The contract made

Asher was excited, it's been so long that he felt so sprightly about anything. Earlier that day he and Joan had both written out their terms, and he printed them. 

He put in a penalty fee for Joan reneging on the conditions of their contract. He purposely set the fee to be above the valuation of Joan's shares in her family's company.

While reviewing the contract Joan found issues with some of his terms. She had problems with his use of words of endearment, and the number of dates he wanted. 

He'd strongly assert that those were his terms for the contract and they were necessary. But she vehemently refused to live with him when he brought it up, so he had to erase it from the contract. According to her, she will not live with a man she hardly knew.

Asher decided to not force her to live with him, he wanted it to be something she would do willingly.

On his part, he found no problems with her terms, except the part where she states she wants to be involved in all his dealing with her family's company. That wasn't much trouble for him he'll find a way around it.

After they signed the contract, Joan refused his invitation to a celebratory lunch and left his office in a hurry. No matter he's done well and he is proud of his work. 

Sometimes his brilliance astounds even himself. He thought it was strange how he became sad for Joan when she cried. Or how he took her to a place that was important to him like Grey's. Of course, it was not because of worthless emotions, subconsciously he had everything planned. 

It was like he followed an invisible hand directing him and now he has Joan to show for it. 

She will become an important tool in his plans and he would utilize her well. He is already planning a means to use Joan to close his Aldrax acquisition deal. 

It is an exciting time for Asher. At least it was until he got a call from Cassidy. She informed him she was right outside his company building and threatened to come inside in search of him.

Asher was infuriated by Cassidy's actions. He'd made it clear to her that she couldn't come near him outside of their illicit affair. 

Asher stopped everything he was doing to go meet Cassidy. He couldn't risk her barging into Maven.

"Hello, lover boy, long time no see," Cassidy said and tries to hug Asher as he enters her car. She was annoyed when Asher rejected her advances.

"What are you doing here?" Asher asked, the tone of his voice cold.

"What, no kisses, hugs, or I've missed you?"

Cassidy mutters in disappointment.

"You heard me, so tell me, what are you doing here?" Asher queried, reiterating his previous question.

"Gosh, you are so cold, you are lucky I'm a warm, loving person. I'm here since it's been a couple of weeks since I've seen you or received your calls. I've missed you. Surely you think it's been so long too."

As Cassidy spoke she renewed her advances on Asher. She stroked his thighs and nibbled on his earlobes.

"And that's your reason for coming here? we had an agreement, Cassidy. You don't show up anywhere near me, or come looking for me. If I need you, I'll call."

"Is that all you have to say? Since you don't want me to come looking for you, how about you tell me where you've been and what you've been doing the past few weeks." Cassidy demanded.

"Well that's none of your business, but I'll tell you anyway, I've been busy with work." Asher thought it was funny how Cassidy was making demands. Their relationship is nothing more than a mutual benefit of a sexual nature. He doesn't owe her anything except an orgasm or two and that's out of the goodness of his heart. 

"That's the only excuse you can give me, it's been weeks Asher."

Asher was getting increasingly irritated by Cassidy. He thought perhaps it was the right time to cut her loose.

"It doesn't matter if it's been weeks or months. We had an agreement. I need you, I call you, that's it. It seems you are not satisfied with this arrangement anymore." 

Cassidy could feel her anger flaring, she loves Asher too much for him to treat her like this. She'd divorced her ex-husband to be with him.

"How can I be satisfied, I am not a toy that you use when you're bored. I also don't want to be your booty call anymore."

"Let's end it then," Asher said apathetically.

Asher's words formed a cold pit in Cassidy's stomach. She wondered if Asher was kidding, but then Asher does not make jokes.

"Are you serious?" Cassidy asked, she couldn't believe Asher would end things so easily with her.

Asher was tired of Cassidy's demands for more affection than he was willing to give. And now she's showing up at his company, he could only wonder what she'll do next if she's left unchecked.

"Yes, I'm serious. I guess this is as perfect a time to tell you. I'm engaged and I'm getting married," Asher said putting an end to their tryst. He had never entertained the thought of progressing his relationship with Cassidy.

"W-what?" Cassidy stuttered, she couldn't believe her ears.

"You heard me right," Asher said. He thought the timing couldn't be more perfect, it was just enough for him to end things cleanly between him and Cassidy. "This is goodbye Cassidy. Take care of yourself."

Asher's words had Cassidy disoriented, it left her momentarily unaware of her environment. She was still dazed when Asher opened the door of her car to leave. The slamming sound of the door snapped her back into cognizance. 

When she notices Asher's absence she hurriedly steps outside of her car

"Come back here, let's finish this. If you leave now, then it's really over!" Cassidy hollered at a retreating Asher, who didn't even miss a step.

Cassidy couldn't believe she'd lost Asher. She felt drops of tears rolling down her face. Gurgled sounds escapes her lips as she fought back her tears.

She couldn't believe her suspicions were right. She'd suspected there was someone or something that's captured his attention when she hadn't seen him in weeks. But she had not anticipated Asher's actions.

Cassidy steels herself as she meanders into her car. She couldn't lose Asher in such a manner, she reasoned.

She loved him too much for that. All she has to do is to find and take care of her opposition. She loves Asher and she would not share him. 

"No, it isn't over yet, I can't lose Asher like this," Cassidy mutters encouragement to herself.

She reasoned her problem must be Asher's fiancee. She would find her and make her pay.

****

Joan ambled into her room heavy-hearted. She felt dejected, the loneliest person in the world.

After she left Asher's office, she toured the city. She went to places she visited with her parents as a child. She felt cold solitude as she reminisced the times shared with both of her parents.

She could feel tears stinging her eyes, it took everything she had to fight her tears.

"Hey Jo, didn't see you come in," Francesca said. She only noticed her niece's presence because she didn't shut her door all the way.

"What's wrong Joan?" Francesca asks her niece as tears stream down Joan's face.

"What... nothing's wrong." Joan lied, she couldn't bring herself to tell her aunt and friend that she'd sold herself over to Asher.

"Nothing's wrong? why are there tears on your face then?" Francesca asked, she was already in Joan's room, seated at the edge of her bed.

Joan put her fingers to her face and it was wet. She had not noticed the tears. Her eyes truly were betraying her, they were streaming down tears against her will.

"I'm... just... all alone..." Joan cried, letting her tears loose.

"Oh Jo, you are not alone kiddo, you still got me, I'm here for you, and I'll always be here with you." Francesca felt a wrenching pain as she witnesses her niece's tears of anguish.

"You don't know that."

"Yes I do, I will never leave or abandon you." 

"You... you promise?" Joan asked after her tears has lessened some.

Francesca pulled Joan into a reassuring hug, "Of course, I promise, we've got each other."

Joan felt her mind ease from the warmth of Francesca's hug. Her feeling of loneliness, resignation, and dejectedness eased away with her ceasing tears.

Perhaps there's a light at the end of the tunnel called Asher Evans.