Chapter 3 Roses Are Red 3

• Asher and Sylvia were taking a walk at the poolside with their wine glasses in their hands. Asher stopped walking and stood still, staring at Sylvia. Sylvia noticed Asher not walking with her, turned back to see Asher staring at her. She quickly took a look at herself, wonderingly if something was off with her, maybe her makeup is terrible.
• "What? Why are you staring at me in that way? Do I look horrible?
• "No. You look different"
• "Really? I changed?
• "A little. You became prettier"
• "Really? Sylvia blushed. "So I was pretty in the past and I became prettier now. You flatter me" she giggled.
• "I do not flatter women. I say the truth. You look pretty tonight "
• "So did I sweep you off your feet tonight?
• Asher quickly recalled the wish he made before cutting the cake and smiled. "You wish" Asher smirked "So rude. Don't laugh at me that way" Sylvia's tone showed she was hurt with what Asher just did.
• "My apologies. So how have you been? It's been a while"
• "Yes. I've been okay and you? How have you been all these while?
• "I've been okay. Busy with work, launching new games, I've also been quite successful... running a successful company" Asher smiled and drank from his wine glass. "I can also see that you're successful too and have a successful career. Kudos" he raised his wine glass to her.
• Sylvia smiled and said "yeah...but still single "
• "Are you mocking me? Asher snapped.
• "No. I was talking about myself. I'm successful, and still single, no boyfriend, no fiance, no husband and I'm 28" she laughed. "What a life. This is crazy" Sylvia tittered and drank from her wine glass.
• " No. I'm single too. It's not a crime to be single, just be patient" Asher touched her head and she immediately looked at him, looked into his eyes. "You'll definitely find the right one. No, the right one will find you and that soon" Asher gave her a warm smile. "Enjoy the party. I'll be heading inside. Wanna come along with me?
• "Yes sure" Sylvia quickly linked arms with him. "If you don't mind"
• "I do but...let me ignore this. Don't repeat this next time, okay?
• "See it as helping a damsel in distress"
• "Indeed"
• Asher and Sylvia returned back to the ballroom. Bella sighted them walking into the ballroom, linking arms. She smiled and rushed over to her mum.
• "Mum, mum, mum"
• "What Sylvia?
• "Look... Ashraf and a pretty damsel"
• "Is that what I think it is? Asher has a girlfriend? She's so beautiful. You know her?
• "Yes I do. She's Sylvia Manchester. She did visit a few times back then when Asher was in college. She's become prettier"
• "Yes right. I pray they last. Amen!
• "Amen mum!
• The party ended and the guests dispatched. Ashe saw Sylvia off to her car and both waved goodbye. Leo stayed back at the Brooks manor, Asher also had to sleep over.
• Leo and Asher did some catching up after having their baths and eventually slept off.
• Asher was the first to wake up. He sat up and did some stretching before getting off his bed. He wore his bedroom slippers and turned towards Leo who was still asleep on his bed. Asher chuckled upon seeing Leo's sleeping position.
• "He's indeed crazy" Asher smiled and left for the bathroom, got in and shut the door.
• His fingers ran through his soft and silky hair while he stared into the mirror. He bow his head and switched on the faucet, and splashed some cold water on his face Continuously. He felt relieved and relaxed. Asher lifted his head and looked into the mirror, no dark circles, he smiled.
• Asher returned back to his room, drying his face with his face towel.
• "Good creep. He's still sleeping by this time? He glanced at the clock on the wall. "Hmm ..8am. I'm hungry. I need to eat.
• Asher dropped the towel on the chair and went downstairs. The maids were up and working.
• "Good morning sir Asher" greeted a maid "Are my parents awake?
• "Yes. Ma'am is in the kitchen"
• "Serve breakfast. I'll be in the dining room. Hurry. I'm hungry"
• "Right away sir"
• Asher left immediately for the dining room. Few minutes later, the maid walked in with his breakfast.
• "Your breakfast sir".
• "You may leave"
• "Yes sir"
• Asher had his breakfast and left for the kitchen with the plates.
