She opened the door to find soaking wet Asher standing in front of her. Water was dripping down his clothes, forming a pool around him. Her wide eyes raked his frame in disbelief and when they landed on his face, he flashed her a toothy grin. "What are you doing here?" she frowned at his state. He bustled past her into the apartment. "I came to see you," he offered. She caught the water drops trailing behind him and pulled in a sigh. She will have to mop the floor. "In the rain?" she looked at him as though he had gone mad. He shrugged and took off his jacket. "Close the door and that window too," he pointed towards the window. She let out a resigned sigh and closed the door and the window as he had said. She then made her way into her room and retrieved a towel for him. Since she didn't have men's clothes and her own wouldn't fit him, he had to make work with a towel. "Here," she offered the towel to him. He took it from her and started wiping at his face then proceeded to dr
"He must have been a really nice person," she remarked softly. The statement brought a melancholic smile to his lips. "He was," he agreed. His eyes gleaming with nostalgia as if he was reminiscing his good old days with his brother. "He was the best big brother one could have. An idol son and a caring friend. He was an inspiration," he praised his late brother with unrestrained reverence. Serena could tell he held his brother in the highest regard. "You look up to him, don't you? I can tell you are very much like him" she noted, smiling. He turned his face towards her and met her gaze with his sad, desolated eyes. "I can't be like him even if I want to, Pumpkin. He was an angel whereas I am a.....I am not even worth the dirt under his shoes. Please don't insult him by comparing him to me. He doesn't deserve it," a heavy storm of guilt burst forth in his eyes as he implored her earnestly. Serena sensed a deep sadness in his tone. How long has he been beating himself up? Her hear
Asher counted the money before stacking it away in his savings wallet. He was saving money to buy Shanice the bracelet she had loved so much that day. That would be her Christmas gift from him. He had already asked the storekeeper to put it away for him. It was, no doubt, expensive for Asher but he had made up his mind. He was going to get her everything she desired no matter the cost. He may not be the King just yet but he would treat his woman nothing less than a queen. So he was working overtime to collect enough money. He was also thinking about using up the money he had saved for a car if his savings fell short. Last night, he fought twice in the ring despite the exhaustion to make more. He was also thinking about buying stud earrings for Serena for Christmas. One had caught his eyes when he had visited the store with Shanice. They were simple but graceful. He is positive Serena would love them too. "Ash," Nigel sauntered into his room. holding a piece of paper. He must not be
"Did you hear? Reed is back from his world tour," Mendy announced and winked at Shanice. "Shanice should already know that," Kim remarked, smiling mischeviously. "Why would I know? It's not that we are in a relationship or something," Shanice feigned disinterest as she swirled the juice in her glass. "You really want us to believe that?" Serena quipped, archign her brow. Shanice ignored her remark as she was lost in thought. Upsetting thoughts as her brows were puckered in a frown. Reed and Shanice were in an on and off relationship since their freshman. Reed mostly stayed out touring and whenever he returned, he would get back with Shanice. Reed's parents were the richest in their town and he was the only one whome Shanice would always take back despite his fear for commitments. Serena could never undersatnd why. Shanice was just as ambitious as Asher if not less; reason they hit it off instantly. They both were obsessed with success, power, and money. Shanice was mighty impre
"Are you free? Can we meet right now?" Asher asked Shanice over the phone. "Umm...Babe, I can't. I am at a dinner party with my family. They won't let me out," she explained to him in a sorry tone."What's the matter?" she added. "It's okay," Asher replied curtly and hung up without giving her a chance to speak. He then took out a cigarette and slipped it between his lips. Lighting it up, he sucked in a long drag of it. His veins were pounding with pent-up fury, inciting him to ditch every ounce of morals he had and murder his own father. He swore he wouldn't hesitate from hacking his fucking throat. He knew he would end up murdering everyone in this family which is why he stormed out and went straight to the warehouse to fight. But it didn't help. Out of anger, he assumed an attacking position even though his stronger position was defense and lost each time. He called Shanice, hoping to meet her but she wasn't available. He needed an anchor to hold on to before fury completely s
"I hate him," he confessed through his clenched teeth. He hated him so much that he wished he was born an orphan. Life would have been so much easier then. For years he craved a little bit of attention from him, if not love. He never misbehaved, never threw tantrums like other kids only to impress his dad and let him know he was a good child. He worked tirelessly, studied hard to get perfect scores on his exams in the hope of gaining a morsel of his attention but he never even acknowledged his hard work, much less appreciated. The boy squashed his dreams and ambition, molding himself into his puppet only to get an affectionate smile from him but that man had nothing to offer except for deep biting loathing. Serena retracted her hand but her eyes never strayed from his. Her gaze warm and tender, unknowingly coaxing him to pour out everything. Everything that was hurting him for so long. "Today he sold off all my mom's belongings to punish me for talking back with his wife," he co
The cold gusts of AC engulfed them as soon as they stepped into the showroom."Wow," Serena breathed in wonder as her eyes swept over the fine beauties standing in line not far from them. This place reeked of class. The air was mixed with elegance and some exotic perfume. "They are.." she paused, loss for words. "Stunning," Asher supplied, equally bewitched by the sight if not more. These expensive things fuel his hunger for money and power even more. He was going to own each one of them someday. He was going to get so rich that everything would look cheap to him. She eagerly sauntered towards the one that had caught Asher's eyes. She didn't know much about cars but she knew it had to be the most expensive one here. Asher followed her, gaze riveted on the four-wheeler. He stood beside her. She reached out a hand to touch it. "One day you are going to own it," she spoke, caressing its bonnet. Asher smiled. Two teenagers were weaving dreams for a bright future in a showroom that
Asher didn't have to search too hard for the receipts. He found them crammed up in the drawer of his dad's work table. He read the buyer's name and realised his dad sold everything to one person. After taking a quick photo of the receipt, he put it back inside the drawer and left. Did you find out?The message was from Serena. He had just woken up and checked his phone in hope of finding a message from Shanice. But there was none except for Serena's. With disappointment, he typed a yes. She then told him to meet her at the bus stand. Asher sat up to type as it was going to be a long text. He tried to dissuade her from coming as he didn't want her to skip classes but Serena was adamant. Eventually, he had to give in. Serena was perched on the bench, looking fresh and bright like usual. A smile found its way on his lips at her sight. He pushed his glasses up and lengthened his strides. "What a beautiful morning, isn't it?" Serena sprung to her feet and chirped. Asher could see her e