EMERALD
Placing my hand over my chest, I took a deep breath. He wasn’t even here yet, and I felt like my heart would jump out of my ribcage at any moment. The vicious war of butterflies in my stomach didn’t help either.
Calm down, Em. It’s just a date. A friendly date. It’s not that it’s the first time you’re going out with a guy.
Yes, but this time it’s the guy I lo—
My breath hitched in my throat. Shock and surprise crashed over me. Was I just about to admit my… feelings for him?
I shook my head. No, no! Yes, he did affect me a lot, but I didn’t do the ‘L’ word.
Not wanting to chew over my treacherous mind, I padded into my closet and reached for the maroon dress Cassie sent me. A very short and backless one she wanted me to wear on this date.
Give him some tease. Were her exact words.
Though the dress was beautiful, I didn’t know where he was taking me. I asked him so I could wear something accordingly, but he said to get into anything decent I wanted. He didn’t care as long as I was with him.
A blush rose up my cheeks. Mr. Valencian could be cheesy sometimes. I didn’t know he had it in his bones.
But of course, I wasn’t going to listen to him. As I didn’t know if it was a public place or not, I grabbed for a jacket to wear over the dress. Then my eyes fell on the red gown he’d gifted me. It called me to wear it, but like every other day, with difficulties, I gave it my back and walked out of the closet.
Once I was ready with light makeup and a low bun just above my neck, I inspected my look once again in the mirror. Brushing away some loose curls from my face, I tugged the ends of my dress a little lower.
A breath snuck through my lips. I was ready.
And just at that moment, the doorbell rang. So did my heart.
I glanced at the watch. Seven P.M. sharp.
My mouth went dry, and my hands turned clammy. God, why was I so nervous?
It’s okay, Em. You can do it!
Chanting the mantra in my head, I grabbed my purse and trudged downstairs.
Once at the door, I found him tackled into Mom’s bear hug. As surprising as it was, a soft smile was stretched across his face as he returned Mom’s affection.
Flaunting a black tux and his usual rough look, he didn’t fail to take my breath away. Like always.
“I thought you forgot the way to our house. The only times we get to meet you if there are some occasions or parties,” she said, pulling away. Affection shone in her eyes. “Though I’m extremely happy to see you here after so many years, can I ask the reason for your sudden visit?”
Before he could answer, I butted it. “We have a business party to join, Mom. That’s why he’s here, to pick me up.”
Along with Mom, his stormy grays also moved to me. They stilled on my face until they traveled to the rest of my body. Slow and lingering touch of his intent gaze had me breathless.
“Oh my! Look at you! My baby is so beautiful, isn’t she, Ace?” she gushed, casting a glance towards him. She was the only one who called him by his nickname other than me. And he didn’t mind. But it was only reserved for the two of us.
Not removing his stare from me, he gave a slow and tight nod. “Indeed, she is.”
Heat crept up my neck at his words while Mom watched the interaction with her wicked eyes.
“Well, honey? You didn’t mention any parties like that to me,” she queried, her tone teasing. Of course, she got some hints from all the flowers everyday and gifts.
I cleared my throat. “Uh, it was a sudden invitation. So we have to attend.”
“Oh, all right then. I won’t keep you guys any longer.” She put a hand on Ace’s shoulder. “I would like to ask you for coffee, but clearly, you’re on a run right now. So go, and… take care of her.”
Giving her hand a firm squeeze, he nodded. Sincerity engraved in his eyes. “I will.”
“Where are we going?” Fastening up the seat belt, I turned to him.
Something tugged at my lower region when I found his dark gaze on my legs. With a grunt, he put his big callus hand on my knee.
“You enjoy torturing me like that, don’t you?” he groaned.
A shiver ran down my skin, raising goosebumps across. Noticing it, his hand raised sensuously to my thigh. With my breath hitching in my throat, I removed his hand. My heart thudded in my chest. The temperature of the car ambience suddenly peaked.
“K-keep your hands to yourself, will you? And don’t think that high of yourself. I didn’t wear it for you.” I gulped. “I wore it because I liked it.”
Liar.
The twitch of the corner of his lips was the evidence of my lie getting caught.
