The Smith's Legacy

Chapter 1

"I can't do this anymore, father"

Asher's voice trembled as he stood up from the couch, his eyes avoiding Marshall's. Without waiting for a response, he tried to leave.

Asher smith, was without a doubt a hunky young chap. Just the kind of guy every woman would dream about. And all he ever wanted was a world where he could also have a say in it and not be constantly ordered around by his father.

But Robert Smith. Asher's unyielding father stood his ground.

"No Asher" he said sternly. " You're gonna sit back right there, cause we need to figure this...”

Robert barely finished his last word when Asher butted in.

"Not anymore father," he snapped."I gave it my all and at this point, I'm done! I'm done trying to be the foolish one, just because of some silly legacy? No way father, this is it.!"

His words struck Robert like a thunderclap. He could not believe that Asher would grow up one day to become the image seated before him.

" Listen to me Asher "

He gulped down, trying hard to keep his emotions in check. "This is about your future, Asher. The family legacy, and I expected you to stick to..."

" Not anymore father " Asher interrupted again, quieter this time, but firm. "I can't keep doing this. I feel so exhausted right now, and I think is time to stop ”

Robert watched in disbelief as Asher turned and stormed up the stairs.

"No" He whispered, suddenly rising up from the couch. "Asher didn't just walk out on me…?"

He asked, as he stared up the staircase in daze, unable to move, replaying Asher's words over and over.

"What have I done? Did i just walked out on him? My father..?"

Asher asked. Pacing furiously in his room, as he tried to make sense out of what had just happened. But Suddenly he paused, and then.

The thought of going back to the living room to apologize to his father hit him so hard that he could not delay a second.

"You are 20 now Asher" A voice whispered in his ears as he was just about to get hold of the doorknob. "What do you want?" The voice asked, and louder this time. ” Live for your father, or be the man you've always wanted to?"

Asher froze, his eyes darting around the room, as if searching where the loud unseen voice was coming from.

"Who are you?" He asked, his voice barely audible.

No response, the whispering voice was suddenly gone. But Asher stood still, waiting patiently to hear the voice speak again.

"Talk to me..! Who the hell are ..?"

Asher was on top of his voice, when the knock on his door caught him off.

"Get out of my.."

He paused, cause right there at the doorway, was Jessica standing with her arms crossed and looking all confused from the look on Asher's face.

"Now you are invading Jessica" Asher said in his cracky voice , trying to avert his eyes from meeting Jessica's.

"Well, maybe because someone was yelling loud enough to scare the neighbourhood" she replied as she tried to make her way into Jamie's room. But suddenly, she paused.

" What was that anyway? Why were you so loud?"

She asked, her tone dripping with concern. And when it was clear that Asher was not going to speak, she turned around, but before she left, she said.

" You scared me Asher, I thought something had happened to you, please don't ever do that again"

Jessica was just two steps ahead when Asher quickly left the doorknob and extended his hand to hold onto Jessica's arm.

"Please don't go" he pleaded. "What If Jessica..?"

He forced out. And immediately, Jessica stopped moving. What if? What was going on with Asher? Why was he acting so strange? And the look on his face? Hmm.

She thought to herself, standing right there and trying to fit into Asher's response.

" What if Asher? What exactly is going on with you? " She asked quietly turning around to look at him in the face.

But to Asher. Jessica was just a spoiled brat. What could she possibly help with? He thought, but decided to give it a shot anyway.

" It's Emily and I, Jessica," he breathed.

" Why has father refused to accept this fact? Why do I feel so voiceless in all of this?"

"That...?"

She mumbled then quietly took Asher's hand off her arm. " You know" she said, her voice almost bitter. " You're probably the luckiest person I know of, Asher "

Then turned around and majestically walked down the stairs.

Asher watched her leave, confused. The weight in his chest, still growing heavier.

"I know you can be crazy Jessica...But please, don't leave like that!"

He screamed on top of his voice, trying to get Jessica's attention. But she was already gone.

” Breath Asher " he said to himself. "You got this"

" Yes you do, Asher " a voice came from behind, and Asher swiftly turned, looking startled.

But right there was his father, Robert standing and smiling.

" I forgive you okay? " He said softly with a beam of smile on his face. " And believe me son. I still love you" he continued. " But I want the best for you. And that is Emily. Because, I know the family legacy would be safe with her by your side "

Asher didn't know what to say anymore as his hands stayed buried in his pocket, his gaze fixed on the floor.

" But I'm tired, father," he said suddenly and firmly. " Can I please make this one decision?”

He asked. But rather, Robert stepped closer and placed his hand on Asher's shoulder, rubbing on it.

" No Asher. This is actually a legacy and it lives on"

At the time. Robert felt that was it but unknown to him, that Asher had other plans coming.

It was a restless night for Asher as he could not catch a glimpse of sleep. He kept rolling from one end of the bed to the other side.

He was just about to drift, when the alarm of his table clock ticked.

"6:00 o'clock?" He groaned, rubbing his eyes. But as he prepared to get down from the bed, his phone beeped.

"Congratulations Asher. We are pleased to inform you that your application into Cornell University has been approved!"

The message read. And immediately, Asher sat upright, staring at the screen of his phone. He tried reading it again and then a third time.

" Yes! " He shouted. " This is the road to a new beginning..!! "