CHAPTER 5: HER RETURN

Hair packed into a ponytail, heels clacking against the cold tiled floor, back and shoulder straightened, eyes focused on the boardroom as she walked in. Whispers started flying around, most of which were her being called a ghost.

She opened the door amidst their meeting, everyone scampered into the nearest corners. She took one single look at where Richard—the CEO—was seated; her father's chair. The bastard didn't even try to move after seeing her. The chair Marcus must have most likely sat before his attempted murder.

“Move,” her eyes leveled with him, voice devoid of any emotion as she remembered that he was a suspect in Marcus’ attempted murder. “I won't say it twice.”

Fuming, Richard gently assumed the nearest position before speaking. “The media said you were dead. How come you are here?”

“I've risen from the grave like your saviour,” her sarcastic reply shut him up. Everyone waited to hear from her.

“I don't know how to start,” she said, scanning the room full of hypocrites, “but I'm definitely not saying thank you for being here. Ever since my father's death and my alleged death as well, all I've got is news that someone has been pressuring this board to transfer power to him. I will say this anywhere and everywhere. My father built this company from the ground up with every last penny of his own and no one, I repeat, no one deserves his seat.

“And to whoever sent people to kill Marcus Chen just because of my father's properties,” her eyes unconsciously went to Richard. Just as she guessed, his eyes were on her as well, fiery hot, like he should send her 6 feet below already. “I'll find you. Whatever it takes, I'll make sure the killer is apprehended. This meeting is dismissed.”

Everyone walked out, taking themselves in pairs and discussing heaven knows what. She walked to the window, taking the environment in.

“You don't know how to run this company,” Richard approached her from behind. She hated his guts.

“But you do, that's why you killed Marcus to be able to.”

“Easy there, child. That's a very big accusation.”

The thought of being called a child by him upsetted her entire being. “Don't ever call me that. And get out of my presence. You are just another worker in this company.”

“Don't carry more than what you can handle,” a frown settled on his face before walking out.

As soon as she stepped out of the building, reporters flooded her. Cameras flashing in her face, microphones being shoved in her presence, multiple voices lapping over each other. It took the security of the building to get them to clear out. Her eyes caught a familiar figure, standing outside just like the others. Only that, this figure was dressed in the most casual clothing ever. He must have gotten the news and raced down as fast as he could.

Asha watched from across, standing in his pajamas. Dark circles clothed his eyes and his black hair had lost its beautiful colour. Marcus was right, life was really dealing with him.

With each step he took towards the building, her heart made a small thump. Questions arose in her mind if she was really ready to face him.

She could see him haggle back and forth with the security at the entrance. One approved look from her to the security, the glass door opened.

His eyes watered on their own, allowing her to see how much mess he had been.

“You look homeless. Did your girlfriend leave you?”

He stared at her, like he had been given a second chance to right his wrongs. “Nadia, it's really you,” that's all he could say.

Taking a closer look at the off-shoulder top she wore, he saw the burn scar embedded on her shoulders. The final proof that he no longer needed was glaring at him hard. The proof of the fire that almost killed them both 25 years ago.

“How could I have been so stupid?”

“Are you asking me that?” Nadia asked. “I think you know the answer to that.”

“You've been beside me all this while and I couldn't see it. I'm so sorry for all the pain I caused you. Please forgive me.”

She scoffed, walking the length of the reception. “Forgive you? Oh yes, I will. At my own fucking time.”

“I'll wait till whenever.”

“While I mourned my father and begged you to honor his last days, you frolicked with another woman. You wanted to take me out of the picture because of a wealth you never worked for in your life. My father's wealth. And yet you stand here in my presence asking for forgiveness. Nah, you don't deserve it.”

He stepped forward, causing her to halt her pacing and move further away from him. “Saying that I hurt you isn't enough. I know I did. I know I broke you but I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you. Trying to make you forgive me, even if that's the last thing I do on earth. I love you.”

Those words sounded gibberish to her. “You love me?” She repeated it like a lyric from a track. “That's a big assumption you have there.”

“It's not, please come back to me. My life has been so shitty without you in it.”

“One moment you didn't want me, and now your life isn't making sense because I'm not in it? Fuck you Asha,” she scoffed. "Choose a side and stick to it."

“We are still very much married Nadia and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get you back.”

She looked at him like he had grown 2 heads and a tail in the past few minutes. “We are divorced Asha Ashton. D-I-V-O-R-C-E-D.” She spelt it out for him.

“I tore those damn papers and burnt them up. You are still mine Nadia, at least in the eyes of the law.”

She did the next thing that came to her head. Lying. “You wish. I'm in a much healthier relationship now. He treats me well and doesn't remind me that I'm a spoiled brat.”

A flicker of emotion went across his face. “I'm not losing you again Nadia. Like I said, I'll do whatever it takes to get you back. Whatever.”

He walked out, leaving her to ponder on his last words, fear settling in her core.