Third Person's POV
Asher shut tightly the door to Skylar's room after some time with her since his arrival from his trip.
He made sure she was well tucked and asleep under the supervision of Carrie.
Neither he nor Natalie would be around for the night,he couldn't bear taking chances,even though he trusted Carrie enough but sometimes it appeased him better if he checked in on her,just making sure. Now he walked through the golden walls of the hallway,making his way downstairs.
Asher moved swiftly down the staircase,looking dangerously handsome and dashing under his attire. Slowly he unbuttoned his grey-coloured suit Jacket,revealing the black firmed collar shirt that hugged his body, exposing little of his finely structured muscles,his shirt neatly tucked underneath his black pant matching up with his black glimmering designer shoe.
He moved down toward the door,where Mr Lee stood with Calvin and some of his men.
He went over some details with the guards which took only few minutes and soon they were done. His phone buzzed underneath the layer of his jacket,Asher pulled it out staring at the text.
His cherry painted soft lips lit up with a smile. He raised up his hand, glancing into his black Rolex watch glued stylishly on his wrist.
Asher returned to Mr Lee,continuing their discussion. Mr Lee's gazes were on him for a brief second before pulling away,staring right past him,his mouth was ajar,twitching into a smile.
Asher stunned at the old man's sudden change,snapped his finger before him,attempting to pull him from his daze but to no avail.
"Mr Lee" Asher called out,just maybe his mind could wander back to him but that still didn't happen.
If this had happened with of his employees,they would have no doubt been in serious trouble but this was Mr Lee. "What the hell are you staring at-" Asher turned around, following Mr Lee's gaze,he was struck instantly with a certain muteness as he dragged his words.
His eyes bored at a certain angel that descended down the stairs as if treading on threshold of lilies and roses.
Asher's emerald green orbs blazed as hard as a flamelet vocalno,taking in each and every move of this angel, he stood for a murderous second struck awe,watching the angel who gorgeously descended down the stairs.
His emerald green eyes,watched obediently, never blinking not once.
Asher still couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe that this was Natalie, his Natalie walking gracefully in her strapless golden dress that held tightly from her chest down to her waist, flowing elegantly sweeping the floor,her brown hair neatly dressed in a perfect bun,exposing her flawless skin which also glowed in unison with the diamonds that adorned her ears and neck.
She was elegant and more beautiful than any woman he had seen. Just perfect was the word.
He watched as she strode over, oblivious to the firm truth that he was slightly agape by her beauty and mere presence.
She moved closer to him,her breeze so enchanting.
Her lips which were diligently coloured with a sparkling red, opened gently.
She was speaking to him while staring down at her clutch but his thoughts were far from her words.
As if he was in a simulation, one he was no doubt enjoying.
Asher was trapped in her gaze,he couldn't move nor utter a damn word,the feeling that suddenly overpowered his whole body was so unfamiliar and strangely exciting.
Natalie closed her clutch in her hands, "Am all ready"
Her tender sky blue eyes shot up, meeting with his bright emerald green ones which begun glowing in a darker shade of green.
"Asher?" Her sharp call prodded in,her deep enchanted gaze brought unexplainable emotions popping through his veins.
"What's wrong? Are you alright?" She narrowed questions at him but still,he didn't recover,his gaze adamantly stuck on her.
She attempted reading his expression probably she could find the reason for his absolute muteness but couldn't as much pry,even the stoic demeanor he had fortunately adopted was as much clueless to her.
"Asher...?" She called out in a more desperate and panicky tone,thinking of wild and approachable reasons Asher zoned out.
Mr Lee who luckily shook out of his daze also stared at Asher who was still lost in his.
Mr Lee understood just how this strange man beside him felt,slowly almost unnoticeable, he grabbed unto Asher's arm,slightly giving it a squeeze, which thankfully did the trick.
Asher shook out of his daze,his spine stiffened as his mouth firmed into a purse,he watched Natalie's blue eyes widened questionably. "What's wrong Asher?"
Asher twirled confoundly at Mr Lee,whose eyes blinked in a manner as if implying 'you were boring holes at her man'
Asher's gaze fell back to her more preplexed ones. "Well-" Asher coughed slowly,finding his voice he just realised was somehow lost.
