Touching the Heart of Ace novel Chapter 15

What was he doing?

Wherever I went I could figuratively see him and only him.

The tea and cake I bought from the bakery other day was surprisingly payed beforehand.

The grocery shopping bag had a teddy bear with his insignia, which sure as hell I did not pick up or pay at the counter.

Then there were flowers, lots and lots of flowers and chocolates.

I did not know what I was feeling. At least there was no incidents at the college, so far. Or he had not tried to come in front of me; I am grateful for that.

Well, there was a baby succulent on my desk top in a smiley-face-pot. It was adorable even with his logo.

I could not just throw it away.

Jason was wondering why he was hiding, but so was I. This kind of cat and mouse play was not his style.

Stop assuming that you know this guy, Ace!

I was just, just... what? I did not know anymore. It was good he had not come to meet me.

I had no idea how to handle him in front of me.

He would be angry. And that was putting it mild.

I thought I had time to take care of my unhealthy feelings towards him, but he was early. Of course he was.

I was not ready. 5 months, 19 days and 19 hours was not enough time to get over him.

I was merely existing at this point. Time was so slow, I felt like everything was frozen around me.

At least the dance class was keeping me grounded. I was considering in participating in one of the street dances of our company. It was an awareness programme dealing with feminism, domestic abuse, child abuse and hate crimes. I would be honoured to be a part of it.

Was my dorm always this quiet? It was borderline creepy. I sighed. I missed Liz a lot. She would barge in my room, wear my shorts and shirt and prance around like she owned my place.

I put on some music to take away the heavy silence in the room. It was one of the dance pieces I was going to do in the programme. I swirled my body around remembering the real moves but making no effort to do them. Hell was trying to dislocate all my joints, I was sure.

I hummed around but I was feeling so restless.

There was something.

Was that the open window?

No, something else. I... could not figure what it was!

A brush of perfume passed through my nose but I could not catch it again. Did I imagine it?

I bit my lips.

I was going crazy, wasn??t I? I threaded my fingers into my hair.

Probably nothing.

I got used to the feeling of being followed, so now even when I was at my safe haven, I felt the same.

Stupid Ace!

I frowned as the music stopped.

Get a grip, Ace!

I froze when another music started to play.

Alan Kuznetzov!

I gulped. How?

It was that music.

??Our?? music.

I stared at my hands that was shaking. The Pain was playing and reminding me everything I was trying very hard to forget.

I pushed the stop button with vigour but it did not stop playing. Was it broken?

I hated it! I hated this!

I took the music player and dumped it in the trash can inside the under-sink cabinet.

I could breathe a bit easier. Where was my bedroom?

The memories that surfaced had to go away. I was thankful I took a shower at the company, I wanted a nap. I needed a nap before I do something I...

No.

I could handle it. I was strong.

I cracked my neck and changed to my kimono nightwear, but I noticed a single red rose in the middle of my bed.

Where was he? Always leaving me gifts and flowers, stalking, me but never revealing himself.

??Hello, my beautiful Angel.??

I heard that voice in my head, right?

There was no way he was here, with me, in my bedroom. Of course I heard it in my head.

??Miss me? I missed you. I missed you so much.??

No. NO. NOO.

Please no.

I heard movements behind me. He was here, wasn??t he?

No, he was not here.

??Quite a stunt, you pulled, baby. Had me all worried sick. But, you were quite comfy with that guy you like. Heard that he is your boyfriend now.??

My body visibly shook at the calmness of his voice.

??What are you doing here??? Why was my voice so small? Where did my confidence go?

??I am wondering that myself, Angel. What am I doing here? Do you have any idea why I am here???

He was calm and collected. Casually walking to and fro behind me.

Now that he was this close I could clearly smell his perfume. So, what I felt at the kitchen was real. Of course it was real, no way my brain could imagine such an intoxicating scent.

??You need to leave.?? He had to leave. He had to leave before... before... nothing.

??Oh, do I? Pray tell, why? Will your boyfriend be back soon? I won??t mind to wait. We could have a little chat.??

Was this how people watching Tsunami felt like?

The once beautiful sea slowly retreating back, as if afraid, slowly getting calm and collected but then it would come back with so much force that it would wreck anything on its way.