Chapter 23 Sweet Retaliation

As she requested to go home, Asher helped her get dressed. He had dealt with everything while Bianca was preparing herself to head out. Then he volunteered to help her with everything she might need.

"I'll take it slow, so you do what you need to do, and I will be ready when you're done," Bianca shooed him away.

"I have nothing else to do. Just let me help you," Asher stubbornly yet gently argued.

He knew she was just self-conscious as to why she was shooing him away, but being aware of her condition, Asher didn't want to obey her this time. He was willing to carry her in his arms if walking would give her even the slightest pain, so he was keenly observing. He was well aware Bianca would never voice such discomfort.

Bianca was indeed feeling uncomfortable. She realized walking was challenging to do, even with care. But then, as she was wearing another dress, the clothes Asher had ordered for her, she could not walk around without underwear. The skin around her soreness brushing as she walks isn't too painful, but the cotton cloth panties made it sting.

"I think I can't walk with your pace," Bianca took a halt as they were walking from the bed to the door.

"I am not in a hurry, so I can walk with your pace, don't rush," Asher assured her. But he kept observing. Until he could no longer bear watching her covertly wincing and frowning, thinking Asher was not looking, he lifted her in his arms and walked them both to the elevator lounge.

"Asher Collins!" Bianca shrieked. She had no choice other than to grab a hold on his neck as he carried her in his arms as he did after their meal, sending her to the bathroom.

The hall was empty, so she did not struggle when Asher ignored her protests.

"You will feel more bruised if you keep walking sore," he whispered.

The hall was empty, no one was around, but he did not want Bianca to feel any more embarrassed than how she was already feeling. And he was enjoying having her in his arms. He even wished the elevator was a bit farther from where they were so he could keep her in his arms, but to his disappointment, there were only three rooms in between theirs and the elevator. They arrived soon, and Bianca demanded to be put down. Asher did as she asked, but when the elevator came and the doors opened, he lifted her again despite having two ladies in the elevator. Just to put her down again as soon as they got inside and pressed the lobby button. Their car was waiting for them upfront with a valet.

Bianca bowed her head the whole ride down. Asher looked back at the two ladies behind them and winked when he saw them looking at Bianca and Asher's back. The two ladies smiled bashfully. The other woman raised a thumb-up to Asher. And as Asher and Bianca were the closest to the door, he lifted Bianca again when it opened and got them both out of the elevator. The ladies behind them giggled. Bianca pinched Asher when she heard the ladies' titters.

"Ouch, honey...?" Asher playfully complained in a slightly loud voice.

Bianca heard the ladies make a tee-hee, suppressing their laughter. She hid her face in his chest, feeling greatly embarrassed. She even wished the ground would break and eat her whole or vanish in thin air.

"How sweet," one of the ladies whispered.

"I think they just had their honeymoon," the other commented.

Asher looked down at Bianca, but she was hiding her face. She did not see Asher's gleefully smiling face.

He really felt like they just had their honeymoon! And now they are going home. He felt so inspired to carry her around like he was too proud he had a wife in his arms.

Bianca let her breath go when she got inside their ride. Asher quickly sat behind the well, knowing Bianca was shrinking in embarrassment as he carried her for about fifty steps from the elevator to the car with so many people around. Some even clapped. Some greeted best wishes, congratulations while some whistled. Anyone around seeing the two, Bianca and Asher, would undoubtedly think they were newlyweds who seemed to have had their honeymoon at the hotel. It was common to happen, and the way Asher was so proud parading Bianca with a victorious smile, with the lady hiding her face in his chest from obvious embarrassment, the picture clearly exposed it all. Asher did not have to say the word, his gleeful mien and happy spirit had melted all doubts. And he was feeling heavenly, although he knew Bianca did not confirm nor deny the ambiguity of their situation. Asher was fascinated to see her face burning red when he helped her fasten her seatbelt as soon as she got seated in the front seat.

"Let's get you home, Mrs. Collins," Asher teased her as he started the car engine. He couldn't help it, he wanted to bite his tongue and not annoy her, but he was thrilled to hear the people in the hotel lobby express their greetings for them as if they really got wed.

"I sincerely hope you become my husband so I can retaliate and have my revenge on you for a lifetime. Let's see if you won't regret teasing me like this," Bianca sassed back at him.

She was no longer as shy as earlier since it was only Asher now. Unlike then, there were so many strangers. She was overwhelmed by their attention. Now she was braver. She can express herself. Although she was still feeling a bit abashed, she could handle Asher when he was alone with her.

"I dare you," Asher wanted to trap her with her words. "I don't think I will ever regret such a chance being your husband. I will have my ways to collect," Asher roared in laughter. "Shall we start practicing, so we can be casual and naturally act in front of my old man tomorrow?" He added in a light-hearted manner.

"Not a bad idea," Bianca did not want to back down. He was teasing her. She was not going to let it go without collecting payback. She has crazy ideas in mind to execute against this naughty Asher Collins with her. "How do you want this done, sweetheart?" She smirked as she asked.

Asher was caught off guard at her sudden question. But it wasn't about the question but her endearment of choice. He almost stepped at the pedal brake. Then he turned his eyes on her. She really knows how to play her cards.

"Eyes on the road, hubby," Bianca was holding her laughter, knowing her revenge was very effective. "We're too young to die. I haven't lived life to the fullest," Bianca decided to look ahead, knowing Asher was half focused. And she admits it was all her doing, so she should assist him in watching the road to get them both home safely.

Asher clenched his jaw. She is provoking him, knowing he cannot fight back as he is driving. He wanted to warn her, but he knew it would only add to her amusement, and her antics would magnify. Asher realized he played a game he didn't have any chance of winning. He should have sufficed with the joy of receiving people's greetings even if it was his illusions only. Teasing her and giving her the chance to tease him back was absolutely a battle he could never win. He loves her, after all. There is nothing she won't do that he could ever get mad about. But she can always make fun of him using ways he would have absolutely no way to get back at her.