The drive home was quiet, no one said a word. I stole some glances at Asher and he looked pissed and angry, his driving was fast and somehow reckless. I wanted to tell him to slow down or something but I knew better than that. We dropped Aria first then drove to our-his place, as soon as he parked the car I finally got the guts to speak. "Why are you so grumpy?"
"I am not grumpy," he said dismissively.
"Well tell that to the poor steering wheel you are strangling," I said my eyes glancing at the steering wheel he held so tight his knuckles were white. As soon as he realized what he was doing he sighed and let go of the steering wheel, "Why did you get angry at what Aria said?"
"She should respect our marriage, we are still married and she can't make you see other man while you are still my wife."
"But she can take you out on dates?"
He was silent, I rolled my eyes and left the car. I headed inside, "Zaliyah," he said from behind me but i ignored him and kept walking. He was a two faced a*hole and a hypocrite at that. Suddenly I felt someone grab my arm, "Walking away won't solve anything," he said as he steadied me from the sudden jolt, "Oh I am sorry I didn't know there was something to solve, is there anything that needs solving?"
"I am not saying that she has the right to take me out on dates but it's a little complicated and you know that."
"I don't know anything. What game are you playing? You want a divorce but you are stalling it, you want to act like we are a couple, go out for dinner, buy me dresses, get jealous at my exes, and at the same time you want to be with Aria. This isn't some twisted game Asher," I said, my voice firm. I glared into his eyes, letting him know that this wasn't a joke at all.
"I know this isn't a joke Zaliyah, it's just that...I need-"
"What you need is to get yourself together and let me go," I said walking away and leaving him alone. I got into the bedroom and threw myself on the bed, the more he did what he did the more he made it seem like there was hope between the two of us and we all knew there wasn't. I dislike the idea of separating but I hate the idea of spending one more year in a dead marriage with a man who will never fully love me. I needed to get my life together and remember who I was and who I want to be and being around Asher and Aria's 'complicated' situation-ship made me feel less and less of myself. What was I thinking agreeing to all those conditions?
Three days went by and Asher hadn't been to the master bedroom, he would come back home late and spend time in the study and then leave early. He was doing it again.
Grandma had called me and told me that tomorrow they would be hosting a family dinner, this was the family function she was talking about. She told me that she would send me a dress to wear and shoes and all I had to do was wear the things and be there with my husband. I waited until 10pm, that was the time Asher came home, and when I heard the study door open I got out of bed and made my way to his study. I stood by the door, contemplating whether I should go in or not. Finally I knocked, "You may enter," he said, his voice deep and raspy. I opened the door and pocked my head in, I looked around before my eyes settled on his, he looked tired and exhausted.
"Is this a good time?"
"Yes," he said standing and giving me a brief smile. I walked in and stood in front of his desk. We both stood there staring at each other with only a desk separating us. " Are you okay now?" he asked. "Huh?" I asked in confusion at his question, I didn't remember being sick or anything. "You were angry at me so I thought you needed some space to get your thoughts together," he said his voice soft yet deep. "You...You have been sleeping in the study because you thought I needed space?" I asked. He nodded.
I was shocked, my mouth opened but no words formed. I felt guilty, sad, angry at myself. "This is your house, that is your bedroom Asher. You have every right to sleep on it no matter what," I said. "It is our house, our bed and I made you angry and frustrated, I owed you that at least."
"Okay even if that is true, which is not entirely. One night would be enough. Three nights?"
"Well I wanted to come back the second day but then I noticed...I decided you need more time," he said. "I...Next time unless I say it don't do it. You can't be sleeping in here simply because I am mad, I might get mad for a moment but after that I will be cool."
"Cool?"
"Yeah, chilled. I might not be happy but I will be civil," I said. He smiled, "Noted."
"Anyways I wanted to tell you that grandma said there will be a family dinner tomorrow and that I should bring my husband with me," I said. "Oh, okay. Your husband will be going with you," he said smiling, I rolled my eyes but I had a slight smile on my lips. "Were you working?" I asked as I looked at the desk that had so many papers splattered. "I was just getting some work done until I passed out," he said.
"Oh, well when you are done do come to bed," I said and headed to the door, "I am done," he said as he quickly walked to where I was. He held my hand and we walked to the bedroom. " I will take a shower first ," he said.
"You were not bathing all these past three days?"
"I was, but I didn't shower tonight," he explained.
"Mmh, I almost called you nasty," I said getting into the blankets.
"The only time I am nasty is when I am in bed with you," he said with a wink. My stomach knotted and bloomed with butterflies at the same time, I looked away trying to hide the blush on my face, "Disgusting pervert," I remarked, he chuckled and headed into the shower leaving me trying to calm my emotions, hormones, feelings. My phone pinged with a notification,
"Hey." It was Henry.
"Hey stranger," I replied.
"You are the bigger stranger, did you miss me?"
"As if. Why are you not asleep yet?"
"I remembered I had some catching up to do with someone."
"Mmmh who may that be?"
"This other girl that I missed so much while I was away."
"This other girl missed you too. There is so much we have to unpack."
"Lunch tomorrow?"
"Unfortunately can't have a family thing. Let's try maybe the day after?"
"Sure. Goodnight, Rough head."
"Goodnight, Joystick."
"Who has you smiling like that?" Asher asked as he entered from the shower, he had a towel wrapped around his waist and boy did he look good. His tall and masculine figure had me in a daze, "I appreciate the admiration and all but back to earth Zaliyah," he said walking into the closet to get dressed. "Pssshh who is admiring you, I have seen better," I said. "Don't believe," he said. "Oh you better believe it. My ex was, no he still is hotter than you."
"If you are saying the ex we both saw then you need to get your eyes checked."
"You get your brain checked," I said as I pulled the covers over me, "Zaliyah, I would never hurt you." That was sudden and out of context, "What?"
"I just need you to know that. I would never hurt you, and if I ever did, forgive me." he said. He walked to his side of the bed and got into the covers. I was confused, what was he on about? "Are you okay? Did you suddenly remember you were dying?" I asked. He chuckled and wrapped his hand around my waist and pulled me closer to him, "Asher!"
"Ssshh let's sleep. I am so tired," he said as he closed his eyes. "Let me go," I said trying to move away but he tightened his grip and ignored me. He was warm, it was probably the shower, and he smelt amazing, wait did he apply my perfume? "Asher did you apply my perfume?" I asked. "Yes now be a good girl and go to sleep."
"But-"
He kissed me on the forehead which shut me up immediately and before I knew it I was asleep. I felt safe, warm and like I was in the right place in the right arms.