Asher’s POVI woke up with my head feeling heavier than usual and a kind of headache that felt like someone had hit my head with a hammer"oh dammit," I cursed under my breath. The drink last night must have taken a toll on me. I tried to open my eyes, but it felt like they had been glued and with each attempt I made to open my eyes, the pain of the headache increased. After numerous tries to open my eyes, I finally managed to force my eyes open. But the brightness of the room forced it shut. “Damnit,” I cursed again. “This would be a reminder never to drink.”I turned my head to the other side which was less bright. When I could finally open my eyes without the brightness blinding me, the first thing I saw made me scream, I saw Williams sitting on the couch with his arms folded, staring at me.“Whoa!” I jumped out of the bed while holding my chest. “What the hell, man, you scared me?” I screamed, in shock.This act made him chuckle, his arms were crossed over his chest. “You’re
Arabella’s POV“ Stop it, stop it” those voices woke me up. The voices were so loud, I wasn’t sure at first if the voices were coming from my sleep but as I opened my eyes and, I waited for a bit, I could still hear the voices. One of them was Miss Thompson’s voice. The other sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it right away. Mr Blackhood, he was here? I sat up in bed, I couldn't help but wonder, Why would Miss Thompson be arguing with Mr Blackhood and what were they arguing about?I quickly got out of bed to find out what they were arguing about, as I headed downstairs, I could hear Miss Thompson's voice. It was hushed but from her voice, it seemed as if she was crying.“I can’t keep this any longer,” she said. “I doubt if I will be able to leave longer and I don't want to take this secret to my grave”My breath hung on my throat. What secret? And why did she sound so desperate? I didn't want to eavesdrop but I wanted to know what was wrongMr. Blackwood paused for a bit. “I
Ashers POVI stared at Arabella, her eyes red from crying.“ Are you okay?” I asked, but she didn’t say a word, she looked right through me, as if I wasn’t even there, just tried muttering something I could barely hear but she stopped staring at my father and ran upstairs.I turned to look at my father, who had been watching Arabella the whole time. He looked away from the door, his expression unreadable. "Follow me," he said, his voice low and firm. There was no room for argument.Reluctantly, I followed him to my study. I knew what he wanted, but right now my mind was occupied with thoughts of Arabella, why was she like this?, it felt like each time I leave her she ends up in a state I couldn't explain.Inside the study, my father walked over to the large chair behind my desk and sat down, swirling the chair backward, his back facing me."Hand it over," he said without turning around.I stared at him for a long moment. I felt so disgusted by the mere fact that he was my father. I
Arabella’s POVI pressed my chest so tightly to stop my heart from pounding as tears flowed down my face. I just could not grasp everything that I had overheard—it was too much. Miss Thompson… Asher's mother? No. I had to be wrong. This couldn’t be real. I closed my eyes while trying to make sense of everything.Asher's whole life had been a lie. He had no idea. How could I tell him? The thought of his face when he found out… It broke me.The sound of the door opening slightly made me pause for a bit as I immediately wiped my face with the back of my hand, I didn't want anyone to notice that I had been crying.Asher walked in, his expression hard, his movements rushed. He barely acknowledged me as he grabbed his shirt in the wardrobe and started changing. I watched him silently, wondering what had happened. He always seemed angry after talking to Mr. Blackwood."Are you okay?" I asked, my voice soft, and hesitant.He didn’t turn to face me nor did he stop buttoning his shirt, he jus
Asher’s POVAs I took my seat, at the passenger's seat I leaned back and took a very deep breath. The day had barely started, but it already felt like I had a stressful day even though the day just started. So much had happened already, and all I wanted right now was just a moment to clear my mind. I’d been carrying too much weight for days, and the stress of everything was starting to pull me down.“Just get me to the office,” I muttered to the driver, signaling him to start the car. I needed to be there, in my space, where I could breathe and not feel the constant pull of my father's control or the thought of seeing Arabella. It had been over two months since I’d last stepped foot in the office. Two long months of dealing with family matters, handling the mess my father had roped me into. The office was the one place where I had some sense of control, a world I could still call mine.As the driver drove, I pulled my phone out of my pocket, scrolling through emails and messages, tr
Arabella's POV I stood outside Miss Thompson's door, staring at it for over thirty minutes, my hand hovering over the handle. It had been hours since she’d gone inside, and she hadn’t come out once. I checked the time again four hours had passed. She hadn’t taken her medication, and I knew she needed it. As upset and confused as I was by everything I had heard today, I couldn’t let her stay locked in there, crying and beating herself up. Her health couldn’t take that kind of strain. I let out a shaky breath, trying to steady myself. What would I even say to her? I didn’t know how to make sense of this myself. My hand tightened around the door handle, as I finally made up my mind to open it. I had to do something, her health was too critical for this. But as I turned the handle, ready to push the door open, the phone rang, which made me a little happy as I didn't want to face Miss Thompson now.I rushed over to the phone landline, grateful for the distraction.“Hello?” I answered, m
Asher’s POVI spotted Arabella waving at me, but I turned away, pretending not to see her, as I headed inside the elevator. I didn’t know why I ignored her. Maybe it was guilt over the document or maybe it was because she was pregnant, and I wasn’t ready for that, being a father? Me? I could barely manage my own life, let alone a child and I didn't want to be like my father. I pushed those thoughts out of my mind. I couldn’t think about Arabella right now. I had to focus on the meeting with Williams. He was already waiting in my office. I knew whatever was going to happen in my office wouldn't be pleasant at all, as I was so convinced that he was the one behind it, the photo all over the internet was snapped in his pub.I opened the door and saw Williams sitting in my chair as if he owned it. He looked up when I entered, smiling like nothing was wrong. “Hey, Asher,” he said casually, as he stood up from my chair.“ Your seat is quite comfortable, maybe one day I will be the one sitti
Arabella's POVI stood in the lobby, pacing, with my eyes never leaving the clock on the wall. Ten minutes had passed, but it felt more like ten hours. I tried to keep my mind busy, but I could feel the stares from the staff around me. I was uncomfortable. I had never been alone in my suite. Asher was always by my side. Now it felt like I was all alone.Then, I saw the door to Asher's office swing open, and Williams stormed out, as he slammed the door shut behind him. His face was red with anger, his movements quick and sharp. I froze, as he stared at me, I tried pretending that I was looking for something inside my spot, but he seemed to be walking towards my distractions. I wanted to turn and leave, find some excuse to walk away, but my legs wouldn’t move. He was in front of me in seconds.Before I could react, he grabbed my arm. His grip was firm, his fingers digging deep into my skin. I flinched, trying to pull away, but he wouldn’t let go. I avoided his eyes, staring at the floor
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