In the end, I had let him drive.

We headed towards my favorite pasta shop in the vicinity since he said he would eat wherever I liked. I always ate at that place after visiting the site so some of the waiters already knew me. Today, Justin, a guy who was probably around my age and had also come from America served us. 

"Miss Vandia, it is nice to see you back again and it seems that you have brought a friend," he noticed Ace who was sitting across from me. 

"Yes, though I won't stay long."

"Oh, that's a pity," Justin frowned. 

"I'd like the usual and my friend will have-" 

"Your fiancee will have Ragu Napoletano, thank you," he gave the menu back to Justin who forced out a smile and took it. 

"I didn't know you were into waiters," he commented when Justin had left and my face immediately creased. It sounded offending as if people with such jobs do not deserve being loved or liked. 

In no way did I like Justin, he was kind and he served well, but he didn't deserve Ace's rude remark. 

"What is wrong with waiters?"

"Nothing, waiters are good," he paused. 

"But Doctors will always be hotter, more handsome, fitting for Engineers," he pointed at himself. He had me all at sea, recently how he acted towards me had been so bizarre. He had been so confusing, his words and actions didn't match.

He told me he was going along with the marriage because he wanted the President's seat and that he no longer felt anything for me but his gestures and witty remarks had suggested otherwise. I was mentally screaming, scolding myself for falling for the same guy over again. 

The only difference was this time I accepted it openly, I wasn't denying it anymore. 

Justin served our food and Ace opened up the topic on Edward, "When did you start receiving your threats?" 

"I think it was four years ago after visiting Edward in his cell, that was also the time when I  met his parents and told them that I was there to help the case," I forked my pasta and ate it. 

"How about you? Don't you received any threats at all?" I asked and he shook his head. 

"Which is why I've been wondering why I am not a target, I have the concrete evidence and yet they are targeting you," his forehead creased and he looked at his pasta as if it had done him wrong. 

"I heard there was also a bomb threat," he continued and I nodded. His expression turned more sour and annoyed but I was pretty sure he was trying to suppress it. 

"It's alright, nothing has hurt me physically. I'll admit, it did strain me back then, I became paranoid and anxious, there were days when I didn't catch a wink of sleep but I learned how to deal with it. It was only since the recent gunning that I became a little edgy again," I commented and he stayed quiet for a long time.

"I should have been there," he muttered. 

"Again?" I asked, unsure if I had heard him right. 

"Nothing."

I wanted to push the topic further but I decided not to since the annoyance in his face was very apparent, it was obviously frustrating him. 

"So, we'll be leaving tomorrow, right? Only Blake will be piloting?" I asked changing the topic. 

"Yeah, that guy can handle it," he finally smiled and I nodded.

"He'll be kicked out of the Navy if he can't," he added. He really regarded his friends with such respect. Normally, conceited assholes do not have any respect for others because they feel that they are at the top but Ace wasn't like that. Given, in his field, he is always boastful, looking down on others, but he respected those who are striving in their own line of work.

We ate quietly for the rest of the meal and after that Justin approached us to give the bill. 

"Here you go sir," he handed Ace the bill but I took it instead. 

"I'll pay, I bet you haven't exchanged money, right?" 

Ace was about  to say something when Justin suddenly interfered, "It is only right that a man pays for the bill." 

Ace who had his mouth open ready to speak suddenly glared at Justin. 

Oh no. 

"Why? Are you living in the archaic age, mate?" Ace asked. 

"It's called chivalry," Justin answered. 

Ace gave me a stare that looked like he was mentally saying, 'Can I punch this ass?' and in return, I gave him a look saying, 'No, be good.'

Ace took a deep breath before getting his wallet out of his coat pocket, he took out a card, took the bill from my hands and gave both to Justin, "I had no plans on letting her take the bill, you were just too quick with your words." 

Ace did not sound civil, it sounded more like a threat. I wanted to slam his hand for his rudeness but I also did not want to cause a scene so I had just let him be. 

"Can I fire that ass?" he asked when Justin left and I found myself sighing in exasperation. 

"Why are you always so rude?" 

"He was gawking at you, it annoyed me but at the same time I also realized I was in no position to fight him because of you," he sighed. 

"Why didn't you use your 'I'm your fiancee' excuse?" I asked. 

"It's an empty title."

I scanned Ace's face, he looked like he just lost the lottery. He looked outside the window gesturing that he did not want to continue the topic any further and I began to overthink again. 

