He was Never Hers

Chapter four

I stared at the tracking device worried. It suddenly went offline. And my calls were going unanswered.

A harsh knock tapped on my door and my brothers walked in without waiting for my permission, a flicker of anger etched on their faces.

Elvis, the eldest, sat without asking.

He banged his fists on the table, jaw clenched.

“You were supposed to marry Amaya. That was the deal: easy, political, and clean. Why did you switch brides on the wedding day?”

“It was for the best. It doesn't fit into your logic right now, but Asha is the better option.”

Elisha snorted. “So you mean to say that the woman we stripped of power, prestige, and pride, and who is definitely out for vengeance, is the better option?”

“Her only motive is vengeance. I know her plans. It'll be easy to figure her out.” I leaned in closer, his voice dripping low with tension. “Knowing what Asha is up to, moreover, places me one step ahead of her.”

Elvis’ mocking laugh cut like shattered glass. “You didn't just humiliate Amaya. There's also her uncle. We have a lot of tabs on people who want us dead, and now he's included.”

“They’re not going to let this slide,” Elisha added, shaking his head. “The media was there. Stakeholders, investors—everyone graced that wedding only to witness a public humiliation. Amaya now has Asha as a target, and you damn well know what that means.”

Elvis slammed his palms on the table, pissed by my indifference.

“She will stop at nothing to make your wife bleed, Eduardo. It's not worth it.”

I stood, tucking my hands in my pockets with a note of finality. “She's welcome to try. I'm done with this conversation.”

“You have to attend the Buierris Gala tonight, with your wife,” Elisha spat the last part with contempt. “The board will be watching. They want you to slip. To fall. To fail. She has to act the part. Your position in this legacy f*****g depends on it.”

I called Asha again but she wasn't picking. Dread settled in my gut. It was unusual for the tracker to go offline. How could she have disabled it?

A beep sounded on my watch. The tracker was suddenly online.

My fingers flexed as I sent a quick text to Asha. “What kind of mind games do you think you're playing?

Where are you now?”

“Home.”

I checked my tracking device and made sure she was at home. My jaw clenched.

“This little stunt you pulled, you'll see firsthand why no one in Venice dares to rebel against my authority.”

“I can't wait to receive my first lesson.” Was her cheeky reply.

I exhaled slowly. She was testing my patience.

“You'll meet me at Buierris conference hall at 6pm for a work function. You're expected to grace my arms and act like an educated, polished wife. I'll call Selena to prep you up. Do not disgrace me, and do not be late.”

“Yes, my Lord.” She was still being cheeky and I hated it.

“Go against my instructions this time and I will break you. I don't spew empty threats.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

I gritted, exhaling slowly as I jabbed my phone into my pockets.

___

Anticipation was thick in the air.

Every single person standing under the glass ceilings of Bierris polished walls was awaiting my arrival and that of my wife.

Media was poised. The board was watching. My brothers were antsy. Our coming would be the highlight of the event.

Elvis strode towards me, two flutes of champagne in his hands, a fake smile stretching his lips.

“Why are you hiding in the darkness, when you should be out there, riding on top of the moment, with your wife?”

I smoothly took the glass from his outstretched hand. “Has the board arrived?”

“Yes.” Elvis looked at me, irritated. “And they are asking me questions I do not have any answer to.” His tone went sharper. “It's 7.02 pm Eduardo. You're hiding and your Asha is nowhere to be found.! Do you not take this seriously?!”

I smashed him into the wall, face taut in fury. For years, they've talked me down, looked down on me.

For years it felt like I was drowning in the sea of their disapproval. I was never enough. For my father. For a position in his empire.

To be in a leading position, I had to prove myself, please them.

I willed my breathing to slow down.

I knew this feeling all too well and I wasn't going to give in.

Media had already started circling us, eager for a scandal. He glared at me before stalking off.

Click. They caught the stare down.

Where the hell are you, Asha?

“Asha, where are you?” My fingers furiously clicked on the keyboard, nearly breaking my phone screen.

She was supposed to be by my side, acting like the perfect arm-candy and not leaving me here to deal with this charade.

“Give me a minute.” Was her reply

Then the doors swung open.

Shutter of cameras and click, click, clicks rippled through the room like the sound of wind on silk.

“The scorned bride.” I heard somebody mutter behind me.

Not Asha.

Amaya.

She was dressed in crimson satin, the fabric hugging her like sin. I had even forgotten she would be here, and sure with the whispers that erupted round the room, the tension escalated.

I stilled as she walked purposefully toward me, like she belonged at my side.

“Smile, darling,” she purred low enough for only me to hear as she slipped her arm into mine. “The cameras are watching.”

My muscles locked, voice sharp. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Her smirk didn’t falter. “Saving you.”

“By impersonating my wife?”

She leaned in closer, posing for a photo with a smile like poison. “Not impersonating. Just stepping in.”

I looked around. “She'll be here in a minute, she’ll take my side and you'll be humiliated once again.”

Her expression didn’t change, but her eyes gleamed. “She won't be coming.”

I stared at her. The calm in her voice. The calculated timing.

“You knew,” I said slowly. “You knew she wouldn’t show up tonight.”

“She came to me,” she replied coolly and slipped Asha's phone into my hand. “She said she had a lover and she couldn't keep up with this.”

For some reason that didn't sound right. Asha's mother was in the hospital. I was paying her bills. It was the only leverage I had against Asha, to make her do whatever I wanted.

I smiled tightly. “And what makes you think anyone would believe this?”

“I already told them we reconciled. That you came to your senses.” She flashed another smile to the crowd. “After all, who wouldn’t want the original bride instead of the charity case you picked to spite me?”

She stepped slightly in front of me, drawing all the attention from the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” she said, purring in a smooth voice, “thank you for your patience. As the wife of Eliano Velora, I’m honored to stand beside him this evening. We look forward to leading Elysian’s future together.”

The

applause erupted.

I looked down at Asha's phone stunned.

How could she just leave like that?

How dare she just leave like that?