Mafia's Second Chance Love

Chapter 8: A Familiar Voice

As I sat in Mr. Harrington's stifling office, a sense of dread washed over me. The windowless room, with its sterile, cold walls, had become a symbol of my ongoing struggles with my past. Today, I could feel that something was different. There was an air of tension that lingered, and it clung to me like a suffocating shroud.

Every meeting with Mr. Harrington had grown increasingly unnerving, a reminder that I could never truly escape my past. I shifted in the uncomfortable chair, my hands clenched tightly in my lap. His footsteps approached, and I braced myself for whatever news he was about to deliver.

"Kira," he said, his tone hesitant and his gaze unwavering, "I need to discuss something with you."

I nodded, my heart pounding. I had a sinking feeling about what was coming. Mr. Harrington was about to introduce a new complication into my life.

His voice was steady but laced with a weight I couldn't ignore. "Ace Sullivan, the sponsor of our upcoming event, has a request."

At the mention of Ace's name, my stomach twisted into knots. It had been years since I'd heard that name, since I'd walked away from the painful memories we shared, but lately it feels like I keep listening to his name a lot more. I had hoped those days were behind me, but now it seemed my past had come back to haunt me in the form of a request from Ace.

Mr. Harrington explained that Ace wanted me to contact him to arrange a meeting. "He believes it's necessary to discuss the event, to ensure its success."

The room seemed to close in on me, and I felt a surge of panic. I knew what this request meant, and the prospect terrified me. I'd worked hard to build a new life for myself, one far removed from the pain of my past, and I wasn't ready to let Ace back into my world.

"Is it really necessary?" I asked, my voice trembling under the weight of my hesitation. Mr. Harrington's eyes widened at my question.

"I can't understand you, Kira. You have been the most reliable person in this organization, but now it feels like you disagree with every decision I take." His voice was laced with irritation and disappointment. "It is just a business meeting. I'm sure five minutes into it you will understand that Mr. Ace doesn't have a clue about the event and he will let you handle everything."

What Mr. Harrington said wasn't far from the usual truth. Every year, we found a sponsor that paid for the event. Their only contribution was money, far removed from the involvement of the staff and the complexities of bringing such an event to life. The truth was, the only time we saw our sponsors was at the event itself, where we discussed formalities and then went on our separate ways.

Mr. Harrington handed me a black card with a phone number on it, Ace's name written in small, bold letters.

"Now go on! I have more pressing matters to deal with!" Mr. Harrington exclaimed, urging me to leave his office.

Reluctantly, I left the stifling room behind, clutching the black card like a lifeline. My heart was heavy with fear and uncertainty, and I couldn't shake the feeling that this meeting would unravel the fragile semblance of peace I had built over the years.

I sat in my office and placed the black card in front of me. Memories of the last encounter with Ace flooded my thoughts. His eyes, full of lust and a menacing control that had sent me fleeing, still haunted me. I remembered running as fast as I could to escape the horrifying sight before me. It was a memory etched into my heart like barbed wire, constantly making it bleed.

After that night, I had vowed never to let him back into my life. I severed all ties with the town and vanished into the safety of a new life at university. Ace, however, persisted in trying to return. His face would flash on my television, now a renowned philanthropist, a millionaire with a vision. Every time I saw his face, my gut would clench, and a sense of panic would engulf me. It took years, but eventually, I grew numb to the sight of him.

Now, though, the numbness had given way to paralyzing fear. Terrified of him and the tumultuous emotions he stirred within me, I found myself at a crossroads, a decision to make.

Mr. Harrington was clear. He gave me no other choice but to call. With trembling hands I opened the screen of my phone and dialed the number on the card. One beep, two beeps... My heart will burst from the stress.

''Hello?'' a female voice answered. My eyes widened. ''Hello?'' I heard her saying again.

''H-Hi. Is this... Ace?'' I stammerred. My question made the woman at the other end of the line laugh.

''No darling. Do I sound like Mr. Ace?'' I was at a loss. ''Who might you be?''

'I-I am.. I'm sorry. Is this not the number of Ace?' I asked, confused.

''I'm sorry but Mr. Ace's personal number is not available to everyone. I'm Amanda, his secretary.''

My heartbeat stabilized. I was so panicked about the idea that Ace would answer the phone that I couldn't think straight. Of course... He is a millionare. Why in hell would he be picking his own phone calls.

''If you have this number, that means you have some kind of business with Mr. Ace? or his company?'' I could hear the irritation in her voice. I was wasting her time.

''Yes. I'm sorry. I'm Kira, from the 'SafeHaven' organisation. Mr. Ace volunteered to be our sponsor for our annual charity event. I was told to call this number and arrange a meeting with him.'' My voice grew more confident with the absence of Ace only to be crushed by the woman's laugh. This interaction only reminded me of the years I've spent in school, mocked by my classmates.

''Listen hon. I understand your excitement about working with a company as established as ours, but you didn't really believe you would be meeting with THE Mr. Ace, right?''

Every word coming out of her mouth was like a punch to my stomach. It only reminded me of the harsh reality of things. How could I think that Ace would have a personal involvement in this? He, like the others before him, wanted to be our sponsor because of the tax benefits. All this anxiety and panic only to be crushed by his secretary.

''Okay Amanda. I get it. THE Mr. Ace is far superior than me and the little organisation I work for.'' my voice was full of poison. ''Now, since I need to have a meeting with someone from your company for the event, would you so kindly provide a date, a time and a place where I could meet them in person?''

My change of tone must have taken her by surprise. I can be kind and professional, but I can also answer to sarcasm and belittlement the same way.

Amanda's voice held a hint of surprise at my sharp response. "I didn't mean to belittle your organization, Miss Kira," she said, her tone more measured. "I'll have to get back to you with more details for your request."

I thanked her and hung up the phone. For a company like Ace's to not be informed about everything is sure is weird. The card in front of me was just a reminder of how different my world is from Ace's. I can't believe I really panicked about this. Not five minutes passed and my phone rang. The number was the one I dialed. This must be Amanda with the details of my meeting.

''Hello, Amanda?'' I answered.

However, the voice that responded sent a chill down my spine, making my heart race. It was a voice I had never thought I'd hear again, a voice from the depths of my past.

"Hello, Kira," Ace's unmistakable voice sent shivers through my entire being. My hand trembled as I gripped the phone. My eyes widened in panic and shock.

My initial relief at not having to face Ace vanished, replaced by an overwhelming sense of fear. He wasn't supposed to answer his own calls, and yet, here he was, his voice invading my world once more.

"Kira, it's been a long time, hasn't it?" Ace's tone was calm, as if we were just casual acquaintances catching up. But I knew better. His voice carried a hidden intensity that sent a jolt of anxiety through me.

I hesitated for a moment, my thoughts racing. What was he doing answering Amanda's phone? Did he know that I was the one who called? The questions swirled in my mind, but before I could respond, Ace continued.

"I heard you're working with the SafeHaven organization, and you want to discuss the event. I find that quite intriguing. Why don't you tell me more about it over dinner?"

My tongue felt heavy in my mouth, and I couldn't find the words to reply. I hadn't anticipated this, and the shock of hearing his voice left me momentarily speechless. Ace, the enigmatic figure from my past, had returned to my life, and I couldn't deny the overwhelming rush of emotions that washed over me.