Ace (Book 1)

Chapter 12. Breaking The Rules

Ace was still asleep when I woke up. The room was bright with sunlight. I moved his arm from around my waist and went into the bathroom to clean up and get dressed. Today was the day that I would find out the truth, and I was nervous.

When I came out of the bathroom, Ace was on the phone. Ace's hair was disheveled. The sheet fell to his bare waist. Ace propped himself up on his elbow as he spoke.

"Okay. She's awake. We'll be over soon," Ace said. Ace hung the phone up and gazed up at me. "Good morning."

"Good morning. Was that Carlos?"

"Yes. He wants us over there. The results are there."

"Did he tell you the result?"

"No, he hasn't opened them." Ace climbed off the bed and stretched.

"Coffee?" I asked.

"Yeah. I'll be down in a minute." Ace walked toward the bathroom.

The coffee brewed and filled the air with its aroma.

I poured coffee into two cups that I found in the cupboard. I turned with the two cups in my hand.

Ace was already at the kitchen island. I hadn't heard him come downstairs. Ace took the cup from me.

We stayed silent and drank our coffee. When we were finished, we walked out of the apartment.

"You look worried," Ace commented as he started the car.

"I am," I said. "I spent the last seventeen years believing that the man who beat me was my father. If there is the slightest chance that I could have one descent parent..." I trailed off and shrugged.

Ace nodded solemnly and gripped the steering wheel tighter.

We were quiet the rest of the way to Carlos's house.

A maid opened the door for us. "Carlos is in the study," she said politely.

The study door was open. Carlos sat at his desk with his head in his hands.

Andersen sat a drink down in front of him. "Are you okay?" Andersen asked Carlos.

"I've had an interesting life, but I have to tell you, John, this is the strangest part of my life so far," Carlos said to Andersen.

Andersen squeezed Carlos's shoulder.

Ace cleared his throat.

Carlos and Andersen gazed up at us.

"Good morning," Carlos greeted us.

"Did you open them yet?" I asked.

"I was waiting for you," Carlos said. Carlos handed an envelope to Andersen. "Will you do the honors?"

"Of course," Andersen said.

Ace and I sat down on the couch and watched Andersen open the envelope. There was a brief silence as Andersen read the results to himself.

Andersen placed the paper down in front of Carlos. "She is your daughter," Andersen said.

Carlos pursed his lips and stared down at the paper.

Ace walked over to the desk.

Carlos handed the papers to Ace. Ace read them as he walked back to me. Ace nodded and gave me the form.