"Sometimes, the best way to help someone is just to be near them."
― Veronica Roth

Ashley Davis-Harris

There were times I hated my famous and powerful family name more than ever. My lineage sometimes turned into such bothersome like when I first entered into a country club's party and no one wanted to approach me because the Davis' were known to be frosty towards the people beneath their wealthy status.

Then, the second time when I became so frustrated with Mama that I sneaked away only to be stopped by a patrolling guard in fear of my father's wrath. The Davis' were known to be aristocratically conventional as well as having haughty tempers.

However, this time was not the time I hated being a Davis. This time, I actually took pride in being a Davis and a Harris now as I watched the face of this pitiful tramp crumble as I crushed her with the weight of my infamous name.

"Wife?" She gawked and looked at my husband. "You have a wife now? Does she know?"

She?

Who was this tramp talking about now? It must be someone significant because Neil's face paled. I was not the only one who noticed. The tramp, Nicole also noticed because a cunning smile appeared on her face, and she continued. "Oh, this is great. I might not be as close with her as before, but Neil, you and I both know how she is. Don't worry, I won't tell her, but boy, I'd love to see your face when she comes to grill your ass because sooner or later, she will know and she will come to the city."

I noticed the stiffening posture of Neil and I knew, whatever Nicole was spouting, it was distressing Neil which in turn was distressing me further. I knew not why but I wanted to hurl something at her.

"Nicole? You coming or what?" A woman yelled out from behind. "Izzy had enough of skating already. I'm going to drop her first." She was gesturing to a child, and beckoning the uninvited lady before of us. Was she even considered a lady with that behavior of hers?

Nicole was not done with her big speech because she flipped her hair to me and smirked, actually smirked. Ugh, this bothersome woman was testing my violent streak. I only ever hurled things at Neil but that might change today. With a sidelong look at Neil, she stared directly at me.

"If you think I'm a bitch then wait till you meet Kate." She took two steps backward with a mock-fear look. "I will enjoy knowing that you are going to face her and she's going to show you how a Davis is nothing in front of her." Then she turned to Neil and winked. "I guess, this is it then. See you around, Neil, because I know damn well, we are going to meet each other again. You and Ivan might actually get along."

And with her cynical laugh as her parting sound, she went to join a group of women. As soon as she left, I felt a strong hold on my arm as he dragged me back to our seat. "You should learn to listen."

As I watched him settle the bill with the bartender, I gritted out. "Maybe this newfound freedom made me curious."

Kate. Kate. Kate.

Not this Kate again. How was a stranger able to create such turmoil in me? Who was she? How was she related to Neil? Was she an ex-girlfriend or a family? How come I knew nothing about Neil yet I was married to him?

Once he was done, he turned sharply, his eyes hiding his true emotions from me. His face void of betraying what he truly felt. His stare made me edgy and my mouth went dry. His hazel eyes took on an intense look as he sneaked a glance at me licking my lips anxiously when he mocked me with a sneer. "Come on, wife. Time to go home."

******

There was an eerie silence that was threatening to choke me. I watched Neil, silently moving around the kitchen, heating up the dinner he made for us. This man did not even trust me enough to heat our food. This was ridiculous.

Not the heating food part but the silent treatment I was getting. What did I do? I just introduced myself as that tramp Nicole wanted. I gave Neil a day to cool down before I went ahead with all the questioning about Nicole and Kate. But it seems if I brought up either names, the latter one more so then I seemed to trespass into a minefield.

I sighed, loudly to catch his attention, but failed. He did not even blink at me. He finished whatever he was doing and served me a plate before joining me on the dining table. He might be angry with me but he still followed the new rule I made of having our food at the dining table.

My ears hurt when the only sound in the room was that of the cutlery clanking on the plate. Enough was enough.

"Neil, jus—"

"Your sister sent a message." He said curtly before pulling out his phone. Swipe! Tap! Tap! He brought up the message and showed it to me.

All thoughts of Nicole and Kate vanished when I heard him say my sister. I took the phone from him and checked the content. It was from Emily. Oh, my sweet Em. How I miss her.

