Chapter 16: Chapter 15

⇝**Chapter 15**⇜

Ace

The dinner last night went well, I guess ignoring Victoria helped. Besides, Madison really prepared for that, I don’t want to ruin it. It’s already 9PM when they left, and after I send them out, I just saw her already sleeping on the couch. She must be tired.

In the morning, I was wakes up by a finger running through my hair. Slowly opening my eyes, a beautiful lady comes first in my view.

"Oh, did I wake you up? Sorry." She said about to pull her hands away but I hold it.

"Keep doing that." I said with my raspy voice making her chukle as she continue to play with my hair. "Good Morning."

She seems shocked at first but soon smile and peck my lips "Morning."

"How's your sleep?"

"I don't know, I just woke up but I feel so tired. Maybe I'm hungry." She mumbled as she rub her nose. "Do you smell something weird?"

"Huh? What kind of smell?" I asked curiously as I brought my hands up and removed the strand of her from her face.

"I don't know too, something weird."

I was about to kiss her when I realized something. Craving for the food she doesn't like, gaining weight on her tummy, and now, this?

I don't want to think of anything negative but how. We met just a month and 2 weeks, and before that, she's a party girl.

"Can I ask you something?" I said softly as she stared in my eyes while nodding her head with a smile. "When– When was the last time you had sex with someone?"

"What kind of question is that?" She rolled her eyes at me as she let go of me and sat up just beside me.

"Just answer me. Have you gone to any one night stand?" I may sound dumb for asking but I can't just act like there's nothing wrong.

For the past few weeks, she's been eating alot, and the week before this, she keeps on saying that she feels tired even though she didn't do anything.

"Ace, what are–"

"Just answer me, sweetheart."

She just looked at me first before letting out a tired sigh. "I did, but you also did, didn't you?" she sounded worried now. It's still early in the morning.

"Of course I did, I'm not saying anything. I just wanna know when was your last time?"

The worried face on her suddenly turns into a confused one, "I don't know, a month before our wedding? I'm really sorry, I know I'm already engaged so I shouldn't be doing that but I was drunk that time. I didn't even remember who the guy was. Ace, please–"

Tears already appeared in her eyes showing that she's really guilty about it, but it's not her fault. Even me, I did have some one night stands while we're engaged.

"I'm not saying anything, calm down, I'm just asking." I said as I held her hands. "Come here." Pulling her back in my chest, I wrapped her in my embrace before kissing her forehead.

"Uhmm– your perfume– it smells weird." She suddenly said while trying to get out of my embrace.

"I'm not wearing any perfume."

"Just go take a bath, It's making my head ache. Please, just take a bath."

Looking at him weirdly, now she's just giving me more reason to suspect her. Not actually her, her behavior.

"Okay, I'll take a bath."

"Good, I'll go make our breakfast." She said, planting a soft kiss on my lips before going to the bathroom for her morning routine.

Looking at the bathroom door. Unnecessary thoughts filled my mind. If my gut feeling is right, then what would happen? Is this another problem, or reason to get us away from each other?

I know to myself that I love her now, and the last thing I wanted is to be away from her, she's my home, she's my everything now. But why are they giving me this?

Ever since last night, I've been thinking what if she's pregnant. It's not impossible, we've only been together for a month, but before that? I didn't know who she had been with. Still, I'm praying that I'm wrong, for the first time I wanted my guts to be wrong.

But it all got worse when I suddenly heard her vomiting in the bathroom.

I immediately got up from our bed and went to her only to see her standing next to the sink with her hands gripping the sink. Standing next to her, I held her hair and start to rub her back. She hasn't eaten anything yet she's vomiting. There's really something wrong with her.

All I can do for now is hold her hair so it won't get on the sink.

After some minutes, her gagging finally stops as well as her vomiting.

"You alright?" I asked as she washed her face and dried it with the towel.

"I'm not really feeling well." She mumbled as she turned to look at me.

"Look, Madi, Do you notice some changes on your body?" With that sounding desperate, she slowly nodded her head.

"I often feel tired but I guess it's because of the work."

"I'll ask you again, When was the last time you slept with someone? Just answer me."

She just stared at me confused for a moment before realizing where it was going. "Ace– You're not going to tell me that I-i'm–"

"Just tell me when." The last thing I wanted for her was to panic, and I guess my voice raised a little as she flinched.

"I don't know when exactly but… when I was in Italy, like 2 to 3 months ago. Ace–" she said starting to sound fearful. "It can't be– I can't be– Ace."

"Get your coat, we'll go to the hospital to find out."

I can see that she's terrified right now as she falls on the ground with her head in her hands. Her breathing becomes more airy as it turns into intense one.

