Chapter 9

Sabrina

My parents were on the second floor according to that man. I should use the elevator. This way I will reach faster and come back faster. I went towards the elevator but.....

Again a but! Why!

I internally whined. The lift is out of order.

Wow! Really, just wow!

Such a big party and the lift is out of order. I sighed and decided to take the stairs instead.

I started climbing the stairs. Suddenly, I felt an intense gaze on me. I turned to check who it was but the stairs were empty. I shrugged it off and continued my walk.

The man sounded quite calm which meant that there was no hurry. I can take my time and I will take my time. I recalled Madelyn's words. She saw something in one of the seven floors in this castle.

Okay, I will check the first floor, then I will go to the second floor and meet my parents and then check the rest of the floors.

I also have to inform mom and dad about this. I started walking in the hallway on the first floor. This was as majestic as downstairs. Just beautiful!!

The hallway was brightly lit with different paintings on the ceiling. There were doors on either side of the hallway and a big door at the end of the hallway.

One by one I started opening every single door in the hallway but they all were empty. Moreover, they looked neat. If someone would have been murdered than that room must be a mess. Now, the big door was only left.

I am not doubting what Maddie said but at the same time, I don't want to be true. Anthony Marano is a very great and polite leader. Why he will kill the rest three?

Even if he does he must have taken someone's help to do so. 

Now the big door!

I stood in front of it and inhaled a long breath. I slowly peeked open the door.

Well, it looked like a dining room. There was a large table in the middle with numerous chairs. I couldn't exactly tell how many chairs because there were a lot. It could easily fit everyone present in the party. On the opposite end of the door was another door. I stepped in and walked closer to the other one.

I heard some faint giggling noises of women and a strong male voice. It kicked the door wide open. My mouth hung open when I saw ace dressed in a new clean suit flirting with the maids and the cooks.

God! Can this man ever stop?

He turned around to look at me. Mischief flashed in his eyes.

You! What are you doing here?

He asked while pointing a finger towards me.

I -

Okay okay! I know the answer! You are here to say sorry for what you did right? Say it, I am all ears!

Why this manwhore thinks I will ever apologize to him? Like ever! He stood there patiently waiting for me to apologize while tapping his foot.

I went up to him and stood right in front of me. He was taller than me so I have to align my neck upwards to look him in the eye. I crossed my arms in front of me.

Why do you think I will ever apologize to you? You!

I poked his chest with my fingers. He took a step back and grinned at me. Okay, this is not nice. He is about to do something. He brought his hands in front of me. He was holding a bottle of tomato ketchup. And then you people know what must have happened!!

This idiot just spoiled my expensive dress!!!!

He started laughing like a maniac. I let out a loud growl and started chasing him. This guy who is nearly five years older than me did such a ridiculous act. We were running around the kitchen counter.

Ace left the kitchen laughing and I was running after him. Oh, he is so dead today!

He started climbing the stairs with me running behind him. There were some people on the seventh floor whom I noticed for the corner of my eye. I caught ace before he could climb another flight of stairs and reach the terrace. Ace shoved me a little and started running in the corridor and reached the elevator.

I ran after him but this dress was making it impossible for me to run at my maximum speed. Till the time I reached the elevator, the door closed. Ace was going on the terrace.

Fine I will take the stairs but I am not letting him go. I huffed loudly and strode towards the stair. People on the floor were watching me like a hawk but right now my main concern was ACE! I have seen them somewhere but my brain was preoccupied. I pushed the thought aside and sprinted through the stairs.

There was no light on the stairs. It was completely dark. The only source of light was the one on the stairs which illuminated the area a bit.

I spotted a shadow moving. I knew it was Ace. I looked around myself and found an iron rod. I picked it up. In case it was not Ace.

Ace you better come out!

No response.

Ace you are testing my patience! Come out right now!

Still no response.

It was then I heard a loud scream!

ACE!!!!!!

I ran towards the source of the pitch with the rod on my hand. If there is even a single scratch on Ace's body, then the guilty person is dying for sure. I looked around to something. Anything. But it was all clean. No sign of anyone. I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion.

I felt a presence behind me. My group on the rod tightened and I swung the rod with as much strength I could muster. But someone caught it midair.

Cooldown! It's me! I joked with you!

