Chapter 35

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Skylar's POV

Why can't life always be simple and pleasant? If something is going well for you and you are successful, then sooner or later something has to go wrong. I guess, we can't be happy forever. Maybe bad things happen so we can appreciate what we already have? But what if all those bad things influent our life, and not necessarily in a good way? We might lose something that is most precious to us. We might lose someone.

But if we lost something, it would mean that it never belonged to us, right?

Elle was sitting on the couch, telling Ace what was happening to her during all those months, and Ace was pacing around the room, clearly mad, listening to her.

"Those people who you worked with, were just pawns. They used them in that video so you couldn't recognise their faces."

"So I know them?" Ace looked at her and questioned.

"I think so. I overheard their conversation once, where they were talking about that video, but they caught me and were more cautious after that."

While Elle was talking, I was watching her carefuly. She was wearing some dirty, old clothes which looked like they belonged to a man, her make-up was ruined by the tears that were falling down her cheeks, her hair was greasy as if she hasn't washed them since forever and she was shaking a bit.

Yes, I am hurt and don't want her in Ace's life again, but I feel sorry for her. She must have gone through hell and no one deserves to experience something like that.

"I...I tried to escape so many times but after every time they caught me, the punishments were becoming more unbearable." She sobbed, looking down at her hands. "They...were raping me every damn night." She whispered and I put my hand on my mouth.

I was standing near the kitchen, watching them from the distance. I didn't want to interrupt and, of course, wanted to be sure if she wasn't up to something. They were together once after all. She started crying even more and Ace sat down next to Elle, hugging her. I ain't gonna lie, I felt a slight pain in my chest but it's normal that he wanted to calm her down.

"It's okay, you're safe now." Ace said in a soft tone. "You will shower and change, and we will go to my office. You will tell me everything you remember and we will find those motherfuckers who did this to you." His voice sounded more dangerous now and I noticed how his jaw clenched.

I wanted to grab my phone from the kitchen counter and slowly started getting ready to leave, since I'm not really welcomed here, but I obviously had to hit my foot on a stool making the two of them look at me.

"S-sorry." I whispered and Elle looked at me.

There was something in her look that I felt like she wasn't really fond of me, even though she didn't know me. She eyed me up and down and on her face appeared a grimace. I knew that I didn't look great today but really?

Maybe I just misread her expression.

"Who is she?" She asked as if she was a little irritated with me and turned to Ace. "You've already found someone new, I see."

Ace sighed and unwrapped his arms from Elle.

"This is my girlfriend, Skylar." He said looking at me with a slight smile but I didn't returned it and looked down at my hands instead.

"I uhm, I will leave the two of you now. It was nice to meet you, Elle." I said mildly and turned around towards the entrance. I noticed her wry look but offered her a slight smile anyway.

I put on my shoes, then coat, I grabbed my bag and wanted to leave but then Ace called out my name and came up to me hurriedly.

"Why are you leaving?"

"And why should I stay? You have a lot of things to discuss."

I didn't look at him. He wrapped his arms around my waist but I just grabbed my things from the counter and wanted to free myself from his embrace. Ace put a finger under my chin and lifted up my head so I could look at him properly.

"What's wrong?" He questioned, looking down at me tenderly.

"Nothing, Ace. I need to prepare for my classes and you seem quite busy too, so I'll go now."

Ace was glaring at me for a few seconds like he was searching for something in my eyes and slowly leaned in. He connected our lips into a slow kiss and God...those damn mouth of his. He pulled me closer to him by my waist while our tongues were dancing together.

I love him so much. I can't lose him.

When we finally pulled away, Ace glanced at me one more time with his right hand on my cheek. His lips twitched upwords a bit.

"Don't think too much about this, promise me. This doesn't change anything. I want only you." His voice soft and I nodded my head slowly. He pecked my lips one last time and said "I love you."

I love you

These three words always make my knees weak. But how many times do I get to hear them?

No, stop.

So what that she's back? It doesn't mean that Ace will leave me and they will be a happy couple once again. I mean to Ace a lot and he wouldn't throw away all of that we've been through just like that.

"And I love you." I finally breathed out.

*******

When I came back to my flat, I took a quick shower, ate something since I didn't have a chance to do it with Ace, grabbed my bag and went to my uni.

It was rather cold day today but the sun was shinning so it wasn't that unbearable. It was March already so warmer days are coming. I don't like it when it's hot but spring is great. The weather is just perfect and I feel comfortable while being outside wearing a pair of my favourite jeans and oversized sweatshirt.

I still had some time so I sat down on a bench in the park. I was gazing at all those people, wondering where they were rushing. I spotted two kids, a girl and boy, coming out of the bakery. They were feasting on doughnuts with chocolate on top of them, and on their faces played huge grins. Children are so hilarious. Give them something sweet or some cool toy, and they will be the happiest people on earth.

I was wondering if something more would develop from this friendship some day. I once read somewhere that if you are in a relationship with your childhood friend, you are less likely to get divorced in the future.

