♡♡♡
ACE

I can't remember when last I had been to a hospital. I hate that place. I had a very traumatizing experience here and tried to forget it every day of my life.

I watched my aunt pant up and down the waiting room and run her hands through her hair. Her husband was sitting beside me. Believe me, that was the last place I wanted to be. But I had to be there to show my respects.

After what happened with Quinn yesterday I hadn't been myself, for the first time in my life I had no idea of what to do.

Frustrated and tired of waiting I decided to go and get a drink. I lazily stood up and went to the vending machine. My hoodie covered almost half of my face and I had to raise it a little to pick my drink. Just as I was about to take my drink a woman came behind me.

The whiff of her perfume engulfed me with a familiar scent I looked back as I grabbed my drink to take a look at her but her large scarf and huge sunglasses covered her face. I took my change and was about to leave when I turned back.

"Excuse me, do you know me?" I couldn't stop myself from asking.

"No," She answered without turning back and walked away with her drink.

She got the same drink as me. Pure blast. The drink me and my mother always took while my dad had a different taste. The wheels were spinning in my head when her voice no rang in my head and I realized how familiar that sounded too.

Could it be?

I took my hood off immediately and looked around for where she disappeared to. I ran around the hospital like a madman and almost bumped into a patient in a wheelchair, I quickly apologized. I looked around me but couldn't find her again.

I was probably just overthinking. I went back to the waiting place to see Liam and Myra had already arrived.

"Hey," Myra said as I sat beside her and I nodded.

"They said it's poisoning," She breathed.

I raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Yeah my mum and dad just went with the doctor, grandpa's still unconscious."

"How would he get poisoned? Only one person cooks his food and she's been doing it for years."

"You're confused? I'm fucking confused too."

I shook my head and shut my eyes. "What the fuck is going on?"

"He's the owner of a multi-billionaire company. I'm sure there are plenty of people who would have attempted to poison him." Liam finally spoke like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Yeah people like you," I said.

"Honestly I think you're more of a culprit. I mean everyone knows how much I adore him while you on the other hand would literally openly show your hatred," He chuckled. "Ace...... you're more of a suspect."

"Really? His real grandson is more of a suspect than his step-grandson?"

"Wow you really used that card, did you? I feel really bad for him that he has a grandson like you, you could plan his death anytime out of hatred."

"Ah stop that nonsense would you?" Myra said giving him a disgusted look.

"Oh, what do you know? Just keep jumping hoops or whatever you do." He retaliated.

"You don't even know what I do. You know nothing about me. So kindly shut the fuck up."

Their sibling's banter continued and I used my hood to cover my face again and sank into my seat trying to get Liam's words out of my head.

I know there's definitely going to be an interrogation. But would they interrogate this own grandson? I know it's Liam and his father responsible for this and they would try to frame anyone else especially me.

After a while, their parents came back and told us everything the doctor said.

"So there's really going to be an investigation?" Myra asked rubbing her hands on her thighs.

"Yes, dear." Her stepfather replied.

"But you don't have to worry about that you just go to school and focus on making it into the Olympic training," Her mother reassured her.

Laura married Mr. Jefferson after her husband and Myra's father died. Myra chose to have her name as Myra Winston because to her she had no real father taking the fact that her father died while cheating on her mother. So honestly to me, it seems like Mr. Jefferson and his son are more of a culprit than I am because they're literally strangers who could have come into our family to take the company.

But who knows?

"Is he still unconscious?" I finally asked.

"Yes, but we can go and see him now," Laura said.

The beeping sound of his heart monitor filled the room as we entered and his unconscious body lay on the bed. He had an oxygen mask over his nose and the rays of the sun outside illuminated his body.

"Come on," Laura said and we all walked closer to him.

"If we didn't find him on time.... He might have not made it," Liam announced.

As I stared at my grandfather I felt absolutely nothing.... And I mean nothing. My heart was numb probably because of Quinn but still.

"He'll make it don't worry," Mr. Jefferson said to Myra whose eyes had started to water. I don't blame her, she was close to him as his only female grandchild she was his princess.

"I think I'll get going now," I muttered and turned around to walk out when Liam interrupted me.

