Ace took a deep intake of his cigar puffing the smoke in the dimly lit living room. That's what his days consisted of when he was not taking care of meetings and investments. All he did was smoke, drink, stare at the ceiling. Day after day.

He barely slept at night, his dreams filled with images of her, their time together, her smile, her laughter, her grin, her charcoal grey eyes, her sexy voice, her scent, her moans. Her, her, her. That woman haunted him, even if she was gone. She was still looming over him like a shadow.

Ace missed her and sometimes he wished he hadn't taken a decision while mad. He wished he hadn't asked her to leave that day but then again he couldn't just forgive her like that. She had fucked up and needed to realise her mistake. But in punishing her, Ace was punishing himself too.

He craved her presence so much to the point he moved into the room she occupied here. Laying in her covers and cherishing her scent till it had merged with his and faded. His world was darker now, he had no interest or willpower to do anything.

Sighing, he scrolled on his phone watching pictures he had secretly taken of her while she was doing regular things like training or meditating. Some was when she was asleep, others when she was cleaning her weapons. It had just been a few months that he had known her but it felt like they had been together for ages. What even were they? Strangers? Lovers? Enemies? Or just a mafia boss and his bodyguard?

He wondered where she was right now, what she was doing, if she was seeing someone, if she was still here or abroad. He knew his family were looking for her but he couldn't bring himself to ask or even look for her. Maybe it was better that way.

“You need to get yourself back together, Piccolo Principe"His father's tender voice was heard.

Piccolo Principe.. His father always used to call him that when he was little and even though it always made a smile tug at the corners of his lips. In this moment, all he could do was look up into his father's eyes quietly. His mother, right next to him.

“Ace my baby, let us in.. Let us help you and be there for you,"Lucasia said, coming towards him and sitting down on the couch.

“I need her, mamma.” Ace said, hoarsely.

“Why did you let her get away, then?”Valentino asked as he sat on the other couch observing him.

“Because.. I was mad and hurt. I took a decision in my own pain. Big mistake” Ace sighed leaning back against the couch.

“Ace, I'm not going to tell you that she's a good person. But she genuinely loved you, son.” Valentino sighed, making him look back at his father with a raised eyebrow. He was the last person Ace expected to say that considering his protectiveness.

“Don't look at me like that. I'm still not happy about the situation. But I read her file. She has always been known to be swift, severe and stealthy. She could have killed you ages ago, Ace” Valentino said.

“I know. I thought about it too” Ace said softly.

It was true. She had plenty of chances but she didn't. She didn't even attempt to. Instead she had protected him and defended him. She had been there all along the way.

And instead of working things out, finding a solution and fixing things. He had driven her away and God knows where she was now. Everyone in the underworld had known that Ricardo Russo was dead and his men too. The police didn't find the one responsible for the fire but in the underworld, everyone was talking about the mysterious disappearance of the Red Dragon. Russo’s child and only heir. It seems Kaida hadn't claimed any of Ricardo’s wealth and everyone was grasping for power and control.

“What is she to you, Ace?”Lucasia asked, holding his hand.

Ace paused, gathering his thoughts. “She is my everything. My strength, my weakness, my joy, and my pain. She holds my heart in her beautiful hands.”

“She has become my purpose. My reason for existing. Without her, I am nothing. Without her, I'm just...a shell.”He continued reminiscing the way she had felt so perfect in his arms.

His parents shared a knowing resigned look filled with understanding, love and acceptance. “She's the one, then” Valentino and Lucasia said in unison.

“Yeah but she's gone,” Ace said, clenching his jaw.

“We will find her. She will eventually return, Ace. You can't stay away from the person who holds your heart for so long” Valentino said, seeming confident.

Somehow it offered Ace hope that maybe, she would be back. Maybe they could have a different ending.

Piccolo Principe- little Prince