Chapter 8: Chapter 7

⇝**Chapter 7**⇜

Present

Madison

Yesterday was the best. Even though I got pretty tired, It's worth it.

Sitting up on our bed, I took my phone to check the time. 10 am. I didn't see him in the room, so I assume he's outside, on the patio. My body is so tired, I kept running around the cherry blossoms last night since we stayed there until night.

I suddenly halted my yawning when I remembered something.

When we got home last night, the first thing I did was lay on the couch. And– and– I fell asleep.

"Oh My God."

Does that mean he carried me here?

Holy shit.

It's already late, did he have his breakfast already?

Immediately running to the bathroom to change into an oversized shirt and denim short shorts. And braiding my hair into a simple sided braid. I went out to the living room, but he's not there. I knew it.

Walking out of the house, I make my way to the patio where he is having a coffee.

With the sun hitting the trees and birds chirping, It's almost peaceful here. Even though, you need to drive for 1 and a half kilometers to get to the villa from the main gate. The beautiful sunbeams from the trees.

I admit, This is my dream house.

"Hey, Good Morning." I greeted as I took the seat in front of him.

He looked up at me and put his phone down. "Morning." Sliding the paper bag in front of me, He took out boxes of meals inside. "Just pick what you like. I just ordered it."

I look around the containers with a transparent lid that lets me see what's inside. Pancake, Waffle, Crêpes, Bagel, Doughnut, Avocado Toast, Pasta, Spaghetti Carbonara, bacon and some eggs cooked in different ways –hard-boiled, scramble, fried, omelet– on the side.

This is like a whole menu in cafe. Can't he just pick anything he wants.

"This is a lot."

He gave me a plate that's already set behind him.

"Just eat whatever you like."

I can't stop myself from smiling as he gave me a Starbucks coffee. "Thank you so much for this."

Giving me a small smile, I start to dig in. With him in front of me, with me, every breakfast we spent together always felt special. Maybe because it's good to start your day with Ace Ashford on your side. I don't know.

"By the way, do you have plans for today?" He asked, making me stop myself from chewing before I even completely swallowed it.

"Is this some kind of deja vu?"

"Uhmmm- I would say yes, but more likely a second date. Some time alone for us"

He didn't even stutter. He meant it. Us.

"Okay– Even though my body is still aching." I chuckled, making him smile.

"Don't worry, It's just like a normal one. No running, No standing. Just sitting for an hour, you'll be able to rest."

"And that's the hint?" with excitement in my tone, I start to think, what could it be?.

"Yep, probably a big hint."

With my lips shaping a small O, he chuckled before telling me to continue eating. He can be quiet sometimes, but when it's just the two of us. I'm able to see his smile, hear his chuckle, even though I haven't seen or heard him laugh, I bet it'll be for something special.

I can't wait to be the reason for that.

****

"A cinema?"

I exclaimed happily as we entered the dark cinema. There's no one here, just the two of us. With him holding my hands, He guided me to the middle row. It's the perfect seat in the cinema, not too far yet not too near to the screen.

"Are we the only ones here?" I asked as I sat next to him. Putting the bucket of popcorn down, I start to look around the room.

"I said it's our time alone." his deep voice ringed in my ear clearly.

Earlier Us, and now Our.

His words.

"Well then, what are we going to watch?"

"You'll see later."

"You like to keep me waiting, don't you?"

With a smirk tipping his lips, He nodded before looking in front. "Nope, Just like the look on your face whenever you get excited, It's cute."

Cute– what? Wait– Me? Cute?

And him? Telling me cute? Oh my god, my heart is beating too fast.

Turning my face away from him, I bit my lip before mentally facepalming myself.

"You okay?"

He asked, sounding concerned,, so I took a deep breath before turning my head to look at him but...

My eyes widened when I felt something on my lips. He's leaning on me. Did he try to check on me? And I– I– accidentally– kiss him?

With his lips hovering mine, I took courage to look in his eyes, which were already fixed on mine. What just happened is still not sinking in my mind when his arms went to my nape to pull me closer. He started to move his lips over mine, when I unknowingly gave up and kissed him back.

I heard the movie started, but we both ignored it.

I can't help it, though.

My hands made their way to his arms as I started to slowly catch my breath, and I think he noticed it because he pulled away, not really pulled, but he stopped. Still with his lips on mine, and feeling him slightly biting my lower lips, he whispered, "I appreciate the first move."

With that teasing tone of his, he chuckled before sitting back and starting watching the movie.

I felt my heart ready to explode.

Trying to stop my heart from beating so fast, I let out a fake cough and looked at the movie.

"Wait– It's John Wick– How did you– Ace?" looking at him shocked, a huge smile bloom in my lips, seeing him smile before I look back on the massive screen.

"I have my ways to make you smile." he mumbled, and I could barely hear it.

