â**Chapter 2**â
Ace
We're now on our way to the company after grabbing some breakfast from the coffee shop around the corner. I let her get some more sleep in the car since she really didn't get good sleep last night. Whenever I try to check if she's asleep, I'll see the sweats on her forehead even though the ac is on, but after she drinks her medicine, she somehow manages to get some more sleep.
The sun is bright, and our car is welcoming the fresh air as I let the windows open. A complete opposite of the weather last night.
The light turned red as I stopped the car. Again, taking a glance at her when I notice that she's already awake. She's looking at a park. The park that's always full of families, students, cyclists, and teenagers.
"Sorry for last night, I forgot to tell you that I need to go" I said, breaking the silenceânot an awkward one but a loud silenceâ while my hand grip the steering wheel and the other is on my lap.
She slowly looks at me and smiles. "It's okay, I understand."
"No it's not okay, I left you without any words, I'm really sorry."
"It's fine for realâ"
"Then why did you cry last night?" I ask, interrupting her.
She looked at me confused, but soon burst into laughter.
"You thought I was crying because you left me?" she blurted while covering her mouth.
"Then why?"
"Nothing... It's just the book I've read, the guy cheated on her" she tried to make it sound reassuring, and I almost believe it, not until I didn't find any happiness in her eyes just like how she laughed seconds ago. And her tone is also not the usual tone every reader uses when their book boyfriend dies. That's even sadder, I guess.
"Stillâ"
Feeling the sudden touch of her hand on top of mine, a small smile plastered my lips.
"It's okay, just don't let it happen again" smiles.
"I won't."
She stares straight into my eyes like she's trying to look for the sincerity in me. I was about to say something when she again showed me her beautiful smile and nodded while looking away.
"I know."
Something about her is not yet ready to open up about feelings, and I can clearly see that through her eyes. She's not someone who's secretive, and I know that one day she'll be able to tell me everything. I just need to wait for her.
Walking on her side of the car as I opened the door for her. As soon as we got out of the car, the huge building towered us, she looked up at it and smiled. I brought my hands up to fix her scarf, which caught her by surprise.
"I'll introduce you to them, and after that I'll walk you to your office, I'll have my secretary help you with some basics." I said as I put her hair out of the scarf, she just looked at me.
"After you" dropping my hands down as she walked to the entrance, followed by me.
As we walked to the elevator, all eyes were already on her. Some are whispering, some are eyeing us, but for the most part they are all stunned by her.
With that Calvin Klein ivory turtleneck, coal-black fitted jeans and Saint Laurent black open trench coat on top, she looks worth a king's ransomâ no, the whole royalties ransom.
While waiting for the lift, I got my attention stuck on her. Even her back view is screaming how stunning she is. My eyes that's roaming on her coat darted on her face as she moves closer to me and whisperâ
"Am I overdressed or what? Why are they looking like that? It's making me nervous."
"Nothing, It's just... You look like someone who can get me down on my knees'' I muttered while my hands went to her arms and pulled her closer to me, small gasps escaped her cherry lips making me smirk.
"I'm serious, Am I overdressed? Should I change?" she murmured, slightly slapping my arms.
"No need to, They have no rights to say anything about you"
The lift opened, as we entered it, still having their eyes on her as she smiled at them awkwardly. Going straight to the meeting room where the managers and some employees were, I held her hand and walked to our seat.
"You can start now" I signaled my secretary who had her breath taken away by my wife who's sitting casually next to me while gripping my hands.
"Y-yes Mr Ashford."
She walked in front and started to begin the meeting, feeling the woman beside me secretly pulling my hand as I leaned to her, so she could whisper whatever she wanted to say.
"You have a meeting?"
"Just a short one, After this I'll introduce you"
Earning a small nod from her as we both listen to Lisa.
"As you all know, Autumn Season is next month, and our designer came up with the idea of Autumn Foliage as our theme for Brooklyn Fashion Week. But since that concept is too common, we will need to have a different design for the sweater, coat, beret and other common attire. Still with our well known Tan Boston Scarf. All the material from Italy was scheduled to arrive in three days, then we'll ship it to the factory. We also informed the Modeling Agency which is BCA Management that we'll need some models for the Fashion Week."
"And Guests?" Looking at the papers as I again look at the screen.
"Miss Riego's manager agreed to our proposal;, but only if we let her on the runway wearing the most beautiful set we would have"
Melanny Riego is one of the most influential celebrities right now, having her on the Fashion Week will surely have a huge impact on the show's rating and specially on our sales, that's for sure. Her having a lot of young and thriftless supporters is one of our advantages here.