"The investigation would start soon and everyone would be involved so please just corporate."

I said nothing as I walked out and just as I was about the enter the elevator two policemen and a policewoman came out of the elevator and walked past me.

The realization of how serious the issue would become dawned on me.

~~~~~♡♡♡~~~~~

I had to get ready for two dinners that night. The one as Nana's date for her dad's opening dinner and the one for Quinn's sister.

I couldn't cancel either one. Not after Nana told me everything she was going through and after making Quinn cry, I couldn't bail on either of them. I got myself together and put on a black shirt and some trousers.

My plan was simple, go to Nana's first then leave to make it to the dinner. Nothing couldn't possibly go wrong with that.

I arrived at the Kim's house and was greeted by Mrs. Kim who hugged me warmly like she hadn't seen me in years.... Well, she hadn't.

"It's good to see you again soon," Mr. Kim commented and patted my back. I forced a smile at the couple.

"Congratulations on your new branch," I commented and they smiled warmly.

So this was the killer? Brutally killing people who were threats to expose his secret drug dealing business. He has such a warm and innocent face that I almost began to doubt what nana said was true. His father came downstairs and I also greeted him warmly.

"Ah yes, how's your father? My old friend I saw him just a few days ago what happened?" Nana's grandfather asked.

I was really hoping to skip that part but he threw it right in my face.

"He's still unconscious but there will be an investigation into what happened," I told them and the three of them nodded with sympathy on their faces.

"Oh poor Ace, his grandfather was all he had after what happened with his parents. You'll be okay, I'm here in case you need anything," Mrs. Kim reassured me.

Right then Nayoung came down the stairs in a black strapless gown that went all the way down to her ankles but had a slit up to her upper thigh. She smiled at me and I forced a smile. She got down and held my arm.

"You look good."

"Thanks," I replied.

"Awn you two make sure a cute couple," Her mother commented while looking at us like we were walking down the aisle.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Did these people forget I was dating Quinn? I mean I'm not really dating her but you get my point.

"No, they don't! He's dating Quinn remember." Harry's voice came through as he walked out from the kitchen wearing quite the opposite of what we were wearing.

I chuckled, I loved this kid sometimes.

"What are you wearing?" His mother shrieked.

"Huh?" Harry looked down at his outfit with a confused expression. "Um this is a black cargo pants and a black sweater vest with a white top and oh the chain was something I found in my room and these sneakers-"

"Shut up!" His mother yelled and he almost stumbled back in fear.

"I was just answering the question," He mumbled.

"Go and changed now, I got that suit for you from Singapore. It was custom-made for you, why do you want to embarrass me by wearing that," His mother cried.

"Embarrass you?" He feigned hurt. "Mum, this is the real style that suit is not comfy at all, and look I wore black and white that's formal enough."

"Oh my God. This boy would be the death of me."

"Leave the boy alone, let's get going we can't be late," His father saved him and lead Mrs. Kim outside.

Their grandfather went out next.

"Really? Couldn't you have just worn the suit?" Nana asked.

"You didn't take anything from what just happened? No, I can't! I hate suits."

He's just like me.

"He's just like you but annoying," Nana said my thoughts out loud.

We were about to go out when Harry stopped me and whispered in my ear. "Erm... that chick from the other day at your office... do you by chance have her number?"

I gave him a death glare and said, "Nope not happening."

"Oh come on." He cried as he followed us outside.

Soon we got to the venue and I went in hand in hand with Nana. Luckily there were no reporters in the hall.

After greeting a few people and giving a toast, we finally could talk without being interrupted by someone wondering if we were back together or if they couldn't talk to me about being partners.

"Thank you so much for this doing for me," She said and held my hands.

I slowly took my hands away, "No problem."

She paused for a while due to my actions but shook it off and flipped her hair over her shoulder.

I was going to ask her about the kiss but decided to ignore it and act like it never happened cause I wasn't in the mood to deal with her.

"So how's it with Quinn, I hope I didn't cause much damage yesterday?" She asked almost with a mocking tone.

"No we're good," I lied with a straight face and she nodded.

The sound of metal on glass rang in the air and we looked up to see Mr. Kim on the podium ready to make an announcement. The hall went silent.

