I'm Afraid I Won't Be Able to Leave

Leah was stunned. "...Go back to your place?"

"Yeah. My mom’s mentioned having dinner with you a few times, but we could never find the right opportunity."

Ruth Hughes had mentioned to Asher Keating several times that he should bring Leah Sinclair to have a meal with them. But either Asher was busy, or Leah was. Then, Grandma Sinclair passed away.

The matter had been postponed ever since. Asher thought about how tomorrow was New Year’s Eve. He didn’t want Leah to be alone. It was one thing on a normal day, but on a day of family reunions like this, he didn’t want her to be by herself.

"I’m still in the mourning period," Leah said, shaking her head quickly.

"I know, and my parents know too. But tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, and you’ll be alone..."

"I can’t, Third Brother. I can’t be so disrespectful of tradition."

Leah tugged on his hand. "Please tell your mother for me. Say that after some time has passed and my mourning period is over, I’ll treat her and your father to a meal."

Asher couldn’t win against her, so he could only say, "Alright, you be good and stay here tomorrow. I’ll try to come back as early as I can."

"Okay." Leah nodded obediently.

When the New Year’s Eve Gala began, Leah turned on the TV and cranked up the volume. With Asher gone, she was all alone, so she cooked a bowl of noodles, cracked open a can of beer, and ate slowly while watching the show. She even chuckled at one of the skits.

Outside, all sorts of different fireworks began to go off. She opened the balcony window and quietly watched the fireworks in the distance.

Beyond the window were the lights of a thousand homes. On this day, even the busiest people rushed back home to share a reunion dinner with their families.

Leah watched the fireworks for a long time before whispering, "Grandma, Happy New Year."

Not long after dinner, Asher prepared to head back. Aaron Keating was being snide, remarking that Asher wasn’t spending enough time with the old Mr. Keating, but Asher couldn’t be bothered to argue with him.

The old Mr. Keating, however, didn’t say anything. Every year, the younger generation would leave quickly after dinner; Asher, in fact, was usually the one who stayed with him the longest. This year, he knew Asher had a certain young lady on his mind, so he said cheerfully, "Bring that young lady back for me to meet soon."

Asher squatted in front of him and said with a smile, "I was originally going to bring her to see you today, but she’s still in mourning. I was afraid it would be bad luck for you. Once the time has passed, I’ll bring her."

The old Mr. Keating nodded. "Alright, go on. She’s home alone. The first year is always the hardest."

"Thank you, Grandpa."

Asher took out a red envelope and stuffed it into the old Mr. Keating’s hand, then gave red envelopes to his parents as well before heading out.

"Third Brother." Aaron Keating chased after him.

"What is it?"

"Tsk. Can’t I talk to you for a bit if there’s nothing wrong?"

Aaron Keating tsked. "So you really plan on bringing her home?"

"That’s my business," Asher said flatly.

"Third Brother, don’t blame Second Brother for not reminding you. Someone of her status—do you really think she’s worthy of our Keating Family? Don’t be ridiculous. The most suitable person for you to marry is still Madeline Sterling. At least the Sterling Family can bring you plenty of benefits," Aaron sneered.

"If I want something, I’ll fight for it myself. But you, Second Brother, you want to marry the eldest daughter of the Hale Family, don’t you?" Asher knew Aaron had recently been pursuing Chester Hale’s older sister, but she wasn’t interested.

"It’s her good fortune that I’ve taken a liking to her! If she marries me, how could the Hale Family possibly be losing out?"

This angered Aaron. The Hale Family was nowhere near the level of their Keating Family, yet he never expected that woman from the Hale family to be so unappreciative.

"So you see, not all parents will let their daughter marry someone unworthy." After saying this, Asher looked him up and down, then walked away with a slight curve to his lips.

"Bah! Who does he think he is, acting so high and mighty." Aaron spat, then went to get his car. He had plans to meet Morgan Sterling at The Dynasty Club today.

When Asher got home, Leah was on the balcony, staring blankly at the fireworks. It was New Year’s Eve, and the fireworks hadn’t stopped, coming one wave after another.

The sound of the fireworks covered the sound of him opening the door. It wasn’t until she was pulled into a familiar embrace that Leah turned around in surprise. "Third Brother, why are you back so early?"

"Are you complaining that I’m back early?"

Asher felt her hand and closed the window. "It’s so cold. How long have you been standing here?"

"Not that long. I thought you’d be hanging out with Ethan Shaw and the others for a while."

"It’s the same thing every year. It’s fine to miss this one."

Asher rubbed her cool hands and pushed her toward the bathroom. "Go take a shower. You’re almost frozen solid."

Only then did Leah start to feel the cold. She obediently went to take a shower. Asher turned on the TV in the bedroom to the New Year’s Eve Gala, picked up his phone, and saw many well-wishing messages. He replied to a select few and sent out a pile of red envelopes as if he were scattering money.

When Leah came out, she looked dewy and fresh. Asher looked up and found it hard to hold back. Because of Leah’s mourning period, the two of them hadn’t done *it*. Leah’s body ran cold, and she liked to press up against him when she slept at night. God only knew how many times he had to restrain himself.

He stood up, went to the living room, and brought back a red envelope, handing it to Leah. "Lucky money."

Leah was pleasantly surprised. "There’s lucky money? Why are there two?"

"One is from my parents. You didn’t go, so they had me bring the red envelope back for you."

Leah felt the red envelopes; both were very thick. She felt hesitant to accept them. "Isn’t this too much?"

"Does anyone ever complain about getting too much lucky money?" Asher found it amusing. "Just take it. It’s just a small token of their affection."

"..."

’This "small token" seems a little too generous.’

Asher went to take a shower. Leah snuggled up in bed to watch TV. When he came back, she lay down in his arms, resting on her stomach to keep watching.

After a while, she heard Asher’s voice, somewhat strained and through gritted teeth. "Leah, can you keep your hands to yourself?"

"Huh?"

Asher grabbed her hand to stop her from moving. Leah had just been unconsciously tracing his abs while watching TV.

But to Asher, that simple motion was just fanning the flames. He finally couldn’t take it anymore, pinning her beneath him and kissing her fiercely. "If we can’t do it, you at least have to let me have my fill of kisses."

But the more he kissed her, the more aroused he became. Just when he was about to lose control, he released Leah’s lips. "I’m going to take a shower."

"Third Brother."

Leah, her face flushed red, stopped him. "We can... do other things."

"What other things?"

Asher didn’t react at first. Leah rolled over and straddled him, her face so red it looked like it might bleed. As he watched her body lower, a vein in his forehead throbbed.

They had done this before. In the beginning, he had tried almost all the tricks he wanted to try, but Leah had always been rather resistant to this particular one. He wouldn’t force her, of course, so they hadn’t done it since.

He was about to say she didn’t have to, but the pleasure, both physical and mental, was too direct. Leah’s long, black hair cascaded down like a waterfall. Asher tilted his head back, surrendering to the primal bliss overtaking his body.

The clock struck twelve. Countless fireworks bloomed in the sky at the same instant, and in Asher’s mind, fireworks of his own began to explode.