ACE

Chapter 34: Mine

Playlist for this Chapter: Dress by Taylor Swift.

* * *

I stared at him as he looked at me with frustration.

What the actual fuck.

"You— You love me?" I looked at him in disbelief and he sighed.

"Merda." (Shit.) He whispered and walked over to me, gripping my waist and pulling me in, crashing his lips on mine. 

But this kiss was different. It was full of pain, full of hurt, longing and regret.

Full of love.

He pulled away, resting his forehead against mine while I stared at him absolutely startled, not expecting this at all.

"You weren't supposed to know, not yet at least. I had a whole thing planned for us. A romantic getaway to Italy with dinner by the beach. I'd hold your hand and kiss you, tell you I loved you." He whispered, looking deep into my eyes.

But I just stayed quiet, because I couldn't form any words.

"I love you, infinitely. And I'm sorry it took me this long to realize it. I love you and I will not let you fall." He whispered and I stared into his beautiful eyes, not wanting to let this moment pass.

"Say something, for fuck's sake." He grunted and I let out a shaky breath.

I didn't what to say. I'd been denying it every day since I left him for the past year, but it was what it was. Love. So blurted out the first thing that came to my mind.

"No." I said, and it definitely caught both of us off guard.

"No?" He repeated, his eyes turning a shade darker when I nodded firmly.

Don't give in.

"No. Have you forgotten our unfortunate break up, Nicholas? Or was it even a break up at all? Considering you were, oh, I don't know, engaged?" I asked furiously when he shook his head and pursed his lips.

"I know you have questions, and I will answer each and every one of them." He said raising his hands in mock surrender when I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Explain then. Who the hell was Sofia?" I asked him and his jaw clenched.

"She was a mistake. I was drunk and she took advantage of that. It was a low time in my life, my father had died not long ago and she somehow used that to her advantage." 

"Her father had forced the engagement on me a few years ago, and for some stupid reason, I agreed, because it was beneficial to both our families. Love was never on my agenda. It never is for people like me." He said thoughtfully.

Who could take advantage of someone when they're drunk?

"Her father was a good friend of my father's and knew him pretty well. He somehow managed to convince me that the engagement was for the best. I only found of her true intentions later when I caught her sleeping around with other men."

"I never slept with other women while I was engaged to her, nor did I sleep with her, but I was loyal, because loyalty means a lot to me. She broke my trust, so I broke the engagement. And besides, I found later she was actually only after my money." He said, looking deep into my eyes when I nodded slowly.

"Then why did she say she was still your fiancé?" I asked.

"I don't know why she pulled that stupid act, but it was dealt with." He assured me.