Sold To Billionaire

First Meeting

Ashley

He came very late last night. And for the first time in these last two years, he didn’t torment her in any way. He didn’t curse her for being a burden to him. Or slapped her hard for making tasteless food. His mind was occupied with something. Perhaps something from his work. Whatever it was, his ignorance brought her relief. He didn’t eat the dinner either. He must have had it in his office. He was talking to someone on the phone when he entered. “Yup. I need the preparation to be at its best. I can’t let this opportunity slide man. So just work your ass off” She heard him talking about some celebration that was going to take place in his office tomorrow.

What she could gather from his conversation was that someone very important was going to visit his office tomorrow. She thanked her star and the visitor whose arrival had kept her monstrous husband occupied and spared her a night without amy sort of torture. After confirming that he was not going to eat, she retired to her bed. Michael stayed glued to his phone talking to different people discussing impending celebration. Whoever was coming tomorrow must be very very important, wondered Ash before letting her guards down in front of the angel of dreams.

“Wear something elegant tonight. We are going to my office party,” Mike instructed her while eating his breakfast. “Party?” she asked, confused. Michael had never taken her to any of his office parties. This was the first time he was taking her somewhere in the last three years. She is just an embarrassment for him and he makes no bone about that. He feels ashamed of the fact that his wife is not as classy and educated as his colleagues and friends are.

She clearly remembers the day his close friends came to their house unannounced. They had come to meet her. It happened about three years ago when Michael had freshly joined this company and had made new friends. He had been employed as a senior manager in the company. Michael was just a small employee when they got married and in a span of two years he rose up to become senior manager. No doubt, he had come a long way. But with each success in his professional life, he began to distance himself from her.

Their sudden appearance at the door took them by surprise. Michael welcomed them but the discomfort was visible in his face. At first, she could not understand why he was not happy about his friends coming over but all her questions got answered once they left. He did not want them to meet her, for he thinks she is way below their standard. The cover was blown. Their friends found out that she is an orphan with no education and class. That day he let loose all his frustration on her. That was the first day, he used the word “burden” for her. And soon this word became her synonym. He even admitted how much he regretted marrying her and how much he wished to go back in time and correct his mistake.

A girl like her doesn't deserve a man like him.

“Yes. Be ready by 7. I’ll come to pick you,” Michael said while feasting on his breakfast. “You have never taken me to any party before. Then why now?” She could not hide her curiosity. Her question made Michael clench his jaw “Trust me, I don’t want you to attend the party as you are nothing but a disgrace but my boss has asked me to bring you along. That’s why I have to. So, be ready and make sure you hide those ugly marks on your body,” he commanded while gesturing to the scars she had earned from him night after night. He strode off the house and she opened her closet to choose a dress for tonight.

She had a lot of dresses that she hadn’t worn since her husband rarely took her out. Her life was limited to making food for Michael and spending days all alone in the house. And with time, her interest in the dresses and makeup had only faded away as her husband had made her believe that she is ugly and a burden.