THE BROWN ENVELOPE

=ASHLEY's POV=

I stretched my hand to hug Clifford but I couldn't find him. I open my eyes and I can't see him. I roll my eyes and look around but he is gone.

Am I hallucinating last night?

No, he came here last night and I am sure.

Is that a dream?

But why could I still smell his scent that stuck in my bed?

I held my body wrapped in the blanket. I simply smile when I feel that I don't have any covering.

He went last night and we make love and that's not a dream.

Everything is true.

Will that ever happen again?

To see his smile again. To feel the warmth of his embrace again. To hear from him again that he loves me. I hope it will happen again.

Hopefully, every time he is drunk instead of hurting me he will ask me to make love with him in a way that is full of love. So, my painful past will slowly remove. I hope he still loves me even though he's drunk. Because I, I love him dearly no matter what he will do for me.

I sighed then got up as the blanket wrapped around my body.

I remember what happened last night and just smiled. Hoping that will be repeated that way.

I got up and picked up the towel when I noticed the house key on the table. This is the key to my house. But why is it here?

Maybe I put it here and forgot to put it in my bag.

I took the key and put it in the bag when I noticed the same one inside the bag which surprised me. I have two spares of this key. One for me and one for Asher. I have mine in my bag so it means ----------- this one is for Asher.

But why did he leave it here? Did that mean he wouldn't bother me anymore? Could he have let something happen to us that way because he intended to leave me? I mean is he planning to let go of me?

This is what I want, but why do I have this sudden pain?

Will he really be lost to me as my husband?

Am I selfish if I choose to be ok with him and be friends but I will still keep him as my husband?

I’m already confused, I’m already struggling. I no longer knew what to do.

I don’t know how many minutes I sat. I don’t even know if I was thinking or just stunned. I just knew I was just sitting there waiting for the time.

I went into the bathroom and took a shower. When I finished I organized myself.

I just had coffee and then left to go to work.

I needed to see Asher early to know his reaction. I need to be sure of what he wants to happen or what he plans after what happened last night. Especially why he left the key that he took from me?

It only meant one thing then. He doesn't want to see me anymore. I just thought that hopefully, he didn’t mean to leave the key. Maybe it just fell on the table by accident.

When I got to the office Carmona was still not there. I went straight to Asher and I's office. To my surprise, I saw him there sitting in his place. I greeted him but he only nods at me. I just went straight to my table and simplified my gaze. But he immediately turned away when I caught him looking at me.

"Asher ---"

"Can we talk later? I'm busy right now," he interrupted me.

I didn't speak anymore because he was blunt at me again. We didn't get along and I didn't pay attention to him anymore. I look at him from time to time but he is just focused on what he is doing.

"I'll be gone for an hour," he said then stood up. "When someone looking for me, just say I go for lunch,"

"Can we talk first?" I ask.

"Yeah, we'll talk later after work. Personal about us, I'll just get something," he said then walked away. "You want something?" I shook my head in response. "Fine, I'll go, and don't skip your meal." Then he left the office.

When he got out, Carmona entered.

"Lunch?" she asked.

"No, I have a biscuit and water."

"For lunch?"

"Yeah,"

"Are you sure?" I just nodded in response so she shrugged and left. When Carmona left, I approached Asher's table to place the document when I noticed a picture frame.

I took it then caressed it and I couldn't help but sigh. This is our wedding photo. The happiest day of life.

I can't help myself but cry. The pity I felt today was replaced by a triple pain. To me and my husband. If I only knew this was going to happen, I would never have married him. I hope I don’t hurt him now. Since I came back I think the tears have probably come out of me three times more than when I left. The pain I felt also tripled.

I went back to the table. Just a few minutes later Asher also arrived carrying a brown envelope. He didn't talk to me and he just went straight to his seat and like before we didn't get along again until I finished my work.

Since my time for work is over out I got up and went to the bathroom. I adjusted myself and while inside I couldn’t help but think so Asher.

Why is he so quiet?

Is it because of what happened to us last night?

Is he thinking or planning something else?

Maybe he already------

No, Agatha promised me not to tell Asher the truth and she would not let Asher know the truth.

In the middle of my thought, I heard a knock so I fix myself. When I opened the door I saw Asher standing.

"Y-yes?" I was suddenly nervous when I saw him. I don't know for what.

"Hurry up and we'll talk," he said then turned away. I followed him with my gaze and when he disappeared I immediately closed the door.

What can we talk about?

I adjusted myself before going out. I caught up with Asher who was sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed as if thinking.

"Asher," I called to him who immediately set properly.

"Set," he commanded. I sat across from him as he said. I saw him took a deep breath before he opens his mouth.

"Am, before that, I just want to give it back to you because it looks like you drop this." Then I put the key on the table and pushed closer to him.

"No, I really meant to leave that because I don't need it anymore," he said then pushed the key back to me. "Honestly, that's why I want to talk to you."

"What are we going to talk about?" I asked nervously and I heard him again take a deep breath --------

He did not answer, instead, he gives a brown envelope.