Chapter 25

GINA

She couldn't wait to go home. She really sped up her usual work so that she could go home immediately. Her husband is on the day off now, so he's probably waiting for her at home.

Oh, her husband. Finally she could say the words honestly. She parked her car in front of her house. She now uses Ace car. As soon as she got out of the car, she immediately looked inside the house to see if her husband was already there, because she was wondering why the house seemed to be quiet. She just smiled at the thought of what else could happen to them tonight. But she thinks, maybe it's better if she's the first to arrive so that she can prepare for this night. Finally, she can wear the see-through red nightie that Maryam gave her on her birthday.

Many things are playing on her mind now. That she will prepare a candlelight dinner to make their night more romantic and she will also prepare wine so that they can drink.

This is really the night she has been waiting for. The night she can finally call their ‘Wedding Night’. And tonight she will also tell Ace that she loves him.

ACE

He is sitting slouch on the sofa, thinking while waiting for Gina. He remembered what happened to them this morning, so now he let out a deep breath one after another. But when he heard the alarm system ringing for a few seconds, he immediately sat up. That was a sign that Gina had arrived.

"Hi! Hows work? Is it tiring?" He said immediately as Gina continued to enter the house.

"You surprised me Ace, you're already here. But no, I'm not tired." She said smiling. "In fact, I want to take a shower. Do you want to come with me?"

Instead of answering Gina he turned his back on her. He didn't even expect Gina to leave. Just the hopeful look in her eyes builds up the fire of guilt already burning his stomach, and he can't face it.

"Ace?" She called him.

Face him Ace, don't be a coward. Then he turned to face Gina. "What?"

"What's wrong?"

He just stared at Gina and didn't know what to say. "Let's sit down first."

GINA

She's confused now by Ace behavior, because she doesn't expect his mood to change. "Is there something wrong with what I said?"

"Why did you come home so early?" Ace asked her again.

"Didn't I tell you that my last subject was suspended. I also went home with one of my classmates. I called you but you didn't answer, so I just texted you so you wouldn't bother to pick me up."

"I was thinking a lot this morning. So I forgot to look at my cellphone."

"I know that at the time you came home from jogging, so I figured out that you get my message. I would also like to tell you something ..."

"What?"

"I noticed a guy at school earlier."

"Did he do something to you?"

The ferocity in his voice startled her. So she tried to calm him down. "No. I just noticed lately that there is a man at school who always follows me. Everywhere I go, he is there and always looking at me. That's why I needed to get away from the campus before he could follow me all the way home."

Ace wiped his face. While she couldn't decipher his expression.

"Don't bother picking me up from school. I can protect myself. I've taken self-defense classes before, so I know a little bit about self-defense."

"Okay. It's up to you."

She was surprised by Ace's quick response. She didn't expect that to be his reaction.

"Why did you take so long to access the security code this morning?" Ace suddenly asked.

"Since we got married, I rarely set the alarm system. I was blank this morning so I forgot the code. I was supposed to go through the bathroom door but I left the key here at home. So I just guessed your code until I get it right. What I didn't realize when it opened and that there was a gun pointed at my head. Do you have a license for it?"

"A permit. Of course there is."

Ace stared at her, straight to her eyes. "If anything happened today, it was a mistake."

She just hugged herself and contradicted what he said. "It was wonderful."

"But, that's still a mistake."

"Maybe, for you. But for me, no."

She saw he scratched his head. "I won't excuse it. I was responsible. It's all my fault."

"Well you know, Ace," she said and stared at him. "I didn't do anything at that time to attract you, and I didn't force you."

"Gina, I didn't mean to--"

"That's bullshit, Ace. For the first time-maybe, maybe I'll believe you didn't really mean it. And I'll forgive you because we were just carried away by the heat-of-the-moment for the first time so I'll miss that. But you made love to me for the second time, that's what I won't miss. Because you had plenty of time to think.

"You are right."

She stepped closer to Ace while her mouth was shaking. "So now?"

"Now, let's go back to where we started." He replied.

She didn't say a word and instead just laughed out loud.

"Gina, I know it's a lot to ask, because I know you don't understand me."

"You're right, and go ahead and explain to me what happened. Just make sure that the last thing I want to hear is your lame excuses. So, is this a charged to experience?" She said with a raised eyebrow. “Placing blame isn’t going to help. I also have to accept some of the blame because I had expectations that didn't match yours. It's not just your fault. Now, there is a bridge between the two of us. But sometimes, we were going to have to cross it or burn it."

It was as if she had a sore throat when she said that. Damn him. Damn him. But she loved him. She really loved this numb man too much. She loves him even though she can't understand him. And she still loved him even though he regretted what happened to the two of them. She believed in the rules to prevent chaos, that's why she convinced herself that she was doing the right thing.

What she felt now is the ache of rejection. Because she realized that the person she loves the most is the hardest person to love.

"So," she said with a false cheer. "Tomorrow we start anew."

"That's a big favor for me, Gina."

"Yeah! I'm just a hell of a woman, honey pie."

She was about to turn her back on Ace when she suddenly remembered something. "Why were you carrying a gun earlier? Who did you expect to come?"

"I really didn't expect you to come. I thought it was a robber."

She was hurt by what Ace told her, but deep in her eyes she saw apology and pain, too. And based on what she sees in his eyes that he also sees a little hope.

You don't have a clue, Ace Roderick Durant III. That I am the best thing that ever happened to you. And I will never give up on you.

*****