As we drove to Ace's mother's house, the atmosphere in the car was lively and carefree. Ace's mother was chatting away, making jokes and teasing me about my "tough" exterior. I laughed and joked back, feeling a sense of ease with her that I hadn't experienced in a long time.
"I never would have pegged you as a tough cookie, Sharon," Ace's mother said with a grin. "You're a sweetheart."
I blushed and playfully rolled my eyes. "Don't be fooled, I'm a force to be reckoned with," I said, trying to sound tough.
Ace chuckled, and I turned to him, surprised. "You're laughing?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You're just so... entertaining," he said, his voice low and amused.
I felt a flutter in my chest at the warmth in his voice, and I quickly looked away, trying to compose myself.
As we drove, Ace's mother pointed out landmarks and told stories about the neighborhood. I was fascinated by the way she seemed to know everyone and everything.
"Look, there's the park where Ace used to play as a kid," she said, pointing to a small green space.
Ace groaned. "Mom, do we need to go down memory lane?"
His mother laughed. "Oh, come on, dear. It's fun. Sharon wants to hear about your childhood."
I smiled, intrigued. "I'd love to hear about it."
Ace shook his head, laughing. "I think I'd rather not."
The conversation flowed easily, and before I knew it, we were pulling up to a beautiful house. I was surprised to see that it was right next to the restaurant we had visited the last time.
"We're here," Ace's mother said, smiling. "Welcome to my home."
As we helped Ace's mother arrange her things, I couldn't help but notice the way Ace moved with a quiet confidence, his movements efficient and precise. He was a different person from the cold, calculating CEO I had met initially.
After a while, Ace's mother yawned, covering her mouth. "I'm feeling a bit sleepy, I think I'll lie down for a bit," she said, smiling at us.
Ace nodded, concern etched on his face. "Get some rest, Mom. We'll take care of everything."
As she went into her room, Ace turned to me, his expression softening. "Let's get some coffee," he said. "I think we could both use a break."
I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. It had been a long morning, and a cup of coffee sounded like just what I needed.
We went to a cafe close by and there was an old man standing behind the coffee bar...I stood there, sipping my coffee, as the old man greeted Ace with a warm smile. "Ace Langley," he said, his voice filled with affection.
Ace smiled back, and the two of them shared a brief hug. "Hey, George. It's great to see you," Ace said, his voice relaxed.
But as the old man continued to talk, my eyes narrowed. "I heard you came here some while back with your wife, and you didn't care to ask after me," he said, a hint of teasing in his voice.
My heart sank as I realized who the old man must be talking about. Diana. I felt a pang of anger and hurt, and I tried to pull my hand away from Ace's. But he held on tight, his grip firm.
Ace's expression turned confused, and he turned to the old man. "Wife?" he repeated, his voice laced with uncertainty.
I watched as he glanced at me, his eyes locking onto mine for a brief moment. I could see the realization dawn on him that I was upset, and he turned back to the old man, his face neutral.
The old man's expression faltered for a moment, and then he chuckled. "Oh, I must have gotten my wires crossed," he said, laughing.
From behind the coffee bar, a teenage girl walked out with a tray, looking like she was about to serve people coffee. "Yes, your wife. I saw you," she said, frowning at Ace.
Ace's smile faltered for a moment before he chuckled and turned to her. "Cassy, no school today?" he asked, his voice light.
Cassy rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath as she began to serve the coffee. The old man, George, laughed and added, "Well, my daughter heard you were in town and she stayed back to see her supposed husband."
Cassy returned behind the coffee bar, facing Ace and me as we stood across from her. She looked at me with a straight face and asked, "Who is she?"
The old man just laughed and continued fixing the coffee machine, while Cassy clicked her tongue three times and tilted her head to the side. "She looks like her," she said, her gaze flicking between Ace and me.
I couldn't help but ask, "Like who?"
Cassy's gaze snapped back to me, and then she turned to Ace. "She's the lady you came home with some time back. Is this your wife?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
The scene was getting more and more awkward by the minute, and I could feel Ace's eyes on me, but I couldn't look away from Cassy.
Ace smiled wryly and replied, "Well, she was the one I came home with last time, but she's not my wife."
Cassy's eyes widened in surprise. "Ace, you're cheating on your wife?" she exclaimed, her voice rising in indignation.
Ace just laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I think that's enough, Cassy," he said, his voice amused.
He turned to the old man, George, and said, "I should get going. I need to head back to the city before nightfall."
George nodded, his expression serious. "Okay, Ace. No problem."
Cassy stood with her arms folded across her chest, looking mutinous. "You're just going to leave like that?" she asked, her voice sulky.
Ace smiled and said, "Don't worry, Cassy."
As we walked out of the coffee shop, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. I was still trying to process what had just happened, and I was a bit embarrassed for jumping to conclusions about Ace and Diana. Ace seemed to sense my unease and asked, "Sharon, are you fine?"
I replied coldly, "I'm good."
Ace's expression was thoughtful as he said, "It wasn't Diana. It was you I brought home. I've never brought Diana here."
I looked away, feeling a bit awkward. The atmosphere between us was tense as we walked back to his mom's house.
As we reached the entrance, Ace asked me, "What's wrong?"
I hesitated, and then said, "What about Cassy?"
Ace burst out laughing. "She's George's daughter. " he explained, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
I couldn't help but feel a bit silly for overreacting, but Ace's laughter was infectious, and I found myself smiling slightly.
We walked into the house, nothing much was left to do. I walked towards the zink to wash some fruits that we'd eat when I suddenly felt his arm wrap around my waist...
"You smell nice Aec" I said to him smiling
"You smell way better, I've barely been able to keep my hands off you"
I smiled childishly as he turned me by the waist to face him, our closeness too intimate and his lips getting closer to mine when suddenly the door to his mom's room went open and I pushed him away abruptly
" Um, Aec, get the knife" I cleared my throat nervously, realizing his mom already saw us in that position
"Ohh, bad time... I just didn't feel sleepy so I thought... Just go back to what you were doing before, I'll go and sleep now"
Her voice was laced with seriousness but beneath I was able to capture the joy and sarcasm
"Mom you should have knocked before coming out" Aec said trying to sound serious, then I stepped on his toe. He looked at me cold but confused while I glared at him frowning...
"Sorry darling, I'll go now" she was about opening the door to her room when I instantly spoke up
"No, I'd love to have you stay up, that's if you don't feel sleepy or tired" I said smiling then looked at Aec again
"Yes Mom" he said not sounding convincing at all
"I don't know when Aec will bring me here again, so let's make the best of our time"
I left Aec and walked towards her...