Asher's gaze remained steady on her, his lips parting to speak in an uncharacteristically serious voice, "Close your eyes, Rowena," he said, his voice as calm as the night and his expression unreadable.
The hallway fell into silence once more, with only the echo of his words filling the space.
Rowena had a hint of surprise in her crimson eyes. She looked into his eyes, as if searching for an answer to what was going on in his mind.
But she decided to give up and closed her eyes as the hallway became hushed again.
After few moments,
"Okay, you can open them now."
Hearing his voice, Rowena cautiously fluttered open her eyes. What greeted her gaze made her heart leap.
In Asher's outstretched hands was an enormous, vivid painting on seasilk canvas. The depiction was of her and Asher, wrapped in a loving embrace, their gazes locked and radiating adoration.