"What did you say?"

He looks at me acting confused before chuckling. "I said nothing, The movie is starting."

As expected, He'll not tell me the truth. Why are they like that? Weirdly cute.

Shrugging him off, I turn to look at the screen before a small grin unknowingly appears in my lips.

John Wick is my favorite movie of all time. That's why I'm shocked, seeing it on the screen earlier. It became very special because it happened to be released here in the United States on the same day as my birthday. I even had the collection of all John Wick, except 4. Did I forget to tell you that Keanu Reeves is my hubby?

Did I just forget that my real hubby is just beside me?

But still, Keanu is my hubby, but he doesn't know it.

I still remember when John Wick 3 was released, I got an invitation from his manager. It happened that his manager likes me, that's why he invited me, and I met him there, my hubby.

Still, I'm confused. It can't be a coincidence.

Did he ask Zane? Maybe.

****

Ace

Seeing her enjoy the movie is something I already expected to see.

I used to hate Zane for blabbing about his sister, like he's coming to me just to tell me that his sister bullied him again even though they're just the same. But now I kinda make use of it.

Of him telling me a million times that she didn't get to watch baseball because his evil sister is rewatching John Wick. Literally a million times that I can even remember it now. And how she won't be able to sleep if she doesn't finish the movie, holding her pee until the movie finishes and getting a lot of food before the movie starts

And when I said they're just the same, not just attitude even physical, but Madison is much prettier for sure. One thing they're the same with is the way they eat loaf bread, they're removing the sides of it before eating, even in toast.

Also, how she likes to go shopping even though her closet, as big as his room, is already full of clothes, shoes and bags.

After an hour of quietly watching, I suddenly felt something heavy on my shoulder.

Did she fall asleep?

Not minding about the movie anymore, I look at her and notice that she's still watching. With her head on my shoulder, It felt somewhat right. Like this was supposed to happen.

"Don't move." she whispered, still not looking at me. That means let's stay like this.

Am I moving? As long as I know, I'm stuck here, stunned by her.

Doing what she wanted, I tried to relax my back and slightly move closer, so I could pull her to me.

A moment later, without even us noticing. My arms were already wrapped on her waist, with her body resting on my chest, and she had fallen asleep.

Didn't Zane say she won't be able to sleep without the movie coming to its end? Even so, I'm not complaining.

Pulling her even closer, I took my coat from the arm of my chair and wrapped it on her.

I look at my watch, only to realize that it's already 8:30. After two movies, she decided to sleep.

I guess it's enough for today. We have work tomorrow and I don't want to keep her up even late. We need to go back now.

Carrying her in my arms and taking her bag with my hand that can reach her seat, With her weight light as a feather, I can easily embrace her body and walk to the parking lot where my car is parked.

I paid for the cinema to close for the whole afternoon to nighttime, so we can be alone, just the two of us. Which is worth it. Every second of it was worth it.

****

Next Day

The busy days started today. So busy that since my wife left 4 hours ago, I still haven't seen her again.

It is already lunch, but their meeting is still not done. What the fuck are they discussing? Why is it taking so long?

The charity event is on Friday and after two weeks, The Brooklyn Fashion Week. They're all busy here, some are busy contacting every VIP guest, some are busy with the event theme–which is autumn– but they need to book the whole venue and organize things too.

She doesn't really need to help them, she just wants to assist the Finance Department and also learn some things too. I bet she even makes friends with them.

However, I'm also busy, busy waiting for that woman. I can come to their room, but they're working. I just barged in their meeting last time because Zane is here, He came for her.

Not only that, but I looked up from my desktop to the door when I heard a knock. And I immediately know that whoever is behind that door is not her.

She's not knocking.

She doesn't know how to know and will just barge in the room.

"Come in."

With my eyes fixed on the door as it opened, the moment that the person who knocked came in, I met those dark blue eyes just like mine.

"Hello, Brother, Happy to see me?"

Luke closed the door as he walked towards my table with that annoying smile on his face.

"Just to remind you, I'm your Boss here." I said while giving him a death glare.

"Chill, I'm not here to compete with you, Dad just told me that you agree to helping the company, so in return, I'll work for you."

"If you really want to give me something in return then give up the company and give it to Kit, with that, you won't need to work here."

I can see his eyes flared with my words. I knew he wouldn't dare to give it to Kit.

"I'll work here, so you could teach me how to properly manage a business, if you do, then I'll be able to make it work with my company."

"Who said I'll teach you?"

"If you won't then– wait– I remember that sister-in-law is working with you. Maybe I can ask her to help me instead."

The last thing I wanted for him to do is to speak to Madison.

He don't deserve to talk to her, or even see her.

But I know that's impossible since I already told Dad that I'll help him, and she's also working here.

"Don't even try to bother her, She's already busy, she had no time for you."

