Asher's POV

I had meetings for the whole morning, but the need to see her, and spend time with her overtook the urgency of my work.

So what did I do? Simple.

I canceled all the meetings.

Changing into comfortable clothing, I joined my mother.

Esme looked beautiful. She told me that she was running late when she texted me but looked stunning nevertheless.

The dress hugged her like a second skin, and she was turning heads when she walked.

She was beautiful.

The anklets on her leg caught my attention, and I took a second to admire how well they complimented her.

Like i said, she was undeniably beautiful.

I knew my mom left us alone on purpose.

I just followed her around like i was lost. She felt happy to be among books. Walking through the aisles, her smile never left her.

When I talked to her about trying to make things work, she shut that idea down faster than i could say 'quidditch'.

I was down. I was upset.

But at the end of the day, it was her choice, her decision, and I had no say in it.

Watching her submerge into the book was enticing. She left the world. She had a whole galaxy in her eyes. She wasn't bothered by the sun, the hair falling across her face, the chatter and commotion around her, or the kid crying behind her.

She barely moved the whole three hours. Her back must hurt from sitting too long in the same curled-up position, but she didn't seem to move.

When my mom texted me, I was conflicted. I didn't wanna disturb her, but we also had to leave.

Finally, after ten minutes i managed to get her attention, and we left after she paid for her book.

Lord help me get this girl...

I found my mom and Esme standing in front of the boutique.

Non-verbally asked my mother.

Done with the dress?

Yeah.

Did she like it?

Why else would I let her buy it? Am i stupid or what?

Geez. Chill woman.

*eye roll*

"I'll see you in the evening Esme," mom said hugging her.

"Sure Val. Thanks for your time," she replied. "Nonsense. You're my daughter bebe," she said, kissing her cheek.

She then came toward me. "I guess I'll see you in the evening too," she said smiling. "Yep. You can't get engaged without me right?" I laughed, and she raised an eyebrow. "Too soon?" I asked. "Too fucking soon Asher," she replied, catching me off guard with a hug.

"Be good for your mom," she said, patting my head and getting into her car.

I stood there till she left my sight, and turned to my mom who was looking at me with a smile on her face.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing. You like her. Don't you?" she asked.

"Don't act like you don't know a thing mom. And stop teasing me," I said, taking the shopping bags from her.

"I just want you guys to work this out well Asher," she said.

"Too late mom. She doesn't want any of that. She made that much clear. She is here for the siblings and the profits. Nothing more. This is just a marriage of convenience," I said with a shrug.

"Then show her that you can be reliable and convince her with your actions. She will warm up to you. Remember that I too was a bitch to your dad in the beginning. And now look at us, still young and filled with love," she said with heart eyes.

"I know mom. But she isn't you, and I ain't dad, right? Let's just see where this goes," I told, helping her load the bags into the trunk of her car.

My dad and brother were cussing each other out over COD when we reached home. Chuckling softly, mom went to the kitchen, to prepare lunch.

Back in the living room, I took the controller out of my dad's hands, causing him to lose.

"You little piece of shit. Valeria, come and get your son," he whined.

"Yeah yeah, go cry to your sweetheart dad," I laughed.

"Ash, stop bothering your dad," mom called out from the kitchen. "None can do mom. Sorry not sorry," I replied, starting up a new game with my brother, while my dad sulked like a child, pouting.

"So, did you lose your shit and stutter when you saw her today?" dad asked.

"Seriously dad? She wants nothing to do with me. She wants out as soon as possible. Not just her dad, she is also here for our name. Nothing more," I sighed.

"Well, your mom hated my guts too in the beginning. Now see where we are. Sickly in love, raising you two morons," he laughed, remembering the good old days.

"Well, mom told me the same thing. But she is not mom, and I am not you, dad," I told, getting up to help my mother set the table for lunch.

time skip

I was nervous in the evening. I know this was a marriage of convenience, according to her, but that didn't stop me from being nervous. I was proposing to a girl I knew nothing about, but it made me nervous.

"Nervous?" my dad asked from the doorway.

"You gotta stop spawning out of nowhere like that," I said clutching my chest.

"And to answer your question, yes. I am nervous. I'm about to shit, piss, and throw up at the same time. So yeah, I am nervous," I replied.

"Don't be. This is Esme. You know her," he smiled.

"Do I?" I asked. "You will, in due time," he replied, fixing my tie. It was a habit that he had. I was twenty-two, but that didn't stop him from fixing my tie. I was his little boy after all...

"Where's the ring Ash?" dad asked. Taking the small velvet box out, I showed him the ring, earning a nod of approval.

When we reached the restaurant, Thomas, his wife, and Esme's siblings were waiting to welcome us.

"Where's Esme?" I asked as soon as I got out.

"She's running late. That girl can't do anything right to save our life," Thomas said with a smile, shaking hands with mom.

"Well, I did tell you about her dear," his wife said, rolling her eyes.

Her brother rolled his eyes at his mom's words, and her sister looked annoyed.

"It takes time to be a girl. The world isn't gonna end if she's a few minutes late," my mom said, shutting Thomas up.

"Time and tide wait for none," Thomas said.

"Ash, is this bitch for real?" Aaron asked me.

"Seems to be so," I whispered back.

"Did you prepare everything?" I whispered. "All done brother. Keep her smiling," Aaron replied, patting my shoulder.

We entered the restaurant. I had a view out the window, and five minutes later, I saw an Aston Martin Valkyrie pulling up.

I had a car crush...

"Sorry I'm late," she said, hurrying.

