Asher sat at the table as Juliet walked in for breakfast. He was still staring at the photo from the night before. She was about to take a seat, across from him, when he cleared his throat. "You can sit here." He said and gestured to the seat beside him.
"But I want to sit here." Juliet argued.
Asher looked up at her with his deep ice-gray eyes. "I said you will sit with me, honey." Juliet walked over and took a seat beside him. She looked at the photo as well, but can't see why it keeps catching his eye.
"I'm taking you to the office today, so you can see what I'm doing there." He took a bite of egg from the plate in front of him. Go get dressed, we have a meeting, and you're coming with me."
Miranda and her husband, Vincent, walked into the dining room. "Good morning everyone." Miranda said as she took a seat. Vincent poured a glass of wine and sat across from Juliet. Juliet didn't really mind, she was too busy talking to Miranda to notice how Vincent was watching her. He raked his eyes over her with disgusting interest.
"You have such a beautiful laugh, Juliet." He said, his voice was a little too low for Asher's liking. Vincent kept complementing Juliet and asking her questions. Asher tightened his grip on his fork while he ate. Vincent noticed Asher's reaction and smiled. He swirled his wine and said "Juliet, you don't just write romance. You carry it." Juliet laughed awkwardly.
"She carried deadlines." Asher said, cutting in. "Romance is an option." He turned to Juliet. "Go get changed, we need to go to the meeting." Juliet nodded and ran up the stairs.
"What's wrong, can't handle a little humor?"
"You're a married man hitting on my girlfriend. Stay away from Juliet before you regret it." Asher snapped.
…
Juliet climbed into the car beside Asher. Asher turns to her as the car starts moving. "You shouldn't laugh at him like that."
"Is this about Vincent?" She asked as she pulled out her notebook from her bag and a pen from her hair.
Asher grabs her hand to gain her full attention. "No, this is about you. And how you're not a prop even when everyone treats you like one."
"And I thought this was something important." She said, taking her hand away from his.
"It is. You need to understand that you're not just something that people look at. You're not a painting in a museum."
"Really, because it feels like I am. You need me to be by your side, just so you can move up in status. I feel like you just want me by your side so everyone will see that your good looks can make an ugly girl pretty."
"Honey… You were never ugly." He said, taking her face in his hands.
…
Juliet wrote down notes during the meeting. She wrote down things she noticed about Asher or his company. He seems kinder to the women than the men. When she noticed how one of the ladies clung to Asher, her heart dropped. Hands off my man. She wanted to snap but remembered the one rule. No falling in love. She felt heat run up her neck and across her face.
"Honey, are you feeling well? You're really red." Asher said, putting his hand on her back.
"Yeah, I… I just need the bathroom."
"Right down the hall." He instructed. His voice had a hit of concern.
She walked in and splashed ice cold water on her face. "I don't like him. I don't like him. I don't like him." She told herself. "Remember Eli…?" She asked her reflection. When she felt ready, she dried her face and headed back out.
"Yeah, tonight. Will you guys be there?" Asher asked a group of his people.
"Yeah. See you there." One of the clients said before everyone left.
Asher turned to her. "Honey, there's a galla tonight and you're coming with me. I'll have Miranda help you pick out a dress."
Juliet smiled kindly at him. "That sounds fun. Is everyone going?"
"Yes, and you'll be the guest of honor."
Juliet smiled and went to head to the car but Asher grabbed her wrist. He pulled out her notebook and pen and handed it to her. "I just thought you would want it, honey." He said, his gaze softened when he called her honey.