Playing With Spades (GxG)

Chapter 2 - Strawberries

|feat. photo of Allison|

Spade's POV

It intoxicated every cell in my body. My heart drummed as I look at Ace beside me who seemed to have notice my uneasiness. I was scared to face the owner of the voice. Yet a tinge of excitement was present.

"Excuse me Miss Vermillion," I hear the gentleman call. I took a deep breath before slowly turning my head once more to his direction, a smile already plastered on my face as I was met with a pair of light brown eyes. "I'd like for you to meet my daughter, Allison Knight."

She was smiling when she offered her hand to shake but as soon as she focused on my face it slowly deflated to a thin line and a confused unsteady gaze.

I don't know what came over me but I did. My smile became genuine and playful. I was Spade, a Vermillion, a winner. And I clearly saw as the tables turned. Maybe it was just right that we were assigned here. That I face my monsters and fears.

"Hi little dove," I reach her hand to shake but didn't let go immediately. I met her eyes with new confidence. "It's been three years since I last saw you." I let go of her hand.

"D-dani?" She stuttered the old gentleman seem to have been shock too.

"Yes, adopted and Spade Vermillion now." I smile once more. Her eyes was a storm of emotions. Mostly confusion.

"H-how have you been? Dani, I'm sorr--" I cut her short. "Come on, let bygones be bygones. But it's nice to have seen you again." I say. Suddenly her expression became blank as she stared at me her eyes not leaving mine.  It seems she wants to say something but decided not to. She was still read-able as ever.

"I'll just see you around Ally. And it's good to see you too, Sir. But I need to go follow my sister over there. We'll catch up next time." I smile at Mr. Knight, which he returned with a warm one. He was always nice to me.

I followed Ace around entertaining people and exchanging business cards. I didn't actually get a bite on that "lunch party", so by the time people started saying their good byes I sneaked into the kitchen to eat and I found a drunk Jack.

"Oh hello Spadey, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine, we met earlier at the boring party a waiter introduced me to him." She leans forward and in a whisper, "I think I'm straight for this one." And she winks at me. I'm smiling now entertained with my younger sister's antics. She straightens up and pushes a bottle forward.

"Meet my new friend, Jack. We have the same first name and we really get along. How cute is that?" I snickered trying hard to suppress a laugh. "Spade Vermillion meet Jack Daniels! My future hubby. Watch me kiss him." She removes the bottle cap and holds the almost empty bottle to her lips and downed the whole thing. "Fvck!!! Now, that Spade is an electrifying kiss." And I can longer stiffle my laughter. Jack slowly dropped her head on the counter and closed her eyes.

I stopped laughing and pat a snoring Jack on the shoulder a smile painted on my face. "Thanks for the laugh bud." I continued on to the fridge to grab a meal.

"Why am I not surprised that she's drunk and passed-out this early in the afternoon. Grab me a beer, please." Ace says as I hear a chair being pulled. I put a cold donut in my mouth and held a container of cold lasagna on the other. And grabbed two cans of beer on the other. I stood up and pushed the fridge door close with my hips. I slid the container of lasagna inside the open microwave and shut it. I opened the two beers and reached one can to Ace and sits on the other side of the kitchen counter, she was seated beside the drunky. "Thanks!" Ace says as she puts the can up to her lips. I took the donut out of my mouth and finished it. Ace was staring at me intently.

I rolled my eyes at her. "Yes, she's that Ex."

She smiled, "You're getting good at guessing my questions. So how do you feel about it? I saw your signature smile earlier. The kind you give when something cunning runs in your head."

"What are you talking about?" It was my turn to smile.

"You know exactly what I mean. I just want to remind you though, we Vermillions don't play a game we can't win." Ace says looking at me straight. I just gave her a smile and chug down my beer.

Later in the afternoon, after putting the drunky to bed. I decided to drive around town in my black Ducati D16NRR. This town had surely progressed in the span of 3 years. Well, I did change a lot in the span of those years. Forcibly. A must that I do for myself.

As I was passing through the Centro, the town's commercial spot, I stopped by an all too familiar corner. I stop the engine and pull my helmet off. I got off and placed the helmet on the seat. It was clearly a no parking zone but I wasn't gonna stay long. I sighed. Same old humid afternoon air and same old commercial building, except that, no more laundry shop that used to be here and it didn't smell of nice detergent anymore but of newly baked donuts. I look up at the sign blankly, it wasn't our shop anymore, I just have to be here and slowly accept facts. I've accpeted it long, long ago but I can't help but miss her. I hope your happy there with Dad, Mom. You two are so sly for living me here and enjoying yourselves without little old Danielle annoying you. But I'll live!

I wasn't aware that a smile already creeped it's way to my face. But it didn't last long when the door opened from the donut shop and if it wasn't enough a gust of wind blew and my nose was hit with the aroma of fresh baked pastries and the sweet scent of strawberries. And I just had to silently exhale the trauma it caused in my heart and lift my head up to meet once again those hazel eyes. I smiled. "D-- Spade," she stuttered.

"Hi, Miss Knight." I greeted. She raised an eyebrow, looked the other side before turning her gaze back at me and smiled. "Hi --," The bell on the shop door ringed, a sign that  door was once again opening. I immediately took a few step forward to save her fall. I grabbed her hand that held coffee firmly as to not spill it and my other hand around her torso and steady my body so we both don't lose our balance. Since she was standing on an elevated step of the shop her face was directly at the same level as of mine. I inhaled her breathe that smells of strawberries but with a tinge of mint.  My eyes easily lingered on her lips.

"Watch it missy! You don't stand around public doors. " An old lady came out of the shop irritated as she walk away still murmuring.

"Ahm, you can let go of me now." Allison said. Snapping back to reality. I slowly let go of her.

"You okay?" I said taking a step back and she took a step forward down the elevated steps of the shop.

"I am, thanks to you. Do you wanna grab some coffee? You know as thanks." she smiled more warmly now and I can't help but remember all the times she gave me that smile when she was mine.

"I..  Still have to go somewhere though. But! I'll hold you to that coffee you offered." I said as I stepped by my bike and grabbed my helmet. "One of this days." I said smiling to her as I got on. She was just starring at me and nod.

"Yeah... Sure, you just tell me when." She said.

"Take care now." I winked before bringing the engine to life and putting my helmet on and drove off. I know I should have let her leave first but I gotta save my heart for now from beating so fast and my mind in chaos of right and wrong. I have yet to accept some facts about Ally.

I passed by a flower shop and grabbed a bouquet of flowers. And droved to the far end of town where the cemetery was and looked for my mother's grave. After having her burial I flew to Greece with my new adopted parents and haven't visited her till now. Her grave was under the shade of a huge oak tree. She hates having to deal with the heat of the sun so I made sure she got a shaded spot. There was a fresh basket of flowers. And few other withered ones. I squated to grab a note on one of the flowers. It must have been there for long cause the writings had faded I couldn't read it anymore. I grabbed the basket of fresh flowers and looked for a note which I gladly found.

"I have learned that grief is another name for love,"

No name, from who is this. I took the card into the pocket of my leather jacket.