Bodyguard: Ace Cain

|32| Will You Be Mine?

|Will You Be Mine?|

Another day passed, and my father hadn't been seen or heard from. As annoying as he is, the last thing I need is for him to go missing. He may not have stayed long, but he made an effort to check on me.

Sitting in the family room, I stared at my phone, hoping for a message. He needed to know about Noel having Mom's phone, but would he care? He seemed to value Noel Blackman more than our family.

I also considered texting Jake to apologize for my rudeness at school. He had been nothing but nice to me, and I responded poorly. Ace had informed me about Jake's past, so my reaction was unwarranted.

Just then, Ace entered the room, beaming. "Hey Reign, how are you?" he asked, his hazel eyes sparkling.

"Could be better," I replied. "What's got you so lively?"

He smiled wider. "I have a surprise for you."

A surprise? My curiosity piqued as he grabbed my hands and led me towards his room.

"This won't be perfect, but I hope you enjoy it," he said nervously.

I assured him I would appreciate it. "First you didn't start anything today, and now this? I owe you."

"You're the shit starter," he teased. "Now close your eyes."

I complied while he opened the door. The scent of candles and soft music filled the air. My heart raced with anticipation.

When I opened my eyes, I was stunned. A beautiful setup awaited us—candles, a delicious meal on a blanket, and a breathtaking sunset. I couldn't believe Ace had such a romantic side. This was gorgeous.

I turned toward him, my expression softening as I grasped the implications of his actions. "Is this—"

"A date." He smoothly finished my thought. "I know it's not exactly what it ought to be, but I wanted it to feel semi-special."

I couldn't help but pout my lips, a playful smile creeping onto my face. "You didn't have to do any of this, Ace," I replied, warmth flooding my chest. "It wasn't necessary."

He shook his head, his gaze unwavering. "But it was necessary because...well, there's so much happening between us," he confessed. "I'm not sure where your mind is, but I can't hold back any longer."

His words threw me for a loop. Despite our series of romantic escapades, we had never paused to define what we wanted from this whirlwind we were navigating. It was as if we had been dancing through an emotional haze without a map. This moment felt different, more grounded like the universe had decided to lay out its cards for us. Though I doubted anyone else would approve, all that truly mattered was that we made each other happy.

Feeling a wave of emotion wash over me, I crossed my arms, searching for a sense of calm. "W-What do you mean?" I stammered.

That familiar smirk crept back onto his face—a smirk I had come to adore. "Reign Helix," he said, inching closer, his voice a blend of mischief and sincerity. "Will you be mine?"

My breath hitched in my throat. I had never anticipated hearing those words from Ace. It was official: Ace had just asked me to be his girlfriend, and I was ready to say yes.

As shock swirled in my mind, I struggled to find my voice. He had crafted the perfect scene, using every resource at hand to turn this moment into a surprise.

His eyes searched mine, intensity radiating from him. I gulped, trying to regain my composure. Although my heart screamed yes, the suddenness of his question caught me off guard. Had he truly considered what dating someone like me entailed? My father, the age difference, his job—my mind raced with uncertainties.