Chapter 2 Roses Are Red 2

• Asher's phone rang nonstop, disrupting Asher's sleep. Asher stretched his hand, reaching out to his phone on the cabine cabinet beside his bed, his mum was the caller. Asher groaned and picked the call.
• "Asher! Where are you? I've called you over and over and over...."
• " Breath mum, breath. I'm alive. What is it?
• "I miss you son. We all do. Want to come over for lunch? No... brunch."
• "Mum..."
• "C'mon Asher. So, see you soon and make sure you are here before 11am, got it? And...I sent someone to bring you the outfit you'll be wearing to the brunch "
• "Huh? Outfit? Mum... I've got a lot of clothes in my closet. I do not lack any clothes. I'll wear one from my closet "
• "Don't argue with the lady of the house. I've said it and it's final. Once your outfit arrives, wear it and start heading home "
• "But I'm at my home already "
• "Asher...home is where your family is and not that empty House of yours "
• "Okay, okay. See you later mum"
• "See you soon boo-boo bear "
• "Hanging up " Asher hung up and dropped his phone. "Why wake me up so early. What's the time? Asher switched on the headlamp and checked the time on the little clock beside the bed. "Oh! It's 8am".
• Asher got down from his bed and did a little stretching before going down to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for himself. He made a simple breakfast and had it in the kitchen. Did the dishes and left for the living room. Asher picked up the television remote and turned it on.
• "Let's see what business is talking about"
• Asher had his seat and sipped his coffee from the coffee mug he had in his hand and changed the TV channels and stopped at the news channel. Asher dropped the remote beside him and leaned back to enjoy the morning business news.
• After his usual morning routine, Asher returned back to his bedroom for a nice relaxing bath. He finally got out of his bathroom and stared into his mirror for a while and smiled. He left for his closet to change into something comfortable when his door bell rang. Asher quickly changed into a blue vest and black shorts and hurried downstairs. He unlocked the door and opened and a pretty lady stood before him, Holding a a cloth bag.
• "Hi mister"
• "Uh....hi miss. How many I help you?
• "You must be Asher Brooks. I'm here to deliver this outfit to you"
• "My outfit? Right. Mum wasn't joking at all. May I have it?
• "Sure sir." She said handing over the bag to Asher.
• "Thanks. Kindly see yourself off to the gate. I appreciate this" Asher shut the door at her face and made his way back to his room.
• Asher placed the bag on the bed and stared at it for a while, while he stroke his chin. He took a deep breath and exhaled immediately.
• "Mum,...well... let's see what she got for me"
• Asher unzipped the bag and took out a navy blue two piece suit and a black tie. Ashe held the outfit in both hands and stared at them confused.
• "She said brunch. Who wears this to a brunch with family. More like I'll be attending some official function like wedding, company seminar and... Something's fishy. Wel, it's here , I guess I should get ready "
• Asher placed the outfit on the bed and quickly changed into them. He wore a black brouges, wore his perfumes, a necklace and his favourite wrist watch. He stood before his mirror and wore his eyeglasses and stared at his mirror self.
• "Glass or nah... I'm still hot. And I'm driving myself again"
• Asher grabbed his car key and went downstairs. He paused for a second and glanced at his wrist watch before continuing to his car. He shut the door behind him and left for his car. He was quite surprised to see his driver standing beside his car. His driver bowed slightly and requested to drive him. Asher tossed the car key to his driver and got into the car.
• Few minutes later, Asher Brooks arrived at the Brooks manor . Asher was stunned to see lots of cars parked outside.
• "Is this really brunch or something else? Something's fishy, I can't place my head on it now but I'll figure it out soon"
• Asher hurried into the house. The house seemed quite empty. He called out to everyone, his mum, dad and his siblings. One of the maids appeared before him giving him a scare. She requested to take Asher to meet everyone. Asher followed her to the ballroom. The doors were opened by the two guards outside. The maid stepped aside, letting Asher go in alone.
• Asher stepped into the dark hall, dark and he felt disappointed.
• "You're kidding me right? What the ...?
• The lights came on immediately and everyone screamed surprise, startling Asher. Asher was surprised with the decor of the hall and the hall was filled with people.
• "Okay, okay, let me through" His mum approached him and gave him a warm hug.
• "Mum, what's this?
• "Happy birthday son"
• "Birthday? It's my birthday today?
• "Yes brother. Your 30th birthday. We need a sister you know" Bella said "That's why you have to get married soon son " Allison added touching his cheek.
• "Okay that's enough. So this is the brunch mum? I knew it. I knew something was off when I saw the outfit you sent me. I mean who wears a two piece suit for brunch with his family, not even a date"
• "Yeah yeah, smart ass. Happy birthday again " Allison hugged him.
• "Save some hug for the old man " Morris said walking to Asher.
• "Dad. Greetings dad"
• "Happy birthday son"
• "Thanks dad"
• "So... let's cut the cake and get this party going " Henry suggested.
• "Make a wish brother. Trust me, it will come true this time. Make it with your heart as though your life depends on it " Bella's smiled at Asher.
• "Okay I will"
• Bella and Mrs Allison took Asher to go cut the cake. Henry brought the cake in a trolley and placed it before Asher. Everyone sang the happy birthday song for Asher.
