â**Chapter 5**â
â¢Ace
What could be more perfect than this woman sleeping beside me?
Maybe somethingâ? Or maybe nothing.
"So beautiful."
I whispered to myself while staring at her face. Bringing my hands up to her cheeks, I softly caress her pinkish cheek before removing the strand of dark brown hair out of her face.
Her arms wrapped tightly around my waist while her head was on my chest. One thing she said she loves the most is sleeping while hugging something, someone. Now I'm thankful that I didn't buy her any giant teddy bear. We've been like this the whole night, so close to each other.
So close that I can smell her lavender-scented hair because of her shampoo, I can even just bring my lips down to kiss her.
Putting my hand on her chin, and gently bringing her chin up, so I can look at her peacefully sleeping face. Like Zane said, she's the kind of woman who's easy to love, but I think only time will prove it. Even though, I bet she really is easy to get along with.
With my arm wrapped on her waist, I gently caressed her hands before planting a soft kiss on her cheeks. Which I think she felt as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Good Morning."
She didn't say anything and just looked at me. And her hands suddenly went up to my lips, She caressed it but what caught me off guard is when she attached her lips on mine.
"Morning." she pulled away before I could even kiss her back.
"Do you have any plans for today?"
"I don't think so." she said while sitting up. "Why?"
"I'm just thinking... If we can go out?"
With that, a chuckle left her, "Is that a question?"
"Not really, I'm informing you that I'll take you out later."
She just chuckled at me as she tied her hair up. "What if I don't want to?" peering at me over her shoulder, she smiled before going into the bathroom. As usual to do her morning routine, If I would be asked who's the person who cared about their hygiene the most then I would definitely answer, Madison Ashford.
"Isn't it rude to say No to your first date with your Husband? Would you mind considering it?" I asked, playing along with her.
Letting out a hum, she peeks her head on the bathroom door and smiles, "I'll think about it."
Laying my back on the headboard, I smile at her and wait for her while looking out of the window.
The green trees are shining under the rising sun, so calmly quiet that you'll only hear the birds chirping. This is the reason why I bought this villa inside the woods. Far from the noise of the city, far from everyone, and it's perfect here. Just the two of us and the birds.
When I bought this villa, I already foresaw what it'll be like in the future.
Me and my wife, with our children playing around the yard. With their laughter echoing in the woods.
My phone rings, cutting my dazed thoughts. Taking it from the nightstand, Ronald Ashford, 'Dad'.
This early morning?
Getting up from our bed, I walk to the balcony before answering it.
"What is it?"
"Luke told me you called last night, thank you very much, Son. I owe you a lot and I don't know howâ"
"Don't thank me, because I didn't really want to do this. If you're going to thank someone, it should be my wife. I don't really mind helping you, just tell your greatest son to work properly, I don't want to have a useless employee in my company."
"Aceâ" he didn't continue his words as he let out a sigh. "I'm still thankful, though."
"But as I told him, I'll only give him three months, If he does something that will prove me right for thinking that he's no good for your company, then I'll help you with your company. But if he needs to give it to Kit, I don't care if he's your eldest son with Melissa, That doesn't mean that Kit won't do better than him. I trusted Kit more than him."
I know he's thinking about it as the other line went silent.
"I wouldn't take No as an answer, I need to hang up now. Bye." ending the call, I look deep into the woods before letting out a sigh.
"Is that your Dad?"
Looking behind me, there she is, standing with her book in her hand again.
"Yeah, Just called to thank you?"
"Me?" with that confusion in her eyes, I chuckled. "Why me?"
"Aren't you the one who convinced me to help them?" walking over her, she held my arm to make me look at her.
"And you did?"
"Why shouldn't I? It'll be for the best, right?" I look at her before smiling. "Let's have breakfast now."
"You're going to cook?" she again asked, teasingly.
"How many times do I need to tell youâ"
"I know, Just want to remind you." with that huge grin on her face, she went to the kitchen, followed by me.
****
Watching her read her book is something I enjoyed, without any reason. The TV is on, playing some movies, but my eyes are on her.
We're now sitting on the couch while having breakfast. She cooked waffles, eggs, bacon and some berriesâblueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberriesâ, yogurt. With my coffee while she drinks green tea.
"Where are we going later?" She looked up from her book to me.
"So you agreed?"
She just smiled at me before putting the book down and drinking on her glass. "You said it'll be rude if I say No, and I'm not rude."
"Yeah, you're not."
"So, where?"
"It's a surprise." bringing my attention back to the TV, a smile bloomed on my lips when I heard her growl before holding my arms.
"Hint."
"Nopeâ"
"Please, Even a little hint?" She suddenly grabbed my chin to make me look at her, but instead, a chuckle left me.
"Stop it, It's a surprise." Holding both of her wrists to stop her, but she just stood on her knees and pushed me back, making us fall on the couch, with her on top of me.
"Hint?" smirk.