It took some time for my brain to comprehend everything. Ace took the rod from my hands and threw it aside. Then it clicked.

You filthy dog! How could you?!

I pushed him with full force. He stumbled a bit but regained his balance. It was still dark. I couldn't make his face. He clicked his fingers and the whole place lighten up.

Aww.....you do care for me!!

He stood there with his hands in his pockets.

 

My eyes were filled with unshed tears. There was suffocating silence between us. No matter how much bigger fucktard he is, Ace still means a lot to me. I wiped the tears away.

Ace held out his hands for me to take. Without any second thought, I intertwined our hands. He took me to the edge of the terrace and sat on it. He gestured me to sit too which I obviously did.

Sorry, for that idiotic joke.

He said in a timid voice while looking in front.

Never mind! I am sorry too...

I spoke with the same tone as Ace. 

Hey, I brought you a sorry gift!

He said like a teenage girl talking to their crush.

A gift?! Gimme..........

And I squealed like a five-year-old. This is the kind of relationship we share with each other. All-day long, we are always ready to humiliate each other but at the end of the day, we are each other's favorite company.

Ace went into a darker corner on the terrace and came back with a cardboard box in his hand. He handed me the box.

Open it!

He clapped both of his hands in excitement. I gave him a confused look. I pulled the lid open. And to say I was surprised would be an understatement. I squealed in happiness. Oh my God! He gifted me a pet that's so a cute one!!!

It looked like a stuffed toy.

Awww.......... That's so cute! Thank you! Thank you!

I hugged him tightly. The Pomeranian was sitting on my lap playing with my now spoiled dress. It was so cute!

I am so glad you liked it! It's trained! Isn't it cute like me?

Yes, it is cute but not like you! It's cute like me! You are a smelly and unvaccinated dog!!

He didn't aid anything. We both burst into laughter just after a few seconds.

What should I name him?

I was eyeing the Pomeranian who was curled up in a ball by now. I love him already.

How about Oscar?

Ace suggested.

That's good! I am so happy to have two dogs in my life!

I dramatically wiped fake tears from my eyes.

Our phone buzzed together.

I need to take the call!

Okay

Ace left to take the call and I checked my phone. There was a message from mom. Then it clicked. Shit!!!!

Because of Ace, I forgot to go to my parents. I am in deep trouble now!!

Ugh!!!!!

I checked the message.

Go back home with someone! We will contact you soon! And don't worry!

What does she mean by going back home and not to worry?

Are you alright?

Sometimes mom scares the shit out of me. She sounded conflicted. I know my parent's livelihood is dangerous but she never sounded this conflicted. She is literally telling me to get lost from this place and that so without any reason. Something is definitely up!

Just do as I say! I will explain later!

Maybe I should just go.

Okay.

I replied back. Ace came back. I had a confused and worried look on my face which ace noticed.

Is everything alright?

He inquired.

Yes, it's just mom. She told me to go back home. She seemed troubled!

Then maybe you should go back home. I'll go with you. When they come back I'll leave.

Okay then! Let's get you home Oscar!

I carried Oscar in my arms and we walked away. We decided to take the elevator this time. Ace clicked on a number three indicating the third floor.

Why third?

Have you ever seen your dress? You should change, then we leave.

Ace took me inside one of the rooms on the third floor. A paper bag lied in the middle of the bed. I picked it up and rushed to the bathroom while ace held Oscar.

It took me a few minutes to change as this dress was more troublesome than me. I am never wearing this a ton in my life. Ace got me shorts and a sleeveless top.

I let my hair fall in free curls and washed all the makeup away. It feels so good to feel your own skin again.

I car out of the bathroom to see ace changed too. I gave him a questioning look.

What? I was not comfortable too and who knows if you throw me in a mud pit during the ride and drive away. I can't afford to get another expensive suit dirty. Now, let's go!

He handed me, Oscar, and carried my bag too. We left the room and walked towards the elevator. Ace pushed the button and the door opened. What we saw inside the elevator shook me and ace to the core. I almost lost my consciousness and leaned into the wall for support and Ace looked horrified. I have seen this look on his face earlier and it scared me. I don't want him to be horrified. He had made peace with his past but this thing has awakened every closed wound of his. Maybe our past never leaves us. They stay with us. 

And now, I and ace have to face our demons. Again..........