Asher frowned. âItâs late. Are you going to exercise?â
âYeah, Ash. Iâm in a good mood, so I thought I should go kayaking around the back.â Bella looked up at
him cheerfully.
âItâs dark out. What if you fall into the river? Youâre not a strong. swimmer.â
Asher pinched her waist. âDonât you know itâs nearly sub-zero outside? Youâll freeze in that outfit of
yours.â
He turned to Steven. âBella doesnât have anyone else but you. Why canât you do a better job watching
over her?â
âIâm sorry, Mr. Asher. It was my negligence.â Steven apologized.
âEnough, Ash. Donât blame Steve. He reminded me, but I wouldnât listen to him.â
The siblings sat on the sofa, hand-in-hand. Bella rested her head on her brotherâs wide shoulder. âThe
editor-in-chief of Mint called me and worked out the details of the events. Thank you, Ash, for bringing
in such a high-value resource. I love Mint. Iâve read the magazine. growing up. Thatâs my inspiration to
get into fashion design.â
The editor-in-chief of Mint, Alice, was a living, breathing prominent figure, like in the Devil Wears Prada
movie. It was clear that the woman was highly influential in the industry when a frown at a fashion show
could be detrimental to a brand name.
Yet, the figure personally gave Bella a call.
Only God knew how nervous Bella was, despite speaking eloquently on the phone.
âAll that matters is that youâre happy, Bella.â
With a tender smile, Asher grazed the tip of her nose with his finger. â was afraid you might be
frustrated because the Salvador Corporation stole Ada from you. I know you like to keep busy, so I
gave you something to do.
âYou wonât have a lot on your mind when youâre busy.â
âTsk. Iâm not that fragile. Iâve been eating and sleeping well. That incident didnât leave a scratch on me.â
Bella pouted, her voice soft and sweet.
Steven bit his lip to slow down his racing heart. He fixated on Bellaâs sweet smile.
Bella would only show her adorably spoiled side when she was with Asher.
Steven did not want to look away now that an opportunity had presented itself.
âEating and sleeping well? Your eye bags look heavy to me.â Asher sighed and ran his coarse fingers
along the delicate skin under her eyes.
âItâs all that Oh, that reminds me, Ash. How did you know Alice? You must be close because she has
the confidence to leave the event in my hands.â
Bellaâs eyes sparkled with curiosity. âMint has never held a charity event in Savrow,â
âIâm not close with Alice.â Asher looked indifferent.
âHuh? Why-â
âShe has had a crush on me for a decade, I believe.â
Bella and Steven exclaimed, âWhat?â
Asher uttered indifferently, âI have turned her down several times, but she has been persistent. I just
ignored her and let her be.â
Alice, the fashion mogul, was pushing fifty.
Asher was 30 years old, so there was a huge age gap. Talk about. progression.
âThatâs tragic. Utterly tragicâ¦â Bella sighed.
âYouâre right. It must be stressful to have a 50-year-old suitor.â Steven nodded in agreement.
âWhat did you say? Iâm talking about Alice.
Bella glared at Steven. She was a fan of Alice, so of course, she was going to have her back. âAge is
not an issue. She just picked the wrong man. Sheâs like the icy editor-in-chief, Miranda Priestly, in âDevil
Wears Pradaâ. Where is she going to find romance with an indifferent man like Ash? I canât imagine
sparks between two icy personalities.â
Asher was speechless.
Steven was also at a loss for words.