When I turned my head to the right, I noticed a very elegant woman. She was wearing a black long coat, gorgeous, black high heels, her brown, slightly curly hair were falling on her shoulders and she looked absolutely amazing. She was on the phone, saying something in a firm voice.

"Yes. I want it delivered to me tomorrow morning. Oh and call Harrison that the meeting is cancelled."

Damn, I wish I could be her. Beautiful, successful...what more could you want?

Apparently, more attractive people have better lives. I totally agree. People have more respect towards you and your opinion matters to them. I heard that you also come across as a more trustworthy, honest and genuine person than someone who is not as alluring. Everyone wants to be friends with you and every man wants to date you.

I've never known that feeling. I've never walked in to somewhere feeling that confident or powerful and intimidate everyone who looked in my direction. Ace is that kind of person. Wherever he appears, people look at him with admiration. They seem as if they are afraid to say something wrong or something that would make them look not as inteligent as Ace.

But he is not like the majority of wealthy businessmen. He has a good heart, he will never say 'no' to someone who needs help and he is not that puffy and full of pride like most of them out there. He can be grumpy, noisy and annoying sometimes but he is my grumpy, noisy and annoying Ace. I've never wanted someone in my life as much as I want him. I smiled to myself at the though of him. But then I remembered our today's morning and my smile dropped slightly.

I wondered what they were doing right now. I felt a bit uneasy but it's not because I don't trust Ace. It's her who I don't trust. What if she still loves him and wants to get him back?

Suddenly, I remembered about my classes. I glanced down at my phone to check the time and when I saw that I should go, I got up and started walking in the direction of my uni.

I was walking along the hall when I felt someone's arm on my shoulder.

"Hi, gorgeous" Flynn greeted me and smiled warmly.

"Hey, what's up?"

"Now, I'm perfect! It was pretty boring yesterday without you, I had no one to laugh at."

"Well, I'm glad that I keep you amused." I giggled. While we were walking, I asked "How was...English history?"

He looked down at me "You mean Mr. Thomson's reaction to your absence?" after I nodded, he continued "Well, when he saw that you were not there, he gave us a task and came over to me. He asked me if I knew where you were and I said that you were sick."

"Oh, okay. Thank you." I replied.

"Does Ace know about him?" Flynn suddenly asked and my head shot up to look at him.

"What do you mean him? There's no him just like there's nothing to talk about."

I glanced in the other direction nervously and I heard Flynn sigh.

"Skylar, that man is hitting on you and you don't think that your boyfriend should know? Besides, it's Ace we are talking about."

"He is not hitting on me!" I raised my voice a bit ,causing a few people to look at me. "I was supposed to stay after classes yesterday so he could explain the mistakes I made during the last test. That's it."

"Oh yeah? Sky, your innocence and obliviousness can be cute sometimes but believe it or not, I am a man and I know that he sees you as more than just his student."

He stated and I was glaring at him, processing what he had just said.

"Not to mention that he is staring at you all the damn time. Now, he is also leaning against the wall and glaring at you like a predator who has never seen more delicious meal in this world than you." He added.

I narrowed my eyes at him and on his face appeared a small smile.

"You're so stupid, I swear." I giggled and we started walking again.

I didn't look at Mr. Thomson. I wanted to do it and see if he really was staring at me, but he could come up to me or want to talk or something if I made an eye contact with him and I didn't have strenght to deal with him today.

When my classes were over, I finally could go to my flat. I was tired and all I craved right now was a mug of hot tea and me lying on my bed. While I was walking, I had a feeling that someone was following me. I turned my head a bit to the right and looked over my shoulder. I noticed two men walking behind me.

Calm down, Sky.

They can just walk in the same direction as you.

I decided to take a different way. I turned right twice, then left, then right again and when I looked over my shoulder discreetly, they were still following me. My heart started beating faster. I was really scared and the only thing I could think about was calling Ace.

I pulled my phone out of the pocket with my shaky hands and dialled his name. Nothing. I tried again. Nothing.

"Pleasee, Ace. Pick up..." I whispered under my breath.

I started walking faster and I could hear their steps behind me. Then, I thought about someone else. I dialled the number and was waiting for them to pick up.

-Hi, Skylar. To what do I owe this call?

"Jacob..." I panted.

-Sky? What's wrong?

"I...they are following me..." I whispered. I think my eyes started watering.

It was getting dark and there were less people on the streets. If...if something happened, nobody would help me.

- Who? Who is following you?
I could hear fear in his voice.

"Two men, Jacob I'm so scared." I sobbed.

- Where are you?

I looked around because I think I got lost a bit. I told him the name of the street and started walking faster.

- Okay, I'll be there in a minute. Don't hang up.

I nodded although he couldn't see me. It felt as if my heart would jumped out of my chest. It was beating so fast.

- I'm almost there.

"Hurry, pleasee" I whispered and looked over my shoulder to see where they were.

