Chapter 3 Memories

It was late in the night but Ellie couldn't sleep, memories of the past kept replaying in her head. What would Asher be doing by then? Was he asleep or restless just like her? Was he thinking of her just like she was thinking of him? He must have tried calling her. She gently turned and her gaze fell on her phone which was on the nightstand, she had turned the phone off because she knew he would call. She didn't want to talk to him, didn't want to hear his heart piercing pleas.

It was over between them, her parents were insistent, she had received numerous threats from them that she was left with no choice than to take the decision which had made her heart throb painfully. She picked up his picture which was beside her and gently trailed her finger across it. "I'm sorry Asher!" Her eyes misted over and her sorrowful tears streamed down. She quickly wiped her eyes, placed the picture on her chest then shut her eyes, hoping to drift into sleep. It's been a week, Asher saw Ellie last. All effort to reach her was futile. He had gone to her family house several times but was denied access into the house, then it dawned on him that she must have finally left him. Her parents who were once amiable became hostile and used unpleasant words on him. Right in his office, he had lost concentration. He stared at the stack of documents on his office desk waiting for his attention, then sighed deeply. He picked up one document, turned it over, scanned it quickly then slowly dropped it on the desk. He leaned back in his swivel chair and placed his palm on his forehead. His gaze landed on the picture frame at the end of the office desk. "Ellie!" He felt several layers of unsettling emotions as he stared at the frame. He picked up the frame, stared intently at it and his lips curled upward. "Don't do this to me babe!" He gently dropped the frame, raked his head carelessly, then took out his phone. He stared momentarily at the mobile phone, then dialed the familiar number but as usual, he was unable to get through. "What exactly did I do wrong?" He mumbled. He rested his head on the desk, he was obviously losing it. One week without listening to her sweet voice, no response to his messages, no willingness to see him. Even when he visited her office which happened to be her father's company, he discovered she was no longer occupying the office. No one was willing to reveal her current office, no one was willing to give out her contact. He raised his head from the desk, stared at the documents again, then began to read through them one at a time. By the time he was done, it was already close of work. He stacked the documents, opened his office cabinet and carefully placed them inside. He picked up his briefcase, glanced carefully round the room, then headed to the door. He was about to open the door when he immediately stopped. "Home?" He mumbled. He recalled how uncomfortable home was. His father who would protect him from the harsh claws of his mother and brother travelled for a business trip. He glanced at his wrist watch then sighed softly. He turned, proceeded to his desk and dropped his briefcase on it. With his hands in his pant pockets, he walked to the window wall and gazed at the bustling city. The numerous vehicles plying the busy road, the street lights, security lights all made the city beautiful in the night His phone rang and he quickly took it out hoping it would be Ellie, but sighed in annoyance when he saw the name of the caller. "Come to Bar de baron," the voice of his friend Javon Tanner was heard over the phone the moment he answered the call. "I don't think I can come," he refused immediately. There was silence over the phone, then Javon's deep breath was heard. "It's Thursday, buddy," Asher glanced at the clock, "I know, Jay but I can't come," His voice was almost inaudible. It was their routine to meet up in the bar every Thursday. "Are you okay?" Javon asked when he noticed his muffled voice. "Yeah, I'm just stressed." He raked his head carelessly, he was yet to tell Javon, since he hoped he would resolve whatever the problem was with Ellie. "Oh, I see, then tomorrow," his lively voice sounded. "Yes, tomorrow," and he ended the call. He gazed outside and realized it was totally dark. Quickly, he picked up his briefcase and headed out of the car office to his car which was parked in the parking lot. Instead of heading home, he drove to the Wynn's family house. Once he arrived the Wynn's residence, he pulled over somewhere close to the mansion, then killed the car engine. With his heart thundering in his chest and his palms suddenly sweaty, he made his way into the house and rang the bell. Soon, the housekeeper came out. The moment she saw him, her brows clumped. "Miss Ellie isn't in," she rushed her words while taking quick glances behind her. Asher observed her reaction, obviously, she wasn't truthful. "I want to see her parents," "They aren't in," she hurried to shut the door, but Asher held the door. "Who's there?why are you wasting time?" It was Isabella Wynn. Asher chuckled lightly, "you said she isn't around," Just as the housekeeper was about to respond, the door was fully opened and Isabella Wynn came into sight. "You again?" A sudden frown warped her face. "What are doing here?" She queried angrily. Asher revealed a small smile, "let me see Ellie please, I'm sorry if I've done anything wrong," Isabella snorted, "keep fooling yourself until you receive their wedding invite," Wedding? The words smacked his head, his forehead creased and he wagged his head. "No, she can't abandon me," A hysteric laughter erupted from Isabella. "Fool, keep dreaming, Cruz will make a better son in law," Cruz? Asher slowly averted his gaze on her, then narrowed his eyes, "Cruz?" He muttered, but she heard him clearly. "Yes, Cruz, Cruz Hudson or weren't you informed?" His jaw dropped and his heart thundered against his ribcage. He stared at her in disbelief, his eyelids blinked repeatedly. Cruz and Ellie? How? "No,no, that's not true,"How can Ellie leave him for Cruz? Same Cruz she despised because of his arrogance. Impossible! Isabella released a low mocking laughter as she stared at him in disgust. "I have no time to entertain losers and nonentities, please leave Asher." She stepped away to close the door but he quickly held it. "I don't believe you, tell Ellie to see me!" His voice became deep and firm. "Tell her I won't leave until she sses me. I know she's inside! Ellie come out!!" His muscles tensed, his eyes reddened and his chest pulsated. "Come out Ellie!!" His voice thundered in the night and ignited Isabella's anger. "Uncultured man!! Fool!! How dare you shout in my house?" She glared furiously at him, but Asher stared at her in total disappointment. "All Ive done was to love your daughter, all I want was a blissful life with her, what did I do wrong!! Why do you want us apart!!" His voice was full of sorrow, pain and sadness. "What did I do!!" This time his voice rumbled, his nostril flared and his eyes shot lasers. Isabella Wynn quickly stepped back as fear crawled over her body. She had never seen him furious. His eyes bored aggressively into her face, and she shuddered greatly. Quickly, she shut the door, placed her palm on her racing chest and took a deep breath of relief. "Ellie, I'll not leave until you see me," his voice shrilled through the quiet night. Slowly he sat on the pavement, his eyes stared lifelessly into the dark night. Soon it began to drizzle, yet he didn't flinch. He sat there not moving as the rain drenched him. The roaring thunder and sizzling lightning had no effect on him. He sat like a statue unmoving as the thought of how miserable his life was turning into flooded his head.