Ace’s gaze swivelled over the waiting room, looking directly towards the door. He was getting so intense. He needed to see the doctor walk out from that room with good news.
A TV played quietly in one corner, a distraction that might help keep his attention away from the operating room but it wasn’t helpful.
Beside him were empty seats. Looking worried, Ace placed his two arms into his pocket as he glanced at those empty seats and walked to and fro like a man who is impatiently waiting for his wife to put to bed.
The sound of doors sliding open and shut made him more curious as his eyes didn’t leave the door.
Screams, cries, gasps, grunts/hisses of pain, people talking in low voices, intercom calling out codes/directions, squeaky wheelchairs made the reception look more busy. Ace’s eyes never left each scene he could witness. Especially the scene of a woman in labour who got into the labour room with the help of some nurses.
“Boss, the doctor said everything will be fine. The operation will be done within 6 hours. An hour just passed. We have 5 more hours and you haven’t rested. At least, have a seat.” Cynthia pleaded but Ace didn’t say a word to her. He gazed at her and in no time, he sat like a gentleman but his eyes didn’t stop looking at the theatre door.
Slightly shaking his feet, he glanced at Cynthia who now saw how his eyes suddenly turned red. Ace didn’t want Cynthia to see how weak he had become suddenly so he immediately stood up from the seat and walked outside, not minding it was already getting dark. Getting outside, he took a few steps towards a dark area where the reflection of light wasn’t getting to and stood at a place with his hands still inside his pocket. He made sure he wasn’t seen by anyone.. Hot tears dropped from his eyes as he sobbed. Falling to the ground with his knees, gritting his teeth continuously. He shut his eyes tightly and inhaled deeply. Suddenly, he immediately stood on his feet, wiping off his tears the moment he remembered he was the great Ace.
Looking so confident, he looked up to the moon smiling down at him. He looked at it for over two minutes and suddenly, those memories he had with Sophia popped into his head. Especially on the day of their first encounter. The way he kissed her passionately and how he warned her to stay away from him and most especially, the way he chased her and injured her skin with his nails, feeling no remorse. Remembering all of this, those tears he was trying to hold from dropping finally poured out again. At this point, he hated himself for his actions. How could he have hurt such an innocent girl for no reason.
Ace shed tears but when he realised there was nothing his tears could do, he immediately wiped his eyes again and took a deep breath in and out. He used his handkerchief and wiped his face. Luckily, there was a tap beside him. He walked towards it and made use of the running water to wash up his face. In no time, he strolled back into the reception and sat gently as he forced his attention to concentrate on the television in front of him.
Shortly, the sound of an opening door diverted his attention away from the television. He looked towards the area where the sound came from and saw a nurse waking and coming towards his direction.
“Good evening sir.” She greeted him with a slight bow. “I was instructed to take you to one of the VIP rooms.” she said, waiting for a reply. With a normal facial expression, Ace looked up at her but didn’t say a word. “Sir, please, do you mind if i show it to you now or maybe i could show it to any of your bodyguards so they can take you to your room whenever you wish sir. I’ll be closing for the day in the next twenty minutes.” She spoke, looking tense. Ace wasn’t giving her that positive vibe. He looked cold and sad.
While she continued to stand, suddenly, Ace stood up, giving off the vibe that he was willing to let her show his room to him as she walked, leading the way while he walked beside her. After they walked for some minutes, they got into the elevator which took them to the third floor of the hospital building. Once they got to their destination, the elevator stopped and the moment Ace and the nurse walked out, an enormous door of gold colour which had two sides opening welcomed their eyes. Ace majestically walked out, following her lead as they both walked and stood in front of the door. She brought out a card that looked like an ATM card from the front pocket of her hospital dress and slid the card beside the door which caused the door to slide open, welcoming Ace’s eyes with something beautiful.
A big master bed was in the centre of the room made with gold and curtains with gold colour were beautifully hung around the bed with the help of the bed stand. Ace gazed around the room and loved how the room was beautified. It gave him the feeling of being at home. The white paints used on the wall, the white air conditioner, the gold curtain surrounding the room windows, including the doors leading to the restroom and dressing room were eye catching.
While he continued to admire the room, she spoke. “I can change the room if you aren’t comfortable with it, sir.”
Ace continued to walk around the room without giving her a reply.
“We have other rooms, big as this but have different designs.” She said again.
“I’ll manage this.” He replied.
