Chapter 8: How It Fell Apart

Asher was still speechless, left alone in a restaurant room with untouched food on the table. Everything that has happened moments ago felt like a dream he couldn't wake up from. He has made up his mind about turning himself in after meeting with the lawyer his father has arranged for him. But now, he wasn't so sure anymore.

He was speechless, much over the fact that it was Win who showed up to be his lawyer. She couldn't be doing this for the money, she's one of the richest youths in Beijing. So, could it be some sort of revenge plan?

He was getting frustrated as nothing he was trying to think of was making sense.

But suddenly he remembers what Win was telling him earlier, was he really that selfish for not thinking of the pain his family must be going through? He has his reasons.

Of course, he was not guilty of his crime. He wasn't even sure why that certain employee has suddenly gathered the courage to file an assault case against him. He scoffed, "If anyone is to be put in jail, it should be him." At first, he didn't mind the rumors because he knew that both he and the employee knew the truth. Thus, the surprise when a criminal case was filed against him.

Asher wanted the case and the rumors to be over soon as it was already taking its toll on the company. His father may not tell him but he is well aware that their stock prices are plunging. At first, he thought admitting the crime was the fastest way to put an end to everything.

But with everything Win has told him, he realized he didn't look at the bigger picture. She was right, him getting imprisoned would only affect their company greater in the long run. He was the only viable heir, and no one would want to invest in a company whose director has the title criminal in his background.

He sighed, he was still as bad and rash in decision-making as he was years ago, consequently, he admits that his messed-up life right now is a product of all his wrong choices.

A little more than six years ago, Asher remembers celebrating his fourth year with Win. He was enthusiastic to tell her about how he was casted by an Italian photographer to work with him overseas. But the whole time, Win, was skeptical about the Italian man he was telling her about. This annoyed Asher, thinking that Win didn't agree with him working overseas because she didn't want Asher leaving her side.

"What do you mean I still have to think about it carefully? Not all photographers my age get this opportunity, Win." He mentioned repeatedly, he was very irritated that Win wasn't happy about the plan.

Win tried to calm him down, still trying to explain what she was worried about, "Look, I am very proud of you. This man is giving you an opportunity to work overseas for something that has been your dream. But aren't you acting a little too rashly? As far as I remember, your father is asking you to start training managing the company as well."

"Win, you know more than anyone that this is my dream. Mr. Romano has given me a week to decide. I can't miss this opportunity." Asher insisted.

"I know how much you want this but it just seems a little suspicious for me. If he values your talent that much, he will wait for you. I just don't want you getting into any trouble, migrating to Italy is something that needs time."

"I am not like you, Win." Asher speaks again, this time not holding himself back, "I am not like you who is easily casted into modelling jobs or careers, I am not as smart as you or Nathan who can easily get into the things you want. You got into law school and I said nothing about it, right? So, why aren't you allowing me to be finally happy with the path I want?"

Win closes her eyes and breathes deeply; she convinces herself that Asher was saying all these out of anger, it wasn't the first time he was like this so she tries to hold his hand instead. But to her surprise, Asher pushed her away and stood up, "Why do you have to control my life the way you want it to?"

Win is speechless, she didn't know what to say. All the time they were together, she only thought of what was best for him. She never knew Asher felt like he was being controlled, "I'm sorry, if you feel that way, I never meant to-"

"Every single time, you want me to pick choices that are best for you. Not for me. And I tell you over and over again, that I am not as good or as smart as you are. I am pathetically holding onto the power of my surname. Photography is the only thing that makes me feel myself and even that, you don't want me to do? You want me to get stuck in an industry that I don't have any interest in?" He continually speaks, not giving Win any chance to speak for herself.

"I am doing this whether you agree to it or not, this is my life, my choices." Asher finally stops and storms out of the room, leaving Win in tears.

That night, she was trying to contact him, wanting to apologize. But to her disappointment, all her calls went into voicemail and she was receiving no replies. This went on for a day, it even worried her that she flied to Italy without bidding her goodbye. It was only to her surprise that the night after, Asher was calling her phone, asking her to meet up with him in the place they used to secretly hangout in.

Asher got there first, silently standing under a streetlight with an umbrella in hand. He was startled to see Win drenched, she explained it started raining on her way so she didn't have the chance to bring an umbrella.

Not even moving from where he stood on, he spoke, "I'm flying to Italy tomorrow morning."

"What?" Win was surprised but knowing that Asher probably still was mad at her, she acted all happy and surprised of the news, "Really? That's great! Can I see you off to the airport? I have no schedules or anything."

"No."

She was shocked from the reply, she felt something stab her heart in pain, "What? Why not?"

"Let's end it all here."

That statement deafened Win, at one moment, she felt helpless and weak. She fell on a curb and started crying uncontrollably, "I don't understand. We were fine, weren't we? Yesterday we even went to your favorite restaurant and celebrated our fourth year together and now you're telling me you want to stop all of this?"

The rain was pouring heavily, and she was yelling out all her words for him to hear. He was standing motionlessly under the flickering streetlamp, as if contemplating what he'd say next. The rain poured heavy, yes, but it seems like her voice is the only thing he could hear.

"Why don't you answer me?" she cried out, "Tell me something at least."

"I realized I loved you because I needed you." Finally, he blurts out.

"What?"

He slowly faces her, no one being able to tell if it was raindrops or tears dripping down his face, "And now, I don't- I need you no more."

She was dumbfounded, not sure what she was going to make out of what she is hearing from the man whom she loved all her life, "I really don't understand. Then just need me, need me for the rest of your life and I will be here for you. Just please, stay."

"You really don't understand, don't you?" He takes a step closer to her while unclasping the bracelet they both had from his wrist, "I don't need you anymore. And that leaves me no reason to stay beside you. Take this," handing out the umbrella, "This is the least I can do for you right now. I hope someday you forgive me. I should go."

"Wait." She called out in a weak voice, stopping him in his tracks, "That was really harsh, you know." She said, putting up a weak smile, "Well, I guess that sucks for me since I am still in love with you. So, do me a favor and stay out of my sight until these feelings of love turn into hate. That would probably take a while so, until then, live well."

Asher could feel his heart ache as he remembered every moment of the day he decided to live his life without Win. He laughed pathetically, remembering how the Italian man conned him into giving him all his money then leaving him clueless in the streets of Italy. If it wasn't for his father's kindness to take him back into the company, he's probably be a beggar overseas, if not, dead.

To this day, he still feels stupid that he thought Win was doing that to control him, everything she did for him was genuinely out of love and care. He chuckled painfully to himself and stared at the business card Win left for him, "So, I guess you still know what's best for me."

He quickly dialed the number on the card and when the other line picked up, he immediately said, "I'll carry on with the court trial. Would you still be my lawyer?"