Asher was amazed at his speechlessness.
What the hell was happening? It was as if the more he stared at her trying to find a proper word,he lost it.
"Tell me what's wrong?" Natalie urged,unaware of the difficulty Asher struggled in. "You know I can handle whatever the news it" She questioned confidently. She had never seen Asher's this way before, maybe whatever news he just received was indeed terrifying, as long as it wasn't about Skylar she could handle it. "Is it about Dave? Work?" She begun guessing only to ease him up to speak.
"You look beautiful" Asher lips moved on its own,his voicing slightly echoing in the open space of the main living room they were confined to.
"That's not much of a problem and-"
Natalie running mouth paused,more like she froze. Her eyes blinking as if she heard wrong,maybe she did.
Yes she did...but the sudden look Asher had killed every chances of the thought she had. "What?"
"You look beautiful" Asher resounded,his voice firm and unshakable.
As soon as his words were out again,Natalie went numb,and a flush color of red appeared on her cheeks. "Thanks" She said softly,instantly brushing off the strangely weird emotion that threatened to settle in. She stared into the soul of his emerald green orbs.
Mr Lee stood rooted to his feet,watching the little drama,unsure if he should break the silence or rather quietly see his way out.
He decided on the latter, and quietly made his way out,without even been noticed.
"Shall we?" Asher broke the certain awkward feeling that stalked the air,sending his arm out to her.
"Just a minute" Natalie closed their distance with her long strides. She stood before Asher,inspecting him thoroughly. Her hands automatically made her way to his shirt,straightening his collar to stand erectly beneath his grey suit. Her hands trailed down the shirt,buttoning up the three undone buttons that slightly exposed his bare chest. Her eyes expectantly shot up,getting abducted by his,again.
"We can now" Natalie mused,taking hold of Asher's arm.
They made their way out the mansion, getting into the black limousine that was parked outside,and were on their way now.
Asher and Natalie soon arrived at the party and as soon,the front doors of the car flew opened revealing bodied figure men dressed up in black tux. They hurried to the back seat holding the door out for the Reeds.
Asher moved out,again sending his hand, to Natalie who clutched lightly stepping out of the car,he smiled,feeling her soft palm on his.
They walked down the lonely floor of red carpets that was rolled out particularly for the occasion.
Natalie wore an elegant smile, gracefully walking the red carpets in Asher's arm.
She threw an expectant look at the various flashes that attempted in blinding her but she didn't care,neither did she spare any attention to the light breeze that made her shudder underneath her strapless light dress.
Everything was just perfect.
The chilly air that usually covered California's night was presence,the sun had taken shelter beneath the sky,only the Moon's light was now seen, Natalie registered the crowd of reporters that stalked nearby.
Well wasn't that nice.
An angelic smile deepened her lips,as both Asher and his lovely wife walked together under the stars and the moonlit night.
They took delicate time,giving the press enough of them that would make the headlines tomorrow.
Slowly after,the Reed couple made their way through the massively strong and awfully tall doors, unmasking the sparkling lights that flared up the place.
This was no doubt 'The party'
Asher glanced over at Natalie a faint smirk jealously stalking his lips. "Are you ready Mrs Reed" He said sarcastically, earning a graceful tight smile from his companion who glowed radiantly under the flickering lights of the party. "Ready as I'll be"
Natalie glanced around,inspecting the important looking guests that floored the room,respectable women with expensive silky dresses,red lipsticks,diamond necklaces were in groups in company of highly influential and distinguished male figures.
Clattering noises and soft laughter filled the room accompanied by the clinging of wine glasses.
Natalie eyes narrowed in on Senator Rick who was surrounded by his body guards and some politicians and businessmen.
Asher tapped the top of her fingers visible on his arms. They strode over the exhilarating crowd, stopping before the Senator and his companions.
The Senator lips widened in a remarkable manner,as he watched the flawless duo approached.
"Pleasant evening gentlemen" Asher halted before the company.
"Evening" Natalie spoke gracefully.
"Ah. Mr Reed. We were wondering when you would make an appearance"
A light blonde man,chimed extending his hands in a handshake.