I think they noticed that I was holding my phone and they slowed down. Suddenly, a black car parked near me and they turned around and started running in the opposite direction. I knew this car. Jacob got out of it and rushed towards me.

"Sky! Are you all right?" He asked with a fear in his eyes, cupping my face.

I let out a sigh of relief and put my forehead on his chest hugging him. He wrapped his arms around me and started rubbing up and down my back with his hand.

"It's okay. You're safe now." He cooed.

We stayed like that for a while just nuzzled up to each other. When I finally calmed down, Jacob drove me home. We entered together and I went straight to my room. I could hear his footsteps behind me but I just kept walking. I climbed up on my bed, sat with my back pressed to the wall and legs pressed to my chest. Jacob came up to me and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Sky, did you know those men?" He asked in a soft tone.

"No."

"Did you notice something... Was there a moment that you felt as if someone was watching you?"

"I...no, I don't think so."

"Sky, try to focus. It's really important." His voice was laced with desperation.

Think, Skylar. Think.

Be useful at least once in your life.

"Uhm at that club, there were some guys. They were watching me."

His eyes widened a little and he shifted on the bed so his whole body was turned in my direction.

"Why didn't you tell me? When was it?"

"When I found you fighting with that guy and then I drove you home." I whispered.

Jacob sighed rubbing his face. He looked worried. My heart filled with guilt that it's because of me. But the fact that he came to rescue me...it really meant the world to me.

I patted the spot beside me on the bed and he looked up a bit. His lips twitched upwards and he shook his head but sat next to me anyway. I put my head on his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around me.

Why didn't Ace pick up the phone?

Maybe something happened?

Yeah or he is busy with Elle.

Elle

Does Jacob know that she is alive? I lifted my head abruptly and he looked at me with furrowed eyebrows.

"Jacob, you know that your sister is back?" I asked and his expression came back to neutral one again.

"Yeah"

"Yeah? That's all?"

"I mean yeah, what else do you want me to say?" He asked, unwrapping his arm and I was a little confused now.

"Aren't you happy?" I asked but he stayed silent, too focused on his hands. "Jacob, talk to me..." it came out as a whisper.

He sighed and seemed hesitant at first but after a few seconds, he started talking.

"I just don't know. All of this seems a bit off to me. She was acting strange before her disappearance. Then that video, in which she dies... And now, she is going around and talking all those terrible stories but I-" He paused for a moment "I don't believe her. Does it make me a bad brother?" He breathed out.

He looked at me sadly and I just didn't know what to say. I don't know her and that's why I can't say anything about Elle when someone is expressing their opinions about her. I can't say 'oh don't worry she's not like that' or 'noo, I'm sure she wouldn't do that' because I have no idea how she normally acts, what's her normal behaviour, etc.

"Of course not. But...I met Ace's grandmother once, and she told me that she saw Elle few months ago. I thought it was impossible but now here she is."

Jacob looked at the wall in front of us and seemed deep in thoughts. I didn't know what to think anymore. What does she want? But Ace knows her better than me and it looked like he believed her. Is she with him right now? Is she the reason why he didn't pick up the phone when I called him?

I felt slight pain in my chest and a few tears fell down my face. Jacob put his hand on my cheek and turned my face towards him. I looked at him with my glossy eyes and his expression softened.

"Why are you crying? Did they hurt you?" He asked, scanning my whole body once again.

"I called him. I called him a couple of times and he didn't pick up. What if he is with her right now? What if he forgot about me?" I closed my eyes for a second and opened them again "Sorry, I'm probably just overreacting. He works, he might have been busy, right?" I laughed nervously and looked down at my fingers.

However, he lifted up my head again and looked me directly in my eyes.

"Sky, I can't believe that I'm about to say this but...Ace really loves you." He was glaring at me tenderly "His relationship with my sister was different. I think they both felt that they weren't meant to be. At least Ace. Their relationship was forced by their parents, and if you didn't know, you wouldn't say that they were a couple. He wasn't happy and he seemed a bit suffocated while being with her. Well, it still doesn't change the fact that he didn't pick up his fucking phone no matter how busy he was and I really want to punch him in the face right now."

I laughed and Jacob smiled at me. God, they are like children I swear. He stayed a bit longer until he had to go back. He said that he would take care of that situation so I didn't have to worry. I went to the kitchen to drink some water and saw a letter on the kitchen counter.

Hey Sky! I'm sorry but I will come back on Sunday. Marco wanted to take me somewhere so we can spend some time together and I can take my mind off my dad for at least two days and relax. Call me when you're home!

Love, Laura

It was quite late and I didn't want to interrupt them so I didn't call. Besides, I would probably spoil the mood and I wouldn't want that. She's been through enough of stress lately and she deserves to rest.

I wanted to eat something, since the only thing I ate today was my breakfast, but I lost my appetite. I showered quickly and went under the covers. I checked if I closed my doors multiple times but still felt a little uneasy. I tried to stay awake and perk up my ears if something was wrong but eventually, I driffted off without even knowing.


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