"Give it to her then"
"I'll call her manager later" she looks at her papers and smiles. "That's all for now, The planning department should have everything ready by next month."
"Good, you may take your seat now" Having my usual impassive tone. Standing up from my seat as I extend my hands on her to hold which she accepted with a smile. As she stood up and looked at me, I held her waist, having all of their attention on her waist and my hand, we proceeded in front.
Looking at their curious face, I stated "This is my wife, Madison, she's here to be my secretary for the next three months while Lisa is on leave. I don't think I still need to inform you about how you should treat her, right?"
With warning in my voice, they all nodded in understanding. Noticing how she held all of their attention without even doing anything amaze me.
"That'll be all for today, you can all go back to your work now."
****
Madison
Half of the day flies by so fast that I didn't notice that it's already lunch. I was having such a great time with Lisa that I lost track of time. After my husband left me here with Lisa, she told me the necessary things, how to organize his schedule and already discussed the things they'll need for the Brooklyn Fashion Week and Spring Festival. Like I said, I'm not new to this, being somehow familiar about how things work in this industry really helped me with this one.
Lisa is also friendly, she's a sweet talker, she even lets me touch her baby bump. Even though I caught her staring at me countless times.
I was now organizing the tools I'll need to use for my computer when my phone rang, catching a glimpse of the caller ID, a smile bloomed on my lips. It's him.
"Hello" I answered, putting my phone down as I pressed the loudspeaker.
"Where are you? Are you not done yet?" with his voice toning between cold-and-caring.
"Almost done, Just need to look for some file, so I can create a shortcut, and also, Lisa gave me her iPad, the one with your schedules and other things."
"It's lunchtime, take your lunch first, that computer can wait"
"Just a little more, I'm almost done. Lunch can wait, can't it?"
"It can, But I can't. Come to my office now" with that, he ended that call, leaving me speechless.
"The fuck. Can't he be more nice? How rude to hang up on your wife like that? He's the one who wanted to have lunch with me, right? Could he not come here and talk to me nicely?" I scoffed at myself.
"With that attitude of him towards me whenever someone is around needs some beating isn't? He can't just boss me around and tell me what to do. I'm the boss of my life. Does he think he can tell me to come to his office whenever he wants? He must be out of his mind."
"Come in"
Stepping in his office as I smile at him.
Forget everything I said earlier, I didn't mean any of that. Or maybe I do until I remember that he's my boss.
"Where do you want to have lunch?" He asks, still looking at his monitor.
"Don't you guys have a canteen here?" I sit on the couch near the glass window.
"That's for employees, and there's too many people there"
"But didn't Lisa eat there?"
Finally removing his gaze from his monitor, his eyes met mine.
"You might be my secretary, but you are also my wife, and I don't want you to eat just somewhere else"
It's normal right? Normal to feel butterflies when you arranged husband says those words.
"Okay, where should we eat then?" resting my chin on my palm as I look at him.
"Let's just go to Boucherie Union Square"
I really didn't notice how perfect his body was until now, he stood up from his chair and grabbed his coat. His six feet two frames is impressively fit, not too thin and not too thick, just perfect for cuddles. But his arms are masculine, he can literally shove you everywhere. And that buttâ
"Hey, Let's go now" with his eyes narrowing, a chuckle escaped me.
"Coming."
I run beside him as we walk to the elevator.
Just like earlier, all their eyes are on me. It's not really uncomfortable since I know that they're just like that because my face is new to them, but I think someone is irritated by it. Every time someone greets me, his arms will unknowingly wrap around my waist to pull me closer to him.
As we drove to Union Square, he really didn't talk at all. With the tiresome silence around me, I let out a sigh.
"Can I use the car's stereo?"
I take his silence as a yes. Connecting my phone to the stereo as I played some music.
Now Playing: Gone, Gone, Gone by Philip Philips
Looking at the clear sky of New York, I decided to bring down the roof of his Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster. That's what I love in cabriolet cars.
He didn't say anything and just let me do anything I wanted with his crazy expensive car. But for real, I know he has a billion in his name but who the hell drives their $460,247 car around New York City? Is he not afraid to get carjacked? My brother is obsessed with cars,, and he would never put his babies in danger. But I can't do anything about it. He's Ace Ashford for a reason.
