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
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
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
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
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 ma
" 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
Lena stared out at the beautiful city as Matteo drove to the crab house. She fiddled with her dress, uncomfortable by the level of boredom in the car. No one made a sound since Matteo had started driving.She had asked Matteo to turn on some music but he callously ignored her, which wasn't surprising. When she wanted to turn it on, Asher slapped her hand away.If not that they were not alone, she would have given him a piece of her mind. Lena placed her hand near the headrest of Asher's seat and began tapping it while whistling to a song that cut through Asher's focus.He looked up from his phone and threw Lena a glance overcome with unhidden disdain." And what is the meaning of what you are doing?" Lena ignored him and heightened the sound of her whistling. She wasn't in any mood to speak to him, especially when she knew he always got on her nerves." So this is it now?" His brows narrowed at her apathetic attitude. He'd never been ignored before. He was always the one to ignore
Lena held herself from moaning and vomiting all at the same time.The scent of various seafood dishes engulfed the atmosphere of the Crab House, and the whole aroma twisted in Lena's nose, making her want to moan, but she held it, and the vomit that was rising in her throat, with Asher's hands wrapped around her waist.One small move and she'd push him away from her. Although she felt a little bit hot between her legs with his powerful arm around her, that beautiful, indifferent look overshadowed any form of feelings growing in her." This place is... beautiful," Lena admitted, gaping at the blue sea sparkling in the moonlight through the glass walls." Uh hun, " Asher slid his phone into his pocket and glanced over at his brothers, father, and brothers-in-law sitting around a table different from that of the females.He let out a sigh and half-looked at his stunning wife. " Promise me, you'll control your big mouth."Lena was too busy, enthralled by the plushness of the restaurant, t
Asher tightly held the wheel of his silver Porsche, the engine humming softly as he drove home from a meeting, the city lights blurring past him.The cold night air created fog with his breath, and his mind was a jumbled mess. He drove slowly, not yet prepared to confront his home or Lena when his phone buzzed loudly beside him.He looked down to see Lena’s name flashing on the screen, causing a knot to twist in his stomach as he braced for what she might say.Maybe she had finally decided to let her ego down and speak to him, or maybe she just missed getting on his nerves like he did.He answered and put the call on speaker.In no time, her voice came bursting through, drunken and loud. “Mr. Asshole! Hey, are you there?” she giggled drunkenly. “I might've had a bit too much, yeah? Raymond’s totally smashed too, and I need a ride home. Come get me!” She laughed stupidly, a mix of excitement and chaos, with loud music pounding in the background.His jaw clenched at her words. Raymond,
By Friday, exhaustion had taken its toll. Asher was running on empty, yet had a meeting lined up with an important businessman, all glitz and cash, eager to close a deal. Asher dragged himself to the meeting, his suit sharp, face hardened, hoping work would drown out the turmoil within though things were hard without Trinity by his side. The venue was upscale, shining, and with classic floors and chandeliers hanging, and he settled at the table, papers spread, awaiting the appointment.The businessman arrived late, grinning broadly, his wife by his side tall, blonde, and radiant. “Asher, friend,” he said, giving him a friendly clap on the shoulder, “this is Clara. Keeps me in check, doesn’t she?” Clara laughed, warm and inviting, taking the seat beside him, her hand resting comfortably on his arm. Asher nodded, forcing a smile, but his focus drifted to their connection.They were tactile and affectionate in the way they interacted. The man Mark, introducing his wife, kept his hand
Minutes earlier...Luca hung back in the hallway ol, his footsteps muted against the old floorboards as he clutched a stack of papers in his hands.He intended to discuss business with Asher, but the shouting coming from the bedroom stopped him. Asher's growl and Lena's sharp reply “It's a fake bloody marriage, Asher!” hit him like a punch. He froze, breath hitching, processing the implication: their marriage was a facade? His mind raced, and a sly smile crept onto his face; this was pure gold, like really pure gold.He inched closer to the door, straining to hear the end of the argument Asher's bitter question. “Are you seeing someone, then?” followed by Lena's cool denial: “Yeah, I am.” The door slammed open, and Asher stormed past, too furious to notice Luca lurking in the shadows. Asher's anger fueled Luca's excitement this wasn't just juicy gossip; it was leverage he could manipulate.Quickly, he ran into his room, his phone in hand. Angelica's number lit up on the screen,