Zane is right, she's stubborn.
"Okay, Wear a coat." staring straight in her eyes, she raised her eyebrow.
"I'm always wearing a coat."
"Then bring a mitten or any gloves and scarf."
She stared at me before smiling and getting up. "I think I already know where we're going?"
"Really? Where?"
"You said it's a surprise" smirking at me, she went back to her book.
And Zane is right again, she's easy to catch things up.
Should I still say how? It's obvious.
****
"I freaking knew it." She exclaimed excitedly as we drove to the parking lot of Riverbank State Park, Roller Skating. "See, I'm a genius."
Seeing that huge smile on her face, I smile too. It's too precious.
"When was the last time you've done this?"
"Six years ago. When I was eighteen." she answered, still looking out of the window.
It's been so long, I wonder if there's anything else she hasn't done in years.
Though, I can't even remember the last time I've done this, much like, I don't want to remember it.
"What have you been doing when you're living with your Dada?" I was now looking for a parking lot.
"Nothing really, but when I turned 18 he let me travel on my own. I could have done this, But I don't want to."
"Why?"
"You'll find out later."
There's something weird about the way she said it, it's like she's trying not to laugh.
"Accident?"
She just smiles at me and ignores my words.
****
"Don't freaking laugh at me." she glared at me as she held my arms to stand up. "Help"
Holding back my laughter, I went to her and held her waist to get her up. "You okay?"
"Do I look okay?" she hit my arms before going to the side to hold on the railings. "This is why I don't come here, alone." giggle.
We just started half an hour ago, yet she already fell too many times. I'm always asking myself what this woman can't do?, now I know.
"But you're too excited to come here?"
"Of course, Can't I? There are people who're very excited when it comes to swimming but don't know how to swim, right?"
"You're looking for broken bones, aren't you?"
"Maybe, come here."
Carefully sliding to her, she holds my hands and starts to slowly move from her place.
"Relax your legs and slide carefully."
"I'm trying okay?"
I can hear the irritation in her voice, not for me, but because she can't even move. Some of the kids who're here are skating very well, I know she wants to. Earlier, when she fell, I could see some teenagers laughing at her, but they immediately stopped when I glared at them. No one should make fun of her.
Sliding beside her, which made her look at me, I held her hand while my other hand went to her waist. "Slide your right first, okay?"
She nodded at me as I started to slowly slide with her in my arms. Keeping our bodies close, she just looks ahead while sliding at the same time. She's a fast-learner,, so I know she'll figure out how to do it after some time.
"Woahâ I'm moving." she giggled while looking at me.
"You are, Just balance yourself and slowly slide forward, and you'll move." Smiling at her. Her grip tightened around my hands as she tried to let go. "You can do it."
"Just stay behind me."
"I will, I promise. Go on."
With her hands reluctantly letting go of me, she took a deep breath before balancing herself.
"Don't worry, I'm right behind you."
I watch her as she slowly slides her skates and moves forward. With her hands balancing her in the air, she looks at her feet before finally trying to move further.
She's a fast learner, and someone who I think likes to go here back then, but why hasn't she learned yet? If someone helped her, then she would have known it by now. Unless that someone doesn't really want to teach her. Then I can say that someone just missed the most beautiful smile they could ever see.
She looks so happy, just by learning how to skate.
I would do anything just to see that smile every day.
I really would.
"Ace, look."
Smiling at her, she started to skate around me.
Every chuckle, every giggle, every laughter from her, I somehow want to be the reason for that.
It's crazy how I wanted to be good for her, and I'm willing to do that, whatever it takes.
"Woahâ It's so cool." she squeals then giggles at me.
"No one taught you this before?"
Sliding beside her as she tried to circle around the rink.
"He gave up, he said I would never learn this. But what the fuck, it's just been 10 minutes when we entered the rink."
He.
I'm certain it was her Ex.
Well, by fair means, I'm thankful that they broke up. If he can't even stay with her for a little longer to teach her, then what made him think that he deserves her.
"I feel like I'm flying." She slides next to me and smiles while looking straight at my eyes.
"OHHHâ MISS!!"
Someone suddenly shouted behind her, with her height that only reached my shoulder, I immediately saw who the hell shouted at her.
Grabbing her by her waist, I immediately pulled her to my chest and stepped back. But her skate accidentally kicked my blade, making me stumble and fall on my back with her still in my arms.
The guy who shouted earlier also fell down as he bumped into the kids next to me.
"You okay?" I asked as she looked up at me and smiled reassuringly.
"I'm good, thanks."
Helping her to stand, she looks at the guy who's already standing in front of us.
"I'm really sorry, I'm actually teaching my brother how to skate, and he accidentally sped up. I apologize. " The other guy behind him talked.
"It's fine, don't worry." she said while smiling, when I caught a glance at the guy who almost hit her.
