Chapter 7
Lily read through the sheet of paper again before she squeezed and exhaled slukily. After Asher left for work in the morning, she spent the entirety of her time trying to figure out what she really wants to do next, and at last she decided she was going to get a job or start a business as an interior designer,
Growing up, she never had a choice of her own given the fact that she is the oldest. She did everything her parents wanted her to do without asking any questions, subconsciously forcing whatever personal desires or dreams she had to die. When Charlotte sighed up for a fashion school and got into a modelling agency because that’s what she wanted, she felt a pang of jealousy and wished she could be herself without all the restrictions. Even though she convincedbherself back then that her parents‘ desires were hers, she knew deep down slie wanted nothing to do in business school, but now that she has decided to take charge of her life, she was grateful she went to business school.
Her eyes darted to the clock on the wall, before it immediately turned to the door. It was already past 8, which means that Asher should be walking in anytime soon. Her eyes went to the balled up piece of paper where she had written down what she wanted to say to Asher about following her newly found dreams, and for the past 2 hours, she did nothing but rehearse it. She folded the paper even more, willing for it and the anxiety plaguing her mind to disappear. She had no reason to be anxious, she was not asking his permission she was just….
Lily took a deep breath and stood to her feet, walking closer to the window she began giving herself a ted talk. “He’s human like you. Lily, and you don’t need his permission nor his validation. You are not telling him what you want to do for any of that you just want to inform him.” She mumbled, but couldn’t even bring herself to believe her words because despite what she might say, a little part of her still craves validation from him. Whatever she does, a part of her has always wanted his validation. Her eyes were always fixed on him whenever she does anything, looking and probing for even the faintest acknowledgement of her work, and now was no different.
She bit down hard on the insides of her bottom lip, willing her need to be validated by him to just disappear the same her hopes of ever being loved has. Life would be way much easier if it did.
way
“Ma’am… It’s getting late. Are you sure you won’t get started on dinner?” Marie’s voice broke her out of her thoughts. Lily’s eyes flew to the wall clock and her brows knitted together when the time read 9. Just how long has she been lost in thoughts!
She looked away from the clock and peered outside through the window for any sign of him, but there was none. Worry formed and knotted at the pit of her belly. Asher wasn’t one to come home late. He always informed them at least, “Did Asher inform you or anyone that he’d be late tonight?”
Marie slowly shook her head, and Lily’s nerves flared. Millions of ugly thoughts about what could have happened swirled in her mind. She looked outside in panic, hoping to see his car drive in, but when it didn’t happen she waltzed off to the dining room to get her phone. She typed in his number and only just as she was about to dial it, did an ugly realization rear its ugly head. Charlotte was back, and he was with her.
She licked her lips before tucking her bottom lip in between her teeth. Of course he was with her. While she had spent her time rehearsing what to say to him, he was probably gallivanting the city with Charlotte, who was most likely doing whatever she wants to do. She hurled the balled up piece of paper across the room, before she picked up her phone and marched upstairs, all the while seething inside and cussing them both our
“To hell with informing you or seeking your goddamn permission!” She threw her phone on the bed, and watched in anger as it bounced a few times. Charlotte has always done whatever she wanted to do in life, she even had the option to run away on her wedding day for god’s sake, while she was left with no options but to marry the man she didn’t want anymore. While Charlotte always has options, she never had any. She was always chosen for
Her eyes met her laptop that way lying around on her desk, and a small smile formed on her face. There was no need to inform anyone of what she wanted to do, she was just going to go ahead and do it, whatever their reaction may be when they find out is none of her business.
Asher woke up the next morning with a blinding headache, his entire body ached so much he could barely move a limb and all he wanted nothing but Lily’s freshly made juice, for some reason, hers always tasted better to him than any others. He reached for his phone at the dresser to call for her, but the voice he heard next caused him to freeze.
Chapter 7
“Ashy baby, you’re awake. Iedere room service already, they’ll get you something to eat soon Charlotte climbed the bed, and wrapped her arm around him, resting her head gently on hi bark, you pretty much passed out after just 2 glasses of the wine.” She laughed to herself but Asher couldn’t even bring himself to crack a smile.
He searched his mind for any traces or memories of having spent the night with her. He had come to see her during his lunch break the previous day to make sure she was okay after the little episode she had in the morning, and he ended up spending more time than he should have, but still… He remembers telling her he wasn’t going to spend the night, and from that moment till now, he has no recollection of what happened,
His eyes bore into Charlotte’s sceptically. There’s no way he passed after 2 glasses of wine, he could usually hold his liquor so what on earth happened?
Charlotte sensed his scepticism and shifted uncomfortably on the bed, forcing tears to brew in her eyes and trickle down her cheeks, ‘a–are you not happy to see me?”
His brows immediately shot up and he plastered a smile on his face. “That’s not it, I just…” He let his words trail of as he was unsure of what her reaction would be should he mention how questionable waking up in her bed was, instead he rubbed her arms gently and stood to his feet. “I think I should be heading home now.”
“But she’s there! Don’t your want to be here with me?” She reached out and trailed her finger down his arm, and Asher immediately recoiled away from her touch, repulsed and annoyed at not just it, but her voice and the indignation she referred to bily with.
He rubbed the spot in between his brows, trying to balance the unexpected flood of emotions and the annoying throb in his head. I still have to go home, she’s my wife… I can’t run away from her.”
Charlotte drew back, obviously taken aback at the emphasis he had on wife, 4 days ago when she got back and ran into his arms, he had been welcoming, almost excited, and the night at his place proved the rumors she heard that he doesn’t value his wife, right. So, what on Earth changed in 3 days.
She bit down hard on her lips and peered at him through her lashes as she racked her head, eventually she resigned from trying to find out what changed and instead, focused on her next course of action
“Can I come home with you?” She asked in the babiest and tear–filled voice she could muster, and Asher jerked his head towards her, his eyes slightly widened. ‘Just for today, I. I want to try and set things right with Lily. It’s long overdue.”
“I don’t think coming home with her husband after he was out all night is a good way to do that.”
“It’s Lily, she would understand. We loved each other first.”
Asher wanted to throw the fact that they are not together because of her in her face, and ask her to stop trying to play the victim, but the throbs in his head didn’t let him, so instead… He nodded, while deciding within him that after today, he was going to cut ties with her. If for anything, to respect Lily’s 5 years with him, and to do better by her this year, and hopefully
many more to come