After Justin came back with Ace's card and the receipt, we headed out immediately. I knew trouble would stir if we stayed any longer. 

Again, he drove. I had thought we were heading back to the hotel but he did not seem to be going that direction. I shrugged it off thinking that he had a place in mind. I stayed quiet and we drove for an hour.

"Ace, where are we going?" I finally asked when he still had not stopped. 

"Back to the hotel," he replied and my eyes widened. 

"What? To the hotel? You are in a completely different path to the hotel, what are you talking about?" I smirked and his face immediately flushed. 

"I didn't know the way, why didn't you tell me?" he smirked. He was trying to put the blame on me. 

"You prideful-- ugh! Since we are here anyway, lets head straight. There is a nice tourist spot if we continue this road, I'll show it to you," I sighed and he continued to drive. 

He had been too embarrassed to ask for direction so he stayed quiet for an hour trying to figure out the way. How cute. He was as prideful as ever and it made me laugh to myself.

I took him to about three different tourist spots and then we finally headed back to the hotel. This time I pointed out the direction. When we got back to the hotel, we parted ways only to find out that our room was actually next to one another. 

"Um, goodnight then, I guess?" I spoke before I entered my room. 

"Goodnight, Vandia." 

I watched Ace entered his room before entering the mine. Despite the fact that we have been out all day he still looked handsome in his black coat and white dress shirt. His tie was already loose and honestly the whole day I was wondering why he wore such formal attire. On the other hand, I felt like my face looked so haggard and my ankles were aching because I had worn heels. If only I knew we were going to end up touring I should have worn flats and more comfortable clothes.

The hotel room was huge, it was in a shade of blue and cream, it made me remember my room back in Scion. I bet it had a totally different look to it by now, that dorm room was the only part of Scion that I actually liked. 

I headed towards the bathroom to take a hot shower, do my night routine, and finally hit the bed. I had thought I would be able to fall asleep quickly because I felt tired but I didn't. In fact, I was not able to get a wink of sleep knowing that Ace was on the other side of the wall. I kept on hoping that he would knock or message or anything at all, but there was nothing. 

At around 11 pm there was a knock on the door. I ran towards it thinking that it was him but to my surprise, it was food service, I had forgotten I ordered food because I felt hungry. I was thinking of messaging him that we should eat dinner together but it made me feel pathetic so I  didn't. I scrolled through my phone the whole night, I was looking through the same feed over and over again but I just couldn't sleep. 

My eyes were still wide open when the sun started to rise. 

Knock. Knock. Knock. 

I sprang up to my feet only to fall down making a loud thud on the carpet floor. 

"Vandia! Are you alright?" Ace screamed from the other side of the door. I heard the knob turn but since it was lock he was not able to enter.  

"I'm alright!" I screamed back, stood, and made my way towards the door. 

"What happened?" he asked. 

"Nothing, the chair fell off," I lied and he raised an eyebrow. 

"Which explains why your knee is red?" he pointed at it and I slammed my palm to my face. 

"What? Are you a detective now too?" I sighed and welcomed him inside. 

"Don't compare me to your boy best friend," he smirked. 

I thought they were friends already, I guess there was still a small barrier between them. 

"Why are you here?" I asked. 

"We will leave in an hour," he sat on the sofa, he kept looking at my eyes. 

"Why are your eyes so red?" he asked. 

Because I didn't have a wink of sleep!

"I was rubbing it just now, I had just woken up," I made up. He continued to scan me as if he didn't believe me but he just shrugged it off. 

"Let's have breakfast on the go, Blake said he was already on his way to the airport," he unlocked his phone and I nodded. 

"I'll shower then," I entered the bathroom. 

I was expecting him to be gone by the time I got out but he was still there, sitting comfortably on the sofa, looking through his phone. 

"Aren't you going to shower?" I asked when I got out in my robes. 

"I already did before I came here," he was still looking at his phone. He had not noticed I was just in my robes so I took my clothes from the bed and headed back to the bathroom to get changed. 

Honestly, I felt disappointed that he had not seen me. Flashback from college made me remember how many times he has seen me in just my robes, I was always the one who pushed him out. It made me frown a little. I kept expecting Ace to act like how he used to but he didn't anymore. 

We drove through Mcdonalds to get two breakfast meals, he got a burger, hashbrowns, and coffee so I ordered the same thing. He was driving because he still wouldn't let me, it was my advantage anyway, I could eat freely. 

