~ Zoie's POV ~
- - - - - Ten Days Later - - - - -
This is it. This is the day!
As soon as Zoie woke up this morning, it was the first thought that came into her head. Asher was coming home today and she couldn't be more excited. She woke up early in the morning as she could barely sleep. And instead of going back to bed, she jumped into the shower, taking her sweet time as she wanted to look her absolute best today.
Zoie was preparing herself and her body right down to the nitty gritty. She got everything waxed, lotioned, and moisturized. Not to mention, she went and got the birth control IUD a week ago. Oh yes, she wasn't playing around anymore. She didn't tell Asher about it and she figured she'll tell him tonight. She can only imagine the shock on Asher's face when he hears this later. Hopefully, a good kind of shock. Wink, wink.
* KNOCK * KNOCK *
Zoie was still wearing her bathrobe, blasting her get-ready playlist on Spotify and doing her make-up when she heard the knock on the door.
"What?" she yelled at the door.
"Zee? You decent?" Landon's voice was heard.
"Landon?" Zoie put her eyeliner down and went to the door. She opened it and Landon was standing in front of her. "What are you doing here?"
"Can we talk?" he said. His tone was serious.
"Right now?" she stared at him with only one eye that had the eyeliner on.
"It's important," he said, nodding his head.
This sounded serious. Why else would Landon come over at 9 AM on a Saturday morning? Letting out a sigh, Zoie opened the door for him and he stepped inside.
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~ Asher's POV ~
Asher walked down the long airport corridor with his carry-on suitcase rolling beside him. He was dressed in all black from head to toe. A pair of black sunglasses, a black suit and tie, and black leather shoes. Looking as cool as he was, he turned some heads around. Some girls even thought that he was a model or something like that.
Ignoring the eyes that were following him, he made it to the pick-up area where a black SUV was already waiting for him. The car door opened as he neared it, and Damon was sitting inside in the backseat.
"Welcome home, Ash," he beamed.
"Uncle D," Asher was taken aback. When he heard that someone was picking him up at the airport, he thought it would be some driver or an intern. He didn't think it would be Damon himself.
"I didn't know you'd be picking me up..."
"Well, I gotta congratulate you on a good job," Damon said with open arms, inviting Asher to come inside.
"Thank you," Asher replied. He let the driver take his suitcase and he got into the car.
As soon as he got inside, Damon pulled him for a quick hug. Asher could only smile, not knowing what else to do.
"And as I promised, here's your commission, specially hand-delivered," Damon said, pulling out a white envelope from his suit pocket.
Asher took the envelope and checked the content. It was a check addressed to him for one million dollars.
"Holy crap," Asher couldn't help but curse. He never held this much money in his hand before.
"T-thank you, Uncle D,"
"Of course," Damon laughed. "You earned it,"
Damon was patting Asher's shoulder as he glanced at the check again. He kept staring at all those zeroes. As crazy as it looks, this was totally real.
One million effing dollars, baby!
Asher turned giddy as he couldn't drop his smile. Now finally, he could do all the things he and Zoie had been dreaming to do. Firstly, he would wire Mikey some money so they could get started on that garage slash auto shop. They could buy some car parts and put them together, creating their next masterpiece. Then in the meantime, he could also take Zoie down to Florida. Spending time in Miami with her would be nothing short of amazing.
Oh, all the things we're gonna do together without anyone around!
"So, tell me. What's the secret to your success?" Damon's voice suddenly pulled Asher out of his daydreaming
"Uh, what?"
"How'd you make it look so easy closing this deal?" Damon asked. "My boys are working on similar deals for months and still can't close any of them,"
Asher let out a nervous chuckle. Getting a compliment like this from Damon meant a lot to him.
"There's no secret, really, Uncle D. I just do my research, figure out what they want and come up with a plan that suits their needs," Asher paused to remember all the steps that he took to finalize this deal. "It's like... when I wanna build race cars, I check on what I'm working with and figure out ways to maximize the potential of that car. Then I make a realistic plan to build it out with the resources I have and that's it,"
Asher didn't realize he was rambling. Meanwhile, Damon stared at him with a look he couldn't decipher. Maybe it was awe? Respect?
"Spoken like a true businessman, Ash," Damon nodded approvingly. "I knew you'd be a very resourceful guy. Just like your dad,"
Asher couldn't help but smile again. That, perhaps, was the best compliment he ever received.
"So, I assume you'll be using that money for your next car?" Damon nodded to the check in his hand.
"Yes, sir," Asher laughed.
That and other things.
"Anything else?"
"Well, I think... I'd like to travel,"
"Traveling is a good idea. You'll have fun,"
Yes. With your daughter.
"But you'll be back before the semester starts, right?" Damon asked again.
