Eric didn’t know he was taking deep breaths until he saw his reflection on the elevator wall. He looked like an exhausted cheerleader after delivering an iconic performance. He steadied his breathing, staring at the team standing behind him from the corner of his eyes hoping they had not seen him. It was later it occurred to him that they didn’t need to see him to know he was nervous because they must have heard him breathing aloud. He shut his eyes. He was nervous and slowly losing every bit of his sense of reasoning. He fisted his hands but it was clammy despite the functional air conditioning. He didn’t think he had ever felt this nervous in all his life. He had never needed to impress anyone not even his father. Now the case was different, he didn’t just need to beat Henry for his bruising ego and Arnold’s sake. He needed to do this for his father as well. It might be all he needed to get his father’s absolute approval once and for all. He had called for his team immediately after
The car door opened, Ashley carefully got out and picked up Asher and safely placed him in his stroller. It was a hot afternoon. She grabbed her purse and immediately the door was closed shut by the bodyguard. In the past, she would have protested about having guards follow her everywhere but after the experience with Asher’s mother, Angela, she had been too terrified to take Asher anywhere alone. Also, the fact that she had somehow turned into a celebrity overnight. She put on sun shades and pushed his stroller into the hospital. Although the bodyguards were clothed and had no visible weapons, they still attracted stares and whispers. There was somebody on the inside to meet them. They were quickly ushered into the elevator. They entered the doctor’s office. “Good morning Doctor Grey” “Good morning ma'am" he smiled at her. Ashley did not fail to notice the change in his choice of words to address her. She smiled uneasily. “I am just here for Asher’s monthly check-up" “You shouldn’
Adrian arrived at the company a little past noon. They had fixed a dinner meeting for later that day. Although Henry was supposed to come over, when he wouldn’t respond and Olivia wouldn’t take her calls, he had been forced to drive over as quickly as possible. The company looked almost cleared out. There were a few cars parked in the garage and a few guards littered about, Adrian rushed to one of the men. “What’s the problem? What is happening? Where is everyone?” “Mr Allen said they were closed for the day...” Adrian sighed audibly in relief. He had almost called Ashley in fear, he was glad he had not unnecessarily rattled her. “What important meeting is he...” Adrian muttered to himself. “Do you know with whom he is having this meeting with?” he asked the guard. “I do not know. We were only told it was important” Adrian nodded. “Of course” he dialled his line hoping to get to him but it went unanswered. He knew Henry had a policy of no phones during a meeting but he wanted to tr
Mary arrived at the beach house and just like she expected it was swarming with cop cars. The car skidded to a halt, she jumped out almost immediately running towards the house. “Ma'am" “Hello officer” She extended her hand for a handshake. “Mrs Allen you called 911?” “Yes," She nodded for emphasis. “I received a threat against my son's life and I called immediately.” She looked at the house. “What is happening? How is my son?” Just then a heavily drunk Arnold clad in only a bathing suit was escorted out of the house by two police. The shorts were mid-thigh and clung tightly to him, they were dripping wet with what Mary hoped was water or at least alcohol and not his urine. His overgrown brown hair was messy, some other people were escorted out of the house. They were young men and women all dressed in bathing suits. Mary half ran as fast as her legs and stiletto pumps would let her. “What’s going on here officer? That’s my son, I called because there was a threat to his life. Wh
Ashley sat on the bed while Henry lay on her thighs. The television was on, they were watching an animation show. The room was dark save for the flickering lights from the television. She played with his hair. “Do you want to talk about it?” He smiled. “You know I had almost forgotten all about it...” She turned down the volume. He turned around so he could see her. “With you everything is alright.” His thumb caressed her cheeks. “I want you to be alright” He smiled at her. “My mother came over" Ashley was surprised but she didn’t let it show. “Took a whole day. Had the media on standby so she could create a scene if I sent her away...” She caressed his face. “She had a lot of things to say...” He paused. “Uncovered old wounds, wounds I like to think are closed up and forgotten. Wounds that I lie to myself are forgotten...” She instinctively reached behind his back and ran her fingers along the fine lines of his scars. “These wounds are part of what shaped you, they made you w
Ashley stared admiringly out the tall glass windows at the ocean. She shut her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. What she loved most about this place was the serenity it offered. Henry had proposed earlier that they go on a vacation in a beach house he owned. At first, she had protested but now as she watched the beautiful blue waves hit the shore, the soft whistling of the birds and the palm trees as they waved from side to side she was thankful that they did. They all needed the time away, Henry from his job and all the pressing demands. She had to get away from a lot too. Out here they could let go of all the obligations and demands of their busy lives. Here they could be one with nature and enjoy each other’s company truly. She couldn’t ask for anything more. She had made plans, she was going to turn off her phone and truly make the most of their time together here but she had to make one last call before she did that. She dialled her mother’s number. All her calls went unanswered
Ashley fastened the rope of the red silk robe she had on. She put out the candlelight and lit it again. Her nerves were all over the place and rightly so. After all, she was hoping to pull a surprise for Henry. She was finally ready if the truth was told however she had always been ready, and she had just put it off for a short time. She had wanted him as much as he did for a long time now. Her slight hesitation had put it off for a while but she was glad he was willing to wait and oh was she looking forward to it. She had put in extra effort today. There was time because Henry and Asher had spent the day out together, of course on her insistence. The bedroom had been tastefully decorated with rose petals and silk sheets. The soft music that filled the room, and the dim lighting coming from the lit candles and the fireplace gave the room a romantic ambience. She had also given herself a special treat. A spa day indeed did wonders for your looks and overall mood. She poured herself a
Her lips slowly curved into a smile when she remembered how he had made love to her all night. She stirred, her hands reached out patting the space beside her. She felt nothing, she jolted with a start. Her eyes frantically scanned the whole room and then she saw him. He was sitting on a chair, a table before him, there was a wide sheet in front of him. She saw him dip a brush into a bowl of paint. When he looked up at her, his ever-present smirk was on his face. “Good morning my love” he said in the most alluring voice. “Good morning” her voice was barely above a whisper. She bent her head in a bid to escape his intense gaze. He lightly chuckled. “How did you sleep?” he skilfully applied the paint on the paper. She cleared her throat. “Well, I guess and you?” “Just well?” he asked. “I have a vivid memory of last night and I can say your night was more than just well...” She bit down on her lower lip. “Breakfast is on the table” he gestured to the side table beside her. She nodd