We were on a straight path when he finally took the burger out of the paper bag, he had a rough time opening it so I took it and unwrapped it before giving it back to him. 

"Thank," he said without taking his eyes off the road. 

"Welcome," I responded. 

"It's too quiet, don't you have a topic in mind?" I asked out of nowhere. We had been driving in deafening silence, I hated it. 

"What topic?" He asked. 

"I don't know, animals, trees, building, kids, lamposts?" I suggested everything I saw outside. 

"Kids?" He asked and I found his eyes glint a little. 

"What about them?" 

"Ever thought of having one?" 

"Nah, I mean. I'm not against having one but it is still not apart of my plan," I shrugged. 

"In the situation that we are in, can I really be jolly enough to think about such things?" I almost scoffed. I was never the family type of person, having children had never really crossed my mind. Ace looked at me in disbelief but shrugged it off after a second. 

"How about you?" I asked. 

"I want dozens of kids," he stated and I almost spit the drink I was having. 

"What?" I smirked. 

"Nah, actually two is fine," he seemed to suppress a laugh due to my reaction. 

I arched my brow at the thought. It never occurred to me that Ace had such plans, I've always thought he was the type to be career-focused. Imagining him with kids made me blush, I guess he would be a great father. He had always been fond of kids, that was why he got along well with his younger brother, Joey. 

I was about to ask another question but the car finally came to a stop. I guess we have reached our destination. 

Blake was waiting for us at the parking lot. I never got to see him on the plane or the airport so I was surprised to see how mature he had looked. His body had always been sinewy but right now he looked more muscular than ever. His red hair that used to rough and unkept was gelled back. He wore a white shirt and jeans, topping it was a bomber flight jacket. One thing didn't change, he still looked aggressive.

Ace gave Blake a short hug when we finally approached him. 

"Thanks, man, I owe you one," Ace smiled and Blake shrugged it off. 

"I still owe you for the last incident anyway," Blake stated. 

"Nice to see you again, Mr. Gavierra," I reached out my hand and he shook it. 

"You too, Cana, drop the formalities," he laughed and I smiled.

He led us towards the runaway where a small private jet was parked, it had the symbol of the Gavierra airplanes. The runaway was very windy, I was lucky to be wearing jeans and long sleeves.

The three of us entered the plane through the portable stairs and another man who seemed to be working under Blake had helped moved it away when all of us got inside. I had thought he would have a co-pilot with him for the flight but just as Ace said, it was just the three of us. 

"Feel free to come to the cockpit any time you need to, just make sure to knock first," he warned and entered the cockpit. Ace and I were left at the body of the plane. 

I wasn't used to a private jet because when our family traveled we always used a plane. This aircraft was smaller than I had expected. The place was compact yet spacious, it had four recliner single sofas at the right, facing one another, a rectangular marbled table in between. On the left, there was a long counter table, marbled as well. Cup holders were at the right side and there was a champagne bucket on the left, two bottles inside. The interior was in a scheme of brown.

The body of the jet was cut in two, at the back, towards the tail, there was a mini room, a bed, an emergency kit, and a fridge. It looked smaller compared to the front.

Ace made his way towards the tail of the plane where Blake had told him to place our luggage. Afterward, he made his way back to the front, he sat opposite me. 

A few minutes later, Blake spoke through the mic system, "This is your Captain, Mr. Handsome speaking and we are about to depart. Please take note to buckle your seatbelts and remain seated until the seatbelt light is on. Air masks and parachutes will automatically fall from the top in case of an emergency. If you wish to have more fun on the plane, there is a bed at the back, just make sure to finish it within two hours because we would be at London by then, thank you."

Ace was smiling at his friend's remark. 

Guys.  

I tried to shrug it off but I could still feel my face burn a little as I pictured the two of us in bed. 

Snap out of it, Cana. 

We were able to depart smoothly, I think this was the smoothest flight I have ever taken. Maybe it was because the jet was small or maybe Blake was a really good captain, either way, I was thankful. 

When the seatbelt light finally turned off, I stood up to take some refreshments at the tail. Blake said all the refreshments and snacks could be found there. I grabbed two boxed ice tea and biscuits. 

"Tea?" I offered Ace when I got back to my seat. He took it gratefully and again silence filled the room. I was about to bring up a random topic when he spoke at the same time. We stared at each other waiting for the other one to speak.

"Oh, you go first," I offered.  

"Vandia, will you be honest with me?" he gave me a serious look and I gestured for him to continue. 

"Why didn't you give me a chance to explain back then?"

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