"I'm so so…" Looking up, my breath hitched at my throat.
Stormy grey eyes stared down at me. His dense stubbles were gone, showing his chiseled jaw. Jet black hair gelled back and the ring on his right brow wasn't there today. Even though there were dark shadows under his beautiful eyes, and he'd lost some weight than before, he still looked breathtaking.
"Rosebud?" His forehead creased as he straightened me on my feet. His eyes roamed up and down my body, his lips tightening. "What're you wearing?" Greek accent in his voice came deep.
And it happened whenever he was angry.
My eyes widened. Didn't he like my appearance?
"Uh, why? Don't I look good?" I bit my lip. "I thought you'd like it."
His frown deepened as he watched my hair and heavy make-up. But then he shook his head. "You don't need my approval in anything, Emerald. It's your choice to whatever you want to wear." With that, he walked away.
My heart fell. I looked down at myself. Was anything wrong with my look? Why was he so distant?
He has been like this since his Dad died. Our families weren't that close, they always preferred their privacy. So no one really knew what happened to his dad. But whatever happened, it changed my Ace drastically. And it made my heart ache for him.
Running upstairs, I changed into the white gown Dad had brought me and removed my makeup. Once satisfied with my new neutral look, I headed back downstairs.
Ignoring Casie and Beth's raised brows, I went to find Ace again.
My brother and sister were busy chatting with their friends, but he wasn't there.
"Hey, Em!" Tobias called out.
Smiling, I walked to them.
"Aren't you forgetting something, little sis?"
Chuckling, I hugged him tight. "Happy birthday!"
He lifted me off the ground, getting a squeal out of me. "Where is my gift?" he asked, once he put me down.
Tobias loved his birthday gift from me. Actually, he loved the red velvet cake I baked him since I honed my skills in baking. And so did Ace.
"You will get it after the party. It's in the fridge," I replied, my eyes going back to the crowd for a moment.
And there he was, standing at a corner, beside a table. With a drink in his hand, he looked deep in thought.
"Happy birthday!" Wrapping my arms around Tess, I wished her.
"Thanks!" She pulled back. "You changed?" Her eyes raked over my gown.
Mark, a boy in their group slapped on Ace's back, greeting him. But he ignored him. And when Mark went to reach for the glass in his hand, Ace shot him a sharp look, making him back away.
"Uh, yeah! That dress was slightly uncomfortable," I said absentmindedly. My eyes set on him. "I will be back just in a minute."
When I went to move, she caught my arm and dragged me away from her friends' earshots. "You're going to confess tonight, aren't you?"
I let out a surprised gasp. How did she know?
"Don't," she said in a sharp voice. "You will only be heartbroken."
Frowning, I snatched my arm from her grip. "How do you know? Who knows, maybe he likes me too."
"Don't be foolish, Em! Just because he is soft with you doesn't mean he harbors any kind of feelings for you." Her voice was harsh. "And you and I both know he only cares for you as a brother, not a lover. So don't embarrass him with your stupidness. He is already disturbed with his own problems."
Her words stung. I always feared that his kindness towards me might be just a brotherly love. But deep down, I felt there was more than that. It may be stupid and nonsense, but my heart told me not to lose hope.
I won't know unless I confront him, right?
"I won't embarrass him. And you don't know everything. So why don't you just go and enjoy your party and let me be on my own?" My tone matched hers.
Her blue eyes flashed. "Stay away from him, Emerald. He isn't the one for you."
Now my anger flared. "I will do whatever the hell I want, Tess. It's none of your business! So, leave me alone!" Turning on my heels, I strode away.
Once I'd padded closer to where Ace stood, I took a calming breath and smoothed my hair. No one can stop me from telling you my feelings today.
"Hey!" My voice came out meek, gone the confidence in the air. Nervousness fluttered in my tummy.
His grey eyes lifted to mine. This time his gaze didn't hold displeasure. But there wasn't any pleasure either. They were just, cold.
He was actually in a bad mood. Should I do it today? But It had taken me so much courage to make up my mind. I didn't know if I could have that much guts anytime soon.
"Won't you play chess with me today, Ace? I've been waiting for another match."
Maybe after the game, his mood turns good?
He thought for a second and then nodded his head. "Yeah, that sounds good. This party is boring me anyway."
My grin was face splitting. "Alright, let me go and ready the board. In the library, as usual?"
He nodded, taking a sip. "I will be up in a few."
Failing to contain my excitement, I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tight. His exotic scent with a tinge of smoke, made me giddy. "I will be waiting for you."
My sudden act caught him off guard as he stood stiff. His touch on my back was almost non-existent. Inhaling a deep breath, he pulled me away by my shoulders. His lips in a straight line as he said, "Go!"
Nodding my head, I skipped off to our small library and started to make the board ready for play. I could barely contain myself from dancing around. I was finally going to tell him.
Tell him that I love him.
Ten minutes passed, and he wasn't still up. Then it turned into twenty. And there wasn't any sign of him. I even missed the cake cutting so that he wouldn't have to wait if he came here.
He said he'd be here in a few.
Letting out a sigh, I got up and went downstairs again. The party was going on in a full swing. Most elders retired for tonight and there were only the youngsters, dancing and drinking wildly.
I spotted Cassie dancing with my brother, and Beth drank with some girls. But I couldn't see him anywhere. The loud music and sharp smell of alcohol almost made me gag.
Where is he?
Making my way through the half wasted dancing population, I padded towards the balcony. But he wasn't even there. Did he forget about our match and left already?
But he never forgets our match.
Sighing in disappointment, I decided to go back up to my room. Maybe another day.
Just when I turned to go, I heard something. Some strange noises. I hadn't fully entered inside the balcony, I stood at the doorway.
Curious, I slowly moved inside and looked at my right.
I froze. My heart stopped in my chest as my breath hitched at my throat. My hands shook at my sides, as I took in the sight before me.
His hands were wrapped tightly around her waist and hers were around his neck; one hand tugged at his hair as their mouth worked on each other in a passionate kiss. Not even an inch of space left between them.
Their every moan and groan hit my heart like thousand stabs of knives, shattering it into millions of pieces. My feet stumbled back, tears fell from my eyes.
His hands roamed around her body as he pulled her more close. My heart squeezed so hard that I had to clutch my chest. A sob threatened to escape my lips but I slapped a hand over my mouth and ran away.
I ran and ran until I was inside my room. Closing the door behind me, I let out an agonized sob. Tears blinded my vision as I still had a hand on my chest that pained physically.
I felt my insides breaking, falling into irreparable pieces.
I heard my best friends knocking on my door, their concerned voices reached my ears. But I couldn't speak, I couldn't move. All I could do was, lie on the floor in my dark room and cry my heart out.
The visions of them tangled around each other's arms flashed across my mind again and again, making it hurt more.
He didn't know, but she did. Her betrayal just intensified the pain more. Betrayal of others could be tolerated, but betrayal of loved ones wasn't.
How could she do this to me? How?
I stayed on the cold floor for the entire night, cradling my heart, mourning the loss of my love.
The love my own sister took away from me.