Chapter 38 Asher #3
“Maya always wanted to work in a big museum, and after our dad died, she wasn’t going to go to school for her masters because of the cost. So, my mom and I filled out all of her applications behind her back, and I wrote her admittance letters and scholarship applications.
And when she got into Oxford, we told her there was no way in hell she was passing that opportunity up.
My mom and I have been doing whatever we can to get her money while she’s over here, but work is hard to come by while on a student visa, so she’s limited on her income potential. ”
“It’s been tight, but I’ve managed,” Maya murmurs, her face still flushed.
“I’m wiring you more money as soon as I’m back at my hotel tonight,” Ella says, heated. “No more scrimping on groceries and skipping meals. You will buy food, and you will eat.”
“I’m not taking any more of your money.”
“You don’t have a choice. I’ll transfer it directly into your account.
And while we’re at it, since I’ve gotten such a big pay raise, we’re moving you out of your shit dorm and into a proper apartment, or flat, or whatever it is they call it over here.
You’re living with a bunch of undergrads who party all the time. I know you hate it.”
Sterling and I watch their back and forth, and I can feel his shock, the same as mine.
Sometimes in our world, we forget how fucking privileged we are.
We take for granted how everything is so much easier because we’ve never had to think about money for one goddamn minute of our lives.
No life insurance company would have dared to deny writing a policy for a Langford.
No university was out of reach for us, and no living expenses were ever in question.
No medical treatments would cost us the money set aside for our futures, and we never lived in a dorm, not even in our freshmen year at school.
“I’m not moving, Ella, and I’m not going to let you waste the money you’ve worked so hard for. I have one more year; I’ll be fine.”
“It’s not up for discussion.”
“My, my, you’re starting to sound a lot like Asher,” Sterling says, smiling at Ella.
“I don’t see why that’s a problem,” I say, giving Sterling a warning glare. “She’s right. Maya, I had no idea your situation was like this. I’ll make all the arrangements tomorrow.”
“No, you don’t need—”
“Yes, I do.”
“I know the Chancellor at Oxford,” Sterling says. “I’ll get your tuition squared away.”
“What?” Maya gasps. “We all just met, why would you go out of your way to do any of this?”
“You’re important to Ella,” I say. “Therefore, you’re important to me. I’ll not have her worrying over you and sending her money over to you when I can easily remedy the situation.”
“Easily remedy,” Maya says in disbelief. “As if my struggles are nothing that can’t be simply erased.”
“They can be easily erased,” Sterling says.
Maya lets out a half laugh. “Not for someone like me. What world do you all live in?”
“A lavish, inconceivable one,” Ella says.
“And you won’t even need to buy a work wardrobe.
I have just received not one, but two whole new wardrobes.
It would take me a year to wear everything.
I’ll send you brand new designer clothes.
And if you start eating properly, they’ll fit you like a glove and won’t be too big. ”
Maya opens her mouth to presumably protest again. What is it with these women protesting when someone wants to help them? Ella’s almost as bad. But Maya doesn’t get far because Aunt Bethany arrives at our table.
Sterling and I stand as the ma?tre d’ takes her coat and pulls out her chair at the end of the booth.
“So this is the beauty that tamed our Asher,” Aunt Bethany says with a cackle in her voice as she eyes Ella up and down.
Ella visibly swallows at Aunt Bethany’s gruff, unfiltered tone. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she says through a blush.
“We’ll see if that remains the case after dinner.”
“Aunt Bethany,” I warn. “Be nice.”
Aunt Bethany clucks her tongue, dismissing my warning, as we all retake our seats.
“Aunt Bethany, this is Ella’s sister, Maya,” I introduce, trying to diffuse the awkwardness of the moment.
Her hawk eyes now roam over Maya. “The two of you look nothing alike.”
I give Bethany a hard look, unamused at her antics.
“I’m adopted,” Maya says.
“Hmm. Are there more siblings?”
“No, just the two of us.”
“So, you were an only child,” Bethany says to Ella. “Why is that?”
“That’s an incredibly private and inappropriate question,” I say through a sigh. Why is it that old people forget all their fucking manners? What happens?
“Uh, my parents weren’t able to have any more children.”
“Hmm. That’s not good. Do you share their fertility struggles? Is it genetic? We can’t have a Mrs. Langford who can’t bear children.”
