CHAPTER NINETEEN“Oh my god!” I exclaimed with full-on laughter.“Disco overload, I’m diamond, you know I glow…!” Ridley continued singing along with a remote improvised as a microphone to his mouth while the music was loud. His voice cracked multiple times, but it did not hinder his performance. My laugh only grew louder and longer as he continued to bust his moves, following the song's choreography by what he had explained to be a popular Korean boy group.“You are going to break some bones,” I told him after controlling my laugh. He was really sliding and popping a hip on the shiny marble floor, which if I may add was also slippery.“…Light it up like dynamite!” He continued singing. “I’ll only stop if you do one verse with me.” He came close to the couch and let out a hand for me to take. I looked at his hand and then back up at his face and shook my head.“Come on, it's easy. Even Maria could do it,” I laughed once more and put my hand in his, just to entertain his antics. “Ah! T
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Ridley had finally sorted out the issue about the lawyer—well, more like he had called in a favour from one of his former friends from university who was a very qualified lawyer. When Ridley described all the cases, Harris, his friend had taken on and won, I was amazed, he was an upscale and high-profile lawyer and his work vouched for him. The best part about Harris was that despite being Ridley’s friend he had proper etiquette and took his job seriously; I had noticed it over the few times we had met up to discuss the case.Just like in this moment as he sat opposite me at the dining table while going through the case files. He looked every bit a lawyer, with a well-pressed suit, neatly combed hair and dark circles under his eyes. A part of me admired how committed he was to his work.“Answer me this,” He looked up and I nodded. “Has Mr Stetson ever assaulted you, in any way?” He asked and I shook my head just as quickly because Ashton may have been a cheater and ly
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN (2 YEARS AGO)Ashton and I had settled into a routine. He would pick me up from my apartment in the morning, and we would drive to work together, of course, I would enter the building before him much to his disdain, and once the day was over, he would drive me back home. I had grown even more comfortable around him, maybe a bit too cosy. I had not told him but over the last few days, I had grown smitten for him. His actions made me blush knowingly and unknowingly and I was frightened that if he had not caught on, other people had.No matter what feelings I was developing for Ashton Stetson, I had to ignore them and not act on them. His interaction with me was already taboo and I was so grateful for our friendship as it was, pursuing something more would ruin one of the only good things I had going in my life. Other than not risking our friendship, there was also the most important fact that he was my boss.I sank back into my seat and sighed, the first crush I had in
CHAPTER SIXTEEN“Ridley! I swear, I will barge into your room!” I continued to pace in front of his bedroom door while looking at my wristwatch.No response came and I could hear scrambling so that meant something was happening and he was not just ignoring me. We had a meeting with Ashton and his lawyer pertaining the divorce and even though I had reminded Ridley the day before, personally set his alarm and went as far as writing it on his hand, he had still woken up late.Now, here I was trying to hurry him up and we only had fifteen minutes to get there and the drive to the place we were going was not a short one. Seeing Ashton was the last thing I wanted to do especially after he had ousted me out of his house, a place I considered mine as well and had memories in—though most of them were terrible. Nevertheless, I still had to do this if this divorce was to happen quickly and I could start my life anew.“Ridley! I swear if we find them gone, you are starving for the entire week!” I
CHAPTER FIFTEENI probably forgot to mention that Maria was a very dramatic woman and that her son always hid behind her skirt. Ashton was like a young boy still under his mother’s protection, waiting for his mommy to speak for him. Even during the good times of our marriage, he did defend me, but sometimes I could see that he would rather pick his mother’s absurd point of view. Hence, I tried all I could to avoid bumping heads with her.Yet once more, here was Maria Stetson, hurling insults at me and tossing out my luggage while Ashton stood by the door with his hands in the pockets of his shorts. I moved toward my suitcase, which was lying on the ground with clothes pooling out of it. I watched Maria in disbelief as she walked out of the house once more with another suitcase and threw it to my feet.“Florence, bring this ratchet whore’s belongings and dump them here!” She yelled out and blew hair out of her face.“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked her as I looked at the pile
CHAPTER FOURTEENAfter multiple meetings in the morning, I was stumped. All I wanted was a tall glass of juice and a soft bed to lie down. I could not get what I wished for yet, I had to go through a departmental meeting as well, at the least I was glad that it was the last for the day and all I had to worry about afterwards was paper work and emails.Lisa carried my files as we made our way to Ridley’s office which was close to mine anyways. Ridley’s office was huge and had a huge table on the left side of the room for smaller departmental meetings such as this. When Lisa and I entered, all the seats were almost taken up with only three seats remaining. Ridley’s assistant came over to me by the door and led the way to the seat next to Ridley. I took my seat and nodded to him, to which he gave a smile before looking at everyone.“Okay, everyone is here. Shall we begin?” He began enthusiastically.By the time the meeting ended, my body was sore and I kept rubbing the back of my neck. I