One Night With Mr Braxton

” Marry me?”

It was weird being proposed to with a pen but Emma took it regardless. It wasn’t like it was some real proposal anyways. Asher was trying to dramatize the situation as usual. She couldn’t deny the fact that her heart fluttered at the gesture.

She read the heading of the paper, confirming it was indeed a marriage registry, and proceeded to do the needful. He went through leaps and mounts to get it signed so conspicuously and her signature was the only thing left. Again, she wondered about the need to come out so early if they were going to sign it in the car anyways. She didn’t voice out her opinion though.

Asher watched with keen eyes as the documents got signed. They were officially man and wife, no going back now. He took time to inspect it and after the fast exercise, the documents were sealed in an envelope, going into his possession.

” This has been fun, dearest. But I must take my leave now. Barley would ensure you are back home, safe and sound. The other aspects of the deal would be discussed upon my return. Till then, have a wonderful day, Wifey.” He said, putting on his shades and leaving the car, not minding if she had something else to say.

Emma watched from inside as a suited man came out of a black Lamborghini, and bowed to Asher- who in turn swapped keys with him and muttered some words she couldn’t quite make out. Immediately, the man headed for her side of the vehicle.

He opened the backseat and proceeded to open the passenger seat- where she was seated before speaking. ” Good morning, Mrs. Braxton. I’m Barley, your driver.” He said, taking a breath out of her lungs.

‘ M-Mrs. Braxton?’ She thought confusedly. She only signed the documents some seconds ago!

” Please, address me as Ms. Emma.” She corrected him with a smile. ” Great to see you, Barley.” She added.

” I apologize but I can’t do that. I’m on strict orders to only address you as Mrs. Braxton.” He explained, signaling her out of the passenger seat and into the backseat.

” Strict orders? By whom?”

” Mr. Braxton.”

Emma didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. A few minutes into the marriage and that man was already pulling stunts that made her want to pull her hair out. She couldn’t have anyone address her by that name, not when it was only temporal. She was trying to keep a low profile for a person who’s been reported dead but Asher seemed desperate to unveil her before the time.

She knew they were on a beneficial contract that bound them but she couldn’t condone anyone going out of their way to make things significantly harder for the other. She was going to add some ground rules and regulations to guide the whole marriage thing.

” Between us, you are allowed to address me as Ms. Emma. Okay? I won’t tell.” She said with a sweet smile, her disposition as one trying to convince a child with sweets.

” I’m sorry. But I can’t do that. Please understand.” Barley said, starting the vehicle.

” Oh, come on!” Emma said while the car entered the main road. The car became silent while Barley drove, maneuvering his way to the house. Asher’s Mansion and her matrimonial home for the next two years.

*****

It is the last day of the one-week deadline and Asher was right on time. From the courthouse, an antsy Asher headed straight for Braxton International. Due to his flamboyant and luxurious car, it didn’t take long before the resuming employees realized who was joining them at work.

Asher parked his car at the CEO’s spot, right in front of the office building. His black shades and stylish tux left the employees, who were albeit, running a bit late to work, scampering towards their duty post. Everyone knew that it was the deciding day for the Braxton corp and as a result, a Shareholders and crucial directors meeting was being held with a special guest in attendance.

No one, absolutely no one was expecting the appearance of Asher. As a result, when he strode into the building, they all had a lot to say. Asher walked straight to the CEO’s elevator, desperate to get things over and done with.

Immediately he was out of sight and well on his way to his office, Gossip broke out from the employees who weren’t expecting to have him in the office today as a result of the press surrounding him and the company.

When Asher got to his floor, he came face to face with someone he’d never expected and suddenly, it all made sense.

” What are you doing here? Who authorized you on this building?” He asked, tethering on the borders of rage.

” I’m sorry. Last I checked, I’m unobligated to answer you.” He said with a smug smirk.

” You sure as hell do when you are standing in my building, Howards,” Asher said, advancing menacingly.

” Don’t be proud. Anything can happen, you should know that by now. If you are nice, you might end up winning the hearts of the new owners of the place.” He admonished. ” It’d be a shame to lose out, Don’t you think?”

” Get out of this building, Howards. I’m being nice. Do not step foot in this building ever again, for your safety.” Asher was done playing, his jaws grounded in unresolved angst as he stared at his arch-nemesis from his dark shades.

There was one thing he couldn’t tolerate. Betraying scums! It was clear that Cole Howards was in cahoots with someone up top. It seemed like an elaborate plan to get him off the company. His company!

” I know how infuriating you must feel right now, unable to have your way. As much as I’d love to exit this building and never return, I’m here at a business meeting. Not like you’d understand that, given your recent disposition.” Cole subtly mocked.

Asher, having had enough, stormed into the meeting room, disrupting the conference going on. ” Whoever brought that bastard on my property should speak up. NOW.” He bellowed, stunning the group of dignitaries and personnel.

” Mr. Braxton, I understand your feelings but you have to put the sentiments aside, this is an important meeting, aimed at discussing the next step towards the advancement of Braxton International. You can’t barge in here.” A director said, taking what they all deemed as a soft appeal.

” You are fired.” Came the curt reply of Asher.

The entire room was baffled. Surely, he was mad to think he had the right to fire anybody after being stripped of his ammunition as the CEO.

” You are mistaken, Mr. Braxton. Let me refresh your memory. Today happens to be the last day of grace given to you to resolve the situation. A feat you remain unable to achieve, thus, the end of the road.” The man explained curtly, while the rest sat as spectators, experiencing the joy of witnessing the almighty, Mr. Braxton ripped to shreds by a man of low standing.

Asher laughed. He took off his shades, willing them to see his full face, as though asking if they knew who they were referring to.

” Are you courting death?” He asked, so calmly that it brought shivers into the room. It was clear that they were missing something. At least that was what some of the people thought upon witnessing his sudden appearance.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Knowing the persona of Asher Braxton, some of them could tell that something had gone irrevocably wrong. While others played stupid, desperate to put him in a place where he belonged.

” We would not sit here and watch you insult the board, ASHER! You may have done it before but not anymore!” He bellowed, getting support from the majority of the people.

” I believe today is my last day as the CEO, right?” Asher suddenly asked,

” Yes. And I advise you-”

” In other words, right now, I am still the CEO. Thus, wielding absolute power as it’s been, at least until today’s over.” He deduced, interrupting the director whose face now morphed into one of concern.

He’d acted too fast! In a bid to openly disregard Asher, he’d fallen head straight into a deep pit. How could you have missed that little fact? Asher was a demon, a calculative one at that. How could he have ruled out the possibility of him showing up and using his last minutes of power to cause such a ruckus?!

” Listen, You shouldn’t be here, step out for a moment and-”

” Great. So, I should expect compliance when I make certain orders. Get that piece of shit off my property at once!” He bellowed and this time around, the security officials who stood at the door post, having followed the drama, knew their jobs were at risk and carried out the order.

Rudely escorting Mr. Howards out of the building.

” Great. Now, Where do we start?” Asher said with a menacing smile, purposefully heading towards the empty seat at the head of the table, exactly where he belonged.

Let the games begin!