*An hour earlier*Asher was leaning against the bar table in the mini bar in his luxurious three-story building family home. He stared at the golden liquid inside the wine glass he was holding. It took all of his self-control not to toss the glass across the room. Not only did she insult him in front of newscasters and paparazzi, but Lena formed a whole scandal about him. She secretly recorded the rest of their conversation and sent it to the press!Asher gulped down the wine and clutched the glass forcefully. The glass cracked, piercing into his skin. He flung the pieces away in a fit of rage.She tarnished his reputation! Because of her, people are calling him names. Some people are even planning to protest against him for doing completely nothing but trying to put a fraud behind bars.He had gotten a phone call earlier from one of the prominent newscasters, who had told him to repent for his actions and withdraw from calling the authorities on Liam Duke." If you ever call my num
" Okay, ladies and gents, hush up," Josiah said to the ladies and guys sitting on separate couches from each other, with Drake in the middle of the twelve guys and Lena in the middle of the fourteen ladies.Lena had rented a lounging area for the bachelor and bachelorette party. After the introduction, the guys were meant to go to the lounge upstairs and have their fun while the ladies would stay down. Since Drake didn't tip in to either of the party, Lena could only afford a lounge. Abby cashed in a few bucks for decorations.Drake said the bachelor and bachelorette party should be strictly for friends and relatives their age, he didn't want any old people crashing the day he'd supposedly planned." Can you guys leave already?" Rebecca, Lena's distant cousin groaned. She impatiently awaited to enjoy the night with the girls and bride-to-be.Josiah looked at her with a breathtaking smirk and said, " No sweetheart, we have to do the introduction first before we get the main event."Hi
The male strippers returned to join the ladies for the party. Lena's eldest cousin ordered pizza for everyone, while Rebecca ordered lots of snacks.They all rounded the table filled with shots of alcohol whilst they sat on the ground.Lena watched with a smile as Abby chatted with the male stripper who was dancing on her a while ago. From the way she smiled with wide eyes and bit her lips at intervals, she had a crush on him.Lena rolled her eyes, not surprised. She hoped one day, Abby would find a guy she truly loved and stop playing around." All right ladies," Lena's oldest cousin, Freda, got up and clicked a wine glass. When everyone kept quiet and put their attention on her, she smiled and announced. " So firstly, I'd like to say a big congratulations to my cousin for finding her soon-to-be husband!"Everyone cheered happily while Abby pulled Lena into a hug and kissed her cheek. " Drake is one lucky man but I swear, I'd beat his ass if he makes you cry."Lena fake-laughed at he
" Oh my goodness, Lena!" Grace shrieked as she entered Lean's room and noticed Lena was wearing makeup and her hair was tied back into a stylish bun.The next day arrived faster than Lena expected. Her head was still aching from the hangover, and the thought of her single life being eternally gone to a guy who had failed to reciprocate her love made it ache even more."You look stunning." Grace squirmed and moved over to Lena, who was trying to smile. " When Drake sees you, he won't be able to take his eyes off you."Speaking of Drake, she had not seen him since yesterday night, when he was naked and holding Rebecca in his arms." Keep up the good work Hailey," Grace said to the makeup and hair stylist. The wedding was to take place in Lena's patio, the fertile land had enough acres to accommodate less than a hundred guests. Drake requested Lena cash in money for a massive amount of money for the wedding because he was going to invite a lot of people. Lena, who had handled the bills
On hearing what Asher said, Lena's eyes turned loathsome. Her eyes snapped up to look at Asher who had the usual emotionless expression on his face. " You think this is funny, don't you?" Lena accused brusquely. Asher opened his mouth to oppose but she cut him off savagely. " Don't even say anything. You know there should be a limit to your bitchiness-" " Miss Dubby I didn't mean-" " You must have known this would happen all along." Lena threw her hands in the air. " You must have planned it with Drake. That's why you agreed to come today, so you can watch me suffer!" Immediately, she took a second to catch her breath; Asher spoke quickly. " Look, even if I wanted you to suffer, I wouldn't stoop this low. I did not make a joke; I meant it when I said I wanted to take Drake's place. It has nothing to do with hating you and definitely doesn't mean I have feelings for you. I believe it will benefit both of us if I take you down the altar." Lena froze. Her eyes rested keenly on his
Lena wasn't sure she heard correctly.She had spent her childhood and teenage years in an extended family enough to loathe it. She hardly had her privacy and couldn't do anything without someone meddling in. Plus, she had seen enough Bollywood movies to know that living with her husband's relatives would raise a stir.There was no way in hell, she'd pass through that! "What? You expect me to live with your parents?!"Asher's expression remained calm, but a hint of annoyance crept into his voice. "It's not an expectation, Miss Dubby. It's a requirement. My parents are...particular, and they want us to live with them."Lena's mind reeled as she tried to wrap her head around the situation. She had just married a man she barely knew, and now she was expected to live with his parents. It was too much to take in."Why?" Lena asked, trying to keep her tone neutral. "Why do they want us to live with them?"Asher's eyes seemed to cloud over, and for a moment, Lena thought she saw a glimmer of
