220 Unexpected End

What?!

My mouth dropped open as I stood frozen in place. I watched as Ace disappeared into the bedroom probably to get dressed before we had to leave. Ace’s sudden announcement that we had to leave and the rush that he was in to get out of this place shocked me. Just now I was dreaming happily of all the things that we could do together. My heart sank and I pressed a hand against my chest as I tried to control the rush of pure disappointment that filled me.

This is normal. Emergencies at work happen and it is completely normal.

Ace is the CEO and there are things that only he can do. So many people are depending on him so if they need him then he needs to be there.

I kept on telling myself this over and over, but my legs refused to move from the spot. Logically, I knew that Ace was doing the right thing. He was reacting to whatever situation rightfully based on the details he must have gotten through the call just now. I knew without a doubt that he was just doing what was required of him.

Still, even when I knew all of that, I couldn’t stop the feeling of disappointment and hurt that seemed to spread endlessly in my chest. It was clearly because I had such high hopes and expectations for this trip that I was so crushed when the second day together was being snatched away all so suddenly. Ace walked out of the bedroom into the living room where I was again and gave me a confused look.

“Rina...we have to leave...now...” he told me again as he stared into my face.

He probably couldn’t understand why I was frozen in the same spot like that despite his order for us to get a move on. My lips felt dry, and I didn’t think that I could speak at that moment so I just nodded my head once at him to let him know that I understood.

We have to leave...now...

.....

I headed towards the bedroom to gather my things. Thankfully, we didn’t pack a lot so it wouldn’t take that much time to gather everything and shove it into the mini luggage that we brought along with us. When I got into the bedroom, I felt Ace’s presence behind me.

“Just get dressed. Leave everything here. Just grab your phone and handbag. The rest can be shipped to use later, it doesn’t matter...” Ace said with clear impatience.

I wanted to ask him what that call was about that made him seem so flustered and in a rush to get out of this place and if there was something that I could possibly do to help him even if it was just a little. However, the stern and cold look on Ace’s face prevented me from asking him anything. If there was something that I could do, it was probably to focus on getting dressed and getting rid of all my selfish thoughts.

historical

This holiday was just a trip, and we could go on a trip like this together again anytime. I guess...

Somehow, I managed to gather my wits together and got dressed for our trip back to the city. Just as Ace had advised, I didn’t waste any time packing things up. After grabbing my phone and my handbag which had the essentials that I needed, I headed out to where Ace was already waiting for me outside. Ace was on the phone and was talking in hushed tones.

I could tell without knowing what was going on that something not great had happened while we were away from the city center. Although the sun was shining brightly and the sky above us was clear and blue, we could no longer return to the peace and happiness that we enjoyed yesterday anymore.

“Let’s go,” Ace said curtly.

Immediately we made our way back to where Ace had parked the car and soon, we were on our way to the city center. Ace didn’t explain to me about what had happened at all even when we were together in the car. I kept glancing over at him as Ace focused his attention on the road in front of him. The speed at which he was driving told me that he wanted or needed to get back as soon as possible.

“I’ll drop you off at the office,” Ace told me emotionlessly.

“Right...” I murmured as I wondered what was really going on.

If I asked him, would he tell me?

“Umm...what happened?” I asked a little hesitantly.

“Something came up at work. I need to deal with some things quite urgently. I’m sorry for this...” he replied.

Just as I had guessed, he wasn’t willing to disclose to me any details of what had happened. That either meant that it was confidential, or he probably thought that there was nothing that I could do about it anyways even if I knew. Even if it that was true, I still would have preferred for him to tell me. Maybe I’ll learn about what happened after this incident blew over and everything returned to normal.

The ride back to the business district in the city center passed by extremely slowly with Ace regularly checking his phone when the car was stuck at red lights. Ace parked right in front of the office building when we made it back. Because it was a Sunday, the place was very much empty except for the security personnel and some staff that had to work on the weekends.

“Go home, Rina,” Ace told me dismissively after we got out of the car.

“Ace...” I called his name softly.

Ace turned to hear what I had to say. Honestly, I had so many things that I wanted to ask and say to him; however, I doubt that he had the time for that.

“Good luck...” I said simply before smiling a little at him.

“Thanks,” Ace muttered before entering the building.

I watched his broad back as he walked away and disappeared deeper into the lobby of the office building until he was completely out of sight.

–To be continued...