I'm waiting for him to apologize or say something, but my eyebrow narrowed when he just stared at her, stunned, like others. Seriously? He looks like an idiot smiling like that. But because she's 'friendly' she smiles back at him. He's drooling? Wtf? For real?
"Hey, apologize to them." his brother elbowed him, making him smile even more.
"Sorry, I'm really sorryâ Iâ I'm Joshâ" he stuttered while giving her his hands for a handshake, making me even more pissed off by him.
"It's fine, My wife is not hurt,, so it's fine. Just be careful next time." Making sure he heard the word wife, I smiled at him fakely while wrapping my arms on her waist. "We'll go now."
Without waiting for their next words, I tighten my hold on her waist and skate away from them.
"That's impolite, he's introducing himself, and you interrupted." she scolded with a soft tone, knowing exactly what just happened and why.
"I don't give a damn about who he is. Come on, you said you wanted to skate around the whole rink."
"Actually..." she halted on whatever she's saying, she also stopped skating.
Standing in front of her, she looks around looking for something, then looks at me again.
"You want something?"
"I'm hungry."
Looking at my watch when I notice that it's already four pm. We leave the house at exactly one pm and arrive here at two. Time flies so fast. It's already been two hours since we started. She really must be hungry by now.
"There's a Japanese resto near riverside park, Should we go there?"
"Yeah sure, no problem." she smiled widely while clinging her hands on my arms
****
With cherry blossom's petal flying everywhere, I grab my phone and look at the woman who's standing happily under the cherry blossom tree. Yep, cherry blossoms.
The Japanese resto near riverside park is close,, so we drove farther, and she spotted this resto at Sakura Park.
It's really fancy here, you can even pick where you're going to eat, indoor or outdoor. And because she wants to look at the trees, we're outside. In this traditional Japanese Gazebo, open sides with a table in the middle. Very much like those Japanese Garden Gazebo but resto style
But the pink cherry blossom makes it very special.
Especially the woman standing next to it.
Bringing up my phone, I secretly took a picture of her while she's trying to catch a petal. Immediately hiding my phone, I look at her picture and smile.
"Ace, come here."
"Why?"
"Just come here, hurry up."
Putting my phone back in my pocket, I walk to her when she suddenly grabs my hands and pulls me under the tree. Taking out her phone, she smiled at me.\
"We need a picture."
I already have a picture of you.
"Move closer." she said while tiptoeing next to me while her arm around my neck to pull me down.
Click.
With a smile on her lips, she's looking at the cherry blossoms while I'm looking at her.
It's perfect.
For me.
I don't know, but her smile is everything. I never really find the smile attractive, but when it comes to her, I want to do nothing but stare at it.
"Come on, the food is there. Let's eat now." breaking my fantasies, I walk back to the gazebo.
For the last two years, I never really smiled this often.
With the part that I'm willing to do anything to see that smile from her is something weird too, too weird but true.
I was giving my best to be the best for her, I wouldn't forgive myself if I lost her. I was tired of losing someone important. Not only that, but I want to be everything she'll need. Like how I need her now.
****
"This is Sushi, Tempura, Yakitori, Okonomiyaki, Udon, Fugu, Shirako, and Natto, Basashi, Sashimi for our free meal. Castella, Furutsu Sando, Danggo, Mochi, and Wagashi for dessert. Especially for you, Mr and Mrs Ashford." the owner said with a smile on his face.
I wouldn't be surprised that he knows us. Everyone in the business industry know us.
"Thank you." she exclaimed happily as he smiled at us before leaving. "Look, this wagashi is cute. I don't think I can eat it."
"You said you're hungry, let's eat now."
She looked at the food first before going straight to the tempura and ignoring the other plates.
"You don't like this?" I pointed at the sashimi.
"I don't like the looks of it. It looks like jelly."
A small chuckle left me as I used my chopstick to pick up a small piece and put it in front of her mouth.
"Try it." I said, but she just closed her mouth tightly. "Just once, If you don't like it then I won't force you, I promise."
"But it doesn't look good."
"Please..." That came out before I even foresee that I'll say it. Shit. I never plead with someone in my life. What the fuck.
But I think it works, as she scrunches her nose before taking it. Reluctantly, putting it in her mouth, she glared at me before starting to chew it.
Her face suddenly drained all of its redness as soon as she started to chew it, her mouth suddenly stopped moving as she looked at me with her almost teary eyes.
"Spit it out." Immediately putting my hands on her mouth, she spit it in my hands while wiping the tears in her eyes. "It's okay."
"Ughh- It's fucking raw. Eww- Nopeâ That's enough." She glared at me before gagging again, making me chuckle. "Go wash your hands in the restroom, it's disgusting."
"Okay, okay, just eat what you like." Getting up from my seat, I put my shoes on and went to the restroom.
I suddenly remember the first time I ate Sashimi, I almost fired my secretary for giving it to me. But if you get used to it, It'll be normal.
Like for everything, if you get used to it, it'll be normal.
I hope we can also get used to days like this.