Lena hurried to catch up with Asher as he made his way toward the house.Upon stepping inside, Lena's jaw nearly hit the floor. The entire interior was a lavish blend of blue and gold. Intricate gold patterns decorated the plush blue walls, and a grand spiral staircase wound upward from the side of the living room. The ceiling was so elegantly designed that it felt almost surreal. Two doors, labeled "Game Room" and "Cinema," caught her attention, further emphasizing the house's luxury."Close your mouth, would you?" Asher's cold voice snapped Lena out of her awe.Realizing her mouth had been open, she quickly shut it, her cheeks warming with embarrassment."Pathetic," Danielle muttered with a roll of her eyes, already seated on the couch beside her husband, enjoying their tea.Matteo was heading upstairs with some of Lena's luggage when a woman's voice called from the staircase."You can leave the bags here in the living room," said Jade, descending the stairs gracefully.Though techn
Lena waited for Asher to return with the rest of her luggage, but it had been over thirty minutes, and he still hadn't come back.Stepping onto the balcony, she inhaled the fresh scent of hibiscus and dandelions. The floral arrangement was stunning, and for a moment, Lena could admit that Asher's only redeeming quality was his neatness. Unlike most men she had known, he took meticulous care of both himself and his surroundings.Her attention was drawn to the massive entrance gate where seven luxury cars pulled into the driveway.'How many damn cars are in this place?' she thought, watching as elegantly dressed men, women, and children stepped out of the cars. Their glamorous attires made her stomach turn."Seriously? Who goes out dressed like a Disney princess trying to take over the world?" she muttered in disgust.They had to be Asher's relatives. Judging by their snooty expressions, they seemed just as unwelcoming as he was. She promised herself she would stay polite-unless they p
" You must be fucking insane!" Indie, Lena's boss at the bar exclaimed vehemently when Lena told her she wouldn't be available at the club tonight.Lena decided not to go down to the bar to talk to Indie directly and wait for Asher to arrive because she didn't want any commotion.He had already expressed his hatred for the way she had dressed during the first time they had dinner together; if he knew what she wore to serve at the bar, he'd create a fuss, and she wasn't sure she was going to shut her mouth and let him wade into her." Let me explain —"" Explain what? The bar would be full tonight, I need you here—"" And what about the other staff?" " Did you just cut me off?" Indie gasped exaggeratedly.Lena rolled her eyes. Almost shivering because she rolled her eyes at her boss, she quickly remembered that Indie couldn't see her." I'm sorry, Indie," Her voice was laced with pure intention, but the mocking expression on her face made Raymond, who was sitting by the fountain next
The next morning, Lena woke her parents early so they could catch a bus back home.Robert had wanted them to stay for a few more days, but Lena couldn’t ignore the tension their presence caused. She had even overheard Danielle complain to Robert for allowing her parents to stay longer.Lena could no longer take the insults from her mother-in-law, so she came up with some excuse for her parents to leave early.Matteo had driven Lena and her parents to the Park. When they had boarded a bus, Lena returned to her new home.She saw Pamela in the kitchen with her husband, which made her smile. It was better to talk to Pamela than to stay in the same space with Asher.He must have returned from his early morning workout by now.As Lena approached Pamela, she noticed something unsettling. Phillip had his arms around Pamela’s waist, his lips uncomfortably close to her ear as he wore an evil grin. Pamela’s stiff posture and pained expression were hard to miss.Sure, they were married, but the
Two days later, Asher had a hectic day at his office. Although people close to him advised him to stay home and take care of his bride, Asher blatantly refused and asked for more work on his tables.As he leaned against his table, legs crossed at the ankle with an iPad on his lap, a light pen in his hand, and a projector displaying building designs, Josiah stepped into his office without knocking.Asher glanced at him with a grimace while he grinned sheepishly and plopped into a chair by the conference table." And what's your excuse for the shit you just did right now?" Asher hissed, rubbing his brow stressfully.Josiah looked at him and shrugged nonchalantly. " I thought we established that there would be no boundaries in our relationship?"Asher sighed and shook his head before resuming back to his work." Sometimes I wonder why I didn't punch you in the guts when you asked for my lunch in elementary school," Asher mumbled, glancing at the projector and his iPad as he sketched down