****

As we waited for the doctor to come back, she just sat next to me holding my hands while resting her head on my shoulder.

For now all I want is for her to be okay, if my assumption was right, I know between us she'll be the one who'll suffer more. I'm sure she'll blame herself for being careless but what happened already happened. We can't change it now.

We both looked at the door as the doctor came in with her papers. She smiled at us before taking a seat on her chair.

"Good day Mr and Mrs Ashford, we just finished taking the result and I have good news for you."

Fuck. I don't feel like I want this good news.

"What is it?" I still asked even though I already knew it.

"She's pregnant, for 2 months and 2 weeks. Congratulations."

That's it.

She burst out crying on my shoulder while hugging my side. I forced a smile on the doctor and nodded, "Thank you."

"Welcome, Congratulations again, I need to go see other patients now." She excused herself leaving us alone.

As soon as the door closed, I turned to Madison and wrapped her in my embrace. "Hey, it's okay, don't cry."

“Ace it's not, I don't even know who the father of this baby is." She sobbed in my embrace.

"Me, I'm your husband, and I'm the father okay? Don't cry." I tried to calm her but she just cried even more.

"How can be I be so dumb? What am I going to do? If Dada finds out, I'm sure he'll be mad at me, and Zane, Liam? And your Mom? They'll be mad at me–"

"Don't tell them anything yet, I'll try to talk to Zane but for now, let's go home. We'll talk about it."

"They won't accept it, I know Dada, he wouldn't accept this child. And I'm sure your Mom wouldn't either. It's stupid." She let go of me and got up taking her purse.

"Let's go home first, We'll talk about it." I stood next to her but she just looked at me and sighs.

"Do you really think we can do something about this?" is what she ll asked. As she takes my silence as yes, she lets out a bitter chuckle. Everything is messed up, I don't want to be a burden to you, I don't want this baby to be a burden to you–"

"What are you talking about? Of course you won't."

"Let's say you're willing to take this, will they agree? What do you think they will say about me?"

"It doesn't matter what they say, it's you who matters to me."

She seemed shocked at first but shrugged off "I don't know, but now, there's only two options. Abort or Divorce."

I know she didn't mean that, how could she say that easily.

"Let's talk about this at home, come on." I tried to hold her but she moved back.

"I'll stay with Hazel for now, I need to think about it."

"Don't even think about aborting the kid, it's not the kid's fault."

"I know because it's my fault. Since you don't want me to abort it then I'll take your answer as divorce."

"Can't we just keep it? Can't I be your husband with that child? Come on, don't be ridiculous." This time I didn't let her go and hugged her. I won't let her go. "Please, I know you're just shocked for now and you don't know what you're saying, let's go back… please, sweetheart."

She tried to remove my hands from her but soon gave up and rested her head on the crook of my neck. Hearing her loud sobs, I kiss her temple and embrace her.

"I don't want this, Ace." She said as I felt her hands on the side of my shirt.

"And the child didn't want this either." I countered as she looked up to me with her red eyes. "Let's go home first, you still haven't eaten anything yet."

****

Once we got home, I let her rest in our room first before going out to call Zane. I sat on the lounge chair and dialed him, after some ring, he finally answered.

"You need something?" He immediately asked, making me chuckle. "Stop chuckling, I know you need something. You're not gonna call if it's nothing."

"It's about Madison, I do need your help."

"Spill it out. What about her?"

"First, promise me you'll never tell anyone."

"Why do I feel like this is something Dada should never know."

"Exactly, promise me."

"Okay, okay, promise. Spill."

Letting out a sigh, I continued."She's pregnant."

The other line went silent for a second before I heard him laughing, "What's so serious about this? Dada should really know about–"

"For 2 months." I added making him stop. The silence on the other line went louder as he didn't say anything. "I need you to find out who the father is."

"What do you mean? How the hell did it happen?" Anger rushed through his voice as he said it.

"I don't know, ' she just said. She was drunk and accidentally had a one night stand. Let's not pressure her, earlier she told me to choose between aborting the kid or divorcing her."

"What the actual fuck? Abort it."

"No, it's not the kid's fault and it's not the right thing to do. I told her that we can just raise it."

"Ace, are you serious? What do you think Dada and your Mom will say to her? It's not just about the kid, it's about her and you. You are married."

"That's my point, now that she doesn't know what to do, do you think I'll leave her? She's pregnant Zane, I can't just abandon her because she said so. She just said that because she feels guilty, but deep inside her, I know she needs someone right now.You are her brother, you should have known that she needs us."

He let out a sigh before saying, "I understand, did she tell you where it happened?"

"Italy, that's the only thing she said, try to ask Hazel, I bet she knows it too."

