Claimed At First Sight

CHAPTER 5: THE RECLAMATION

Asher jumps out of bed as if he has been set on fire. Water dripped from his hair, crawling down his bare chest and soaking into his custom Tom Ford shirt. His jaw clenched so hard, Reign could see the muscle ticking beneath his skin.

"Have you lost your mind?" His voice was tight and sharp.

Kora, with her long hair soaked and plastered on her scalp, making her look utterly miserable like a wet cat, also jumped out of bed, glaring at Reign as she tried to pull her wet top to cover her exposed chest. “What the hell, Reign? What is wrong with you assaulting us…?

"I dumped water on a trespasser." Reign interrupted, meeting each of their gazes without flinching. "There's a difference, and you should be thankful it wasn’t hot coffee."

“You really must be...” Asher made to move forward, his eyes blazing, but Kora clutched Asher's arm, her eyes wide and brimming with tears. "Reign, I know you're upset, but don’t you think this is too much? We were just talking…"

"With his face between your chest?" Reign scoffed. "Come on, Kora. I thought you were smarter, smart enough to know the difference between a conversation and groping. Whatever you’re doing isn’t my business. Just get out of my room. Both of you."

"It's not your bedroom anymore!" Kora's voice cracked, perfectly faking sympathy.

However, Asher's expression didn’t soften, but he still pulled Kora closer, his arm wrapping protectively around her shoulders.

"It's okay, baby," he murmured, and Reign rolled her eyes. Then his eyes snapped back to Reign, hard as stone. "I don’t know what the hell is wrong with you, but you need to calm down and think about what you're doing."

"I know exactly what I'm doing."

"Do you?" He stepped forward, pulling away from Kora with water dripping onto the floor. "Because from where I'm standing, you're acting like a child throwing a tantrum. What is wrong with using your mouth?"

Reign's hands curled into fists at her sides. His words, the way he looked at her, hurt her. After all, she had truly and wholeheartedly loved this man until a day ago, so it hurt as f**k, but her eyes and voice remained steady when she replied. "This is my house. You two are in my house without permission. That makes you a trespasser, and that allows me to act however I please."

"Your mother gave this house to me…" Kora screamed, her hands flailing in frustration.

"My father left this house to me,” Reign snapped back. “In his will. Legally documented and notarized. So, unless you want me to call the police and have you both escorted out in handcuffs, I suggest you leave now."

Asher's face flushed red. He wasn't used to being spoken to like this. But he laughed regardless, a cold and sharp kind of laugh that didn't reach his eyes. "The police?" He shook his head slowly, like she had just said something adorably naive. "Reign, sweetheart, the police work for people like me. Not against us. You really think a phone call from you means anything?"

Reign's jaw tightened, but she smirked.

"Right. How could I forget? You're untouchable. Except by every woman in the city, apparently."

Asher's expression turned deadly cold, his veins taut in anger. He was completely stunned by her crudeness.

“Asher, please," Kora tugged at his arm, her voice soft and appeasing. She placed a delicate hand on his chest. "Let's just go. My sister is clearly not thinking straight." She glanced at Reign with perfectly practiced concern. "I know you're upset about... whatever this is. But throwing water on us?" Her voice cracked. "This isn't like you. Makes you look like someone who gets bitter towards others’ happiness. Which isn’t you."

That almost made Reign laugh.

That was her stepsister's specialty. Kora is not only good at playing the victim and acting all sweet and innocent, but she’s also good at painting insults as goodwill. And Reign wasn't surprised a bit.

One of the cleaning crew members peeked around the door frame. "Ma'am? Should we... continue?"

Reign turned to the crew member. "Yes, of course. I want everything in this room thrown out. The furniture, the bedding, all of it. I want it all replaced."

"Yes, ma'am."

"And that closet too." Reign gestured toward the walk-in. "I want everything in it thrown out as well."

Kora's eyes went wide, "Wait, my PR packages!" She gasped, and the crew had to move aside as she rushed toward the closet, panic flooding her face. "Those contain unreleased products, exclusive samples brands sent me personally!" Her voice climbed higher, more desperate. "Some of them don't even launch for months! I haven't recorded content for half of them…"

She spun back to Reign, mascara-streaked water running down her cheeks, making her look haunted. "You can't throw them out, or you’ll ruin them.”

“Then you should've kept them in your own place." Reign's tone was cold and unfeeling, her arms folded. "My house isn't a storage unit for your trash. If they are that important, you can go dig through the garbage tomorrow. I promise to make sure they are handled with care."

Then she turned to the crew member, who shifted uncomfortably, clearly not sure whether to proceed or not. "Throw it all out. Every single thing."

“Don’t you dare?” She growled, her eyes red, but seeing that Reign's expression didn’t change, she turned to Asher, clutching at his arm, bursting into sobs. "Babe, please…my sister…" She buried her face against his shoulder, her shoulders shaking with fake sobs. "Tell her she can't do this. Those packages are worth thousands, and they are extremely delicate. Any rough handling can ruin them.”

