Chapter Four

Zara Howard

Scarlett and I headed back to work after our 'meeting' with Asher Lancaster. A 'meeting' I am definitely NOT going to micro-analyze and daydream about for the rest of the day.

I decided to grab some coffee before heading to my desk. I liked my workplace and also the kind of work I did. The Lancaster Enterprises were very no-bullshit with the work they did, which made my job as an assistant very convenient. Ensuring meetings are coordinated, receiving-transferring calls and emails wasn't much work at all.

I logged into my laptop as I sipped on my coffee. I am going to dive into work and not let Asher take up even a fraction of my thoughts. And just then, I was notified with a new email.

Ha! This is a sign that Asher Lancaster has nothing on me. It is only a matter of time before I am flooded with work that I will barely have any time to even breathe, forget daydreaming.

Asher Lancaster who?

I quickly open the email to find elaborate details of the annual meeting of The Lancaster Enterprises coming up in nearly 10 days. It would include all the important people including the directors and board members.

And guess what that implies? We would be graced with the presence of Asher Fucking Lancaster.

I groaned aloud and rested my head on my desk.

I have never been excited and troubled like this, all at the same damn time.

"Morning, Zara" Caleb greeted me with one of his classic sunshine smiles. He was from the finance department and worked in one of the nearby cabins.

"I would've said 'good' morning but with my exceptional mind-reading powers, I could tell that's not exactly how your morning is playing out today." His lips twitched in humour.

Messy hair, pretty face, charming smile. He was a true gentleman, someone who could be just about anybody's type.

I looked up to face him better as a small smile involuntarily crept up to my lips.

"Morning" I decided to roll with the dry humour, making his smile widen.

"I'll see you around" He gave me one of those polite nods before heading to his cabin. I appreciated the fact that he didn't linger around and try to make awkward small talk.

I sighed as I got to work. With sending emails, answering calls and making lists of things that needed to be done, the rest of the day passed by rather quickly. I even checked up on Scarlett to make sure she was alright.

I wrapped up work around 6 and Asher's words kept looming over my head.

'Keep me updated'

Before I could actively process what was happening, I found myself heading towards the Lancaster Penthouse.

I am doing what Asher asked us to do right?

He demanded to know what was happening exactly.

Obviously, if he wanted to 'take care of it', these updates are very crucial.

Right?

Also, Scarlett and I didn't decide who would give the updates.

I'm sure she is busy waiting tables so I should be a good elder sister and take care of this.

While I was busy convincing myself that I am just doing what I was asked to do, I found myself at the main gate of the Lancaster Penthouse.

The security guard seemed to remember me from earlier this morning and made a call to someone without asking me any questions.

As I awkwardly walked in, I was greeted by a woman in her mid-fifties, who seemed to be the caretaker of the place.

"Mister Asher will be down in a moment." She stated in a no-nonsense tone.

"Thank you" I mumbled politely and she just nodded in acknowledgement.

"Uh, I'm Zara Howard" I lamely introduced myself, my hands clammy as everything about the place intimidated me.

"Mrs Costanza" She replied with a small formal smile.

Before I could do anything more to embarrass myself further, I saw a very hot, a very shirtless Asher rushing down the stairs.

My eyes travelled down from his face to his bare torso as I gaped at his inked skin. He was covered in way more tattoos than I expected but again, I am also way more attracted to him than I expected.

As he got closer, I noticed something unfamiliar.

No, it is not the shirtlessness. That's some unfamiliarity I would like more of. A lot more of.

I am talking about the fact that his face is laced with urgency and maybe even a little bit of concern, dare I say?

Once he was standing right next to me, I found myself overwhelmed by his presence, almost like I was drugged.

He somehow smelled like the woods, which made me stare into his intense forest-green eyes.

"What's wrong?" He asked, thankfully, before I lost all self-respect in his presence.

"Nothing" I managed to utter.

"Huh?" He asked quizzically as he ran his fingers through his drenched hair.

Oh, Sweet Baby Jesus! He came rushing out of the shower for me. Not exactly by choice but I'll let myself dwell in the delusion.

"I am just here to give the daily update" I added.

"And?" He asked slowly as if he was talking to a child.

"Nothing happened."

"Then why are you here, Miss Howard?"

"Don't you think it is a little too early to be this drunk? I just told you that I am here you give you the daily update, like you asked for this morning" I rambled.

Asher pursed his lips and his head tilted towards Mrs Costanza, who mirrored his expression before she got back to doing her chores.

I feel like I am being left out. I held back my urge to frown.

Asher rubs his forehead as he asks, "So is that all, Miss Howard?"

I nodded like a good girl before adding, "Scarlett is fine as well."

He simply nods in response.

Oh, so Mr Robot is back.

I found myself at a loss for words as my eyes started to wander across the tan, inked nakedness in front of my eyes.

I tucked in my bottom lip almost involuntarily as my eyes focused on his built biceps.

Before I could even filter out my thoughts, I blurted, "You know, I work out as well, Mr Lancaster."

I proceeded to flex my biceps and I felt his not-so-masked amused eyes on me.

"I would not dare to doubt that, Miss Howard. I am sure Victor was shit scared of you." He added as he leaned against the wall with folded arms.

"I know right? I did not think I would be able to retort to Victor's physical altercations. But well, desperate times call for desperate measures." I blabbered as if I were telling one of the most heroic tales.

"I am so proud of you," Asher said and whoosh all my daddy issues came rushing to me. I gnawed on my lips as an overwhelming urge to squeeze my thighs took over me.

I couldn't really tell much from his tone but whatever it is, my legs are going to give away soon, if he continues to say such damnable things and keep eyeing me like I am some specimen he is trying to inspect.

"Do you want to feel my bicep?" I blurted thoughtlessly, yet again.

I realised I was still standing there flexing my almost non-existent biceps all this while.

Real smooth, Zara.

Wordlessly, he brought his hand to my biceps almost instantly. As soon as his callous fingertips reached my arm, my skin bursted into goosebumps.

I looked at him with my lips parted slightly as his hands enveloped my bicep further. My heart quickened as the cold metal of his finger-rings brushed against my bare arm.

"Would you like to feel my bicep as well?" He asked huskily, without breaking the intense eye contact.

Before I could register what the fuck was happening, I felt his hand grab mine and place it on his rock-hard bicep. The scant physical contact made me gasp audibly.

It was almost as if I was in a trance all this while because I felt some sense being knocked into me somehow. I hurriedly took a few steps back as I put some safe distance between the two of us.

"Thank you for your time, Mister Asher. I will keep you updated”, I quickly announced and scurried out of the Lancaster Penthouse. Asher just responded by shaking his head and smiling softly.