Asher gaze met each gentleman who formed the group. Their faces were recognized. Some belonged to the business world while some he affirmed that they were politicians.
"I'm sure you all already know her this is Nat-" The Senator begun, a certain smile smearing between his stubble as he was interrupted.
"There's no one who doesn't know this lovely lady,Natalie Reed." A dark slender astute man chided,radiating smiles at her.
"You look gorgeously beautiful" The light blonde male chortled, again extending his hands capturing Natalie's delicately manicured fingers in his,he gently brushed her fingers with his lips,taking far too much time than necessary.
Asher gave a light cough,probably reminding the old hunk he was taking quite a long time. The blonde,got the intended hint and let her go,masking his lips with a smirk.
Slowly the party boomed, mingling around and forming acquaintances.
Asher bored into his Rolex watch,peering at the time. His emerald green eyes fell on Natalie who was at a distance preoccupied with some company.
She steadied her gaze tiredly on her female companions that she had 'supposedly' went to college with,or rather still Natalie.
Natalie laughed lightly,something she had done repeatedly at every word uttered by either the fair skinned brunette or the blonde in wavy fringe. She was desperately trying to play along with ecstatic vibe that this radiant duo seemed to be emitting in her presence,Natalie instantly recognized the familiar lavender scent that moved closer.
She didn't sway her head in an attempt to get a face,the rather cold hairs that stood on her skin affirmed her guess. Emma Brooke.
"Pleasant evening" Emma's young sultry voice sounded behind her,Natalie red coloured lips quickly adopted a tight smile,she swivel around to meet the dark intensifying brown orbs of Emma. The bright smile that covered her lips flushed away as soon as Emma locked gaze with her.
"Oh. It's you!" Natalie said in sheer dissatisfaction,she could see the flashing rage which quickly appeared on Emma's face and as soon vanished.
"Sorry to disappoint" Emma spoke softly in one of her evidently faux voice. She threw a careful glance at Natalie's companions, "Sorry to intrude, Emma Brooke from Krystal Group" She introduced in the meekest manner making Natalie scoff inwardly.
"Oh,Krystal Corp" The brunette,named Kristin,smiled,shinning her brightly coloured lips.
"A friend of yours?" Becca said questioningly, glancing at Natalie then to the she-whore beside.
"Something like that,right?" Emma spoke sharply,her eyes carefully trailing Natalie's as if prying to the depth of her consciousness.
"Not quite" Natalie took a sip from her wine,retracting her gaze from Emma's.
Emma let out a sly chuckle. "Are you also friends of Natalie's" Emma swerved around, abducting the glass of wine stationed on the passing tray.
"Of course" Kristen laughed a little loudly,gulping down her wine.
Natalie gave a smile, ignoring Emma continuing with their conversation, one Emma was adamant on engaging in. She glanced sideways watching Dave in company of businessmen. She suddenly pulled up her clutch, pulling out her phone.
"Oh,you all attended college" Natalie heard Emma say in a surprising tone,her heated stare was back on Natalie.
But Natalie kept her gaze on her screen,whatever drama Emma was deliberately keen on participating in, Natalie had no interest in.
"How was your college days" Emma threw the question,to any who was eager to relieve their college days.
"Wild" Becca chimed,sipping in some wine.
"And fun and crazy" Kristen added,laughing humorously.
'Probably the wine getting to her' Natalie thought, her head still buried to her smartphone knowing exactly where this bitch curiosities were taking a turn to.
"Really?" She faked in an interesting tone,leading them on as the vivacious duo,kept on spilling,relieving their college days. "Must have been a lot of fun"
"Yup it was, most especially Natalie, she was the life of the party,wild and crazy" Kristen let out another of her deafening laughter.
"You don't say" Emma smiled,her lips formed in a purse. Natalie dropped her phone tilting her head up to meet those deviltry brown orbs of Emma, stuck on her in an interesting manner. "I really don't see her in such way, 'wild and crazy' No way, feels like you are describing someone else. That's another Natalie I haven't met and here I was thinking I know her well enough to sum her up" Emma pursed lips deepened with a smile.
