Chapter 31
“Have you enjoyed the game so far?” Lily asked when Asher finally came around to her. For the past hour or so, he has been collecting the hints from the Helps, and he was very quick in figuring out the meaning of the clues, surprising her at the speed, but she understood. If he was able to skyrocket his company to the number 1 spot and has kept it there for years, this was nothing. She smiled and held his gaze, he looked really to collect the clue and he had an excessive amount of confidence oozing out of him
“Well, it’s been interesting” Asher answered, smiling
This was the last thing he expected when he got her text, but it’s the best thing he’s come home to in a long while. When he told her everything the previous night, he didn’t expect anything out of it, but she went out of her way to surprise him and make him happy. He hadn’t wanted to think about it all these while, but now that he stared at her smiling face, he couldn’t help but wonder if she did it because of their deal or if she genuinely just wanted to do it for him.
“This is going to be the final clue, if you are able to figure it out, you win. If you don’t figure it out, you lose and you have to donate all the collections.”
His brows shot up at her words, and his ego felt bruised. He had rapidly picked up on the clues she scattered round the house, rapidly moving through the stages of the hunt and she thinks he will lose? He shook his head.
“Let’s have it” He stretched out his hand, ready to receive the next clue.
“There’s a catch, Mr Allard Lily said and he slowly retracted his hand, frowning. “You have to figure out the clue in 35 seconds. No extra time.” HE brows reclined, fighting to touch his hairline, widening his eyes in the process.
35 seconds. That was all he had. He felt a rush of adrenaline at the challenge, and he let out a laugh, a comer of his lips tugging up in a smirk
“Fine by me.
Mrs Allard.” Lily’s eyes widened at the unexpected way he addressed her, and she couldn’t help the heat that crawled up her neck and face as she passed the piece of paper to him.
Clearing her throat, she reached for her phone and set the timer. “Your time starts now.”
“In the heart of the house, where shadows play. A room lies hidden, yet occupied each day. Though thy feet never tread, and eyes never roam. Its inhabitant remains, forever at home.
Seek the space where silence reigns. And the absent presence forever sustains. Find the key to unlock the door. To the room that’s occupied, yet unvisited before.”
Asher read through the text and he felt his mind go blank for a split second. This house has lots of room in it some that he has never been to and some he has not been to since they were married, which was it?
His eyes roamed through the text again, and that was when it finally clicked.
“I got it.” “Times up” They both said at the same time, and Asher smiled.
“I believe I said it first”
“We said it at the same time.”
Then I said it right on time.
Lily exhaled loudly and shook her head, trying to hide the smile playing on her lips at their encounter. “Fine.” She said, sounding resigned.
you did” “Thinking you figured it out doesn’t mean you did, so go ahead and prove that
Asher chuckled at her words, before he gently grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers, and Lily’s eyes widened at the contact and her heart skipped a few beats. The warm smile on his face made it ever harder for her, and she struggled to let a breath in. but he on the other hand seemed unfazed by the contact as he dragged her behind him, leading them to the spot he believes was the answer to her question.
“Here we are.” He stopped before Lily’s room, it was the only room in the house that everyone knows he hasn’t crossed the threshold of in years. It was undoubtedly this one. “Did I get it right?” He asked, a hopeful glint in his eyes and Lily shrugged.
“You have to open it to find out, but remember… If you lose, you have to donate everything. He looked at the door and nodded in confidence. agreeing to her words. “Go right ahead then
He immediately grabbed the handle, twisted it and pushed the door open. The biggest smile Lily has ever seen immediately lit up his face when he saw the stack of collections in the middle of the bed.
Without thinking twice, he immediately pulled Lily into his arms, sweeping her off her feet as he spun her around. Lily’s initial shock disappeared and was replaced with a smile, and giggles.
“Thank you so much for doing this, Lily,” he said as he finally set her down on her feet.
1/2
4:25 PM
Chapter 31
She breathed out a laugh and nodded. “You are welcome. They both held each other’s gazes afterwards, smiling, and Asher slowly tucked away the hair strands scattered across her face behind her ears.
This means a lot. Lily opened her mouth to respond, but he cut in, “and you are so beautiful. Lily felt the breath get knocked out of her at his words and her heart beat picked up its pace.
“Tha- thank. Her words hitched in her throat when she noticed his intense gaze on her lips, and they suddenly felt dry. Without thinking much of it, she sucked her bottom lip in, wetting them before slowly releasing them, and she felt his hold on her waist tighten, and a barely audible groan escaped his throat.
“Lily…” He started but the rest of his words were drowned out by the loud blaring of his ringtone, and they both immediately jumped out of each other’s hold. The tips of Lily’s cars turned red, and Asher stood horrified at the thoughts that raced through his mind a second
