Chapter 117 - SABOTAGED
Ace pulled the car door open and I hastily clamber inside the car,?stretched my legs comfortably, and leaned on the soft cushioned seat. Once I was?settled inside, he moved to the back of the car so he could load the average size suitcase inside. When he was finished, I waited for him to get inside.
I was still silently watching him when I sensed someone was looking towards our direction.?My eyes scanned the whole area but there was no one in sight.?However, when my eyes accidentally passed on the terrace located on the second floor of the elegant Ravenwood Mansion, there I saw Lady Ravenwood.
She had no idea that I was watching her inside the car and observing her movements at the same time. Her eyes never once left Ace even after he climbed inside the car and sat beside me on the driver's seat.
If only I could see her expression closely, it will give me the clue I needed to find out how she feels about Ace.
I could tell that she'd been close to Ace once. Perhaps an old estranged friend? Though at first I thought she was Ace's ex girlfriend but it's very unlikely. It also came to me that she could possibly be his mother but I eliminated the idea since she?was way too young for her age to be a Ace's mother.
So I assume that Lady Ravenwood is a family relative or an old acquaintance. The family ties must have been severed by a huge misunderstanding. I wonder what kind of scenario would do that.
Axe seems to hate her so much. I could see the pain and loathing in his eyes everytime he look at her. It makes me wonder what exactly did she do to deserve Ace's wrath?
"I said put your seatbelt on, Phoenix."?My trail of thoughts collapsed. When I looked at him he was intently looking at me.
"What?" I replied like an idiot. I didn't hear him say anything.?I was too absorbed with my burgeoning thoughts that I didn't hear him speak.
He sighed. "Here... Let me put it myself." He pulled the seatbelt and secured it all over my body. "Done". He smiled triumphantly.
I mumbled 'thank you.' When my gaze landed on the terrace Lady Ravenwood was gone.
Ace turned the engine on. He shot me a sideway glance before he focused his attention on the steering wheel. "Something's bothering you, Phoenix. I could feel it. Would you mind sharing it with me?"
I shook my head and gave him a reassuring smile. "There's nothing wrong, Ace.?I'm just sleepy." I reasoned but deep inside I'm hoping he would buy that. I don't want to ruin his mood by mentioning Lady Ravenwood.
"You could?rest your head on my shoulder." He offered.
I shook my head and gaved him a smile. "Thank you, Ace but I want to look at the view we would pass. The scenery is beautiful and I couldn't let it pass without looking at them."
"If you ever need some rest just tell me. It would take us one hour to reach Madam Stella's estate."
I nodded.
Ace said nothing. His eyes were focused straight ahead. I turned my gaze outside the window and sighed contentedly. Having Ace beside me seems the most natural thing in the world. I felt safe, secure, and content. I felt I?had nothing to ask for. Everything I ever needed was right in front of me.
The grandiose gate pulled open. Once we were out of the gate, the green scenery outside the car window greeted my eyes. The sight was too beautiful to describe in words. It filled me with awe as I looked at it. The boundless lands I'm looking at belong to Lady Ravenwood. I heard that she inherited all of it when her duke father died.
Once more my gaze landed in Ace's direction. He was too wrapped up in his thoughts. I wonder what he was thinking deep within. It makes me extremely curious since he has an unusual look written all over his face. I couldn't find the right word to describe it but he looks somewhat worried….Worried with what?
Perhaps I'm just being paranoid. I told myself then shrugged my shoulders.
I blinked my eyes several times. I felt a little bit dizzy and my eyelids were growing heavy. I didn't get enough sleep last night because of my nightmare. I rest my head towards Ace's shoulders.
He leaned closer and landed a soft kiss on my head. "Sleep for a while, my love." He murmured. I sighed contentedly and fluttered my eyes closed.
I don't know how long I'd been asleep when I felt the car pulled into a stop. When my eyes snapped open the sudden bright light made my eyes hurt. I blinked several times until my eyes were well adjusted to the light before I scanned my surroundings.
The car stopped across?a fancy restaurant. The parking area in front of the Restaurant was fully occupied and there's no other place to park except to the spot where the car stood now.
The sight of the fancy restaurant reminded me I hadn't eaten anything when we left. Suddenly my stomach growled.
"I'm hungry…" Ace spoke when he saw I was wide awake.
I straightened on my seat before I responded. "I'm hungry too."
Ace pushed the door open and clambered out the car. He turned in the opposite direction and opened the door for me. I thanked him as I got out of it.
His arms protectively wrapped around my fingers. He then looked left and right, after he saw the road was clear, we crossed the highway hand in hand.
A uniformed guard opened the door. I entered first and Ace followed behind me. A waitress ushered us to the available table at the far end of the room. When we were both settled in our seats, the waitress handed us the menu.
She momentarily left to give the privacy we needed as we scanned the food available on the menu. I was still choosing what to eat when Ace suddenly placed the menu on top of the table.
My wide questioning eyes landed on him. "Is something wrong, Ace?"
I lowered the menu on top of the table and looked at him with eyebrows scrunched in confusion.
"I think I left my wallet inside the car." He said after checking the pocket of his jeans.
"Don't worry. I'll pay the bills." I offered which made a blush appear on his cheeks. Just like I thought he wouldn't agree.
"No." Ace replied stubbornly. It was the response I knew I would hear from him but I just wanted to hear him say it.
"How about I lend you money and you pay me later?" It sounds like a bright idea.
"You would not accept my payment. I know you Phoenix."
I bit back a smile. Ace was right. If he allowed me to pay the bills, I wouldn't allow him to reimburse me afterwards. "Well, then...Go get your wallet and I will wait for you here."
"I'll be quick." He?said and shot me a smile before he hurriedly made his way to the door with quick, long steps.
He was already out the door but my eyes remained glued to it.?Why did my heartbeat quickened just now? Why did I suddenly feel uncomfortable and worried?
My thoughts were cut short when the waitress arrived to pick our orders. Since Ace wasn't here yet, I just told her to wait a little longer.
What was taking him so long? The frown on my temples deepened when my eyes shifted back to the door but it remained close.
Did he find his wallet? I wonder if he misplaced it again or lost it for good this time.
I impatiently waited for another five minutes and when I couldn't take it anymore I decided to?go after him.
I hastily ran to the door. Unmindful of the attention I'm attracting. After the guard pulled the door open, I dashed outside. I wasn't even able to thank him.
The sound of my heart pounding intensified. I wonder where this sudden uncomfortable feeling was coming from. My eyes flew to the opposite side of the highway where the car was parked alone.
The door of the car was slightly ajar. Ace was surely inside. I hurriedly moved so I could reach it quickly. But I had only made a few steps when suddenly there was a loud crashing sound followed by a deafening explosion.
The events seem to happen so quickly that I wasn't sure if I'm just having a nightmare or it's really happening. The car on the opposite side of the highway exploded. Then the sound of squeaking metals pierced my ears.
"Aaaaaacceeee…. Nooooo." Screamed?my lips but no words came out.
My chest tightened until I couldn't breathe. It felt as if my chest would explode anytime soon by how heavy it was. Warm stream of tears abundantly flowed down my cheeks.
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