Natalie returned her smile sarcastically. "And you still haven't met a lot of me" Natalie took a sip from her glass,her blue expressionless orbs boring into hers.
"Really, so you are saying there's still a lot of you's to uncover" Emma chirped, her dimple flashing like spark.
"Thought you knew that by now" Natalie said blandly,staring at her for a brief second. "And where is your boss?" Natalie condescendingly, deciding to change the subject,taking Emma aback.
"Dave?" Emma replied amusingly and Natalie raised her perfectly drawn brows,stark staring at her in an unamused manner as if saying 'who else'.
"For starters he's not my boss" Emma trailed off,twirling her glass. "He's rather-"
"Oh yes,he's your lover" Natalie said, cutting her off jestingly. Emma astute brown gaze fluttered to their companions whose orbs were stuck on them firmly in a confounded manner.
Emma returned her gaze to Natalie. Her gaze hardened a bit in fury,then it was instantly replaced with a tender soft gaze. "You catch on fast".
"Well you revealed rather enough to notice"
"Yes perhaps" Emma said,watching Natalie intently.
Natalie nodded her head enjoyably. "You must love him very much"
Emma remained silent for a brief second, the smile covering her lips now retreating. "Yes I do,very much. I probably could kill for him" Emma replied humorlessly.
"Oh. That's deep" Natalie again nodded as if thinking of something. "Surely this..." Natalie begun searching for the appropriate word. " 'Escapade' of yours no doubt had been on for a very long while."
"Longer than you could ever imagine."
"Really, so this affair was going on during Dave's marriage right?" Natalie positioned her hands on her jaw,questioningly.
Emma hesitated,she slowly placed her glass on the table,gazing hard into Natalie unfeeling gaze.
Natalie raised her brows expectantly to Emma's response, which came nothing. "So..." Natalie begun in a ridicule, her gaze narrowed as if doing a math. "If that happened, it means you were a mistress" She paused, "You were the other woman in his marriage" Natalie said appalling, enunciating her words in disgust. She locked gaze with Emma,and didn't even spare her college companions a glance at their outburst remarks.
Emma was as still as an object on display. An unexplainable sickening feeling rushed in. Her face went almost numb,still boring shocking gaze at Natalie who stood indifferently.
"That's far from it. It would surprise you to know-" Emma started after a rather long silence but again was shushed harshly.
"Where's Dave?" Natalie cut her off,sounding bored,she spoke with an distinctive authority, watching Emma closely discretely shunning the faint smile that attempted to sneak in.
She could only imagine how Emma felt,If glares could kill,Natalie was certain she would be dead by now. Emma stared at her,glaring in a manner that couldn't be described,neither did it give an inkling to her thought.
Natalie phone suddenly vibrated,pulling her out of the staring contest,she glanced at the screen back to her now quiet company. "Excuse me" She said with a smile,before absconding straight to the restroom.
Emma exhaled furiously, moving away,she stroked the harshly her black velvet dress,pacing back and forth,trying to steady her uneven breathing and probably the furious overtly frustrating feeling that bath through her.
'Bloody witch' Emma mumbled quickly,her voice low but far from calm.
'Bloody witch' She repeated angered,stopping her heels,she took another breath.
'Curse you Natalie' She paused,'Or whoever you are'
She didn't know the reason for this sudden feeling that washed her,this was most definitely not the reason she came here but again this nine-tailed fox had somehow manage to drive her closer to insanity.
Emma stole a glass of wine from the table,gulping its content down. She pulled up her phone whose screen lit up. It was a missed call from Martin.
'What now?' Her gaze scanned around for Dave,but instead landing on Senator Rick. She flattened her dress,kicking her heels to motion. "Senator Rick"
Rick tilted his torso to meet the woman before him. The perfectly suited figure stared at her,if only Emma could see the glint of rage with an embroidered hatred that stole the senators eyes for a moment before fading away. "Emma?" He called out skeptically.
Emma mentally rolled her eyes at his familiar lines,one she had heard almost all her life,it was situations like this that tipped her off,and it didn't surprise her that this old weary fool hadn't still changed,sometimes she felt he did it on purpose. "Yes it's me,Emma Brooke" She recited softly, 'Jeanine's best friend' She added mentally but refused say it as she had always done,this was also a line she had become accustomed to one to many time she came face with the old fool,but this time she had made changes to her script,she was no longer a shadow, neither was she a soul sister nor a bleak best friend. Emma Brooke was just fine,and it's time this silly old Rick get used to it. Her smile yet again broadened.
