#27 Asher: Part 1

To damn my life!

When we finished our meal, the storm outside was relentless, a torrent of rain that seemed to come straight from the heavens. The streets quickly transformed into a chaotic mess of puddles and rushing water.

Desperate for a way out, I called for a taxi, but every driver I reached was either too frightened of the storm or simply unwilling to make the trek. As I stood shivering near the entrance, I caught sight of Asher and John engaged in a hushed, intense conversation. There was something undeniably conspicuous about their exchange, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing something crucial.

Moments later, John abruptly grabbed Kathy, spinning a web of excuses about forgotten windows, an unlocked door, and a dog that might be loose. They vanished into the night, leaving me abandoned and alone with Asher.

That damned smirk on his face!

Asher’s presence was both unnerving and compelling. Despite his undeniable charm, he lacked the qualities that made Jake so s