The Mafia’s Wanted Desires

ASHLEY

I sank my fingers into my wet hair, pushing it backwards and massaging my scalp to soothe the scalp with the remnants of the shampoo that hung in my hair. The warm water that drizzled from the shower cascaded my body, soothing my skin. My eyes fluttered open and I moved to the switch, turning it off. I stepped out of the shower cubicle, grabbing two towels. I wrapped one around my hair, wrapping the other loosely around my frame.

I strutted out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I trudged into the closet, drying my hair with the towel. I patted my body dry and plugged in my hair dryer, blow-drying my hair as quickly as I could. I fished out pink panties from the drawer, sliding it on, after which I pulled a pair of shorts from the rack, alongside one of Arden’s shirts, which I have acquired as mine.

I walked out of the closet, prancing to my dresser. I picked up my lotion and moisturised my skin with it, proceeding to put on my shorts and shirt. I snatched a hairband from the dresser, pulling my hair in a high ponytail. My eyes darted to my black nightwear and lacy panties a few feets away from the bed. My cheeks heated in embarrassment.

Arden wouldn’t keep his hands off me throughout the night and it was the same thing before he headed out with Duncan to go take care of business. He was such a horny dog.

Well, you didn’t think that when you were fisting the sheets this morning. My mind chided me and I giggled to myself. I retrieved the flimsy materials from the floor and dumped them in the hamper, scoffing at my torn panties. Only God knows how many of my panties Arden has torn. If he keeps this up, I wouldn’t have any underwear anymore.

And then, the thought I had been struggling to repress since the day it happened came rushing back to the surface. I stilled, my heart dropping to the pit of my stomach.

“I love you, Peach.”

“So much.”

“No!” I yelled at myself, walking to the mirror. I closed my eyes and inhaled, exhaling softly. Not today. I couldn’t afford to go down that lane today. I could do it any other time but not today. I didn’t want to think about how rattled and speechless the whole thing had left me. I totally went brain-dead. My mind numbed itself.

I wouldn’t even look him in the eye.

There was this unspoken tension that hung between us. It was just there. We didn’t address it. You mean you didn’t want to address it. My subconscious mocked me and I gritted my teeth.

“I am not going to think about that. I am going to head out of the kitchen and go help Alberta out since I decided to take the day off today.” My voice carried a tone of finality. I nodded at my reflection in the mirror, plastering a smile on my face. I snatched my phone off the nightstand and sauntered out of the room, shutting the door behind me.

“Good morning, Mrs. Gray!” The maids chirped from their various positions and I groaned inwardly. I stared at them for a while, not responding to their greetings. I contemplated telling them to go do other chores while I take care of the living room but it was far from the maids of the Gray household to allow me to get my way that easily. They were always so quick to play the Mr. Gray wouldn’t like that card.

“Ashley,” I corrected and they responded with a shy smile, eliciting a grin from me. I knew what their responses would be like but it didn’t deter me from trying my luck.

“Come on, head out to do other chores. I will clean the living room. I am home alone and I am bored.” I told them, a light smile dancing on my lips. They shook their heads simultaneously like robots, earning an arch of one of my eyebrows.

“Mr. Gray___” One of them spoke up but I shut her up with an eye roll.

“Don’t bother,” I huffed like a little child. Since they wouldn’t allow me to do anything with them, I could always head to the kitchen and help Alberta out. She would be more appreciative of my presence. With that, I made my way into the kitchen. I opened the door and stepped right in.

“Falsch mit dir! [What’s wrong with you?!]” Alberta’s harsh tone had me flinching abruptly. I nearly jumped out of my skin because of how harsh she sounded. I had not gotten a chance to reel from the loudness of her voice when another hit me like a stray bullet.

“Ich mochte nicht daruber reden, Mama! [I don’t want to talk about it, Mom!]” Zelda snapped back at her, her voice cracking.

I furrowed my brows, trying to pick up on what they were saying. I wasn’t dumb. I knew they were yelling at each other in German. I just didn’t know why or what it meant.

“Ich habe dich vor diesem Jungen gewarn… [I warned you about that boy…]” Alberta’s voice trailed off, trails of exhaustion hanging in her tone. She looked like she was tired of yelling at her daughter. The angry duo were just glaring at each other. They didn’t even know I was standing in the room.

