Tiredness consumed Blare so she turned absent-minded as the red-haired woman instructed her to twirl for the eleventh time.

She straightened her posture after twirling. Afraid that any rash movement would tear the dress apart.

Staring blankly her beige-coloured 6 inches heels, she discovered that it glimmered in the slightest movement. As it sparkled, the rose gold mermaid garment she wore noticeably shined as well.

Blare's sightseeing ended when she realized the room has gone quiet. Landing her gaze at Ace, she froze at the man's serious look. She instantly shifted her attention to the antique vase that was displayed in the corner.

Blare can never bravely look at someone eye to eye. Especially if the man's gaze was as serious as Ace.

"It suits you, I'll take it"

The deafening silence broke. The red-haired woman approached Ace while another staff guided Blare back in the dressing room.

Blare caught Ace smiling warmly as he stared at the red-haired woman.

She blinked her eyes a few times then repressed a playful grin. She amusedly thought how her tyrant boss got captivated and tamed by a beauty.

Although the woman looks old, Ace himself wasn't young for Blare. She saw that both were at the right age to be together.

Her spirit was restored at the newly found secret. Exciting and mysterious, Blare began forming situations that never happened between Ace and the red-haired woman.

____________

Ace drove Blare back to her home.

"Thank you, Mr. LeCoultre." Blare said while she slightly bowed.

Blare wanted to go back to the company to retrieve her car but Ace insisted and even offered to drive her to the company tomorrow. Which, of course, she refused. Blare decided to commute to work instead, while Ace stopped pestering Blare.

He knew nothing would convince her.

"Sure... keep safe" his last words were low but Blare heard it.

She smiled gratefully to the man and said, "Likewise, Sir"

Blare walked towards her apartment and when she reached the main door of the apartment building, she looked back. Ace was still looking at her, Blare thought the man was too considerate to drive her home and even watch her get inside safely.

She instantly forgave the man who made her wear eleven dresses.

Blare smiled again and proceeded to go inside.

Ace's world stilled for a second. He never left his gaze towards the woman. Only when she was completely out of sight that he woke out of his trance.

His chest beats loud and slow.

___________

The day of the gala came. It was scheduled in the evening so Blare planned to lay down and watched TV at her apartment.

Since it was still early in the morning.

Blare lay down comfortably on the sofa when she heard her doorbell rang. She got up lazily and opened the door without confirming who's outside.

Again, she regretted that action.

Outside was Aiken Charleston and Ace Jaeger LeCoultre. Both were staring at each other.

Aiken's face was sour while Ace's expression was calm. When Blare opened the door, both men turned their attention to her.

Blare's expression instantly turned ugly at the sight. Especially to Aiken. She did not look at Aiken anymore and turned her attention to Ace instead.

"Is there something Sir? The gala is still in the evening." Blare respectfully said.

"I came here to accompany you and get you ready" Ace calmly said. Then he stared at Blare.

Blare didn't idle and said, "Please come inside Mr. LeCoultre."

"Wait. She's coming with me" Aiken glared at Ace and blocked him from getting inside the apartment.

Blare rolled her eyes and glanced at Aiken with incredulity. But Aiken stared at her with pleading eyes.

'Persistent' she inwardly sighed.

"Sir, please excuse us for a moment" she turned to Ace with a troubled expression.

Ace would never bother anyone else's business. However, he wanted to interfere this time. The relationship between Aiken and the woman made him uneasy.

His heart aches at the thought.

Not understanding his own feelings, Ace decided to let Blare be since it doesn't concern him.

Ace nodded and stood in a distant area. Leaving Blare and Aiken in front of the rented apartment.

While Ace turned his attention on his phone, Aiken had been sending glare in his direction.

"What is it?" Blare's tired tone was eminent.

She felt like her age was rapidly increasing day by day on this encounter.

'He can't take no. Even my baby nieces can understand what that meant.' she scowled openly which made Aiken quickly respond.

"I wanted to see you" Aiken blurted out on a whim.

As a man who was sought by many women, he never said such sweet words. As a result, his response made his entire face red.

Blare's eyes widened in surprise. Not from his words but because of his reddened face. The man even hid the lower part of his face through his one hand.

Aiken Charleston loves Lilith Winterburn.

Regardless, it was a shame that the latter was no more.

After all, Lilith - a broken soul - only felt bitterness.

It was true that love is a fragile glass. Once it completely broke into pieces, it will be ridiculous if one tries to fix it.

The damage is done. The glass has entirely been scarred all its life.