Chapter 15: Chapter 14

⇝**Chapter 14**⇜

Madison

For the last three days, he let me finish my work before forcing me to stop and just stay at home to study. I don’t really mind working but I guess it will really help me if I just focus here. But what I don’t understand is why did he insist on working here when he can just work there.

Today is Saturday, A sunny Saturday.

Waking up with him spooning me, and seeing his messy hair first in the morning is something I wouldn’t get tired watching, for the first time I’m the first time who woke up. He’s always been the one who’s waking me up, but today, it’s already 8 in the morning yet he’s still sleeping.

After doing my morning routine, I change from my pajamas to a pair of denim shorts and sleeveless cropped tank top before going to the kitchen to make our breakfast.

Moving around the kitchen, I decided to make some waffles and chocolate pancakes with some bacon, eggs, and ham and orange milkshake. I could say, the kitchen is my favorite place here in the villa, not only because I can do everything here but because Ace is always different when we’re here.

He’s somehow being open to me, telling me everything like what a usual husband and wife does. Like what Victoria did to him and Jenny, how his Dad ended up with Victoria when he was young, and what happened between him and Luke. And it makes me happy to think that he’s not uncomfortable with opening up to me.

Even though I’m always talkative around him, I still didn’t say anything from my past except my parent’s death and Luke. Because I don’t really have anything to say, and talking about my parents death is not something I always wanted to do.

I walk to the fridge to get some bacon but when I turn around, I slightly jump in my place as I saw him already sitting on the counter table.

“Fuck, are you carrying yourself when you’re walking?” giving him a frown, I walk to the stove and turn it off.

“You’re just too busy that you didn't hear me.” he said still with his husky raspy voice.

I took the sheet pan from the cabinet and layered the bacon while putting some potatoes and tomatoes on the side. As I walk to the oven, I carefully put the pan inside and set the timer to 15 minutes at 400 degrees.

“How’s your sleep?” I asked as I took the seat in front of him and started peeling off the oranges.

“Good, why did you not wake me up? I thought you went somewhere.”

“Where would I go?” I chuckled at him as I gave him a confused look. “I saw you last night, around 3AM, you’re still not sleeping so I thought maybe you’re exhausted from lack of sleep for the past few weeks.”

I thought he’s going to say something but he just stared at me.

“Do I have something on my face?” I asked as I touched my face when I suddenly noticed the corner of his lips twitching up. “What is it?”

“Nothing.” he smiled at me before looking at his phone. “Btw, Jenny will come here for dinner.”

“Really? Then I should go to the grocery later. Wanna come with me?”

“Uhmm– I have something to do later, I’ll just call Samuel to drive you there.” Samuel is the one who’s driving for me whenever I need to go somewhere.

“If you don’t mind, Can I borrow your car instead? I kinda want to go alone.” I said as I finished peeling the oranges and put them in the blender with the milk, vanilla and ice.

“Yeah, sure, go ahead.”

One thing that I love the most is that he’s easy to talk to, and just let me do whatever I want.

“What time is she going to arrive? Did she tell you?”

“She didn’t say any specific time, but it’ll be dinner.”

Giving him an understanding nod, I didn’t speak for a moment as I was blending the juice and it was kinda loud. As I finished with it, I took our glass and filled it with the milkshake. Serving it infront of him, I took the pancakes and waffles then served it in front of him.

“Is she going to bring someone?”

“I don’t think so, she would have told me so.”

“Do I need to buy a gift for her? Mama told me that whenever there’s a visitor, I should have something to give them. What does she like?”

“You don’t really need to.” He said as he took a sip on his drinks.

“Still, so, what can I give her? Perfume? I don’t know her taste in perfume, clothes? I also don’t know her taste in clothes–”

“You really gonna give her something, aredon’t you?” He asked, making me smile awkwardly. He lets out a sigh and says, "Jewelry, she's obsessed with jewelries."

“I’ll have that on my To Buy list later, for now, let’s have our breakfast first.” I said as I heard the oven pinged.

****

“Ace, I’ll go now.” I knocked on the door while peeking in his office room. “Do you want something? I forgot to ask.”

“Not really, go ahead.” He said not even sparing me a glance, making me roll my eyes. He’s not even going to tell me to be careful or take care? This man is really somethi– “Be careful when driving, just call me if you need anything else.” he added when a smile bloomed in my face before I even saw it coming.

“Okie bye, I’ll be back in– Oops, I forgot to tell you. I’m meeting someone so I thin–”

He didn’t even let me finish as he looked at me and stopped whatever he’s doing, “Who is it?”

“Just a friend.” I just said whatever comes to mind first. There’s no point of hiding it.

I think he gets what I mean as he clenched his jaw before shutting his laptop. “I’ll come with you.”

“You said you need to do something?”

