I decided while we were en route for landing that I was going to do the best job anyone could do in getting Asher’s reputation, along with the Hawthorne reputation, back on track. I had a plan for exiting the plane and I was hoping it didn’t send him tripping down the stairs, or worse.
“Let me exit first and have a quick look around.” Gunner stepped in front of us. “Looks harmless enough.”
“What does that mean exactly- ‘Harmless enough’?” I asked, squeezing Asher’s hand.
“Solitaire, it means I don’t see any bully Brice or his minions out there,” Bond said matter-of- factly.
“Bonza, I never want to see that bloke again.” I shivered out of excitement. “See, no one is out there, and we’re over here mucking around when we could be out there.”
“I didn’t say that, Solitiare. I just said it looks harmless enough.” Gunner came back in the plane and gently pushed us to the top of the stairs.
Time to party, girl. Let’s do it.
Asher lifted his arm to wave to a small crowd standing with cameramen on the outer edges. When he turned to his left to wave, I took my opportunity and went in for a kiss. For a playboy, he sure didn’t act like that kind of thing happened on a daily basis.
“Get used to that hubby-to-be,” I said, blocking his surprised face with my body and hair. “We needed to get that first kiss out of the way now, so, you’re welcome.”
An old, yet regal Bentley with a driver pulled up on the airstrip next to the plane. A few girls yelled out for Asher. For some reason he held tightly to my hand.
“Does this happen everywhere you go?” I asked slightly impressed. “Do you usually go over to them or just wave?”
He is so confusing. I heard about scandals and lots of women, but right now he looks like he wants to vomit rather than say hi to these screaming girls.
“It depends on how I’m feeling. I guess I should say something to be polite.” He squeezed myhand.
“Come with me?” Asher asked me to help him.
How could I or would I say no?
The girls were, as Gunner put it, harmless enough. It was weird for me. I‘d never been around someone famous or someone this rich. They had hundreds of questions for Asher, including who I was. He threw his arm across my shoulders and gleefully announced I was his fiancée.
Well, here we go. It’s out.
“If she’s your fiancée, then where is her engagement ring? What’s her name? What happened to Princess Delilah?” The reporters called out pointing the cameras right at us.
“We have to get going now, ladies. Thanks for coming out to say hi.” Asher avoided the questions with ease. “I need you to keep our secret though. Can you do that for me?”
“Can we at least know her name?” one reporter called from somewhere in the back.
“Since it’s our secret. Her name is…”
“Solitaire,” I interrupted, before he could say my real name. “See you all later, we really do need to go now.” I pushed at Asher’s side to move along.
“What about the ring? Come on, show us the ring,” the reporters called out to us.
We jumped in the Bentley and were whisked away. I couldn’t help myself, I was laughing and shaking at the same time. Asher sat looking straight ahead, completely shell-shocked by the whole thing.
“What’s going on in that head of yours?” I laid my hand on his arm to get his attention. “Asher. Earth to Asher. Aliens just landed on top of the car and we’re about to be eaten alive.”
Why is he so shocked by the attention? I thought this was his way of life. Maybe it’s about the fiancée thing.
“Hey Bond, pull over by those fountains up ahead,” I asked, keeping an eye on Asher to see if he responded to my request.
“Okay, so I’m going to strip down to my birthday suit and go bathe in the fountains. Do you want to join me?” I tried Asher again to no avail.
The car pulled over. Nothing from Asher. I motioned for Gunner to step out of the car with me. Still nothing. Now I was feeling really bad. He must be in a little coma about saying he was getting married to the reporters. I had to think of something to do. I opened my car door before Gunner got to my side of the car.
“How long have you known Asher?” I asked, pacing in my red stilettos. “Is he acting weird in there, or is this another side of his personality?”