“Ok, sir.” She replied and in no time, Ace started walking towards the exit door as the nurse followed. They got out of the room and she locked the door by sliding the card beside the door as usual.
“Here sir… the card.” She said and handed it over to Ace and he collected it and kept it inside his pocket.
“Your workers will be taking care of as well.” She said as they continued to walk, heading towards the reception.
Back at the reception…
The moment they got there, Ace sat back quietly. “Please follow me so I can show you to your room.” The nurse said to Cynthia and in no time, Cynthia stood up and followed her as they both walked towards a different direction where she took Ace earlier. After walking for some time, she stopped in front of doors of different rooms.
“These rooms are for the guards.” She said and walked out as Cynthia followed, walking towards another direction.
“These ones over here are for ladies. There are all empty. you can pick from anyone.” She said and unlocked the doors of the room one after another which Cynthia chose the one she was okay with. The nurse handed the key of that room to Cynthia as they both walked out, heading back towards the reception and the moment they reached, the nurse walked away, probably heading towards her office to get ready to leave since her closing time was already near while Cynthia sat and went through the internet, browsing through her phone when something sudden happened.
There was a red alarming light coming from the operating room which sounded so loud and steady. Ace, Cynthia and the bodyguard’s heart skipped. Sophia was in that room. What could have happened? Aren’t they making progress? What the hell is wrong?
Those nervous question played through Ace’s head as he stood from his seat, attempting to run towards the theatre room to at least peek through from any lucky little space he could find at the door to know what’s actually going on but unluckily, he was stopped by two security men who noticed his movements but was quick to stop him.
“I’m sorry, sir. You can’t go in.” Said one of the securities as they kept pulling him backwards, leading him back to his seat.
On the other hand, Cynthia and the bodyguards who weren’t fast enough to stop him ran towards him afterwards, trying to calm him down. Everything happening surprised them because Ace’s actions showed that he was in love which was something new to them.
Shortly, after they finally pulled him back to his seat, they made him sit and Ace didn’t want to cause any more troubles for himself and any other person so he sat quietly.
“You all can go to your rooms. I need to have some rest.” He said and stood up, heading towards his room when two of his bodyguards followed him.
“I don’t want anyone’s company. You all should go and have some rest.” He suggested.
“But boss, we can’t leave you all by yourself.” Said one of his men.
“I don’t need anyone’s company.” He said again as he continued to walk, giving his bodyguard an impression of not coming with him. The bodyguards took a few steps backwards and met with other bodyguards as Cynthia led the 4 of them to their rooms.
“Make sure you put an eye on him.” Said one of the guards to Cynthia as they got to their destination and made themselves comfortable while Sophia walked towards her room. The moment she was done freshening up, she walked out of her room and met one of the security guards to take her to the room where Ace was kept but they refused.
Luckily, after she had to explain things to them and made them understand Ace wasn’t supposed to be alone, especially now he is going through emotional damage which the security finally agreed to show her Ace’s room.
While they walked, there was a vibration that came from Cynthia’s phone. When she looked at her phone, she realised it was her phone ringing. Ace was calling. She got tensed a bit the moment she saw his call and worried if he was okay as she immediately picked up the call.
On the phone…
“I need a massage.” That was the first word she heard him say.
“Okay, boss. I’ll be there.” She replied. Just as she was about to ask him a question, he ended the call.
Cynthia sighed and with the help of the security man, she got to the destination of his room and stood in front of the door.
“Thanks.” She thanked the man as she watched him walk back to his work post.
The door was locked, there was no way to go in. She made an attempt to call him on the phone when suddenly, she watched one side of the door as it slid open. Her mouth formed an “O” as she concluded the door could open automatically or probably, Ace saw her standing through the CCTV camera and then decided to open up the door. So she thought.
The door stopped opening the moment it opened a space enough for Cynthia to walk in. She swallowed her saliva as she walked in and just after a few steps away from the entrance door, she saw Ace as he controlled the door with a remote like object. She was right. She looked back and continued to stare at the door while it closed until it was finally shut.
“Are you this local?” Ace asked, looking at her coldly. Even though he wasn’t strong emotionally, his annoying words were still active.
Cynthia let out a quiet sigh, walked towards him and stood in front of him.
“Take this.” Ace said and pointed towards a particular direction. Cynthia followed the trace of his pointing fingers and saw a balm. She collected the balm and was getting ready for the massage.
She waited for him as he walked into the bathroom to shower, which he came out after some minutes, tying a white towel on his waist which was so obvious he wasn’t putting on any pants or boxers.