=ASHLEY's POV=
Since I came to the office I haven’t talked to Asher. Sometimes he calls me to ask a question and when I hear his voice I can’t help but be nervous. I don't know, after what he did last night I feel like he's a threat to me.
Like anytime he can hurt me. I can no longer find that I am safe with him like before. I feel like anytime I can be damned with him.
I saw that he kept looking at me. But he doesn't speak anything unrelated to work so I don't move either. I don't know what's running on his mind. Maybe he's thinking something bad against me or he's looking for some mistake in my movement again so he can find a reason to hurt me.
He's thinking how can he punish me again so he was looking at my moves.
I am confused. I feel like, even standing, sitting, or whatever I do, he is watching me so that he can find a reason to be angry with me.
I'm scared of him. What he did to me last night I feel like he won't hesitate to kill me. It was as if every time I saw him my knee was spontaneously shaking even I don't want to. Even if I restrain myself I can’t help it. It's as if even my breathing is becoming forbidden because it might irritate him and cause him to hurt me.
I never thought he could do that to me. It never crossed my mind. Even before he never touches me like that. But last night, he almost killed me in a rage. I could see the anger in his eyes, I could feel in his movements the pleasure he was doing to torture me.
"Have you go for a checked-up on your bruises and wounds?" I was suddenly confused when I heard his voice. It was as if I had been poured cold ice and I didn’t know what to do.
"Huh?"
"I asked if you go for a check-up?" he asked.
"What, yeah, I mean I'm fine," I replied as if I wanted to cry. I don’t know why but I was really scared when I didn’t mean to.
If I continue to be nervous with him I may be even more unable to do my job properly. He might get even angrier with me. He would just hurt me over and over again. No, I have to be calm. I should just relax so he doesn’t find a reason to hurt me. I can't be affected.
"Good. How's your feeling?" he asked again.
"O-ok, I'm ok," I'm ok. I have no right not to be ok.
Suddenly he stood up closer to me and stood in front of me. I didn’t mean to but I immediately got cold. I even let go of the ballpen and grabbed it. Nervous, trembling, crying. I no longer know how I feel but there is only one thing on my mind.
I'm scared.
I felt him touch my chin and lift my face. He looked me in the eye then touched my forehead with a bandage as well as my lip that cracked. I also have bruises on my face but it was just covered with concealer so it wasn’t obvious.
"Does it hurt?" he asked without emotion.
"N-no,"
He remained standing while holding my chin and staring into my eyes. While I am afraid of him, so I can handle my knees trembling.
"Because you're stubborn. So be kind now so you don't have to go through that again, ok?" he asked calmly then stroked my face.
"Yeah, I will."
"I don't want to hurt you. But you also disobey me," he said then let go of me and he walked back to his table.
"By the-----"
"Hi, baby."
He hadn't finished what he was going to say when the door opened. Agatha and Paula entered. Fortunately, they are here, somehow I was relieved. Somehow something grabbed his attention and I couldn't turn around.
I didn’t look at them because I focused more on my paper works. I still didn’t lose my shiver because of Asher approaching me earlier. The strength of my nervousness is still there but I try to adjust myself.
They were talking and laughing but even a glance I didn’t make. I don’t want to look at them and maybe what else they think. Especially, Asher, he might think I'm gossiping and even cause him anger. I will not give any reason.
Hopefully. he will finally fall for Paula. I hope she can find to Paula what he didn't find in me. I hope he will finally transfer his feelings to her so that they can be happy.
HE CAN BE HAPPY.
For him to release me forever and forgive me for what I have done.
The office phone rang so I answered it immediately. It's Carmona and wants to transfer the call to one of Asher's client secretaries. I accepted the call and I spoke with the client's secretary. She reminded me about the meeting of Asher later. After I talked to the secretary I calmed myself first.
I took a deep breath before standing up and approaching Asher. Agatha is here, maybe even if she's mad at me she won't let his brother beat me.