“I wanna meet your ‘friend’” he said, annotating the word friend, whom I know he already knows too. “Wait for me in the car, I’ll just grab something” . With that, he left your room.

Having my mouth hanging open, a soft chuckle left me as I just realized the meaning of his action. Like what indicates in Hazel Checklist of Love; Sign No. 4 Getting Jealous. He might not be saying it but I know, and he knows to himself that he's jealous.

****

What have you done, Ace?

I was looking at him confused as he just stared back at me with no emotion on his face. I didn't really find a man's poker face attractive but Ace? I didn't asked him to wear that hoodie, but why does he look so fucking hot with it?

Trying to calm myself, I look out the car's window before letting out a deep breath. I'm very confused right now. I don't know why but I'm scared. For the first time in 5 years, I again felt butterflies in my stomach just because he held my hand while driving.

I'm not going to fool myself anymore, I think… I love him. No other reason, no sign needed, I do really fell for him. But at the same time, I'm scared. In our situation, it's just one way or another. He fell first for me. Because in the end it'll still be us.

What risk I don't want to take is making the first move, it's not because I had my pride up high but because it's only been a month. A Lot of things can happen in a day, in a week, and in another month. What if all of this was just for the meantime? He's been a good husband to me in these 5 weeks, however, how long will it last? I'm not doubting him but, I can see that he's just trying to be good for me, like he's doing it because he thinks that's what he needs to do.

But that's not what I want. I want him to be himself, if he'll fall for me, I want it to be because he really did and not because he forced himself, like he's obligated to love me.

But how would I know it?

All I can see is him being good to me? I can't even see any sign of being a bad husband from him, except him being a little possessive.

I once thought that I needed to first move if I love someone, but what happened with me and Luke just says that it's a wrong choice. Because he fell for me too, but only after he realized how much I love him, when he didn't feel the love anymore, he left me longing for him. I don't want the same thing to happen with Ace.

I want him to be the one who'll be with me in my darkest time, to be one who'll I wake up every morning with, to be the one who'll I spend the rest of my life with, I just hope he feels the same way.

"You alright?" He asked, bringing me back to reality, that we're already at the parking lot of the mall.

"Oh yeah, just daydreaming." I said as I got out of the car and walked next to him. "Let's go now?"

He nodded at me as I walk ahead of him, I don't know what happening to me, why am I suddenly acting like this, fuck–

My thoughts were again cutted when I felt him hold my hand, locking his fingers with mine, he pulled me back next to him.

"Why are you in a rush, darling?" He asked with a soft smile on his face when I again felt a zoo playing around my stomach making me shut my eyes and force a smile.

"I-i'm.not. Just excited."

"Excited? How come" out hands remain together as we walk to the supermarket.

"It's been a while since I got to buy some groceries, you're always asking the helpers to do it, even though you could have just asked me to do it. I love buying groceries."

"Really? This is my first time coming here with someone, I always come here alone." He said, making me gaped at him.

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Do I look like someone who’s too lazy to go buy my own groceries sometimes?"

Chuckling at him, I wrapped my other hands on his arms that's holding me, looking like I'm hugging his arms. "That's not what I meant, what I'm trying to ask is like never with someone? Girlfriend? Ex? Even friends?"

"I never had a girlfriend, they're just some flings, means I have no ex. And my friends live in other country except Zan–"

"Wait– You never had a girlfriend? Then that means, I'm your first? Your first official relationship was with me?" I asked, completely shocked, making him chuckle.

"Probably. My first and last."

"Oh my gosh, should I be honored?"

He just chuckled at me while shaking his head. “If you feel like you’re honored, then you should.” his hands tightened its hold as he pulled me even closer.

“Thinking highly of yourself again? You should have been lucky.” playfully glaring at him, I crinkled my nose.

“I really am. Aside from my career, I have got you too. That's something that could be bragged to anyone.”

“That’s not fair, you’re using your words again.” Letting go of his hands, aware that my face is red right now, I rush in the store leaving him behind.

****

After almost an hour of shopping, we’re now here at the fruit section looking for some berries, melons and apples. I didn’t expect this to be fun but that’s what happened. With him always behind me with the cart while asking repeatedly how long it will take like a kid, smile never left me whenever I’m looking at him.

“Stop staring, I know I’m handsome but I’m your husband already, no need to simp–” before he even finished what he’s saying, my hands already met his face as I playfully slapped his face. Not too hard though.

"I am not a simp, especially to you."

He just shrugged his shoulders before smirking at me with ‘if that’s what you said, okay then’ look. Rolling my eyes at him, I started to pick some apple when my phone pinged. His eyes immediately shot to my hands as I took a look at it.

“Who’s that?” He went beside me and looked at the screen, making me chuckle. “He’s here?”