This is Emily Davis, favorite sister of your WIFE. Do not ask how I got your number. I cannot disclose my informant. Make sure my sister receives the following message, or else I will find you and I will kill you.

My eyes lifted in surprise, then at the message. Em sure was courageous, and brilliant.

Ashley, I know you are not that hateful to forget us completely. I get it if you forget Grandmama because I, myself forgot her AND she did not even do anything to me YET. I know she is the reason you are not returning. I know they are not accepting that immature man-child as your husband.

Once again, I glanced up and peered at Neil, brooding. "That twat has no manner." My eyes widened as I realized he must've read the message. Of course, he would. It was his phone after all. I felt the need to defend my sister but his glare warned me off. What the hell happened between them? When did he even meet Em? I turned my attention back to the phone.

I don't accept either, but you love him, therefore I must accept that. I accept that you want to stay with him from now on but Ash, I am your sister. Little sister. Favorite sister. *Steph just pinched me* Ouch.

More like older sister with the way she was talking. Emily was such a serious child. She knew too much and she used that whenever she wanted, whoever she wanted with.

Anyway, please. Do not prove me wrong. I am too smart to be wrong anyway. Ashley, please meet us. Steph says, it is impossible, but I know if you can elope and marry then meeting us will be a piece of cake for you. Ashley, you are my badass sister. Sorry, I said that, but you are. I love you. And I miss you. Oh, Steph says she misses you too but I highly doubt it's as much as me.

Ps- it's Mr. Carter's phone. You can contact us here. He is a warm-bear when it comes to me. Do not worry.

My visions were blurry, but I was still smiling. Before I could read the message again, Neil snatched it away. "It's a device and you're getting water on it. Stop it."

I sniffled and rubbed the tears off my face as I focused on him. I had no care in me anymore. My sisters meant the world to me.  I could not believe I was selfish enough to leave them. It had been too many days already and I needed to see them, hug them, and tell them I was sorry and I loved them too.

"Neil, please."

He dropped the spoon altogether and rubbed his forehead, his face grimacing. "Ashley, don't." It seemed like he had a headache that was causing him too much pain and I could say he deserved it with all the pain he gave me already, but I was not that spiteful.

I left the half-finished plate of food and stood up. He did not even raise his head up. He was so much engrossed in his ache that he failed to notice me standing behind him. Well, until he became aware of my hands on his hands as I moved them away. He stiffened and tried to lean away, but I held his head firmly and gently until it was trapped between my hands and mid-riff.

"I am just trying to help." I whispered before my fingers glided over his forehead to the top of his hair. He said nothing, but braced himself as if I might choke him. Well, I was not that angry anymore. I was drained and homesick. I missed my sisters and if I had to be homely enough to show him the err in his action, so be it. Although, caring for him seemed to be my liking since I could not stop myself.

His honey-blonde hair felt soft as I combed my fingers through it. I started working my way through the scalps slowly. Just the way Julie used to do for me. Julie was the best companion I had in the estate after my sisters. I missed her company as she was someone who kept me sane as well as took care of me.

Gradually, I felt Neil relaxing into me as he dropped his head completely onto me and closed his eyes, and deeply sighed. There was something else that was bothering him. It was not about either of the women. Maybe it was business related or about last night. Since the morning, he was stressed beyond reason. He had been out all day, only returning for dinner because he knew I would starve to death if he was not here at all.

I could see his brows wrinkled, and I moved my fingers over them and smoothed them out. I made his head lean back more so that half of his face was upturned toward me. I was so into massaging his forehead that I froze when I noticed the hazel eyes staring at me. I swallowed nervously. Although I knew he would scowl at me after what I planned to do next, nevertheless, I had to show him I was enough attached to him that any doubt of me fleeing away with my sisters will be gone. I knew he did not want to let me meet my sisters because he thought they would make me melt and make me leave him. I could hardly return back to the estate now with the way I left. Maybe he forgot that, I needed to remind him.