"Whose spiderman do you like the most?" I ask with my hair flying anywhere.
"Peter Parker" he answered confidently, but I know he's just messing around. Giving him my bored face he smiled before looking ahead again, I swear I saw his smile, but now it's gone again. Shit. "Why? Would you like it if Tony Stark played Spider-Man?" he's teasing again.
"I mean, who is your favorite Spider-Man actor?"
"Ohâ I would say Tobey Maguire"
"Why?"
He seems to think before shrugging. "It's just- I think Originals were the best"
Rolling my eyes at him as I cross my arms over my chest.
"That's why there's a thing called Remake, Cover and Inspired. Yes, Tobey is the original but what matters is who played it the best."
A small chuckle left him as he peered at me. "Why? Who do you like?"
Clasping my hands together as a huge grin bloomed on my face. "Andrew, He looks so perfect in that suit, even his swings"
I know I look like a fool for fangirling over someone right in front of my husband, but what can I do? It's Andrew Garfield we're talking about.
"And his freaking smile, I would die just to see that." I added.
"His smile?"
I nodded at him, waiting. But he didn't talk anymore, making me think that maybe he's not
Really interested,, so I just stop talking and stare at the clear blue sky, not even a single cloud can be seen.
"Give me reasons to believe~ That you would do the same for me~" Singing along to the stereo, I take a quick glance at him before my gaze falls on my wedding band.
It's simple but elegant. It's always been my dream to get married. Although it's not what I wanted it to be, it is still perfect since my groom is there. That's all that matters, right? You can't get married without your groom.
"Zane called last night, He's checking on you." After a long silence, he finally breaks it.
"And you said?"
"You're already asleep, and you're fine."
"Ohâ Why did he not just call me directly?"
"He also asked me about some things for the company." He said, sounding bothered. "By the way, don't forget to send me your bank account later."
"Why? Aren't you rich enough? Why do you still need my bank account? I'm sure your money in your account is twice of mine, thrice even." sounding a little pathetic with it, he looks at me in disbelief.
"What are youâ Don't you want your salary?" smirk plastered on his lips while looking at me, whose face flushed red as embarrassment washed over me.
"Ohâ" Shit.
Smirk still on his face while glancing at me from time to time. "Yeah, Oh. So do you want your salary or not?"
Looking somewhere, to look like I'm thinking of it, but, Something playful rushed in my mind making me smile widely. "How much is it?"
He's still looking ahead, but I know that he's taken aback by that. "How much do you want?"
"I actually want to do a lot of things like travel, shopping, opening my own coffee shop since I love coffee, supporting some animal adoption center and buying a yacht. So maybe... a million a month" I said, chuckling as I meant it as a joke.
"A million a month?" He repeatedly sounded shocked at my demand.
"Hey, I'm just jokiâ"
I stopped on my words when he continued. "You only want that little? I shouldn't have named my centurion card after you then."
My jaw hangs open, making him chuckle, yes chuckle, is he fooling around right now?
"Stop larking Ace" lowering my eyes at him causing him to chuckle even more.
"I'm always serious when it comes to money"
"Ace" I said with a clear warning in my voice, so he'll stop joking around.
"I'm spending a million dollars on a watch, so I don't have any reason not to spoil my wife, am I right?"
I was dumbfounded by his words.
My wife.
Two simple words yet so erotic when it comes to him.
It's not even 48 hours yet since we first met, but I'm already feeling like this. It's not actually easy to hold back yourself when this man is on your side, calling you his wife. Furthermore, it's like we're in 365 days movie, and he gives me the rest of his life to fall in love with him, -but because he has this gorgeous face, manly frame, and gently at the same time sounding possessive like touch my woman, and you'll be six feet under the ground in a snap of time-within 36 hours, I'm dumbfounded. Like it's impossible not to.
"The card will be at your office tomorrow, did I not tell you?" He speaks, breaking my thoughts.
"No, you didn't. Then why are you still asking for my bank account? Isn't that enough for what I jokingly asked?"
"It's different, That's your salary for working with me, and that card is forâ let's say I'm being a good husband."
If being a good husband means giving me a black card -AmEx card with no limit balance - then I can say every woman will hurriedly look for that good-husband material man. Who wouldn't be happy with it, right?
As they said, 'Happy wife, Happy life.'
"You don't need to, but thank you."
Nodding his head, he pulled the car over right in front of the Boucherie Union Square.
