Caught Between Love and Duty

"In my opinion 3 years Is enough time to grieve anyone you genuinely love, no matter how deep it is". Eunice said to Ashley with a little chuckle as she continued steering the mashed eggs frying in the pan. Ashley's full attention was on the files she was uploading on her laptop. Eunice noticed it– "Are you actually snubbing me?". At this time Eunice is done with the Eggs and dishes them in the two plates on the kitchen slab. "Food is ready" Eunice exclaims. Ashley shoots a smile, shuts her laptop instantly and motions to the kitchen. Beyond being sisters Ashley and Eunice have had their backs for decades, through thick and thin, through the good times and the pain. In fact they had been together from the time they were kids up until Ashley got married to her childhood lover, Noah. Sadly, the marriage didn't last more than year, he died a year after their wedding leaving Pregnant Ashley all alone. He was actually in the military and died on a field trip. Sadly, the corpse were not recovered as reported from the camp. It had being the lowest 36 months of her life so far but Eunice has stayed with her through it all. The peace Eunice gives and the presence of Teddy, her little son has been what has given her strength all these years. "I am so proud of myself for making your culinary skills this great". Ashley said as she took the first spoon from the food. Eunice chuckled, then replied – "Instead of you to say the food is nice, you want to glorify yourself first, right?". They stared at each other for a second and burst into laughter. Ashley sighed then stretched her hand to Eunice and held it "I really appreciate the fact that you are looking out for me and you want me to moved on from all these emotions, but I assure you that I am actually getting better by the day and I know it seems like it's alll happening slow but it's just my pace and I want you to know that I am doing absolutely good, okay sissy?" Eunice nodded yes, her eyes were suddenly so teary and cheeks were red. "I get you Ash, but can you at least join me at the bar one of these nights" trust me it's super fun and there are these amazing men that troop in night in and out and they f**k good, you could join me tonight and look in my search for Mr right and……." Ashley interrupted her with a mean face– "No, no, no, I am not doing anything my son won't be proud of" "Okay no problem, hopefully your V doesn't get bored and shut down because of lack of activities down there" Eunice responded with a cocky smile Both of them burst into laughter. Teddy ran through to where they were seated screaming "mummy" with excitement. He embraced Ashley. In the middle of their embrace— "Ted my boy, mummy has an appointment this night, would you let me babysit you while she goes to handle it" Eunice asked teddy softly. "Yes Aunty" Teddy answered with a huge smile on his face. Ashley stared at Eunice in disappointment. Eunice continued regardless– "Someone may need a little help getting dressed and I am up for it all" Eunice head inside. The energy in the bar was extremely high, loud music, happy people, everywhere is bubbling and crazy. The VIP area was filled with board members of MARK'S HOLDINGS– The Billion dollar real estate firm that Jason's Dad built from the scratch and made it dominate the heart of the country. It was the normal type of night out they held once they met the month's target. Jason sat at a more confined area where he watched everyone party their ass out. He couldn't be more proud of the team he had built and couldn't help but smile as he watched them party. His best friend, Kelvin who was also part of the firm noticed him and left the bulk of the board members and walked straight to Jason. "My boy" Kev exclaimed as he stretched out his hands to serve himself a little liquor from the bottle Jason had drowned himself with. "What's good Kev?" "I'm one pretty lady in my bed away from making this the best night ever" Jason chuckles– "Don't you ever get tired man" "Women?? No, not at all" Kelvin replies. "I'll pass tonight and besides I'm not in the mental space to start answering the 'what are we now?' question that comes with all these" Kelvin was disappointed, not the answer he expected. "Today makes it a year I divorced Jessica" Jason says In a soft tone. "In a thousand worlds I won't believe you will say that phrase without a huge smile on your face". They both laugh. "All right man let's just go to the bar and chill, no woman for you means more women for me" They laughed loud and went over to the bar area. Ashley sat pretty at the edge of the bar area, legs crossed gazing peacefully around the bar. Jason ordered a glass of gin and gulps it. He scanned around and saw the pretty ladies sitting at different corners of the room. The ladies looked prettier than they did from the V.I.P's session. He quickly nodded "no" to his intrusive thoughts that wanted him to shoot at one. He ordered more gin shots, The battle continued between his next gin shot and his intrusive thoughts then he sighted Ashley "Oh boyyyyy" he muttered and quickly motioned to Ashley. "Hey beautiful" were the only words his drunk ass needed to say. "Hi, I am Ashley" Ashley replied with a vividly plastic smile. "You know what's more beautiful than being married?" He asked her and continued without waiting for a response. "Divorcing the toxic b***h that made your life a f*****g mess". "One more shot of gin!" Drunk Jason screamed at the bartender. Their talk went on and on until it lead them to a hotel room down the street, where Jason gave Ashley the most amazing s*x of her life. Ashley left early the next morning. Next morning in the office Kelvin walked into Jason gazing lustfully at the gold chain on his desk. "Is everything okay bro?" Jason quickly snapped out of his thoughts and tried to hide the chain– "What's making you this excited?" Jason nods the question off and tried to change the context of their conversation – "Have you gotten a response from the team, check your email—" "Did you get that from the girl you had a one night stand with?" Kelvin interrupted, eyes wide open, hoping it's not what he thought. "Common man, you are making it sound like I am in love or something". Jason responded. Kelvin sat and with a wide smile he stared at Jason waiting for him to unleash the full details of last night's deeds. "What went down bro, tell me everything, between when you guys were at the bar and the ' so, what are we now?' question she popped." "That's the thing, she didn't ask that, in fact she left early this mornimg without dropping her phone number or a note, nothing like that". Jason replied, ending with a loud sigh. "Then maybe that's why she left the chain you are holding, maybe she wants you to look for her". Kelvin suggested. Jason scoffs… "Nahhh that's not it, it was at the hotel lobby, probably fell off from her purse or something– Jason paused, itched his nose, then continued "There is something different about her, you know…. Outside the fact that this is the first time I have had a one night stand without the lady trying to make something out of nothing, her aura was just so calm, the fact that she resonates with my present mental space, the fact that she loves listening, the way she thinks and everything…." There is an awkward pause, Kelvin is trying to put everything he said together and just when he is about to speak– Jason stood up– "I'm going to fin d her, I know she mentioned something about running a daycare or stuff " Will be back soon, Kev" Jason said as he left the office