Gone: A Portgas D Ace Love Tale

Chapter 7

I was dismissed with a smile from Whitebeard, who then needs to get his daily medical check up and I walked back in dazed. What is this? What is happening? Roger?

Roger?

"Need some help?" Thatch called out as I struggled to balance the tray and pots in my hand.

"We are a family. Thats what we are." He said, sitting on a stool while eating the leftover porridge, as I washed the dishes.

"I just dont understand why it's such a big deal. I mean, i'm not the first one who Ace involved with, and maybe not the only one..." my words trailed off to other women around him.

"But you are the first to get that." He said and I realised that is the reason why it is different. I washed my hand and stood against the counter, looking at him.

"He-he never give this to anyone else?"I gestured at the necklace, holding it in my hand. 

"Not that I know of. No." Thatch smiled and i blushed.

"I think he might want to show that you are his to all of us. So that we know." He continued and I pouted.

"I dont even want to be his." I replied cynically and we both laughed.

"But Thatch.. why did he act like that when Whitebeard asked him about me and him?" I remembered the way he looked at Whitebeard before running away.

"That.... It's best for him to tell you himself." He looked at me thoughtfully

"Wow, someone looked pretty." Ruka suddenly came into the kitchen and kissed Thatch's cheek, and he beamed at her. Ruka took a seat next to Thatch and I served her another bowl of the porridge, realizing that it was the last bowl. 

Ace didn't get to have second helping just now. I thought to myself as I passed the bowl to her, who started eating.

"You want to go out to the town?" Thatch started talking to Ruka and I went to the shelf, and look at what i can do. Ace will be back, and he must be hungry. I looked at the rice pot and Headchef must has cooked the rice before he left. 

"What are you doing?" Ruka asked as I brought some newly caught shrimp on the counter and started cutting them.

"Ace...." i said and she nodded, understood.

"I didnt realise you have a new necklace." She suddenly said, and i looked up, distracted from the shrimps.

"Owh.... umm.." I stopped cutting and held my breath. How should I say this.... 

"You dont have to explain." She smiled. I realised that Thatch is no longer in the kitchen.

" I recognised that red pearl anywhere." She grinned and looked at me, and I looked away.

"Is this for real?" She asked and I sighed.

"I dont know." I replied honestly. 

"What about you? Do you want to be with him?" She asked again and I stopped cutting the shrimp.

"I am scared. I am scared if I hold on to this, and one day he left me for another woman, and I'll go crazy. I'm scared to put my hopes up." I went to the sink and wash the seafood. The conversation stopped there.

As I ran the celery under the tap, I thought about my feelings. Ever since he saved me, i felt a strong need of him. At first, it is because he was my saviour. But then, it changed to something more than that. 

My heart beat fast when he is around. My lips became dry and i always have the urge to wrap my hands around him.

"Then let me ask you one question." Ruka suddenly said and I shrugged, drying the ingredients and took a wok. Fried rice will be nice for Ace.