Love By Design

Whispers of Heart

Just then, Rachel peeked in through the door, a warm smile on her face. Asher teasingly told his mother to knock before coming in, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "We need some privacy, Mom" he said.

Rachel chuckled and fired back, "I didn't think you two would be doing anything... yet." She winked at us, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "Besides, lunch is served."

Asher grinned and got up from the couch. He offered his hand, his eyes locked on mine. I stared at it, confused, my mind racing with the implications of taking his hand.

Then he leaned down, his breath whispering against my ear. "May I hold your hand, Julien?" he whispered, his voice low and gentle.

I blushed, feeling a surge of excitement at the prospect of touching him. But no coherent words came out of my mouth. I just stared at him, my eyes wide with wonder.

Asher smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He gently took my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine. The touch sent shivers down my spine and I felt like I was melting into his gaze.

As we walked out of the room, hand in hand, Asher gave me a wink that made my heart skip a beat. I felt like I was floating on air, my senses overwhelmed by the gentle pressure of his hand on mine.

As we entered the dining room, hand in hand, our parents looked up from their seats, gentle smiles on their faces. They exchanged a warm glance but politely ignored our entwined hands, allowing us to maintain the tender moment.

Giving my hand a last squeeze, Asher released it to pull out a chair for me. I blushed, feeling overwhelmed by the gentlemanly behavior. The simple gesture sent shivers down my spine and I couldn't help but steal a glance at Asher, who smiled warmly at me.

The lunch was a pleasant affair, filled with easy conversation and warm laughter. Our parents asked us about our careers, jobs and daily lives.

Rachel asked, "Julien, how do you like your job as a writer? Is it everything you hoped it would be?"

I smiled, feeling grateful for the opportunity to share my passion. "I love it, Rachel. There's something about bringing stories to life that really fulfills me. The world that was only in my head, my fragments of imagination, when I'm able to scribble it down in my writing pad, it gives me a sense of joy, a sense of belongingness nothing quite ever has. Of course, it can be challenging at times, but it's worth it."

Dr. Holland, nodded thoughtfully. "That's wonderful, Julien. Asher, how about you? How's your residency going?"

Asher launched into a detailed explanation of his experiences as a medical resident, sharing stories about his patients and the challenges he faced. I listened intently, impressed by his dedication and compassion.

As the conversation flowed, our parents asked us about our hobbies, interests, and plans for the future. We shared stories about our friends, families, and childhood memories.

As the lunch drew to a close, Asher turned to me and asked, "Julien, would you like to take a walk with me in the garden?" His eyes sparkled with warmth and I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my chest.

I nodded eagerly, feeling a sense of relief at the prospect of escaping the gentle but intense interrogation from our parents. Asher smiled and pushed back his chair, his movements fluid and effortless.

As we walked out of the dining room, Asher offered me his arm, his eyes locked on mine. I took it, feeling a sense of wonder at the old-fashioned gesture. Our parents smiled and waved at us, their faces filled with warmth and approval.

The garden proud of its beauty and tranquility, promising a serene escape from the world. As we strolled along the winding path, the scent of blooming flowers and fresh grass enveloped us, casting a spell of peace and contentment.

Just then he turned to me, his eyes sparkling with warmth, I felt a flutter in my chest. The sunlight danced across his face, highlighting the gentle curves of his features. His voice was low and husky as he asked, "Julien, may I ask you something?"

I nodded, feeling a sense of curiosity and wonder picking it's way up my soul. My heart beat a little faster and I couldn't help but fumble with my words. "Y-yes, of course Asher."

Asher's smile was gentle and encouraging, putting me at ease. He took a step closer to me, his eyes locked on mine. "What do you think of me, Julien?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I felt a blush rise to my cheeks, and I looked away, trying to compose myself. But Asher's gentle touch on my arm brought my gaze back to his. His eyes were expectant, yet soothing and I felt a sense of calm wash over me.

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I-I think you're amazing, Asher," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. "You're intelligent, and passionate about your work. And..." I paused, feeling a sense of shyness wash over me.

"And dreamy?", he teased.

"I'm never going to live that down, am I?" I ask with a little shake of my head. "You sure do own a mirror, don't you? I'm sure you know that objectively, you're very handsome"

Asher's face lit up with a warm smile and he took another step closer to me. His eyes sparkled with delight and his voice was filled with emotion. "Thank you, Julien," he whispered. "That means more to me than you'll ever know."

Asher's gaze held mine, his eyes searching for something. And I knew, in that moment, that I wanted to give him everything he was looking for. I wanted to be the one he turned to, the one he trusted, the one he loved.