Chapter Five

Zara Howard

Updates had become a daily thing. Wrapping up work, dropping by the Lancaster penthouse and heading back home was the new routine.

A few things were a little different though. Asher wouldn't come down rushing in his half-naked glory. Instead, he would take his own sweet time walking down the stairs with an unamused look plastered on his face.

Also, the security guard, Andrew was always super nice to me. He would greet me before informing Asher that I am there to give the update.

And well, Mrs Costanza was… herself.

She has been the caretaker of this house for more than twenty years now, which means she had seen Asher and his older brother, Axel Lancaster as toddlers.

She is the complete no-nonsense plus dry humour package. Which I am guessing is the primary bonding point for Asher and Mrs Costanza.

Asher even has a running joke that Mrs Costanza should be the one running the whole mafia business.

It is so believable that no one would even dare to question that badass woman is secretly some mafia boss lady with exceptional sniper skills or knife-fighting tactics.

Mafia reminds me, Victor hasn't bothered to approach me or Scarlet after the whole 'pepper spray, vase smashing’ incident.

But one thing we know about the mafias is that there always up to something and too much silence from their end definitely means trouble.

Just to be safe, Asher appointed a personal bodyguard, Xander, for Scarlett to ensure her safety at the restaurant. He’s very discrete in his ways so he doesn’t blatantly appear to be looking out for her.

Meanwhile, I had made pretty much everything about my life about Asher Fucking Lancaster.

Whether it was meeting him after work, no matter how briefly or daydreaming about our interactions the following day, Asher was always on my mind.

Like I am doing right now.

I am pretty sure we are besties now.

Okay, Fine. I just called him my bestie once after asking him what his favourite colour was.

It is coffee brown, apparently.

I guess a part of me was surprised it isn't the predictable black.

I sigh as I look at the list I made for the annual meeting. It involved a few numbers and figures that I needed from the finance department, ensuring the needed presentations were ready and also making sure all important people including the chief guests had cleared their schedules for that day.

I got up from my desk and made my way towards Caleb's cabin. I knocked on his door and almost instantly was greeted by a grin. He gets up from his chair to take a few steps closer to me.

"Hey! Sorry if I am bothering you. I just needed a few numbers for the annual meeting and I was hoping you help me with it." I handed over the list of figures needed.

"Oh absolutely. I'll get them in a day or two?" He said as he eyed the details mentioned in the sheet.

"Great! Thank you so much. I'll catch up with you later. I got a ton of things I need to take care of" I made a funny complaining face.

"Hey! Wait-" He called out just when I was about to step out of his cabin to head to my desk.

"Would you like to grab dinner sometime? I would love to hear you complain about work over some Chinese takeout." He asked in a teasing tone. I didn't really know what to say because it clearly wasn't something I was expecting.

I cleared my throat in an attempt to buy some time.

Zara, a coherent response. That is all. That is not too much to ask for.

"Uhhm I would love to but I really have a lot on my plate that I need to take care of" I replied, hoping I didn't sound like a bitch.

It wasn't even a lie. I really do have a lot of stuff to do.

"Oh, I absolutely understand. We are in the same sinking ship on that one." He joked reassuringly, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"How about I add another number to the list of numbers you've asked me to give you?" He reached for a piece of paper lying on his desk and I looked at him quizzically, wondering what he was noting down.

As he handed me the piece of paper, I noticed it was his phone number, making me giggle at his geeky humour.

"I will count you on that one for sure" I gave him a smile and finally make my way to my desk.

I plonked myself on the chair as I groaned.

I shouldn't be feeling like this over such a silly thing.

I hated myself for letting my mind wander to Asher. It doesn't matter how much I fancy Mister Lancaster, he is a dangerous mafia and I also happen to work for his company. I am not even gonna let my mind even accidentally tumble upon the thoughts of what his type might potentially be.

And that is when it happened. My mind went for a deep dive into the ocean of insecure overthinking. I started to think of the type of women who would be throwing themselves at Asher.