With his eyes on me, I bent my head and saw them scrutinize, but he was at my mercy of over-flowing affection. I pressed my lips softly on his forehead, pausing for a moment before lifting my head up and turning away to leave in embarrassment, but his hand caught me. And, I actually released a shuddering breath. I did not realize this intimate moment would affect me this much. It felt too personal to face him again and I was scared to face him in fear of revealing any of the pandemonium in me.

His hand tugged me with so much force that I whirled around. His other hand went around my waist and compelled me to sit on his lap. I became motionless, my breath hitched, anticipating what he might do or say, but he said nothing instead he did something that completely took me by surprise, and slight excitement. Okay, I acknowledge. Much!

He placed his head onto my shoulder and hugged me close. I could feel his breath on my neck, I could feel his fingers digging onto my side as he held on for dear life. For a moment, he actually scared me. Whatever tensed him actually terrified him. Was it business related at all? Or was it the scream I heard last night from his room?

I did ran to his room, but it was locked and he told me to leave him alone. I realized he must have had a nightmare, but was the nightmare that scary enough to make his muscles rigid, his mind strained? I untangled my hand from his hand and pivoted until my front touched his front. My arms went around him and I hugged him tightly, hoping to chase away any of the bad residue he might be feeling.

"Do not..." I started then bit my lips, mustering up the courage. "Do not lock your door tonight."

The fingers on my side started drifting upwards until it reached beneath my hair and upon my neck. He made me pull back and studied me before placing his lips on me. I let him kiss me as fiercely as he wanted. He needed to kiss me to feel connected, to chase away any of the loneliness or dread he might be feeling. This tugged at my heart and I felt myself melting into his kiss, and returning it with as much burning need as I possessed.

His lips left mine and he shifted to my neck, sucking and biting the skin as he went. His other hand lifted the dress until it bundled up-to my hip revealing my thighs. His fingers stabbed at my thigh as his hold became feral. At once, his hold left me till he started yanking the dress off me. I was so consumed in this newfound thrill coursing through my veins to stop him from pulling the intruding dress off me. I felt the cold air all around me, reminding me of my naked skin. I was in my inners in front of a man and I did not care.

I wanted to feel his skin. I wanted to kiss him everywhere. I started tugging his t-shirt and he helped me taking it off completely. Finally, his naked skin on mine felt exhilarating. Soon, my fingers were digging into his shoulder blades and I was sure to leave marks. I did not care how many Nicole was his sex-buddies. Nowadays, at the end of the day, he came home to me and kissed me wildly when he was terrified. I bet no Nicole saw this side of him. But the image of Neil with another woman was enough to douse me in cold water.

His hands were all over my body. It was too much. I felt warmth all over my body and there were tingles in places I had never felt before. I wanted to continue and give him what he needed but I was not going to be another fling on his bed. I was his wife and he needed to treat me as such before I gave him what he wanted.

Maybe he felt me hesitate because his movements became less fierce and more gentle before stopping altogether. His breathing was heavy just as mine was. His head lifted and he met my eyes before he realised my state of undress. Unashamedly, he scanned me and the bulge beneath me told me how much he liked what he saw but it was embarrassing for me to acknowledge. I felt myself redden as a blush started forming on me and I couldn't handle his piercing gaze anymore so I hid my face on his neck.

Though a shudder went through him, I felt him relax and chuckle. At least, he was no longer tensed, but thankfully, he said nothing to embarrass me further. He only stood up holding me and started walking upstairs. When he reached the door of the bedroom he assigned to me, he let go off me and I actually felt disappointed. I shook it off and kept my eyes downcast, afraid to face him in my undress state.

I heard him utter in a shaky voice. "I'll see what I can do." Then he walked the hallway to enter his bedroom. The sound of the closed door broke me out of my stupor to make me realize what he had just said to me.

A huge smile lit up like fireworks. It worked, but why did I feel like it worked me up too?

******

"Your sisters might be visiting today."

I yawned in reply.

"I said, your sisters will be here today." Neil said loudly in my ear and I almost toppled over the chair.

