.But her absence here was beginning to get uncomfortable until I was pushed to take out my phone.I placed it on my ear after dialing her number, waiting for to hear her voice from the other side of the phone but that never happened.I dialed her number over and over again but it just rang with her never answering the phone."This is not some joke, Olivia. Pick up your phone." I mumbled under my shaky breath."Would you like to place your order now sir?" The waitress walked up to me and asked for the umpteenth time.I had waved at her not to worry severally, because my date was on her way here and I didn't find it fair to place orders without her presence.I had somehow however, managed to attract the attention of the other customers around.This was a restaurant for couples only and I had over time, reassured th
OliviaMy didn't speak of Asher until later that night.And fortunately, he gave his full support toward my relationship with Asher.At the hospital, he had shown his displeasure in my decision to stick to Asher but decided he could do nothing against it since it had been my decision.But last night, he had told me that he was ready to fully support me.I think seeing the way the kids acted around their father must have made mine consider his decision and support me."You're going to be late if you keep staring at the mirror like that, Lila." Gloria said, suddenly coming out of nowhere and startling me.I visited Asher and his family frequently after we got back from the hospital.So I got in touch with Gloria again.Asher wanted me to return to the company but so much had happened, too much actually, for me to wish to return to that place.So, I was just going to to set up my own business like Jeremy had suggested.Today, I and Asher were going on a date.I also refused to move in wi
Asher"Oh….that…." She stuttered uncomfortably."It's fine if you're not ready to come over yet. I honestly do not wish to make you feel uncomfortable." I quickly said when I realized she hadn't meant what she said to Sebastian.It was unexpected that she had actually let me into Kian and Kianna's lives.I didn't want it to seem like I was taking advantage of her kind heart and making her do things she wasn't comfortable doing.She shifted on the chair and just looked outside the car at the house like she could see through it."I've not decided on that yet." She spoke up after a long moment of silence and I nodded."I understand. Whenever you're ready, you could just call me to come pick you and the kids." I responded and she nodded, smiling genuinely."I guess this is goodbye then." She got ready to leave the car."Wait….!" I called her back, pulling her in for a kiss.My lips were almost on hers when she withdrew."What are you doing?" She whispered, her breath fanning my face."Oh…
OliviaAsher and the twins woke up shortly after I left the ward and Sebastian helped them get ready.I was right about my dad going back home to bring some clothes and food for the twins and I.And just as I had planned with Sebastian, I took the clothes and food he brought for me."Do you think Kianna and Kian would still want to come home with me?" My dad asked when I returned from the restroom where I changed."Why do you think they wouldn't want to? They've been so eager to see you." I responded, taking a seat beside him.Ever since Sebastian and Asher made it to the hospital last night, my dad's mood had completely changed.I could tell that he was worried.Initially, I thought it was only about Asher, regarding everything that had happened in the past.But now, it seemed he was bothered beyond that."It's just that, their dad's here now. I can't help but feel like they would forget about me so soon. Usually, they would want to be around me but since last night, they've just sti