Chapter Five

JACE'S POV

"Mr. Southerland, it's time for your appointment with Mr. Guillaume", my secretary, Reece informed me before he walked out of my office.

Taking a deep breath, I slouched into my seat before getting up. I stood and looked at the city from the glass walls of my office.

My phone rang on the table causing me squint my eyes at it before picking it up and looking at the Caller ID: HIM was written on it.

I still regretted my choice of him having a way to contact me.

I picked up the call and put it on speaker before placing it on table.

"What is it?" I said as I placed my hands in my pockets before staring outside again.

"Aren't you supposed to be here by now", came the ragged voice of the man I choose not to call father.

"I'll be there", I said and ended the call.

Grabbing my keys, I carried my coat and left the office telling my secretary to cancel my remaining appointments for the day.

Mr. Guillaume had been my father up until I was twelve years old before he kicked me out of his life. I wasn't complaining though, just wished he hadn't left a scar.

I got into my car and put on my seatbelt.

'I never want to see you again..do understand me!!'

I gripped the steering wheel tightly as some memories flashed in my mind and put the key on ignition as the car roared to life before speeding off.

My stomach growled quietly, reminding me I had not eaten anything since morning as I had to rush for a meeting. Exhaling deeply, I changed the direction of the car and stopped infront of a small café.

Not my style but....who cares.

I walked in and headed for the counter quickly and for the first time in my life, I caught myself staring. The girl behind the counter equally stared back, her electric blue eyes fixed on mine. Her straight platinum blonde hair that fell on her shoulders and ran on her back was a little messy but still made her look very attractive.

"Welcome to Nico's Cafe, what would you like to order?", she suddenly said smiling at me, jolting me out of my little shameless act.

What can I say, it was very irresistible.

"Americano", I said not taking my eyes off her.

What?!.. She was fucking beautiful.

Unfortunately that was short-lived because my phone started ringing.

'His Son' was written on the Caller ID.

Did the family choose to harass me this way... what did this one want.

"No milk", I said as I looked up at her phone once more then she scrunched up her nose and furrowed her brows then she flashed me a smile and turned away.

I picked up the call and placed the phone on my ear without saying anything.

"Oh you picked up?...I was wondering if you forgot how a phone works", came another ragged voice that I will always hate.

"What do you want?", I rubbed my temples.

"Dad wants to see you at home in the next thirty minutes to talk about plans for mom's death anniversary that's coming up soon ....oh sorry, I mean my dad.... and my mom"

My hands balled into fists beside me and my grip around the phone tightened. I closed my eyes for a second before flickering them open and ending the call. I put my hands in my pocket and brought out some dollar bills and placed them on the counter.

"Keep the change", I muttered as I grabbed the cup of Americano and walked out of the café.

He wasn't a child anymore...he could find other ways to taunt or annoy me. Seriously.. look it up, it's not that hard. I was sick of hearing anything concerning my mother from his shitty mouth.

...

I walked into the Guillaume family mansion briskly, catching Asher's attention.

"Brother.... you finally made it", he smiles but I ignored him and walked past him to the main reason why I was there.

"I'm here....sir", I glanced down at my watch.

He looked at the newspaper in his hands then lowered it down and looked at me with a smile.

The smiled...that wasn't good especially when it came to me.

What isn't going to be in my favour this time?

He made to speak but was beat to it by his meddling son.

"Oh, I forgot to say this earlier.....congrats on your wedding", he said to me.

My head snapped towards him, "I'm sorry, my what?"

"Your wedding......unfortunately, I won't be able to make it...I've got a thing", he grinned. "But I'll be down for the after party"

I turned to look at my father, who seemed like the only reasonable person at the time.

"That's why I called you here", he pulled the paper over his eyes again.

"What the hell?!", I barked.

"It's a long story boy", he said, his eyes never leaving the paper infront of him.

"Then cut it short"

I saw his jaw clench then he sighed angrily and snapped his gaze towards me.

"What do you want to know....huh?..Aiden? Or would you prefer.. Jace, since that is what you frolic about with these days",

My fists clenched beside me. He smirked knowing that his words somewhat had an effect on me.

"I don't think I owe you any explanation.... just do what I say..... Saturday isn't that far"

I opened my mouth to speak, once again trying to voice my annoyance and adamant protest and refusal but he beat me to it.

