Arabella's POVThe sound of thunder rumbling through the suite woke me up. The storm seemed to have come in full force, rain beating against the windows very relentlessly. I immediately turned to the side of the bed, to see if the sound of the thunder had woken Asher up just like he did or if he was still asleep. But rather than seeing Asher, I met no one on the bed but me, I couldn't help but be worried and wonder where he was."Asher?" I called out, my voice barely audible over the storm. No answer. I called his name louder, and the unease grew, tightening around my heart. Why the hell, wasn't he on the bad and what if something had happened to him? I thought, different things about what might have happened to him came running to my mind, I couldn't shake the possibility of it being true so I got out of bed to satisfy my curiosity as I headed to the restroom, hoping that he was there but he wasn't there, I decided to head out to look for him, I grabbed the umbrella by the door.
Asher's POVI woke up to a cold wet towel on my head. my eyes were blurry with sleep, I tried trying to grasp what had happened, I blinked repeatedly trying to clear the sleep. As I shifted my head it was greeted with Arabella kneeling on the bedside next to me. The thought of what had happened came to my mind. Had she been here taking care of me this whole time?I tried to sit up, admiring her pretty face, as I touched her cheeks, I noticed her body was hot and trembling. Immediately I couldn't help but panic. Why was she burning up like this? Her body was so hot. I gently lifted her, as I laid her down on the bed, in a more comfortable position. Her skin felt like it was on fire."Arabella, what happened to you?" I whispered, more to myself than to her, as I knew she was unconscious. She couldn't respond, to whatever I say.I needed to do something. I needed to help her. But as I tried to leave the bed to get a clean towel and some hot water, so I could clean her up and reduce the
Arabella's POVThe fresh morning breeze grazed my skin and the laughter from outside woke me up. I opened my eyes slowly, clearly enjoying my sleep and what caught my attention was Asher, slumped in a chair close to me, fast asleep. His face looked peaceful yet tired, and beside him was a bowl of water and a towel. It was clear he had been taking care of me.I couldn't help but feel grateful for that, he has been such a darling ever since he got to the hospital. I leaned in close to him and stared at his face, his cheeks rising slightly with each breath and I touched his cheeks trying to feel its warmness. His skin was warm under my fingertips, and the touch seemed to have woken him up. His eyes fluttered a bit then it opened, and he stared at me with a smirk on his face, his face looked tired."I thought I almost lost you," he said, his voice a little rusty and tired.I smiled weakly, as Ieaned closer and gave him a peck. "Thank you really, thank you for taking care of me, Asher."
Asher’s POV“You know what? Why don’t we stay one more day here?” I suggested. “We barely got to enjoy ourselves because of the fever. A day won’t hurt, and I have nothing pressing to do. Neither do you.”I tried to sound cheerful, but inside, I was desperate to avoid going back to the city. The city meant memories of Scarlet, and I wasn’t ready to face them. Spending more time with Arabella might be a good distraction.“Oh, sure. I also don't want to leave now, one more day won't hurt,” she said, her eyes lighting up a little. “ That is great, so why don’t we head out to the game section?” I asked. I remember Scarlet loved games, she was a game freak. Maybe Arabella would too.“That sounds nice,” she said, the word nice seemed to hang in the air “But I don’t know how to play games. My parents always said games are for lazy people, so I never really played one. But it sounds interesting.”“No problem. You’ll love it, I assure you,” I said, trying to keep my excitement in check. As I
Arabella's POVAsher had acted strangely throughout today, and I couldn’t understand why. He felt so distant, like he was here but not present. He had barely been around the suite, always leaving without saying where he was going. As I stood there, sitting on the edge of the bed while my gaze was at the clock. He had been gone for more than two hours and the very room seemed to be suffocating me. I had to keep myself busy doing anything that would bring a new train of thought, anything that would make me stop thinking about him. I couldn’t look at the clock any longer because just one more sound of the ticking of the clock could set me up in knots. Perhaps the beach would help me think a bit clearer, so I thought it could be a good idea to go swimming, as I hadn't swam on a beach beforeI wore my swimsuit and headed to the beach. I swam for a while thereafter just to get a feeling of the water calming my nerves. However, even when I was inside the water, I couldn't stop thinking ab
Asher's POVI had been sitting in the car for over five hours, my mind a chaotic mess. Should I leave the suite? Should I go back to Arabella? My phone lay in my lap, Scarlet’s number dialed on the screen again. She didn’t pick up. She never did. Was it really over?I sighed and leaned back in the seat, sending another voicemail. "Scarlet, please, just pick up. I just want to hear your voice. If really I ever meant something or any…thing to you, please pick up, let's talk, I just want to hear your voice and nothing more." I said, as I stared at the voicemail hoping she would reply soon, I felt really drained and exhausted, I didn't know what was happening to me, why it felt like my world revolved around Scarlet, and why I was such a jerk. I must have fallen asleep because when I woke up, thirty minutes had passed, and nothing had changed."Drive me to a pub," I told the driver. I couldn't stay in the car any longer and didn't want to return home now, I had four missed calls from my fa
