Chapter 4 Asher Quill

Can I make you some tea baby? Asher asked his twin sister for the umpteenth time but there was no response. Tragedy struck the Quill's house when Marvin Quill got raped by unknown men on the eve of on fire night two years before and Asher Quill has been caring for his distraught sister since then.

Asher Quill is a successful sculptor and art and culture professor at Alexandria University in Lagos. Young and resilient... He became a professor at age twenty and a well-known sculptor far and beyond eighteen.

He was known to be a persistent young man with an IQ of 240 at eighteen... A child prodigy and was said to be as wise as the oldest man alive.

But Asher wasn't just brilliant, he was resourceful and due to this was given a lot of pressure in his family. Now at twenty-five. Asher is the youngest billionaire that tops the chart every year, his net worth is said to exceed one trillion dollars without the hidden assets he has but Asher loves the solitude despite his power.

Born into a family who struggled to make ends meet... Asher and his sister Marvin Quill struggled with schooling and other things... Their parents were living loafers who decided to abandon them at the age of ten and since then they fend for themselves until Asher had a breakthrough with his sculpting when he was twelve.

Now, the only one who mattered to him sits lifeless right in front of him without uttering a word. Sometimes she talks just vaguely and sometimes she becomes aggressive.

Other times, she just lays down or sits just as she is doing currently and stares into space. The doctors has administered several medications to no avail. "None worked until Doctor Lillian was transferred to the hospital at Alexandria psychiatric home.

Now it seems like Marvin could recognise him but she doesn't respond much and in his book that is a win. "Marv, Asher called her name quietly hoping not to trigger her aggressive side". But, she didn't respond to him.

Resigned he sat quietly and watched his only surviving family slip away in sadness.... Her forest green eyes look dead.

The chiselled nose was now pale, and eyes that were once bright and eager now dull and lifeless... She wore a blue shirt and a white short.

She had refused the hospital gowns when she got in and had done enough damage to tell that she hated the clothes. "Even without sanity Marvin's sense of fashion never waned".

You know, Asher began trying to liven up... "I met beautiful Anto today like you once asked me to and I realise she isn't all bad just a little dump".

I don't know what you see in the woman that made you get stuck on hooking her up with me. "I gave her hints on several occasions and she couldn't pick up on it. "I know, he said holding up a hand, I am not praising my superior gene to always be the best but just basic ethics".

I decided to take her out for lunch, he began telling her the story". "He had met Anto at a deli inside the school premises and to his luck she wore all pink, one that blinds the eye, he thought".

And my god! he exclaims feigning a horror-stricken face, she prattles like a child... And did she smack her lips anytime she says something and the boisterous laughter", he rolled his eyes up I couldn't stomach it anymore.

What's worse, he turned serious looking at her anxious face, she began feeling the server up right in front of me and even changed her stance to please him.

Sitting upright, Asher mimicked a poor stance of a hooker and batted his lashes in a way that made her mouth twitch. "Do you think you could fill me up... I mean fill my glass up to the brim, I am perched" he said in a voice close to a chirpy girl's voice.

And this earned him laughter from Marvin, one that made him grin widely. I am hoping you find love soon Ash, she said suddenly making him look at her in glee... "She was talking to him today. "No, sis... I don't think that feeling is for me, perhaps I am still young there is no rush now.

Marvin scooted close to him and touched his cheek affectionately, one he missed so much... "You don't have to worry about me Ash..."It is a phase and I will pass through it, please don't stop on my accord".

Asher, stared blankly unable to form any words..." She spoke in a straight sentence without giving add-ons".

Maybe there was hope yet... Happy to oblige her since she spoke to him with such tenderness... Ahser fought to reign in his tears and nodded so she wouldn't worry so much, I will look for a lady as you requested".

That won't be necessary Asher heard an irritating voice behind him and turned with an annoyance he struggled not to display.

"Alice, he breathed her name in a whisper... "My love Alice chirped in...

Alice Campbell... A famous journalist and brand influencer, he had loved her he remembered as her lofty cologne wafted the air as usual with half his heart and all of his loins when he was naive and nineteen.

The woman had played him as well as a lot of eligible bachelors like him.

Alice studied the man in front of her, he once made her blood sing with his mare looks... his striking balance of maturity and intellect makes her water every time.

That was what attracted him to her, he was young naive and had a little hint of drunkenness... His brain, gods! made hers leak at all times but she needed to pave a way for herself and not settle for the crumbs he had to offer...

So when she had him by his loins, she sure made sure to have many others warm her cold bed till she reached the pinnacle. Despite his young age, he was loaded and now he has the power to overturn every industry, business or trade in the country and beyond.

So, when she learnt of his sister, Alice remembered Marvin. The leach she thought... Ash would do anything for her and she had been Alice's nightmare when she was with him.

Marvin was the only one who had access to his funds and that infuriated her beyond measure but here now and she will somehow find out the juicy news from the youngest billionaire in the state.

I came to say hello when I heard what happened Ash... I mean no harm she raised her hand up in surrender but Ash was long past her shenanigans.

Thank you for your kind gesture, we are fine now Alice... you can leave... Don't put me off so soon Ash... We were friends once.

Or are you going to tell me you don't remember the old Chevy role-plays we do have Ash? Asher stared hard at her and cursed himself for thinking of the long days and nights when he had his hands and mouth on her.

Ravaging her like she was the one who held his soul, she moved closer to him now laying her hands on his gently... Thinking in triumph men"; "they are simple creatures, give them a pint and a warm bed and they will lose their footing.

But Asher Quill wasn't a teenager anymore and the memories of their long nights and days were long past... Stop it, Alice, he swapped her hands away...

If you want to demean yourself by coming here to do this just so you could raise your ratings with juicy dark news in my life you have failed as a woman and as a person.

Alice stepped back in annoyance... "Who do you think you are, she snapped; her fiery and hurt...

No, who do you think you are Alice Campbell? He asked; his voice cold and unfeeling... "Coming here with your half-assed plan to prey on my sister's weakness for money, and if you haven't gotten the memo yet, I am past nineteen".

No, you are not, Alice said hysterically, you are not that sweet loving man I knew; you are nothing but a monster who thinks he is high and mighty just because he's got a fancy car. "Yes, I am Ash turned to drag her out, at least I preyed less than you'd for both of us together"

*Slap* Alice slapped him angrily and before he could say anything he heard the cries inside.

Stop it... "Marvin held her head in agony, please... she whimpered... don't hurt me; he wouldn't be able to take it...

Please she curled into a ball; Ash slammed the door and ran to her but Marvin had closed off.. resigned he started singing her favourite lullabies until she relaxed... raising his head he saw Alice watching with wide eyes.

Get out" He snapped and she heard her as her heels rushed out of the room... Calling the doctor... he said to her "She needs you please".