A week later, as Asia busied herself at work, the MD's secretary came. Asia knew her. Everyone knew her. Everyone knew why she always came down there. The secretary smiled at Asia knowingly. Why didn't she just use the phone to call her? That would have been more private.
Asia quickly got up and left with her. She didn't want others to know what was happening, as if that office ever kept secrets. They knew. They all knew as even Asia could hear the whispers. They knew and didn't care to shut up about it.
Even as they walked, Asia could feel eyes on her. She walked quickly past four more cubicles and disappeared into the elevator. Or maybe it was just the guilt and nobody cared about her meet ups with her boss, aka her soon to be brother-in-law.
"Why does he want me?" Asia asked the secretary.
"He doesn't talk to me much. He only enjoys your company. You always leave him in good spirits," the secretary smiled.
"Not today. I will kill him, I swear. I am not joking. Do you know this whole company is talking about me?" Asia was serious as the secretary laughed.
As they got off the elevator, the secretary was still laughing. But Asia was brooding. For doing absolutely nothing wrong, Asia felt guilty of the attention David was showering her. She would kill David, one day. She was sure of it. Then she would rightly feel guilty. She couldn't get to that office soon enough even as she walked briskly.
Asia knocked and went in. David was working. He stopped, looked up and sat back. He observed her and noticed, within seconds, that she was upset. She stood rooted at that door.
"Why do you keep doing this, David? Why?" she asked, almost pleading.
"I missed my friend, Asia. Is that a crime?" he asked smiling.
"You hate me, David. I can feel it in my blood." Asia still stood at the door.
"What are you talking about? I love you, Asia," David said getting up.
"My colleagues are talking, some thinking there is something unchaste going on between me and my sister's betrothed, David." she went on.
"I can fire them all," he said, fighting off a laugh.
Did David think that was funny? While Asia glared at him, he walked to her and ushered her to sit.
As expected, Asia went for his seat leaving David standing. She placed her feet on his desk one on the other. She swung on it calmly, smiling. She looked at him. Why had he called her over? She asked him.
David smiled, hands in the pocket. He had genuinely missed Asia. He told her and she laughed. Maybe he missed her sister and since they looked alike, he called Asia. She told him then laughed.
David cursed. Why did he call Asia? To tease him to death? The door was suddenly opened from outside.
"Darling, I missed you. You look ravishing …" a man had walked in and only noticed David.
"Don't stop. By all means, tell him how much you missed him, darling," Asia said, didn't move as both men seemed uncomfortable.
"Asia, this is not what it looks …" David tried.
"This is exactly what it looks like, David. I will excuse you two," Asia got up fast.
Asia didn't feel safe. To what extent would those two go to keep the secret? Yet she partly blamed herself. She had noticed David check out men a number of times. He hadn't seemed to hide it from her. Why hadn't she thought of this? Was she to tell her sister? A Mara must marry a Rivers.
David wouldn't let Asia leave. If she spoke, the news would probably end his old grandfather. David grabbed Asia by the shoulders.
"Asia, I beg you in the name of all I hold dear, not a word, please," David beseeched.
While David tried to convince Asia, she stood there breathing hard. Only one statement rang in her head over and over. A Mara must marry a Rivers. Yet this particular Mara clearly swung the other way. It wouldn't be this Mara.
"I am a Rivers. This is an insult to the Rivers and to the Maras. A Mara must marry a Rivers," she whispered, getting upset by the second.
"I know, Asia. I need a minute then we will discuss this on a clear head," David pressed her shoulders
"Let me go, David." Asia seethed with fury.
"Okay, but please, not a word till we speak soberly," David said. Asia left fast.
"Shall we kill her?" the man asked casually.
"Are you mad? That is my best friend, Henry." David said angrily.
"It doesn't sound like it. I can handle her in minutes..." David gave him the look.
The two men stood there arms akimbo, both in fitting three-piece suits. This was not good. Yes, Henry there had power to kill anyone. But to David, Asia wasn't just anyone. She was his only friend. He wouldn't let any danger near her.
"She is Violet's sister." David mumbled.
"So why keep her close? She was on your seat, her feet on the table! Are you fucking her?" Henry whispered.
"Will you calm down? I wouldn't fuck Violet's sister," David said, cursed.
"That Violet? God, David. Why would you keep her close? Your best friend indeed!"
Henry cursed. As if their secret getting out wasn't bad enough, it had to be Violet's sister. Henry moved closer to David and held his left shoulder firmly.
"She will talk, darling. Let me handle her." Henry insisted.
While Henry made to leave, David pulled him back. Henry was six foot one and clearly wealthy. He had the means to make Asia disappear and she wouldn't even be the first.
"I will talk to her." David said. Henry shook his head.
"No ..." David grabbed Henry for a kiss that went on for a minute. That was dangerous. Anyone could walk in on them.
"I will handle it, today. Let her be." David was certain.