I decided to wait a while longer. Maybe Ace would get tired and just leave.

Shortly after enjoying my lunch, lightning danced in the gloomy dark sky, followed by the deafening sound of thunder. The strong wind whistled, rattling the old wooden window. It's going to rain soon, I thought to myself while cleaning the table. I wasn't mistaken. Minutes later, just as I was placing the empty plates and bowls in the sink, heavy rain started pouring from the sky.

I rushed to the window, sliding it close before the rain could enter my room. To my surprise, Ace was still kneeling outside! He stared up at me hopefully, but I immediately turned away, refusing to give him another glance.

Who cared if he was there, kneeling outside in the rain?

I returned to washing and drying the plates. Amelie deserved clean plates after all she had done for me. Meanwhile, the rain I thought would stop only grew heavier.

A quick glance at the window showed that Ace was still patiently waiting outside, even as it poured.

The fact that Ace was still outside bothered me, not because I was worried about him but because he was making a scene. The sight of him standing under the pouring rain will undoubtedly attract negative attention if I don't do something.

'I have to get rid of him,' I told myself. 'Someone as stubborn as he is won't stop bothering me unless I do something to make him stop.'

I made up my mind, walking to my bed and taking out my phone. I dialed a number I never expected to call, especially when it came to Ace.

After the second ring, someone answered the phone.

"Good afternoon. Local police station. How may I help you?" A male voice on the other line said politely.

"A man has been harassing me since this morning. He even trespassed my room when I was in the bathroom. I have more than a dozen missed calls and text messages coming from him. He's making me anxious and stressed. He is still outside my apartment building now, refusing to leave. Please help me." I told him, unable to hide the stress and anxiousness from my tone.

"May I get your name please?"

"Phoenix De Amore." I replied with my maiden name.

The officer asked for my address and I immediately gave it to him.

"Ms. Phoenix, our police officers are on the way. Please stay inside your room before we arrive for your safety." He informed me.

I thanked him before turning off the phone.

Less than five minutes later, I heard sirens wailing. I knew instantly that the police officers had arrived to pick Ace up. With my phone in hand I walked through the hallway, thankful to find it empty. Then I proceeded to the main door of the building.

Rain continued to pour heavily against the cement pavement and thunder sliced through the sky when I got outside. My gaze immediately landed on Ace, who was now kneeling on the ground and soaking wet from the rain. Two male officers stood behind him, convincing him to get up and leave but he simply shook his head.

"No, you don't understand Officer! I won't go. I need to see her. Let me stay." Ace pleaded.

With my chin up, I gave Ace a cold stare. He looked back at me with relief, thinking that I was finally paying him attention, but then his gaze soon transformed into shocked disbelief when he heard the words coming out of my mouth.

"Officer, please arrest this man. He sent me more than a dozen desperate calls and messages.Then he entered my room without my permission when I was showering." I showed the police officer the messages and the missed calls coming from Ace.

"That is trespassing and harassment." The police officer said as he scribbled something on his notepad. "Would you want to press charges against this man? You could file a restraining order against him too." He added with a frown on his forehead.

"That depends on him, Mr. Police Officer..." I trailed and caught Ace's eyes. "If he bothers me again then I have no option but to take legal action against him." I replied, my gaze lingering threateningly at him.

"N-no! Y-you can't do that to me Phoenix." He pleaded in a desperate attempt to soften my resolve but my mind is made up. No amount of words would make me change my decision.

"Why, try me, Mr. Greyson and see what I can do." The words were soft and yet filled with menace.

Ace didn't have the chance to respond as the police officers dragged him inside the police car. Ace surprisingly allowed the police officer to drag him. He did not even argue and quietly climbed inside the police car. His unbelievable obedience surprised me. I wonder what had gotten him to be this compliant.

I watched the car speed away until it was out of my sight.

It was still raining hard and for the first time since I got there, I realized how wet my clothes have become despite the protection of the roof above me.

A deep, long sigh escaped my lips as I made my way towards the door, surprised to see Amelie standing there. She was holding a towel in her hand, waiting for me. When I reached her side she said nothing as she gently draped the towel around my shoulders to protect me from the cold.

The maternal gesture melted my heart, making tears well from my eyes. She reminded me of my mother whom I missed so much. I wished she was still alive.

"Thank you, Amelie." I mumbled.

"Go to your room and have some rest dear. You will feel better afterwards." She smiled at me and patted my shoulders affectionately. I nodded my head and walked past her. She made no move to follow me. Perhaps she understood I needed some time alone for myself.

I quietly walked down the corridor, thankful to find it empty until I reached the privacy of my room. Once I'm inside, I immediately changed into a fresh t-shirt and shorts to replace my wet clothes.

At last, I could now spend my night in peace, I told myself as I laid down the bed. I never thought that Ace would chase after me so desperately, and that I would have the courage to have Ace arrested.

I needed to recuperate from such a tiring day, because I had an even bigger task tomorrow - arranging my mother's funeral. Thankfully, I was so exhausted that I felt myself falling asleep just minutes after my back landed on the soft bed.