Zara Howard"I don't think we should be friends anymore. You have betrayed my trust too many times for me to be okay with it." I grumble to Xena as I take a monstrous bite of the burrito Scarlett packed for me in my tiffin. "What the hell are you talking about?" Xena asks, almost offended as she digs into her dry, tasteless salad.Is she eating only lettuce?"Your plans suck. They never work. You think they do but they always backfire. I went out on a date without counter-questioning you, I trusted you when you said it was a good idea and this is how you repay all my love and trust?" I accuse her as I narrow my eyes at her. "Asher literally called you just to check up on you last night. I would think that is a pretty successful outcome of my plan." Xena says as I continue to stuff food in my mouth. With how shitty everything is going in my life, food is the only thing that seems to comfort me right now. "Sure, and he hung up right after I told him I was out on a date as if nothing
Zara Howard"Xander, this is the last time I am going to ask you. What are your intentions with my sister?" I ask in my tough voice as I cross my arms over my chest. It is kind of hard to boss around and intimidate an armed bodyguard, who is almost a foot taller than you. "Miss Howard, is this why you dragged me in here? I was more than happy to wait outside." Xander rubs his forehead as he conveniently ignores my grave interrogation. "It is productive utilisation of our time. Mister Lancaster takes forever to come down whenever I come for the update. Plus, if you just gave me the answers when I was pestering you during the car ride here, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now." I stated in a duh tone. "Don't you think it would be much easier if you just asked these apparently crucial questions directly to your sister?" He asked as he shifted in his place awkwardly. "No, I don't trust her. She treats me like I am some little kid and doesn't tell me everything thoroughly
Zara HowardAs I brush my teeth, I couldn't help but replay the events of last night. I remember how the first thing I did after getting back home last night was scream into the pillow. It is a miracle I even have a voice this morning.It was almost as if my brain was stuck on a loop as I continued to replay the events of last night. Each time, slower than before. Taking in all the details. The only thought in my head is disbelief. All these years of crushing on Asher, I have fantasised an embarrassing amount of things about him.But last night, being there captured like a little mouse in his massive body cage made me realise the kind of power Asher actually holds over me.I feel my cheeks heat up just at the thought of how good his mouth felt against my skin. I look at my reflection in the mirror and feel shame course through me. Asher is not even here and I am so flustered. I don't even want to think about how flustered and blushy I actually get in his presence. I whine as I real
Asher Lancaster"To what do I owe the displeasure?" I ask as Axel walks into my room without knocking."Oh, I am so sorry. Did I catch you in the middle of doing nothing?" Axel retorts with his classic dry sarcasm."That’s it. I am going to tell mom you are bullying me." I chuck the files I was going through on my desk and face Axel properly.“Sure, go ahead. I’ll happily tell her the number of people you slaughtered to death.” Axel raised his eyebrow as a challenge. “It was not on purpose. I swear that man fell on my knife”“What about Paul?”“I had a faulty gun.” I stated matter-of-factly.“And Jack?”“That was in self-defence. His attack was ruthless-”“And somehow you came out without a scratch and his face was beaten beyond recognition.” Axel says without letting me finish my sentence. “No scratches? My knuckles were bleeding!” I exasperate, almost offended.“Because you punched a man to death.” Axel deadpanned.“This is what is wrong with you. You a glass-half-empty kinda guy.
Zara HowardAs soon as we sit in the car, I look at Axel and ask, "I am very aware of the fact that you are my boss and also that I am super terrified of you but-""Let me guess. You want to be dramatic about Asher not dropping you?" Axel cuts me off as he puts on his seatbelt."Yes please," I almost crib. I have grown to be kind of comfortable around Asher but Axel Lancaster is a whole different deal. I really don't want to do something stupid because there are chances I may never even get home, considering I am in his car.Axel just gestures to me to go ahead and I suck in a deep breath before saying, "I was going to some alone time with my Asher and you took that away from me. Mister Axel Lancaster, what do you have to say for yourself?"Axel just ignores everything I said with a scoff as he asks, "So you really like Asher huh?""Obviously," I reply, not understanding why he would ask me this basic question instead of answering my question. "So that means you would like to get mar
TWO WEEKS LATER Zara HowardI dreadfully get out of bed, wrapping the blanket around me as I walk to the kitchen like a zombie. The last few days have been hell. I have tried to work from home on most days and even when I was forced to go to work, I was a living corpse. I groan to myself as I make myself a cup of coffee. I really did not want to get out of bed today. It has been barely ten minutes since I have been up and I already hate eleven minutes of this morning. Xena and Scarlett both asked me if I could meet them for brunch today. When I told them I could meet just one of them, they coordinated and decided that the three of us will have brunch together. I am pretty sure it is an intervention of some kind. Honestly, I can't really blame them for being concerned for me. If I had it in me, I would be concerned for me too. I barely recognize myself since Axel dropped the bomb. At some point, my mother even suggested coming over for a few days to take care of me. But that is p
Zara HowardOh, this feels amazing. The lightheadedness is so good. My head feels so light. For all I care, I might be floating. Xena was right. This is the best idea ever. Letting it loose and letting the alcohol take over me. That being said, before I knew it, I stumbled on the doorstep of the Lancaster Penthouse."Mrs Costanza, it is so great seeing you after so long," I slur as I hug her as soon as I walk into the penthouse. I really missed this woman. "Are you alright, Miss Howard?"She asked, concern evident in her voice. "I am greatttt" I giggle as I chug down the last bit of the wine in my bottle. This wine bottle is the best thing that has happened to me in a while now. I look at it as grieve its emptiness. Why do all good things in life come to an end? "I'll ask Asher to come down in a minute." She says, snapping me out of my wine whine. "Thank you! You are the bestttt" I exclaim, going in for another hug but she grabs my arms and makes me sit on the couch. As soon as I
Zara HowardA loud scream jolts me out of my slumber. I winced as I felt a thumping headache. As much as I understand alcoholics using alcohol to escape reality, I am not a fan of the after-effects. "Jesus! Scarlett, for the love of God, can you tone it down?" I complain as I walk to the living room. If she is about to lecture me about my clothes lying around or how I didn't do the dishes, I am really not in the mood for it. I got home around two o'clock last night and considering the eventful evening that I had, I passed out as soon as my body hit the bed. I check the time and it's 5 PM already. Jeez, I literally slept through the whole day. I wonder how long would I continue to sleep if Scarlett's screech didn't wake me up.As soon as I see her face, blood drains out of my face. She looks at me with fear evident on her tear-stained face. I glance down to see her holding onto a sheet of paper that seems like a letter. "Are you okay, Scarlett? Are you hurt? What is going on?" I ask