"It's all good sweetpea," my mom said, getting up to hug her. Esme's shock showed on her face, while Evelyn, her mother gave Esme the stink eye.

"How was work, Esme?"

"Did you get us anything?"

"Will you take us out sometime?" her siblings began asking tons of questions.

"Work was good Gabriel, and yes, Lily, I got you guys something, and I have my Friday off, so we can go out to the park," Esme replied, smiling at them.

"Enough with the chit-chat. Let's get down to business," Thomas interrupted, bursting the bubble.

"Buzzkill," Aaron mumbled.

Mom and dad had a look of annoyance on their faces.

"Yes, father. Did you bring the documents?" Esme asked, her poker face intact before I could even blink.

Damn, this girl's got duality, I thought.

She quickly went through the papers her dad put forth, and the waiter came by to take our orders.

He was eyeing Lily up and down...

Her lady parts to be precise...

Boy had a death wish...

His hand sure was writing our orders, but his eyes sang a different tune.

Aaron was about to speak up when Esme slammed her hands on the table.

"Fucking stop looking at her like that before i gouge your eyes out, and make you choke on them," she said, a dark promise in her tone.

"I'm sorry," he said, before scurrying his ass back to the kitchen.

"Was it really necessary to cause a scene?" her mother asked, and I saw my parents and brother's heads whip up so fast that I heard a crack.

"Did you see the way he was looking at her?" my mom asked.

"Yeah. He was just flirting. There was nothing wrong with that," she said with a shrug.

Esme's POV

The audacity of this bitch...

"I don't care if he was flirting, or wooing her. If he looks at her the wrong way, given that she is with her family, I will sock the shit out of him," I said, clenching my fists.

She scoffed. "Who's gonna sock the shit out of another person when you aren't there to play protector sweetheart?" she asked.

"She will. She will break anyone's bones if they touch her without her permission. Then she'll cut off their slimy hands, and force them to choke on it while castrating them. And then, I'll make sure to give that person a slow fucking death, in a take filled with sharks and piranhas," I said, looking her dead in the eye.

"Now, if you'll excuse, we all have a menu to decide upon. So let some of us put the non-existent brains inside our heads, to read the fucking menu, and choose the desserts," I smiled, turning to my menu. 

Under that pretense, I took my time to look at Asher. 

That navy blue suit hugged his body perfectly and showed off of his muscular physique. His slight stubble, his cologne, the watch on his wrist, the vest, the jacket, the damn tie, the flowers pinned, every goddamn thing just made him more enticing.

His tattoos were covered up, but a few of them peeked out. The gun in his waistband was hidden from the common eye, but there was nothing common about me.

When I trailed my eyes up, I saw him looking at me. And hence began a staring contest. We went at it for a solid two minutes, before Aaron forced him to look away.

Smiling to myself, I returned to the menu.

He was a snack...

Asher's POV

I was nervous when it was time to get down on one knee.

Like for fuck's sake, I didn't even know her. 

She was a stranger.

Or that's what they all thought...

But regardless, I was shitting bricks. Shaking my hand, I led her to the balcony.

I swear I had prepared a thousand scripts but forgot them all. I was doing an on-the-spot improvisation.

Dropping down on one knee, I began.

"Esme, we all know that I haven't known you, like at all. You prolly didn't even know I existed three days ago. The first day I met you, your courage to stand your ground pulled me in. It was intriguing. Your fierce, loyal, protective, kind, and caring self, is rare to find.

I know you want nothing to do with me, but if you decide to give this a chance, I swear, I'll never let you down. Trust me when I say this, you're the most gorgeous girl that I've ever met. I'm glad that I met an angel like you. I don't know much about you, but if you let me in, I promise to cherish you till my last breath princess.

I promise to keep you the happiest, no matter how long this marriage lasts. Because that's what husbands do right? So this ring might just be a formality, but it can be real. Whatever my role is in your life, I'm happy with it. Just be with me. Let's say fuck the world and do our thing. So, Esme Kelly Octavia Knight, will you marry me?"

"Yes. Although I should mention that I knew you existed a long time ago," she smiled, taking my hand, bringing it up to her lips, and kissed my knuckles.

Now don't call me a misogynist, but seeing a woman do that, made my knees fucking jello.

I felt the heat travel up my neck, to the tips of my ears.

"Are you blushing baby boy?" she teased, dipping her lower to see my face, when I turned away.

"Stop it, woman," I said, laughing it up with her.

"I bought you something. Here," I said, handing a brown paper bag to her.

"No way, you bought me the Sunshine Girl series?" she gasped.

"I saw you looking at it earlier in the bookstore. So why not?" I shrugged.

"Naked truth, I'm a broke millionaire," she laughed. "But seriously, thank you, Asher," she said.

"Anytime farfalla. Like I said, I want to make this work with you. That is, if you're interested," I shrugged, taking my jacket off, and wrapping it around her.

"Nice ring by the way Raymond. You've got good taste," she said, giving me a nod of approval.

"Thanks love. I try," I smiled. "Never take it off," I said, turning around to leave the balcony, guiding her with my hand on her back.

^^ Asher's suit, but imagine it with sage green accessories^^

^^ The Ring ^^

A/N: Hey lovelies... How are we doing?

I'm so sorry for the delay... After my cousin's wedding, I feel sick... But don't worry. Your girl is alright now. So that caused the delay in the chapter and I apologize for it.

With that being said, how was the chapter?

Did you guys enjoy it??

What do you wanna see in the near future? (Except pink hair)

What do you think of Asher's speech?

Until next time,

Love,

Jeff ❤❤