Love amidst pain and luxury

CHAPTER THREE

Ash

Apart from people lying and taking advantage of me, the next thing I hated most was my family, and the root cause was now standing in front of me.

“Aunt Green, why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be at a board meeting?”

“Yes, and so are you, but we heard about your car accident, so I volunteered to come check up on you. I didn't know you already had everything under control.” She shot Rin a scathing glare, her eyes filled with disdain before looking back at me. “You know, honey, your work life and your personal life shouldn't be seen together in public. It might give people the wrong idea.” A hint of amusement danced across her face.

“If there's anyone I don't want to be seen with in public, it's you, and you know it.” I retorted.

She pressed her lips into a thin line before letting out a mischievous grin. “Why? Are you really that scared of being seen with your aunt? I mean, we're just family, right? Unlike you two.”

I clenched my teeth. She was pissing me off, and she knew it. I wanted to wipe that smug grin off her face. My muscles tensed, and I felt a gentle squeeze on my hand.

I glanced up at Rin, who subtly shook her head. Relaxing a little, I turned back to my aunt. Her eyes were burning with jealousy as she glared at Rin, and this time, it was my turn to smile.

“Being related by blood doesn't make you family.” She laughed but before she could respond, I raised a hand to stop her. “We could go at this all day, bickering back and forth, but we have more important things to do. I know you won't leave here without me, so I'll just make it easy for you. Get in the car.” I withdrew my hand from Rin's neck, hopping slightly as I struggled to stand.

My aunt reached out to steady me, but I limped back. “I think I'm old enough to walk on my own.” I hobbled around the Porsche and slid into the passenger's seat. Through the window, I called out to Rin, who was standing there, unsure if she should leave me. “I'll be fine. Meet me at the office.”

“Okay, be careful.” She gave me a sympathetic smile and walked toward her car.

Once my aunt got in, she scowled. “You didn't have to embarrass me like that in front of your employee.”

“Shut up and drive.” I closed my eyes, pretending to sleep to avoid further conversation.

I could feel her eyes boring into my head before she let it go, and we zoomed off.

****

I banged my fist loudly on the desk, rattling it's contents, not caring if it raised an alarm at work.

Out of sheer frustration, I kicked my chair, and with one swipe, sent everything on the desk crashing to the floor.

“f**k! f**k!” I shouted, repeatedly punching the wall behind me.

“Ash, what's—” Rin paused, unfazed by her abrupt entrance into my office.

She took a second to absorb the chaos in room, quickly grasping the situation. “What happened at the meeting?”

“It's my f*****g dad! The man never misses a chance to piss me off!” I yelled, grabbing fistfuls of my hair and squeezing hard as I bent over, only to straighten up immediately. “And you know what's worse? His annoying little sister. I swear to God, Rin, I'm going to kill that woman.” I snarled.

Rin stretched out a hand, moving slowly toward me. “It's okay. Just take a deep breath and tell me everything that happened.”

I stared at her for a moment, trying to calm myself. Running both hands through my hair, I took a deep breath. “You know how the last meeting ended, with everyone bringing ideas for marketing our new clothing line?” She nodded, stopping in front me, the desk still separating us. “Well, guess who got the gig?”

“Definitely not you,” she mumbled, glancing around the wrecked office.

“Obviously! And you know why I'm pissed? It's not just the fact that my dad thinks I'm too inexperienced to handle a good marketing strategy, or the fact that he liked your idea and handed it out to my brother's team to work on. It's the fact that he went and paired me up with his sister! For Christ's sake, the man knows how much disdain I have for that woman. What the f**k does she know that I don't? Or better yet, why not pair me with someone else I can actually work with who has more experience? He just knows how to get under my skin.” I finished, hobbling behind my desk.

“Oh. I get why you're mad now. But to be honest, even though your aunt's been working for your dad almost as long as you have, I think she has more experience. Don't forget she has her own fashion line—it might not be as big and as popular as your dad's, but it's still successful.”

“Geez, thanks for making me feel so much better.” I replied sarcastically, finally pulling my chair over to take a seat.

“No, don't get me wrong. What I'm saying is, when it comes to business, family ties and feud should be put aside. Maybe that's why your dad paired you up with her—not to piss you off on purpose.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “You don't know the man like I do, Rin.”

“Regardless, see this as an opportunity. Learn what you can from your aunt, then beat her at her own game with it. Boom, you'll land yourself a better gig and earn some respect from you dad. That's what I call killing two birds with one stone.” She smirked, folding her arms.

I couldn't help but smile, “Okay, having you as my PA is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

“I know.” She flashed a toothy grin and flicked her hair, making me laugh. “And not to brag, but having one of New York’s best marketing strategists as your PA is really going to pay off.”

I nodded in agreement, still smiling. “You are the best.”

She froze. “Thanks, that means a lot.”

For a moment, she held my gaze and I could feel the growing chemistry between us. A sudden clearing of throat broke the moment.

I turned toward the door where the sound had come from, and the smile on my face quickly faded into a scowl.

“Leave us,” my aunt told Rin as she approached.

“Rin, thanks. You can take the rest of the day off.” I told her, and she nodded in appreciation before exiting the room. Turning to my aunt, I asked, “What do you want?”

“That's no way to talk to your aunt and business partner now, is it?”

“Screw the theatrics, Green. Can't you let me breath in peace? Why are you always after me, everywhere I go?”

“Well, for one, having a handsome nephew such as yourself isn't easy to resist, you know.” She leaned on my desk, resting both hands on it so I could purposefully see the fullness of her chest.

I swallowed hard, getting up from my seat. I limped toward my door and held it open for her. “It's time for you to leave. As you can see, I've got some cleaning to do.”

She curled the corner of her mouth into a sly smile. “You really want me to leave? By now, I thought you'd enjoy the freedom I've given to you—with my body.” She adjusted the buttons of her suit, undoing atleast three as she slowly slid the jacket down her arms.

“Don't you feel disgusted and ashamed of yourself?” I asked, ignoring the way my body was reacting to her gesture.

“Ashamed of what? Listening to my heart?” She whispered, stepping closer, and locking the door behind her. She turned to me, running a slender finger down my cheek as she pressed her body against mine. “Tell me to stop, and I will.”

I took a sharp step back. Before she could get any closer, I grabbed her wrist and slammed her into the wall, pinning her.

My hand wrapped around her neck and I squeezed.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you right now.”