Chapter 61
Meanwhile.
Asher was playing snooker with several friends at an exclusive gentlemen’s club.
Alexander chalked his cue, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he teased casually: “Well, well, look who’s graced us with his presence. How is it you have time for us tonight, Asher? Not picking up your precious
Thalia from work?”
Since Thalia had started working and moved into her own apartment, Asher had spent every free
moment at her Tribeca flat.
It had been ages since he’d joined them for a get–together.
After the incident at the engagement ceremony and his hospital stay, Asher and Thalia’s relationship had grown even closer. He made time almost daily to pick her up from work.
Asher’s expression remained neutral as he lined up his shot. “She’s having dinner with colleagues
tonight.”
“Left behind, are we?” Alexander laughed dramatically, his expression deliberately provocative.
His tone was mockingly sympathetic. “Has the mighty Asher Blackwood actually been abandoned by a woman? What sort of colleague dinner could possibly be more important than you?”
Asher’s demeanor cooled slightly. He glanced up at Alexander with a frigid gaze. “Abandoned?”
“Hardly,” Asher’s lips curved into a slight smile. “She’ll be coming home after her gathering, won’t she? What about you? Will you be picking up your girlfriend later?”
The remark wasn’t particularly harmful, but it was deeply insulting.
Everyone knew Alexander was perpetually single. What girlfriend was there to speak of?
He ground his teeth in annoyance, turning to William in an attempt to redirect the conversation. “Would you look at him, mocking a chap like that. William, you’re single too–how can you stand for this?”
William cleared his throat. “Actually, I’m seeing someone at the moment.”
“What?” Alexander’s jaw dropped, his mouth hanging open, his cigarette falling. “What did you just say?
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You’re dating someone?”
William nodded.
“You never mentioned it. Which family is she from? The Kensington set? Or perhaps old Westminster money?” Alexander’s curiosity was piqued.
The Kensington family was among London’s elite, while the Westminster lineage had political connections, with their patriarch holding considerable influence second only to the Blackwoods and the
Powells.
William came from a political dynasty, a genuine member of Britain’s governing class. Alexander naturally assumed he would court someone of equivalent status.
Before William could answer, Alexander continued: “I saw that Kensington girl recently, just back from studying abroad. Absolutely stunning. Tell me, is it her?”
William, however, shook his head. “Just an ordinary university student.”
“What?” Alexander looked incredulous, enunciating each word. “An ordinary university student?”
Asher’s reaction was remarkably casual, merely glancing briefly at William. “Will your family approve?”
William exhaled a smoke ring, his tone matter–of–fact. “It’s just a bit of fun, not marriage. What’s there to disapprove of?”
Alexander clicked his tongue, shaking his head. “Since when did you start playing around with university girls? Aren’t you worried she’ll become rather clingy?”
William smiled carelessly, the picture of nonchalance. “What’s there to worry about? A couple of designer handbags and some cash. If I don’t want to see her, how would she even reach me?”
Alexander rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “That’s true enough.”
For men of their social stratum, unless they chose to be accessible, ordinary people would likely never have a chance to even encounter them.
Asher took another shot, his gaze passing over William, his tone neutral but pointed. “Playing with someone’s emotions like that–aren’t you concerned about karma?”
William smiled. “Who’s playing with emotions? We’re simply meeting each other’s needs.”
Asher responded: “That’s your business, but be careful. Don’t find yourself trapped in something you
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can’t escape.”
Alexander’s eyes lit up with gossip–hungry interest. “What does she look like? Bring her around
sometime, let us have a look.”
William’s expression cooled. “What for? She’s not part of our circle. There’s no point.”
Alexander shrugged. “Fair enough.”
Asher said nothing more.
While playing snooker, he still checked his phone regularly, afraid of missing any message from Thalia.
After several frames, he hadn’t received any message from Thalia, but he did get a text from his friend Alfred Clarke:
[I heard you have trouble in the bedroom department, mate?]
Asher’s brow furrowed, his lips stiffening slightly.
Just as they finished playing, Alexander stood up to stretch his legs. Happening to pass by Asher, his sharp eyes caught the message on Asher’s phone, triggering an explosive, goose–like laugh.
“HAHAHAHA!” Alexander’s laughter was exaggerated to the extreme. “Is it true? HAHAHA! You have erectile dysfunction?”
Asher’s expression turned frigid, his gaze cutting.
Alexander immediately stifled his laughter, though his expression remained comically strained as he
tried to hold it in. “What’s the story then?”
Asher stood up. “I’m leaving.”
Alexander followed him with a grin, turning back to give William a conspiratorial look: Come on, let’s follow him. This should be rather entertaining.
I’ll refine this section to better match contemporary British English expressions and incorporate the specific changes you’ve requested.
At the bar.
Thalia accepted another drink from the bartender and took a few more sips before swaying unsteadily as she began to sing.
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When Asher arrived. Thalia was reaching the climax of Blackpinks and Selena Gomez’s “Ice Cream/ her voice dramatically off key as she attempted the high notes.
Alexander winced the moment he entered the bar, covering his ears. “Bloody hell, who’s butchering that
song
Asher recognized Thalia’s voice and remained stone faced, saying nothing.
As they approached, they could see that the person passionately performing on the small stage was indeed Thalia.
Alexander nudged Asher with his elbow. “Go on, fetch your flancée down from there. That’s pure noise
術
pollution! Most singers charge for their performances she ought to be paying damages for this assault on our eardrums!”
Asher stood motionless. “Let her enjoy herself.”
Alexander was speechless.
“Right, keep indulging her,” Alexander lowered his hands from his ears and settled onto a bar stool.
Asher sat down beside him, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on the stage, his lips curved in a tender smile.
William observed Thalia with interest, then glanced at Asher, his tone teasing. “Your Thalia has quite the
talent, doesn’t she?”
Alexander laughed as well. “You know, after a while, you almost become immune to it.”
Thalia was thoroughly intoxicated, her mind foggy. She mangled most of the lyrics and continuously sang off–key, attempting dance moves that nearly sent her toppling off the stage.
Asher listened to the entire song before finally walking onto the stage.
He gently took hold of her wrist.
Feeling the warm touch on her skin, Thalia turned to look at him, her gaze hazy and unfocused. “Hello, handsome. You’re absolutely gorgeous, you are. According to my calculations, you’re definitely my
soulmate.”
That term of endearment made Asher’s heart skip a beat.
He felt his blood rushing through his veins in that moment.
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His breathing faltered as he stood there, momentarily frozen, unsure how to respond.
Thalia tilted her face slightly upward, smiling brightly at him. Her flushed cheeks dimpled, creating an expression so sweet he couldn’t look away.
They maintained this position, gazing at each other for several seconds.
Suddenly, without warning, Thalia leaned forward, nestling her head against Asher’s chest.
She nuzzled against him like a small cat, murmuring contentedly. “Mmm, even your scent is exactly like my darling’s.”
Asher typically wore Creed Silver Mountain Water cologne, with its fresh, crisp notes reminiscent of mountain streams. Thalia found the scent irresistible and couldn’t help taking a deep breath.
“You smell wonderful, love…”
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