"I will, I'll hang up now. You're right, don't leave her."

"I won't." I last said as I hang up the phone. Putting my phone down, I looked behind me when I heard footsteps. As I turned around, there she was, she took the seat in front of me and lay down. "I thought you're asleep."

She just smiled at me before looking up at the sky. "If you just agree to divorce me, then you wouldn't have to do all of this." She mumbled.

"You wish."

"Have you already fallen for me? That's the only reason I see for you to do this. Or maybe I'm just assuming things." She looked at me with her tired face.

"I vow to you that I'll always be with you no matter what happens." Is the only thing I said. I don't know what I'm supposed to say.

"Okay, I'll let you off the hook this time." She said teasingly as she sighs. "But promise me something."

"That is?"

"If you feel like you wanted to part ways with me, or changed your mind about the divorce, don't hesitate to tell me." She looked at me and flashed her beautiful smile.

"Why do you keep saying that? I said we won't divorce so we won't. Taking my words back is not my thing." I said with my stern voice as I looked away.

She went silent at first while looking at me before chuckling. She stood from her seat and walked to me, she sat on my lap and hugged me. Not being shocked by her behavior, I wrapped my arms on her waist and pulled her closer.

"What did Zane say?" She asked, still resting her head on the crook of my neck.

"Nothing, just asking about you." I rub her back while kissing her shoulder. "I just want to know, I'm not forcing you to give me your answer immediately but I want to know if you have a plan of knowing who the father is."

She moved back looking at me still on my lap. "The truth is… I do want to know, but it doesn't really matter. Because we have you."

So she wants to.

I'm not wrong for asking Zane to look through it.

Even so, if she finds out who the father is, I'm not going to let her go. But if she wants to, I guess I have no choice.

"--you." I just came back to my senses when I heard her saying something.

"Huh? Sorry, Are you saying something?" I asked her as she looked at me weirdly but soon chuckled.

"Nothing." She smiled at me before snuggling her face back to my neck. "I'm hungry."

Chuckling at her, I carry her in my arms before walking back to our room to get her a coat. I'm planning to take her out.

Zane

When I heard about what happened to Madison, I immediately dialed Hazel's number as soon as my call with Ace ended.

"I know you're with her when she goes to Italy, do you remember the club you went to with her?"

"What's with the sudden topic? Is something happening?" She asked, sounding like she just woke up.

"Just tell me Hazel, I need your help."

"Wow, is this for real? Zane Grey needs my help? For what?"

"Just fucking tell me or you won't be able to see Madison again."

"Okay, okay, chill– We went to my father's friend's club, SouthStar Club, around Cesena. If you're planning to go there, it's the only club there so you'll find it immediately. Why are you even asking? Are you going–"

"When?"

"April 1, that was my birthday, what's really happeni–"

I didn't let her finish as I thanked her and immediately hang up. I walk to my table as I look through the place. After some minutes, I finally found it. SouthStar Club, it's familiar to me. I feel like I've been here before. The moment I saw the contact number, I contacted it and waited for the answer.

"Hello? May I talk to the manager?" I asked as someone answered.

"May I know who this is?"

"Zane Grey, May I talk to the manager?" It's impossible that this person doesn't know me, our company is one of the most successful in Italy.

"Oh Mr Grey, The one who's with Mr Ashford?"

Does he know him?

"Yeah, How did you know him?"

"You guys are one of the VIPs here, don't you remember? With Mr Coleson."

Halting on what I'm doing, I look at the phone before speaking again.

"Is that so? Then can you help me with something?"

"I'll be glad too."

"Yeah, I need CCTV footage. April 1, I kinda need it in a rush."

"A footage, Can I help you with anything more?"

"No, that's all, how long will it take?"

"Give me three days, That'll be the maximum, I may have it much earlier than expected."

"Okay, thank you."

"I'll send you my email, just send it there."

Madison

As we arrived at the resto, we immediately got our order and started having our lunch. He's sitting in front of me while looking at his phone, ever since we got here, he's been on his phone doing who knows what.

Not minding him, I just continued eating, I took a sip on my glass and when I was putting it down, I accidentally knocked his glass over and it spilled on him.

"Oh gosh, I'm sorry." Immediately standing from my seat, I took some tissue and was about to wipe it when he held my wrist.

“It's fine, I can do it, just eat there."

"But your coa–

"I said it's fine, it's just water." He smiled at me reassuringly before starting wiping his sleeves. I sat down and just stare at him again looking at his phone.

"Is it work?"

He looked up to me looking confused.

"I mean you keep looking at your phone, is there any problem?"

"Nothing, just got a message from Victoria." He put his phone down and smiled at me.

"About?"

"She said she's at the villa, she'll wait for us."

