“I have a proposal for you..... a marriage proposal” he stated and Ashleigh could not hide her shock. “I’m sorry? Could you repeat what you said?” she questioned, staring at him like he had two heads. “I am asking you to marry me" he repeated again. Ashleigh Hartman lived a rather ordinary life working as a cleaner at Tixton company in order to save up for school but an unsettling event brings her out to the CEO, Adrian Cagliari. Adrian proposes a marriage contract for six months with Ashleigh Hartman and she has no other choice to accept.... how will the next six months go?
View More“A glass of water is more preferred, it will help you see things more clearly, don’t you think?” he said, making way for Susan to walk up to her and hand her the glass of water and anagelsic.She looked at him with her eyes squinted and nodded, grabbing the glass from the tray and taking the anagelsic. The water aided her parched throat, but for the headache she would still need to wait a while. Susan helped her relax at the head of the bed, and at her request passed her phone to her, before turning to leave. She opened her phone to see the texts asking why she wasn’t at work already, and it was then it was her: they planned to spend the day together and have a farewell dinner.“Oh shit! I am supposed to be at work right now. I have to meet my friends". Her eyes widened as the realization dawned on her, and with a little relief she felt she attempted to stand up and get dressed."What happened last night?" His voice was low, a dangerous growl simmering beneath the surface.Ashleigh st
A dull ache throbbed in Mr. Atkinson's head, a lingering echo of the electrical malfunction he'd spent hours fixing. He patrolled the silent staff quarters well past midnight, ensuring everyone was tucked in. Finally, at 2 am, the quiet shattered with the arrival of Mr. Cagliari, his ever-present bodyguards flanking him like shadows. They deposited their employer at the door with a curt nod before melting back into the night.Adrian shrugged off his jacket, handing it to Mr. Atkinson with a sigh that spoke volumes. The air crackled with tension, and Mr. Atkinson, a seasoned observer, knew to navigate cautiously."Good morning, sir," he ventured tentatively. "Your trip seemed… taxing."Adrian grunted in response, his long strides carrying him straight for the kitchen. A midday flight to Italy, fueled by a supposed family emergency, had landed him face-to-face with his mother's machinations. Lunch with Caelia, another unsubtle nudge towards an unwanted relationship, had devolved into a
With a determined glint in her eye, Susan announced, "Unfortunately, it seems our boss won't be joining us for karaoke tonight. But hey, the night's been fantastic so far, and we can't let that dampen our spirits! Let's get this karaoke party started!" A wave of cheers erupted from the crowd, quickly dispelling any disappointment. Mocktails, meticulously prepared beforehand, were distributed to lighten the mood. While most were non-alcoholic, a few cheeky younger staff members saw an opportunity for mischief. They pretended to request refills, distracting the assistants while their friends surreptitiously spiked some of the remaining mocktails. One particular young man exchanged a knowing glance with Chef Larry as he passed by. Larry acknowledged him with a subtle nod, his gaze flickering towards a disheartened Ashleigh. All evening, Larry had been waiting for this moment. Adrian's absence was the icing on his cake. Without him there, his plan would be much easier to execute. It wa
Ashleigh grumbled as she climbed the stairs. It seemed everyone was picking on her today, constantly bringing up Adrian. Why did they hold this perception of their relationship? They were hardly affectionate or a love couple. Perhaps her behavior unintentionally portrayed otherwise. But Adrian, the constant subject of their whispers, hadn't even bothered to address the events of the previous week. Pushing those thoughts aside, Ashleigh focused on getting ready for the night's festivities.By 7 pm, everyone had gathered in the event hall. Mr. Atkinson and Susan had opted for a simple yet elegant design. Beach-themed decorations were strategically placed, adding a touch of whimsy. The stage was more elaborately decorated this time.A "Congratulations!" banner flanked by streamers adorned the background. An upgraded karaoke machine boasted various microphones, and additional games promised to spice up the evening. The entrance table, overflowing with culinary delights, showcased Chef Lar
