An offer

When Nicole arrived home, her mother was so excited to see her. The two women hugged each other and her mother said “I expected you to be back yesterday, I was going to call Asher if he heard from you when you arrived” her mother complained, taking her suitcase away from her.

“I'm home now. I should have come yesterday, but some issues came up that prevented me from coming home” Nicole explained. Yes, some issues that had to do with Asher and his returned first love.

“Anyways, glad you're home now” her mother chimed. She saw her daughter's eyes heavy, dark lines beneath her eyes and she said “You haven't had a good sleep. Go to your room and have a nap. I'll just prepare something for you”

Her mother turned to go when she remembered something “Is Asher aware that you are back? And what about the bridal selection you both are going for?”

Nicole froze but quickly recovered her wits. In a moment of excitement, she'd informed her mother that Asher had proposed to her and she would be going for the bridal selection immediately after she got back from the business summit.

Her mother had asked her where the ring was and she gave excuse for him. She'd always given excuses for him, both those that are true and the ones she invented.

“He didn't get the exact one he wanted to give me but promised to get me one” she had lied and her mother had thought so sweetly of him. Now, all of her lies were going to be exposed.

“Mum, I'm so tired now. Everything else can wait until when it's right” she was sincere this time. She cannot tell her mother that she and Asher were done. It was going to break her heart and her health is failing her already.

As far as her mother is concerned, Asher is truly in love with her daughter. He is a great guy and one that would make her daughter happy for the rest of her life.

And that's because she had rated him so high before her mother. She covered up for his aloof attitude. She makes up excuses for him and buys gifts for her mother in the name of Asher.

How can she tell her mother now, she's nothing but a pawn in Asher's hands. His one true love has returned and she's become a duty to him.

“Yeah, go and take a nap,” her mother agreed. Everything else would wait.

But as soon as Nicole got into her room, she shut the door and sobbed. It appears her wounded heart has finally been able to understand what has happened to her.

Her senses had been able to understand the level and height of her gullible mind and it hurt her deeply. Her life was in chaos but she will have to carefully mend it together again.

As far as Asher is concerned, they're done. He'd openly threatened her with the position of a wife. Is that the kind of a man she would be spending the rest of her life with?

He'd chosen Zara Morris over her and he thinks the only thing she deserves was a title that comes with no commitment and love from him. What would the position of ‘Mrs Strong’ do for her when her husband's heart and body belongs to someone else?

And as for returning to the Strong business group, she's never going to go back there. She doesn't need to humiliate herself before Asher and his first love. The level of her naivety has surpassed the extent it should go.

“I Quit,” she mumbled.

She got a paper and a pen and wrote a resignation letter. She called a delivery company and within minutes, they were standing at her door. She handed the envelope to him and that was all.

She returned and laid on her bed when her phone chirped. It was a message from William Grant, the CEO of the Stardom entertainment and Fashion Empire.

What does he want from her this time? They've met twice in the past and in both situations, he'd invited her to a dinner with him but she declined.

Going to a dinner with another man was considered cheating as her naive mind had thought. He is a big shot in the city of London and she cannot afford being seen with him as Asher's woman.

She ignored it.

A few minutes later, he called her. Nicole doesn't want to answer her phone but ignoring his message was enough. Not answering his calls would be an act of ridicule.

“I'm sorry if I bother you,Miss Kevin. I sent you a message and I will appreciate it, if you can give me a consideration this time” William Grant made a polite request.

“Alright Mr Grant. I'll just check it now” Nicole replied and she heard him said “Thank you” when she hung up, she squinted.

This man is damn polite. Anyways, she judges people too quickly and that's why she always thought Asher was a nice guy, just too aloof from anything romantic until she learnt the truth when it was too late.

“Will you consider working with the Stardom fashion home?”

Nicole stared at the text message. The Fashion home is a subsidiary of the Stardom entertainment company. And it's ten times larger than the Strong business group.

Working with the Stardom fashion home will be working directly with a more powerful rival against the Strong business group. Wouldn't that be fine, letting Asher know she is no longer a pawn in his hands.

While still considering that, another message came in from Mr Grant “I need you to control the affairs of the subsidiary company as its President. Kindly consider my offer” he added.

Nicole immediately sat up. He wants her to head the subsidiary company as its President?

Is he for real?

And to think that he was practically using a pleading tone. Oh no! Maybe she shouldn't let this opportunity slip past her fingers.

“I'll give it a consideration” she texted him back. He shouldn't be too overly excited yet. By tomorrow morning, she'll decide on what to do. And whatever decision she would be taking henceforth, she must put her own happiness on the top priority.

“I look forward to getting a positive response” he texted back. Nicole sighed softly. Looks like she might be considering working with Mr Grant after all.

Just before noon, the resignation letter was delivered to the presidential office of the Strong business group. Luke got the letter and saw it was addressed to the President and it's from Miss Kevin.

Is there something Nicole wants to tell the President that she had to send in an envelope?

Oh perhaps, the summary of the business summit she went to. She's on leave, Mr Strong had approved her leave just to see that Dr Morris settled into her new office comfortably before Nicole resumed back to work.

Only he and a few others know the relationship between Mr Strong and Nicole. And that woman had sacrificed so much for the company and they all know that she's the reason why the company came this far.

It's just unfair that President Asher has treated her this way.

He got into the President's office and said “Sir, you have mail…” he stated, placing it on his desk.

“From where?” Asher asked, not raising his head to glance at him. Most business deals he expects response from comes through emails instead.

“From Miss Kevin sir” Luke responded.

Asher placed his pen down and sighed. He knew that she would send a note of apology.