-Zeus-

I looked at Asha’s back from behind one of the large tombs as she stood there looking at her parent’s lowered coffins. I had promised her and myself that I would always be there for her but when the hardest part of her life came. I didn’t have the right to stand beside her. Asha turned to walk away but I saw it, the single tear that she quickly wiped away and her constant grip on her dress, a habit she makes when she’s trying hard to suppress what she wants to do. I also held my desires to appear in front of her, to hug and comfort her because I know that my appearance would cause her more pain. Suddenly, a surge of anger made me growl as I remembered who made me unable to stand beside Asha. I just lowered my guard against my clan and my mother for just a second and that incident happened.

“Master, we found the girl and the mage who put a spell on you.” Gemini, my right-hand man, reported when he appeared behind me.

“Good. Send their heads to my mother.”

Asha, my only warmth and light, has already walked out of my colourless and dark life. There is no need for me to feel mercy to anyone, not even to the person who has given birth to me because that mercy will never bring back Asha to me.

-Asha-

4 YEARS LATER

I was startled awake with the sound of knocking. It was just two light knocks but I’m a light sleeper so it sounded loud to me.

“Come in.” A stewardess entered through the door.

“Madam, we have landed.” I nodded in response and she left.

I fixed myself after getting out of bed and stepped down from my private jet that has somehow become a home to me with the frequent trips I make. The stewardess who was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs handed me my suitcase then I made my way to the usual hotel near the airport and the staff led me to the room I always use to shower and prepare before departing to the office. The driver arrived on time at the hotel when I came down and took me to the company where Andrew was waiting in the lobby. He briefed me on the way to the conference room where the company staff leaders of the different departments were silently waiting. It was time for the monthly meeting.

“Ah yes after the meeting, Mr. Chen would like to see you in your office. He’ll arrive shortly.” Andrew said when we were by the door of the conference room.

“Why?”

“He did not say.”

I forced Andrew to stop calling me madam or young miss when he continued working as my secretary since I took my place as the CEO, it felt uncomfortable to be called those names by someone who’s been with me and my parents for a long time. I nodded in response to Andrew’s last answer and entered the conference to start the meeting. The meeting finished in just an hour with the efficiency of the reports of my employees and I made my way to my office with a satisfied feeling.

“Mr. Chen.” I greeted when I saw the slightly old man in my office. He was one of my parent’s lawyers when they were still alive. However, he wasn’t bald the last time I saw him years ago but his brown blue eyes are still there with its usual shine.

“Miss Carlisle, I finally caught up with your hectic schedule.” The Chinese man joked and I smiled in return.

“What’s the matter Mr. Chen?” I asked when I was already on my chair and motioned for him to sit in front of me.

“Well then I’ll go straight to the point.” He opened his bag and handed me a sealed envelope. “This is your parent’s will. I didn’t have the heart to give it to you after your parent’s passed away and your company is in turmoil back then. Although the company shares of your parents were supposed to be automatically passed down to you, your parent’s actually made a will secretly with me. “

“What do you mean?” I asked but he indicated to the sealed envelope and I immediately opened it. My eyes widened in shock at the content.

“What in the world is this?”

“They were concerned for you. We were close friends, me and your parents and they told me that they didn’t want you to suffer the responsibility that you are forced to take because you are their daughter. They told me they knew you wanted to become a doctor but it seems that their concern was in vain since you’re already sitting here.” He gave me a sad smile.

I remember telling my parents that I wanted to become a doctor someday and that was when I started high school and was treated by the school doctor when I scraped my knee during a game of volleyball. I idolized that male doctor then because I could only see him as cool back then. However, as far as I can remember, it was only a fleeting dream because I gave it up before it could grow in my heart. At a young age, I already knew what I needed to do that’s why I didn’t dream of anything else for my future career. I had already accepted my fate as the heiress.

“You mean to say that I’m actually holding no shares all this time?”

“Yes but don’t worry, I was the only one whom your parents entrusted this task to. It is safe to let them still think that you still own almost half of the shares of the company and solve this issue quietly. However, if the will is not followed, I’m sorry but I will be forced to disclose this in public. Your relatives will in turn inherit the shares as stated in the will.”

“Then I have no choice but to marry Zeus Mason.” I stated and I could feel the headache coming as I stared at the paper in my hands.

“We actually thought there won’t be any problems since the two of you back then were…” Mr. Chen trailed off and cleared his throat.

“What if he doesn’t agree to marry me?”

“I could only apologize if that happens.”

“I would think about this matter. When a decision is made, I’ll contact you again.” I said to Mr. Chen and he left after a few more words.

True to my words, I pondered over the will while I was working. Finally making up my mind after giving up thoughts on how to counter the will, I called Andrew to my office.

“Will you send someone to deliver this personally to Zeus Mason?” Andrew looked at me in surprise as I handed over the newly sealed envelope that contained the will but he did not say anything.

Andrew had once questioned me on Zeus but I avoided his question, it was already obvious that we broke up. However, I have no definite decision over the matter on the will but I will let Zeus make the final decision, just like in the past.