Tapping on the message icon, messages from Hailey appear.Hey girl! It’s me Hailz! Your BFF!Happy Birthday!We got to go celebrate!You there?Hello?You better not be ignoring me. I will cross that road and wade through all those hot guys to get to you if I have to!Zurielle?You are being mean!Wait! Maybe Ace hasn’t given you the phone yet.Tell Ace to hurry up and give it to you already!Oh, wait, you can’t tell him that if you can’t read this! lol NEVER MIND THEN!Have you got the phone yet?Zurielle... Zuzu… Hello? :(Hey Hailz. Sorry. Ace did give me the phone this morning,but I had too much work to focus on. Thank you for the Happy Birthday. Yes! Finally, you replied girl! It’s Friday night! We should go party. It’s your birthday! Mine tomorrow!Thanks for the offer, Hailz. But I’m not up for going out tonight.Wait, what? It’s your birthday! You have to wanna go party?You pulling my leg? Come to my place and get ready with me.Hailey. I can’t. I’ve just been going through
We wake up entwined in each other’s arms and legs. My head is on his chest, and he brushes my hair with his fingers.‘Sleep well?’ He asks.‘Actually, it was the best sleep I’ve ever had,’ I reply.‘Glad to hear it. How about we go downstairs and have some pancakes?’ He asks.‘Really? You’re going to make me pancakes for breakfast?’ I ask.‘Well, I’ll attempt to make them, to impress you,’ he smirks. Laughing, I reluctantly get out of bed.Ace is shirtless, wearing only pyjama pants. I freeze in awe at his muscles when he stretches his arms out and admire his tattoos.‘You’re welcome to have a closer look,’ he smirks. I blush, and collect my skivvy and my pinafore.‘I like you dressed as you are. Get dressed later,’ he says, leading me out the door and downstairs.Making a mess over a mixing bowl, Ace guesses the amounts for the ingredients he uses, and I giggle at his determination to make pancakes. Walking around the kitchen bench, I dip my finger into the mixture. Ace takes my hand
I ignore Hailey while finishing my coffee and pancakes. She and Ace have been speaking though. As soon as we finish eating, I stand and start to leave. Ace wishes Hailey happy birthday again, before following me out.The silence is awkward and horrible. I get in the car and look out the window, still avoiding eye contact with Ace.‘I want to apologise. I had no idea, and did not expect you to be a virgin. Thinking about the moments we’ve had in our office and in the kitchen. I may have moved too quickly for you. Forgive me. I hope you’ll tell me if I’m too much,’ he says, sincere. Shocked, I make eye contact with him.‘You’re not annoyed I’m a virgin?’ I ask.‘Shocked, but not annoyed. In fact, it’s kind of hot,’ he answers.‘Really? I heard a group of men say they didn’t like virgins because of how inexperienced they are. And how annoyingly clingy they become after losing their virginity,’ I explain.‘I’ve personally never been with a virgin. I don’t care how inexperienced you are, a
Unpacking my suitcase, I hang my clothes in the empty walk-in wardrobe. Ace goes into the bathroom, and fills the bathtub with water. He is shirtless when I walk in.‘You’re having a bath?’ I ask.‘Yes, I am. Would you like to join me?’ He asks.‘Oh, I um—’‘There’ll be plenty of bubbles, so I won’t be able to see anything, if that’s what you’re worried about? Some of the wounds on your back don’t look too great. A wash and dressing them, might help. Otherwise, I can call my doctor and he can treat your back, if you prefer?’ He offers.My back hasn’t been feeling any better, so I agree to a bath. Ace makes sure there are plenty of bubbles in the bath for me.‘I’ll give you some privacy while you hop in. I’ll be back in a minute,’ he says, kissing my cheek.I undress, get into the bath and lower myself into the water. Closing my eyes, I relax, and Ace joins me.‘You can open your eyes now,’ he smiles.Opening my eyes, I smile, and scoop bubbles into my hands and blow them at Ace. He le
On Monday morning, on our way to Pure Fashion Industries, I’m still adjusting to seeing Ace so relaxed and happy. I never could have imagined him like this the day we first met. His usual security follow behind us, into the car park.We walk to the elevator and acknowledge how difficult it is not holding hands, or touching each other.‘It will be easier when we’re in the office and close the door,’ he winks, and we greeted the staff at each level we went through.I make my way over to my desk and get started on the work I have to do.‘I won’t be in the office much today. I need to be downstairs at the photoshoots. I have to make sure all the outfits for the fashion show are almost finished. During lunch, we will go see if we can find Brent,’ he says.Nodding, I stand up and kiss him, before he leaves the room.‘You may as well leave the door open,’ I smile.After a couple of hours of work, I open my handbag, and pull out the note from my parents’ murderer.That’s when I notice they bo
‘Zurielle will never be safe. The only option is for us to capture and dispose of Red Back ourselves. It wouldn’t surprise me if they know she is here right now,’ Viper says, staring out the window. ‘The moment she’s alone, he will take the opportunity to kidnap her. She might be better staying here with us,’ Boomslang says.‘No, she is staying with me,’ Ace says, sternly, all eyes on him.‘I have security down the road as we speak. They follow me every day. I’ll organise extra security outside work and home.’‘Very well then. Until we think of a plan, keep her safe,’ Viper says, and I pull out my phone.‘I’ve got a phone now, so we can keep in contact.’Viper puts his number in my contacts, and I text him a smiley face emoji, so he has my number.The Snakes escort us to Ace’s car and we drive back to the penthouse. Ace takes my hand.‘I’m going to keep you safe, okay? I won’t let him take you,’ he says, reassuringly.‘I know,’ I smile, and Ace goes into his office to arrange more se
The door is finally opened thirty minutes later, and I slowly sit up before being dragged out.‘Every time you try to attack me, you will be locked in that box! Do you understand me?’ Red Back yells, and sniffling, I nod, before I’m pushed back into the chair, and more Spider Backs walk in.‘Mr Rich Guy doing what we expect?’ Red Back asks.‘Yes. We followed him, and he went straight to the Savage Snakes. They’ll be here soon,’ one guy says.‘Good! Everyone in position then,’ he orders, and I watch them arm themselves with knives and guns, and load bullets into them.‘What are you planning on doing with my friends?’ I ask.Red Back looks annoyed.‘We knew they’d come for you, and we wanted them dead long ago. They’ll be here soon, armed. But not to worry. The Snakes are the only ones dying tonight,’ he laughs.One of the Spider Backs runs into the building, panting.‘They’re here!’ He yells.Moments later, many motorbikes roar in the distance. I don’t want any of the Snakes to be hurt
The following morning, Ace and I are woken by a knock on the door. Hailey runs in, crying. I hop down from the bed, and we run into each other’s arms, crying. I push her hair behind her ears, to get a better look at her bruised face.‘I’m so sorry, Hailey. This is all my fault,’ I say.‘It wasn’t your fault,’ she sobs. Jack is inside the doorway, and Ace gestures for him to come in and close the door. Smiling at them, I can’t help but pull a Hailey.‘You totally rubbed uglies, didn’t you?’ I laugh, Jack blushes and Hailey smiles.‘Of course, I did,’ she says, grinning, and we all laugh, and I pull her in for another hug.‘I’m glad you’re safe now,’ I smile.After they leave, the police arrive and take Ace’s statement. There are no charges against us, as we acted in self-defence, and with all the evidence I had: the notes, the dog collar and witness statements, they were able to close my parents’ murder case.My relief is so overwhelming, I burst into tears.‘What’s wrong babe?’ Ace wh