Agatha look at me but didn't speak but Paula is warm eyed looking at me as I walk towards them.
"Laydos secretary reminded us about the meeting tonight," I began. Paula raised an eyebrow then looked at Clifford and softened.
"Babe, we have a date tonight, remember?" She also reminded Asher and look at me badly.
"Cancel it, Ashley. My girlfriend and I are having dinner." Paula smiles at me like a winner while Agatha remains calm.
"Amado Laydos is leaving the country tomorrow. This is your last chance to talk to him." Asher looks at me badly so I was immediately nervous. I haven’t even completely recovered from the fear earlier now it increased even more.
But it can't be ignored because maybe if he doesn't talk to Laydos, he'll pile up on me again. He will be angry with me again so I have to insist on it. Knowing that Laydos is a very big investor. Maybe when he loses it, he will kill me.
"Hey, you heard it right? Asher said, cancel it," Paula said but I didn't listen. "Can you hear me?" She asked but I still did not speak.
"Is there no other way?" Asher asked. "How about making it a little bit earlier. Call his secretary again to tell her if possible early." He calmly commanded who remained calm while hugging Paula's waist.
"I did, I asked for another time, but they are still in Bohol now. From the airport, he will go straight to your meeting place. After your meeting, he will go straight to the airport for the international flight," I explained. "So, the time given by his secretary is the time that is available to them. Take it or it leaves."
"We have dinner, Ash, you promised me, babe." Paula's tenderness so Asher looked at me badly again.
"Stop it, Pau, we don't know about business. Let them talk," Agatha whispered as she remained seated.
"No!" Paula shouted. "Hey PA, do it that way. Cancel it, our date is more important. I am more important than that fucking meeting." Paula said annoyed.
I know that Asher is angry because I disturbed them. But he will be angrier with me if he doesn't get Amado Laydos. I can probably taste his anger, but not as painful as when Laydos is gone.
I have enough reason for this. Well, I always have a reason that is why I always get hurt. But I don't care, cause I will insist on mine now.
"I am not the one holding their time. I just did my job based on what I had to do. Laydos' secretary set the schedule, not me." I replied then looked at Asher." You still have control over whether you show up or not. I'm just telling you about the meeting but the decision is still with you." I don't bend even though I'm nervous I have to be strong.
This is not an ordinary meeting. The severity of the punishment I will receive depends on it.
"Hey, you're still answering ah!" Paula shouted but I didn't pay attention to her. I just remained standing in front of them and I ignore her. "That's how you answered your bosses?"
"I am just explaining,"
"Pau, stop it," Agatha said.
"Baby, that's enough. I can deal with this." Asher sighed and look at me.
"You promised me, baby." Pau's tenderness to her. "Then look at her, she's fighting with me."
Asher didn't answer and just looked at me. Whatever, I know I have a mistake again. For sure he will be angry with me because I am answering his girlfriend.
Asher took a deep breath then touched Pau's cheek.
"Take Agatha with you first. I'll try to catch up with you. But if not, I will take you some other time," Asher said.
"What? You choose your PA over me?" Paula asked angrily.
"No, not her. I choose Mr. Laydos and my PA is right. It's now or never will be the deal. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I can't miss it," Asher explained as he touched Paula's chin and kissed her on the lips.
"She will come with you?" he asked while glaring at me.
"No, it's just me, she needs rest because she did a lot here in the office last night. She's tired and I don't want a distraction. "
What, he will not take me later?
Well, it's ok for me, cause somehow I can't see him.
"Promise me we will have fun some other time?" Pau suddenly calmed down and hugged Clifford. "More, more fun."
"Yeah, I will,"
"I love you," Paula said to Asher. But instead of answering, Asher just kissed Pau on the lips again.
"Arrange the documents that I needed," he commanded me and I just nodded.
I was back at my table when the door suddenly opened.
We all stared, stunned, surprised. Even I couldn't believe it. Hailey suddenly entered as if on stage.
Fuck! What is she doing here and when did has she arrived?