Arabella’s POV I watched Asher load the last of our bags into the trunk. As I looked around the suite, I really didn't want to leave . I wanted to spend another day in the suite. Maybe starting life in the suite would be better but our honeymoon was over, and we were heading back to Birmingham, back to our real lives. I had a meeting with my family lawyer, and Asher had decided to come along. When he opted to follow me, I couldn't help grin from ear to ear, I felt like the luckiest person on earth right now. As we settled into the car, Asher's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and put it on speaker. "It's my father," he said, trying to sound casual. "Probably just checking on us after the honeymoon, he has been asking of you non stop, it’s better he hears your voice" Asher answered the call, and a furious voice exploded from the phone. "Get the hell here right now, you bastard!" his father screamed. Asher ended the call quickly, his face tight with worry. "What’s wrong?" I as
Asher's POVAs the car headed towards home, my gut twisted into knots. I played around with my seatbelt trying to calm myself down as my mind raced with worst-case scenarios of what could be possible be wrong. "Oh no, oh no, oh no... Did he find out about the investment? I knew I shouldn't have touched his slush funds!" I thought, my inner voice trembling.I attempted to rehearse what I could probably say to him, but I had no clue of what to say. My palms grew slick with sweat, and my legs couldn't stop shaking. I couldn't remember the last time I was this terrified to face my father. I hesitated to get down from the car, my hand hovering over the door handle. "Okay, Asher, get a grip. You can do this. Just apologize, make excuses, and... Ugh, who am I kidding? I'm doomed."My father never joked around with his money. I should have been more careful with my spending. But I was already at a loss in the suite business, I needed a way to clear the loss I had made. “Oh shit,” I cursed u
Ashers POVI took a deep breath as I opened the door of the study room door. I knew he was already inside, waiting for me. As soon as I opened the door, a bottle came flying in my direction. I barely managed to dodge the bottle. Typical. It would be a lie if I said I hadn't expected it.I dust my suit, as I walk closer to him, with my eyes on him as he stands by the desk, he actually couldn't wait to pounce on me but not this time. He took a step forward, his hand raised. He was going to slap me, but I caught his wrist before he could land on my cheeks.“Not this time,” I said firmly, as you stared at him squarely. “I’ve let you do this before, but not anymore,” I said as I pushed his hands away.For a moment, he just stood there, shocked that I had stopped him. I could see it in his eyes, he wasn't just shocked but he was terrified. He tried saying something but he didn't, he just glared at me, as he went back to the desk. I couldn't hide the smirk on my face, I love seeing this sid
Arabella's POVIt had been ten minutes since we entered the car and he hadn't said a word to me, it was clear that his mind wasn't there. He looked nervous, he was worried. I didn't know what to do or say and I did not want to sit down in silence. I adjusted my seat, as I moved my seat close to him and I placed his hands on my stomach.“Can you feel the baby kick?” I asked as I put my head on his shoulder “Our little one’s restless today.”For a moment, he paused, his brow furrowed in concentration. Then, I saw it—the moment when he felt the baby’s tiny movement. His eyes widened in surprise.“Wow,” he breathed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “The baby kicked.”I laughed, the way he reacted was funny. He looked at me and turned away then he looked again, and I knew he saw the tears in my eyes. I tried to brush them away quickly, but it was too late. He had noticed.“ Are you okay?” He asked I turned my face away, suddenly feeling exposed, I was trying to comfort him and not make
Asher's POVIt’s been over thirty minutes since Asher left without saying a word or even any phone call from him yet, I honestly was tired of all this. His unnecessary silent or frequent anger over little things was starting to annoy me, the worst was that he wouldn’t open up to me, he wouldn’t just simply talk about what was bothering him despite how I tried to make him talk and in the end, he caused enough trouble to get us disqualified from the competition and still wouldn't talk about what happened. And this was just so tiring and frustrating for me, I really didn't know what to do about it. The idea of just going home felt a relief to me, I just couldn’t wait to go home. Because everything had been going downhill since the competition began. Asher had changed, and I couldn’t quite figure out why. He was distant and unpredictable, and his mood swings were wearing me down. I needed a break, some space to clear my head, but that didn’t seem likely to happen here anytime soon.I lo