"Emma" The senator said,not any better than his last call,she could sense the lack of ecstasy in his tone,but that still didn't surprise her,she always knew of his hostility towards her.
"Yes it is,In flesh" She tried adopting a mild laughter,but the unexplainable sickening feeling she earlier felt was back and now she felt pissed.
"It's been a long time" The senator strode further with his guards behind,his hands shoved into his suit.
"Yes,a very long time." Emma said,tuning down the contempt that secretly stalked her voice.
"You look beautiful" He said.
"I always do."
"So I take you're still working in Jeanine's Company" He said, finally infuriating Emma further,turning her blood hot,she literally felt like a heated furnace.
"It's Dave's now" Emma corrected, trying to extinguish her magnifying fury. She could see the faint scowl that slowly explored his features before disappearing. 'So he's still mad at Dave' She noted. "Dave has done a good job with Krystal Corp" Emma added,watching him but he simply nodded. "Actually I'm here on behalf of Krystal Corp." She paused giving him ample time to understand where this 'talk' was heading to.
"Really" Those were the only words he muffled. Emma tried best keeping up with the calm demeanor, only because Krystal Corp needed it and having a stable business with this fool of a senator would no doubt suffice for Krystal Corp including she and Dave.
"We are very much interested in doing business with you" Emma said flatly. She was positive he'll decline but this is purely business, something even worst of enemies align for when it's favour,so why not give it a try.
Emma watched Rick cautiously,it was obvious he was considering it. "I'll think about it" He voiced out, rubbing his not so amazing stubble.
"I'll await your response." She said quickly before leaving.
She searched around for Natalie but couldn't find her,Emma's heart subconsciously raced at the thought of Dave probably looking like a foolish puppy tailing after her. But she found him,standing rather handsomely,lost in a no doubt a boring discussion with some elite figures.
Emma relaxed her nerve, as long as he wasn't with that two-faced blood sucking leech,she would manage.
'Speaking of that leech,where could she be?' Emma thought in silence, just then watching Natalie exit the restroom,making her way into the party. She tailed Natalie with her astute brown orbs like a predating badger.
Natalie couldn't help but admit, senator Rick knows well how to throw a party, a really good one.
Everyone was present,political figures,business tycoons,individuals of notability and a host of many others.
Natalie checked her text and it was from Asher, a smile blossomed after reading it.
'About time' She said huffing in some air,relaxing her nerves. She was awfully uncomfortable with the peace and tranquility that filled the party for hours now.
'Now the real party begins.' She smiled innocently,taming the devilish smile that wanted permission.
'In just three minutes' She whispered expectantly to herself.
She felt a heated whisper over her shoulder, Natalie sprung around to see Dave.
Her eyes widened a bit,she couldn't be more happier in seeing him. "Dave" Natalie called out,her blue orbs on him,she allowing her untainted smile.
'Two' She said mentally,continuing the countdown.
"Natalie you look beautiful" Dave said calmly, but Natalie's thought drifted away to the light tuxedo that hugged his body.
She couldn't help but think of the rather cold and astonishing impact that the night's crisp air would have on the skin. But she didn't care,why would she when it's all part of the fun.
"Natalie. Are you alright"
"Much better than I've ever been" Natalie wiped off her smile.
Dave came closer,he had firm demeanor as if wanting to say something serious. "Natalie, I.." Dave started dragging on his words for only heaven knows what reason.
'And One' Natalie wiped off her smile, instantly the party doors burst open revealing number of cops all dressed uniformly.The party songs died instantly, everyone could now hear the threatening sounds of the cops sirens sounding wildly outside.
A tough looking man approached further with a slender tall male, they weren't dressed in the uniform attire as the rest of the cops.
Their face hardened, one could notice the deep scar that stood at the right cheek of the tough looking man whose gaze moved around, he came closer flashing his badge in the air. "Charles O'Brian, DEA"