"Yes, sir,"
Damon nodded approvingly again. He then glanced out the window, looking at the city streets that they passed by.
"I must say, Ash, you're doing a really good job with her," he said with his head still turned to the window. "She doesn't complain to me and she seems to be enjoying herself. Whatever it is you're doing, keep it up,"
"Yes, sir..."
Asher swallowed hard. If only Damon knew what he was saying by that.
"Oh, come on," Damon said as he elbowed him playfully. "We're family, Ash. You don't have to keep calling me that,"
Asher laughed nervously and nodded his head.
"Speaking of family," Damon said again. "Are you and your brother close?"
"Me and Landon?" Asher narrowed his eyes. This question kinda came out of left field. "We get along fine... so yeah, I guess?"
"Are you aware of, um, his relationship with Zoie?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know," Damon said as if it was obvious. "That he's in love with her,"
Asher tried his best to keep a calm face, but he felt his chest tighten a little bit.
"I think I've heard about that," he answered. "The boys mentioned it the other day,"
"What do you think about her?" Damon asked. "Does she like him too?"
"Oh... I... I don't know," Asher started stammering.
"Come on, Ash, don't lie to me," Damon pressed. "You're her bodyguard. Surely, you'd know more than me,"
Asher swallowed hard.
What do I say to this?
"I, uh, I think Zoie enjoys Landon's company. But she just sees him as a friend," he answered finally. "I think,"
"Really?" Damon narrowed his eyes. "She's not interested in him?"
Asher swallowed again.
"I don't believe so,"
"Hm," Damon scoffed and smiled gingerly. "That's a shame, because I think he's a really good influence on her. They're a great match,"
"Y-you think so?"
"Absolutely," Damon nodded his head. "I know how he's been helping her with her internship. I think he inspires her, and he pushes her in her career, and most of all, I know he can take care of her,"
Damon then turned his eyes to Asher. He was staring at him with a certain kind of look. Asher suddenly felt the pressure. It was like Damon wanted something.
"Where are you going with this, Uncle D?" Asher shot point blankly.
Damon let out a knowing smile.
"I really like the fact that you take no bullshit, Ash. You get shit done. And I can trust you. Those are all great qualities," Damon paused for a beat before continuing, "Which is why I have another favor to ask you,"
"What favor?" Asher narrowed his eyes. Damon didn't answer right away. He threw his gaze to the window again and Asher hung on his every move.
"It's crazy, isn't it, how time flies?" Damon said with a half smile. "You blink for a second and now the kids are all grown up... Zach's thinking about proposing to a girl. The twins are dating, very actively. And my daughter too. She's all grown up. Grown enough to have a marriage proposal,"
"A what?" Asher almost shouted out loud.
"I suppose if anyone is to marry my daughter, it should be Landon," Damon said as he turned his eyes to Asher again. "Landon is one of us. He's a real stand-up guy..."
Asher's throat suddenly went dry.
Did Landon propose to Zoie?! What the fúck?
"...His future's bright. And he really loves her. So, I've agreed. I gave him my blessings," Damon continued.
Asher couldn't hide the horror on his face now. He could only stare at Damon in confused bewilderment.
"Ash, I know my daughter's pretty fond of you. Otherwise, she would've been nagging me to get you off her case. So as her friend, maybe you can help me out. Ask her to consider Landon. She's not gonna listen to me, because that's what teenage girls do, apparently. But I think she'll listen to you,"
Damon was waiting for Asher's answer. Asher thought of ways to get out of this, but what could he possibly say?
No! I can't do that! Zoie is mine! She's my girl!
"S-sure," Asher said finally, holding his tongue. "I'll talk to her..."
"Thanks, Ash. I know I can count on you," Damon said as he patted his shoulder. "Now, be wise with that money, alright? Don't spend it all at once,"
Asher had to avoid eye contact with Damon because it was getting too uncomfortable. He laughed dryly and glanced down at the check in his hand. And suddenly, one million dollars didn't seem so mind blowing anymore.
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As soon as the car arrived at the mansion, Asher quickly headed to the second floor, to Zoie's room. There were so many things going through his head. He had so much to tell her and to ask her, he didn't know where to begin. Like, does she know that Landon feels this way about her? Did he propose already? What did she say to him? And so many more questions followed.
Asher was in such a rush as he raced up the stairs and ran for her room that he didn't think of knocking before he opened the door. The door wasn't locked either. He just pushed it open and...
"Hey-!"
Asher's eyes widened in shock. He stopped dead in his tracks. Inside the room, he saw Zoie and Landon. They were together. Just the two of them. And their faces were pressed up against each other.
Yes, they were kissing.
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- - - - - - To Be Continued - - - - - -