Ace POV:
198…199...200…
I sat up, breathing roughly, after doing my abdominal crunches.
I took off my T-shirt and wiped my sweaty face.
After that, I did five sets of planks for 30 minutes.
When I looked at the time. It was 7 in the morning.
I sat on the floor after finishing my workout. I saw texts from my friends asking me to come back.
I was staying in Pittsford Village.
I was staying in a small cabin in the middle of the forest, away from the city.
No maids, No thousands of guards, or anyone. It was just me and the specific 5 guards.
I freshened up and cleaned my bed, which was messy as hell.
I made scrambled eggs and papaya juice.
I suck at cooking. It was the only thing that I could make perfectly.
I learned to make this food for my mother.
But still, I hate cooking though.
Βασιλιά, το αυτοκίνητο έφτασε (King, the car has arrived.)," Ares informed me.
Ήταν αρκετά τα χρήματα; (Was the money sufficient? )," I asked, washing the dirty utensils.
Ναι βασιλιά (Yes king)," Ares said, candidly.
Όλοι θέλουν να σε γνωρίσουν (They all want to meet you)," Ares said.
I nodded my head and wiped my hands with a towel.
It was past 8 when I arrived at the east coast branch.
Everyone was bowing, and Ivan was telling me about the meetings and appointments.
As I sat in my office and started to work, peacefully.
The door opened forcefully, and my friends came inside, scowling and emotionlessly staring at me.
All of them were here. It's going to be hectic.
Finally, you showed up," Leo said sarcastically.
Are you becoming soft, Mr. Salvatore?" Susan asked mockingly.
You need to meet her; she's still afraid," Aiden said coldly, playing with his butterfly knife.
What about his brother when we know, that punk was the one who is behind all this," Alex said, coarsely.
No one will touch Isaac," I said, emphasizing every word.
Why, because the girl you fuck begged you to leave him," Felix said, contemptuously.
I stood up abruptly. I clenched my jaw and released a long and deep breath.
Where are the details," I said, folding my shirt sleeves to my elbow.
Liam handed me the details of his brother.
"Isaac was working for the royal family before we killed them," Liam said, curtly.
"After that, he renewed his identity but he forgot his sister has some details of him that we used," Liam said, smirking.
I nod my head and stare at my computer screen blankly.
Where were you," Hudson asked, worriedly.
Pittsford," I said, blankly.
Ace, leave her," Susan said, worryingly.
If next time anything happens to my family because of her, I will rip her head off from her body," Susan warned and left the room.
Does she think I will let her touch my Mini?
I will take care of it from here," I said, going through the papers.
Isaac Rodriguez, 22 years old, was an underboss in the Royals business.
Then why did Iris not have a surname?
Isaac has worked with one of the powerful business tycoon families.
He knows he will get caught, He's not that stupid to plan attacks like this.
Perhaps Isaac uses his sister as bait to distract us.
But from what?
What am I missing?
I looked at other details in the paper but nothing was informative.
I put the papers on the table and sighed.
I closed my eyes and leaned back in the seat, thinking.
Suddenly my eyes flung open. Did I see that wrong?
I looked at the paper again, confirming what I saw was a lie or truth.
I stood up abruptly and marched to the main office.
The guards opened the door and I stood in front of the doorway.
Dismiss," I said, emotionlessly and all the guards got out of the room.
Ok, now what," Susan said, impatiently.
I threw the papers at her and she saw it not before scowling at me.
After some seconds her eyes were wide like saucers.
Then everyone looked at the papers curiously.
Did Iris lie to us?" Alex said, conflicted.
I don't know," I said, candidly.
Gosh, this girl is mysterious," Susan said exaggeratedly.
Ace, who gave information about Iris to you," Liam said, frowning.
Ivan," I said.
Something is odd," Felix and I said at the same time.
I will gather information and you all keep an eye on every one from now on," Liam said, getting out of the room hurriedly.
Talk to her," Aiden said referring to Iris and patting my shoulder.
Hud, keep an eye on Ivan," I said, suddenly.
Hudson frowned.
Why," he asked, confused.
Do as I say," I said and left the room.
+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+
I was standing in front of my door for the past one minute for what I don't even know.
Nervousness, uneasiness, fear that she will also turn out to be a traitor.
Fear that I will lose her.
I released a deep breath and opened the door expecting to see her beguiling eyes.
But she was nowhere in the room, not even the bathroom.
I sat on the bed, melancholy.
