A Night With My Ex

Chapter 8

My whole body is shivering. I haven't seen him this angry. Even before in our relationship, whenever he's angry, he doesn't raise his voice at me. 

"Kneel. Kiyanah," he reiterated in a more calm yet vicious voice.

"I-It's unfair! Y-you're the one w-who force me to s-slap you--" I made a step backward when I saw him stand on his seat, but our distance is not that far. He easily grabs me by my elbow, stopping me from stepping away from him. 

Without a warning, he violently tore my upper uniform. I gasped in shock and horror. The zipper's puller and slider were detached on its chain by the aggressiveness of his movement. I heard it fell somewhere. I have no time to think where it was when Ace completely tore the uniform out of me. 

"F*cking kneel!"

I am quivering senselessly when I do what he said. As my knees touched the cold marble floor of his office, I crossed my arms over my chest to cover myself. 

I heard the sound of him unbuckling his belt. My eyes widen while watching him wrap the buckle part on his palm as he snaked twice the strap on his hand. 

"A-Ace..." I pleaded, begging for an apology. Tears are flowing out of my eyes. I don't want to wipe them with my hands since I am still covering my body. I'm afraid that if I remove them, he will hit me unguarded.

Even I am already kneeling, I jump in my place when I saw him did a hit test on the air. I heard the sharpness of his whip which made me more frightened. As he swung his belt in front of me, even it didn't hit me, I cried. 

"A-Ace... Please... I-I'm sorry... please... d-don't do this. I-I'm s-scared..." I reach for his hand holding a belt as I bow my head to beg. Hot fluid tears are pouring from my eyes. My hands are shaking as I hold his rough hand that is holding a belt.

He avoided his hand away from me. Due to weakness, I was out of balance from my kneeling position. I let myself fall on the floor. I embraced my body, making myself ready for the impact of his belt on me. 

However, the horror that I was thinking about earlier didn't come. His belt didn't touch even the slightest of my skin. I didn't felt any pain from his hit. As I looked up at him, I saw him facing the opposite direction, leaning forward on his desk. 

The belt is still snaked in his hand. He furiously unwraps it and throws it on the floor. The sound of its impact is too loud that I am sure the buckle was detached from its strap. He then punches his desk. Even with a single punch, the black shiny glass placed on top of it broke.

"F*ck," he cursed in a low voice yet enough for the both of us to hear.

A new set of tears formed on the lower lids of my eyes. I covered my mouth as continuous sobs escaped from it. I have no control over my body anymore. My shoulders are uncontrollably shaking as my sobs are getting louder. Muffled cries were heard in the silence of his office room. My breath is hitching as I force myself to stop making sounds.

'Why is he so angry? Did I really push him this far? Or, is his day so stressful that he wants to let it out on me?'

I am focusing on muting my cries. I didn't notice that he's already standing in front of me. 

I was surprised when I felt a warmth on my body as he covered me with his coat. I stopped sobbing. The traces of tears are still evident on my eyes and face. 

"Stand-up." The softness in his voice made me confused. He sounded like someone who regretted what he did and is ready to ask for an apology. 

However, when I look into his eyes, it only made me put more into confusion. His eyes are as deep as an ocean-- covered in coldness. In a vast and believable endless place, he wouldn't care if you drowned. 

The frustration slowly grows in me when his actions say otherwise. He gently pulled me up and properly wrapped the coat to cover my upper body. 

"W-what are you d-doing?" I couldn't stop myself from asking. Yet, he didn't answer me. Instead, he snaked his arm at the back of my knees and the other arm on my waist, carrying me in a bridal style. 

At this angle, I can have a clear view of his perfectly molded jaw. I saw how it moved when he noticed me staring. I blinked and avoided my gaze at his face. I glued my eyes on his chest while he walks me on the sofa seat. 

He gradually put me down and immediately turn his back on me right after my back touched the softness of his leather seat. I watch him as he went to his small kitchen. When he got back, he is already holding a glass and a jar of water in his hands. He placed it on the center table in front of me. 

He pulled his sleeves up to his elbows before lifting the jar and poured water into the glass. His simple moves made the vein on his arm protrudes. 

"Here," he handed me the glass of water. My hands are still shaking as I accept it. 

"T-thanks."

He turns his back on me and didn't reciprocate my greeting. 

I took a sip of the water. I still don't understand him. Sometimes, it feels like my suffering satisfies him, and then he will eventually stop and act very carrying. It was so frustrating. My mind is in a mess while thinking about whether the man I am with right now is the Ace with which I had a relationship in high school or the ruthless multi-billionaire.

