Asher is missing
Marco
I've proven one thing: peace doesn't come easy for someone like me. No matter how much I try to run from the past, ghosts always find their way back, especially ghosts like Ashley. Ever since she showed up in my office, the questions I've tried to bury have started crawling their way back into my mind.
We're not done. And no matter what I do, I can feel it, she still lingers somewhere between me and Ashlyn.
But life doesn't stop just because the past comes knocking. I have a company to run. People who depend on me. And right now, in this quiet corner of our home, I'm sitting beside Ashlyn, the woman who, despite all the pain she's endured, still manages to hold everything together.
We're in the living area. She's seated calmly on the couch, her legs curled beneath her. I'm beside her, restless and distracted. The twins are giggling in the playpen just a few feet away, their tiny laughter filling the space like sunshine. But I can't focus on them, not when there's a weight pressing down on my chest, begging to be released.
Ashlyn must've sensed my unease.
"Is something wrong, Marco?" she asked softly, her voice laced with tenderness and concern. I glanced at her for a second before quickly averting my eyes.
I don't know how many times I've looked her way only to retreat, afraid of what my eyes might reveal.
"Uh… there's this client," I began awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck. My palms were clammy with sweat, despite the cool air conditioning.
She stayed quiet, her gaze steady, unwavering.
I sighed, knowing I couldn't hold it in much longer. "We haven't been able to align our schedules, so I'm the one who has to adjust."
"Marco," she said, picking up one of the throw pillows and placing it on her lap. Her voice had a teasing edge, but her expression remained soft. "You sound like a kid asking permission from his parents. I'm your wife. You don't have to feel like you're walking on eggshells."
I let out a nervous chuckle and moved closer to her on the couch. "Well… it's about this Saturday."
Her brow furrowed. "What about Saturday?"
"I have to meet a client that day," I admitted, swallowing hard. "But… It's our family day."
Her eyebrow arched slightly as she waited for more.
"That's it?" she asked, then laughed, a light, amused tone tinged with affection. To my surprise, she leaned forward and planted a quick, sweet kiss on my lips.
"You're too sweet," I muttered, sounding like a child who'd just been forgiven.
"Go," she said. "Attend the meeting. The kids and I will be fine. It's just one day. If it's really something you can't reschedule, I'll understand. I know how important your work is."
"You're sure?" I asked, even though she'd already said yes. Part of me needed to hear it again.
"Of course, Marco. I'm not narrow-minded, you know. And I know you, if it wasn't important, you wouldn't be this anxious."
Her words melted the tension in my chest. I smiled, grateful. Just as I was about to relax, an idea struck me.
"How about we go out after the meeting?" I suggested, lightly tapping her hand. "It should be over by lunchtime. It's Mr. Vergara, I doubt it'll take too long. He's really set on having us handle his budget hotel project."
She looked over at the twins. "Hmm… up to you. As long as you're okay having these two wild ones with us, then I'm in."
"I want that," I said sincerely. "Feels like the perfect reward for having such an understanding wife."
I winked at her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She smiled and rested her head against me.
Her warmth, her presence, it grounded me in a way nothing else could.
And just like that, I couldn't help myself. I pulled her closer and pressed a long, grateful kiss to her cheek.
I reached for my phone on the center table and called Andy. He needed to inform Mr. Vergara that I was available Saturday morning.
It was only Thursday. The old businessman still had a full day to decide.
And now that my mind was at ease, I could finally relax and enjoy playtime with our little ones.
I had just gotten home from work, and it had become our quiet tradition to spend time in the living area as a family before dinner was served.
It was a quiet Saturday morning when my family and I left early, accompanied by two nannies, for my meeting with Mr. Vergara. We stepped into a high-end café nestled in BGC, where the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the quiet, refined ambiance, perfect for a serious discussion like this.
Our table was reserved at the far end, near the glass wall that offered a panoramic view of the bustling city outside. When we arrived, Mr. Vergara was already there. Wearing a crisp, long-sleeved shirt, a pair of thin reading glasses perched on his nose, and a stern look that hinted at a no-nonsense mood. He sat back calmly, flipping through the printed layout I submitted the day before.
