IVY RIVERA’S APARTMENT
Ivy was busy cleaning the house when her son raced into the living room. “So mom I heard you talking to Aunt Emily earlier, when is she coming?” He questioned.
Ivy eyebrows snapped together. “Hey you boy! Were you eavesdropping on every calls I made today?!” She feigned a angry look.
“No mom.. I was just passing by your room when I heard you talking on the phone.” Leroy countered.
“Oh was I speaking so loud?” Ivy asked retaining her normal facial expression.
“Yes mom.” Leroy answered.
Ivy chuckled. “My bad.”
“So when is aunt Emily coming around?” Leroy pestered his mom.
“Your aunt will be here tomorrow.” Ivy answered her son.
“Tomorrow? Woah I am so happy that I will finally get to meet aunt Emily!” Leroy exclaimed with excitement on his face.
“Are you that excited?”
“Yes.. it has always been the two of us. So it is cool to have someone else join us.. or maybe more people.” Leroy pursed his lips when he noticed his mom’s countenance changed.
Ivy knew her son missed having not just a father but also family.
“I am sorry mom.. I didn’t mean to say it that way.” Leroy apologized.
“Come here sweetie.” She managed to smile and spread her arms.
Leroy went to embrace her. “You don’t need to apologize for anything.” She ruffled his hair when he pulled away to look at his mom.
“What is it?” She asked.
“So I was wondering – ” Leroy stopped.
“What do you want?” Ivy parted his curls thinking that her son needed to change his look soon.
“Can we go out to get ice cream today?” Leroy blurted.
“You want ice cream?” She asked and Leroy nodded.
“Why don’t you help me finish dusting? Then I’ll take you out for ice cream when it two.” Ivy made her offer.
“Sure no problem but can I get French fries too or chips?” Leroy added his own offer.
“No.” Ivy objected.
“Why mommmm?” Leroy grumbled.
“If you want both then you must help me dust and you must eat some cucumber too.” Ivy stated.
Leroy paused considering his mom’s offer. “That’s not a fair deal.”
“Take it?” Ivy smiled.
“No mom, let’s make it ice cream, french fries and a strawberry shake then I will eat cucumbers. You know I don’t like cucumber but that my final offer.” Leroy stated.
“Did you just say final offer?” Ivy tweaked his nose gently.
“Yes mom, that’s my final offer.” Leroy replied.
“I’ll take it then.” Ivy accepted.
“Wooowwww… Thanks mom you are the best!” Leroy embraced his mom tightly.
“Alright now let’s clean up the house.” Ivy pulled away from her son.
Ivy had noticed the look in Leroy’s face when he woke up. She knew he wanted to ask questions about his dad. And She knows he was looking for a way to meet his dad again that’s why he was suddenly asking to go out for ice cream.
* * * * *
CLARK CORPORATION
(IN MR ACE OFFICE)
Mr Clark’s eyes trailed on his son as he came closer and sat on the couch facing him directly. “You called for me dad,” Ace said, unbuttoning the few buttons on his suit.
Mr Clark has a clear annoyance on his face. “You didn’t you show up for the engagement party at Anderson’s place last night?” He cracked.
Ace nodded his head in agreement. “I had other things to tend to last night.” He answered.
“What other things? Your engagement party isn’t important? Come on Ace, you know better that your bride should now be your top priority. How could you miss a party organized for you and your wife?!” Mr Clark scolded his son.
“Dad, can we have this conversation later? I have to be somewhere very important.” Ace glanced down at his wrist watch. He was late to meeting up with Ivy and his son.
Mr Clark furrowed his eyebrows. “I’d rather we discuss it now. Missing your engagement party is a way out of place, Ace!” He snapped at his son.
Ace just simply look at him and nodded his head slowly. He wasn’t ready for this argument with his dad. His mind was focused on meeting with Ivy and Leroy.
“You should apologize to the Andersons for ditching everyone yesterday night. Take some time off work, go straight to their house and apologize to them.” Mr Clark pointed at him.
He had apologized to Camilla, giving some reasons that he couldn’t even remember. All he knew was that he had managed to calm her down with a promise to make things up to her and they were good now.
“Anderson was so angry last night so it’s only polite that you go and see him. You have to go to the Anderson’s home.” Mr Clark insisted in a commanding tone.
Ace didn’t like the way he sounded.
Ace breathed out and stood up immediately. “You can’t keep ordering me around because I am it a kid anymore.” He objected.
“Look who is claiming to not be a kid anymore? You missed your engagement party, who else does that?!” Mr Clark yelped.
“Me does that! Ace Clark does that! I am so sick and tired of you trying to just order me around. Can’t I just get some time off this engagement of a thing?” Ace retorted.
He was angry.
“Are you seeing another woman aside Camilla?!” Mr Clark blurted out.
“What?” Ace gasped out.
Mr Clark pointed his fingers at his son. “Are you seeing another woman?” He repeated
“I quit seeing women long time ago.” Ace answered with a sincere look on his face.
“Ace, I will find out whatever you are up to this time around.” Mr Clark mumbled.
Ace hadn’t stopped thinking of how he would break the news of his son to his father. He couldn’t stop imagining how he would react to the news once he finds out the truth. He wanted to tell him right now – right there but he concluded that his father wasn’t ready for such now. He should get to know his son before telling anyone about him.
“Dad, if you don’t give me the chance to-”
“I want you to focus on Camilla.” Mr Clark cut him off mid-sentence.
“And why is this just about Camilla! Camilla! Camilla! You really don’t seem to care about how I feel! All you know is Camilla when you don’t even care to know if I even love her!” Ace was breathing out heavily when he ended his statement.
This issue was getting out of his hand and he needed to take in a fresh air to relax his mind. Mr Clark was taken aback by Ace sudden outburst.
“I feel too pressured about this whole thing. It’s.. it’s like I am the only one getting this whole burden on my shoulder. And all I just want to do is get out of this mess and end this whole thing at once.” Ace huffed after expressing his thought.
This is getting way too much for him to handle.
“You dare not even think of trying to back out now!” Mr Clark snapped.
This is no need wasting time anymore since his daddy doesn’t seem to understand or care about he was feeling right now.
Ace ran his hand over his face one time. “I am calling off my wedding.” He lisped.
Mr Clark eyes widened in shock and his mouth dropped immediately. “What?!” He gasped.
Ace never wanted this whole marriage of a thing. Getting engaged to Camilla was just an arranged relationship by their parents. They made it look like he must get married to Camilla by force it and Ace couldn’t do it anymore. He had thought about these for months now but there seemed to be no way out of the situation. He was being forced to get married but things was different with Camilla. She wanted to marry Ace because she loved him and it was like a dream come true for her. Ace had every reasons to call off the wedding, he doesn’t love his bride and finding out about his son’s existence, he doesn’t want to miss anymore of his life. No beating around the bush, Ace knew what he wanted right now which was to be with his son and Ivy, the woman he has loved for many years now.
“I.. I… can’t do this anymore. I am sorry.” He mumbled.
Ace walked out of the office before his dad could say another word.