My contract love story

Tension crackled in the air, thick with unspoken words. Ashleigh, stung by Adrian’s pronouncement, glared at him. The water glass trembled in her hand, mirroring the turmoil within her.

“Indefinitely?” she rasped, her voice barely a whisper but laced with anger.

“Who gets to decide that?” “Your husband,” Adrian countered, his tone clipped.

“Convenient, isn’t it?” Ashleigh shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “When it suits you to control or belittle my dreams, you’re suddenly my husband.”

“Look who’s talking,” he retorted. “The woman who nearly threw her health away for a dream that surely could have waited.”

“Not ‘a’ dream, Adrian,” Ashleigh pressed, her voice gaining strength. “My dream. You say it could have waited? How long exactly? Since I was a teenager, Robin College has been my aspiration. I’ve waited and yearned for this chance. This is my life, Adrian, not some trophy you can hand out or take away on a whim.”

He took a deep breath, a slight crack appearing in his composed facade. “This isn’t about control, Ashleigh. It’s about priorities. You could have been seriously ill, all for an exam that can be rescheduled.”

“Don’t you see?” Ashleigh pleaded, her voice growing stronger.

“This opportunity won’t wait! It’s my chance to build a future, a career on my own merit, independent of you. Besides, the contract we signed clearly states you’d support my education in any way possible.”

“Not at the expense of your health,” Adrian countered, his voice turning cold.

“This was just an entrance exam, and you ran yourself into the ground. What happens when you face actual coursework?” His words stung deeper than the fever ever could. A surge of anger flared within Ashleigh, battling the remnants of fatigue.

“As I said before,” she retorted, her voice firm, “this wouldn’t have happened if I wasn’t burdened with all the housework.”

“Yesterday I literally dragged myself from the study table to go arrange the report you requested and passed out after that” The air grew heavy again, a more suffocating silence than before. Adrian stared at Ashleigh, his jaw clenched tight.

Perhaps a flicker of guilt crossed his face for a fleeting moment, but it was quickly masked by a frown. Just as Adrian was about to speak, a sharp rap on the door shattered the tense quiet. Turner entered, a mix of fear and urgency etched on his face. He could practically feel the waves of anger radiating from both his boss and his wife, but the message had to be delivered nonetheless.

“Apologies for interrupting, Mr. Cagliari,” Turner began, “but there’s an urgent call from Mr. Oscar.” Adrian sighed in frustration. He glanced at Ashleigh, who still simmered with suppressed anger. But instead of meeting his gaze, she turned her head away, her eyes fixed on the window.

“Look,” Adrian started, his voice softening a touch, “get some rest now. We can talk about this properly when you’re feeling better.” Ashleigh remained silent, her gaze unwavering from the window.

With a curt nod, Adrian left the room, Turner by his side. At the doorway, he bumped into Susan. He paused, his steely gaze causing her to flinch.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“I believe she’s been out here for a while, sir,” Turner explained, his eyes flickering away from Susan. Without a word, Adrian addressed Susan.

“Go in and be with her,” he ordered curtly before striding off to deal with the pressing issue. Susan, relieved by the dismissal, entered Ashleigh’s room. The sight that greeted her was of Ashleigh staring out the window, her posture radiating dejection.

“Mrs. Ashleigh, how are you feeling?” Susan asked cautiously. The sound of her voice piqued Ashleigh’s interest, and she turned her head to face Susan.

“Come closer, Susan,” Ashleigh beckoned weakly.

“How long have you been waiting outside?” she inquired, watching Susan walk towards the bed. She knew Susan was fiercely loyal and would wait for hours to see her, despite a healthy dose of fear towards Adrian.

“I haven’t been waiting long,” Susan reassured.

“I came in earlier this morning to help you get dressed, but you were still fast asleep. I just wanted to make sure you were alright.” Out of habit, Susan began smoothing out the rumpled sheets.

“There’s no need to worry about me, Susan,” Ashleigh murmured, though Susan remained wary of Adrian.

“Mrs. Ashleigh,” Susan began hesitantly, “it wasn’t wise to neglect your health like that. I was terribly frightened when I found you unconscious. Mr. Cagliari was quite worried too, you know. He wouldn’t leave your side until you woke up.” Susan confessed reluctantly.

Ashleigh looked up at her, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. “What did you say about Adrian?” Ashleigh pressed, her voice laced with disbelief. Susan blinked, momentarily confused.

“Do you mean Mr. Cagliari? When I found you unconscious,” Susan continued, “Mr. Atkinson wasn’t available. I ran to find him and met him with Mr. Cagliari. All I wanted was for him to call a doctor. I must’ve appeared quite distraught.” A flicker of surprise crossed Ashleigh’s face.

The resentment she harbored towards Adrian had softened considerably.

“He was angry, but concerned?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

“Very much so, Mrs. Ashleigh,” Susan confirmed.

“He stayed by your bedside the entire time, refusing even a drink of water until you woke up.” Silence settled once more, a contemplative quiet this time. Finally, Ashleigh spoke, her voice laced with concern.

“I hope this hasn’t caused any undue worry among the staff.”

“Oh, everyone’s been beside themselves,” Susan replied.

“The way I rushed for Mr. Atkinson must have alerted them. Even Chef Larry hasn’t been able to settle, constantly asking after you.” Ashleigh seemed lost in thought, barely registering Susan’s words.

“Do you think Mr. Cagliari will be very upset?” Ashleigh questioned to see her response.

“Upset, certainly, given the scare you gave everyone,” Susan acknowledged.

“But with time, I’m sure he’ll understand.” Ashleigh let out a long sigh. “I certainly hope so,” she murmured, a flicker of worry returning to her eyes.

“Otherwise, attending Robin College becomes an impossibility.” Susan felt a surge of determination.

“You absolutely must take the exam, Mrs. Ashleigh. You’ve worked so hard for this opportunity. Deep down, I don’t believe Mr. Cagliari would be so cruel as to deny you.” A teasing smile played on Ashleigh’s lips.

“Hmm, that much faith in Mr. Cagliari, Susan? Weren’t you scared he’d fire you for my little breakdown?” Susan straightened her shoulders, a newfound confidence in her voice.

“I’m simply basing it on what I witnessed. Whether I stay or not is uncertain, but I believe he’ll be reasonable, at least. If not, I won’t hesitate to speak on your behalf, to explain the importance of Robin College to you.” Ashleigh’s smile widened, touched by her loyal assistant’s bravery.

“You’re a gem, Susan,” she said, reaching out to cup Susan’s cheeks.

“Just like you said, I’ll be attending Robin College. Mr. Cagliari will just have to come to terms with it.” Susan nodded, relieved.

“Perhaps a little rest would do you good, Mrs. Ashleigh. The doctor did say your appetite should return soon, and you do have medication to take.” Ashleigh shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips.

“Not just yet. I’m not quite hungry.” Susan’s concern flickered again.

“But Mrs. Ashleigh, you need to eat something! And take your medication on time.” Ashleigh, however, seemed averse to the idea. The mere mention of medication seemed to churn her stomach.

“Like I said,” she insisted, her voice firm but kind, “I’m not hungry right now. Sleep is what I need.” Susan, seeing the fatigue etched on Ashleigh’s face, relented.

She adjusted the pillows for comfort, then pulled the chair from the study table to sit beside the bed and then grabbed the chair from Ashleigh’s study table and positioned it beside the bed, much to Ashleigh’s amusement.

“Do you intend to watch over me like a child?” Ashleigh teased, although a hint of fatigue was evident in her voice. Seeing Susan’s determined expression, she decided not to argue further and simply drifted off to sleep.