"There is only one kind of shock worse than the totally unexpected: the expected for which one has refused to prepare."
Chloe felt a wave of confusion as Ace dropped a comment that left her puzzled. She was aware that Gina and Ace had a history, but the details were still a mystery she needed to unravel.
"What's that supposed to mean, Ace?" Chloe asked, frustration evident in her voice as she tossed a cloth onto the counter.
Before Ace could respond, Gina chimed in without even looking at him. "Oh, so he's going by Ace these days," she remarked, maintaining her distance from Ace as if he were invisible.
"I didn't come for you," Ace shot back, staring straight at Gina.
"When have you ever been there for anyone?" Gina replied sharply, shaking her head with disapproval.
Before Ace could respond, Gina lifted her hand, signaling him to be quiet. Her glare spoke volumes, demanding his silence.
Chloe observed the interaction, sensing the tension in the room. Unaware of the complicated history between them, she couldn't help but feel the unease.
Looking at Chloe, "I need some answers tomorrow." Gina sighed, "Right now, I'm drained. Just lock up on your way out, and we can talk more tomorrow. Good night, Chloe." She said it all at once, closing the register.
Turning around, Gina walked away, leaving Chloe puzzled.
She stood there for a moment, trying to wrap her head around what had just happened a few seconds ago.
She turned to Ace, shooting him a sharp look.
"What just went down?" She asked, her gaze following Gina as she walked away.
Ace, also fixated on Gina's departure, took a moment before responding, "Nothing."
Chloe stood with her arms crossed tightly over her chest, trying to read Ace's expression. He seemed completely unfazed, like a skilled actor who had mastered the art of concealing his thoughts.
It left her puzzled, unable to figure out what was going on in his mind.
"So, who is she to you?" She asked, her eyes narrowing.
He didn't even glance at her, maintaining an air of indifference. "None of your concern," he replied curtly.
Frustration crept into her voice as she clenched her jaw. "Why are you really here, Ace?" She questioned.
"For you," Ace answered casually, showing no hint of emotion.
She couldn't let it go. "Why do you keep lying?" She pressed, genuinely curious.
It was a question that seemed to come out of nowhere, but the impulsive side of her wanted to understand him better.
His eyes flickered over to her, and suddenly, a calm yet menacing expression crossed his face. His gaze sharpened, revealing a dangerous glint that sent shivers down her spine.
Feeling a lump in her throat, she forced herself to avoid glancing away in fear.
Arching an eyebrow, "Excuse me?" He inquired, leaning in a bit.
Chloe nervously cleared her throat and muttered, "You heard me," as she took a deep breath, trying to stand her ground.
She was oblivious to the fact that Ace had inched so close that only the counter separated them. Drumming his fingers on the table, he made a noise, pursing his lips in thought.
"Why do I lie? Hmm. Well, that's just another question you'll have to figure out for yourself," he stated, his voice firm and matter-of-fact.
Chloe couldn't believe her ears. "So, you show up here just for me, and suddenly you know my boss? Wow, what a crazy coincidence!" She blurted out, slamming her hand down on the counter for emphasis.
As they exchanged words and glares, Neil discreetly observed from a hidden spot outside the cafe. He had always kept an eye on Chloe through the windows, and this time was no different.
While stealing a glance at her, his attention was drawn to Ace.
Memories flooded back to that night when Chloe and Ace had a meeting after her grandfather's funeral. He was also there, pretending to be one of her guards, at the old London restaurant he and his brother constructed in the 1920s.
He was amazed at how the current owners have maintained the place almost exactly as he built it years ago. Back then, he was surprised that Ace picked that place over others, but now he understood. They were allies, after all.
Lost in his thoughts, Neil contemplated Ace's proposition. He believed that Chloe indeed held the key to his escape, a way to return to 1927.
As he watched Ace and Chloe argue, he was taken aback by the intensity of Chloe's anger. It was the first time he had seen her so upset. Her face turned bright red, and a few strands of hair escaped from her messy bun.
As he stood there, hidden in the shadows, his heart ached to soothe her anger. He found his fingers twitching, an irresistible urge to tuck those rebellious strands of hair behind her ear and pull her into a comforting embrace.
