By now, in my last book, I'd ask questions. Here's the first one in this book.

How far would you go for love?

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When Ace gets to work, he's had a full blown conversation with Cole. He never knew that talking to an old friend would make him this happy. He steps out of the elevator and heads to his cubicle. The smile on his face, causing Luffy to lag behind on his usual hug. But nonetheless he still wraps his arms around his brother.
"What's got you in a good mood today, Ace?" he stands a few feet away from the older man with his hands on his hip. "Did something amazing happen and you're not willing to tell me? You have to tell me, you need to tell me!"
  "Luffy, you're not giving me anytime to talk," Ace rolls his eyes, but doesn't drop his smile. "I got back in contact with an old friend of mine. It amazes me at how much he's changed... but at the same time how he hasn't changed."
  "I don't understand," the younger man scrunches his face before he, like every other day, notices the time and races off to his cubicle. "Explain it to me further at lunch!"
  Ace shakes his head before he focuses on actually working. He makes it about two hours into this document that he's supposed to be proofreading or something, before he hears someone clear their throat. He glances over and sees that it's Ben, the CEO's right hand man, so he stops working and gives the older man his full attention, "Can I help you, Ben?"
  "Yeah, Shanks said that he thinks you should come in and teach some of the new recruits some... guidelines," the long, salt and pepper haired man lets out a sigh, but still sends Ace a smile. "But honestly... I think he's just trying to set you up with one of the girls in the class."
  "How many girls are in said class?" Sanji, a blond-haired, 'pervert/gentlemen' type character pops his head over the wall separating their cubicle. "And did you tell them about the party and the date?"
  "There are quite a few, Sanji," Ben reaches up and pinches the bridge of his nose. He needs a vacation, "And yes. They know about the party... everything about it."
  "Why don't you just let Sanji go in and teach them? I'm sure he wants to far more than I do," the black-haired man gives Ben a half smile. "Plus, he's been here just as long as I have."
  "As much as I'd love to take someone who's willing... Shanks will be mad at me if I don't take who he wants," the older man stares at Ace. "You know that, just as much as I do. But anyway, you won't have to do it until tomorrow. Just think about it. And come straight to the training room after lunch tomorrow. Thanks for making my life just a little less stressful."
  Before Ace has anytime to say anything else, Ben turns on his heel and walks away. The black-haired and looks to the blond who only shrugs, "He has a point you know. And even if it's true that we've both been working here the same time... and that we're both single... you need someone in your life way more than I do."
  "Ouch, I felt that. Right in my heart," Ace says before Sanji let's out a laugh and sinks back into his cubicle and starts to type away on the computer again. The black-haired man lets out a sigh, "Guess I really have no choice."
  He tries to focus back on his work, but something keeps his mind occupied. It was something the woman upstairs said to him, her name. He feels like he's heard it before. Could it be... nah. There could be plenty of people out there with the same name. Right?
  Why did he have to think of that right now? He had plenty of time to do this at home. It was because Ben mentioned the training class. She's in that class. The one who shares a name with the person who saved him all those years ago.
  The next thing he knows, it's lunch time and he's at the table with the whole group. It was such a coincidence that they all got the same lunch, but then again, Shanks probably set it up that way. He's known to do whatever he wants however he wants. But no one's complaining about it.
  "So, Ace, earlier, what did you mean?" Luffy's question causes the group of friends chatter to dissipate. They're curious as to what Luffy means, they're concerned that it could be something big.
  "I just ran into someone I knew from high school... and he felt like a completely new person. But at the same time... it felt like he hadn't changed," he runs his finger through his hair. "I know it's contradicting... but I just feel that way. And it... almost makes me feel bad that... I just... feel like I haven't changed at all."
  Robin, a beautiful, black-haired woman stands up and walks over to the seat beside him before sitting down again. She puts her arm around him and pulls him into an embrace. She's been through a lot in her life, so she's the one who understands the most about his situation. Not only that, but she's just a really deep and compassionate person.
  "We all change, Ace," her voice comes out soothing, and calm. "Every single second... of every single day. Whether it's a big change... a medium change... or a tiny minuscule difference. Change is constant. We're too busy focusing on the things we want to change, that we don't see anything else."
  "Ace, you've changed so much since... that woman broke you," Robin closes her eyes, knowing for a fact that her comment angered Ace. "We've all noticed it. It's such a shame you haven't. And we're here for you. Always. Even when it doesn't seem like it."
  Luffy jumps up and runs around behind them, throwing his arms around the couple and joining the hug. Ussop slides closer and hugs Ace from the other side. Nami stands up, begrudgingly, and does the same as Luffy. Sanji and Zoro only join when Nami shoots them a glare.
  Ace swallows a lump in his throat. Despite them always blaming his late girlfriend, they truest care about him and his feelings, "Thanks guys... but you don't-"
  "Be quiet," Robin takes in a deep breath, "This is a therapeutic hug. Anytime you need one, don't be afraid to ask for one."

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