A surreal sense of accomplishment washed over Ashleigh as she sat in her room, surrounded by mountains of clothes. Susan, her ever-reliable assistant, meticulously folded them into a large suitcase, a team of helpers bustling around her. The news of her acceptance into Robin College had arrived a week ago, yet the memory of jolting awake from the couch, sleep forgotten in a surge of joy, remained vivid. Back home, she'd found the official letter nestled amongst her mail, a crisp confirmation that she was to report to campus for a mandatory freshman orientation that very weekend.The news had been met with ecstatic reactions – her aunt and friends bursting with pride, the latter particularly curious about the sudden turn of events. Sharing the news with Larry and Susan had set off a joyous chain reaction, with Susan spreading the word amongst the other staff members. The week since had flown by in a whirlwind of excitement."Madame," a familiar voice cut through Ashleigh's daydream, st
The door creaked open, shattering the charged atmosphere and jolting them both back to reality. Mr. Turner, mid-conversation with a group outside, caught a glimpse of the scene unfolding in the office. He quickly ushered the visitors out, muttering about needing a few minutes.Ashleigh's cheeks burned a fiery crimson. The near-miss sent a jolt of panic through her, and she struggled even harder to disentangle herself from Adrian's embrace. But he remained unyielding.A kaleidoscope of emotions warred within Adrian. Relief, a strange and unwelcome sentiment, washed over him at Mr. Turner's interruption. His behavior in the past few minutes had been uncharacteristically impulsive. But a stronger current of anger surged through him, directed at his oblivious secretary for shattering the moment. His piercing gaze pinned Mr. Turner in place, silently demanding the man understand the situation and leave."I-I apologize, Boss," Mr. Turner stammered, his voice barely a whisper under the withe
In the following days, the whispers surrounding Ashleigh's resignation faded to a dull hum. Assigned to the executive floor, she found the pace far more relaxed. Fewer offices meant less hustle and bustle, and the remaining space was dedicated to conference rooms and media events. The only real disruption was the constant presence of the company owner himself.Back home that night, after hours of stewing in silence, Ashleigh made a decision. She wouldn't let Adrian turn her into a pawn in his elaborate game. Until she found a way to regain the upper hand, silent compliance seemed the best course of action.Adrian, however, took full advantage of her presence on his floor. He piled on the tasks, transforming her workload into a relentless beast. Breaks were confined to the snack room, where Mr. Turner, ever dutiful, presented lunch for Adrian alongside a weary Ashleigh. Any lull in her schedule was promptly filled with nonsensical errands. By day's end, she was a mindless automaton, co
Ashleigh's jaw clenched tight. "Absolutely not," she gritted out, her voice barely a whisper above a growl. Adrian met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "Then consider this conversation over," he finished, his voice devoid of emotion as he redirected his attention to the paperwork littering his desk. Silence descended upon the room, heavy with tension. Ashleigh forced herself to take a deep breath, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. "With all due respect, Mr. Cagliari," she began, her voice calmer this time, "I fail to see how firing me or my friends will solve anything." Adrian leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers before him. "On the contrary, Mrs. Cagliari. From the beginning, we've been at odds over you working here after our marriage. Between your household duties and your workload, it all contributed to your breakdown." Ashleigh's temper flared. "That was because—" she started, but Adrian held up a hand, silencing her. "Yes, I know," he conceded, his
Surprise contorted Ashleigh's features. This wasn't how she envisioned her return."Where are they?" she pressed, urgency lacing her voice. Her colleagues pointed towards Mrs. Smith's office before dispersing back to their duties.A frantic rush of movement carried Ashleigh through the door, where she found Mrs. Smith mid-conversation on the phone. James and Fiona stood before her, fear etched on their faces. Relief flickered in their eyes upon seeing her. Ashleigh rushed towards them, engulfing them both in a tight hug."Ashleigh! We were worried sick!" Fiona exclaimed in a hushed whisper. "You disappeared the next morning, no message, no call, nothing!"Remembering the abruptness of her departure, Ashleigh could only manage a weak smile."My apologies, Fiona. My leaving was… hasty. An emergency came up, and I had to rush out."James, unconvinced, raised an eyebrow. "At midnight? What kind of emergency couldn't wait until morning? Besides, you were hammered and went straight to sleep
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