This chapter contains slight verbal and even a recounting of physical abuse. Viewer discretion is advised. Sera had just finished putting up her clothes when a knock sounded on her door. "I thought you said you were busy," Sera called from in the room before opening the door to a tall, redheaded man. "He is busy." he said, startled. She took a small step back, and the man held out his hand and smiled, "My name is Xavier, I'm Ashers..." He paused for a second, mulling the words over. "Assitant." Sera gingerly shook his hand—a broad smile spreading across Xavier's face. "Seraphina." He nodded and glanced around her room. "Get settled in as much as possible?" She gently scratched the back of her neck, grimacing slightly. "As much as one can when they have nothing to unpack." He leaned up against the door frame, the look on his face unamused. "At least you clean up nice." Sera scoffed and crossed her arms, glaring up at Xavier. "I would say the sam
Asher's phone had gone off five times during his meeting—five times. Each time he went to look at it, the frustrated man across from him cleared his throat. Ding. Six times. "I'm sorry, is there something more important going on that you need to address?" Mateo Percheron asked as Asher leaned back, pulling his phone out of his pocket. Asher read the name of the person who had messaged him. "It's nothing to be concerned about; I'm just getting some updates on business." Asher read Xaviers' name across his screen. The man was leaving paragraphs in his texts. What the f*uck? "Continue." He waved at Mateo, enjoying that the man bristled at Ashers' blatant nonchalance at who he was speaking. "As I was saying..." He grunted, taking a swig of his whiskey. Asher put his phone down and stared at the man sitting across the desk disinterestedly. Asher wanted to know what was so damn crucial that Xavier felt the need to message him instead of calling him. He never m
The world was utterly drowned out as Sera made her way home. The muffled sounds of the cars as they drove by and the barely audible chatting of people passing by only slightly made it through her headphones, where her music was blasting in her ears. She only had a few more blocks until she reached her childhood home, which consisted of the 'American Dream' of the white picket fence and an oh-so-loving family. The Jameson family was well known for their generosity and kindness outside the baby-blue home, but inside, it was like a messed-up fairy tale movie. Her mother and father were well-known in the community and had a knack for always being the 'perfect couple.' Sera scoffed if only they knew how they were on the inside. Cold and calculating, but that was only for their eldest adoptive stepchild. Sera turned on the corner of the street and made her way down the newly paved sidewalk where she could see her house in the distance. She twisted her wrist to look at the time to ma
Sera sat on her bathroom sink and began to apply her makeup. Her long platinum hair was already curled and hung by her waist. She took the time to use just a little more brown eye shadow around her gray eyes. She didn't own much makeup, just a tiny four-color pallet, peachy blush, mascara, and neutral pink lipstick. She never really needed such things; even then, her cosmetics only cost her five dollars. She took her middle and ring finger, applied blush to her round cheeks, and then used lipstick on her full, rounded lips. She wouldn't say she was the most beautiful girl but wasn't ugly either. She hopped off the counter and looked at herself; she wasn't the skinniest girl on the planet. She had what most people would call a slim but curvy body, the perfect hourglass with wide hips and thick thighs but a smaller waist and appropriate-sized breasts for her frame, and it helped that she was only about 5'4. Yes, she was lovely in her fuzzy owl pajama bottoms and purple tank top.
Asher had kept his eye on her all night, even when another girl was climbing over him at the bar. He had seen her walk into the bar and look around. Her pretty little face was confused as she looked down at her phone and that oh-so-tiny dress that didn't quite fit her correctly. She had this softness to her features, and her pouty mouth made Asher shift in his seat. He downed another whiskey and handed it to the redhead, kissing his neck. He didn't need to tell her to get him another one. She knew the routine. "Asher." A voice pulled his attention from the girl across the bar long enough to see Xavier calling his name. "Are you even listening, man?" Asher nodded and smirked at Xavier. "What else would I be doing?" He chuckled as he leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees. "Couldn't tell you, but you look spaced out as hell. Something on your mind?" Xavier asked while putting his arm behind a brunette who was eyeing Asher. When she caught him looking at him, she
All Sera could do was stare up at the man who chose to hold her. His hand still cradled the back of her neck; their faces were so close that their noses briefly brushed as she shifted backward a bit to put some space between her and the stranger. The grip on her waist was firm yet softer than ever. From this close-up, she could see his eyes weren't gold but more of a caramel brown, with flecks of gold and green. Captivatingly dangerous is what they were. It felt like time had slowed as they stared at each other. "Ahem." Someone made a noise behind him. He jolted slightly at the noise as if he had been in his world, not paying attention to anything that happened around him. "Can you stand now?" He spoke softly as if he was afraid to scare her away. Why wouldn't he be afraid of that? He watched her meltdown moments before. She felt the warmth in her cheeks get worse, not from the attraction towards this random stranger but from the sudden embarrassment she was now feeling.
They rode in the car in complete silence. Asher glanced over at Sera as she stared out the window. Her eyes glazed over as she watched the passing buildings; what could make such a beautiful woman retreat into her mind so profoundly? Her eyes slowly traveled to his, and he glanced away. “You can go to my usual spot,” Asher leaned forward and instructed the driver. It was a quaint little bar down the road from his not-so-humble abode, where the drinks were free and the women eager. God, his best friend, would be highly displeased if he sent him home rather than take him with them. It was possibly his favorite place to let some steam off. “So…” Asher started. His words seemed to startle Sera out of her stupor, and she crossed her hands in her lap and looked at him. The smile on her face didn’t reach her eyes. God, those eyes would be his undoing. “Who’s got you so down?” Asher asked, twisting his upper body to get more comfortable. Her fingers began intertwi
Sera's flats clacked and clunked against the concrete. She heard the door open from the bar and slammed shut, so she could only assume Asher was looking for her. She didn't have the energy to deal with another playboy tonight. Cars flew past her as they drove down the busy intersection. "Seraphina!" Asher called out from behind her. She could hear his footfalls against the sidewalk, even with the bustling street noise. Quicker than she wanted to admit, he had his hand wrapped around her arm, not hard enough to hurt but not loose enough that she could pull out of it. "Asher, I'm sorry. We will have to get drinks later. I don't have the energy right now." She tried shaking off his grip, but he remained firm. She refused to look at him and see pity in his eyes for the mess she was right now. "Look at me," he said. The deep timber of his voice radiated down her spine, and she turned her head to look up at him. To her surprise, she didn't see pity; she couldn't tell