I got up and opened the closet to put Isaac's details inside.
But I saw an old bag in the corner. It was Iris's stuff.
I shut the door and turned around but something stopped me.
I could get what I want now but…
I stood there a few seconds, contemplating, and turned around and opened the closet, again.
I took out her bag and put it on the bed.
I opened it and saw some old clothes, basic girl necessities, a blemished book, some flawed certificates, old photos, an old diary, and some paintings.
Didn't know my Mini could paint this well.
Her birth certificate, and some school running race certificates.
I took a photo of it and put it back inside before she came back.
I opened her diary to find something informative for me.
But it was her complaints and her happy movements like "Mom, yelled at me today" or "Dad brought me an ice cream" or "Isaac played with me".
I smiled at her innocence. She wrote everything short, apparent, and distinctly.
But what got me stuck was she wrote about a boy.
"Dear god, he saved me, I want to see him again"
I put the book down and stared ahead in a daze.
It's not helping. It's just adding more confusion.
"Dear god, he was looking handsome, I wish I could talk to him"
"Dear god, I think I started to like him"
What the actual fuck.
"Dear god, he was a beautiful mistake in my life, I wish I could do the mistake, again but I shouldn't"
I closed her diary, frowning.
Who was he?
Suddenly I heard the door opening sounds but graciously it was locked inside.
I put her belongings inside the bag and placed them inside the closet as if it was not moved from the place.
I opened the door expecting guards or my friends but it was my dazzling girl.
She looked up at me, emotionlessly.
I felt my heart thumping and I gulped.
I palmed her warm cheek, her eyes were staring at me without blinking, and her mouth was slightly open showing her two cute front teeth.
I was lost in her eyes. It looked deep.
Deeper than any ocean, darker than any tunnel.
It was calming.
She released a shaky breath and looked away abruptly.
Like she remembered something which she shouldn't…
Thank you," she mumbled, looking down.
Are you okay," I asked, emotionlessly.
Suddenly she removed her hand from my face and backed away.
She blinked continuously and cleared her throat.
She was fisting the dress tightly into her little palms.
Mini," I said, worryingly.
She doesn't look okay. I extended my hand towards her to touch her but she backed away.
D-Do you hate me," she asked, anxiously.
Mini, I could never hate you even if I want, I can't baby," I said, truthfully.
Abruptly, she hugged me and buried her face in my chest, sobbing.
I stroked her hair in a comforting manner and wrapped my hands around her.
Suddenly she started to cry loudly.
Look at me, Mini," I said, worryingly.
I pulled her away from me forcefully and saw her hyperventilating.
Hey, hey it's okay," I said, wiping her tears which were flowing down her cheeks continuously.
Her breathing was improper, she was rubbing her eyes simultaneously.
She wrapped her hands around herself and cried loudly.
I don't know what to do.
I picked her up and went inside the room.
I put her on the bed and got up to take water from the table.
She gripped my shirt sleeves and pulled me towards her, still weeping.
I pulled her towards me and made her sit in bridal style on my lap.
I let her cry. I hugged her tightly and let her cry.
I want her to let it out even if it means she wants to cry her heart out then let it be.
Her hands were shaking, trembling. I grabbed her hand and rubbed it.
It's okay, Mini," I said, kissing her hair.
After 15 minutes she was just sobbing.
I held her hands to stop her from rubbing her eyes vigorously.
She whimpered and started to push me away.
I pushed her into my lap and held her steady.
Her head was between my shoulder and biceps.
I leaned down and joined our forehead.
It's okay, Mini," I said, assuring her.
She looked at me hurtfully.
Do you also think I am desperate for love," she asked me, weeping.
But I just looked at her.
She was right, I did think about her like that before but do I now?
I want someone to love me but it doesn't mean they have to use me for their selfishness," she said, taking short breaths.
I never force someone to love me, then why did people hurt me," she asked, looking at my eyes straight.
Is it a sin to seek love from our loved ones," she whispered and bit her lips to stop her tears from flowing down.
I leaned down and kissed her forehead, firmly.
I released a shaky breath and looked her in the eyes.
Forgive me, Mini," I asked her, sincerely.
Why because you liked me or took care of me or trusted me," she murmured, weakly.
I was struck. I don't know what to say.
I don't know," I whispered.
First time in my life I don't have anything to say back.
I was wrong all the time. I thought I could have her easily.
But No, this all time I was the one who thought I could have her, wrap her around me.