Biting my lip, I averted my eyes. “You didn’t answer my question. Where are you taking me?”
Ignoring my warning, he took my hand in his and placed a kiss at the back of it. “It’s a secret. So let my secret surprise you, shall we?”
Huffing, I tried to snatch my hand from his, but his grip was firm. His knuckles caught my attention. They were littered with cuts and bruises.
I gasped, taking a hold of his hand. “What happened to them?”
How come I didn’t notice them before?
His demeanor changed. Pulling away, he gave a nonchalant shrug. “Nothing, just got carried away with exercise.”
The way he averted his gaze opposed his own statement.
“Don’t lie to me! Your knuckles were bleeding, and you didn’t even feel anything?” I snapped, taking his hands back, examining them. They were just like I remembered the morning he came back from the UK. Did he work himself out to exhaustion and pain? What could make him that ignorant of his pain?
When he didn’t answer, I glared at him.
“Well? Mind giving me an answer? And why didn’t you treat them?” Anger, irritation, and concern nagged into my veins.
When he looked at me, my heart clenched. His eyes held pain, desperation, and something intense that I couldn’t decipher. Though his eyes said a lot, I wanted him to speak to me.
“Tell me,” I whispered.
“I will. After the date. But not now,” he said softly, placing another lingering kiss on my hand.
“Let me treat them first—”
“It’s all right. They’re fine now.”
“But you could get an infection!” I argued, once again reaching out for his knuckles.
He shook his head. “I won’t. Don’t worry. I’m used to them.”
Something squeezed my chest at his words. He said the same thing the other day. He was used to the pain. Did he hurt himself purposely?
“Rosebud, I can’t go on a date with bandages, now can I?” He raised his brow when I didn’t agree with his suggestion of letting it go. When I continued to hold his eyes, he sighed. “All right, check them once the date is over, all right?”
I nodded. At least he agreed to get them treated. I’d have to talk to him about it. He couldn’t be so careless.
The whole ride from my house to our destination was silent, my hand was secured into his. Only occasionally to change gears, he left it, only to grab it again. No matter how much I complained, I loved the feeling of my small hand getting lost in his bigger and safer one.
When the car stopped before a huge iron gate, just a little far from the highway, I scrutinized the place. It looked… familiar. But I couldn’t put my finger on it.
Getting out of the car, he opened the door for me. When I went to do it for myself, he’d stopped me with a discontented look.
Well, if he wanted to be a gentleman, who was I to stop him?
Taking his hand, I got out and looked up at the vast gate. Turquoise Heaven was the name written in bold, golden words above.
“Where are we, Ace?” I asked.
With his arms around my waist, he murmured in my ear, “Go in and find out yourself.”
Pressing my lips together, I wiggled out of his arms and approached the gate. With a loud croak, the wings opened itself, welcoming us in.
Then I saw the guard inside, nodding in greeting. “Good evening, Mr. Valencian. Welcome, Ms. Hutton.”
He knew my name?
I turned to the Greek god behind me. He must’ve told him about my arrival.
Wrapping his hand around my waist again, he nodded back at the watchman, while I politely reciprocated his smile.
“Is everything ready, Geremy?”
The guard nodded. “Yes, Mr. Valencian. Everything is ready, just as you wanted. And the staff are gone.”
Everyone was gone? Why?
That means I’ll have to stay alone with him?
Now my nervousness leaped to a new height. Who knew? He could compel me with his charm and stormy grays, and trap me somewhere with him forever?
Not that I’d really mind.
I shook my head at my ridiculous thoughts.
“Good.”
A beautiful familiar two-story white mansion greeted me. Built with a mediaeval arc, an enormous fountain adorned its front yard, with a lush rose garden surrounding it.
But it was daisies before…
A gasp slipped through my lips. It was the place I’d visited once or twice in my childhood with my family for small get-togethers. The family of Tobias’s childhood friend owned it.
That’s why this place felt so familiar. I vaguely remembered the backyard where we used to play. And this was the place I—
My eyes snapped up to him. My heart fluttered beneath my rib cage. “Why here?” My voice came out breathless.
His eyes bore into mine. “I thought why not start our new beginning where all of it started? After all, this is the place where I saw my turquoise eyed beauty for the first time.”
