Five Words

Chapter 17

~Cher

A normal person would stay asleep till the afternoon, given that they've been up till sunrise. But I? I'm not normal. The second my alarm has gone off, which is eight-thirty, I was up and ready. I have to admit that I am sleepy right now as I brush my teeth, but the anticipation of what Ace and I will do today is charging me with all the energy I will need.

I have abstained from thinking about his words last night. I experience new feelings whenever he utters a sweet word, and to be completely honest, I don't want to overthink it. I know that Ace will be leaving, and I have to constantly keep reminding myself of that, or else I will be the only one in this friendship with hurt feelings.

I can't help feeling excited. He just does this to me.

I stand in my closet, wanting to pick the perfect outfit for today. I have to look chic, but not too much over the top. I'm taking Ace to the Naïa museum. I've been there at least four times by now and it never ceases to amaze me.

I decide to go with a simple button and tie navy blue summer dress. It is printed with a vintage floral pattern. I slip a pair of white sandals, and I pull up my hair into a high ponytail. Once I am satisfied with my makeup and outfit, I grab my purse and head down to bake an English cake for Ace.

I've probably baked for him more than I have baked for Adrian over the years, which I find ironic really. I've spent, what a week with Ace, and I've spent eight years with Adrian and haven't baked for him as much.

"Ace?" I try to stifle a laugh that is just dying to get out.

Ace is standing in the kitchen, his hair almost white from all the flour that is poured over it. The kitchen island is a mess, dirty bowls covering every inch. I have no idea what Ace is doing in the kitchen but I know for sure that Jolie will have while cleaning the kitchen today.

"Don't laugh at me." He scowls and starts to pile the bowls on top of each other.

"What're you doing?" I ask him and grab his arm stopping him from cleaning up.

"This book is all bullshit." He points at the Martha Stewart cookbook. "I mean I've tried to fucking bake this shit and it's not working." He knocks down the olive oil bottle.

I can't hold it in anymore, and I break into a series of laughs.

"Cher." His jaw clicks, and I know that I should stop laughing but I can't.

"Tell me you didn't." I laugh. I can't contain them, it's not possible.

"Didn't what?" His face scrunches up in confusion.

"Use olive oil."

"This is—" Realization dawns on his face and he scowls again. "Stop laughing." He hisses.

"I'm sorry."

I do not attempt to stop the laughs escaping my mouth.

"You know what? It's my fault that I fucking tried to bake something for you." He says in a low gruff, and I immediately stop laughing.

He tried to bake something for me? Who is this guy? And what has he done to Ace?

I've thought that by today morning he will return back to his old teasing, ride, obnoxious self. But here he is, standing in the kitchen in the early morning, trying to bake for me.

He unties the knots of the apron, that I didn't notice he was wearing and throws it on one of the chairs.

When I realize that he will leave, I run to stop him by grabbing his arm.

"I'm sorry, Ace. I didn't mean to laugh at you." I tell him softly hoping he would come back to the kitchen.

"Whatever. I'm going upstairs." He jerks away but I go back and grab his arm.