"Hello?" His deep voice embraced the silence of the room as he talks to someone over the phone. "Ready the car. We'll go home," he continued.

He turns to face me after he ended the call. I panicked. I didn't know where to direct my head. He caught me watching him!

I put back the glass in its place. I then grip the hem of his coat and hugged it tighter. I am wearing a brassiere inside but the coldness brought by his aircon easily pierced onto my bare skin.

"Let's go."

He grabs my wrist and pulled me out of my seat. He noticed that I am gripping the coat, preventing it from falling. He sighed. What he did next shocked me.

He snaked his arm on my shoulders, embracing me. He then guided me to exit his room. We are walking side by side while his warm and massive hand snakes into me. 

It's already midnight. I am grateful that at this hour, no employees are roaming around the building. Except of course some janitors and janitress assigned to lower floors and the guards.

We silently entered the elevator. As it goes down to the basement, I continuously prayed that none of the employees will enter the elevator. It will be a massive talk in the company if the CEO was seen with a janitress topped with his coat at this hour.

Fortunately, we got to the underground parking without being seen. Although I can sense that Ace wouldn't give a f*ck even someone will see us.

The black SUV stopped in front of us. Jake quickly stepped out of the vehicle to open the door. 

Ace unconsciously slides his hand down my waist, motioning me to get in first. Even with his simple move, the small hairs at my back stands-- making me feel shivers down my spine.

We are seating in the back seat while Jake is driving. None of us talk. I tightened the grip on his coat and covered my body more. The ac of his cars is directed at me. I bet it is also at its maximum temperature. 

"Jake, switch off the aircon." Jake immediately did what Ace asked.

I turn to him. His eyes are directed at Jake in the driver's seat. He didn't bother looking back at me. 

"I-It's okay, Ace-- sir," I corrected.

Even I like this better, I can't just let him switch off the ac in this car. I bet, after this, Jake will be bathing in his own sweat. 

He didn't answer me. However, seems like he read what I am thinking, he ordered Jake to roll down his window. He also pushed the button on his side, making his window roll down. 

The ride went smooth and very quiet. None of us spoke the whole time. Even I saw that Jake passed through the road towards my house, I didn't dare to call him out. 

 We are already at the parking area of his condo. Ace didn't wait for Jake to open the door. He hopped out of his car and opened the door wider for me. As soon as I stepped out of his vehicle, Ace wrapped his arm around my waist, making me pull closer.

"Thank you," he said and nods at Jake.

"Welcome, sir," Jake nodded curtly and slightly bowed his head. He then turns his back and drove the car away.

Ace entered the building with me in his arms. We are already inside the elevator yet, he still didn't let go of me. I didn't budge. Besides, I like it this way. I feel more secured being enveloped on his arm.

When the elevator door opened, we stepped out. And just like in his office, Ace occupies the whole floor. 

As we entered his penthouse, my jaw almost dropped. 

Saying that this place is huge is an understatement. Contrary to his office, his penthouse is made with a palette of white, beige, and gold. There is a spacious living room, a kitchen and a dining area on the left side, and a single door on the right-- probably his room. But what caught my attention is the glass wall that divides the whole place from the veranda. Aside from the overlooking city lights from the 60th floor, there is also a rectangular pool on it! A pool on his veranda! Wow!

I was busy roaming my eyes on the wholeness of his place. I didn't notice that Ace already went into his room and just got back. 

"Take a shower," he said and handed me a black shirt. 

He already removed his necktie and his buttons are already half unbuttoned. 

"You should have driven me into our house instead of taking me here," I said in a soft voice as I reach for the shirt in his hand.

He didn't answer. My heart started pounding slowly yet hard. I gulped. 

'What if he wants to continue hitting me?' 

"W-will you c-continue the p-punishment?" I asked, stuttering.

He let out a harsh sigh. I mentally embrace myself for his rage but instead, what I got is a calm and soft voice from him. 

"Take a shower so you can already rest."

Rest? I was thinking if he won't punish me, then maybe he'll use me for his pleasure tonight. But...

"Why did you brought me here?" I asked bravely.

He didn't answer me. Instead, he stared at me directly in my eyes. I equaled the intensity of his stares. The longer I gaze into his eyes, the more I found myself lost... confused.

He sighed and avoided his line of sight. He walks towards his room and opened it wider. "You better get into the bathroom before I decided to take a shower with you," he answered boredly.