"Should we hurry then?"

"No, take your time, I don't even want to see her there. I already told her to leave." He scoops some ice cream from his cup and feeds it to me.

"Why would you do that? Do you really hate her that much?"

"Not really sure." The only thing he said then fed me some ice cream again.

"Wait– I'm not finished yet, stop feeding me that." I glare at him, making him chuckle.

"It'll melt, why did they even serve it this early." He said as he put his spoon down and looked at me. As he notices my bothered look, his smile slowly disappears as he holds my hand. "What is it that's bothering you?"

"Everything."

"I already told you not to–"

"Like that was easy, I tried but I can't. Everything is messed up. I can't fool myself by thinking that everything's alright."

"If you're going to stress yourself because of that, it'll just make it worse. We can't do anything about it now, just take care of yourself." His voice turned into a serious one making me feel shiver in my spines. I bet he's really tired of this topic.

"Stil–"

"Madison, I don't want to talk about it again. Just finish your lunch." He suddenly got up from his seat and left the resto. As I watched him leave, I felt something.

That I can't really watch him leave me, but at the same time, without my knowledge, a sudden thought of getting away from him is coming in my mind.

I must be crazy for thinking of this, but this is the only way we can make it through this. I'm not only worried about myself, for him too. If Dada finds out I know he'll get mad at me, at worst he might look for the father of this child and force me to divorce him and marry whoever the father is. And Ace's Mom might also not like this. No one will.

It's for the best keeps repeating in my mind. Ever since we left the hospital, that's all I can think of. Leaving him, Divorcing him because something in me doesn't really want to abort this child. But at the same time, I can't leave him, I don't want to.

I know I'm not in my right mind right now as I keep thinking about it.

I took my drink and calmed myself before taking a deep breath. I look back at the door where he left and sigh.

"He really left?" I asked myself when a very familiar voice spoke behind me.

"Why would he even do that?" Luke asked as he took the seat in front of me, where Ace was sitting earlier. "You two argue?"

"It's none of your business."

"Come on, Madi, you know I cared for you. So, what happened?"

"Whatever happened is just between me and my husband, You know nothing about what we're going through right now so shut up, and leave me alone."

"Ohh, you want me to leave? But your eyes tell the opposite. Madi, we've been together in the past, and I know you too. I might even know you more than Ace. Your eyes, your mind, even your body, I know it all." He said teasingly as he looked straight into my eyes. "Your eyes say you need someone right now, am I wrong?"

He knows me too well. I can't lie to him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to change the topic, making him chuckle.

"Just a business, now I answered your question, answer mine as well, am I wrong?"

"Yes you're right, but you're not the one I want to be with. So fuck off."

"Tsk tsk tsk, in denial as always."

Rolling my eyes at him, I grab my purse and stand from my seat, as I walk to the counter to pay our bill, I can hear him calling me and following me.

As I made my way outside, I heard the bell chime as he still followed me. I look around the road looking for Ace's but it's not there anymore. I look for a taxi but there's nothing too. I was about to cross the road when he suddenly grabbed my arms.

"Luke, let me go." I tried to remove his hands from my wrist but he just tightened it.

"Madison, please forgive me, I know it's too late but please give me another chance. I know you don't love him–"

With my free hands moving on its own, I slapped him so hard that his face turned to his side.

"I do love him, I love him so much. Is that what you want to hear?"

His grip on my wrist loosen a bit as he rubs his cheeks. "Does he feel the same?"

I halt on my movements as I stare at him. He's right, Ace never told me he loves me. He's just doing everything he should as my husband, in other words, he's doing this because he feels like he needs to even though he doesn't.

"Why aren't you answering me? Did he tell you he loves you? He won't, you know why? Because he's still in his past. How come he managed to tell everyone that he fell in love with a girl he only met once but never told that he fell for his wife? Because he's no good for you and he knows it, he's not capable of loving someone." His words made me freeze. I don't know what to say.

"Whatever you say, it won't change the fact that I love him." It's just coming out of my mouth.

"Then tell him, he's right behind you, tell him those words in front of me." He said with his smug expression, making me slightly widen my eyes as I look behind me.

He was standing still, looking at us intensely but when his eyes met mine, it turned into something I don't know what to call. Shocked? Happy? Glad? Angry? Confused? Sad? Or maybe Disappointed?

"Ace–" I got cut off when Luke chukled.

"Tell him Madison."

I don't know if I should do it. My mind is playing with me right now. I know I'm on the verge of passing out as I felt my head becoming a little dizzy because of the stress.

"Madison, why are you suddenly—"

Luke stopped on his word when I felt my body fall, my sight went black but as I fell, the last thing I saw was Ace rushing towards me.