• Asher bent over to the cake to blow off the candles when Bella stoppe him from doing so and quickly urged him to make a wish before blowing off the candles. Asher stood straight, took a deep breath and shut his eyes, exhaling softly, with his hands in his pocket.
• "What do I wish for? He thought. He took a deep breath again and exhaled immediately. "Got it. I wish I could finally meet her, the one who would sweep me off my feet, light an unquenchable fire in my heart, make me hunger and thirst for her, make me go crazy for her, start a perfect journey with her and I wish she truly sweeps me off my feet and she reciprocates the love I will have for her. I wish"
• Asher made his wish and blew off the candles, everyone clapped. Bella quickly linked arms with Asher.
• "Tell me, what did you wish for?
• "What I wished for? Well ..I can't tell but I hope it comes true"
• "Let me guess... successful launching of your new game? So lame."
• Asher chuckled. " I wish. Cake? Asher stuffed Bella's mouth with some cake and chuckled.
• "Not fair" Bella muffled.
• The next minute, a pop song began to play and some dancers appeared on the dancefloor. Asher's face gave him away as he showed he was not pleased and was uninterested with what was going on. He tried to leave when Bella held him back and forced him to watch the dancers perform.
• The male dancers were dressed in black joggers, white sneakers and black polo shirt white the female dancers were dressed in red handles crop top, black leather shorts and white sneakers. Everyone clapped and cheered them while they danced.
• One of the dancers left Asher dumbstruck. He approached Asher and took a bow before him. He was Asher's childhood friend, Leo.
• "Leo, you're here? I can't believe my eyes. Am I day dreaming or what?
• "Happy birthday world's best man" Leo hugged Asher and patted his back.
• "When did you come into the country?
• "Few days ago. I decided to pipe low and give you a lovely surprise. How do you see my surprise?
• "Crazy as you"
• "Why not unwind, party and have fun"
• "What do you mean by that Leo?
• "What I mean? Let's party! Leo grasped Asher's hand and dragged him to the dance floor. Leo forced Asher to dance. Asher refused to dance but Leo persuaded him to dance. Asher couldn't believe what Leo was doing to him. Asher danced for a few seconds and disappeared from the dance floor. Asher decided to decided to grab a glass of wine when Leo appeared before him with two glasses of wine. Leo handed over a glass to Asher. Asher refused to take the drink from Leo. He quickly recalled the last time he did this, he couldn't be himself and he messed up big time thanks to Leo's spiked drink, which Leo had given to him at that party. Leo smiled at him urging him to take the glass of wine.
• "No thanks. I rather stay thirsty than drink from your hands Leo.
• "Seems like you've got an unforgiven spirit bro"
• "Yes and I'm proud I do have such spirit, if it would save me from falling prey to your tricks. No thanks " Asher signalled a waiter who handed over a glass of wine to Asher. "Cheers Leo" Asher said raising his glass to Leo.
• "Cheers" Leo and Asher clinked their wine glasses.
• "I'm glad to see you Leo it's been a while, years. How long?
• "Sorry for not visiting"
• "So tell me..." Asher paused and drank from his wine glass. "When are you leaving" he continued.
• "I've moved back" Leo smiled and raised his glass at some damsel that walked past them saying hi.
• "With your parents?
• "No. Alone. I heard L.A girls are hot as hell" he lightly bit his lower lip and winked at Asher.
• "Women ... again? Asher shrugged. "Hey, do you think women are some commodity to our, use at your disposal and then trash them?
• "No..." Leo tittered.
• Asher raised his left eye brow, staring at Leo. " Your voice says otherwise. Change that mindset bro"
• "Yeah, yeah. You with the good mindset...how many girls have warmed up your cold bed and cold attitude?
• "Again! Women! For the last time, women are not some product in the supermarket. Change Leo, change!
• "Hi guys! A pretty young damsel stood before Leo and Asher, dressed in thigh high slit, silk red gown, looking gorgeous.
• "My oh my! Asher! You've got a hot girlfriend! I'm amazed. Why didn't you tell me about her? Asher whispered to Asher. "Hello damsel.." Leo took few steps close to the young lady. " I'm Leonard Wilson, Asher's best friend". Leo said stretching his hand to her for a handshake.
• "I'm Sylvia. Sylvia Manchester" Sylvia said shaking Leo's hand.
• "You mean Manchester city?
• "No. Just Manchester "
• "Hi Sylvia, you're here"
• "Hey bro! That's not the way to talk to a lady especially a hot pretty lady like her. Weren't you preaching about respecting women "
• "But I didn't disrespect her. Did I? Asher glared at Leo.
• "Your woman is pretty and joy. Wow!
• "She isn't my woman. She's Sylvia Manchester, attended same university with me. A graduate of the medical department "
• "Meaning?
• "She's a doctor. A neurosurgeon"
• "What the fuck! Really! Oh my goodness. Can you treat my brain cause it's filled with the images of your lovely face and lovely body, my lady"
• "You flatter me" Sylvia said forcing out a smile .
• "Please " Asher rolled his eyes.
• "I'll leave you two to catch up bro. Later" Leo patted Asher's shoulder and quickly gave the two some privacy.