Ash's pov ;
Noah and I were hunched over the conference table, stacks of papers and spreadsheets spread out in front of us.
Noah was pacing back and forth, his perfectly tailored suit clinging to his lean frame. His sharp features were framed by neatly styled black hair, and his eyes, a piercing blue, were focused intently on the figures before us.
"Look, Ash," Noah began, his voice dripping with frustration. "Elijah has pulled every trick in the book. He's manipulated stock prices, sabotaged deals, and now our investors are panicking. We're haemorrhaging money."
My best friend loves money. It is his sole passion, his only motivator. Relationships, friendships, loyalty—they meant nothing to him.
To Noah, people were just pawns in his game of gathering wealth. His ruthless ambition was what had always made him successful, but it also made him insufferable to work with.
But of course, I'm the exception. The only person he would choose over money.
"We need to come up with a strategy," he continued, not even looking up from the papers. "If we don't stabilize things soon, we're finished."
My heart wasn't in whatever he was talking about. I don't understand business talks as much as him.
My mind kept drifting back to Elijah, trying to understand why he was doing this to me. Why was he so intent on destroying everything I had worked for, everything I had built together?
Suddenly, my phone rang, breaking through my thoughts. I glanced at the screen and saw Samantha's name.
I hesitated but picked up, giving in to my curiosity.
"Hello," I answered, and her voice immediately hit me with a barrage of curses and insults.
"Ash, you piece of trash! What the hell did you say to Elijah?" she screamed. "He threw me out of the house! Do you hear me? He threw me out!"
I was stunned for a moment that I could not speak. Noah finally looked up and gave me a worried look.
I sighed. "I didn't say anything to him."
"Don't play dumb with me," she spat. "You must have said something to make him do this. You're always meddling in things to ruin them. You must have seduced him, you slut!"
I felt a wave of anger surge through me. "What did you expect? Elijah is not exactly known for his loyalty. If he could leave me for you, why wouldn't he leave you for someone else?"
"Shut up, bastard. I don't want a lecture from you!" she hissed. "You've always been a nuisance, always getting in the way. If it weren't for you, none of this would be happening."
Her constant cursing and blaming was nothing new, but today it was too much. "Maybe you should take a look in the mirror, Samantha. You're just as much a part of this mess as anyone."
She laughed bitterly. "You really think you matter to Elijah? You're nothing but a tool to him. He'll chew you up and spit you out when he's done."
Her words were giving me a headache but they also made me think. Why would Elijah do this to her? She had always been his friend, his partner in crime. I thought she was the one he trusted the most.
"He has already done it. Now, I don't have anything to do with him," I let out and hung up.
What exactly is this man doing? He's so unpredictable I can't even tell what his next move will be.
"Noah," I said, turning back to him. "We need to find out what Elijah's endgame is. He's not just trying to ruin my business, he's targeting everyone."
Noah nodded, finally stopping his pacing. "Agreed. We need to dig deeper, find out what his real motives are. And fast."
I was so upset that I could hardly focus on anything Noah was saying. The weight of Elijah's betrayal, Samantha's harsh words, and the looming business crisis was crushing me.
"Hey, are you alright?" Noah asked, the person who's usually so detached and focused solely on money, seemed to notice my distress.
For once, there was a hint of empathy in his sharp blue eyes. He came over to sit next to me, resting a soothing hand on my shoulder.
"None of this is your fault, Ash," His voice was uncharacteristically gentle.
I looked up at him. "It's hard not to feel responsible, Noah. Everything's falling apart, and I don't know how to fix it."
He sighed. "You don't have to worry about that right now. I'll find you new roles in movies, and I'll also work on a solution to save the company. We'll get through this."
For the first time in what felt like ages, I smiled a little. It was a weak, fragile smile, but Noah noticed it and smiled back.
Noah had always been indifferent to everyone else. He was curt with the employees, with his sharp orders and without room for argument.
But with me, he was always different—softer and protective.
"Cheer up, now," he said, standing up and straightening his suit. "You look like you need a break. How about I take you to a fun place before we head home? Something to get your mind off all this."
I couldn't help but laugh softly. "If you say so. But knowing you, it's probably some high-end club where you can make business deals."
He smirked. "Guilty as charged. But hey, they have great drinks."
We left the office, passing by a few employees who looked at Noah with fear and respect. He ignored them completely.
Once we were outside, Noah led me to his car, a sleek black luxury car that screamed success.
"God, I hate Elijah," I laughed just from two drinks. "I hope he trips on his own ego and falls into a pit of his own making."
Noah chuckled. "Knowing Elijah, he'd probably just buy the pit and turn it into a luxury resort. God, you're already drunk babe."
I giggled and leaned over to him for support. "Yeah and he'd charge people to fall in."
He clicked his glass against mine, and smiled softly at me. "Forget about him."
We both laughed, the sound a much-needed balm for my weary soul. For now, I could forget the chaos and just be.
***********
Elijah's pov ;
I sat at my desk, the polished mahogany surface littered with reports and documents I have barely glanced at.
My eyes kept drifting to my phone, waiting—no, expecting—for Ash to come crawling back, pleading for help. But a whole week has passed and that moment never arrived.