Reign's jaw tightened. She could see exactly what Kora was doing, making herself look small, helpless, and the victim. And it was working because Asher's arm wrapped around Kora automatically, his jaw clenched as he stared at Reign.

“You're making a mistake, Reign. I'm not someone you want as an enemy."

"Is that a threat?"

"It's advice." His voice was calm. "You know I can fire you and make sure you stay that way. And if it's your inheritance making you so bold?" He leaned in slightly. "I can make sure no one touches Sutton Tech. Not investors, partners. Not even potential suitors." His smile turned vicious. "After all, what man wants to marry into a failing company? You'll have your shares, Reign. And absolutely nothing else."

Reign's breath caught, but she forced herself to stay calm.

"So think carefully," Asher continued, brushing water from his sleeve. "Is that what you want? Is the house really worth it?"

There was a beat of silence as Reign stared at the man she used to love, maybe still loved, but now it was with hurt and pity, ignoring Kora, who looked entertained and satisfied. It was a pity because Reign had deluded herself about love with a man as pompous as Asher. She can't believe he was threatening her over something like this. Wow!

"You can't fire me." Reign finally said, her voice steady.

His eyebrows raised in question.

"You already did this morning. The documents you signed?" Her lips curved into a cold smile. "That was my resignation letter. You approved it."

The colour drained from Asher's face.

"So technically," Reign continued, her voice steady, "You have no authority over me anymore, Asher." She paused, letting that sink in, then with her face hardened. "So now, get out of my house."

Asher's expression turned twice as angry.

"You are a manipulative…"

"Seven minutes."

Kora tugged on his arm. "Asher, come on. Let's go. She's not worth it."

For a moment, Reign thought he might actually explode. His fists clenched, his breathing quickened, and she could practically see him calculating whether he could intimidate her into backing down. But Reign didn't move. She didn't blink or look away, even though she wanted to. After all, her heart still ached for this man.

Stupid feelings.

Finally, he said.

"This isn't over, Reign. Be sure not to crawl back begging me," he said, his voice low and venomous.

“I won’t.” Reign replied.

With his jaw ticking, he stormed out of the room. Kora also cast one last wounded look before dashing after Asher.

Reign, on the other hand, stood in the centre of the room, listening to their footsteps thunder down the stairs, the front door slam, and the sound of Asher's car engine roaring to life before she finally let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding, her hands trembling as she let them fall to her side.

And for the second time since this whole event, Reign didn’t fight back the tears that crept down her cheeks.

…..

However, outside, the Bentley door slammed shut with more force than necessary.

Asher’s knuckles turned white as he barked for the driver to start the car, water still dripping from his hair onto the leather seat. His jaw was clenched so tight it ached. His entire body vibrated with barely restrained fury.

Beside him, Kora sniffled, and Asher's irritation spiked, but he forced himself to take a breath.

She was crying. Again. That high-pitched, breathy sound usually grated on his nerves, but right now, his anger at Reign was so overwhelming that he barely registered it.

“I’m sorry, Asher,” Kora sniffled again, wiping mascara-streaked tears. "But don’t be upset with Reign. I understand why she’s like that, and I should have mentioned this sooner, but….” She sniffed again. “I was afraid you'd be angry." She said quietly.

Asher's head turned, his brow furrowed. "Told me what?"

Kora hesitated, wringing her hands in her lap, while curling deep in the passenger seat, so as to make herself look small and fragile in her wet dress. "The other night..." Her voice trembled, and she bit down on her lips. "Mother asked me to bring something to Reign.” She glanced up at him through wet lashes. "And she... she attacked me."

Asher's eyes narrowed. "Attacked you?"

That was unlike Reign, he thought. He agreed he was using her for just her body. Well, you can’t blame him. He was a man after all, and he couldn’t ignore all the temptations. The woman has a hot body and was a good f**k, but Reign was as calm as a dove, well, except for a few minutes ago.

"Not…not physically," Kora said quickly, seeing his frown. "But she was so angry. She screamed at me, called me horrible names. And I didn't understand why at first, but then she started saying awful things about us…"

Asher winced.

Faeth. He groaned. No wonder Reign was mad. This is one of the reasons you shouldn’t trust your niece with certain information.

"I didn't know she had feelings for you," Kora whispered, eyes wide and innocent. "I swear I didn't. If I'd realized she thought you two were together…" She broke into sobs again.

As much as the sound of Kora's crying was starting to grate on him, the high, the sound sinking into his skull, he couldn’t get rid of her yet. While Reign was a great f**k and an asset, he needed Kora for his future goals. So instead of pushing away like he wished to, he pulled her into his arms.

"Shush. There's nothing between Reign and me. Understand? Nothing."

"But she said…"

"She had a crush. That's all." His voice was firm, his hands flexing on Kora's back. "And I should've shut it down sooner. That's my fault."

Kora nodded and buried her face in his chest, shoulders shaking with muffled sobs.

Asher, on the other hand, stared out the window, jaw clenched.

Reign would regret this. Not because of anything, but because she challenged him.

He would make sure of it.