It Takes Two to Tango

Chapter 10: Doubts

Aria

I sighed heavily, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Ace's insistence on explaining things had worn me down. He motioned towards the door of our bedroom, his demeanor unusually serious. "Let's talk. But not in here," he said, his voice carrying an unusual edge of earnestness. "I know the cameras are rolling outside the bedroom, and this is a private affair, but it's probably best I allow the truth out to the public also..."

His words hung in the air, heavy with implications. The thought of making our conversation public stirred a whirlpool of emotions in me. Once we stepped outside our room, the ever-watchful eyes of the cameras would be on us. I rolled my eyes, a mix of resignation and indifference. Why did I even care? Our relationship was a fabricated narrative, a contract designed to shape public perception. But maybe, just maybe, bringing this conversation into the open could play to our advantage. It would be Ace addressing the allegations head-on. I tried to convince myself this was the right move as I followed him outside.

The cool night air hit me, a stark contrast to the heated tension that seemed to trail behind us like a shadow. We made our way to the fire pit, the heart of the mansion's outdoor space. The flames crackled and danced, casting a warm, flickering light in the surrounding darkness. The fire pit was a place of communal gathering, but tonight, it felt like our own private arena, a stage set for a revealing act.

As we took our places near the fire, I could feel the prying eyes of the cameras on us, the unspoken audience to our private drama. I crossed my arms tighter, bracing myself for what was to come. Ace stood across from me, the firelight playing across his face, revealing a rare glimpse of vulnerability in his usually guarded expression.

The moment was set, the stage was ours.

"Okay, you've got five minutes to explain yourself, and you better not waste my time," I declared, forcing a toughness into my voice that I wasn't entirely sure I felt. Deep down, a nagging question haunted me - Did I even care? This was supposed to be nothing more than a charade, a means to an end for both of us. I shook my head slightly, trying to dispel these troubling thoughts.

Ace, with that signature nonchalance that somehow managed to be both infuriating and alluring, leaned against the railing. The firelight played across his handsome face, casting shadows that seemed to accentuate his confident demeanor. "Five minutes? That's more than enough," he said with a smirk that suggested he was unfazed by my ultimatum.

I squared my shoulders, determined not to let his casual attitude unnerve me. "So, explain. The ex-girlfriend, the tabloid photos. What's the story there?" My voice came out steadier than I expected, a clear contrast to the whirlwind of emotions churning inside me.

There was a flicker of something in his eyes, a brief moment where the facade seemed to crack, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He stood there, the embodiment of a rockstar caught in a scandal, yet there was a hint of earnestness that I hadn't noticed before. This conversation, under the scrutiny of the cameras and the stars, felt like a pivotal moment, one that could redefine everything I thought I knew about Ace and about this tangled web we were weaving together.

He looked at me, his expression an enigma in the dance of the firelight. "It wasn't planned, Aria. I was blindsided. I went to check on my mom and my ex showed up, thanks to my mom's meddling.My mom thinks we still have a shot together but she's delusional, it will never work again..." Ace trailed off.

I studied him intently, trying to decipher the truth behind his words. Ace always had this shield of bravado, a mask he wore so well in the public eye. But now, under the scrutiny of my gaze, there was something different. His usual facade of indifference was missing, replaced by a sincerity that was almost disarming.