Chapter 8: What If I Want You?

 JASMINE’S POV

 "No secrets; remember your pinky swear?" He scanned my face for any reactions. 

“Common, honey.” I sighed. "Like I said, it's nothing. What could possibly be wrong?” I threw the question back at him.

 "Anything..." He shrugged. "And in this case, I’m sure something is up.” He doesn't change his foot. I exhaled and groaned loudly, so he knew how frustrating this was getting.

I thought I was gaining his sympathy until he chuckled and went silent. 

That's all?! I frowned. “Asher, you're beating yourself up for nothing.” I squeezed his arms roughly.

"I’m fine.” I insisted. “You ain't fine, and we both know it.” His brows furrowed. 

Gush! Could this be any easier? For the umpteenth time, I told him I was fine, but he just wouldn't indulge me. And the more I didn't budge, the more he didn't go weak on his stance. He let go of my waist and started for the centre table.

 “Where are you going? This is the way to the kitchen, remember?” I rolled my eyes. He ignored me and kept up with the act. 

This was weird—him walking out on me and acting up. I kept silent and watched him closely. He picked up his phone and flipped through the sky. 

"What are you doing?" I scoffed. "You're joking, right?” I licked my parched lips. "This has to be the biggest joke of the century.” 

"Sadly, it's not. It would interest you to know that I'm pulling a call across to Liam; he should have a fine  grasp.

 "Asher, seriously?” I lost control of my emotions. "You're calling Liam to report me as a kindergartener? Or to squeeze out words from him because he happened to work in the same space as myself?” He stopped scrolling through his phone and looked at me.

I only called him by his first name when I was either serious or riled up. Right now, I am both riled up and chaotic. A bad mix of both. He looked shocked.

He never saw my outburst coming. I feel like a dumb person merely looming over him. I did scare the shit out of him. 

"I’m sorry,” I whispered, wide-eyed. He merely nodded, still clearly shaken. 

“Was it necessary?” I said it calmly and turned to leave. 

“Fine.” He called after me. "We shouldn't fight over trivial things like this." I stopped on my spot, but I still gave him my back.

 "Please." He said this as he approached me. I smiled like I had had another successful surgery.

Another feather to my hat. "You know I only care about you.” Asher doesn't stop in his act of conviction. 

“I’m just going to freshen up.” I didn't allow us to visit the issue again. "Hey." He held my arm and turned me to face him slowly. 

He wrapped me up in a warm hug. "This should ease the tension for now." I smiled, enjoying every moment of his pampering.

 “Am I forgiven?” His hands rested on the small of my back. I swallowed dryly. I should be the one seeking his forgiveness after keeping such a secret from him after our promise to one another and then acting up. Not the other way around. 

“Please, that was nasty of me... It would never repeat itself, I promise." "Fine." I leaned forward and pecked his sharp nose, then giggled. 

“I see what you're doing.” He held onto me tightly. "You want all of my attention and myself, yeah?" "I don't know what you're talking about.” I squirmed and tried to free myself. 

His grip got tighter as I collapsed onto him, and he kissed the length of my neck haphazardly.

 "Are you sure you don’t?” He mocked me subtly. 

"Jeez! Asher, I need to go freshen up. I bet you love your meals neat and freshly baked.” I teased.

 "Uhhh..." I love the sound of that. "Naughty boy.” I smacked his bicep when he finally let me go and took me upstairs. I wouldn't want to be trapped in his arms again, all sweaty and disoriented. 

“Can you bring the kids along when coming down for dinner? They must be famished." "Sure, I will.” I muttered and kept walking. 

I rushed through a quick shower and returned downstairs with the kids, as ordered. 

On the dinner table were plates of honey-laced waffles, egg bacon toast, slices of oranges, and some raspberries. In Penny's bowl, there were pink crispies. Everyone got to be treated specially. We sat down and began feasting.

Asher was a good cook, except that some days he felt like he was being punished by celestial beings. In those times, he would never get it right, no matter the effort he put in.

And the kids showed no mercy when criticising the horrible meals, while I sat and gulped down the sawdust, teary-eyed. Typical of Emily and drama, she resumed her nasty habit of picking on her food.

She started separating the well-diced veggies from the egg bacon and occasionally throwing them in Penny's bowl.

 "Can you stop that and eat decently, Emily?" “But mum..." "Penny has hers; it's tiring watching you..." I trailed off when Asher's hand dropped on mine.

With my mood being weird, I was taking it out on a much safer object. Transference was never safe. Not in a happy home for a start.

 "Sweetie, you know veggies are healthy for you to grow, right?” I took another calm approach. "She loves being petite.” Ethan teased her. “Mind your business.” Emily sighed and frowned at Ethan. 

After the sumptuous meal, I monitored them to brush their teeth, bathe, and settle in bed for the night after settling in their pajamas. I would be damned if I only instructed them and left.

For a million years, my order would only accumulate dirt, as Ethan and Ezra would bury themselves in their video games and Emily would baby Penny.

 “Mum, tell us a bedtime story.” Ezra pleaded. Defeated, I began my tale of the legendary Wolf's King and his Luna. It happened to be their favourite story, and they never grew weary of it. 

In less than ten minutes, they were all fast asleep, like wasted adults. I tucked them into bed and watched them sleep for a while before turning off the light. 

When I returned to our bedroom, Asher and I were already fast asleep. He must be truly exhausted. Calmly, I slipped beneath the duvet and adjusted till I was right next to his heart, where I belonged. 

In his bosom, I laid my head and happily watched the rise and fall of his chest cavity as I listened to his heartbeat and the duration of his respiration. 

Asher was an angel, sent from the moon goddess herself. He was nothing short of a good lover and father. 

Flushed, I admired the perfect lines of his thin lips, long and sharp nose, and thick black and long eyelashes that adorned his face. He was beautiful. I reached up and planted a soft, feather-like kiss on his forehead.

 If Sebastian doesn't quit his stupid games, I would have to buy a solid rock and slip it on my ring finger, so he would see from miles away that I had a happy home, No one could ruin it, not even himself. 

"What if I choose you? Would it still count?” I sniffled and whispered to the sleeping Asher. His eyelashes flickered lazily, and then they flew open. Freaking wide open!