Chapter 47

Ace’s POV

I felt a hand touch my shoulder,and I was startled. My neck tilted around and my face came face to face with Miranda. 

She sucked her lips, creating a friendly expression, as she held out her tiny hands,doing a little wave at me. I could see the top of her head, examining every little detail of her messy bun. 

I forced a smile. “Hey, Miranda.” I spoke between my teeth. 

“Yeah, George.” She responded and went silent, her eyes glued to the corridor floor we were standing on. Bypassers stole sneaky glances at us one after the other, but I turned a blind eye. 

“Can I help you, Miranda?” I pondered, her silence getting to me. 

She sighed. 

“I was wondering if we could hang out?” “For the assignment? It wants us to get acquainted with one another.” She elucidated following my silent response to her wondering. 

“Oh, yeah sure. See you tomorrow, or whenever you want to hang out.” “I have a scheduled call with my wife, sorry I'm running after time.” I grumbled and turned my back on her, sauntering away between the crowds that created space for me. 

It was weird I must admit. 

Locking the door behind me, I blew a sigh of relief, appreciating my lone presence. I dragged my feet to open the windows, allowing the fresh breeze to brush all over me, before I reached for my phone. 

I dialled Angel. After two rings she answered. 

“Ace! I mean George!” She tutted with a chuckle. 

“I know, it's going to take time.” I added in my sweetest voice, taking an uncomfortable seat on the window sill.

“Yeah.” She said, “I wasn't expecting your call.” 

My gaze adjusted to the colourful lumieres of the New York City night sky. 

“I just missed hearing your voice.” 

—---------------------------------------------

Angel’s POV

“Why?” I posed quietly, sitting cross legged on top of the bed. 

The line went silent for a while. For a moment I thought the call had ended, only for him to concede the words I prayed to hear from him after we got married, but he wasn't willing. 

“I'm falling for you, Angel.” He uttered. “I'm sorry if it sounds crazy, but I'm falling in love with you.” 

Words struggled to come out of my mouth. 

My eyes just remained glued to a picture of John Vittorino that I had on my laptop screen. I swallowed hard, not at my husband's words, but upon recalling the shivers that went down my spine upon the old don touching my hands earlier. 

It was official. I was losing my mind over an old man who I was assured had the same personality as the old Ace. 

“Angel?” Ace called out on the other end of the line, startling me back to the presence. 

“Huh?!” “Oh, Ace…” I mumbled quietly, pulling my forehead skin. “I don't know what to say.” 

“It's alright! Take your time.” He muttered, but I could tell his heart was broken. That was undoubtedly not the answer he was anticipating to hear, more especially that he wanted me out but I insisted on staying. 

What the fuck was I doing? I questioned myself, placing a palm against my forehead. 

“I'm sorry!” I blurted. 

“For what? It's alright.” We stayed in each other's silence for a few seconds. “Hey, tell me about what you did today. Involving Jeremy.” He insisted.

“Oh yeah.” I took a pause and swallowed a lump, looking away from John’s picture. “John Vittorino helped me.” 

“As in, Lulu's father?” He wondered. I could imagine his little frown as he spoke in an intoned manner. 

“Yes!” My heartbeat could be heard from miles away. “I called his assistant, and a few hours later, he called me back.” “I met him after dropping you off earlier today.” I elucidated. 

“Okay. I'm not going to complain that you didn't tell me, but nice move. So all I can do is thank you!” He was gratified. “But, how did you possibly come up with that?” 

“Oh! Sarah gave me the idea.” I blurted impulsively,. feeling a surge of regret afterwards. 

“Nice. That's great!” He appreciated it, to my shock. “Speaking of Sarah, I need to tell you something. You might hate me afterwards.” 

“What?” My heart started pounding. “Tell me!” 

“I'm responsible for her miscarriage. I'm really sorry!” He confessed,his voice breaking. 

“The fuck?” I cussed, my pupils dilated. “Ace, how could you do that?” 

“There isn't a day I don't beat myself up for it. I'm really sorry I hurt her.” His voice continued to creak. 

“What I fail to understand is why you're apologising to me. Call her, I'm not the one you induced a miscarriage on. Jesus Ace!” I hissed. 

“I know. I will.” “But I wanted to apologise to you first, since you're the one investing in my well-being going forward.” Ace reasoned, but at this point,.I wasn't listening. 

My thoughts raced, querying how he could possibly do that to his sister. Take out the fact that they're not blood related; it doesn't matter. 

“I'm really sorry!” He continued. 

“I’ll forgive you if she does, I'm not going to lie.” I detonated. “Other than that, I will see you tomorrow. Good night, Ace!” 

“Okay, can't wait to see you. Good night, my little wife.” He spoke tenderly, and I let out a blushy giggle. 

I hung up the call, and put my phone next to me. I didn't know what to focus on; whether to take my time thinking about how Ace would cause his sister that much trauma, or better yet, feast my eyes with the pretty old man on my laptop screen. 

The latter had a nice ring to my ears, so I went with it. 

As I scrolled from one picture to the other, ogling at his thirst traps, I questioned my morals. 

I was lying on the bed I shared with my husband, but crushing hard on another man. Not just any man, but his grandfather for word sake, who happened to be over sixty years older than me. 

But I couldn't help it, he was good looking. He took care of himself, smelled great, had a nice haircut and his physique was well-built. Not forgetting his veiny hands, oh my God! 

I felt like a teenage girl once again, sneaking under the covers with magazines of Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans’ thirst traps. 

Except this time around, my desires weren't as far-fetched. I could just reach for my phone and dial his number.