When Asher dropped off his in-laws' stuff in the luxurious guest room they were supposed to sleep in for the night, he took a moment to get his head straight before going downstairs.As he leaned against the doorframe of the guestroom, he pressed a finger against his lips. ' Must be the perfect time to have one of those shit cigarettes Josiah takes.' Asher thought hysterically.Josiah always had a pack of cigarettes with him just in case anyone was going to get on his nerves or his father called to remind him he was a twenty-seven-year-old bachelor.Asher felt a weird fluid creep up his cheeks as he remembered his lips a milli centimeter from Lena's. He had the intention of punishing her by kissing her on the lips but he didn't have the courage to. It's almost like he was nervous to...Asher scoffed and ran a hand through his face. ' Nervous? Over a woman who has no respect for me? As if." He stood straight. " I'm not done yet, Miss Dubby. Not till I give you a piece of my mind.'As
As Asher walked away, Lena turned to the security guard with a faint smile."You heard him. Now open the gate."The guard hesitated before finally unlocking the gate for Lena's parents. Lena picked up their luggage while her mother carefully wheeled her father toward the front porch.Lena's mother stared around, her eyes sparkling like diamonds as she took in the grandeur of the mansion."What was that all about?" her father asked, glancing up at Lena with furrowed brows."Oh... I didn't tell him you were coming. He was just a bit surprised," Lena replied.They entered the luxurious home, and Lena's mother couldn't stop marveling at the lavish furnishings, her eyes sweeping over every detail. She even pinched herself, wondering if this was all a dream. The place felt like royalty—was it even possible for someone to be this wealthy in real life?Descending the staircase were Danielle and Robert, accompanied by Pamela's eldest son, Vincent, who scowled at the floor while his grandparent
Lena's heart swelled with excitement as the taxi pulled up in front of the grand Golden Gate of the Josh estate, where her parents stood waiting. In her eagerness, she forgot to pay the driver and rushed out of the car."Ma'am, you haven't paid yet!" the driver called, snapping her out of her trance.Startled, Lena turned back, only to gape at the fare displayed on the meter."A hundred and twenty bucks?!" she exclaimed, stunned.The driver, unimpressed by her reaction, explained, "Customers going to places like this always pay higher. If you're staying in a mansion like this, a hundred bucks should be nothing for you."Lena understood his point-wealthy people often paid inflated prices. Even at the salon, Marua charged high rates when rich patrons came by. But still, a hundred dollars was excessive, especially when Asher had yet to send her the allowance.With a reluctant sigh, she paid the driver from her salary and turned back to her parents. She silently reminded herself to brin
The night was calm and cool, which was exactly what Asher needed after a long, exhausting day at work.He sat at his large mahogany desk near the floor-to-ceiling window of his expansive office, legs crossed, fingers tapping the desk impatiently as he waited for Trinity to bring the daily sales document. The city lights of New York sprawled out before him, but his mind was stuck on an earlier conversation with a client."Congratulations on your wedding, Master Josh!" the man had said, voice laced with sarcasm. "I almost punched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. You-married? Unbelievable.""If this is the reason you called, I'm hanging up," Asher had retorted coldly."Relax, it's Greg. We have known each other for five years, we are as good as friends!""And this concerns my company's restructuring. How exactly?"Greg had chuckled awkwardly before his tone shifted. "I noticed Angelica's social media is still flooded with posts about your upcoming wedding. Didn't know you two had
Working as a waitress at the nightclub was far more exhausting than her shifts at the salon.Not only did Lena have to dress in a skimpy mini-skirt reaching mid-thigh and a tight top, but she also had to tolerate the noisy middle-aged men who always sat at the table she was to serve.They were in total eight and only one of them is still married. They often enjoyed making passes at Lena or shamelessly ogling at her body as she served them their drinks.The worst of them, Barlow, a wealthy local farmer, had the audacity to grope her ass once. When she reacted by punching him in the jaw, it caused an uproar in the club.When Lena's boss heard of it, she sent a clout across Lena's face and said vehemently, " Next time you try that shit, I'd make sure to file a lawsuit against you."Lena had held her aching cheek and was seething, ready to say one or two things to her boss but she kept her mouth shut, not wanting to lose her job." Do you know who Barlow is? He owns a fucking twelve-thous
After texting her mother, Lena slid her phone back into her pocket, a smug smile curling her lips as she watched Asher's car disappear into the distance. Since he couldn't stop acting like a jerk, she'd make sure to put him in his place.Once his car was completely out of sight, Lena turned on her heels and entered the salon, just in time to catch everyone scrambling away from the windows and doors. She rolled her eyes and went to greet Maria with a kiss on the cheek.It was Saturday, which meant the daycare was closed, so Lena was spending her morning and half of her afternoon working at the salon.Maria held her shoulder, flashing a cheeky smile. "Did you just get more stunning overnight?" she teased.Yvonne, one of the hairstylists, chimed in, "No eye bags either. Must be the rich life."From the barber's section, Dickson raised a clipper and cooed, "Affluent living sure suits you, Lena."Emily, Lena's regular chat buddy at the salon, approached from behind, resting her hands on L