The Real Reason
1073 Words
Chapter 2.
An employee knocked on Asher's office door.
"Come in," Asher said from inside the room.
"Excuse me, sir, I have a letter of resignation from Arabella." The female employee placed the letter on the desk and left the room.
Asher read the resignation letter. Bella had been absent for a week and today she decided to quit her job. Asher understood that the attitude he had shown Bella must have hurt her feelings a lot. That night Asher went to Bella's house, he wanted to secretly check on Bella's condition.
"Is no one home?" Asher saw Bella's house which looked deserted with the lights off.
Asher got out of his car to check further.
"Excuse me." Asher approached a resident who saw, "Is the owner of this house not at home?"
"You mean Arabella?"
"Yes, Arabella."
"Bella has moved out and I heard she sold this house."
"Moved? Do you know where she moved to?"
"I don't know."
"Well, thank you."
Asher got back into his car, "I should be glad she's gone, it's what I wanted." Asher smiled bitterly, "I'm sorry Bella."
***
"Mom..." Asher shouted, waking up from his sleep.
His breathing was ragged, sweat pouring down his forehead. The nightmare came back to him.
"Mom, I dreamed about you again," Asher whispered.
The image in the past when his mother moaned in pain at being slapped by his father many times continued to imprint on his memory. Asher, who was 7 years old at the time, couldn't do anything about it. Mr. Jackson was furious when he found out his wife was having an affair with a man named Dante Crowe after the incident Mrs. Marissa suddenly became ill and died. Mr. Jackson, who still felt angry, planned to kill Dante and manipulate him as if it was an accident. Mr. Jackson even intended to kill Dante's entire family to complete his revenge but Dante first changed all of his family's identities until now Mr. Jackson cannot find where Dante's other family is, to his knowledge Dante has a daughter named Laura Crowe. Asher knows all about it including his father's plan to keep looking for Dante's family.
A few months earlier.
"I love you." Asher kissed Bella passionately on the lips.
"I love you too, but what if I get pregnant?" Bella looked worried as this was her first time having intercourse.
"I will marry you soon," Asher assured.
"You're not lying?"
"Of course not, I love you very much." Asher hugged Bella.
It has been several months since he was in a relationship with Arabella Smith, his friend from college. The more days Asher feels more and more in love with Bella, a beautiful girl with a good personality. Likewise, Bella has loved Asher since college.
Not long after the two of them came out of the hotel and Asher invited Bella to dinner at a restaurant.
"I'm going to the toilet first."
"Okay."
Bella entered the restaurant and waited for Asher inside.
"Excuse me," a male waiter approached her, "This is for you."
"For me?" Bella felt confused seeing the waiter bringing food, "But I haven't ordered food?"
"Open it."
Bella opened the cover of the food on the table, "What is this?" Surprised to see a red velvet box with a beautiful ring inside.
"That man gave it to me." The service pointed to Asher who was standing not far from the table.
"Darling." Bella smiled.
"I told you, I will marry you." Asher put the ring on Bella's finger.
That night Bella felt very happy and was even more convinced that Asher loved her. After dinner, Asher drove Bella home but suddenly it rained very hard.
"Get in." Asher stopped the car in Bella's yard.
"The rain is very heavy, there is lightning too. I'm scared, do you want to accompany me inside for a while?"
"Alright, I'll keep you company."
Bella invited Asher to come in, "Wait a minute, I'll change first." Bella went into the room and Asher waited in the living room.
Asher noticed Bella's house which looked very simple, Bella was indeed a simple girl Bella said her parents had died and she had to work hard for her own life made Asher very concerned.
"Laura Crowe?" Asher read the writing on one of the photos displayed there.
"Honey," Bella walked over to Asher.
"Is this your picture?" Pointing at the little girl in the photo.
"Yes, that's my picture."
"Then what does this name mean?" Asher pointed to Laura Crowe's name written on the photo.
"I guess I haven't told you everything about my life." Bella led Asher to sit on a chair.
Bella sighed, Bella had never told anyone about her life before but now she loved Asher very much and felt Asher deserved to know everything.
"Laura Crowe is my name."
"Your name?"
"Yes, when I was 7 years old, my father suddenly changed my name and identity without telling me why. I was young and didn't understand anything until my father died and didn't tell me why."
Asher was silent for a while.
"That means all your identities are fake?"
"Yes."
"Can I ask for your real identity? I mean we're getting married I think I need to know everything."
Without hesitation, Bella told him all her real identities that she had been hiding. Arriving home Asher rushed to his office, he double-checked Bella's identity.
"This is crazy, she's the Laura my dad has been looking for."
Asher was very surprised to find out that Bella's real identity was Laura Crowe, the daughter of Dante, the man who used to have an affair with his mother. The girl his father has been looking for.
"This is crazy." Asher looked frustrated, "Laura, it turns out you are near me."
The next day on his way to work Asher saw his father's assistant come to his house. Mr. Jackson let him in and they talked in Mr. Jackson's study. Asher opened the door a crack and tried to hear their conversation.
"Sir, I've found out where Laura is."
"You know? Where is she?"
"She's in this city, but that's the only information I have. I will look for more information as soon as possible."
"Alright, find that girl as soon as possible. She must bear the sins of her father."
Asher, who heard this, was suddenly anxious.
"They must not find Bella's whereabouts. I must protect her."
- Writer
