The Heart Of Ace

Chapter 44

I had no idea what I was doing.

I was happy that Robbie was acknowledging me. I was happy to see his eyes twinkle with pride and happiness.

But then why was I avoiding him?

We were okay, I guess.

He still stole kisses from me. He still groped me every chance he got.

I still secretly enjoyed his advances.

And I still missed him like crazy, though he was literally in the same house as I was, which made no sense.

I wanted to be with him all the time.

My body yearned to accept his body but...

But... I had no idea what I was doing.

I sighed!

I was excited to tell him about our project-success to a point where that was all I thought about 24x7.

Now, that he knew I felt like I had no real purpose.

Why was I excited again?

I knew he never loved me. I just felt like he did. I knew I was wrong from the start.

He loved his wife. I understood why he felt jealous and angry but he did not need go to Paris with his wife for that.

I was worried sick for him because I had this idea that I was his one and only, and he would be with me if he could. That nothing less than physical impossibility would keep him away from me.

I was some stupid idiot who thought...

He could have at least cancel the plans with me, so I would not have stood there like a thrown-away-pet waiting for its owner.

I was just not worth it. I was not worthy of him.

Jason said everything would feel better in time.

"Still basking in the glow of proving me wrong, I see."

There, this. This was what wrong with me!

This irrational happiness I felt when Robbie talked, smiled or did whatever he did.

I would feel my heart getting full, then when I thought I would fall apart, the stupid thing expanded and got filled up again.

I could not help the smile from forming.

"I am always right." I sassed.

He was so handsome and sexy.

Just not mine. It was okay. He was happy and what else did I need?

He stood right in front of me. "I still do not trust him."

I chuckled. "Yeah, I figured." He was a silly baby.

"You've been avoiding me." He was getting angry.

"I am not. Just busy." I was busy. I had so much time in my hands and I had no idea what to do. So, I immersed myself in work, project, extra studies, helping Frankie and all that jazz.

"Too busy for me?" He bit through his teeth. "I saw you and him playing Xbox."

I shrugged. "He is a big fan of yours. He was waiting for you, but you were busy."

Busy with his family duties as my mom said. I did not ask; she did not tell. Why beat up my already punctured heart?

It was funny how my stupid heart inflated and deflated like a balloon.

"I will never be too busy for you." He announced and I laughed.

I nodded anyways.

Everything was a lie. I was just a distraction. I knew it; he knew it.

It felt good to hear the lies. To be his only priority. To be his everything.

He was busy with his wife on my birthday. It was okay. It was my stupid heart that was not. But Jason said I should give myself time and I had plenty of it.

When the vacation started I was worried I would not get enough rest, now I just wanted this to be over. Liz and I needed to get our final semester project done. Hmm. We failed four consecutive times.

Robbie was standing close, too close. I stepped sideways. Him being close was making me miss him more.

"You are avoiding me." He followed my steps.

"Robert! Mrs. Brantley is on phone, Sir." Frankie announced holding the house wireless.

I excused to Robert I retreated to my room.

They might need their privacy. When we talked we... Whatever!

'Mrs. Brantley.' Robert insisted Frankie to call him by his name because he was basically my family but the moment Janice was wedded she wanted everyone to call her Mrs. Brantley.

I could get behind that sentiment. If he was mine, I would also want everyone to know that I was his.

"Angel!"

I frowned. Did he talk to his wife that fast? I barely turned my back.

"Come to my room, I want to give your birthday present."

"You already did." It was there in my closet, unopened. I did not feel like opening it. If it was anything like the Christmas gift, I would beg him to...

No. Not anymore. It was not right.

"No, that was not it. I had one for your real birthday."

I shook my head, smiling. Oh! That gift! Of course! Old potion in new bottle, huh!

"I really have your gift, Angel." He hissed.

"You are a few weeks late, Robbie. The one you gave me is more than enough."

He grabbed my wrist. "Stop avoiding me!"

"I am not avoiding you. I am talking to you!"

"Then, come with me. You will really love it." He was confident. It was cute. I melted. My Robbie.

"One is enough. I celebrated my birthday with my friends. You can forward the gift to someone else." I patted his hand on my wrist.

"I had it done especially for you." He was really angry. He threw tantrums if something did not go his way. Big baby!

"Then hold on to it. You can give it to me on my next one."

"Ace! I want you to come with me."

The phone rang in his hand. I freed my wrist from his.

"Might be your..." I cleared my throat. "might be someone important. I do not need an outdated birthday present Robbie. Excuse me, I have a dinner date with my mom."

I hugged him to show that I was indeed okay with him not being with me or not giving me a present on my actual birthday.

He smelled divine. I loved him so much. I pulled away before I got hot and bothered.

Now, I had to convince mom to clear her schedule, so I could take her to our favourite Indian restaurant. I would tell I just wanted to surprise her.

Why was I making my life so difficult? I had an easy one. 'Stick to what you already have and work your way up' was my mom's motto.

I should too. It was just... sigh!

My stupid heart tugging me to run to his arms.

My stupid body aching for his touches.

My stupid mind dreaming of us being real lovers.

Stupid, stupid me!