63

Catherine's POV:

I stood there watching him. I didn't know what to say. I don't know what to do, it felt as if my leg just freeze one place.

I took a deep breath and walk towards him.

"Hey." I greeted. He removed his sunglasses, his eyes staring into mine.

At that moment I just wanted to disappear.

I was afraid, hurt, wanting.

I was nust having a lot of emotions at the same time.

I missed him so much.

But I couldn't tell him how I feel.

I couldn't tell him how much I want to kiss him, how much I thought about him, how much I want him.

I just couldn't!

It's not because I can't. But I couldn't muster up the courage to do so.

I felt pathetic.

He closed his car door and started walking pass me.

I was making quick calculations in my head about what to say. I just couldn't let him go just like that.... Without saying anything.

Even though I knew Cunningham will have my head this morning I still couldn't miss talking to Ace.

He was important.

He is important.

"You are engaged." I whispered just as he passed me by.

He stopped walking and I turned around to face him just as soon as he did the same.

He raised his eyebrows at me and my eyes found the bracelet on his wrist.

Chelsey got that for him. She takes about it during her interview with Vogue.

I can't believe just how much I stalked her.....how much I stalked him.

I don't want to believe that I've lost him.

I don't want to believe that there is no "Us" anymore.

We can work it out.

"Do you have a problem with that?" He questioned, he cocked his head to the side and raised his eyebrows while staring at me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and shook my head.

I sighed softly, "Of course not."

Damn it.

"I..... I missed you Baby." I whispered softly and he quickly raised his hand up. Stopping any words from coming out further from my mouth.

"Stop it. Why do you have to play the victim? If you have forgotten then let me remind you that you ended our relationship yourself. You wanted me to move on, you said you will do the same." He said and pushed his hands inside his pants pocket. "I did move on. I'm engaged to Chelsey Black. We will be getting married soon and I hope you've moved on too. For old times sake I'll wish you the best."

With that being said, he turned around and walked out of the parking lot.

Tears rushed down from my eyes.

I couldn't even stop them.

'I did move on. I hope you've moved on too'

Do I look like I've moved on from you, Ace Hampton.

Do I look like I have forgotten about you?

I can't think of another man but you. You occupied my thoughts, my life, my heart, my space. Everywhere around me. You filled up every space. You are all I breath. How could I possibly forget you and move on? How?

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and took in a deep breath.

Crying and regretting what happened shouldn't be my main priority right now.

I've got a class to attend.

I pushed the door open and walked inside the class, immediately Cunningham stopped talking and every eyes turned towards me.

Hundreds of eyes. Watching me.

"Well, if it isn't Miss Meyers. Always late for class I see. Were you partying all night and woke up late?" He asked. Not because he cared. But to embarrass me in front of everyone.

"Sorry Sir." I said and walked further inside the class. Luckily I found an empty seat and I sat down.

I took in a deep breath and relax my shoulders.

I can do this.

******

"Hello Mom,"

"Catherine. How are you doing?" She asked and i smiled.

I should be the one asking her that. I should be the one worried about her.... And the company.

"I am doing great Mom. How are you doing?"

I waited for sometimes to hear her tell me that's she's doing great as well but I didn't get it. What I got broke me into tiny pieces.

"I am giving up, Cath. I don't want to give up but I also don't know what to do." She cried silently. "I am trying, Catherine. Trying to get through this."

I didn't even know that I was already crying again until tears roll down my cheeks.

"I got a notice from the bank today. They want their money or they will close the company. I don't have that much money. Even if I sell our house and properties, I can't raise 650 million pounds." She said and sighed. "I shouldn't be telling you this."

"I am sorry mother. I am useless." I said and brushed the tears angrily away from my cheeks. " I am so useless."

"I'll talk to you later sweetheart, don't worry, we will get through this together." She told me before hanging up the phone.

I stared at my blank phone screen for a while before looking up. Ace was staring at me.

He pushed up his sunglass to his eyes and brought out a handkerchief from his pants pocket then placed it on my hand, his fingers brushing mine.

My breath etched as I stared at him.

"You don't want to be laughed at." He whispered before walking away.

Ace.

What should I do.

I am confused. I am helpless.

My mother needs me. My family. My company. My father will never forgive me if I can't even protect what he left behind.

What should I do?

I unlocked my car and get inside then drove out of the parking lot.

We will get through this too. It's just a matter of time.

Everything will be alright.

Everything will be just fine.

*****

Ace's POV:

I walked inside my apartment and dropped my car keys on the table.

Fuck it.

Why do I wish to know the reason for her tears. Why do I want to console her.

Why can't I just look sideways and move on with my fucking life.

I can't believe this is happening to me right now.

Catherine fucking Meyers.

What have you done to me?

Why can't I just let you go, let you love your life while I live mine?

Why do you keep showing your face everywhere I go.

Why the fuck is that!

I sat down on the couch and sighed.

I just pity her. It meant nothing.

I was just being compassionate.

It has nothing to do with how I feel for her.

That feelings has been buried by her.

It meant nothing to me anymore.

I grabbed my phone from my pants pocket and dialled Liam's number.

"Hey man. What's up?"

"I saw her today." I said and he listens. He knew who I was talking about. "She was crying in the middle of the parking lot and I couldn't stop myself from walking up to her. I gave her my customized handkerchief. I told her to suck it up in other not to get laughed at."

I laughed softly and scoffed.

"Are you angry that you talked to her?" Liam questioned.

Am I angry that I talked to her? Yes.

Will I do the same thing under the same circumstances? Yes.

"You care for her and that was why you stopped. You were once lovers, Ace. You can't throw that away."

I can. I should.

"Bye Man, just forget that I called you." I said and hung up on him.

I need a drink.

I am thirsty.

Damn it!

I walked towards my mini bar and grabbed a bottle of wine from the rack.

****

I was sitting down on the couch with Chelsey's head on my lap.

So was staring at me while I watch the TV.

I could feel her eyes on me but I acted like I don't.

"Is anything the matter?" She asked after looking at me for a while.

"Why do you ask?"

She closed the book in her hand and sighed.

"You looked down. I don't know what the reason is but I want to." She said.

You know. If anyone had told me that I'll willingly decided to get engaged with Chelsey Black I would have refute that claim, but look at me now.

When we first met I hated her so much.

She tried to blackmail me.

I don't think it's blackmail.

But here we are.

"Let's get married. Next week. Just our friends and family, back home in America."

What?