Chapter 38

ACE giving Sybil a promise ring had a big impact on her. She suddenly felt scared that something would happen if they left the hotel. It was just a feeling, but her hunch was never wrong. Perhaps it was some kind of superpower that she could rely on. That was why they stayed in the hotel for a few more days. Ace gladly granted her request because it also benefited him. He seemed to be enjoying their time together.
Sybil was greeted by a soft melody coming from the piano when she opened the door of their suite. She slowly entered, feeling the relaxing vibe the music had given her. And then she saw Ace sitting in front of the piano, his long, slender fingers moving on the keys. He looked even more handsome in her eyes now that she had discovered another side of him.
‘So, he plays the piano,” she muttered.
She slowly clapped her hands, appreciating his talent.
Smiling, Ace glanced in her direction, and then he turned his attention back to the music sheet. She walked towards him and stood beside him for a couple of seconds before sitting beside him. She leaned her head on his shoulder. It didn’t bother Ace, and he continued playing the piano.
“Where did you learn that?” she asked. Sybil shut her eyes as she listened to the melody.
But then, she realized she had asked the wrong question. Ace must have forgotten how he learned to play the piano.
“Perhaps this is my hidden talent,” he said, chuckling. “I just saw the music sheets and had this familiar feeling.”
“This is the first time I saw you play, though. And all I can say is that… you play so well.”
Sybil looked at Ace and found him looking at her while still playing the piano. It looked like his fingers knew the tile arrangement that he could even play with his eyes closed.
He ended the piece he was playing and replaced it with another, a familiar one. However, Sybil didn’t know where she had heard that melody before.
“Close your eyes and hear inner voices within. My heart for all is unknown…” Ace started singing.
She was stunned for a moment when she heard the lyrics. It was somewhat familiar.
He continued singing.
“So maybe lying shows better life for our days. It’s more than meets the eye… When the stars fly away, the shadow next to me is the only one standing with me. One day will they come back to the places they belong? I believe that day will come. Say that everything will be fine after all. I will always be here…”
Tears sprung from her eyes. Ace’s soulful voice and the song itself brought back memories, good and bad. It kept flooding her mind. It was like a movie playing right before her eyes. Suddenly, those forgotten memories were slowly coming back.
Ace stopped singing.
“Sybil…” He framed her face with his hands, and his thumbs lightly brushed away her tears.
She straightened her back and met his gaze. What happened was really unexpected. Sybil thought she wouldn’t remember those fragments of her memories anymore.
“I-I was carried away,” she said. “That song was too emotional.” It was a lie she had to tell. She couldn’t tell him now about those memories. She didn’t want to ruin that moment.
He heaved a sigh. “Perhaps… your heart remembers what your mind forgets.”
“Again…”
“Hmm?” His brows furrowed
“Please play that melody again. Sing that song again,” she said desperately. Sybil wanted to know if she could remember more.
“Oh… okay.”
His fingers started pressing the keys again.
“Say that when it’s time, it’ll be deeper than before. I will always be here…” Ace continued singing. “Close your eyes and see with your eyes of your heart, one that is within my heart. So, tell me, why is this the only way for our days? It’s more than meets the eye… I just wanna know, within one hope, if you ever see it… I just wanna know one thing, that is all. If our days will be back…”
Tears kept falling from her eyes as he sang the song. It consumed her. Her emotions took control of everything, and she couldn’t fully comprehend what was happening.
“Say that everything will be fine after all. I will always be here… Say that when it’s time, it’ll be deeper than before. I will always be here…”
“Sybil…”
She turned to him abruptly when she heard him call her name.
He pulled her close to him and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. Suddenly, her emotions ceased.
Sybil heaved a sigh of relief.
“You cut your hair,” he said as he caressed the strands of his now short hair.
“Don’t you like it?” She cocked her head to the side. “I look bubbly, don’t you think?”
He leaned closer and whispered, “I will miss pulling your long hair whenever we make love.”
“Ace…” She slapped his arm. “Stop teasing me, will you?”
She turned to the window afterward. It was raining outside.
Ace stood up and went to the pantry. He came back with two mugs of scalding hot coffee.
“Thanks,” she said when he handed her one.
They transferred to the sofa, sitting across from each other. Soon, they were enjoying their coffee.
A moment like that was simple, and yet it felt romantic. Sybil could sacrifice everything just to spend another moment like that with him.
Since the day Sybil realized she loved him, he became her everything. She wouldn’t ask for more as long as he stayed by her side, just as he promised her with the ring.
“Sybil,” Ace called her.
She turned her gaze in his direction and smiled at him lovingly. “Yes?”
But he didn’t say anything. He just continued staring at her like that.
“What?” Sybil probed. She suddenly felt nervous.
“Nothing…” Ace shook his head and took a sip of his coffee before looking back at the window to watch the rainfall.
“Ace…” She sounded like a disappointed kid.
Sybil moved toward him when she didn’t get an answer and captured his lips in a passionate kiss. Her tongue playfully fought with his while they kissed. She must admit that it thrilled her.
“I’d love to dip in the tub with you,” he whispered in her ears.
“I’d love, too,” she replied, giggling.
Ace carried her in his arms and strode towards the bathroom. Sybil knew something even more thrilling was waiting for her.

ACE filled the tub with water while he undressed Sybil. Every time his fingers would touch her bare skin, he would feel his body being burned with so much desire for her. He wondered why no matter how many times they had made love, that kind of feeling wouldn’t seem to stop.
Sybil dipped into the tub first, and soon, he followed after he removed his clothes.
He sat on the other side of the tub and slowly closed his eyes. But he had to open them again when he heard the splashing of water. Sybil moved and crawled toward him. Soon, she was sitting on his lap with her legs parted.
Ace let out a moan when he felt her warmth enveloping him. He then grabbed the back of her head and claimed her lips in a fiery kiss.