Chapter 74
1198words
Her hold tightened on the suitcase, and her heart lurched to her stomach. "It can't be, it can't be, it can't be." She chanted to herself, refusing to move a muscle, till she felt his hand enclasp around her wrist and spin her around.
"It's you, " he breathed out, panting and trying to catch his breath. "Thank God I found you."
It took a few seconds for Lily to fully process that she was standing right before Asher, and he was staring at her like he found his reason to breath again, and today was supposed to be his wedding day.
She immediately snatched her wrist out of his hold and created some distance between them, and Asher's face fell. "Don't. touch. me!" She said, her teeth firmly clenched, as Asher tried to reach out to her again.
"Lily," he called out softly, "please..."
" Please?" She scoffed, " are you seriously saying please right now? "
"we had a deal. " He said and instantly regretted it. He knew it was a low blow but he couldn't think of anything else to say. " Do you remember? The second condition? That you will give me a chance to win you back no matter what happens?"
"I can't believe this..." She muttered underneath her breath. "Well, yeah, we did have that deal. But that was before you announced your marriage to my sister, barely 3 days after our divorce, before you knocked up my sister, before you set your wedding on my freaking birthday, before you watched me beg for your help on the bathroom floor, and not once did you offer your help, Asher. That deal was before all of that!" She yelled, and everyone's attention turned to them.
"Lily..." He whispered, "I'm willing to do whatever it takes. Whatever it takes to earn your forgiveness. I am not asking you to forgive me just yet, I am just asking for a chance to earn it, please! "
Lily wiped away the stray tears that had fallen down her cheeks. " Anything it takes?" Asher's eyes shone with a renewed hope as he nodded. " Well, we can start with you going to hell." She grabbed the suitcase and turned to walk away again when she heard a thud, and she immediately turned back.
Her eyes widened slightly when she turned and saw Asher on his knees. The passersby that were walking around previously stopped, and had their phones out.
"What are you doing?" She whispered, "stand up!" She whisper-yelled, her eyes darting around nervously
"I can't remember a time in my life where I have ever gone on my knees, Lily," he said with a smile, and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes "but I'd gladly walk through fire, through a hall of shame, and I'd even go to hell if I could, just to earn your forgiveness. So, please, all I ask is that you give me the opportunity to do so. Please."
Lily her bottom lip, and raised her head to keep the tears from falling. "And what about your wife?"
Asher smiled and shook his head, "it was all a sham. I'd tell you all about it."
"And if it takes a decade for me to forgive you?"
Asher's smile broadened and he nodded, knowing he was finally getting to her. "I'd wait."
Lily scoffed. She knew better than to believe his words now, his actions have always contracted his words, and this time around, she wasn't going to take his words. "You have to earn the opportunity as well, Asher.
"I'll take that" he agreed readily, "as long as you don't leave," he said, and stood up. Lily frowned, and her eyes darted to her suitcase.
"Oh! I wasn't leaving in the first place, at least not yet... That," she pointed at the suitcase, "that's for my friend, Angelica."
On cue, Angelica rushed out, calling for Lily. "Lily, Lily, have you seen the news, the... What is happening here?" She frowned in displeasure when she saw Asher standing close to Lily.
"She's another person you have to earn her forgiveness." Lily whispered and Asher raised his brows, nodding.
" Angelica..." Christopher called out, walking into the frame with a bouquet of roses. "Your flight leaves in 10 minutes." Angelica's eyes darted to the clock, then turned back to him, "I'm here to bid you farewell."
"Not to stop me?"
"I know you well enough not to do that." She breathed out a laugh, and took the bouquet from him, "there's a little something tucked in those flowers, a little something that I owe you. Open it when you get on the flight."
She smiled at him, and bobbed her head, then spread her arms. " Goodbyes usually involve hugs."
Christopher immediately walked into her arms, and they both held each other, both of them trying not to cry, till the announcement for her flight buzzed in the intercom, and they reluctantly pulled apart.
"Maybe one day I'll run into you on one of my adventures."
" I don't think you are that lucky."
They both chuckled, and hugged each other one more time before Angelica turned and hugged Lily as well.
"Stay close to your mum before you check the news, and do not give into him easily. Remember all he has put you through, and remember to call me everyday."
Lily tried and failed miserably to keep her tears in."I will. Take it easy over there, and make sure to enjoy every single day."
"I promise!"
They broke apart and she quickly grabbed her suitcase. " Hurt my best friend again, Asher Allard, and I don't care who you are or what you have, I'll hunt you down and murder you. It's a promise."
Asher rolled his eyes but nodded nonetheless. " Alright now, goodbye guys!" She grabbed her suitcase and ran off before she would break down into tears.
The three of them stood watching her till she disappeared, and Lily sighed. " I didn't take you for the type to give up so easily, Christopher. You're just going to let her go?"
He chuckled and tucked his hands into his pockets. "I have a flight booked to Singapore in 2 weeks," he turned to her and winked, and Lily grinned. "On the other hand, I think both of you have a lot to go over. So here," he tossed the car keys at Asher who caught it with ease. "Have fun," he mumbled and walked away.
Once he was out of sight as well, Asher turned to Lily with a small smile. "How about a homemade meal, and a fill-in on these past few weeks for starters?"
She faced him with a blank look on her face, and shook her head, "I think I'm going over to my mom's."
He gave her a tight-lipped smile but nodded in understanding, "then at least, let me drop you off?" She was about to refuse yet again, but on second thoughts, she nodded. She had a few questions to ask him.