"Then you'll do it?"

Rolling my eyes at him, I took a bunch of paper in my cabinet and gave it to him. I asked someone to prepare that especially for him.

"Then start today, Read that and analyze it. Look for every single mistake you'll see and report to me after."

"Is this some kind of high-school game? How is this–"

Giving him my smug look, I smile fakely. "If you still want to come back here tomorrow, then do as I said. Whatever I told you to do, just do it."

I know his pissed off, just by looking how his lip twitched. His eyes are telling me he wanted to punch me.

The tension between us break off when someone came in the door.

Madison.

As always, she doesn't knock.

"Ohh– You have a visitor, I'll go–" she suddenly stopped o her words when she looked at Luke who's already looking at her.

At first, I thought it's just a simple stare, but that lasted longer. Noticing how her hands tightened around the papers in her hands, and her stare were slowly turning to glare while a smirk appeared on his lips.

There's something wrong here.

"Luke, There's an available table in the office 3-B, finish that before 6 pm and report to me. Go now."

I watched as his eyes never left her, as he walks to the door. The moment he reaches where she is standing, I saw, for the first time, how her eyes glare heatedly.

"Luke, Go. Now." Slightly raising my voice, he holds the door handle before pulling it.

He held the door for a moment before turning to me. "You have a beautiful wife, Bro." with that he left.

The moment he left, she looked at me and slowly soften her expression.

"What happened? Are you alright?"

She seems to think for a moment before smiling reassuringly. "Yeah, It is just– I bumped into him earlier in the lobby."

She walks to her table and put her papers down.

"Let's have lunch, Your meeting ended kinda late."

"Yeah, They change some presentation and there's also some newbie."

"It's not your job to be a trainer, you already have so much to do to, so why minding their business?"

I stand up from my seat and wear my blazer.

"I didn't really do much."

She showed me her satisfied smile before going to her drawer and took a scrunchie.

"Just let your hair down." it suddenly came out of my mouth, making her halt and narrowed her eyes on me.

"Huh?"

"Just keep it down, It suits you better."

Smile creeping in her lips, She chuckle before letting it down. "You better be telling the truth, Mr."

"Want to know the truth, you look good with any hairstyle, I just it like when it's down. Happy?"

"After getting a compliment with you? Very much." She giggled while looking for her purse.

"Let's go now."

"Okay, okay, wait."

She took her coat from her chair and run to stand next to me. After last night, she'd always been all smiley and giggly, except a moment earlier.

****

Madison

I lied. He's not just someone whom I bumped into him earlier.

How did I just realize it now. Luke Ashford and Ace Ashford, their surname and dark blue eyes.

The guy I used to love and the guy I'm supposed to love were fucking brothers.

How am I supposed to tell Ace. He already hated Luke for somewhat reason, and I don't want to have him hated Luke, not because I care, but because I moved on. So what's the point of telling him? And if I told him so, I'm sure he'll ask why we broke up, and if he finds out the bullshit Luke did, things might be different, no, things will change even more between them.

In the first place, I'm the one who convinced Ace to help him.

And it means I need to deal with him.

How did I get myself into this.

Letting out a groan, I look at my phone to check the time, 5:30. I was here in my office doing an email for the Charity will attend this Friday when came in the room.

I expected it to be Ace since he went to the meeting room to have a talk with the Senior Director, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technology Officer. But it's not.

"Can I help you with something?"

Luke just stare at me before walking to my table.

"Aren't you happy to see me, Sister-in-law?" with his voice sounding full of sarcasm, my eyes followed him as he sat on the chair in front of me. "Long time no see... sweetheart."

"Shut your fucking mouth, Luke."

"Don't you miss me? Because I do miss you."

"Luke, have you gone mad? If you don't need something, then I'm asking you to leave."

"Why did you not even tell me that you're already married? And with my brother? I would have come to your wedding then. Wait– Does Ace know that we have a past."

"Don't you dare do something stupid while you're here, Luke, What happened to us is your fault. And if you're thinking that this is a big deal for Ace, then you're wrong."

Luke haven't changed. I admit he became a good boyfriend for me, not until he banged someone in my car.

"What's happening here?"

We both look at the door as Ace who just arrive. I didn't even hear the door being open.

"Nothing, I was looking for you, and she's the only one here, so I thought I could ask her then."

As always, he's excellent with lying.

I look at Ace, who's already staring at me before he dismissed Luke. As soon as Luke left, he walk to me and put a box of donuts in my table.

"If ever Luke bother you, just tell me okay?" he lips twitch up to a reassuring smile before going back to his table.

Should I tell him? There's nothing wrong with it but...

I don't want to keep it a secret, but I think it doesn't really matter, right? Or no.

"Ace." I called him out, making him look at me, I took his silence as an answer to continue. "Thank you for this."