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
Some minutes earlier, Vincent stared at his phone, ignoring the conversation going on between his uncles and grandfather.Seeing the message from Heather made Vincent's heart race.— Can we meet up in the bathroom? I have something important to tell you. —Vincent scratched the hair on his neck and surreptitiously watched as Heather got up from her chair and went to the bathroom. Vincent had been very happy when he got to know Heather's family was going to show up at the seafood today. He hadn't seen Heather for some days now, and it made him so restless his mind was on nothing aside from her." Trust me, marriage is a lot sweeter after the resting stage; that's when the kids come, and you both become more aggressive," Hayden laughed, casting a glance at his wife. " I remember how mother always got headaches from trying to stop me and Victory from arguing."Robert laughed. " I had to buy extra painkillers because your mother got so angry after fixing you both issues she took out the
Vincent pushed away from Heather immediately when he caught sight of Lena. His heart thudded in his chest with panic as he stood in front of Heather as if trying to shield her from a gunshot." I'm sorry— for interrupting..." Lena looked at them for a fraction of a second as she picked up her broken phone. " Third time this year this is getting broken."Lena cracked up a fake laugh as she looked at Vincent who had begun to sweat bullets." You can continue, I didn't see anything—"" You don't have to pretend, I know you did." Vincent cut her off, panickingly.He knew the mess that would happen if his family or Heathers found out about their relationship. Most fearfully, he knew he wouldn't be able to be with her anymore when they found out.Lena was Asher's wife, she'd tell him what she just saw. And when Asher hears about it? Vincent didn't even want to imagine what'd happen next.Lena sighed and bobbed her head trying to take a good look at Heather." You know you both shouldn't g
Lena stepped into the kitchen, her bare feet making soft sounds against the tiled floor. The smell of coffee lingered in the air, mixed with the faint scent of cinnamon. She hadn’t expected to find anyone here, but there was Jade, standing by the counter gripping a steaming cup of coffee in hand, elbows propped on the island. Jade glanced up, her lips curling into a smirk. “Morning, sunshine.” Lena huffed out a small laugh. “Morning. You’re up early.” Jade shrugged. “Not really. I’ve been up for hours. Work never stops when you’re practically running things behind the scenes.” Lena walked over to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. She took a sip before turning to face Jade, who was watching her with a knowing expression. “You look like you’ve got something on your mind,” Jade noted, taking another sip of her coffee. Lena hesitated, her fingers tightening around the bottle. She had debated asking this question for a while, but if there was anyone in this house who
Lena blinked her eyes open, feeling the warmth of the sheets wrapped around her. She groaned, not wanting to get up from the couch but she knew if she didn't get up, she'd fall asleep again.She slipped out of bed and stretched, her body sore from sleeping in an awkward position. Lena glanced over at the bed to see it was empty. She wondered if Asher had returned after leaving in such a sour mood last night. Why should she care? Lena headed for the bathroom to prepare for the day and when she opened the door, she was met with Asher standing in front of the mirror, buttoning his crisp white shirt.His reflection caught hers in the glass, but he didn’t acknowledge her. He simply adjusted his cuffs, smoothed his collar, and reached for his watch like she wasn’t even there.Lena folded her arms, her gaze trailing down his sharp features from the crown of his head to the sole of his feet. Sometimes, it got on her nerves how good-looking he could be without even trying, and that birthmar
Asher sat behind his massive oak desk, his fingers drumming rhythmically against the surface as he skimmed through the reports in front of him. The large window behind him offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline, but he barely acknowledged it.Work was his escape, a place where emotions had no place.The sudden sound of his office door swinging open disrupted his focus.“Asher, my guy!” Josiah’s voice boomed across the room.Asher exhaled, not even looking up. “Do you ever knock?”Josiah grinned, strolling in like he owned the place. “Why knock when I have VIP access?” He plopped down onto one of the chairs in front of Asher’s desk, stretching his legs out comfortably.Asher shot him a bored look. “What do you want?”Josiah grinned. “I need something chill.”Asher arched a brow. “Something chill?”Josiah nodded enthusiastically. “You know, coffee, juice—whatever. Call Trinity. She knows my preferences.”At the mention of his secretary’s name, Asher’s jaw tightened.Josiah frow
Asher forced himself to look away from the motorcycle, his face twisting into a glare. His grip on the armrest tightened as the vehicle carrying Lena and Raymond disappeared into the rain-soaked night.His rational mind told him not to read too much into what he had just seen.But his emotions refused to cooperate.The way she had leaned into Raymond, the ease in her laughter, the way she looked so at peace, it all grated on his nerves.She had asked him to meet her at a restaurant just for her to be riding on a bike with her lover. “Sir?” Matteo’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Should I take you home?”Asher exhaled sharply, forcing himself to regain his composure. “Yeah. Drive.”The ride back to the estate was silent, except for the sound of the rain tapping against the car windows. Asher’s mind replayed the image of Lena on the motorcycle, fueling the storm already brewing inside him.__________The Josh’s estate was a massive structure, a blend of modern luxury and old-money
The rain had not been kind to Lena.By the time she arrived at the Josh estate, her coat clung to her skin, her hair a tangled mess, and water dripped from her fingertips onto the marble floor of the grand entrance. Her heels made soft squelching sounds as she stepped inside, her body trembling slightly from the cold.The warm glow of the chandelier overhead did nothing to ease the chill in her bones, but at least she was home.Home.That word still felt foreign to her.As she walked further in, she spotted Danielle sitting elegantly on the couch in the living room, a steaming cup of herbal tea cradled in her delicate hands as she read through a fashion magazine. Danielle looked up, her piercing gaze landing on Lena with silent scrutiny.Lena hesitated for a second before offering a polite smile. “Good evening, mother.”Danielle said nothing but stared at Lena as if she had uttered the most foolish statement.She merely lifted the teacup to her lips and took a slow sip, her expressio
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