Touching The Heart Of Ace (SAMPLE)

Chapter 1

"Mr. Scott, Dr. Hillston will see you, now."

The perky receptionist announced after I had finished my tea.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

My new life.

Dr. Hillston was a beautiful lady in her forties. She was genuinely happy to see me. Well, mainly because graduates from M.I.T never bothered to do their masters in this university.

But this was what I needed.

"Mr. Scott we are delighted to have you. We were bit doubtful when you did not show up on the first Configuration day. Thank you for coming today. If you do not mind, why did you choose our college?"

Because someone told me that I should not stress about names of the university while choosing my further studies. He said I should only focus on what I wanted to study. Rest; I could do it on my own.

And I was running from that person and he would not find me here.

"Your programmes. Many colleges do not have this subject under their curriculum."

"Oh."

She expected more. She wanted me to praise her college for the mediocre performance and under-working faculties.

"Yes, our college is one of the daring ones. Currently only fifteen students have enrolled but with students like you, we are sure the strength will rise by following years." She was optimistic. "There have to be some other reasons to choose us. We would love to hear your expectations."

No matter how hard she was digging, I was not going to lie.

"Dean promised that he would personally handle my schedules. Unrestricted laboratory and library access, extra credits for tutoring grad-students and residence in faculty area."

She was not happy but oh, well!

"We are not doing as good as we want to be. Administrative board had decided to bring some considerable changes and we hope you will help us reach our goal."

I was surprised.

I knew about their issues but for her to be truthful was admirable, considering I could leave without any remorse.

"Yes, I have promised the Dean about the tutoring if they do not affect my studies and personal time."

I was younger than many students, that would be an issue while teaching the final years.

Dean was adamant that the students would appreciate it, but he was sugar-coating.

"Is there any other reason for you to choose us? We are, of course, one of the top twenty colleges in US but a kid of your calibre have better choices."

"No Ma'am, no other reason. Just this course was not offered by many reputable colleges."

I closed my eyes hoping I would not see the gorgeous steel grey eyes in my mind.

                         ***

"He is searching for you." Jason said carefully.

I finished my cake without bothering to reply.

"How is the internship?" I asked instead.

"Mom breaths down my neck literally." He pretended to be annoyed but he was soaking up her attention.

I smiled.

"She misses you. She tries to understand that you have grown up but it is difficult on her..." Jason was always a worry wart. "...it is difficult on me."

"Have you checked the codes I sent?" I tried to change the subject but he was a dog with bone when it came to me.

"Why are you not coming home?"

"You know very well why."

Jason sighed. "If you guys talk..."

"We never talk." I said with finality.

Jason was hurt but there was nothing I could do.

"I am fine, Jason. Wipe off that look."

"I am losing you. I can feel it. You are not the same. Please, whatever you are going through, I can help."

We both knew whatever I was going through, could not be helped.

Unless that someone backed off.

"He tried to 'bug' me." Jason squirmed in his seat.

I was not supposed to be surprised, but I was.

"The day we planned the fake-meet, there was a 'bug' on the shirt collar. I found it and he was not happy with me."

"I figured when you invited me to this café. I just did not want to believe." My intuitions laughed at me for hoping for the best.

That meant he figured out, I was not the one who was texting to him. It took me five sleepless nights to get that code running smoothly.

I underestimated him.

I thought I had more time.

He tried to bug Jason, that meant he knew we met frequently.

Of course he knew.

He knew me better than I did myself.

"I think you should be more careful; he is losing it. Especially with what you did to his company."

Jason was hiding something.

"What is it?"

He gulped.

I went to his new penthouse...more like sneaked in, to plant the 'bug' in his own closet. It was not pretty. He is cracking."

What did I feel?

Sadness? Hurt? Fear?

I sipped on my cappuccino.

"What did you do?"

"I was in no position to do anything. But I have a feeling he is going to hunt you down. I had to rent two cars to get here. He is losing it."

"There is more to this story, right?"

"His whole penthouse is covered in your photos, Dave. Some are compromising."

I was now scared. I shivered went from spine and shook my shoulders.

"I punched him the next day, several punches in fact."

And Jason was still walking???

"Exactly! I expected him to kill me or at least hurt me back. He did not. He took punches and kicks. He just kept on asking where you were. I thought he was going to cry."

Tears were falling to my cup but I did nothing about it.

"He almost slipped that you were the reason why he came drunk to a board meeting. Thankfully I was able to stabilize him and took on the presentation."

That did it.

I ran.

I ran through the traffic, ignoring Jason's shouts.

Oh my god!

Please...

Why?

Why me?

Why him?