Six
937 Words
My heart skipped a beat. I knew those eyes—those sharp, brilliant sapphire eyes that had haunted my dreams for five long years. They belonged to *him*. Asher. The man I had hoped never to see again.
I forced myself to remain calm, to keep my composure, though my legs felt like they would give out at any moment. I felt a hand on my waist before I could crumble and I stared into the chocolate eyes of my boss
"Are you okay, Miss Blake?"
"Of course" my voice came out as a squeak and I cleared my throat "of course Mr, Strauss"
He released me, "This is Asher Blackwood, my partner and my friend"
"Good morning Mr. Asher" I smiled as I stretched out my hands
He shook it and didn't release it, he tilted his head slightly, studying me as though trying to place my face. "Have we met before?"
My heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it. *No. No, this can’t be happening.*
I swallowed hard, forcing a small, strained smile. “No,” I lied, hoping my voice sounded steady. “I’m afraid you must have mistaken me for someone else. We’ve never met before in our entire lives.”
For a brief moment, he hesitated. His hand was still holding mine.
“Really?” His lips curled slightly, just enough to make me question whether he believed me or not. “I could’ve sworn…” He trailed off, finally releasing my hand, though I felt the imprint of his touch linger long after.
I offered another polite smile, trying to suppress the overwhelming urge to run out of the office. “No, I’m sorry, but you must be mistaken.”
"You are right, I must be mistaken" He said much, to my relief. Instead, he stepped back, his piercing eyes still fixed on me as though he was storing away every detail. I quickly excused myself, my legs trembling as I turned toward the door.
Once outside the office, I pressed a hand to my chest, feeling the rapid thud of my heart beneath my palm. *God, what just happened?* I cursed under my breath, shaking my head. I had hoped this job would be a fresh start, an escape from my past, but of course, fate had other plans. *Asher was here?* What were the chances?
I had no choice but to keep working. The pay was good—almost too good to be true—and I needed this job. I had Luke to think about. I couldn’t let my past mistakes jeopardize our future. *He won’t remember me,* I told myself over and over as I hurried down the hallway, clutching my purse like a lifeline. *He can’t.*
I made it through the rest of the day on autopilot, barely focusing on my tasks. Every time the office door creaked open, I flinched, half-expecting Asher to appear again, but he didn’t. I convinced myself that maybe, just maybe, I’d been lucky this time. He hadn’t connected the dots. He couldn't remember me after spending just a night with each other five years ago.
But as the hours passed and the workday finally ended, and I had forgotten all about him. I just needed to pick my son from school.
I went to the underground car park and was about to open my car when a hand grabbed my arm, yanking me back before I could process what was happening.
“Hey—!” My protest was cut short as I was pulled into a sleek black car, the door slamming shut behind me. My heart raced, panic rising in my chest as I struggled to regain control of my senses. I tried to move, but my body was frozen in place by shock.
And he, Asher was above me with my back lying against the leather cladded car seat. His leg was between my thigh and was bringing back memories I wanted to stay hidden.
His expression was calm—too calm—but his eyes held that same dangerous glint I had seen earlier in the office.
"We meet again, Nerissa Blake," he said, his voice low and filled with certainty, as though my flimsy lie earlier had meant nothing.
I froze, my hopes of him forgetting me dashed like fragile glass against a rock. Every muscle in my body tightened as his words echoed in my mind. He remembered. *He knew.*
My mouth went dry as I struggled to find my voice. "I... I don't know what you're talking about," I whispered, though even I didn’t believe my words anymore. There was no point in lying to him now. He had me, and we both knew it.
Asher’s lips curled into a slow, calculating smile. "Don’t play dumb. I remember you, Nerissa. You were never just a face in the crowd. You think I wouldn’t recognize the woman who disappeared on me?"
I swallowed hard, my chest tightening with a familiar dread. Five years. I had managed to stay out of his world for five years, but now, trapped in this car with him, I realized it had all been for nothing. I had never truly escaped. Not him.
"I don't know what you want from me," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "That was a long time ago."
Asher leaned forward, his eyes never leaving mine. "Long time or not, we have unfinished business. And I'm not letting you disappear again."
I closed my eyes for a brief moment, a silent curse slipping through my mind. *What now?*
- Writer