• "Pleasant morning mum"
• "Oh my baby. You looking dashing this morning"
• "Mum, you didn't wake me up on time. You know I've to be at the office, you know that. I wonder why I slept in. Mum did you do anything?
• "Nothing, just added a little you know...to your juice last night"
• "That's so evil mum "
• "Good morning " Bella said yawning.
• "You may go ahead and swallow mum and I. I permit you Bella "
• "Sorry. Mum, breakfast please "Already served. Go to the dining room"
• "Okay, love you mum"
• "Hold on, where is Henry? Asher asked holding Bella's hand "Still sleeping I guess"
• "Still sleeping? Okay. I'll let it slide today. Go have breakfast. Tell me mum, how's Henry's performance at dad's Tech company"
• "He's doing well. He's a good computer technician "
• "I see. That's good. I'll be in the living room " Asher grabbed his cup of coffee and left for the living room.
• Asher picked up the television remote and switched on the TV, he had his seat and enjoyed the news, drinking his coffee. Leo walked in yawning.
• "Up already? Leo asked fondling with his hair.
• "Guess who is finally up. Good morning your royal Highness, Leonard"
• "Don't mock me. I worked you party last night, at least I deserve a nice sleep "
• "Go have breakfast "
• "Of course I will. I'm wasn't planning to starve. Tell me, what are you watching so early in the morning. News? So boring "
• "Go away, you lousy kid"
• Leo turned and left for the dining room.
• Later that day, Leo insisted they visit some fun places and do some catching up.
• Asher got dressed in a white shirt sleeved shirt and green trouser with a pair of black loafers,while Leo dressed up in white vest and white shorts and a pair of black sneakers.
• "Tsk, tsk tsk tsk, too formal" Leo commented on Asher's outfit.
• "So what? I love it"
• "And the glasses? Take them off"
• "No thanks. I love it too. So shall we?.
• Asher and Leo left for Asher's car. Leo did the driving. They arrived at some fancy restaurant. Bella had made a reservation for them. Asher and Leo were showed to their table and both had their seats. Both places their orders and sat back.
• "Nice place. Nice decor. Hey, wanna go clubbing with me tonight?
• "Clubbing? I'll pass"
• "But...." Asher's phone rang interrupting Leo.
• "One minute bro " Asher pulled out his phone from the trouser's pocket. "Excuse me, I'll take this call outside " Asher stood up and quickly stepped outside. "Asher Brooks speaking. Yes,yes... what? Okay. Prepare everything I'll be needing. Good. Thank you"
• Asher returned back to Leo and had his seat.
• " So who called? Let me guess, Sylvia?
• "No. My secretary did. There's this workshop I was invited to give some lecture. I am to give that lecture on Wednesday, she called me to inform me that I'll be giving that lecture tomorrow morning. But then...I totally forgot I was to give some lecture, I can't believe it escaped my memory "
• "Well, you're prepared for the workshop, ain't you?
• "I am. Well, let's just eat"
• "Yeah yeah.
• After a long fun day, Asher and Leo returned back to the Brooks manor.
• Asher informed everyone about the workshop and he was returning back to his house. Bella and Henry helped Asher pack up his gifts and placed them in his car. Asher thanked everyone and left for his car.
• Asher and Leo hugged and promised to hang out some other time. Asher got into his car and drove off.
• Asher drove into his house and, got out of his car and tossed his car key to his driver who was standing outside his house.
• "Get the things from the car. Ah! Did Giselle come over today?
• "Yes sir. She just left. She already made dinner, sir.
• "Good. The laundry?
• "She did them sir"
• "Get the things real quick and yes, you're sleeping over tonight. We'll be leaving early for somewhere important, tomorrow morning. Got it?
• "Yes sir"
• Asher went into his house and hurried to his study room. He picked up his laptop and went through the lecture he had prepared for the workshop and did some proofreading and editing. He finished up with his last file and placed the laptop in his bag and left with the laptop for his bedroom.
• Asher paused at the staircase, he pulled out his phone and called up his secretary and informed her to be at his house early. Asher hung up and continued to his bedroom. He shut the door behind him and placed the laptop on the couch and left to have a bath in his bathroom.