245 Unacceptable

Did she come here just to watch him announce his retirement from the company?

That wasn’t the biggest question that was on my mind at that moment. My eyes returned to Ace who had bowed apologetically on the stage before smiling a little regretfully at his guests. No matter what, I couldn’t wrap my mind around his sudden announcement.

Why would Ace quit all of a sudden like this?

He clearly did not discuss this with anyone. Even his father didn’t know about it, and I did not know anything about it either. He never talked to me about this. A sickening knot formed in the pit of my stomach when I realized that the only person who he might have spoken to about this matter must have been Elizabeth.

Why? Why? Why?!

Before I knew it, I was out of my seat, and I quickly made my way to the side of the stage with my wish to catch Ace the moment that he got off the stage. I didn’t think that Ace needed to wrap up his speech because it seemed like he had said all that he needed to say.

I made it in time to catch Ace as he was walking down from the stage. There were many things that I wanted to ask him but the glare he gave me made me hold my tongue. It was clear that Ace wasn’t looking forward to handling any of my inquiries. It just didn’t make any sense. He had made a promise to his father to grow the company and then after that, we would get married. That wasn’t long ago at all, so why did he go and announce his retirement from his position as CEO just like that?

A sinking feeling filled my core when I thought that it might be possible that Ace had changed his mind about growing the company and perhaps about our future together as well. That thought and realization hurt me more than I could have possibly imagined before. Without knowing what to do, I silently followed after Ace while ignoring the pain in my feet from the high heels that I had on.

Ace’s father stepped in to block our way and I realized that I wasn’t the only one who wanted and needed some answers. The host was also stunned but somehow managed to get the party to proceed to the next section which, thankfully, was more performances from leading artists that could capture the guests’ attention, at least to a certain degree.

.....

“We need to talk,” Ace’s father stated as he grabbed Ace’s arm as if to prevent his escape.

To my surprise, Ace just nodded without resisting. Although they did not invite me to tag along with them, I did anyways as the Chairman led Ace away toward the back of the stage. I was surprised to find that there was another exit there at the back of the stage that led out of the hall. It must have been for the staff and performers.

“Come with me..” the chairman said while maintaining his hold on Ace’s arm.

I kept my eyes on Ace as I quickly followed after them. The two men were walking at a fast pace, and it took a lot of effort on my part to keep up with them. Ace’s father was clearly furious, and I could understand why that was so. If he cared about the fact that I was following after them, he wasn’t bothered to chase me off. I followed after them until we entered a dressing room that seemed to be empty and unused for the night.

“What the hell did you just do?! You better explain yourself and your actions right now!” the chairman demanded while shouting loudly at his son.

I made sure that the door was securely closed in fear that someone outside the room would hear the conversation between the two men that was about to go down.

“What is there for me to explain? It’s just as I just announced. I plan to step down from the position of CEO soon,” Ace replied without any emotion.

I felt like the chairman’s face grew a deeper shade of red as his face contorted into a mask of pure anger.

“Why?! Why did you do something like that? You’re planning to quit your job as CEO?! Are you crazy?!” Ace’s father continued yelling in Ace’s face.

Ace must have expected this reaction from his father because he still looked as calm and composed as ever. It was like his father’s reactions did not affect him at all. I wondered for the countless time what Ace was really thinking, and just like the chairman, I wanted to know why and how he arrived at this unexpected decision of his.

historical

“Didn’t you agree to let me do things my way?” Ace asked.

His father shot Ace a look of extreme confusion as if he didn’t understand what his son was talking about. I realized that Ace must be referring to one of the conditions that he set when he made the agreement with his father about growing the company. However, how does quitting his job as the CEO help with the growth of the company?

As far as I can see it, it would just ruin and damage the company. The reaction of the guests at the event was clearly negative and I was sure that it would damage the relations between Jessen’s and Hill’s and its clients.

“What? I have to accept your resignation because I agreed to let you handle things your way? What a joke, Ace! You’re just running away from all of this again. Your decision is extremely selfish and you’re just letting go of your goals!” the chairman yelled loudly before panting to catch his breath.

I was glad that his father was pretty much saying everything that I had in mind. That saved me from having this difficult conversation with Ace. However, I knew that sooner or later, I needed to talk to him too.

–To be continued..