"Why hasn't he called yet?" I muttered to myself, my fingers tapping impatiently on the desk. "He should have come to me by now."
The door to my office swung open suddenly and a tall, impeccably dressed man strolled in.
Ryder, my best friend, oozed an effortless charm. His chiselled features were accentuated by a roguish grin, and his dark hair was stylishly tousled.
"Hey, there best friend," He announced his annoying presence with a big and irritating grin.
I rolled my eyes. Ryder had a reputation for loving to annoy people, especially me. I don't need enemies when I have him.
He has a really unique personality, constantly changing relationships, and flirting with everyone who caught his eye.
However, despite his playful nature, I knew I could always count on him in times of need.
"Still staring at your phone, I see," he said with a playful and teasing chuckle, and I regret sharing my problems with him. I don't know why I was expecting a logical response from this dumbass."Why don't you just call your precious hubby directly?"
I shot him a cold glare. "He isn't my husband anymore."
He feigned a look of deep pity, his voice dripping with mock sympathy, though I know how much he was enjoying my frustration.
"Aww, poor Elijah. All alone without his darling Ash. How will you survive?"
I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my temper in check. "Ryder, I'm not in the mood for your fuckery. Don't you have a company to take care of?"
He raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying himself. "Come on, admit it. You miss him. Your big, empty mansion must feel even emptier without him around."
"Drop it," I snapped. "He's the one who walked away."
"Sure, sure," He waved his hand dismissively, pointing his finger at me with a proud look. "But you keep looking at that phone like you're expecting a call from him. Face it, you miss him."
My jaw tightened further, but I didn't respond. He's wrong, I don't miss Ash. If anything I hate him now. He's the reason why I had such a tough time without my parents.
Before I could retort, an employee entered the room, nervously clutching a folder. "Sir, I have the latest business reports. There's an issue with—"
I cut him off sharply. "Not now. Can't you see I'm busy?"
The employee stammered an apology and quickly exited the room, leaving Ryder to shake his head in amusement.
"You really should be nicer to your employees," he remarked. "They're not the ones who left you," He laughed loudly at his own joke.
Crazy bastard!
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Ryder, do me a favor and fuck off from my office please."
"Look, Elijah, maybe he's not coming back because maybe he's waiting for you to make the first move."
I scoffed. "And call him? Admit that I want him back? Not a chance because I don't want him back. I just want to possess him, he belongs to me and he should know it."
Ryder chuckled. "Typical Elijah. Always too proud to admit when he's wrong. But hey, if you want to keep staring at your phone, be my guest. Just don't expect any miracles."
He leaned against my desk, his grin widening as he sensed my irritation. "Come on. You need to get out of this office. Let's hit the club tonight. Or you'll go bald from all the stress."
I glared at him. "I'm not in the mood for one of your ridiculous nights out, Ryder."
He laughed, ignoring my protest. "Since Ash isn't coming back, there's plenty of fish in the sea. I'll find you some new boy toys to keep you entertained."
I shot him a look that could have melted steel. "I'm not like you. I'm not interested in meaningless flings."
He shrugged, unfazed by my cold anger. "Maybe you should be. It might help you forget about Ash. Besides, it's not like you have anything better to do tonight."
I clenched my fists, my frustration boiling over. "You think going out and hooking up with strangers is going to solve anything?"
"Maybe not," he admitted, "but it beats sitting here staring at your phone, waiting for someone who might never call."
I hated that he had a point. The silence of my office was suffocating, and the constant waiting was driving me insane. I needed a distraction, even if it was one I didn't particularly want.
"Fine," I snapped. "We'll go to the club. But I'm not interested in any of your 'boy toys.'"
He rolled his eyes and practically dragged me out of the office. "Just come with me, old man."
We arrived at the club, a place Ryder frequented often. It was loud, packed with people, and pulsing with energy.
As we entered, Ryder clapped me on the back. "Relax, Elijah. Try to have some fun tonight."
I sighed. "Shut up already."
Ryder smirked. "That's all I ask. Now, let's get you a drink."
We headed to the bar, and Ryder ordered drinks with his usual allure, flirting with the bartender who giggled at his every word.
I just watched, feeling out of place. Ryder handed me a drink and raised his glass.
He clinked his glass against mine. "That's the spirit. Now, let's find some company."
Suddenly, over the din of the club, I heard a familiar laugh. My eyes followed the sound, and there, sitting among a group of half-naked guys, was Ash, giggling while those guys were all over him.
My hand tightened around my glass, the ice clinking as I felt a surge of rage.
Without thinking, I walked over to them, pushing through people. When I reached Ash, I roughly pulled him away from the group, my grip firm on his arm. The guys around him backed off, matching my death glare with worried glances.
I turned to the shameless boy in my grasp. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Elijah….You bastard…" He slurred, clearly heavily drunk. He looked up at me with a glazed smile and giggled again, wrapping his arms around my neck.
"You f-fucking cheater!"
_______________
A/n
Hey, guys!!
How are you enjoying this book so far? I'd love to know your thoughts.