"Came to meet my best friend. Why? I'm not allowed in Achilles Valencian's cave?"
I rolled my eyes. I knew inviting him in could cause a catastrophe if Ace comes and sees him here, but I couldn't just send him away.
"It's not like that. Come in!"
He strolled inside as I opened the door wide for him.
"Coffee?" I asked while he looked around the penthouse, his hands stuffed into his pockets.
"Thanks!"
Nodding my head, I padded into the kitchen and he followed behind.
"So, what brought you here all of a sudden? You didn't tell me you were going to drop by."
"After last night, I thought to talk to you personally. I wanted to see if you're okay," he replied.
"I'm fine, Warner. Don't worry!" I put water on the stove.
"Did you ask him yet?" He watched me
"Ace?" I called again, but the shadow didn't move.Padding closer, I squinted my eyes. The lightning that cracked outside left a flash of luster on his face for a fleeting second. Stormy grey eyes were set on me. But they were dark tonight. Much stormier than I'd even encountered.I let out a sigh of relief. "What the hell is wrong with you? You almost gave me a heart attack!"When he didn't answer, I found the switch and turned the lights on.And there he was.Still in his last night's pants and a fresh black shirt, the one he must have worn before storming out, his disheveled form sat silently on the couch. Some of the buttons of his shirt were undone, giving me a sinful sight.Even the dark circles under his eyes and a day's of old stubble didn't do anything to make him look any less sexier.I missed him.
With clenched fists, I stood there with tears brimming into my eyes, watching him going still. Color slowly drained from his face, as his grey eyes widened to a friction."W-what did you say?" his deep accent asked."I said what you heard. If you don't trust me at all, I don't think this thing between us can work." Shaking my head, I wiped my tears furiously. "I'm tired of you continuously keeping me in the dark! I've already suffered for years because of your one sided decision, I won't take more. You can now happily stay in your penthouse with your stubbornness, secrets and privacy! No Emerald will nag you again and again to know your past from now on!"Ignoring the way his shoulders tensed, the crazed look that flashed across his eyes, his clenched jaw, I turned around and stormed out of the room."Don't you dare put even a step out of the penthouse, Emerald! You aren't going anywhere!" 
Knocking on the door, I waited.The hallway of the hotel was quite empty. I didn't even notice much rush of customers around. This hotel's being so old and deep in the city could be the reason behind it.This was the hotel Warner was staying at for the time being. He once gave me his address to meet him there, but I couldn't make up my time to do so. Well, I had been ignoring him a lot in the last few days, even months. And here I was thinking not to hurt him anymore.It was my luck to have such a great friend like him. Even after everything, he was here for me.When some moments passed and nobody answered, I knocked again. And this time I heard his voice."Who's it?" asking, as he opened the door, his slightly swollen eyes met mine.Surprise flashed in them."Em? Y-you came?" A uneven smile stretched across his face. "I thought you don't care for me eno
Letting out a cry, I got up from the floor and ran to him. His strong arms wrapped around me as protective wings as soon as I reached him.I shook in his chest as hot tears ran down my cheeks. With my heart still pounding from panic, knees weak, I clung to him as if my life was depending on him."Rosebud?" he called out. "Hey, hey! Baby, look at me, are you alright? What happened? What did he do? Tell me?" Cupping my face, he attempted to make me look at him, but I hid my face in his warm chest again, still trembling from what just happened."He… he…" I hiccuped in between my sobs, not being able to form any words. His arms tightened around me.I could feel his turning all rigid, the way his muscles tensed. His hands shook around me. His breathing came out heavy."WHAT DID YOU DO?" Deep Greek accent echoed in his voice, tone darker and rougher than I had ever heard. "What had you done to
A sigh left me with the continuous feathery kisses gliding down my neck and shoulder, when the gentle yet possessive touch of a pair of calloused hands over my curves pulled me out of the sleep.His hot breath fanned across the skin of my neck. A raspy deep groan reverberated through his chest when his palms slided over mine."So perfect…" husky voice murmured into my ear.A gasp slipped my lips as he softly bit on the skin of my throat. My eyes fluttered open to the shadowed room. The curtains blocked the sunlight out, only some rays of light peeked through the gaps.And then I found a pair of beautiful stormy grey eyes peering into mine. With some strands of his ruffled bed hair falling over his forehead, a day's old stubble across his sharp jaw and that familiar intense look of his whenever he looked at me left me breathless; as always."Good morning, my beautiful Rose.
"He…" I licked my lower lip which suddenly felt very dry.He nodded, patiently waiting for me to continue."He isn't what you think…"His phone blared on the counter, halting me in the mid sentence. Frowning, he picked up the phone and let out a sigh."Sorry, Rosebud. Have to take this," apologizing, he answered the call. "Yes, Arthur?"Even though the displeasure was lucid on his face being disturbed again, his tone maintained the respect for his uncle. If it was someone else, he wouldn't be so lenient for the interruption."Hmm. Alright. Just send the details to Carter. I'll take a look later," he said, while picking up a grape and putting it in my mouth. As I chewed on it, he listened carefully to what Arthur had to say.Then suddenly his gaze snapped up to mine.Nodding slowly, he said, "Alright, will tell her. Yeah, see you later."
Once in the newly organized study, I found it much similar to his cabin in the office, and of course, decorated with my chosen furniture.Except one thing.A huge picture frame on the wall, covered with a white sheet. The same one I saw in this room during my last visit. I still remembered that blue diamond ring in her finger that was left unconcealed. But this time the sheet hid it whole.I had the same question again. Whose picture was that?Still securely clutching my hand in his, he stood before the picture. A soft sigh left him."Ace?" My voice came out as a whisper.Rising his hand, he tugged at the sheet, letting it fall on the floor. My eyes widened slightly.It wasn't a picture. It was a painting. Painting of his mother, Ophelia.As graceful and sophisticated as ever, she stood there with her head held high and confidence sparkl
He let out a sigh. "Two."It wasn't much, but it still managed to sting. Biting my lip, I nodded and looked away.This was ridiculous! It was in his past! Then why did I want to murder those girls who got to have him?Pressing his forehead against mine, he held my gaze. "It was when you left for NY. Even for just some time, i- I thought to let you go. I wanted to forget you so that you can live your life happily. So, for that I thought other girls could help me. Even if deep down I knew I couldn't last for longer until I finally lost it and ran back to see you." He placed a kiss in between my brows. "And it happened. I could stretch it only for one month until I lost it. I knew no one could take the place of my Rosebud. Nor could I live without loving her, without seeing her."A tear slipped down my cheek. "Those years were hell for me as well. At least you could come and see me from afar. B-but, I had to figh