The Bound Collision

Chapter 37

"Stand still", I mumbled as I rolled up Ace's right sleeve while he held his ice cream. I gave two three turns before tucking the fabric in, "Here, done!", I said smiling at him.

"Thanks, Pookie!" Ace chirped, his attention already back on his ice cream. The way he said it, with such pure, innocent joy, made my heart swell a little. I ruffled his hair a bit before standing up again. As I expectantly looked towards the direction that Gemini had gone. He went to get ice-cream for both us too.

About two weeks ago, Ace had randomly sprung into my office asking me to join him and Gemini to their mall trip, "Pookie, you wanna join? Let's go it'll be sooooo fun!!!!", he had squealed 

"Join? Why are going in the first place?", I said my voice a bit stern, as I squinted my eyes, "Don't you have your first term starting tomorrow?"

Ace blinked his big eyes in the cutest manner ever before he sat in front me with the pleading face. 

"C'mon, Fourth. It's just a quick trip. He's been studying hard. He deserves a break.", Gemini said as he winked at me

I squinted at Gemini, who was trying his best to look innocent. "Don't 'c'mon' me, Gemini. You know better than to encourage him to go out right before an exam. What if he doesn't get enough rest tonight?"

"But I really want to...", Ace trailed

I sighed, I know Gemini. It has to be him who initiated the idea, I can't let Ace exert himself more before an exam. I remember how mom used to even restrict me and Ford in eating any random thing during exam saying we shouldn't be falling sick.

"Baby, of course you can go....but not now", I said as Ace looked at me, "You should rest, but stay at home only"

Ace looked down. God-I can't see him sad now.

"How about we go right on the day you're done with your exams?", I said, my voice soft.

Ace looked up, still pouting, "Really?"

"Yes, I promise, you can do whatever you want there", I said smiling softly at Ace

"Why don't we all g-", Gemini was about to suggest something more before I shot him a stern glance and he immediately shut his mouth. I had just negotiated with Ace I can't let him ruin it with another idea.

Ace just got done with his First-term exams today so as Gemini and I picked him up we directly took him to the mall. And the first thing Ace asked, was for an ice-cream. 

I won't lie, Gemini did ask me if I wanted one while he was buying the butter-scotch cone for Ace. He didn't ask me just once, but three times. Now, after walking away from there, 10 minutes later, I realised I wanted the Belgium Choco-chip. So Gemini asked us to stay here while he went back to the Ice-cream parlor to get me one. (I am sorry okay, I didn't quite want an ice-cream back then, but then, I realised, I wanted one now-I am sorry *ahem*. Though Gemini didn't seem to be irritated by it at all, He simply asked me which one I wanted, smiled sweetly at me, asked me to wait and went away-)

So now I was standing here with Ace, waiting for Gemini to come back. The mall around us was a picture of elegance, with polished marble floors that gleamed under the soft, golden lights. Tall, sleek pillars adorned with gold accents framed the open space, and crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting a warm, inviting glow.

We were on the third floor, with a clear view of the atrium below, where a grand fountain sent water cascading in graceful arcs. The storefronts around us were like art galleries, showcasing the latest in high fashion, each display more luxurious than the last. The scent of expensive perfume mingled with the faint aroma of coffee from a café below.