18.Surprise, surprise.
1469 Words
Chapter 18.
Tuesday afternoon, it is Ace’s birthday. After Cheryl came home from school, she and Leanne were making the surprise birthday cake for Ace, as Cheryl’s request. Leanne is still haven’t meet Ace for the whole day, since Ace was out from the mansion right after he did his routine from early in the morning.
Not that Leanne doesn’t know where he’s going, considering that Calvin already told her that June would keep Ace away from the mansion. The fact that she knew, not make it easier for her. The thought of him and her, together, is very hard to ignore. Leanne is sighing while empty-glare at the three-alphabets-cake which are all Cheryl’s idea, A-C-E.
“What is it Leanne? Did I do something wrong?” said Cheryl when noticing her sigh.
“No, you’re doing pretty great!” Said Leanne. “I’m just thinking about something else.. Now, the A is in light blue buttercream.. How about the C, and E?”
“Um, I was thinking the same. But I’m going to make a different colour for the line.. and I’m going to draw a yellow star, and, and I want to add a sprinkles!”
“Sounds great! Let’s do this!” said Leanne while taking the edible sprinkle for decoration.
***
It is six on the clock, when Calvin told Leanne that all Ace’s friends were already arrived at the mansion, and Calvin organised their vehicles to be put inside the basement garage so it wouldn’t take Ace’s attention when he arrived with June.
Ace’s friends are all male and from the same team with Ace. There are five guests-- in total inside of the entrance hall, that Calvin has introduced to Leanne.
“This is your Lady?” said one of them.
“Oh no, she’s not.. Unfortunately, tonight my wife has her own event. This is my assistant, Leanne.” Calvin explained, followed by a simple ‘hi’ from the guys.
“Nice to meet you all..” Leanne greeted them, while shook each of their sturdy hands.
Lennox, J.B., Rev., Cooper, and Ryan. Leanne just assumed that their names are only nicknames or last names, although at the same time she realised that she’s nervous to be surrounded by officers—and the fact that comparing to them, she’s the smallest person in the room.
“I’m very appreciate your time, guys.” Said Calvin.
“It is our pleasure to be invited. This will surprise our Sarge.” Said J.B. along with his teasing smile.
Calvin then lead them to the prior living room, that was already settled for the incoming surprise. The room wasn’t decorated much, since the main purpose is to simply celebrate, but the feast is still buoyant prepared.
“Wow, this is very nice!” Lennox mumbled to his friends, they’re all feeling festive at a sudden. Leanne and her team had prepared burgers and fries, steaks, ribs, with a few side dish and beers.
Suddenly, Leanne’s phone is ringing at the same time with Ace’s friends took seats at the sofas. Leanne forehead wrinkled for a second when looking at ‘one new’ unknown number on the screen, before decided to pick up anyway. She never saves any contact numbers that related with G-boss, even though eventually she’ll get familiar with the unsaved number. Leanne went outside the living room for a while.
“H-Hello?” Leanne can’t deny that she is afraid for a second.
“Hey.. It’s me, Ace.”
“Oh- -” Leanne was thinking to ask where he is at the moment, or how he got her number, but she hesitated—worrying that she would blow the element of surprise. “Um, is there anything I can do, for you?” she’s finally said.
Ace took a second, looked down at his feet for listening to her voice, before answering. But at the same time, he felt so bad for what he’s about to ask, to Leanne. Considering that June requested him to take her to dinner at the mansion again, rather than having a dinner in a usual romantic restaurant.
“Uh, Yeah— I was- - wondering what’s tonight menu for dinner.. Have you prepared- - tonight’s dinner?”
“You’re going to eat at home?” Leanne pretended not knowing his intention, nor his birthday.
“Yes, I guess so.” He didn’t mentioned June, why?—he thought inside.
“Well, Calvin asked for a lot of menu, tonight.. So don’t worry, just come home, I will prepare everything.” Said Leanne, looked down. A part of her feeling sad when she’s remembered that Ace is with June. He’s going to come home with June—Her head reminded her.
They’re in silence for a while, before Ace spoke.
“Okay.. Thank you.- - I’ll see you soon.” Ace glared at his phone for a while with his empty-look eyes. He was surprised when June asked him to spend the day with him, moreover to have dinner in the mansion-- and he agreed to it just because he felt bad to turned her down.
“Hey, are you okay?” said June while holding his shoulder from behind, she’s just got back from the ladies room.
“Yeah, I just making sure there’s food at home for dinner. Are you sure you don’t want me to take you to some nice restaurant?”
“I’m sure!” June chuckled, made her dimples shown. “It’s your birthday, I’m sure Calvin and Cheryl wants to spend times with you too.. Except—Why—I mean, do you not want me to come to the mansion?”
“No—of course you’re always welcome in our mansion. Let’s go then.” Said Ace briefly, before heading to the Cade Mansion with June. In the car while driving, his thought wandering off-- not liking the fact that Leanne might think his relationship with June is something serious.
Now, why should he thought that way?—he thought inside while ruffled his hair with his fingers.
When Ace and June got there inside the entrance hall, Linda who’s been waiting for them-- approached them and let them know that Calvin is expecting them in the living room.
“That’s odd. In the living room? I was going to take Ms. June to the dinning room.” Said Ace to Linda.
“Yes, Mr. Calvin asked for you to meet him first, before dinner.”
“Okay.. follow me, June.” Said Ace. It took him by surprised when June replied with a simple ‘Okay’, while she took a hold of Ace’s hand, made them holding hands as if they’re a couple.
“SURPRISEE!!!”
Everybody shouted from the first moment that Ace opened the door. Ace pure happiness shown on his face, he heading toward his friends. The room filled with happy noises, laughter and chatters for a while.
“It was June idea.. She pulled this off.” Said Calvin when Ace finished greeted each of his team.
“No wonder you took a long leave, Sarge.” Said J.B., raising his eyebrows-- referring to June’s beauty.
“He’s just teasing..” Ace looked at June, “This is a part of my team—J.B, Lennox, Ryan, Rev, and Cooper. There’re still two more in my team, I guess they can’t make it.”
“Yeah, Jim and Cole are occupied, but they’ve sent their regards.” Said Ryan.
“Yes, I know J.B.” June smiled back at the team. She contacted J.B the first time, to spread the information about the surprise party to Ace’s team. “Nice to meet you all, and thank you for coming.” June added with a very charming smiles.
As for Leanne, even though she’s standing at the corner of the room near the food table, with Sam, Aimee, and Linda-- who’s just joined them-- Leanne noticed the hold-hands, before Ace let go of his hand right the first time after he opened the door.
Linda is looking at Leanne who’s apparently trying to keep herself busy by organizing the beer bottles and food appliances on the table.
“Hey, are you okay?” Linda whispered to Leanne.
“Yeah, of course. Why?”
“Just asking.” Linda said while looking at Leanne’s eyes, trying to support her.
Leanne rolled her eyes, “Don’t worry about me, okay? I never put hope or anything..” she explained in whispers too. Leanne noticed the i-don’t-believe-you-look from Linda. “Look, I know my place. I just want to focus on my work, okay?”
“Fine, but just for you to know, I think you’re better than her.”
Leanne’s eyes soften up. “You’re such a romantic person, you know? Now, can we work?” she said while giving her warm smile.
“Yes. Work, work, work, work..” Linda start singing in hush tone, teasing Leanne.
“Please stop.” Leanne chuckled a little.
- Writer
