One more word and I will kill you!

The atmosphere was buzzing with music, capable of rendering one's ear into a momentary shock until it adjusts. The Braxton club, New York, was one of the most trending and top tier spots in the city.

As it should. Being one of the Braxton's facilities.

Jason's voice was drowned by the blaring music the moment they stepped into the largest dancing hall ever. The air was suddenly hot and oozing bodily fluids which emanated from the sea of clubbers having the time of their lives.

It was only eight pm and yet, it seemed like the whole city had been emptied into the club. Making it difficult to find their way into the VIP section.

Asher had always had a thing for going through the main entrance of the club whenever he visited and getting a feel of how good the business was for the day.

Call it a fetish but he loved the audacious Job of maneuvering through the usually interwoven crowd before retiring to the VIP or his office despite having a whole, free and preserved entrance for his easy use and access.

Yes, the idea was palatable to Asher, but to the poor Jason who was anything but interested in going through the ocean of humans that generated so much heat in an attempt to keep up with his friend, it was a miracle he hadn't just upped and left.

He was a married man after all and has lost touch with his bachelor days of visiting a club and actually enjoying it. These days, his visits to clubs were mostly perfunctory. Just how he liked it.

" You know that you have a whole, free entrance of your own out there right? I can never understand why you choose to go though the sea crowd of people." Jason said immediately they got to a freer area close to the VIP section.

" Maybe because I have a lot of thinking to do and need some distraction too."

Asher spoke without looking behind him to check the progress of his friend. He had a long way to go and wasn't too keen on dwelling on such mundane conversation. Asher crossed the line demarcating the VIP area with sturdy steps.

The supposed guard was ready to do his job but upon noticing the bone chilling glare from the actual CEO, his body shook and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.

Something that didn't go down well with Asher, who afterwards turned around and spoke his mind. " I just hope the way you behaved Isn't how you welcome the guests who show up here! "

He walked past, leaving behind a stunned worker and a breathy Jason following behind him. It was no Surprise the moment he got to the area that people began to recognize him. Mostly the workers.

Asher headed straight for his office which managed to overlook the entire clubbing space while Jason was right behind him.

" Are you listening to me?" Jason said as soon as they were engulfed by the cool air of the office. " You need to take this seriously! We don't have time. I heard there's a Steele engagement going on today. What If that's actually your wife?"

" Don't you dare utter such insolence! No woman is capable of being called my wife! Not to think of one picked out by my deadbeat father." He retorted angrily, glaring daggers at his friend. " I need some time to myself. Get out."

Jason was struck by how calm that order sounded. Knowing who Asher was, he knew better than to disobey him or probe him further.

" I will step out for a while. But please, reconsider." He advised before leaving.

Asher headed to a mini fridge placed at the edge of the large office. The place oozed all sorts of luxury from the transparent floors to the large floor to ceiling windows which overlooked the city.

He took out a bottle and a glass cup, corked open the drink and poured a generous amount into the glass. One shot, he threw back the drink and the sweet familiar burn left him in want for more.

Asher had a lot to think about. He felt totally sidelined by the recent development and he struggled to regain control over what was fast becoming his life. No doubt the matter was a critical one and needed attention, but this night, he figured he needed to rest from it all to make a sound decision.

With a push of a button on his desk, the transparent floors were covered with wooden ones, effectively hiding the view of the partying crowd beneath him.

After about three shots of the drink, Asher felt his senses dull and nerves relax, he decisively marched out of the office and straight to the VIP area, where he made himself comfortable.

In seconds, the manager of the club came by, gunning to welcome him formally.

" Mr Braxton. Anything I can assist you with? " The manager said with his head bowed. He thought of meeting him at the office but after the last occurrence and an order for no one to disturb him, he was scared shirtless and decided it was best to meet him when he wasn't so clearly tucked away.

" How has the business been so far? Any challenges or issues I should know about?" He said with a drink in hand. Somehow still managing to work while trying to relax his mind.

" Extra ordinary. Every night is packed, including the VIP area, unless they are booked out for the night." The manager answered proudly. So far, the club was thriving and maintaining the number one spot. He couldn't be more happy.

" Meaning there's a guest who booked out the area today?" Asher remarked, taking note of the scanty vip area which was separated from the main area by a glass floor to ceiling wall.

" Ah! Yes. We have guests booked today, they should be here any minute now." The manager explained while Asher gave a satisfactory nod.

" You may Leave."

As soon as the manager left, Jason sauntered into the area with hurried steps. His eyes swept the area until it was fixated on Asher who was drinking and going through his phone.

" We have to leave. Now, Asher." He said immediately he got to him, going as far as taking the glass from his hand.

" I don't remember giving you the right to order me around. Neither do I remember telling you I needed your company."

" Listen, we don't have much time. Let's head over to the office. I have news for you."

Jason was desperate. He just got wind of news he believed could cause things to go downhill. He needed to get Asher out immediately.

" Whatever it is, you can say it here. And make it quick." He demanded.

" It's just that–"

Before Jason could finish his sentence, suited men flooded the whole area. Filling up the empty spaces while throwing odd and sneering looks at the men duo seated at one corner.

It didn't take much for Asher to understand what was going on. How could he not? The last person who crossed the doors made it all too easy to understand. Suddenly, he understood the rush behind Jason's demands.

In seconds, all traces of relaxation and comfort left him and was replaced by a nerve wrecking aura of hostility and anger.

" Calm down, Asher. Let's get out of here." Jason said to his hearing, already calculating the best way out of the situation.

" You are wrong. This is my turf. If there's anyone who's leaving, it shouldn't be me."

Asher remained seated with a brooding aura. He knew he couldn't just throw them out, neither could he just up and leave. He decided to remain seared, unmoving, uncaring and with uncanny watchful eyes.

Jason felt stuck in the middle the moment he saw the familiar face headed towards their direction. Knowing the two, he felt stuck in the middle of a war. A war that he knew would break out if they met. A war he failed woefully to prevent.

" Asher Braxton?" A deep voice belonging to a pale skinned, curly haired man said. His tone sounded more certain than uncertain.

Asher cocked an eyebrow, like he couldn't be bothered to actually speak to him. He couldn't waste his breath on such meaningless things.

" Hmm. classic Asher Braxton." The man said with a light laugh, tapping his feet on the marbled floors. " It's good to see you today, bud. We are celebrating the governor's deal today and I thought, where else to throw a party if not this thriving club?"

The man spoke like it was no big deal but the underlying message was grasped by everyone privy to the conversation.

Asher gritted his tooth, this darned Cole Howards was here to mock him!

" With so many faithful workers who work day and night for the success of my business, it's only right to treat them out, especially on exceptional deals, don't you think?" Cole Howards probed with a smirk, his voice significantly louder.

Asher's silence was deafening. As every second trickled by, he got even mad.

" I hear you let go of a valued employee. How much more before you run out of people? What's going on in that angry head of yours? A birdie whispered something about Chaos in Braxton's international. Need a hand in getting the job done?"

Everything goes red as Asher loses all arbitration and goes after his throat with a vengeance that could kill.

" Another word! One more word and I will kill you! "