Ace POV:
(Flashback)
I closed my eyes tightly because of the brightness and opened it again.
I was in the hospital. Looks like I am not dead.
I sat up holding my head.
Glucose and wires were connected to my body.
I hate this shit.
I sighed and calmed my breathing.
How did I come here?
You're awake," a nurse said, happily.
Why the fuck is she happy for?
Then I saw my friends and my Mini coming inside the room.
What the fuck?
Gosh, you look like shit," Aiden said, smirking.
So, comforting," I murmured.
He's all right now, just need to take some rest," The doctor said and left after checking my body.
But Iris went outside with the doctor.
how did I come here," I asked and sat up in distress.
Hudson adjusted the pillow behind my back.
I looked at him, confused.
Iris saw you lying in the road, beaten up," Alex said, coldly.
Iris. But she left that time," I said, drinking water.
Yeah, but she came back," Liam said.
So yeah, she saved your ass," Susan said, folding her hand against her chest.
"You know if Iris stayed this time with you. I would have killed her by now, but I guess she's lucky tonight"
Ivan's voice rang in my head.
how long have I been in the hospital," I asked.
2 weeks," Felix said.
I gulped and stood up from the bed.
What are you doing, you have to rest," Susan said.
Why are you all back, suddenly," I said, coldly.
Well, a little girl said friends should trust each other through hard times," Hudson said, sitting beside me.
Why did you kill him, "Hudson asked, seriously.
I stayed silent.
The door opened and I saw Iris carrying a bowl of porridge on a plate.
Did you eat something," Susan asked Iris, smiling.
Why is everyone behaving differently?
Ace, sit properly," Iris said, nervously.
Get out," I said, emotionlessly.
Huh," she said, perplexed.
I got up and removed all the drips from my hand.
I was in pain.
I grabbed her hand and dragged her outside of the room.
Go away and never come back," I spit out, furiously.
W-What, W-Why," she shuttered.
I gulped and said those painful and disgusting words out of my mouth which was going to break her, again.
I said, Go away from me," I said looking at her eyes.
You said you regret it then what the fuck are you doing here. You want money, Iris," I said, aloud.
You think I loved you Iris, you were just a bed warmer for me nothing else," I saw tears coming out of her eyes, helplessly.
You're not even my status Iris, why do you think I will love a girl like you who is horrible, ugly, and dumb," I yelled at her.
Suddenly she stopped her movements and stood there, numbly.
Just a bed warmer," she whispered, her head hung low.
She let out a chuckle and looked away.
She backed away from me, rubbing her eyes with her tiny palms.
I will go away but I wanted to tell you something," she said but her head hung low. Like she's ashamed of her.
I didn't see you at the club the first time, I saw you years ago when I first came to this place," she paused and sucked in a breath.
I was standing in front of a bridge ready to jump because I had no hope of living," she said and I was stunned.
She was going to suicide.
But you saved me that day, you pulled me away from the bridge and scolded me for hours," she laughed, sadly.
Then I started to see you often in the alleys giving food to the homeless people but you never noticed me," she said.
Then you stopped coming and I waited for you every day in the alley, but you didn't come. That's when I realized I started to like you because I like how you helped other people, how you helped the old age people in the alleys and gave them happiness for some time," she said.
But then I got to know about you. Who you really were, I tried not to like you again but I started to love you instead," she said looking into my eyes.
But now I don't, the man I loved, he died in the streets 2 weeks ago, he died in the alleys where he helped the people. You're not the man who I loved," she said and walked away.
I stood there, numbly.
My chest felt tight like someone was ripping it apart with a sharp knife, stabbing it again and again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
My eyes flung open when I heard a furious knock on my bedroom door.
I stood up from my bed and rubbed my head.
Looks like I slept.
I stood up and unlocked the door.
I saw Aiden and Felix grinning at me.
Don't you have houses," I said, rolling my eyes.
Hey, your house has 2 floors and 15 fucking bedrooms so what's bothering you. If we stay here or not," Aiden said, slumping on my bed.
I sighed, controlling my anger.
What do you want," I asked, walking into the bathroom.