“Enough!” I growl with more force this time. “You are being rude and inappropriate.”
God, this is going to be a long dinner.
Fuck me and my mother’s pretentious family.
Ella plasters a fake smile on her face. “I’m so glad you could make it to dinner, Bethany, Asher said he hasn’t seen you in quite some time.”
“Ha! As if not seeing me in quite some time is a bother to him.”
“Of course it is, I do so enjoy a loving family meal.”
Bethany takes a long drink of her wine while giving me a sardonic glare to let me know she’s well aware that I’m spouting bullshit. My mother’s aunt is a fiery one.
“You enjoy a loving family meal? What a change of pace. Did you overhaul your entire personality?”
I let out a long breath before replying. “It seems that Ella’s influence is good for me. Domestication is softening my sharper edges.”
Bethany holds up her glass in an amused acquiescence of my little volley.
“A good thing, then. The headlines on you, boy. I was even seeing them here across the pond. I’ve called your mother on many occasions asking her what on earth you were thinking and when you were going to settle down.
The Langford line has no heir beyond you, Asher. It’s time to remedy that.”
“All in good time, Aunt Bethany,” I say, and now I might be blushing. Again with the talk of children. Ella’s eyes are wide, and Maya looks at Ella with shock written on her face.
Sterling chuckles to himself. “Yes, Asher. When can we expect a little Langford heir? I do hope they get Ella’s looks, though.”
Fuck you, asshole, I mouth to Sterling. He chuckles with mirth.
“The wedding must come first, of course,” Bethany goes on, unaware of the reactions across the table.
“None of this walking down the aisle pregnant.” She gives Ella a pointed look.
She turns back to Sterling and me. “Your father and mother’s wedding was televised on all the morning news shows.
A Langford wedding is a spectacle, to say the least, and the last thing you want is an unexpected pregnancy being a topic of conversation, overshadowing the wedding. ”
Ella looks at me with wide eyes.
“You’ll need a premier designer for your dress, of course,” Bethany drones on, still oblivious. “Catherine’s dress was featured in every news and gossip magazine in the country, broadcast across the nation, and even given some news coverage across the world.”
“Yes, well we all know my mother brought her own fame to join the Langford’s when she wed my father. No need to scare her, Aunt Bethany.”
“She may be no Catherine.” I wince at the dig. “But you are Catherine Rothschild’s son and a Langford. The Langfords are the royals of America. So, if she marries you, the wedding must be perfect. And the dress must be perfect.”
“Don’t listen to her,” I whisper in Ella’s ear. “Don’t worry about any of this.”
“Oh, I’m certain Ella’s dress will be spectacular,” Sterling says, nodding seriously along with Aunt Bethany. “I’m sure my mother is already lining up designers.”
I kick him under the table. He smirks, but doesn’t turn his attention away from Aunt Bethany. “And where would you suggest the wedding take place?” he asks her innocently.
I zone out Bethany and her wedding location suggestions and lean close to Ella. I rub my hand over her knee in what I hope is reassurance.
“There is no wedding requirement in the agreement,” I whisper. “Just ignore her and my idiot brother. He’s just goading her to fuck with me.”
She nods. “Yes, but there is a potential wedding clause. That’s the board’s goal, is it not?”
“Yes, but it’s not a stipulation. It’s an added bonus.”
“And your wedding would be televised? A global spectacle?”
“It’s what would be expected, yes.”
“Good god,” she whispers under her breath.
At last, the waitress brings our food, cutting off all wedding conversation. Thank the lord.
“Is there anything else I can get you, Mr. Langford?” the waitress asks me in a breathy voice when she finishes handing out our dishes. She has her tits pressed out and she gives me a sultry smile.
I look to Ella and Maya. “Anything else you need, ladies?” They both shake their heads.
“No, thank you,” I say dismissively and start on my dinner.
“What about you, Mr. Langford?” the waitress asks, now turning to Sterling. “Anything else I can get you?”
I want to jump in and make his life hell, telling her he very much needs her help, just to get back at him.
But I want the waitress gone more than I want to fuck with Sterling.
I don’t need her piss-poor and obvious flirting attempts to upset Ella.
Bethany is enough of a problem—but I can’t just dismiss her.
“No, thank you,” Sterling says, matching my same dismissive tone.
“You’re sure?” she croons.