Asher's POVI stuffed my clothes into the suitcase, not bothering to even fold it. I just needed to get out of here. Every item I tossed felt like throwing away the last few weeks, all the hard work, the efforts, everything. Arabella was packing too, she didn't bother to say anything since all of this happened. I was glad she didn't ask questions. I couldn’t deal with her right now, couldn’t handle trying to explain what had happened. I glanced over at her. She was folding a dress, her hands were steady as she carefully folded the dress without any care of the word, as if we had not been thrown out. “Damnit!” I yelled as I couldn't hold it anymore. “ Damn that bloody Willams” I screamed as the sound echoed around the room. Arabella didn’t flinch, didn’t look up. Maybe she knew better than to try and calm me down right now. I needed to get away from this room, from the suitcase, from everything. I needed air. I stomped out, slamming the door behind me. I barely noticed where I was
Asher's POV I strolled down the garden heading to my room. I barely could contain my anger. I kicked at loose stones and scattered leaves, not caring where they landed. I hated losing. I hated looking like a fool, especially in front of everyone and worst still Willams was the cause of it all. He found a way to pull me down every single time, no matter how much effort I put into it, I get the fact I was the one who started this, but his actions are affecting the suite.I clenched my fists so tightly if only I could get my hands on him. I imagined the smirk on his face, his smirk irritated me the most. I wanted to wipe that smirk right off. I couldn't go back into the room. Not yet. Arabella would come there, I didn't want to face any more of her questions and curious stares. She would never understand me, Scarlet understood me better. At that moment I missed having Scarlet around.I decided to walk around the garden, just to clear my anger and then I saw him. Williams. He was standin
Arabella POVAs soon as I walked out of the room trying to keep up with Asher's pace. The cool breeze outside should feel refreshing, but it doesn’t. My mind is stuck replaying the last half hour, Williams’ questions, the exchange between him and Asher, and also the bad energy they have, ever since the competition began. Asher hasn't said anything but him and Williams, but I knew something might have happened between them. I glance at him, but his face is set in that calm mask he wears when he’s trying not to let anything show. But I can see through it—his clenched jaw, the way his hands curl into fists when he thinks I’m not looking. Something’s bothering him.“Asher,” I start, my voice soft, testing the waters. “What’s going on with you and Williams? I know there’s more to it than just him being a judge and doing his duty.”He keeps walking, his eyes fixed straight ahead. For a second, I think he was ignoring me, but then he let out a long sigh and slowed his pace.“It’s nothing fo
Asher's POVThe room is buzzing with energy, but all I can feel is the weight of Williams’ eyes on me. He hasn’t let up since this competition started. Every look, every word, it’s like he’s daring me to crack. I won’t give him that satisfaction. Not today.I glance at Arabella. She’s sitting beside me, her hands resting in her lap, looking more relaxed than she has been, I know the competition has taken a toll on her. Today’s challenge is different—a relationship-based task. It’s meant to test how well we know each other. Simple enough. But with Williams lurking in the background, I know it won’t stay that way.The first few questions come easily. What’s Arabella’s favorite color? Easy, blue. How does she like her coffee? Black with a dash of sugar, just like she always orders when we’re out. I can feel her starting to relax even more as we move through the questions. She’s smiling now, at least this challenge was nothing too serious compared to the last ones. And for a moment, I let
Arabella's POVI want to believe him, but something in his tone makes me doubt it. He’s not fully here. His mind is somewhere else, probably on Williams. I can see it in the way his fists keep clenching and unclenching at his sides. He’s angry, though he’s trying to hide it from me. But it was too obvious. “ I am still scared Asher” I admitted.He stops walking, turning to face me, and for a moment, I see the frustration flash in his eyes. Not at me, but at everything else. “You don't have to be.”His words should have reassured me, but he didn't, maybe it was because of how he said it.“ You look angry,” I said, finally mustering the courage to ask. “ Is it because of…Williams.”He doesn’t answer immediately, but he mutters a curse under his breath. “Maybe a bit, I just can't get my mind off what he did, after long hours of prepping for this, he just has to show off and act petty.”“Asher,” I say gently, stepping closer to him. “We’ll get through this. Don't let him get to you. Yo
Arabella's POVThe day after the introduction party, I woke up with a sharp pain in my stomach. Yesterday was really a stressful day, I doubt if I have the energy to prepare l for today's challenge. Today's challenge is a team strategy exercise, and couples have to solve a business problem together. I don’t know how I’m going to get through this. Asher and I haven't worked together in this way. I don’t even know how much I can contribute. He’s the business genius, not me.When we arrive at the room where the challenge will take place, I scan the other couples. They didn't look out of place like me. My breath catches when I see one couple already discussing potential strategies before the challenge has even started. I wish I had that kind of confidence. But I don’t.Asher places a reassuring hand on the small of my back. "We’ve got this," he says softly, but his eyes were focused on something else, his jaw tightens and the way his fingers tighten as he sees Willams. He appears calm, bu