I stripped down and walked into the shower glass.
The cold water calmed my thoughts.
I inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.
Well, Hudson found a date for you," Felix said, sitting on the marble slab.
I groaned loudly.
Look, Ace, you have to move on from her," Aiden said.
I don't love her," I lied.
I love her, I will always love her. She's the only woman who can make me kneel in front of her, effortlessly.
.Well then what's the problem of going on a date with another girl," Felix said, shrugging.
I don't like this shit that's why," I said, cleaning myself.
They both left without saying anything back.
GOOD RIDDANCE.
I wrapped a towel around my waist and came out of the shower.
I took out a towel and dried my wet hair.
I guess Iris' behavior has rubbed on me a little.
She always used a towel to dry my hair whenever I was sitting with wet hair on the bed. I smiled.
I wore a gray waistcoat suit with a black tie.
When I came down, I saw Hudson waving at me furiously.
What the fuck.
I was staying at Hudson's house.
My house felt empty and frigid without her.
I sat on the couch and drank water. Hudson came and sat beside me.
Look, we had a deal, remember," he exclaimed.
Fine," I gritted out my teeth.
Perfect, I booked the restaurant for you, her name is Clara Williams," he said, hurriedly.
Sharp at 6 in the evening, pick her up. I am getting late," he said and left.
Fuck me.
After I told Hudson what happened that night.
He was broken but he stood up again.
My friends understood everything and didn't bring that past up again.
But boy, Hudson is being a bitch. His way of taking care of me is suffering for me now.
I respect him always but now he's demanding too much.
But I don't have any choice.
I am doing a favor for Hudson.
I stood up and went to the basement.
Boss," The guards bowed and gave the food plate.
I went inside the cell which was wet, stinky.
IVAN, miss me," I said, enthusiastically.
I placed the plate in front of him. A warm plate of scrambled eggs.
He thrashed his hands trying to reach the food.
Try, try but don't cry," I said, mockingly and left the basement, satisfied.
Ivan made a mistake. He should have stabbed me in my chest instead of beating me.
I found him instantly after I was discharged from the hospital.
I sat inside the car, comfortably.
I kissed my pendant. My Mini's gift.
It was the only memory I had of her, which she left me after the night.
When I came to my mansion after breaking my Mini's heart.
I found a box in front of my bedroom.
But when I opened it, I saw a pendant with a letter.
"Dear Ace,
Your birthday is coming soon so I wanted to give you something before I go to Newark, So consider this as my gift.
Use it when you're in danger.
Take care of yourself for me
– Iris
My riddle girl. My mysterious girl.
I wish in the next life we could meet in different circumstances.
Because I am sure as hell she despises me with all her heart.
That's what I want. I want her to hate me.
But at the same time, I want her to love me.
"Boss," the guard said, grabbing my attention.
I got out of the car and dived into my work.
____________________________
I was sitting in a restaurant waiting for Clara. Gosh, I hate this.
I was staring outside.
I sighed deeply.
Did my Mini think about me?
She would have a boyfriend by now.
Who will take care of her and worship her.
I released a frustrated sigh and gulped the wine in one go.
Excuse me," I heard a girl's voice.
Clara. It was Clara.
5' 7, pale glowing skin, blue eyes, red lips, hourglass shape, wearing a half-shoulder gown.
Hello," she greeted me smiling.
I nod my head, coldly.
We just sat there silently for 1 minute. I was happy for the silence and irritated at the same time.
So, you came here empty hand," she asked, frowning.
Yeah," I said boringly.
She was expecting flowers.
"Oh," she said and continued to talk about herself.
Then she ordered a steak and fried rice and I just drank wine all the time.
When the steak arrived. I chuckled looking at her food.
What's so funny about the food," she asked me, confused.
Your food looks like a dead person, bland and colorless," I said, laughing.
She chuckled, awkwardly.
Then the night goes like that. She talked about herself a lot.
I drove her off to her penthouse.
So, you wanna come inside," she said, hesitatingly.
I nodded and got out of the car.
You want to have sex with me Clara," I asked leaning in my car.
No," she said, rolling her eyes.
