“Of course,” Ace replied with a laugh. Ace’s laugh didn’t quite help to lighten the mood as my mind still struggled to process this sudden turn of events. I was surprised but it also felt like we had a special connection ever since back then. “I see. So that commercial was something that you made for the Ashford competition back then. I really liked it just like I told you before so I’m glad that you managed to get your way with the commercial,” I said before I found myself smiling. “It honestly makes me feel good to hear you say that, but I have to say that you’ve got some peculiar taste,” Ace said almost teasingly. “What do you mean?” I asked. “Well, you’re probably one of the very few people that I know that actually liked that commercial,” Ace admitted. “People…did not like it?” I asked softly because I found it hard to believe. “Yup. That commercial was a major flop. It wasn’t well received at all by the public and even the Ashford committee members had a hard time connect
“For a very long time now. Even before we officially met during your job interview,” he replied before grinning at me. Although I couldn’t deny the fact that I’ve seen the signs and some evidence along the way, I was still flat out stunned by the truth. With all honesty, I didn’t know what to say. All the emotions that welled up inside of me made my chest feel tight yet warm at the same time and I was at a loss for words. It just didn’t feel like any words that I could say would accurately tell him how I was feeling. I was surprised for sure, but at the same time, I didn’t fail to realize just how thankful I was that things turned out this way between us. Somewhere and somehow, our fates were interwoven together and brought us together. I had no idea that we were somehow destined to meet and be together from such a long time ago. Although back then I had no idea who Ace was in person, the fact that I could relate to his work made me feel like I had a special connection to him. Of co
What I told Ace was how I truly felt. We shouldn’t look back and regret the past or wonder how the future would have turned out had we made different choices back then. “I like how things are now and we might not be here today without the past so…” I said before ending with a smile. “I guess you’re right about that,” Ace replied softly. “I’m still very surprised but I’m also glad that we managed to make it this far together,” I confessed honestly.“We still have much further to go together, Rina,” Ace replied without hesitation. Thinking of that old commercial brought everything into the right perspective and I fully understood what Ace had made up his mind to do. He was surely going to produce even more of those commercials and drive impact in the way that he wanted. I was sure that money wasn’t an issue for Ace and that his company would be successful. “I can’t wait to start working with you and everyone else,” I said without hiding my excitement. “I’ll work you hard…” Ace sai
Unexpectedly, my mother was very against the idea of the two of us moving into the neighborhood so that we could be closer to her. She was shocked when she found out that I had quit my job and was moving back. To put it bluntly, she blamed herself for the decision that I was ‘forced’ to make. It took multiple attempts for me to explain to her that this decision was also better for Ace and myself given that we would be working at his new office building. “I can’t believe you just gave up on your dream job to move back just so that you could be closer to me. This is ridiculous. I don’t want something like this,” she said with a deep frown on her face. Just like always, my mother was a pro at putting me before herself. She must have thought that she was the one holding me back from pursuing my dreams. She didn’t quite believe it when I told her that working with Ace would probably lead me closer to my real dream. On top of that, I learnt the hard way that my dream would never come true
“Umm…who’s getting married?” I asked as I seated myself down next to Ace. “You’ll see soon enough,” Ace replied before showing me what I thought looked like a slightly mischievous grin.That grin of his made me wonder if it would be someone that I knew. Since we have been dating in secret for so long, I had to admit that I didn’t know many of Ace’s friends at all. Not long after our relationship became public information and known to everyone, we decided to move out of the city, so I haven’t met many of Ace’s friends. I have not heard anything about a wedding happening before this either. A short while after everyone had settled down in their seats, the band began to play the classical wedding march. My eyes along with everyone else’s were drawn to the closed double door of the church where we knew that the bride would emerge with her father. Her groom was already waiting for her in front of the altar. I did not recognize the groom at all, but I had to say that he was very good look
“Great. We’ll be waiting for the good news,” Claudia said before she laughed happily.It was hard for me to believe that this happy and cheerful woman standing in front of me was the same moody and aggressive woman that turned up while pregnant to see Ace in his personal office. I wondered if Ace ended up helping her in the end. Regardless, I was happy that she finally got what she wanted and that the both of them looked very happy. I watched the two of them walk away from us to greet their next guest. “She looks so happy. I’m so happy for her…” I said wistfully. “This is the perfect time for them to get married before Claudia becomes pregnant again with their second child,” Ace replied. “They’re going to have another one?” I asked with some excitement. “I think so,” Ace replied with a smile. “Seems like everything is working out well for her and her family,” I murmured as my eyes continued following Claudia. “It’s better that way. I hope things stay peaceful on all fronts so th
She was already walking toward the door. I cocked my head to the side when the door closed behind her and I was left alone in the room with Ace. “I wonder what’s up with that…” I muttered curiously. “I think she’s giving us personal time and space with the hope that I will surprise you,” Ace replied before grinning at me. I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about, and I ended up cocking my head to the side as I stared at the mischievous sparkle that shone in his hazel brown eyes. “Surprise me?” I repeated his words questioningly. “I guess we shouldn’t disappoint your mother…” Ace said as he slowly stood up from his seat.I stared at him as I failed to understand what he was about to do. At the same time, all I could really do was stare at him in wonder because I didn’t know how to react or what I was supposed to do. A strange tightness in my chest and a nagging feeling at the back of my mind told me that something major was about to happen although I wasn’t exactly sure
“Don’t faint, Rina,” Ace warned me playfully.That was when I realized that Ace was still on one knee. I quickly tugged on his arm with both my hands to urge him to get back up on his feet.“You should get up,” I said as I pulled on his arm.“Thank you, Rina,” Ace thanked me.“It’s not a problem…” I replied shyly.Ace continued to hold my hand even when he was up on his feet. He was standing so close to me, and I could feel his eyes on my face. We were acting so casually with each other up until not so long ago, so I wasn’t sure why I suddenly felt so shy and aware of his presence close to me. I could no longer meet his eyes.“I meant, thank you for agreeing to marry me, Rina,” Ace said.“Ace…” I whispered his name as I felt warm emotions bubbling up deep inside my chest.Ace pulled me into his embrace as he wrapped his arm around me and held me tightly. I hugged him back immediately as I felt tears well up in my eyes. Reality was just sinking in that he had just proposed to me, and I