21. Can't Avoid
1201 Words
Chapter 21. Can’t Avoid
“Why can’t I go with you, dad?” Cheryl said with her glassy eyes. Calvin and Cheryl were in the kitchen having breakfast. Calvin has to go on a business trip within city for three days, with Sharon who will meet him there—since she’s already out of town, again.
“I can’t baby, besides, it’s school day.. You still have to go to school.. I tell you what, you can go with Leanne, doing some fun stuff.” said Calvin.
Leanne put a plate of pancakes and scramble eggs in front of Cheryl, while rub her hair. When suddenly, Ace came inside the room. Leanne is definitely avoiding eyes contact, she walked back to behind the island kitchen and just focusing her eyes on her works.
“Everyday? After school?” said Cheryl trying to bargain, and the glassy eyes turned into a sweet smile.
“One day.” Calvin raised his index finger. “I’m just leaving for three days. One full-fun day is more than enough.”
“You’re leaving?” Ace asked.
“Yeah, I have to take care some business. Are you still have free time to pick up Cheryl after school?”
“Yeah, of course.” Said Ace winking an eye at his niece. Cheryl giggles in respond.
“So, after school I will go with uncle Ace too?” Cheryl asked her dad.
Leanne is putting another plate of pancakes, bacon, scramble eggs, and a cup of coffee on the table, without raising her eyes on anybody. Ace watching at her for a second, while the vision of tasting her lips came back in his mind.
“U-huh, I hope your uncle knows how to have fun.” Calvin smirked at Cheryl. “Or maybe your uncle can bring aunty June too, and you guys can have fun together.”
Leanne pretended not hearing anything. She just trying to block every thought related with Ace.
“No. I want to go with Leanne! And uncle Ace!” Cheryl half whining.
“That’s up to your uncle, sweetie.” Said Calvin. Leanne is in the middle of drying the clean plates with the napkins when she decided to talk.
“I-I think you’ll have so much more—fun, if you go with your uncle and aunty June.” Said Leanne tried to persuade Cheryl. Ace looked at Leanne, noticing a glimpse of her intention to avoid him—not to mention she’s not even tried to look at him in the eyes, from the moment he got here.
“Well, we can all go..” said Ace still looking at Leanne, followed by a happy nod from Cheryl.
Leanne stunned for a second, accidentally looked at Ace’s eyes— considering it would be a torture for her, if she ever had to go together with them. And besides, what is in Ace’s mind? Who would want to spend the day with a girl who’s just kissing her man, behind her back?—Leanne thought inside. She found herself very hard to stay calm and steady.
“I- - think that’s not—It’s better, I better not coming with both of you..” Leanne felt like she’s out of reasons, but she really can’t go and just watching Ace with June for the whole day.
Ace aware of her unwillingness to meet June, and he didn’t need to think of other reason why—since he’s the one who’s jumped on her and tasted her lips.
“No, I want to go with you, Leanne. What if I get stomach ache? Or if I’m tired.” Said Cheryl.
“You’ll be safe, sweetie, aunty June is a doctor, right? She’s definitely way better than me.” Leanne is surprised inside her heart, for the fact that hearing her own words, as if she both confessed, and feeling beat up at the same time. She just hoped nobody noticed that. “A-and uncle Ace is like the best- - bodyguard for you..” she added while straight looking at Cheryl the whole time.
Cheryl is about to say something when Ace cut in.
“I can’t promise you that aunty June will be available, though. I’ll ask her first, okay?”
Cheryl nodded with a happy face, before saying. “It’s okay if she’s busy. We’ll just go with Leanne!” Ace smiled back to her. He realised the smart moves that his niece did in getting what she wants.
“Okay let’s go sweetie, or I’ll be late.” Said Calvin.
“Okay! Don’t forget to pick me up at school, uncle Ace! You too Leanne! I want to go today!” said Cheryl while walking away with Calvin.
Today?! –Leanne said inside her mind, before realising that she should go out from the room, because she’s going to be alone with Ace there.
Leanne quickly finished up what she’s doing and intended to leave the kitchen, but when she touched the door’s handle, Ace’s palm was already at the door—blocking it from being open.
“Is everything okay?” said Ace from Leanne’s back. Leanne slowly turn her back, facing him.
“Of course.” Leanne said briefly while inhaled heavily.
“Are you going to look at me?” said Ace, followed by Leanne raise her chin up—finally meet his eyes. Even though she kept emotionless.—Ace noticed.
Another thing that he noticed was he’s standing too close to easily repeating his ‘mistake’ last night. Ace’s hand is still on the door near Leanne’s head, he rubdown his mouth to chin with his other palm, tried to ease off his needs to taste her lips again.
“Listen, I owe you an apology, for last night. I’m not thinking straight, had too much drinks--"
“It was a mistake.” Leanne cut in, she felt the more Ace tells about his remorse, the more she hurt inside. “Got it.” Leanne tried not to remember the sensation from his lips—that easily comes back, especially when Ace standing in front of her.
They’re eyes locked on each other for a while. Ace searched deep into her eyes, noticing the way Leanne shut herself.
“No, you didn’t get it. I don’t want to be the reason who’d triggered your - - anxiety. I hoped I didn’t hurt you in any way..”
“I’m fine, Ace. I didn’t faint, slept like a baby, --all good.” She lied.
Ace slowly let go of his hand. “Good to know..then.” he said with a sigh. “’Cause—you know.. I wouldn’t want to get awkward between us, since we’re going to spend a lot of time together, starting today.”
“A-aren’t you going to ask June first? I can discuss with Cheryl.”
“Um, I rather not, I mean—this is so sudden. June can’t take a leave without notice at all.”
“B-but—”
“Besides, Calvin said it is up to me anyway..” Ace cut in. “ And you heard the young lady.. She wanted you.” So do I—Ace said in reflex inside his head. Odd—he thought.
Leanne weakly sighed. “As you wish.”
“That’s the spirit!” said Ace with his charming smile, ignoring her lack of excitement. “See you, soon.” He said before turned his back, leaving Leanne.
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