MICHEAL'S POV Liam strolled into my office like he owned the place. His hands in his pockets, his usual smirk plastered on his face—that same smirk that always meant trouble.I didn't even bother offering him a seat, but he took one anyway. “What do you want, Liam? And what the hell are you doing here?”He glanced around, pretending to admire the office. “Relax, I came to talk about the company.”“The company?” I scoffed. “You lost the right to talk about my company the very day you stood against me.”His smirk faltered, but it was back quickly.“Simon’s making moves. Even while in hiding, that old bastard approached me. I thought you’d want to know.”I kept my face unreadable, though every muscle in my body was tense. “And why would Simon go to you?”“Because I know things,” Liam said.Then he tilted his head, eyes sharp. “Things about you…about Ashley. But you know that already, don't you?”Of course, he knew that.I didn't let my expression change, but my mind was already working
ASHLEY'S POV There was something about returning home after a perfect beach weekend that made everything else feel a little lighter. The salty breeze still lingered in my curls, and now I carried a sun skin glow that made my skin look like I'd just stepped off a magazine cover. I was humming to a Beyonce song as I stepped into my office after a boring meeting, scrolling through a few emails when the glass door swung open.“Surprise!” Sophie grinned, followed by Jade and Austin, all of them clearly up to something.I blinked. “Did I miss an update on the group chat? Why do I feel like I'm about to get ambushed?”“Because you are,” Jade said with a smirk.“We're kidnapping you for lunch. The birthday planning session begins now.”“Oh God,” I laughed, reaching for my bag already. “This would be interesting.”We ended up on a rooftop café just because their snacks are to die for. It was decorated with lights all over them with a full view of the city. Sophie pulled out a notepad from her
MICHEAL'S POV Ashley’s arms were wrapped tightly around my neck, her lips brushing against mine as I carried her into the private cabana. The ocean breeze was strong around us, but all I could feel was her—every curve pressed against me, every little breath fanning the fire building between us.The second the curtains fell shut behind us, I pressed her back against the nearest wall. She gasped softly, but I could feel it in my bones.“You were soaked before I even touched you,” I murmured against her neck, letting my fingers trail under the thin strings of her bikini bottom. “Tell me, darling. Did the ocean get you wet? Or is it just me?”Her body arched into mine, her lips brushing my ear. “You know exactly what it was.”I groaned, dragging my mouth along her collarbone, tasting her soft and salty skin.“You are just so needy, aren't you?” I growled, cupping her thighs and grinding into her, letting her feel what she had done to me.“And you,” she whispered, tilting her head back s
MICHEAL'S POV Her fingers were tangled in my hair when I woke up, her soft breath fanning against my throat, her legs draped over my hip like she owned me. And maybe she did. Of course she did.“Baby,” I whispered, brushing my lips against her forehead.“Mmm?” She mumbled, her eyes still shut. “It's too early to wake up. Let's sleep some more.”I chuckled. “The chef called. Breakfast is ready. He's probably setting the table now.”She groaned. “Fuck the rich people and their routines.”I leaned in closer. “You like my routines just fine.Her eyes opened, then she winked. “Yeah, the night routines especially.”“You naughty spoilt brat.”I kissed her, slow and deep, not caring about our morning breaths, and eventually we dragged ourselves out of bed, more like I dragged her out of bed. She grabbed the paste and toothbrush while I stood beside her at the sink. We brushed in silence, stealing glances at her in the mirror with my shirt on her. My heart still beats too fast around her till
ASHLEY'S POV My apartment smells like popcorn and freshly baked snacks, which could only mean one thing—sleepover night. I stood in the kitchen barefooted, swirling a bottle of wine in my hand while Sophie danced around with two mugs of hot chocolate, wearing matching pyjamas with Jade. Austin sat cross-legged on the couch, scrolling through his phone with an expression that could only be described as “mildly annoyed older brother forced to hang with his little sisters.”“I still don't know why we couldn’t do this at my place,” Austin muttered.“Because,” Sophie flopped beside him, tossing a pillow at his face, “your place has no junks. It smells like liquor and loneliness there.”Jade giggled from the floor where she was setting up our spa masks and polish trays.“And because this is Ashley’s week. The queen deserves a break.”I couldn't help but smile. “I really do.”They made me feel like I could breathe again.No stress, no Simon drama, no Jayden pressure. Just me and my friends
ASHLEY'S POV The silence in the car was deafening as we drove back to the penthouse.Micheal had tried to reach for my hand a few times, but I kept mine folded tightly on my lap. I didn’t want to flinch when he touched me, I didn't want to cry either. Not yet. Not here.The event had gone from being magical to humiliating in seconds. And all it took was one woman and one sentence from her mouth to shatter the fragile illusion I'd been clinging onto.Kate.Just saying her name in my mind made my throat close up.I didn't need to be told that she still has a hold on Micheal. The way his jaw locked, the way the colour drained from his face. And the way she looked at me…like I was nothing more than some silly replacement. A toy.And she opened her mouth.“So, she's your new toy? The reason you've been pushing me away?.”She said it like it was so obvious, like she knew everything.And Micheal…his silence hit harder than anything she had said. He didn't defend me. He didn't even react—he