One Night With Mr Braxton

” Fire guts woodland areas of the city. Two dead.”

” Mystery fire at the outskirts of the city. Natural accident? ”

” Fear arises as fire draws closer to the city. Masses evacuated.”

Emma’s fingers shook as she read the titles of the numerous blog posts while simultaneously viewing the inferno.

Her body shook at the blurred pictures of two very familiar people, seemingly burned beyond recognition. They were her original captors. Without doubt, it translates to the idea that the entire disaster was somewhat related to her.

Because of her, people were killed and the homes of many were threatened. What was it about her? What did she do to have people so much after her? She was just a girl trying to survive but how could she when everyone wanted some pieces of her?

Emma’s entire body shook and multiple thoughts ran through her mind. With those thoughts, came multiple previously locked up memories. Her body suddenly became hot, her insides churned and she struggled to breathe.

It didn’t take long before she fell to the floor, a writhing and shivering mess. Her brains threatened to explode with the amount of information it processed.

Everything returned with a vengeance; the phone calls, conversations and little scenes she witnessed while still in custody of her captors. Emma saw herself back there, hungry and chained in a dark room, listening and waiting for some sort of intervention. Until she was sold and beaten to death.

Still struggling on the floor and reliving the experience, She felt a kick to her stomach and let out a loud scream of pain, begging to be let go.

Mrs. Adams was headed out of the library when she heard a scream. Immediately, she approached the doors of Emma in a hurry, praying she didn’t fall or hurt herself.

Without knocking, she forced the doors open and the sight she saw scared her to the bones.

Emma, curved on the floors, crying and drifting in and out of consciousness.

” My lady!” She called and rushed to her, wondering what the problem was and worriedly sprinkling some water to awaken her. ” Are you okay? What’s going on?”

” I-I-I’m O-okay… J-just felt dizzy.” Emma struggled to say, letting herself be carried back to bed.

” You need adequate rest. In order to regain full energy, you need to lay off certain things. Including the internet. Anything you need to know, ask me , I’ll be in charge of knowing what you can handle, okay?” Mrs. Adams spoke in a reprimanding tone. No doubt, she’d seen the computer screen and added the equation.

” Thank you.” Emma managed to say, her mind still reeling from everything she discovered.

” Don’t put yourself through that again, darling. You scared me.” She scolded and left the room after little to no reaction from Emma who was deep in thought.

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Early the next morning, Emma was forced awake by the same string of memories. Her being beaten to a pulp and left to die. She wasn’t the happiest as she tried constantly to remind herself it was a dream and shake off the panic attack attempting to cripple her.

It was five thirty in the morning and she felt hungry. She trudged into the bathroom, taking a long bath and taking care of herself while thinking about her next point of action.

Knowing her family wasn’t the most safe people, she needed to come up with a solid plan for her life. Having rejected Mr. Braxton’s marriage proposal, she wasn’t so sure how long she could stay here.

Neither did she know how she got here from such a terrible point. She needed answers to fill the many blank spaces in her memory.

How did she survive and how did they find her? Was it another ploy or was she being manipulated by her family?

Slowly, protective walls were built around her, she didn’t know the motive of the ones around her. Despite how lovely Mrs. Adams seemed, she couldn’t let her guard down.

The first time she was here, it was all thanks to her family. This time around, what’s to say it wasn’t the direct input from her family?

Emma came out of the bathroom, dressed and sat on the bed. Her headache returned with a vengeance, alerting her of the excessive thinking she was going through.

At that moment, three knocks sounded and a second later, her door was pushed open.

” I had a feeling you’d be an early riser.” Mrs. Adams said with a smile. ” Come in! ” She called out and two uniformed men entered the room.” Clear it up.” She ordered, pointing towards the computer set up by the room.

Emma felt dumbfounded. Surely, it wasn’t because of the minor episode from the night before she was being stripped of internet privileges.

Her not trying and failure to resist the activity going on before her only solidified her belief of probably being held prisoner. She couldn’t speak and instead watched as the computer set was replaced by some flowers and other mundane pretty things.

” All done! Pretty and beautiful, just like you.” Mrs. Adams said with a clap while assessing the area with a smile. ” Breakfast will be ready in ten minutes! ”

” You didn’t need to take those out.” Emma said, her voice low.

” Of course I did! You don’t need them and we agreed to tell me if you need something. Right?”

” Right.”

” Then, we have an understanding. The internet ruined the world, you’ll grow to understand. But for now, you need to eat.”

For the first time ever, Emma noticed an accent from Mrs Adams. Before she could muster a reply, she was already out the door, going about her business like every other day.

*****

” You have three days to fix this situation. Do not disappoint me.”

Asher read the message without emotion. His disposition was all shades of confidence. One would think he had something up his sleeve. Except he didn’t.

Three days to go and he was yet to come up with something strong enough to make a statement and end the rumours. Alongside the betrayers.

Despite the fact that the lady in question was alive and in his custody, he didn’t know for sure if she was willing to go through with something she’d originally rejected.

He was a man that prided himself on his independence and sheer resilience and determination. He didn’t cut corners. He did things so thoroughly it always left a mark, statement or standard even when he had long gone.

Being a person of that stature, he refused to use underhanded means to prove himself. He knew firsthand how terrible it was to be forced and taken advantage of. That wasn’t the sort of person he aspired to be.

Which in this case, left him between a rock and hard place. Asher’s phone chirped and it was Jason.

” How is she? Have you done it?” Jason asked,

” No.”

” No? Why? You do realize that you are running out of time right? There’s just three days left and if you are unable to do something, it’s over.” Jason said, drawing his words as though addressing a toddler.

” I know that. If that is all, then…”

” Don’t fucking hang up! We had a little hiccup on this end and until further notice, we can’t be of help. We need more time to gather something damning and that we do not have.” Jason explained worriedly. His friend didn’t seem to take the situation seriously.

” Noted. Unless you have something else to do, I need you to prepare a contract. I’ll send the details shortly.” Asher said, his voice calm.

” Send it over. Might as well get busy again.”

” Remember, it’s confidential. That translates to no delegation.” He warned before hanging up.

Jason shook his head and in a minute, received the files from Asher. He excused himself and upon seeing the title of the documents, he was eager to handle it personally.

On the other hand, Asher dialed Mrs. Adams, informing her to get dinner prepared alongside his guest. An instruction that she followed to the t.

Despite how loudly his person kicked against the idea, desperate times called for desperate measures. Knowing that he couldn’t force her into doing his will, there was no harm in trying.

He owed it to himself.

*****

Meanwhile, at home, Mrs. Adams was busy, delegating duties to the workers under her. It had been a while since she organized any events, matter-of-fact, ever since her resume to Asher’s home, there hadn’t been a time when he called for special arrangements to be made.

It felt more special knowing the reason for the dinner was the little Miss. Surely, her coming, despite the circumstances prior to them, always seemed to leave a lasting influence.

After addressing the house, Mrs. Adams headed for Emma. Taking it upon herself to ensure she is prepared for the impending dinner.

Emma heard two successive knocks but didn’t bother turning around. She was in a mood, she’s been in one since the day took off.

” It’s time to prepare, little miss. You have an engagement.” She announced upon entry.

” E-engagement?”