~~~~~ Hawthorne Business Empire ~~~~~
Ace glared suspiciously at his elder sister, his expression was severe he guessed who his sister was bringing into his office and his expression darkened at her thoughts. Becky! That name immediately flashed in his mind making him clench just in anger, Becky was his sister's best friend right from high school. She had been in the same class with him and had kept clinging and pestering him whenever she saw him or came to his house, he had only kept tolerating her because of his sister and finally, after high school, she, traveled abroad to study while he went to California.
Ariel smiled at Ace's expression, she knew he was not a fan of her dear friend but what could she do? Her friend had begged and pleaded with her to allow her to get close to her brother, Becky loved her brother and it was something that Ace knew too. "Ace why don't you brighten your expression? You can't face your guest with that kind of face... " Ariel trailed off when Ace interrupted her "Sis, why do you keep giving her the impression that I love her too? We have to stop her madness already. Also am not ready to get married ever.. Or fall in love with anyone"
Ace remarked in a cold tone, a hurt glint flashed through his eyes but Ariel missed it. "Bro, listen to her... " Ariel intended to continue "Enough Ariel, I don't want to hear a single word about women. I don't want to have anything to do with them Ariel please stop trying to convince me. " Ace muttered in a to-be that left no way for extra talks. "I will take my leave now Ariel if you wish to see me cone to the mansion. Come alone, bye." Ace mumbled, he picked up his keys and walked out of the office.
On his way out of the office he walked passed Taylor and Becky without soaring them a glance, he walked into his elevator and shut it before them. Taylor glanced worriedly at his boss he wondered what had happened suddenly that made his boss leave with that expression, it only happened whenever the topic of that woman was brought up. Becky stared at Ace as he walked into the elevator and left the office, she quickly rushed into the office to ask Ariel why he leaving. She was met with Ariel staring at the air in deep thought.
"Ariel, why did he leave so suddenly? Is he upset? Doesn't he want to see me? Is he still disgusted by me? Tell me, Ariel?" Becky bombarded Ariel with loads of questions, her face was scrunched into a deep frown. She was feeling nervous and anxious, Ariel raised her eyes to stare at Becky. She didn't know what to say to her or how to explain to her, she didn't want to hurt Becky's emotions or make it look like Ace was outrightly rejecting her. "You don't have to worry Becky, he has some important work to deal with. He had to excuse himself."
Ariel mumbled with a convincing smile on her face, her worried expression changed into a happy one in a flash "We will meet him another time Becky cheer up, I guess we just came at the wrong time." Ariel added standing up to her feet. "Phew! I thought he left because you told him I was coming up here, am glad. Let's go get our skincare now, we will meet another time." Becky muttered with a brightened expression, her lips curled into a pretty smile. She had pretty long dark hair and a full face, she had a cute appearance.
~~~~~ Outside in the car ~~~~~
Ace hit his car steering over and over again, he was filled with frustration and anger, bitterness. Tears threatened to fall from his eyes but he held himself back, he couldn't cry over her never he would do that. ' I hate you, I hate you so much. You ruined my life and made me live in hell, no I won't.' He thought to himself, his hand clenched into a tight fist. His pain-filled eyes hardened at once, and his demeanor and aura blazed out. He glanced over at his assistant standing at the side, he slowly climbed out of the car.
"You can come closer Taylor, take me to the mansion. I want to see her, I have come to a decision. Stop the attack on the Dennison's, provide them enough support for the picking up of their business." Ace instructed with determination in his tone, he finally decided to let Alix go. He would look for another way to get company from his father, he didn't want to do the same thing that a despicable woman did to him to another person. "Boss are you sure? I heard your cousin is already getting into action, he is already meeting the shareholders in secret."
Taylor stated in a worried tone, he knew something must have happened for his boss to have a change of heart. The way his master was choosing to handle the current situation will leave him at a disadvantage, "Master, you have to think again. This is a matter of your family, if you don't do anything all your grandfather's and father's effort will fall in vain." Taylor mumbled trying to convince Ace, "I can talk to her and convince her to agree with this, please...."
"I have made my decision Taylor, nothing is going to change it, Taylor. I will find another way to deal with my problem alone, I can't involve an innocent girl in this." Ace remarked in a tone that left no room for argument, "take me back to the mansion, I want to see her. Inform Terry to come and check up on her, I need to know if she is alright" Ace mumbled and Taylor nodded before turning the car on and driving out of the parking lot. Taylor felt like the master was back to being the being he was when he was ditched by his first love.