339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCSkWYnc92
Audrey felt a shiver run down her spine as Ace's eyes locked onto hers. She couldn't deny the attraction between them, but she was scared of getting hurt.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwudsleBap
"I need time to think," she said finally, turning to leave.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWJUNSDsZX
Ace nodded, but his voice stopped her. "Audrey, wait."
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMJ7eX5AZa
She turned back to see him holding out a small piece of paper.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rofkvxFli
"My number," he said. "In case you want to talk... or meet up."
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETQvpYY9ZG
Audrey took the paper, her fingers brushing against his. It was like a spark of electricity had passed between them.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv9iUoK4vX
As she walked away, she couldn't help but wonder what she was getting herself into.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJDqcqTznX
That night, Audrey found herself staring at Ace's number, her mind racing with possibilities. She thought about James's warning, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that Ace was different.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSTSHSwwQy
I must have slept off because when i woke up, my body was aching from sleeping on the floor. I cursed myself for passing out from crying too much, a new habit I wasn't fond of. Mrs. Bree, our maid, knocked on the door, and I struggled to respond, my legs and voice failing me.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Lskt4xdJE
After what felt like an eternity, I managed to tell her I'd be with her shortly. I checked my phone and saw 18 missed calls and 45 unread WhatsApp messages. I ignored a call from an unknown number and began to get up, hissing in pain as my legs stung from laying in the wrong position for too long.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJmWwviIll
As I got ready for a quick hot shower, I thought about James's warning and felt my head spinning with worry. But I decided to focus on ignoring Ace and shutting down my friends' encouragement.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk75JwUPDP
Feeling better after my shower, I walked into the room to grab my phone and found Ace sitting on my bed, playing with my phone. I screamed, and he held me down, teasing me about dressing in front of him. I asked him why he was with Estella, sounding jealous, and he scowled, looking for answers on the ceiling.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOjGrrIyuV
He pulled me close, almost touching lips, and asked if I wanted to know how he got in. I gave him an apologetic look, and he laughed, teasing me about being smartly cautious. He pinched my butt, and I told him to stop, but he promised to go soft on me.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cCgNJazMu
Finally, he let me go, and I said I'd be back, stealing a glance at him before leaving. My heart felt warm and at peace.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dnqEgx8WN
As I walked downstairs, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Ace was hiding something. But at the same time, I couldn't deny the connection we shared. I felt like I was torn between my head and my heart.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhvNcYlIXl
Mrs. Bree greeted me warmly and asked if I was okay. I nodded, trying to brush off my worries. But she could see right through me.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAgVX4Tgwi
"Audrey, what's going on?" she asked, concern etched on her face.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6st23S1gD
I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But something about Mrs. Bree's kind eyes made me open up.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmTGtPHnhg
"It's just... Ace," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what to make of him."
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIjthlV3O2
Mrs. Bree nodded thoughtfully. "Ah, Ace. He's a complicated one, that's for sure."
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CWohvuMrx
"Complicated?" I repeated. "That's an understatement."
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTDilhuSzr
Mrs. Bree chuckled. "Well, let's just say he's got a lot of layers. But I think he's worth getting to know, if you're willing to take the risk."
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1tY70G7Fb
I raised an eyebrow. "Risk?"
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkg4JuluFz
Mrs. Bree nodded. "Yes, risk. Because when you get close to Ace, you're not just getting close to him - you're getting close to his secrets, his fears, his demons."
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPLSy82fUg
I felt a shiver run down my spine. What secrets was Ace hiding? And was I ready to face them head-on?
ns216.73.216.25da2