“Huh, what’s going on here?” I asked, cautiously. I was trying to sound as subtle as I could because I didn’t want to poke the wrong, irritable bear. The two of them swung their heads in my direction, their eyes widening in shock.

I was taken aback at how dull Zelda looked. Her violet eyes were void of brightness. Her skin looked somewhat red, indicating that she had been crying. She had tears shimmering in her eyes. Her brown hair was styled in a messy bun. Her slim figure was clad in an extra-large sweatshirt and jean shorts. The shirt was almost swallowing up her body.

“Zelda?” I called in shock.

“Good morning, Mrs. Gray. Is there anything I can help you with?” Alberta queried, sighing softly. I could see the beads of tears forming in her eyes, which was struggling to hold back. And somewhere in those violet orbs was disappointment.

My eyes darted to and fro between the duo.

“Alberta?” I called the older woman.

“Can you excuse us please?” I demanded softly and she nodded, wiping her tears. She yanked off her Apron and stepped out of the kitchen, leaving me and Zelda all alone. Her loud, shaky breaths filled the room. She averted her eyes from me, marching to the sink, where she turned on the tap, indulging in several things so that she wouldn’t talk to me.

I scoffed.

I left where I was standing and strutted to where she stood by the sink.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” I queried, arching my brows.

“Go away, Ashley. You shouldn’t be in here.” She shunned me coldly and I furrowed my brows at her rudeness. Although I had an inkling of what was going on, I didn’t want to jump to conclusions.

“Excuse you?” I frowned. She glanced up and my heart tore to shreds as I took in her teary orbs.

“Last I checked, this is my house,” I said audaciously. She whimpered, dropping the fork in her hands into the sink. A light sob flew out of her mouth and her shoulders sagged. She walked into my arms and threw herself on me, breaking down into my arms. My eyes were beginning to burn with unshed tears.

“You can always tell me anything,” I assured her softly. I wanted her to know I wouldn’t judge her.

“I hate him, Ash. I hate him so much.” She sobbed, fisting her shirt.

Of course, that bastard…

I gritted my teeth, clenching my fists.

“I am going to fucking kill him!” I yelled, tears streaming down my face. She stepped out of my arms, shaking her head vigorously.

“No, no, please… don’t hurt him, please!” She cried, shaking her head. My heart felt as though it was being prickled with needles, clenching tightly in pain and making me feel like I couldn’t breathe.

“Tell me what he did,” I folded my arms across my chest.

“God…” Her voice was thick with emotions.

“You weren’t lying. I am obsessed with him, Ashley. So obsessed with him that I know that if he walks right in through that door, I wouldn’t hesitate to go into his arms, after everything he did to me! It feels like I can’t breathe without him!” She screamed, gutting me with every word she uttered. I just stood there wordlessly and watched her cry it out.

She needed to.

“We have been having sex, a whole lot.” She palmed herself, brushing her hair backwards. “Ashley, he touches me at times and I feel my body burning for him. The control he has over me is so sick and insane. Just a slight brush of his fingers against me and I am all putty in his arms. He messed with me in a way I don’t understand…” She paused, hiccuping.

“I thought that if I allowed him access to my body anytime he wanted, he would grow to love me but that isn’t true. Duncan Wright looked me in the eyes and told me he could never love me. That all we had was just a fling!”

“A fucking fling!” She chuckled, tears pouring down her face. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to steady my breath. The anger that simmered in my veins zapped through me like an electrical current, consuming me and blurring my vision.

“I had a pregnancy scare a few days ago and my mom got to know about the whole thing. I couldn’t hide it from her anymore. She’s so mad at me, Ashley. She’s so disappointed in me.”

“I hate myself so much!” She cried. I choked on my sob, walked over to her and enveloped her in a hug. She bawled her eyes out in my arms and I just held her, allowing her to get it off her chest. She needed to if she was going to heal.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Heck, I couldn’t even bring myself to say anything to her. Not because I didn’t know what to say but because I was scared that saying anything could ruin everything.

I only had one thought in mind.

How to kill my husband’s right hand man and get away with it?