EMBER"I am Mr Langston's assistant...", Ember said, already expecting the worst. A small tricky smile appeared on his lips."If you're my assistant it should be clear where you are getting the orders from, isn't it?" He said, making it a point that everyone knows where exactly she was. Everyone looked over to find out where she stood. "You're not taking part, you're my assistant.""But I.. I want to participate. I'm an employee too, I should get this opportunity, don't you think?" She said, loud and clear. She knew it would just attract more attention than she needed but it was already done. And then she noticed his eyebrow shot up, it was just how he reacts when he was challenged."The whole auditorium heard the last word about this topic, how could you not? You won't be a part, is that clear?" He said, completely shutting her down. "Yes sir," she said because she knew it would be nothing but a waste of time and self humiliation if she spoke further. Her head was down, the disappoin
EMBERShe watched them kiss and when they parted, they looked at each other. She was saying something and he was saying something, his mood did not look like it was bad at all. He looked like a completely different person.Ember felt the pangs in her chest at how easily his mood can lift just by her sight. And it felt guilty to be jealous because she had no rights to do that. Neither was he obligated to keep her in mind. She looked down at her feet.She had to wrap her head around the fact that he was actually dating someone and that was the truth. After this, no matter how much he confused her, it shouldn't affect her even the least because she would take it.To save herself from the spiral he was pushing her further into, she needed to stop letting it get to her. It was the best for her. She needed to go back to focusing on what she actually wanted.That's when she watched Selene get back into the car and Zaire followed. Ember walked towards the car before it could drive off to know
ZAIRE"Sir, just one question sir! Please, sir!""What's the actual reason you are agreesing to collab with the Iris group? Even after that huge public scandal?" "Mr Langston, is it because of Ms Selene Hudson? Was that the reason?""Is there still any bad blood between you and Mr Prescott?"The questions were bold and the answers to them will be even bolder. But some things should be better left unsaid. They did not need to know that even before the dispute, the bad blood or the scandal, there was a friendship. A friendship that was lost just like that, in an instance.Just because Travis Prescott never trusted Zaire Langston Hughes the way he thought.Zaire stepped into his house at last. It had been a long day and the press only drained the life out of him. The things they said were intrusive, they got to him sometimes. And today was one of those days when those words made him walk down the memory lane.He sighed as he placed himself on the armchair, squeezing his temples and clos
ZAIREThe room was empty, Ember was nowhere. He took a good look around the room and even the washroom but she wasn't there. He ran a hand through his hair and strode out of the room.He looked around a little, not calling out her name yet. He listened carefully to hear some cluttering noises from the kitchen. He made his way towards the kitchen with soft steps, and he peeked inside to see Ember nibbling around the corner of the kitchen."You should go to sleep. Don't make this harder for me, Ember," he said, making his way towards her as she turned to him. Her eyes were welled with tears and she was sobbing. He felt taken aback but also like he can't do anything about it. Just looking at her made it impossible for him to make decisions or be the judge of his character."You are still tormenting me! I'm being a burden to you, right? GOOD. Because that was the intention," her pleading voice turned into rage, her voice rising as she paced up towards him and glared at him with teary eyes.
EMBERSelene's infuriated stare made literal shivers run down her body. She was already holding on to the railing for support when she noticed Zaire's rather calm expression. He held Selene back by holding her hand that distracted her a little from literally murdering Ember.But everything was too much for Ember. The way he was staring at her to calm Selene down as well as how she had held him when Ember saw them. They were a couple. And Ember was only the obstacle in their way even if Zaire had shown so many signs that said otherwise.Last night was slowly clearing up in her mind. He had kissed her back too just like her without any manipulation this time. By his own will. But even so, the hurtful words he had said next had made everything crystal clear.Run, her mind yelled at her, get away from this mess."Why is she here? Huh? This girl.. in your clothes.. in this state? What is she doing here?" Selene was getting progressively angrier and even though Zaire squeezed her hands a lit
EMBERZaire Langston Hughes.He stood outside the door, his eyes locked at her for a few seconds before realising she was all dressed up. He looked taken aback. Her mouth parted but she couldn't say a word. She noticed an equally shocked Ruby coming towards them to probably say a thing or two to Zaire but she wouldn't want that at all. Ember held up her hand and that stopped Ruby, making her back off and walk back into her room.Ember looked back at Zaire, still looking just as dejected."I didn't realise-"Silence. But he tried again."You need to come with me. I have a sudden scheduled meeting so.. I came to pick you up," he said, making Ember force herself to not let her mind go to places that would only prove her delusional further. She had to make use of all the self reflection she did."I can't come. I have something important I need to attend too," she said, firmly. A frown clouded on his face immediately like he was someone who couldn't take rejection well."It.. won't take lo
EMBERShe could feel every vein in her body experience a blood rush as she felt herself getting more and more heated up. She didn't know if it was anger or frustration but she couldn't bear it anymore. She wouldn't have to think twice before knowing he had done it on purpose.Probably to ruin all her plans because she refused to tag along with Zaire. But how could he even know where she was going or which restaurant the reservation was at? It would only be foolish to ask herself because he was both rich and powerful.He didn't need anything else o makee this happen."When did he reserve the place though?" She asked out of spite to check if the time had lined up properly."Umm, he made the call earlier and reserved the restaurants. He paid us twice the amount for being so last minute. That's all can tell you because everything else is confidential," she said, apologetically. Ember shook her head a little and let out a deep breath."Thank you so much," she said before leaving. She knew s
EMBER"Now you'll pay me the money at once before I sue you or..", a small evil essence took over his body language with the way he shifted a little only to make her even more intimidated and confused. He tilted his head slightly before he dropped the bomb, "...or you will do exactly what I say to repay this debt.""What debt sir? I don't think I understand at all," she said, trying to hold her composure before she could freak out without even knowing what had brought her into this mess in the first place. She would know first. "There's not much to understand, Ms Campbell-""If this is another one of your tactics then I'm really not ready to play this game with you. I don't know why you are so dead set on me but I'm not taking part in this," she said, starting to lose her cool because it was baffling enough as it is, plus just being around him was giving her anxiety. "Just fire me already.""So that you can escape the debt? How can I let you do that?" He raised an eyebrow to spike her