Chapter 58 *** Marrying Asher ***

[ CHAPTER THEME SONG:
Hurricane By Midnight Cinema ]

[ VERONICA'S POV ]

I returned to my father's house after an hour since Blake left. I was tired, spent and perfectly devoured the man that I loved. A part of me felt guilty but the other part was delighted to have a personal time with Blake. I didn't even understand what possesed me at this moment. One moment, I wanted to run away from the man but the next moment, I wished to die in his arms. Everything was so puzzled in my head that I failed to notice my father's presence inside the hallway.

" VERONICA", his stern voice echoed in my eardrums as I jerked off coming back to face the reality. Snapping my head at his side, I replied tiredly,
" Ye...Yes..Dad.. You are still awake?"

His face was composed and for odd reason, I sensed him angry. He gestured at me coldly,
" Come over here. I have to speak to you."

I compelled tugging on my nervously so that I wouldn't appear uneasy in his sharp observant eyes. Parents have the ability to look through your lies. My body didn't leave the aftershock of sex thus it worried me unnecessarily.

I plopped down in front of him, wandering what made him waiting for me so late at night. He adjusted his glass bossily and began jumping straight to the point,
" I heard something from Victoria just now. You were in trouble in today's fashion show and Blake happened to offer you help. But could you please tell me why he went to your personal apartment?"

My body froze for a while in astonishment. I had no damn idea how Victoria managed to know that. I gulped down nervously and suttured lying,
" Dad..I..I was merely offering him a tea since he helped me today.. Nothing else."

He exhaled a sigh deeply and replied softening his tone a little,
" That's exactly I said to your sister. I have my faith on you, Veronica. I know that you won't do anything to disgrace your sister but an accident happened. A reporter had taken your pictures together with Blake sneakily and sent to Victoria. I am afraid that they are planning to reveal this news tomorrow."

My face turned ashen in no moment. My father's words left me breathless as I just moved out from a scandal. Now if this pictures went out in public, both me and Blake would be doomed.

Besides, what would Victoria think about me? Though she tried to harm me but I loved her as my own sister.

I muttured looking up at my father pleadingly,
" Dad.. What are.. you saying? O my god! Is this news leaked out yet?"

My father shook his head denying. His face hardened as he spitted gritting his teeth together,
" Those damn Reporters are creating troubles in my daughters life."

I couldn't think straight for a while. I asked my father in a trembling voice,
" What.. what will we..do now?"

My father pondered in deep thoughts. Pulling his deep eyes at me, he suggested thinking about the consequences of everything,
" In this situation, I have only solution in my head. You should accept Asher's proposal tonight and ask him to marry you. Look, Veronica! Asher is the perfect man for you. There is no point of enduring these rumours everyday. Think about your sister! What will she think about you if this news get leaked tomorrow? She will start doubting on you seriously. But once you are engaged to someone, no one will dare to spread such baseless rumours. Besides,Asher is from military."

It took a while for me to process that what my father was saying. Even today, Blake promised me that he wouldn't give up on me. But now the table had turned and I couldn't find any other way out to resolve the situation. Dad was saying the truth.

I suttured from my hesitation,
" But dad.. It's too rush..How can I.."

He cut off my words sternly leaving no room for discussion,
" I don't want to hear any excuses, Veronica. I don't want to see tomorrow's headlines that you have actually stolen your sister's husband. You better obey my words. Now go upstairs and call Asher to tell that you are going to marry him. Leave the rest of procedures on me "

I swallowed down my saliva bitterly and ventured myself from there to the stairs blankheadedly. Each pace was leaving me breathless as I didn't expect this outcome.

But dad was right. I couldn't ruin Blake and my sister selfishly. I had to put an end of this situation even though it hurt.

Closing the door off behind, I brust into tears finally venting out my pain and sorrow. I questioned to myself that why did I born with such poor luck. I could have waited for Blake to settle down the matter but now everything seemed impossible. Dad would never approve our relationship.

But why did Victoria do that to me? When did she become so vengeful?

I wanted this answers but first of all, I had to end this on-off relationship with Blake. Putting a heavy stone on my heart, I called Asher without caring about the time.

His phone buzzed two times then finally picked up from the other side. His grinning tone came through the speaker,
" I didn't expect you to remember me at this hour. What's up, Veronica?"

I smiled awkwardly even though my eyes were getting blurred in tears. Sniffing my nose slightly, I replied stammering on my words painfully,
" Asher.. Actually..I..I have... thought... about.. us.."

His voice became a little excited as he replied eagerly,
" What is it, Veronica? You are giving me a hard time."

I squeezed my eyes shut painfully. Once the words would come out from my mouth, there wouldn't be any chance between me and Blake anymore. I inhaled a deep breath and reopened my eyes blankly.

Pursuing my trembling lips forcefully, I answered breaking my heart into pieces,
" I...I..I am actually willing..to.. marry... you.."

There was a long silence into the phone as if the world had stopped spinning. With a shaky voice, Asher replied disbelievingly,
" Are..Are you saying the truth? You agree?"
I responded shortly,
" Ye..Yes.."

He brust into laughter of joy. He exclaimed excitedly,
" I still can't believe that you are agreeing to marry me, Veronica. I have always loved you ever since I saw you at school. I can't wait to see you as my bride. I am coming tomorrow in your house to ask your dad. You made me the happiest person on earth today."

I squeezed my eyes shut to let the tears falling down silently. This was so wrong. I couldn't imagine myself with Asher. My heart belonged to Blake only. I couldn't imagine anything except him.

Suddenly his tone became serious as he took a pause before saying lowly,
" Oh! I forgot to tell you something, Veronica. Luther has fled away from the prison. His location is unknown to us but luckily, we recorded his statement."

My eyes widened in fear. Luther escaped away!