One Night With Mr Braxton

It was dinner time. Asher was seated at the head of the table, Emma closest to his right side, and Rebecca by his left. Jason, being off on an emergency, didn’t join the crew, leaving Bianca and Rooney who were seated opposite the other, with Rooney on Emma’s side.

While they ate, Rebecca spoke all about her childhood with Asher.

” Remember that time when you hit a boy for asking me out? Your hand hurt so terribly as a result of the cut. Till today, he still calls me your woman.” She said, smiling profusely while Asher continued his food, paying her no mind but she remained undeterred.

” It’s so funny, we are so perfect for each other, people don’t believe you are actually married. My phone has been blowing up with questions on what went wrong. Some even think we aren’t on speaking terms, can you imagine that?!” She ranted, drawing closer to him as she spoke.

It took everything for Emma to keep calm. With the amount of heat being generated through her glare, one wouldn’t be surprised if the lady choked on her words; it was that bad. On the other side of things, Bianca wasn’t the least bit pleased at the obvious desperation being displayed.

She’d expected Emma to put her in place, seeing her man was involved but with the delayed reaction from Emma, the urge to put her shit show to an end became irresistible.

” I think we should take a couple pictures together, just like old times, to show them we’re still together. What do you think?” She took a napkin and carefully napped his mouth.

Asher was hardly a messy eater, it was a deliberate attempt to touch him. Emma watched with a grinded tooth, she couldn’t help but notice how natural they synced. Other than the slight widening of Asher’s orbs, there were no tell signs that he wasn’t comfortable or she had just wiped a bunch of nothing from his lip.

” That’s stupid, he’s a married man, Rebecca.” Bianca reminded, and warned.

” And? It’s just a picture, I doubt Emma would mind,” She said with a smile-a very fake smile, ” Asher has no problem with it and besides, the fact he is married isn’t some sort of secret, everyone knows that so I don’t see the problem.” She noted, innocently.

They all knew she was anything but innocent.

” Why isn’t anyone saying something? What? Their marriage was announced a few days ago, and despite the fact they’ve been married longer, the public is still reeling about it and they imagine they should be on honeymoon.” Bianca stressed, ” I don’t know how you think, but trust me, this isn’t happening.” She rounded off, then poured herself some juice.

Emma silently scarfed down the delicious meal before her. Not that she didn’t have anything to add, but she wanted to see if Asher would set her straight, and as the conversation proceeded, it became clear that he had no plan whatsoever to clear the leech by his side. She lived by a principle, one she couldn’t compromise.

If the man in question didn’t see the need to shut her up, then who was she to do it? Apparently, he felt comfortable traveling down memory lane with the supermodel, so why on earth would she come in between their swell time?

That didn’t in any way ease the strain in her throat as she swallowed. Desperate to finish the food and find her way out of the drama.

Her wish came through in minutes. Taking her plate along, she left the dinning, catching the- oh so beautiful smile of Rebecca- who was nearly plastered by his side, her food barely eaten as she dragged him through another precious memory.

Emma felt like gagging.

With the rest in the house, Emma decided it’s a perfect time to venture out of the building. Maybe sit by the pool for a bit, breathing in some fresh and cool night breeze. She didn’t sit properly before she heard footsteps approaching. She turned around and came face-to-face with Asher.

His eyes are so immersive that for a moment she freezed. Goosebumps covered her skin, and she swallowed roughly, ashamed of how much of an effect her husband had on her. She spotted a faint outline of a smirk on his face and immediately kicked herself in the head.

Of course, the situation couldn’t be any worse as she realized that somehow her mouth decided to be slightly open; giving a thorough picture of just how much effect his presence had on her.

” Why are you here?” Asher surprisingly broke the silence.

Oh so he talks?! He didn’t seem capable of that in Rebecca’s presence. And no, she wasn’t jealous, she was just spitting facts.

” What? You keep tabs on me even in the house?” She retorted, not in the mood to play house.

” Do I need to?” He took a step forward- talk about encroaching her personal space.

” Don’t answer questions with questions.” She stated, the pool felt like the most interesting thing to look at.

” Tell me, are you being jealous right now?”

Emma could tell he was having the time of his life, of course that’s the first thing he’ll think. She smacked her head;

” I’m sorry to burst your bubble, hubby.” She took a bold step towards him and touched his collar. ” I was just trying to get some fresh air, you seem to be running from your beautiful get-together party.” She pointed out, hating how bitter the last sentence rolled off her tongue.

Asher couldn’t hide his amusement. He enjoyed seeing these sides of his wife. Maybe letting Rebecca drone on wasn’t a bad idea, if he got to see this at the end, he might as well endure her annoying voice.

The one thing he couldn’t sit through was her hand on him. A moment after his wife left, he made sure to educate her on the dangers of touching him so carelessly- intentional or unintended.

Emma didn’t know that though.

” There were all sorts of drama growing up, you can’t blame me for having such a phenomenal upbringing.” He flaunted a smile but Emma’s face fell at his statement.

Of course his upbringing was spot on, flawless. No wonder their relationship had a natural feel to it. Hers was phenomenal at the start but life happened and all she got in return was grim and pain.

” Are you alright?” Asher asked, picking on her sudden sullenness. Somehow, he managed to see and read her so well. She couldn’t pinpoint exactly when it started but it was indeed a blessing and a curse.

” I’m sorry.” His breathy voice filled her ears, but with one look to his eyes, it was clear he didn’t know what went wrong but apologized anyways.

She couldn’t bear to dwell on it and with one look at him, she stilled. ” Asher?” She called, her eyes focused on his shoulder.

” What?”

” There’s- there’s a b-bug on your-shoulder.” She said, shaking in terror.

The moment the words left her mouth, he let out a shrill scream and the next thing she knew, they were plummeting into the pool, the kind he’d definitely despised as a kid.

Meanwhile, inside the mansion, Rebecca sat in the living room, upset about how coldly she was scolded because of that girl. Asher was fine with her until she came into the picture, snatched him and freaking married him. No matter far she left, deep down, she always believed Asher would forever belong to her.

Upon hearing his marriage news from Bianca, she’d abandoned everything to fly over and confirm things for herself. She felt like a fish out of water, finding out the credibility of the news and watching them live together.

That night, she meant to leave but when she noticed their unconventional marriage and its lack of something she couldn’t quite lay her hand upon; she decided to stay and find out.

Bianca walked into the living room, having put Rooney to bed, and made to turn on the television,

” What do you think about all of this?”

She turned around, surprised that Rebecca would even talk to her after the stunt she pulled during dinner.

” About what?” She said with a clipped tone.

” You know what I mean- you clearly can’t believe the charade they are putting on- that marriage is fishy.” Rebecca aired her thoughts but all Bianca could see was a bitter woman. One she enabled by bringing her into a perfectly good home.

” If you have any sense in that brain of yours, I advise you to take a hint from Asher and stop interfering in their marriage. Have some respect!” She quipped, trying but failing at hiding her anger.

Rebecca rolled her eyes, ” Nevermind. I’ll figure things out myself.”

With a hiss, she strutted out of the living room, determined to dig until she found the secret. Her instincts never lied to her, and it surely wasn’t starting now.