"Good morning, Mr. Vergara," I greeted politely, extending my hand.
"You're on time. Good," he replied, shaking my hand briefly before motioning to the seat across from him. "And you're with—" he paused, glancing past me toward the people behind. "Let's make this quick, Marco. I want this done before lunch."
"They're my family," I replied as I pulled out my chair. "It's Saturday, supposed to be for them. So I brought them along. We're going out after this. They'll be at a separate table."
"That's fine, Marco. I admire that you're a family man," he said, standing up. He turned toward Ashlyn, who stepped forward to greet him.
"Hello, Mr. Vergara. I'm Ashlyn, Marco's wife. And those two angels over there are our kids, Asher and Maya," she said warmly, nodding toward the children being helped into their seats by the nannies.
"Lovely to meet you, Ashlyn. Mind if I borrow your husband for a bit?"
"No problem," she replied with a graceful smile. "Take your time."
"Thank you," Mr. Vergara said before returning to his seat. Ashlyn walked over to the kids and sat with them at the next table while I took my place across from Mr. Vergara.
We got down to business. As always, Mr. Vergara didn't waste time with small talk. He was direct, and he wanted an efficient design, something that looked high-end but wouldn't break the budget. I matched his focus, answering each of his concerns with clarity and confidence. Still, every now and then, my eyes would drift toward the next table.
There they were, my wife and kids, chatting and laughing softly. Just seeing them eased the pressure that had been sitting heavily on my shoulders. No matter how exhausted I felt, they were my reason to keep going, to wake up each morning and face whatever came.
Ashlyn caught me looking. She smiled and winked at me.
I chuckled under my breath and shook my head. Even in silence, she knew how to give me strength. She didn't complain about tagging along to a work meeting today, even though it was our family day. That's the kind of woman she was, always quietly supportive.
"Thank you, Marco. I like this direction," Mr. Vergara said finally, tapping the printed layout before closing the folder. "I'll finalize my decision within the week. But honestly? I'm leaning toward giving you the project."
"That means a lot, sir. Thank you."
He stood and gave me a light pat on the shoulder before walking away. Once he was out of sight, I headed straight to my family.
"Mission accomplished," I whispered with a grin, bending down to kiss Ashlyn on the cheek.
"Nice work, mister," she teased, reaching for my hand. "Now, let's eat. We've got two impatient little bosses waiting."
We left the café and walked to a nearby restaurant. It was technically brunch now, and the twins were buzzing with excitement about our next stop, the amusement park. Over our meal, I felt completely at peace. No clients. No emails. No deadlines. Just my family. Just them.
When we finally got to the amusement park, the twins lit up with joy. They rode the carousel, squealed on the mini train, and played shoot-a-ball with the nannies while Ashlyn captured every moment, videoing, snapping photos, and laughing along with them.
"I'll go to the restroom," Ashlyn said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Sure," I nodded. We were sitting on a shaded bench beneath a tree. As she walked away, I spotted a small kiosk not far off.
I turned to one of the nannies. "Rere, I'll buy some snacks. Don't leave this spot and wait for Ashlyn, okay?"
"Yes, sir."
I headed over to the kiosk and bought sandwiches and bottled water. I added ice cream, too—something cool for the kids and our hardworking nannies. I was gone for just a few minutes.
When I returned, something felt off.
"Where's Rere?" I asked Ana who was carrying Maya.
She shifted nervously. "Sir… Asher suddenly ran off, and Rere chased after him. When Ma'am Ashlyn got back and found out, she went after them, too."
"What?" I nearly dropped everything I was holding, plastic bags dangling from my hands and ice cream starting to melt.
My chest tightened, and my pulse quickened.
Where were they?
Why did no one call me?
I stared off in the direction of the crowd, heart racing, eyes scanning every face.
My family, Ashlyn and Asher, were gone.
Suddenly, the peaceful family day we had planned… turned into a quiet storm rising in my chest.