But in reality, she was the one who was wrapping me around her little fingers, making me obsessed with her.
And I let it happen, willingly.
When I looked down she was sleeping.
Her eyelashes were damp, her cheeks and nose were slightly red, and a little pout stayed on her lips.
I hold her tightly and let her sleep.
It was not a comfortable position for me, but I don't want to wake her up.
I slid my hand inside her shirt and rubbed her tummy.
She will always rub her tummy while sleeping.
Her hair was disheveled, her frock was resting above her bent knees, and her hands were resting on her chest.
I released a sigh and closed my eyes.
Do I love her…
Even if I did, she will not love me back more like she can't love me.
I hurt her for my selfishness.
We were complete opposites yet I found peace in her.
I didn't even realize when minutes convert into hours.
We were still in the same position and I was lost in my thoughts.
I removed the hair strands from her face and stroked her cheeks from the back of my hand.
Pretty girl. She had an exact mole under her right eye like mine.
Mine was more prominent than hers.
I hummed and rocked my body back and forth slightly.
Author POV:
"Sit down, dear," the old lady said, smiling wide.
Mila sat down with her 8-year-old son, smiling with nervousness.
"I thought you would never come back to the village," the lady said, laughing.
"Ήρα, βιάζομαι (Hera, I am in a hurry)," Mila said, anxiously.
"I want to know about his future," Mila said looking at his son, smiling.
But Ace was confused as to why her mother took him to some weird village.
I thought you don't trust this type of thing," Hera, the fortune lady said, smiling.
Mila bit her lips and looked down afraid.
"Things we do for our family," Hera said, emotionlessly.
Mila looked at Hera, surprised.
Hera extended her hand and Mila put Ace's right hand over Hera's palm.
Left hand," Hera said.
Mila nodded.
Hera looked at Ace's palm thoroughly.
Darkness, evil is looming over him slowly," Hera said, looking at Ace's palm, concentrating.
He will get what he wants but," Hera stopped and looked at Ace's eyes.
You have to pay a price. A sacrifice," Hera said, coldly.
Ace snatched his hand away from Hera, abruptly.
Ace was scowling at her.
Hera started laughing, suddenly.
He will die, mercilessly," Hera said.
What," Mila said, shocked.
No, No you're joking," Mila stuttered in fear.
Sure, I will die one day but I think you will die first, creepy old lady," Ace said, mockingly.
Mila stood up and walked outside.
Mom," Ace called her mother, confused.
Ace, you're a curse to your family," Hera said.
Ace looked at her furiously.
+++++++++++++++++++
Ace's eyes flung open from his sleep when he heard a knock on the door.
He didn't even realize that he slept while leaning on the headboard.
Iris was still in his lap sleeping peacefully.
Wow," Leo said, surprised.
Ace looked at him, annoyed.
Knock," Ace said, quietly but sternly.
I did but you didn't listen," Leo said, looking at both of them, suspiciously.
"I didn't hear," Ace thought, frowning.
Then after some seconds, his friends were all in Ace's room.
Fucking hell, get out," Ace said, yelling.
Iris stirred and snuggled between Ace's biceps.
Liam came forward and adjusted Iris's frock which was now staying at her mid-thigh exposing her legs.
Ace looked at Liam, coldly.
Did you find it," Liam said, looking at Iris.
Yes," Ace said, getting up and holding Iris carefully in his arms.
He put Iris on the bed and covered her with a blanket.
When Ace got up from the bed suddenly Iris whined and murmured something incoherent.
Ace showed Liam the photos he took earlier from Iris's belongings, her original birth certificate.
Liam took it and re-checked the documents with Iris's details which were provided by Ivan.
Aiden was tapping His feet on the floor, nervously.
Ace and Hudson were sitting beside Liam on the couch.
Alex, Leo, Felix, and Susan were lying in the big bed.
Gosh, her eyelashes are so pretty," Susan said, examining Iris's face.
I did everything, but still, my eyelashes look like dried leaves," Susan huffed.
Do you think she's a virgin," Susan said, frowning.
No," Felix said looking at Ace, confirming.
Ace looked at them, sighing in disappointment.
Didn't know a girl can be a virgin this long especially living with you, Lucky girl," Susan said, laughing.
I lost my virginity when I met Aiden, maybe at 18 years," Susan said.
Guys," Liam said, sitting straight abruptly.
Everyone also stood up, curiously.
Not matched," Liam said.
So does that mean," Hudson said.
"Iris is not Isaac's sister"