Can you cook, Clara," I asked, smoking a Cigar.
She looked annoyed.
Yeah, just basics," she said.
I hummed.
I sat inside the car and drove to my mansion.
Clara is a beautiful woman.
But she's not my Mini. No one can be my Mini.
I went inside my mansion and sat on the couch, sorrowfully.
I took out my phone and stared at her pictures. I only have 4 photos of her.
She looked beautiful as always.
I want to go and drag her ass in this house again. But I shouldn't.
I can't lose her.
If that night she stayed, Ivan would have killed her.
But she believed me and came back, again.
I am an absolute asshole to leave her.
I mean really every single man wants a girl like her.
But here I am. I am a dick.
I groaned when I heard my phone ringing.
I picked it up.
How's the date," I heard Susan's voice.
I just hummed.
Come on, Ace you have to move on," Susan said before I was going to yell at her.
Look, I know you still love her, we all know that's why we are telling you to move on," she mumbled.
I sighed and lay down on the couch.
Ace, you're not loving her, it's an obsession. A toxic obsession," she said.
I felt my breath getting rough.
I hated Iris when I met her first but slowly I realized she's so naive for this world. She's so naive and innocent for you," she paused.
Ace, find someone else and live your life instead of wasting your remaining life on some little girl," she ended the call.
I flopped the phone beside me, letting out a frustrated sigh. Bitch.
If I saw Iris without her knowing then everything would be fine, right?
Gosh, why the fuck Iris even come into my life.
I love her.
My beautiful Mini...
Iris POV:
What," I asked, stunned.
Yes, Iris, you were just a bet that's why I proposed to you," Jeremy said, emotionlessly.
I am shocked. Don't smile Iris, don't you dare to smile.
No… I am sad," I said, trying to be sad.
He looked at me weirdly.
I cleared my throat, awkwardly.
I just sat there awkwardly.
Ok, what should I do now?
I said I am breaking up with you," he said, again.
I nod my head, understandingly.
I stood up and left the cafe.
When I came away from the restaurant.
I screamed happily.
THANK YOU, GOD," I yelled, happily.
I palmed my cheeks, smiling.
"Iris,"
I screamed.
Quinn, what are you doing here," I asked, shocked. She was with some boy.
I called her," the stranger said.
I nodded, frowning.
You look happy," she said, smirking.
Little," I said, giving her a tight smile.
I thought you would be crying because of your breakup," the stranger said.
Yeah… I am sad, Quinn let's go. I want to cry," I said, dragging her away from the stranger.
We sat on the scooter and I gripped Quinn's waist tightly.
HELMET!," I said, exclaiming.
She huffed and wore the helmet. But the scooter was not starting.
Who is he," I whispered in her ears.
Jeremy's friend, Caleb" she said.
My eyes were wide. What if he told Jeremy I was happy and...
Iris, I know about the bet and that's why I took your friend here but you seem happy already," Caleb said, smirking.
I cringed. Gosh, I am the dumbest girl in this world.
I hide my face inside Quinn's neck, embarrassed.
The scooter started and we drove away, thankfully.
NEXT MORNING
Roll, knead, roll, knead, roll, knead.
I stopped when I saw the dough was perfectly ready to make fresh bread.
I licked my lips. It sounds tasty.
I heard someone clearing his throat and I moved away, giving them space to walk.
I never look at someone here. Except for Jeremy when he proposed to me.
No talks, No fights, that's my rule here.
Iris," it was a male's voice.
I looked at his shoes and hummed.
Hey, Caleb," a girl said.
CALEB. IT WAS FREAKING CALEB.
I looked at him, shocked.
What is he doing here?
The girl handed him the cookies and he put them inside the oven.
He freaking works here now.
Hey," he said, smiling.
I nodded, confused.
I grabbed the dough and started to walk away.
Iris," Caleb grabbed my forearm.
I pulled my hand away from him, unconsciously.
He looked confused by my sudden behavior.
Yes, Caleb," I said, candidly.
I didn't tell Jeremy that you were screaming happily outside the cafe," he said.
I thanked him and walked away.
How didn't I see him in the restaurant all these years?