One Night With Mr Braxton

Asher stared at Emma while she shifted uncomfortably on her seat opposite him. He had gotten hold of the information she vehemently tried to hide from him. From her disposition, he figured she was aware of his little discovery about her.

He didn’t want to dwell on the matter and immediately decided to move forward with the conversation.

” I believe you have some conditions for me? ” He asked, surprising her.

” Y-you want to h-hear my c-conditions? ”

” What? Suddenly don’t have any conditions? ” Asher’s tone was sarcastic.

” Of course, I do. Just wondering why your nosy self isn’t any more interested in knowing my business. Do you trust me now? ” She replied with sass, unaware of where such boldness was coming from.

” Let’s just say I don’t need to be spoon-fed. You don’t want me in your business. You seem to be all about control, probably more than myself.”

Emma felt confused.

Asher continued, ” Listen. I am in no way trying to force something out of you. Especially when you so clearly don’t want to explain. Instead, I’ve decided to hear your other conditions and see if, maybe, we could take it up from there. As you know, I’m quite desperate.”

Emma couldn’t sit still. The sudden change of heart didn’t sit well with her. She’s been given her privacy but didn’t feel settled about it, she wasn’t keen on starting such a contract with hidden motives. Be it from her end or his end.

” As you can see, I need to kick-start my life again. This proposal, to me, is an opportunity; one I can’t afford to miss.” Emma spoke with a poker face. That was as much she could share for now.

Asher nodded in understanding. ” What are your conditions? ”

” Nothing much, I want half the full money upfront, that is, after the signing of course.” She said, ” Also, I’d like for the following to be clearly stated in the contract.” Emma adjusted on their seat, holding eye contact with Asher. ” We are to be married for two years and there would be no child involved.”

Asher couldn’t hide his shock.

” I believe things are already quite complicated the way they are. No need to complicate it even further with a child right?” Emma added upon seeing his reaction.

” Don’t get things twisted, I am surprised you even saw the need to include such a clause. I believed that was a no-brainer.” He explained while Emma dramatically cleared her throat.

” Whatever you say, I just needed to make sure. I hope you understand that the upfront is a total of Ten million dollars.” She threw in, much to Asher’s amusement.

” I might be having problems in my business right now but I remain capable and committed to my words, Ms. Steele.”

Emma could feel the offense taken at her innocent reminder but couldn’t find it in her to be bothered about it. It wasn’t her fault he had such a fragile ego.

” Then we have an understanding.” She said, stretching her hand awkwardly. When it became clear they weren’t going to shake on it, she continued her little speech. ” What’s next? ”

Asher released a tired sigh and took a glance at the hanging clock. They’d been here over two hours!

” I believe we are done. Go to bed and by tomorrow morning, the documents will be ready for signing.”

” Just like that?” She asked, not quite convinced.

” Unless you have any more reservations, I believe we are done here. By the way, it’s pretty late and I advise you to get some rest as we have an early day tomorrow.” He said, stifling a yawn.

” Okay then. Thank you for your time.” She said, getting up on her feet and leaving the room.

Asher was left alone in silence. Just when he thought he’d gotten to the end of the road, everything took a drastic and unbelievable turn. At the last minute, his big breakthrough came. It was only a matter of time now before he returned and wreaked havoc on the many people that bared their fangs at him.

Without a moment’s thought, he dialed Jason and relayed new orders to him, admonishing that everything was made ready before the day’s light. Together, the fantabulous two got to work, leaving no stone unturned as they readied themselves for the war ahead.

Meanwhile, Emma was folded up in her bed, wondering what the hell she had gotten herself into. The idea of getting into a bound contract with another male species gave her cold feet. It wasn’t easy relinquishing such control over her life but she had to.

After all, To fully gain control she had to pay the ultimate sacrifice. Which unfortunately involved losing that most coveted control. To become a master, one must first be a learner. A simple principle of life.

During her journey back to the room, she noticed some funny movements from the maids and workers of the mansion. No doubt, wondering what she was up to. Mrs. Adams was not left out.

She made it a concern of hers but was kind enough to let her go with a promise of having a conversation later. Emma got to see just how dark and late it was after her little meeting with Asher.

Being in an enclosed space with someone that intense made her lose her sense of timing. Alongside other senses which made her stutter here and there. Sometimes from his intensity and other times from his unapproachable persona.

Emma believed that compared to what was to come, those were child play. Wrapped up in bed, she could only wait for what her tomorrow held, literally.

*****

5 AM, ASHER’S STUDY.

” The files have been sent to your email. I will be unavailable for a few hours, Ash. I’ve been behind screens all night and desperately need to catch up on my beauty sleep.” Jason said over the phone, yawning in between his sentences.

Asher opened his email with one hand while the other was to his ears. ” Received. Thank you, I owe you,” he said,

” Yes, you do. All I ask is that you teach those little shits an unforgettable lesson. I wish I’d be there to see you whoop their asses but my sleep happens to be more important.” He explained, yawning again.

” You’ve made that abundantly clear with your incessant attempts at swallowing me, Jason. Get some rest, I’ll take it up from here. Thank you.” Asher said, stifling a yawn himself.

” Hey! I’m human you know, those are human reactions.” He defended. ” By the way, how did you manage to convince Ms. Steele? Was it her idea? Those clauses? Did you both speak about it?” He asked.

” Goodbye, Jason.”

Asher ended the call and immediately went through the papers, ensuring they were perfect before printing them out. It was exactly 5:40 AM when he sent for Mrs. Adams, instructing her to wake his guest and prepare her for a crucial meeting.

Obeying his orders, Mrs. Adams got to Emma’s room and after one or two knocks, the door flew open, revealing a wide-awake Emma.

” Good morning, Ms. Steele.”

” Hi. Come on in.” She replied, making way for her to enter the room.

” I’m sorry to have disturbed you so early this morning.” Ms. Adams said, kicking off their conversation.

” It’s okay. I couldn’t sleep anyways.” She revealed. All through the night, she twisted and turned, waiting for the break of dawn. When she heard the knocks, she was more than ready to get it over with.

” I apologize for that. Mr. Braxton has ordered your preparedness, immediately.”

” P-prepare? Where are we headed? ”

” That remains to be known, my dear. I believe it shall be revealed in due time. For now, let’s get you ready.” She said,

Emma didn’t know what to say, she anticipated being summoned, although not so early, but never once did she imagine going out with him. What was he up to?

” Okay, I’ll just freshen up and- figure myself out? ” She said, watching Mrs. Adams sort through her closet.

” That’d be wonderful.” Mrs. Adams spoke without turning, busy with her outfit selection.

While Emma proceeded towards her bathroom, she heard her muttering some words, along the line of, ‘ how pretty! beautiful! ‘

*****Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Asher stood in his room, fresh from the showers. Despite not sleeping a wink, he looked breathtaking. His black hair glowed under the light and diamond-shaped water droplets stained his immaculate skin.

He picked up his white dress shirt and threw it on in a second. While he buttoned himself, his eyes remained on the documents carefully bound and placed on his bed drawer, awaiting the signature of a particular lady.

It was the beginning of a new era, a different dispensation in the Braxton family, and for the first time, he looked forward to the coming days. One thing was certain, His future wife was one hell of a lucky woman. He was determined to make the next two years very memorable.

It’s time to get this party started.