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
Zara HowardI feel nervousness take over me at the thought of seeing Asher. He has already done way too much to help us out and he has never objected or asked for anything in return. I snap out of my thoughts when I see Asher rushing down the stairs. "What is going on? Xander told me Victor sent a threat again. Are you two okay?" Asher demanded as his eyes switched between me and Scarlett. "Yes, we are fine. This is what Scarlett found when she got back home from work," I answer as I hand over the letter to him with trembling hands. As Asher read the threat, I could see his hands curl up into fists."Where were you when this happened?" Asher asked me, making me squirm under his stare. I am really not a fan of the angry interrogative Asher Lancaster. He is plenty intimidating already. "Uhm, I was asleep. I uh-" I struggle to answer as I fidget with my fingers."Of course. The hangover." Asher just shook his head in disappointment.I open and close my mouth like a fish, not knowing
Zara HowardAfter everything that happened yesterday, I have learnt my lesson. No matter how sharp his words were, he was right. I am the one who needs him and not the other way around. He has been generous enough to let me stay with him in the Lancaster penthouse. I can't act like this ungrateful brat who does whatever she wants and expects people to just be okay with it.I freshen up and go down for breakfast. I can't avoid Asher and stay in my room forever. I notice Mrs Costanza setting up the plates for breakfast."Good morning, Mrs. Costanza!" I chirp as I start to help her set the plates. "Oh, looks like you are finally done hiding from Asher?" Mrs Costanza says as she proceeds to toast the bread, barely even glancing at me. What happened to Hello! Good morning, you little ray of sunshine. "Hiding? From Asher? What are you talking about?" I ask as I try my best to play it dumb. Mrs. Costanza gives me a look that says 'Who are you kidding?' "What? Seriously! I was sick." I p
Zara HowardJust like Asher promised, Xena was here to meet me. But now that she was here, I didn't know what to say. In the most ideal situation, I would've loved to tell her everything. Vent to her about all the bone-chilling things I witnessed. How I saw the love of my life brutally torture a man and shoot him in the head without batting an eye.But right now, I am too scared to say anything because I am afraid I might accidentally slip up and say something I shouldn't have. Ugh. Keeping such a big thing from Xena is eating me up. "Zara, what is going on? You are freaking me out. You are being eerily silent and it is very unsettling." Xena asks, her voice laced with concern. I blink repeatedly, trying to snap out of my thoughts. I can feel my mind chanting Asher's words. Warning me to keep my mouth shut. Threatening me with the consequences of my actions. I gulp too scared to even think of the consequences. I groan internally when I recall how he made me promise that I will be
Zara HowardOnce Xena leaves, I head back to my room. I plonk onto the bed with my face flat on the mattress. Xena's words loom over my mind. 'I had no idea orgasms could hit so hard. The rough intensity. The grabbing and groping. The pleasurable pain.'I groan into the pillow as her words keep chanting in my brain. I feel the pressure building up in the pit of my stomach as I feel every ounce of self-control crumbles into bits.Sure, I have always admired Asher, his handsome face, his taunting smirk, his deep dimples, his husky voice, and his forest green eyes always gleaming with mischief.But it has taken every fibre of my being to not think of Asher too sexually. To not think of him while I touch myself. To not think of him when I read smutty romance books even if that meant I had to picture a faceless blob throughout the story. Because deep down, I know once I give in, I won't be able to stop. Asher can already see right through me. I can only imagine my plight if I let my filt
Zara HowardThere is nothing better than sneaking into the kitchen for some midnight ice cream. These are times I absolutely love the Lancaster household. They have everything and honestly, the best of everything at their disposal. I tiptoe out of my room towards the kitchen. I scoop out some ice cream for myself while I tried to remain as quiet as possible, considering it is almost 2 AM. Just when I turn around to head back to my room, I am startled by a very tired-looking Asher sitting at the counter, sipping on his signature whiskey. "Jeez, you scared me!" I whisper-scream as I place a hand on my heart. Asher just responded with a brief nod as he took another sip of his whiskey.I jump up a little and settle on the kitchen counter, with my legs lightly dangling. Everything in his house makes me feel like a dwarf. Considering how towering the Lancaster men are, most of the furniture is taller than usual. Asher continues to sit there in silence, twirling the ice in his glass, pro
Zara HowardAfter everything Asher told me last night, I'm left with a very hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach. As much as I appreciate him telling me the truth about the whole situation, I really don't know what to feel anymore. Knowing the real reason behind the whole arranged marriage arrangement and how it isn't some stupid boyish stubbornness makes my soft spot for him only grow further. I know how practical and realistic Asher is about a few things so I don't think anything is changing his mind about the marriage situation.But I can't help but let my mind linger back to all the times Asher has shown he cares, more than any man in my life ever did. There is never a question about whether or not he'll look out for me. He always does. Whether it was providing for my family after my stepfather was gone, whether it was taking care of our safety. He is letting me stay under his roof without expecting anything, for fuck's sake.I don't really know how that soft spot I have for
Zara Howard“Excuse me? I can do whatever the hell I want.” I clear my throat before looking straight into his eyes and challenging him. I guess I might be a little overconfident because Hector and Carter are in the next room and knowing Asher, he won’t try anything in their presence.“Sweetheart, I have got a lot of work to do, just go back to your room or go take a swim in the pool to entertain yourself but you cannot go to meet ‘this friend’.” He says the last words spitefully making me scrunch my eyebrows together.What is his problem?“I don’t understand. Everything was completely fine till the time I mentioned Caleb. You didn’t mind me going out if Hector accompanies me. But suddenly out of nowhere, you say no? And you expect me to listen. I don’t care what you think Mr Lancaster. This is a free country and I, Zara Howard, pledge-“ I start my moving speech but am rudely interrupted by Asher with his signature bored look.“I don’t owe you an explanation. My job is to keep you saf