Quickly rubbing the sleep off my eyes, I grinned. "Really? Really? Oh my god. Oh my god. Thank you!" I jumped off from the seat and hugged him from side before running to prepare for their arrival.

"Finish your breakfast first."

I halted, eyeing the half-eaten breakfast. I groaned, trudging back to my seat and nibbling on the remaining bits. Tiredness completely did not fade away. There was excitement but it did not make me that energetic yet. Last night was the worst night. I barely had enough sleep after the mind-blowing scene at the very seat Neil was sitting upon right now. Although the occupant on it seemed rather fine now. How come he was so fresh and whole whereas I was just about to fall apart?

"I will be back for lunch. I don't trust you to feed your sisters. Maybe it's time to call back the housekeeper." He considered before taking a sip of the juice and straightening up. Immediately, I was out of the chair and holding up his coat for him. He raised his eyebrows at me and I just shrugged, urging him to get on with it. He did just that and picked up his travel mug. He was about to leave without so much a glance so I called out.

"Wait." When he stopped, I raised on my tip toes and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Have a nice day."

He froze, deliberating on my peculiar action however I was in a good mood. My sisters were visiting me today! He shook his head and marched ahead to escape, muttering. "Just don't burn down my house."

Since there was no indication of the infamous housekeeper, I decided to clean the house. I particularly ignored Neil's bedroom and office. Things could be dying in there but I would dare not go in there without his permission. That hound could sniff out any intruder. Better to stay away.

Finally, hours later, I was done making the house look homely then freshened up and made myself homely too. My sisters needed to see I was happy and well taken care of to seriously keep on believing the story of me eloping and marrying the love of my life.

At twelve o'clock precisely, Neil sauntered in with Stephanie and Emily following behind. There were three squeals of joy and Neil cringed.

Hugging them so close to my heart, having them protected inside my arms were the only things I had been craving since I left the estate. These two were my most precious people in the whole wide world. I could never hurt them, but leaving them was the hardest thing I had to do.

I pulled them until we all sat on the couch and I was calm enough to study their faces. They were well and healthy, a bit teary which must mirror mine. I pulled Emily onto my chest once again and her hands grabbed a handful of my dress. The hold she had on me was enough to guilt me once again. How could I leave them?

Over the head of Em, I noticed Neil walking away to go upstairs and as soon as he was out of sight, Steph started, her eyes were still tearful but she cleaned off her cheeks. She still looked as beautiful as ever. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail and her face was bare of any makeup. She had a dreadful look on her face and I knew she was going to ask me the same question as I did myself just now.

"Ashley, you've been gone for weeks." She accused and I deserved it. "Ashley, how could you leave us? You are our elder sister. Yo—u." She swallowed then once again had that determined expression. "You left us. You are supposed to be looking out for us but you left us. We are your little sisters, damn it!"

Emily gasped, looking from Steph's face to mine. Stephanie was more lenient and carefree than both Emily and I. Using profanities for her were not as shocking as it was for me, but she still avoided voicing those out in the presence of our family. And, if she said it now then it meant she was really hurt.

Em scowled and rebuked. "Come on, Steph. She had to leave. She was in loooove." Then she grinned at me suggestively.

"Quiet, Emily." Steph was in no mood for jest. She was never that angry. Her face was downright stony as she glared at our little sister. "Do not talk when adults are talking. Move away."

Emily gulped, but thankfully, she kept quiet and moved away to sit on the coffee table, making room for Steph to came closer and grab my hand. "You have no idea how dreadful the house has become. Ashley, grandmama is still here! She is horrible, she is just so horrible! She is always taunting Mama and reminding us of what you did and how you disgraced our family name. Constantly, we are being watched. We have no life anymore!"

My hand tightened as the weight on my chest became heavier. In a cautious voice, I asked. "Where's Papa?"

Steph scoffed and let go of my hand with a jerk. "Papa is no better than Grandmama. He is not even around the house anymore. Either he is in the office all day or in the study at home. We hardly see him. I think Mama had a fight with him. They don't talk that much anymore.