However, he knew he couldn't.
The events of New Year's Eve lingered in his mind like a forbidden memory. The almost reckless impulse to kiss her had nearly broken the fragile barrier he had built to keep his emotions in check. The taste of that near-kiss haunted him.
He understood the importance of restraint. To keep her safe, he had to remain in the shadows, an unseen guardian protecting her from the dangers that lurked beyond her awareness.
Meanwhile, Ace's anger grew with each word from Chloe. He couldn't contain his frustration, and his features tightened as the conversation continued.
His fingers clutched the counter so tight; it seemed like it might crack under the pressure. Chloe felt a shiver of fear, half-expecting him to explode in anger or start hurling things.
To her relief, he didn't.
"Why I'm here is what you want to know," he stated, searching through his coat with urgency.
Finally, he pulled out a crumpled paper and a PHOTO.
Ace stormed toward Chloe, crossed the counter, and grabbed her wrist, dragging her to the farthest corner table.
The calm demeanor he had vanished.
"What on earth are you up to?" Chloe protested.
A scowl etched across his face. He thrust the items into her hands as they found a safer spot.
Chloe took a moment to glance at what he gave her, and her eyes widened as she read the headline:
"Murder Victim's Daughter Claimed 'Beast' saved her."
Accompanying the news was a photo of Chloe taken three months ago.
Chloe's voice was soft, almost a whisper, "This is me..."
Ace, his frustration evident, ran his fingers through his hair. "The people who killed James had been keeping tabs on you since your father died. You were continuously on their radar, but now, they now fucking want you!" He hissed.
She stared at him, completely puzzled.
"Who are you talking about?" She questioned, her eyes reflecting a mix of confusion and fear.
Did he know who was responsible for her grandfather's death and chose not to tell her?
"You know about them?" she asked, frustration and anger welling up, causing her eyes to shimmer with angry tears.
Ace narrowed his eyes, trying to comprehend her words. "What?" He asked.
Waving the newspaper cutting at him, she clarified, "Them! The ones who killed my grandpa and are keeping an eye on me, as you mentioned earlier."
She was visibly agitated.
"Isn't it clear by now?" Ace retorted, his tone carrying a hint of impatience.
Her frustration escalated, and she glared at him. "Clear? No, it's not clear! If you know everything, why are you hiding things from me? What do you gain from keeping me in the dark about my own grandfather's murder?"
Ace sighed, a mixture of annoyance and weariness on his face. "Look, I'm not here to make things harder for you. But there are things you're better off not knowing."
Her anger flared up, and she took a step closer. "Better off not knowing? My grandfather was murdered, and I have a right to know the truth! Where were you all this time? For three months, I had no idea where you were or what was going on!"
Ace's expression remained stoic, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes. "I have my reasons. Reasons that go beyond your grandfather's death. Trust me, it's for your own safety."
She clenched her fists, frustration, and sadness mixing in her voice.
"Safety? If you cared about my safety, you wouldn't have disappeared for three months. I deserve to know what's happening, and I won't let you keep me in the dark any longer."
Ace took a deep breath, his eyes meeting hers as if choosing his words carefully.
"I promise, Chloe, I will tell you everything when the time is right. There are things you need to understand, and I can't risk putting you in more danger by revealing everything now."
Her frustration began to shift into curiosity. "Who are you, really? Why are you helping me?" She asked, her eyes searching his face for answers.
A mysterious smile played on Ace's lips. "James wanted me to help you. That's all you need to know for now."
Her eyes widened in shock. "You knew my grandpa?" she asked, disbelief and surprise evident in her voice.
"Yes," Ace replied simply.
Chloe's anger subsided a bit, replaced by a mix of confusion and curiosity. "At least tell me who these people are," she pleaded.
Ace hesitated for a moment before answering, "Argent Enterprises."
"Argent Enterprises?" she repeated, trying to wrap her head around the name. "Why would they target my grandfather?" Chloe's brows furrowed in disbelief. "But why? Why do they want me?"
Ace leaned in closer, his eyes locking onto hers. "Your connection to the 'Beast' has made you a target. They think you know something, something that could expose them or help them find the 'Beast.'"