****
As we went back to the company, he insisted on walking me back to my office to help me with my desktop, but what we saw when we arrived made my jaw drop, shocked by what was displayed in front of us.
"Who is this from?" he blurted, making me shrug my shoulders as an answer.
"Iâ don't know" I mutter while roaming my eyes in my room full of flowers, chocolate, and gifts.
We walk further in to look at the gifts with cards. All over my desk, floor and even the couch in the middle. I noticed that he went to the couch to sit and take a gift with a letter.
"What's that?" I ask, but he just continues reading it.
His raised eyebrow rose even higher when he read the letter out loud. "Miss Madison, please accept this gift as my welcome gift. I was really amazed by your beauty earlier when I saw you with Mr. Ashford. I hope we can go out sometimeâ from Jacob Milan of the Sales Department. Just call me if you need help from our Department. Wow."
"Yeah, Wow" still wandering around when something caught my eyes.
"Did they forget that you're already married?"
"It's just a welcome gift, I'm amazed that they managed to buy me a gift on their lunch breaks. This is a lot, what am I going to do with this?"
"Just leave it here, if you're bothered by this, then I can ask the janitor to put this in the storage room."
"Okay, I'll just thank them later. Do you think I'll gain weight if I eat all of these chocolates?" looking up at him, he just raised his shoulders before dropping them again.
"Maybe, or maybe not. Do you want to find out?"
"I like that idea of your, Mr. Ashford."
Walking around the room, I take all the chocolates and put them on my table.
"Oh- my- god" I shriek, gaining his attention as I run to his direction and jump on the giant teddy bear right next to him. I was so focused on his face that I didn't notice my baby. I turned my head around to face him, and when I caught him already staring at me with the side of his lips tip up, I giggled at him while hugging the giant teddy bear. "I love this one, It's always been my dream to have something like this."
He put the gift he's holding down on the table and leaned back to the couch while looking at me, holding the bear's hand as he stared at me. "You've never had something like this before?"
"I can't, Dada doesn't like teddy bears, and my best friend who I used to live with has a phobia with stuffed toys." My smile is still wide as I stand in front of the stuffed animal and giggle at her face. She's a girl because there's a pink bow on her ears. "Can I bring this back to the villa?"
"If you want one, we'll just go buy it at the mall."
My smile immediately fades away, slowly turning into a glare.
"Just leave it here, so you can have it while you're working. If you want, we'll stop by at the mall before going back to the penthouse. You can have something much bigger than that." he tried to make it sound reassuring, and it freaking worked.
I hate how I love teddy bears so much. Before my parents died, I had a room just for my teddy bears. I even cry myself out just to have Daddy buy me the limited edition ones. Since my brothers don't play with me, I learned how to be happy even with stuff like toys. I even have them beside me before sleeping, also changing their cute outfits every day -My nanny used to help me make some clothes for them-, having a tea party with them and reading a book with them.
But all of that came to an end when our parents died, and we needed to live with Dada. I used to hate my brothers because when they turned eighteen, they both left me there. And Dada is very strict, but he loves me very much. I got all the attention and love I needed as a kid. And I'm thankful for that.
"Should I fix your desktop now?"
"Yeah sure, wait a second." putting the teddy bear at the top shelf next to my table, I sat on my chair to open my desktop and put my password in.
"Do you want to change your peripherals?"
Slightly jumping on my place as I heard his voice right above my ears, I didn't even hear him walking here. I'm aware that if I turn my head to look at him, my lips might touch his cheeks, because I can feel his freaking breath on my neck.
"It's fine, Here, just the tools, I can't find the AniVia and EiBey tools, I'm also having problems with my EiBey account. It's not accepting the code that Lisa gave me."
His right hand went to the mouse while the other was just gripping the table, trapping me between his body and the desk. Feeling his chest pressed against my back and my stupid heart starts beating loudly, closing my eyes as I mentally facepalm myself.
"Calm your heart down, I'm not even trying." he said, leaning closer to my ears.
"Huh?"
"Do you know that you look good in pink?"
I back away a little and look at him confused. "Pink?" but I'm wearing black.
He stared straight to my eyes, making me feel shyâ shitâ now I know. Immediately touching my cheeks, I look away, trying to hide my face when he suddenly holds my hands and caresses it.
"You should only wear pink around me. You look cute with it." he planted a soft kiss on it before letting go and facing the monitor with a smirk on his face.
Shit. That was fucking embarrassing.
All I wanted to do now was to run away, away from him, away from his sight, away from his addicting scent.