"I would start heading out to find myself a nice tuxedo if I were you, if you don't want some news about that little company of yours getting into the ears of some certain uniformed men"

"I'll do it", I said through gritted teeth.

I knew what he was talking about and I couldn't let that happen. I know he was blackmailing me but all I cared about was my company.

"Now, that's a good boy ", he said, a smile sprawled across his face as I walked out of the house.

What have you gotten yourself into this time, Jace.

...

I walked out of the elevator, making my way towards Noel's room when I got jabbed on the shoulder by someone.

"Sorry..", she yelled without looking at me as she reached for the elevator, her almost white hair bouncing behind her.

It was her, the barista from the other day. She looked very anxious. I shook my head and made my way to Noel's room.

Some hours later, a nurse informed me that visiting hours were over and I had to leave. I left her room after a quick goodbye and made my way towards the nearest elevator but stopped as something caught my attention.

You aren't supposed to be doing this Jace.

But, as shameless as I was, I couldn't stop looking at a certain blonde through the window of a hospital room. She sat on a stool beside the patient's bed and was smiling at the person's sleeping.

I'm no expert, but isn't she supposed to be crying or something.

Weird girl.

...

I don't know if the universe was trying to tell me something but I saw her again. She was in the elevator with me but I'm not sure if she even realized my presence.

She kept running her hands through her hair in a very frustrated manner....her beautiful pale hair.

Stop it Jace... you are getting married soon. You can't be staring at another woman. A feeling of self-loathing washed over me instantly as I remembered that fact.

...

It was finally here, the day of my wedding. I stared at the tuxedo that hung on the closet nearby for a while with my hands in the pocket of my sweatpants.

I sighed deeply and went to prepare myself for the event silently hoping that things would turn out to my favour like the bride suddenly disappeared then I'll return to the old man saying 'I tried' but I never had such luck.

Coming out of the shower, I looked at my phone that was vibrating on my study table.

It was from the hospital. I picked up the call and placed the phone on my ear.

"Mr Southerland....", came the shaky voice of a nurse. "It's.....Noel..."

I ended the call and quickly got dressed, then I grabbed my jacket and keys and ran out of my penthouse.

I didn't care if I was going to be late for the wedding, Noel came first.

But the annoying child would get on my nerves by finding herself in one funny problem every now and then.

I got to the hospital very fast, probably because I broke the speed limit but anyways, the good thing is I wasn't arrested.

I stormed into the hospital getting a few curious glances here and there.

I found the nearest elevator and made my way to Noel's room, releasing a sigh of relief when I found her there.

With a frown on her face, I walked up to her bed.

"What?", she glared at him but I just kept looking at her with the same unimpressed expression.

"Okay fine, I didn't mean to run off...it just gets so boring in here", she pouted at me causing a chuckle to escape my lips.

"What I'm I going to do with you?", I asked ruffling her hair.

"I think the better question is what are you going to do without me?"

I smiled then looked at the clock that hung on one of the walls in the room.

"Shit!!", I muttered.

"What?", she asked.

"I'll explain later", I said and left the room, rushing over to my car.

...

Flinging the door of my penthouse open, I ran to my room and got dressed before running out again.

I made my way into the Marano mansion, at least what my father called it. Finding a good parking spot, I performed a military park and got out of the car, adjusting my tux.

I got directions from a maid and went to the garden finding it fairly decorated. I mean the was a balloon or two. There were some flowers and a few seats. I saw a middle aged man and woman sitting down together with a young girl and a bored looking priest.

I walked past the trio and made my way to my bride sitting up front in the middle of the garden.

I sat down beside her and glanced at her from the corner of my eye, she clutched the flowers in her hands tightly looking tense and angry.

I really hope she wasn't mad at me, I hate being at the receiving end of a woman's anger.

"I'm sorry I'm late", I said as I turned to look at her finally.

I liked i said earlier, it's like the universe was unto me. It was her. My beautiful blonde barista. Sitting beside me. Looking even more beautiful in that dress.

She looked up at me then I looked away with a smile tugging at my lips.

I felt her still staring then her her eyes went wide.

"You?", she questioned.

Oh....she remembered me. Good.

I let out a small smile.

"Americano..no milk?"

Wait... that's how she remembered me. Weird girl.

At least, she remembered.

Jokes on you old man, I'm going to enjoy this marriage.