The perfect model type of figure, rich and spendthrifty.

I am not a super competitive person but I am most certainly a very petty person. Little things get to me and rile me up.

Since childhood, I have always heard people saying stuff like Scarlett is the prettier sister. She is indeed very pretty and I love my sister but that doesn't mean you should rub it in my face.

The thought of a skinny woman with perfect makeup, the shortest of dresses wrapped around Asher clouded my thoughts. I hated how I was letting myself feel like shit over something that is just a fragment of my imagination. All in my head.

I decided to shut out my thoughts by going overboard with work. So much so that I was nearly done with work for the next day as well. To my utter dismay, I was forced to wrap up work and snap back to reality because it was a lot later than my usual leaving time.

You'd think I would head straight back home like a sane woman right? Nothing worth 'updating' even happened that I should stop by at the Lancaster Penthouse right?

Wrong. We don't do sane.

I greeted Andrew as I entered the main gate. Once Mrs Costanza opened the door, I settled on the nearby couch. I did not really bother making a conversation with Mrs Costanza like I usually would, instead I just silently waited for Asher to come down.

Today was very draining and I felt like I was sighing or groaning ninety percent of the time. That being said, I sighed again as I buried my face in my hands, hoping my brain would shut the fuck up and I can go straight to bed once I get home.

"You seem to be late today, Miss Howard?" I heard Asher's voice, making me look up. He was putting on a grey t-shirt as he walked down the stairs. Oh man, he really knows the colours that flatter him.

My eyes seemed to be hyper focused on the tiniest of movements he made. His fresh out-of-the-shower hair, and his flushed skin contrasting his dark tattoos.

Maybe he just had a hot shower.

Okay. Jeez. I need to stop. I sound very stalker-ish.

"You missed me, Bestie?" I spoke without a thought as I stood up from the very comfortable, soft couch.

I froze when I saw the look on his face up close. Maybe he is still coming to terms with the fact that we are besties. I am very patient like that. He can take his sweet time with it.

He raised his eyebrow oh, so slightly that I almost missed it. His lips twitched and I still can't tell if he does that out of amusement, annoyance or something entirely different.

"Let me guess, Miss Howard," He said as he stood in front of me, completely ignoring my bestie's remark, "Nothing happened?"

"Nothing concerning Victor happened. Yes, your guess is correct, Mister Lancaster." I said as I stifled the urge to yawn.

Wow, I really did overwork myself today. Everything hurts. I need a chiropractor to crack all my bones and release all this unnecessary tension.

I felt Asher eye all my movements silently.

Wait, did I smear my eyeliner while rubbing my eyes and ended up looking like a fucking koala?

"Spill the tea, bestie" The most unexpected words slipped out of Asher's mouth, no matter how monotonous he sounded.

"OH?" I don't even know if this is actually happening or if I'm just too tired to differentiate between daydreaming and reality?

Asher scoffed in humour before saying, "You seem to have had a long day, Miss Howard. Let me ask Mrs Costanza to bring you some warm tea."

"That is very kind, Mister Lancaster but I should really head home." I politely declined as I picked up my bag.

"Very well. I'll ask one of my drivers to drop you" Asher offered and before I could even bring myself to say anything in response, he quickly made a call asking for a ride to take me home.

I found myself fidgeting with my purse handle as I waited for the car. It was moments like these when Asher's presence got too consuming and overpowering.

He didn't do subtle eye contact. He would stare so intently, almost as if he could see through my soul. I nibbled on my bottom lip as I stared at my feet. It was scary to maintain eye contact with a man like him.

"Is there something bothering you, Miss Zara?" He asked softly, making my head whip up in his direction.

My name sounds so good coming out of that damnable mouth.

I could definitely get used to that one.

"Uh yeah. Just a long day at work." I managed to stutter, still unable to process the fact that he called me by my first name.

Ugh! What are you doing to me, Asher Lancaster?!

He just nodded in response before saying, "Your ride is here, Miss Howard. I'll see you tomorrow."