140 Staying Over

Suddenly, I saw a scene of my mother scolding Ace and Ace looking all remorseful. The corners of my lips curved upwards before a small laugh escaped from me.

historical

That would be so funny...

“Rina!”

I heard my mother calling my name and knew that they were finally finished with their private conversation. Time for me to return to the living room to face the two of them again. When I sat back down in the chair next to Ace, the atmosphere in the room seemed to have changed completely. The strain and heavy atmosphere had entirely disappeared.

“What did you two talk about?” I asked curiously.

“Nothing much. I just told your mother here how serious I am about you and how you’ve always refused to be my girlfriend,” Ace said before he smirked devilishly at me.

“Why did you tell her that?!” I snapped at him.

I turned in panic to see my mother giggling a little. Whatever Ace said to her, it seemed like she was now more relaxed and assured than before. The change in my mother’s reaction and demeanor caught me by surprise. It only made me wonder what happened while I wasn’t in the room with them. Ace just shrugged before he smiled warmly at me.

“Have you had dinner?” my mother asked, completely shifting the direction of the conversation.

.....

“We already ate. Thank you, mum,” I quickly replied.

“I see. That’s a relief...” my mother said before smiling encouragingly at me.

I had no idea what she was relieved about or why she sounded so calm. As far as I was aware, this was just the start to our problems. Now that the news is out and everyone has seen it, I had no idea how big this deal really was. If even my mother has seen it, then without a doubt, all the employees in the company has seen it.

Is this really a situation that Ace can patch up?

“I’m sorry for disturbing you late at night, Mum. I’ll hide away at a hotel for now, I guess. You should go to sleep now; everything is going to be fine. I’ll keep you updated, ok?” I told her before smiling bravely.

Even if my own worries were killing me, I couldn’t have it show. I didn’t want to make my mother more worried than she already was. I still had that plan of moving back here and getting a job at a small local company in my back pocket. Guess that would become a reality for my life soon.

“Since you’re here anyways, why don’t you stay over? It’s so late already...” my mother suggested seriously.

“But...” I muttered.

There wasn’t any problem with me staying over but what about Ace? Should I chase him back home?

“Oh, right. Our place is so small but if it’s ok with you, I can make room by going to sleep at Auntie Jane’s. She lives in the same building so it’s no hassle,” my mother offered before smiling kindly at Ace.

“Thank you very much. I would love to stay here with Rina. Honestly, earlier we were just discussing about coming over here. No matter what she said, I really wanted to come over to meet you. I apologize again for the late introductions and the fact that you had to find out about our relationship in that way...” Ace said with an apologetic smile.

“That’s fine. I do appreciate your straightforward honesty. Good night. Please take care of my Rina,” my mother said as she stood up from her seat.

I was still struggling to process what was happening when the door closed behind my mother, and she was gone. Ace and I were left alone in the living room of my home. I turned to face him as my mind struggled to fit in the image of the stunningly handsome and well-dressed Ace sitting in the slightly messy and worn-out living room of the apartment that I called my home.

Everything just looked wrong and out of place.

“Your mother is a very kind woman. I can see where you got your determination from, though,” Ace commented casually.

“Seriously, what did you tell her and what did she say?” I asked.

Now that my mother was gone, I wished that Ace would tell me more about what they talked about. They did talk for quite a while so I was sure that they spoke about a few things.

“Not much. It’s just as I told you. She was worried that I’m not serious about our relationship. So, I told her that you’re the one who’s not serious and that you think that I’m not serious. Although from an action standpoint, I’ve been asking you to be my girlfriend for a long while now. How many times have I said it? 6 or 7 times? Or more?” Ace asked as he seemed thoughtful.

The answer was more. I didn’t want to tell him that, though.

“Did you really mean it? What you told my mother just now...” I asked in a small voice.

Just like my mother and probably everyone else, how am I supposed to believe that he would be serious about having a relationship with me. He’s Ace Hills!

“Of course. Did you think that I was just saying it?” Ace asked as he narrowed his eyes at me with clear dissatisfaction.

“Well, yes...I guess...” I mumbled shyly in reply.

“Hmm...that’s pretty mean of you, don’t you think?” Ace asked teasingly.

However, the way his hazel brown eyes stared at me made me doubt whether he was just teasing me about this or not. Up to that point, the possibility that Ace might really be serious about me never entered my head. It was just a crazy thought that wasn’t possible and so I never considered it. Ace continued to stare at my face, and I started to fidget uncomfortably on my seat.

My mother looked so assured too. What did he say to her, exactly?

–To be continued...