ACE

Chapter 59: Sorry Faces & Suited Men

Playlist for this Chapter: Lavender Haze by Taylor Swift.

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Morning came sooner than expected but I didn't sleep after Dove had the nightmare. I kept her close in my arms while she slept soundly.

At nearly 10 a.m. did she stir in her sleep and opened her eyes slowly. She looked confused at first but then raised her head to look at me.

We stared at each each other for a moment and when I reached out to push a stray strand of her hair away from her face, she flinched and closed her eyes immediately.

She flinched, like she was scared.

I retracted my hand away quickly and she moved out of my embrace, her warmth leaving me cold while she looked around.

"Love? How are you feeling?" I whispered but she just looked at me intently.

Something like realization flicked across her features and she suddenly embraced me, making me fall on my back onto the bed with her on top. She held me like her life depended on it and I wrapped my arms around her too.

When she pulled away, our lips were inches apart but before she could move away, I crashed my lips onto hers and kissed her hard, flipping her over so she was under me.

I kissed her with a new found passion, like I was afraid she was going to run away if I left her. I couldn't take that. When I pulled away, her eyes were still closed and tears flowed down her cheeks.

Did I do something wrong?

I pulled away quickly and pulled her up with me.

"I'm so sorry, my love, I just wanted to kiss you, I never meant to hurt you, I'm so sorry. For everything, last night and right now, please forgive me." I said it all in one breath my eyes begging for her attention but she shook her head.

"You hurt me." She spoke, her voice cracking when I closed my eyes in frustration.

"I know, I know, and I'm truly sorry. It won't happen again, I promise you."  I said when she nodded slowly but sceptically, the tears not stopping even now as my brows furrowed.

"I'm sorry," She chuckled nervously, "I don't know what's wrong with me." 

She looked up a the ceiling, trying to keep the tears at bay but failed and her lips quivered. I pulled her into my arms as she clutched onto my shirt, tears staining the front while I rubbed her back.

"Tell me what happened. What did you see last night?" I asked her softly and she thought for a moment before relaying the whole dream to me.

"I flinched when you tried to touch me because of his slap. It bruised my face badly because his ring left a cut." She said and I clenched my teeth, swallowing the anger.

"It's okay, I'm here now." I whispered and she nodded when Richard knocked on our door to inform us of breakfast.

"How about a shower, hmm?" I asked her and she nodded, so I led her to the bathroom and turned on the shower. As I turned to walk out her hand caught my wrist but she winced from the cut on her hand.

"What's wrong?" I asked her worriedly and she looked at me biting her lip.

"Can you stay? Shower with me, I mean. Please?" She asked with fearful eyes when I gave her a soft smile, nodding and took off my shirt and helped her with her clothes.

She exhaled when she stepped under the shower and I slowly massaged her shoulders. She relaxed against my body and put her head on my shoulder, her back pressing against my front.