"Good evening all, thank you all for coming and taking your time to celebrate our new branch with us," He smiled and cheers erupted.

"I want to use this opportunity to make an important announcement," He glanced at our side now and I felt Nana stiffen beside me.

"We have numerous branches all over the world and this is our first branch in New York. You all know me I'm a busy man and can't keep everything going all by myself. So my company and family have come to a very important and special decision," He paused for dramatic effect. "The company in New York would be run by my one and only daughter, Kim Nayoung."

Fuck.

Cheers erupted again and the spotlight suddenly appeared above us. I looked at Nana beside me who forced a fake smile.

I knew that was exactly was she didn't want.

After a while of people congratulating her, Nana left the room and I followed her to see her entering a guest room. I knocked slowly and she replied with silence.

"It's Ace.... Can I come in?"

"It's opened." Her voice boomed after a while.

I went in to see her on the floor while her head in her palm, a low sob escaped her lips and I sat beside her.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"What do you think?" She chuckled as she finally lifted her head and her bloodshot red eyes came into view. Seeing Nana like this two days in a row was something I never thought would happen.

She sniffed and shook her head, "I'm supposed to be happy about this finally happening but Ace.... I can't do it... I can't be my dad. He expects me to protect the company and family like he has been doing... but I can't be a murderer. I don't want to have blood on my hands."

Her lips trembled as she spoke and her chest rose at each breath. The tears threatened to spill from her eyes again and her voice cracked at each word. She shook her head vigorously and threw her head back. "I fucking can't!"

I had to push my feeling about Quinn aside and be there for Nana at the moment.

"You don't have to," I spoke and took her in my arms. " That's your dad's way of dealing with situations, yours can be different. You don't even have to be involved with the urm..... the drugs."

"That's the main business Ace, the pharmacy is just a cover." She blurted out.

I could feel her body vibrating slowly as she cried at her new fate. "We'll figure it out. Just please stop crying." I whispered and caresses her hair.

"I really don't know what I would do without you," She sighed and sniffed while looking at me.

She said that so many times when we were dating, she needed me for everything. She made me feel guilty even for missing her calls or not taking her side. She made it seem as if I was the only one she could rely on in the world. Now I didn't know if she really needed me or if it was an act again after how she hurt me in the past.

Suddenly the door opened and her father walked in. "So this is where you lover birds flew away too."

Nana stood up, "How long have you been standing there?"

He smiled and looked at me. "Long enough to know my boy here Ace now knows about our family secret."

Suddenly the smile he gave me didn't look friendly, it was a threatening smile. I immediately stood up.

"You see Nayoung, that's something that you're not supposed to go around telling everyone," He shut the room door and walked closer to us.

"Not even my closest friends know about it. And you told Ace."

"I trust him and he's the only know I can tell everything thing to," Nana said as she stood in front of me.

I gulped. Mr. Kim would kill me right there to protect his secret, he has killed so many people that I wouldn't be a problem thinking about the fact that I was alone in a room with him and his daughter. I was literally in a trap.

"Oh no, darling I trust him too. I mean I also know so many of his family's secrets, even about what happened when his father left," He chuckled and I raised an eyebrow.

When my father left? No no, my father died not left. The confusion must have been evident on my face because he gave me a smirk.

"Oh did I say too much? Well, my information would literally be enough to end your whole family. So I guess we're even. Keep your mouth shut or get killed it's that simple," He raised his hands.

"Dad!" Nana screamed and walked back with me.

My father isn't dead?

"Calm down darling. Ace is a businessman, he understands all this don't panic."

"My father isn't dead?" I yelled.

He tilted his head. "I mean I did see him a few days ago after a long time and I don't remember being able to see ghosts."

"Just answer the question!" I yelled again.

He smirked, "No Ace, your father is alive."

My whole world was a lie.

~~~~~♡♡♡~~~~~

Heyyyyy

What's going on???😭😭😭🫣

Don't forget to vote, share and comment.

Muah🙈

Happy new year my lovessss!🤍  Let's make 2023 our year.