The Ashtor’s & Me

Something complicated

After a long day at work, I finally got to go home and relax, while thoughts of working for not one, but two men, coursed through my entire body. As soon as I walked through my apartment doors, I went over to my mini bar and poured myself a glass of whiskey. I then headed to the bathroom and ran a bubble bath. After undressing, I got into the bathtub with my glass of whiskey and sat down, submerging until only my head was above the water.

I lay back and closed my eyes, resting my head on the edge of the tub. I sipped from my glass peacefully until my toes became wrinkly and I had to get out. I finally cleaned up, then grabbed a towel from a hook next to my shower curtains and wrapped it around myself. I stepped out of the bathtub and began to walk over to the bathroom mirror to brush my hair. After brushing my hair, I dried myself and put on my pajamas. I walked out of the bathroom and went to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water and a snack before going to my room.

It is now 2 in the morning and I’m laying in bed, staring out the window, at the moon. I sigh deeply as a cool breeze comes in through the window, cooling my skin causing me to close my eyes as a faint smile came across my lips. Eventually, I drift into a peaceful sleep.

The following morning, my alarm sounds at 7:30 A.M. I flutter open my eyes to the sunray beaming through the curtains and yawn. As usual, I rise from the bed to begin my morning routine. After the shower, I dress in a black pencil skirt and a white-collar blouse. I then put on my black, red bottom heels and pick up my purse. As I exit my apartment, I spray myself with my Baccarat perfume, the scent of which is hypnotic and inviting.

Upon my arrival at the office, everyone appears to be on edge as we have a substantial project due next week. I settle in at my desk. I open my work laptop and begin planning Jaxon's and Jasper's schedule for the day. I make calls for their reservations and arrange for their suits to be tailored at the dry cleaners. Suddenly, my desk phone rings. When I answer it, Jaxon is asking for me to step into their office. Soon after standing up, I walk into the office and close the door behind me. As I approach the desk, Jaxon is seated there while Jasper stands in front of the massive windows that occupy the space where the wall should be, looking over at the city.

"Sir?" my lips part slowly as I inhale deeply, a scent of honey and lavender coming from the humidifier that I bought for their father before he retired. I miss him. I hope they treat me as well as he did.

"Did you arrange the schedule, Ms. Richardson?" Jaxon asks in a stern voice.

"Yes," I reply, placing the schedule on the desk in front of Jaxon. He doesn't acknowledge it, simply staring at me as awkward silence fills the room. I wait for him to ask or order me to do something else.

"Why are you still here?" he asks, raising an eyebrow slightly. Before I can get a word out, he rudely says, “You are free to dismiss yourself. Nothing else is needed.” That son of a... compose yourself, Emilia, these are your retired boss’s sons. I simply nod and walk away, leaving them be. When I reach the door and grab the doorknob, I glance back. Jaxon is typing on the computer and Jasper is still standing in front of the window, overlooking the city as the sun beams into the office, making it a perfect setting for a movie scene. I quietly scoff, open the door and walk out, closing the door behind me.

"He's an assh*le, Amanda. Jasper didn't even turn to look at me or speak to me," I whisper to Amanda as we sit in the break room and have our lunch.

“That's odd. I've heard that they are very hands-on, outspoken, and fun. They probably just don't like you, or haven't warmed up since it's their first day. Or, they just don't like you." Amanda chuckles, but I don't find this funny at all. I haven't done anything to be treated that way, especially by two snobby, rich boys.

I look down at my food and shrug, "It's whatever, it's not like I have to live with them or something. I'll be fine." I decide not to let this take a toll on me. Amanda and I talk and gossip throughout the rest of our lunch break.

When lunch is over, I leave the break room and make my way to my desk so I can begin to work for the rest of the day. I’m making calls, setting meetings, reading emails, confirming, and making appointments. It is now 8PM and I’m finally done. I turn off my laptop, close it, then push my chair back and stand up. I grab my purse and begin to gather the rest of my things so I can go home.

As I gather the rest of my things, the Ashtor office door swings open. I turn around and see Jaxon standing there. "Step into the office for a second, Ms. Richardson," he says, stepping aside to make way for me.

I do as told and step into the office, my hips swaying. I walk over to the office desk and stand next to it. "Sir?" I ask, my voice cold. I look over at the suede black couch where Jasper is sitting, engrossed in his phone.

Jaxon shuts the door and marches towards me, one hand in his pocket. Until now I had never realized how attractive he was. I've always seen him in magazines but never paid him or his brother much attention. They both possess remarkable athletic bodies, with muscular, veiny arms and chiseled jawlines. Their golden brown hair is obviously well-maintained; their lips bear the smoothest shade of pink and their eyes, an astounding dark green, feel as though they are piercing straight through your soul when they cast their gaze upon you. As for height? They stand at approximately 6'1" and 6'2". Their facial skin is as clear as a sunny day in the suburbs. I just can't-.

My thoughts are interrupted by Jaxon’s deep, raspy voice, which sends chills throughout my body. I quickly turn my head towards the sound of his voice.

"Ms. Richardson, before you leave, you should know that I apologize for how I spoke to you earlier. It was rude of me to express myself like that." He sounds sincere as he speaks, which catches me off guard. I simply nod, "It’s okay." I give a slight smile that doesn’t reach my eyes.

Jaxon nods and looks over at Jasper who is still distracted by his phone. Jasper never looks over at us; he doesn’t even acknowledge my presence - he never does. The room is filled with silence, broken by the parting of my lips. "I should get going," I clear my throat and clutch my purse.

"Don't mind him," Jaxon whispers to me. "We are kind of upset about having to take over the company so soon, but he's even more upset about it than I am. We don't mean to take it out on you." Jaxon finally tells me what went wrong earlier and how he's feeling. I understand how he's feeling, but I don't understand how it was my fault.

"It's fine. I really must go now. Thank you for the apology... or whatever that was," I mumble. Before I know it, I'm out the door and gone.