That’s because the message says; Miss Madi, Are you at the Morton Supermarket? I think I just saw you.

“I think so.” I mumbled as I replied to the message; I am, Are you here?

“Is that the friend you said you’re meeting?”

I just nodded at him before turning back to pick some apples. “Do you want some green apples too?”

“Whatever you like.” he smiled at me before holding the cart.

“Miss Madison.” someone said behind him making the both of us look at him, It’s him. “Oh, Mr Ashford, Good Afternoon.” he greeted him with a polite voice.

I turn to look at Ace only to see him glowering at him, what the fuck. “Ace, he said Good Afternoon.” I held his arms to get his attention which he somehow get,

“Good Afternoon.”

“Hey, Jefferd,what are you doing here?” I asked while putting the apple in the cart.

“I’m looking for some wine, I just happened to see you.” he said smiling at me. “You look… great with that ponytail.”

Letting out a soft chuckle, I held my pony before glancing at Ace who already had his jaw clenched. Clearing my throat, I smiled at him. “Uhm– I don’t think I’ll be able to go later, his sister is coming later so I won’t be able to come.” I never really intended to come.

“Yeah, her sister-in-law is coming later for family dinner, that’s why we’re buying some groceries now.” Ace suddenly butt in while pulling me to his side by wrapping his hands on my waist. “We’re actually in a hurry right now.”

What?

“Oh– Is that so? I guess I need to go now.” he smiled at me awkwardly while scratching his nape. “Then, I’ll go now, Miss Madison.”

“Y-yeah, sure, bye.'' With that, he left, and as soon as he did, I chuckled at Ace as I heard him scoff. “What was that again?”

“What?” he let go of me and looked away.

“We’re not in a hurry.”

“We are now, and could you please put your hair down. I said I like it down.” he said while pointing at my ponytail.

"What if you just admit that you're jealous? Maybe I'll consider taking off this scrunchie."

"Jealous? Me? With that guy?"

"Aren't you?" Raising my eyebrows at him, he just smiles with smugness and crosses his arms on his chest.

"He's no one to me, or to you. He's not on my level. I am the CEO of the company he's working for, and most importantly, I'm the husband of the woman he adores." leaning closer to me, his hands again met my waist as he pulled me. "Now tell me, does he have something I should be jealous of?"

Looking straight in his eyes, I tried to see if I'd be able to see something. Like care, love, adoration or anything. But there isn't, it's just a simple stare telling me who I belong to.

"You said we're in a hurry, come on, let's go now then." Moving away from him, I took the cart and made my way to the counter.

After some minutes, it's finally our turn and he helped me put the items on the counter.

"What is this?" He asked confusedly as he showed me the jar of pickles.

"Pickles?"

"I know it's pickles, what I mean is why is this here? You hate pickles."

Smiling at him, I hold his arms to move it to the counter so the cashier can take it. "I'm craving it."

"But you said you hate pickles, that you would rather eat sashimi than pickles. And you hated sashimi too." He argued as he gave the cashier his card.

"I don't know, I'm craving for it, though. Why, I sometimes eat sashimi too."

He just let out a sigh before shaking his head. "Whatever."

Giggling at him, I held his hands and kissed the top of  it. "Thank you."

Ace

"What are you– Why are you here?” I asked coldly as her face was the one I saw first as I opened the door.

“I want to see my daughter-in-law, Can’t I? Besides Jenny is invited so why not me?”

I looked behind her as I saw Jenny rolling her eyes at her Mom–Our Mom– who just barged in the house without my invitation. My eyes followed her as she made her way to the kitchen where Madison just prepared our dinner.

“Why did you bring her?”

Jenny smiled at me apologetically before going in too.

Fuck, Why is she here? One of the things I wouldn’t want is her being around Madison. She’s no good for her, nor for me.

Letting out a sigh, I shut the door close and went to our room where Madison is, right now. It’s already been 20 minutes but she still hasn’t come out yet. I knocked on the door first and when I heard her saying ‘come in’, I twisted the knob and went inside.

I'm not really in the mood to smile right now, but when she flashed me that small smile, the corner of my lips unknowingly went up.

“You need help?” I asked as I went beside her.

“Not really, but this dress just doesn’t close.” she pouted while trying to zip up the side of the dress. “Did I gain weight? Why won’t it fit me?”

“When was the last time you wore that?”

“Just a month ago, I haven’t worn it for any occasion but I already tried it so I expected that it’ll fit me.” disappointment can be heard from her voice.

I look up and down to her only to notice her tummy. It’s kinda big. Is she full or what?

“Have you eaten anything?” I went to her and held her waist.

“Huh? Didn’t the last time we eat, was lunch?”

Wait— There’s something wrong with this. Something came to mind, but it’s impossible.

But…

What if?