Chapter 30
The meeting with her parents ended better than she expected, and she didn’t need a soothsayer to tell her that it was because of Asher’s presence. Charlotte also looked in better shape than she expected and she was extremely grateful to God for that.
“Thank you for being with me Lily said as they both walked out of the hospital. Asher shot her a smile in response, and they both quietly walked over to the parking lot, stopping only when they got to Lily’s car.
Tm going to head back to the company. I have a few meetings to wrap up.” She nodded and he copied her movements, urging her to get
get into th
the car. Once she was in and locked, he gave a little wave before he walked away. Lily watched till his frame disappeared out of her sight before she drove out of the hospital.
She was free for the rest of the day and she had no idea what to do with her time, so instead of rushing back home, she decided to drive around the city in hopes that she’ll eventually think of something tangible to do with her time.
As she was driving through the city, taking notes of things she has seen over a gazillion times, her eyes caught sight of a toy store and Asher’s story from last night came pouring into her mind, bringing with it a fresh idea.
She immediately parked by the road and got off, heading into the store with a renewed excitement and a rush of adrenaline. He said it has been 14 years, right? She mused as she walked through the store, picking out whatever car and figurine caught her attention. She came across a card section. and she picked out a whole bunch of them. He said he collected way beyond toys and figurines.
Her face lit up in excitement and she decided then and there to shop for even more collectibles.
At least 2 hours later, she went back home with bags and bags of things she assumed Asher would love to have in his collection and she was partially regretting it because she had no clue how to present them to him. They were so much she couldn’t exactly go “here, I got you some collectibles”
She dumped everything on the dining table, before she plopped down on one of the chairs and sighed heavily, her eyes fixed on the bags before her.
It was a start idea to make it a treasure hunt, but they seemed too much for a treasure… She clapped her hand out of the blue, and sat up, cutting her thoughts short as another plopped into her mind. The name is “treasure hunt for a reason. Treasures usually aren’t small, they are typically numerous, and this was numerous!
She clapped her hands excitedly, smiling as the earlier exhaustion seemed to wash away from her bones. She quickly retrieved her phone and googled how to create one, before she beckoned on the maids for help. This was going to be a fun time for everyone involved.
The minute they all gathered, everyone got to work. They picked out the rooms and places where the treasures will be hidden, then they spent an ample time placing it there before they all gathered round to create and write out the hints and questions. That ended up being the part that took up most of their time, but when they eventually finished with it, a smug satisfaction filled each and every single one of them
Lily stared at the papers sprawled out on the table and smiled in satisfaction, she took in the smiling and proud faces of the help and a strange warmth engulfed her. This was it. This was all she ever wanted. This peace, this moment. She brought out her phone and immediately took a picture, immortalizing the moment for her own peace.
They went on afterwards to organize how everything will go. When all was eventually all set and done, Lily helped the chefs prepare a meal for everyone. She freshened up afterwards and then sent a text to Asher, urging him to come home on time.
Asher who was about to head to his next meeting immediately adjourned it the second he got Lily’s text. She was not one to tell him when to or not to come back, and it sent his nerves spiralling as he thought of everything that could have gone wrong. He dismissed everything else he had to do for the day, and immediately left the company, actively going against the speed limit just so he could get back on time.
He was greeted by one of the helps holding our a piece of paper the second he got home, and his heart sank. He felt his knees grow week, and he stylishly leaned on the wall for support to avoid falling face flat on the floor. All the adrenaline has worn off and he was suffering it, and to make it all worse, the maid holding out the piece of paper reminded him of Lily leaving the first time, and he needed time to prepare himself for whatever may be in there.
“Did Lily give you this to paper from her.
to give me?” He asked when he finally caught his breath, and she nodded. He rubbed his lips together, nodding as he took the
The second he took the paper, she turned on her heels and disappeared. Asher stared at the piece of paper for a little while before he took a deep breath and opened it.
“Welcome to our treasure hunt. It is a pleasure to have you here, however we present you with a choice, to be or not to be. If you wish to not be, kindly walk up and all this will be forgotten, but if you are confident enough to unravel the mysteries – Follow the trail of leaves and vines, to a place where growth and beauty entwine. His brows shot up as he read through the note, and a corner of his lips curled up in a smirk.
Lily”
e tucked the note into his pocket, rolled up his shirt sleeves and his smirk widened. “Game on,
