Touching the Heart of Ace novel Chapter 4

??Will he be there???

Jason sighed. ??No, he is in Belgium. I checked.??

I was sceptic. He clearly knew Jason and I talked, and mom had insisted to attend this party. If he wanted me, this would be the perfect time.

Goosebumps erupted on my arms.

What if?

Belgium was a possibility, but why would he let Jason know? He went to Brazil for a three-day trip and Jason only came to know about it after he had come back.

??Please, come, Dave. Mom begged me to convince you. You know, how she could get.??

??How is Liz, Jace? She coming???

??Promise me not to get mad.??

I rolled my eyes. ??This is not the first time, Jace. I am not going to get mad for that.??

Jace was silent.

I narrowed my eyes. ??What is it???

??You know the jerk???

Well, I knew the jerk and he was in Belgium according to Jason.

??The Jerk.??

What had Liz do with...

??Noooo...??

Jace sighed.

??Yes, he is trying to get back with her. He is now a professional football player. Claims to love her and all. Liz is kind of bending.??

??Do not let her. Give me his name, Jace. The only reason I never tried to snoop in was because Liz had moved on and I find it disturbing to invade her privacy. This is getting ridiculous.??

??She can handle it, Dave. Worry about yourself first. You will be there for the party, right? She might bring the jerk.??

??Count me in.?? He was not hurting Liz ever again.

How dare he come for her!

I missed her a lot.

She was a junior scientist at NASA. She got accepted to their integrated doctoral programme because of our project.

NASA extended the programme to me also, but that was not what I wanted. I did not know I had interests in business until Jason stumbled upon me. But we could not start over own firm unless I had completed my studies.

We talked to our mom.

??Okay bro, I have to go. Mom is searching for me.?? He hung up the phone and I walked to my favourite diner.

When was the last time I cooked?

Too long ago. But this diner was the second best. They cooked with fresh produce, and their food did not have that disgusting umami taste.

Shoot!

It was that guy!

That guy from the bar. What was he doing here?

If I ducked behind the flower pot he might not see...

He waved and smiled.

I quickly checked praying someone else was behind.

Nope!

He was walking towards me. How was I supposed to behave now?

If I pretended not to know him, he would go away right? I was drunk out of my mind after all.

If I had a plan I had to start acting right now, or he would reach me.

A few minutes of trying desperately to find an excuse I noticed that I was standing at the door awkwardly.

I got in and expected him to be near.

I frowned when I saw him on a single chair by the corner.

He gave me polite smile and turned away to his drink.

I was relieved that he did not try to brush up ??old memories.??

I quickly got my usual and tested if he was looking at me.

He was not.

Thank God!