79

It has been almost two weeks since Catherine ran out of the forest house. She hasn't called, text or think about him since then.

She was in the process of taking care of herself only.

She was tired of being the one chasing after him.

He should do the same if he truly cares about her. He should put in the work.

She got out of her car and stared up at the Montego Hotel and restaurant.

It is crazy that her classmates organized a reunion not even a year after graduating from highschool. It sounds crazy.

She never thought that she would someday return to Montego hotels but here she is.

According to her highschool class representative, the bar there was fantastic and it would be the perfect venue for their reunion.

As she walked inside the restaurant the first person she saw was Karla.

"Oh my goodness, Catherine is that you? it is been so long, how are you?" Karla asked her.

"Hi, Karla. Long time no see, after my graduation I relocated back to the UK where I'm schooling at the moment, I just came to New York a few weeks ago for summer." Catherine responded. Karla smiled as she watched Catherine.

"It's so nice to see you. Do you have any reservations or do you want me to get you a table?" Karla asked and Catherine quickly shook her head.

"That's so nice of you but I came here because we are having a reunion here, you might have knowledge about that."

"Oh yeah, they are in a different section. Come, I'll take you there." Karla explained. She led Catherine to a hall and surprisingly more than fifty of her classmates were present.

When Talia saw her she started walking up to her. "Hey girl, I was actually trying to call you now, are you okay?"

Catherine nodded her head and subtly looked for Anitra amongst her classmates. Immediately she saw Anitra she grinned widely and started walking up to him.

She tapped his shoulder and Anitra turned around to face her. The moment he saw her he wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her into a hug.

"Damn, I went crazy when you left. You should have told me that you're coming to New York." Anitra said and she giggled.

"Sorry, it was a dumb move." They released each other and Catherine raised her eyebrows. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything is not okay since he had a confrontation with Ace before you came." Talia responded. Catherine pursed her lips and balled her hand into a fist.

"What happened?" She whispered.

"It is nothing to worry about. I was angry when Talia told me what happened and I had to give him a dose of his own medicine. I caused it."

Catherine sighed and raised her eyes up only for them to meet with Ace's dark ones. He was watching her like he hated her. His eyes darkened and he scrunched up his nose. Seeing him like that made her so fucking angry.

She shouldn't be angry. Ace was a nobody. He doesn't mean anything to her anymore and it was better that way.

"Let's go take a seat." Catherine muttered. Everyone was quiet after witnessing the little display of affection between Anitra and Catherine. All eyes were on Ace. Waiting for what he'd do.

"Calm down, you're getting too obvious." Liam whispered to his ears. Ace sighed and sat down on his chair. The hall was set in a grand style. Each group has their own table. Five persons each. Liam, Ace, and three other people were occupying one table while Talia, Catherine, Anitra, Kisa and another classmate were occupying another one.

"Your Man couldn't leave Ace to join you here, what a shame, Scott." Anitra threw jabs at Talia and she rolled her eyes.

"I don't care, Anitra. I am proud of him. He is a true friend unlike you." Talia said and glared at Kisa. "Having a romantic relationship with your friend's ex-girlfriend, you deserve the cold shoulders."

Anitra grabbed a handful of strawberries and started eating.

"Talk to me directly, Scott. I am here." Kisa hissed calmly. "You're still the same. Following Catherine's wagging tail."

"What did you say!" Talia shouted and all eyes turned on them. "I dare you to say that again, Kisa Queens."

Liam quickly got up from his chair and walked up to her. "What is it?"

"This..... This bitch. No wonder Ace dumped your ass for Catherine, you are a bitch."

"And he dumped her ass too. Do I have to remind you that he planned a whole ass wedding after moving on from Golden girl. It's a good thing that he ended the wedding. I hate that bitch too." Kisa groaned. Catherine took a deep breath and sighed softly. It was even up to twenty minutes and the fight was about to start.

She knew that something like this would happen, but not this fast.

"Stop it, Kisa." Anitra said and grabbed Kisa's wrist. She turned her face towards Anitra and she slowly calmed her breath. Anitra squeezed her hand.

Catherine watched the silent interaction with a new found interest. From what she saw she could tell that there was something going on for real between Anitra and Kisa. It wasn't just an accusation.

"Stop it, Babe. This is supposed to be a happy reunion."Liam whispered into Talia's ear. "I'll let you ride me later if you behave like a good girl." Talia's breath hitched and her face flushed. She nodded her head calmly and pressed her lips together, trying to stop the smiles from being obvious.

(B)

They drank wine, ordered pizzas and played some music.

It was fun. Catherine enjoyed herself.

After a while she decided to follow the back door and go outside to get some fresh air.

She left the table and walked out of the hall. As soon as she got to the backyard, Cigarette smoke invaded her nose.

She coughed and glanced around to see who was smoking and unfortunately for her, it was Ace. The same one she doesn't want to talk about.

She turned her back to leave but his voice stopped her.

"I was waiting for you here, who would have thought that you would come this way." He said and started walking up to her. "Hear me out."

Catherine chuckled softly and whipped around to look at him. The nerve of him to tell her what to do.

The nerve of him to tell her to hear him out when he couldn't grant her that freedom when she was running after him.

He wouldn't have that freedom as well.

"What do you want to say? To remind me how stupid I am? Don't bother. The day you called me stupid was the day I realized that you were right. I have been acting so stupid when it comes to you, Ace Hampton. I shouldn't be that stupid for any man. I deserve more than that. I deserve someone who would love me. Someone who would care for me. Someone who would never talk to me in such disrespectful ways you have been doing." She said and took a deep breath. "I am a human too. I have my limits and that was when you disrespected me back in your forest house, Ace."

Ace's eyes widened as she watched Catherine turn her back on him.

Two weeks of not seeing her was like hell for him.

He needed her.

He couldn't do without her.

He wouldn't let any other guy have her.

She is his.

"I love you." He muttered. Catherine closed her eyes and pursed her lips.

"You will have to prove yourself, Ace Hampton. It's your turn to chase me. If you still want me."