I felt like I was splashed by a bucket of cold water. Instantly, I walk into his room and passed through him. I went straight to the first door that I saw inside his bedroom. However, I was welcomed by a room full of his clothes. 

'Damn, Kiya! This isn't his bathroom. This is a f*cking walk-in closet!' I slapped my forehead with my palm. I went out of his walk-in closet with a straight face. In my peripheral vision, I can see the humor plastered on his face even he's not smiling. I ignored him and went to the other door across his room. 

I am now sure that this is his bathroom! If not, then I better start praying to all the od and goddesses for the soil to eat me. 

Luckily, when I opened the door, I saw a small sink and a circular bathtub in the center. There is also a glass divider that has a shower on the other side.

I rested my back on the coldness of the wall's bathroom. I took a couple of deep breaths before I decided to start taking a shower. 

It didn't take me long to finish. I did it quickly since I am afraid that he will barge in here if he got bored of waiting for me. 

This night feels like I was riding on a roller coaster. A moment earlier, I was crying my eyes out because I was afraid of him. Now, I am comfortably dressing up in his room, ready to sleep in his place. 

When I unrolled the shirt that he gave me, I saw a small boxer short. When I wore his shirt, as expected, it's too big for me. Tho it is better this way since I am only wearing his slightly loose short underneath. The length of his shirt as well as his shorts stops on the middle of my thigh. It looks like I'm only wearing his shirt since my shorts were being covered.

I dried my long hair with a spare towel placed on his hanging cabinet here in his bathroom. 

When I got out, I saw him at the edge of his bed, seating. He already removed his top and is only wearing his trousers. A towel is also resting on his right shoulder. He is busy scrolling onto his phone that my eyes got a chance to roam on his body.

My sight stopped on his abdomen. I wonder if he's still active on his mixed martial arts? If he's busy with his work, he won't be this fit, right?

It's been a week since we reconnected. Aside from his body built and more luxurious way of living, I think that the Ace I knew in high school is still living in him. Only that, the Ace I am with right now has no feelings for me. I am not certain if I can compare it to our past since I am also not sure if he did really love me before.

The bitterness of the past crept into me. Others might say that we should not take care of the anger and bitterness in our bodies. However, I think otherwise. If my painful past is what makes me stronger today, then I refuse to let it go. 

Ace stands from his bed when he noticed me getting out of his bathroom.

"You can sleep now. You don't have to wait for me," he said as he walks in my direction. 

"I didn't say I have plans on waiting for you." Oh Lord, I feel like I have this mood disorder! I was afraid of him a moment ago, but now, I have no idea where I got to pull the courage to answer him with this tone.

He eyed me mockingly. I can sense a ghost of a smile on his lips while his brow shot up. 

"Okay then. Sleep well." He is already inside the bathroom but he hasn't closed the door yet. He is still looking at me, waiting for what will I respond.

"Okay," I scornfully answered as I flip my damped hair and turn my back on him.

I went straight to his huge bed and slammed my body down. I even bounce a little due to the impact of my body against the foam of his bed. I heard the bathroom door closed and the shower drops started. I shook my head to stop the scene from playing on my mind as my brain started picturing out what is happening behind his bathroom door.

Fortunately, his bed feels warm against his fully airconditioned room on which my thoughts were easily diverted. When I felt the comfort of it, my body didn't have a hard time pulling myself from sleep. 

Before I completely enter a dreamy world, a question crossed my mind. 

'What made him change his decision to punish me?'

Ace never hit girls. Even before that he is known as a notorious bad boy, he never picks on girls. This is why a lot of girls like him and envy me for being in a relationship with him. Is this also the reason why he can't swing his belt on my bare skin? If that so, then I have nothing to worry about. Guess I can slap him again? I smirked at the thought.

I felt like the comfiness of his bed as well as my tiring day started joining hand in hand on letting me fall asleep. Slowly, the lids of my eyes became heavy. I barely entered the dream world when I heard the bathroom door opened. With my eyes closed, I felt a hand caressed the strand of my hair. Even with the coldness and roughness of his skin, I felt comfortable. Before I closed the gate of my dreams,  I felt his warm lips on my forehead, giving me a soft and feathery kiss.

I smiled consciously. I just hope I did it mentally because I won't be able to explain to him why my lips rose from his move if ever he saw it.

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 Unedited. Expect typo and grammatical errors.

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A Night With My Ex

by: Joanne Cristel

©2021