Chapter 101 - PROBLEM
It's already past seven. The peaceful night sky was adorned with millions of bright stars. The orange moon was large, and bright as it proudly stood on the horizon. The night was perfect for lovers to sneak out and watch the picturesque star-studded evening. Except that I'm not in the balcony to revere to the beautiful scenery that appears almost within my reach. I'm not in the mood to stargaze.
Ace hasn't returned yet and I'm dead worried about him.?I tried calling him earlier but no one was answering. Then Elisa discovered that he left his phone lying on top of the glass table inside the parlor. Perhaps he was in a hurry when he and his unexpected visitor left. It never crossed his mind to bring it with him.
I paced back and forth on the space of the balcony with arms folded under my breasts. As the time passes by my unease deepens. What if something happened to him all the way? I shuddered at the thought. Please Lord, hopefully not, I pleaded.
I have nothing to worry about, I told myself. Ace wasn't alone. Based on the servant's observation, Ace was accompanied by two respectable gentlemen. The first man was younger, about the same age as Ace, tall, good-looking, and with fine manners.
The second man was much older than the two. He wore a well polished black uniform which only a butler from Brittania's aristocrats and noblemen wears.
A butler and a nobleman seems to be an unusual visitor for Ace. As far as I know, he doesn't have any relatives and friends here in the country. But then I don't know that much about Ace. Perhaps he indeed has a relative or friend here which he forgot to mention.
The moment Ace left, unease began to nag inside me as if something unpleasant would happen. My unease only intensified when dinner came but Ace hadn't returned yet. It's not like him to disappear just like that without a valid reason.
I let go a deep sigh.
Calm down Phoenix. I told myself and pushed the negative ideas racing inside my thoughts.
I moved to the door which was slightly ajar, and peeked inside. Faith Vienne was peacefully asleep in her crib. I left the door open in case she wakes up crying I would hear her in an instant. Relief washed over me knowing she's fine.
On the bed, Elisah was leaning on the headboard and reading a book with her half open eyelids.?She would fall asleep soon.?She spent the day assisting Madam Stella decorating a wedding gown.
I pushed the door close. The wind was getting colder. I don't want it to enter the room. My feet brought me on the rails where I rest both of my fingers and look up to the sky.
It was a beautiful night if only Ace wasn't making me worried. I shall wait for him until he arrives and ask what happened today. I'm sure he would tell me the truth.
The sound of footsteps inside Ace's room made me pause. I turned away from the rails and moved to the door. But before I reached the knob, it suddenly opened. Ace emerged from it.
He reached for me then wrapped me into his arms. Relief?washed inside me knowing that he was safely home. "I'm sorry for making you worried." He whispered. His warm lips?landed on the crown of my head where he kissed me.
My momentary relief was replaced with distress when the strong scent of wine invaded my nostrils. He'd been drinking. That means he has?a problem—a big one. I realize my intuition was right. Something was wrong with Ace.
He didn't let me go. He just held me in his arms as if he feared I would be gone if he set me free. I didn't move either. I allowed him to hold me until I sensed his breathing calmed down.
"It's late Ace. It's past seven. Why did you arrive just now?" I asked softly. I pushed him slightly until my eyes were leveled to his. His eyes were red and sleepy. He'd been drinking too much wine.
"I'm sorry Phoenix." He replied. He sounded sincere. "I don't want to come home and bring my problems here."
"That is why you drink yourself into a stupor." I replied, eyeing his crumpled t-shirt which was soaked with sweat.
"I'm so sorry Phoenix." He repeated for the third time. His eyes fluttered close.
"This would be the last time you would drink?like this, Ace. The next time you do this, I will not forgive you."
"Yes, I promise Madam." He whispered and landed another kiss into my head.
I didn't know Ace could be this sweet when he's drunk.
He leaned closer to my ears. The hairs on my nape stand on end. " You look lovely tonight. Even more beautiful than you do did this morning." He added.
I wonder what he found so appealing in the pair of pajamas I wore.
"I'll help you to your bed." I said instead, ignoring his remark. Surprisingly, he didn't argue. I pulled his arm around my shoulders and guided him across the room. He was heavy but I managed to hold him still until we reached his bedroom.
Ace lay sprawled on his bed with eyes tightly shut.
"Ace?"
There was no response
"Ace!" I tapped his cheeks gently until he stirred.
"Hmmmm?"
"Have you eaten?"
"A bit but I am not hungry." He replied. If he didn't reeked of champagne I would almost think he's not drunk.
His shoes still dangle on his feet. Sighing, I?removed it for him. When his shoes fell to the floor he moved to the headboard and buried his face on the pillow.
His shirt was wet with his sweat. He needs changing. I wonder how big his problem is that he needs to drink too much.
"I'll remove your t-shirt Ace."?I climbed to the bed and helped him remove his shirt. He didn't object and helped me remove it by raising his arms.
He still smells like champagne. The scent still lingered on his skin. I wonder if he accidentally poured himself some while he was drinking himself to stupor.
I left Ace on his bed and hurriedly moved to the door. When I returned I brought a fresh towel with me. I moved to the sink to wash the towel. When I returned, I scrubbed the damp towel into his skin to eliminate the odor of champagne that still clung to him.
When I was satisfied, I snatched a shirt inside the cabinet and helped him put it on.
"Don't leave me Phoenix." He said in a hoarse whisper without opening his eyes.
"I'm here Ace. I'm not leaving until you fall asleep." I gave him assurance and cradled his head into my lap.
"Thank you, Phoenix." He murmured. The sound of his soft voice melts my heart.
"Now that you're settled, tell me the reason why you're drunk."?My fingers moved to his hair and used my fingers to brush the disheveled strands. " It's okay if you don't want to talk about it. Perhaps I could ask you some other time."
Just when I thought he would not respond, he captured my fingers and brought it to his lips. He kissed my palms repeatedly. My cheeks turned into a deep shade of red as he continued to worship my palms. I didn't pull away. I allowed him to hold my fingers. It felt so good to be pampered this way.
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yes, I badly want to know." I responded quickly before he could change his mind.
"My biological mother managed to locate me and now she wants me back." The words were laced with bitterness. His eyes snapped open. Fury gleamed on his exquisite blue eyes.
Pity seized my heart. Ace was in pain. It hurts him more than I could imagine.
"My mother…. She left me fifteen years ago. She promised me she would come back for me but she lied. The night she left she never returned."
There was a long pause as he contemplated what to say next. I didn't say?anything. He doesn't need my opinion. He just needed someone to listen so I kept my mouth shut as he spoke.
"My mother doesn't have any idea how my life turned out when she left. Half of me died when she went away. I couldn't have her back now. It's way too late." He said in a tone filled with so much emotion. Tears gather on the corner of his eyes.
I want to tell him everything would be alright but I know I would be lying. Instead, I shut my mouth and watch as tears continue to fall down his cheeks. Seeing him rhis hopeless shattered my fragile heart into a million pieces.
I?held him tightly as he continue to cry. I wiped the tears from his cheeks using the back of my palms. "Please stop crying, Ace." I whispered and fought the strong urge to cry.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