Asher sat in the backseat of his Porsche, the engine humming as they cruised through the city. The night was dark, with street lights flashing by, and he looked out the window, his thoughts in disarray, a lot going on his mind. Matteo stayed silent in the front seat, hands firmly on the wheel, while Josiah was next to Asher, chattering away like a wind-up toy. “Hey, picture this, right?” Josiah exclaimed, his voice loud and playful. “We arrive, and Abby's there in that red dress boom! I trip over my own feet trying to impress her! I’d look like a total fool, right?” He laughed, slapping his knee, grinning like a kid telling a bad joke. Asher clenched his fist, trying not to let his anger get the best of him. He hated himself for expecting any more from Lena. Last time, she forgot about their date and went on a ride with that bastard; now, she had called him to say Abby would take her place since she had a terrible headache. Asher barely registered Josiah, his eyes on the st
The next day, Asher sank into the driver’s seat of his silver. He rubbed his face, restless, his thoughts consumed by the dinner Lena had convinced him to attend tonight.Not wanting to be alone with his thoughts, he picked up his phone, found Josiah’s contact, and called before he could second-guess himself.“ Well, well, well, have dogs begun to fly?” Josiah greeted him, his voice lanky and absurd as usual, as though he’d just tripped on something amusing. “What’s going on? Are you actually calling me?”Asher frowned and leaned back in his seat. “Cut it out, you clown,” he replied, trying to maintain a gruff demeanor but failing. “Want to go out tonight for a pint or something? Your call.” He played it cool.There was a moment of silence from Josiah before he burst into laughter. “Ha! Is this a setup? You, wanting to hang out with little ol’ me?” he said, sounding as if Asher had just told him a funny story. “You alright, pal? Hit your head or something?” He cackled before lowerin
As dawn broke slowly, Asher was already awake, restless in the small room he had slept in. The bed was uncomfortable, and the quiet ambiance, interrupted only by the occasional creak or birdcall, kept him anxious. He packed his belongings into a bag, eager to leave this cramped, middle-class setting and return to his own life. He could hear Lena shuffling around downstairs, likely also packing.He made his way down the stairs with his bag slung over his shoulder and found Lena in the kitchen with her mother. Lena was hastily packing a sweater into her backpack, her hair tousled, while her mum fussed by the kettle, steam rising in the dim light. The aroma of toast and tea filled the air, a cozy scent that made Asher uncomfortable. He dropped his bag by the door, gave a brief nod to both of them and said, “Ready when you are,” his voice gruff, already mentally distancing himself from the room.Lena’s mum turned around, wiping her hands on her apron, and gave them a look, sharp yet w
Asher leaned against the small window in the cramped room Lena had arranged for him, the dark and silent night surrounding him. He heard the stairs creak slowly, and his head whipped around. The door opened slightly, revealing Lena, arms crossed, her expression a blend of irritation and an unrecognizable softness.Seeing her was like a breath of fresh air, a comforting surprise he didn’t anticipate. His shoulders relaxed a little, and the tightness in his chest eased, though he would never confess it to her or anyone else. She caught his gaze and smirked, a cheeky sparkle in her eyes. “What’s this?” she teased lightly. “Mum thinks you’re up here missing me. Cute, isn’t it? Tough guy, pining for my company?”He scoffed, sharply turning from the window to face her fully. “Pining? You’re dreaming, Lena. I’ve been perfectly fine without your chatter every five minutes.” He crossed his arms, mirroring her stance, though a twitch at the corner of his mouth threatened a grin.Lena walked
Asher stood alone in the tiny and unkempt room Lena had prepared for him. It was a tight space with barely enough room for the single bed in it, a crippled chair, and a scratched-up dresser in it. He didn’t sit, didn’t unpack, just moved to the small window, pushing the thin curtain aside. The street outside was dark and void of life, just a few shining lamps casting shadows on the Broken pavement. He looked out, hands in his pockets, and his mind filled with so many thoughts, dragging him back to places he didn’t want to go, lucid and uncalled thought.Flashbacks hit him hard on the rain-soaked nights, the smells of blood on his knuckles, shouts echoing down narrow alleys, hovering on his mind. He saw his old life, rough friends, dodgy deals, the kind of stuff that left scars inside and out him. A younger Asher, angry and lost, running through streets not much different from this one. His breath caught, chest tight,breath unsteady, as he remembered the cold, the fear, the mess
Asher was standing on the rickety, dirty porch of Lena’s parents’ home, when his phone buzzed in his hand, and Angelica’s name glared at him from the screen. He thought, "What the hell is going on? Why is she suddenly calling him?" He sighed deeply, frustrated, his thumb scrolling over the end call button. He didn't want to hear her voice, not now, not ever, not after the chaotic and stressful day he’d had, with his mind still filled with old memories and the view of the street. The phone continued to ring again and again, so he reluctantly pressed it to his ear. “What do you want?” he asked, his tone sharp and steady.“Where are you, Asher?” Angelica’s voice came through the air, filled with accusations and fury, as if she were looking for a confrontation.He rested against the porch railing, which creaked under his weight. “Why does it matter to you?” he answered coldly. He wasn’t in the mood for her drama today.She persisted. “Don’t play dumb with me,” she hissed. “I heard y