Married To My Billionaire Bestfriend

Chapter 23 - Confused

Chapter 23 - Confused

Ava

Three weeks have passed since that unfortunate incident. Everyone wasn't much shocked when they learned Simon's truth. Turns out no one even liked him; they all just tolerated him for Liliana's sake. Just like Dad and Ace were for my sake until I called off my wedding with him.

As for Liliana, the poor girl was heartbroken when she learned Simon's truth.

I was afraid that she might actually misunderstand me or even come to hate me, but surprisingly, she didn't. Instead, she hugged me and apologized on behalf of Simon. She mostly apologized for bringing Simon to this house and for giving him the chance to hurt me. Though, I told her that she wasn't the one to be blamed and assured her that I wasn't angry with her.

Liliana's reaction wasn't the only thing I was afraid of. I was afraid of Ace as well. I had nightmares for the first few days of Ace shooting Simon. But Ace had seemed to have noticed that and had asked me to open up to him, and when I did, he cleared everything. He assured me that it was a one-time thing because he was in a rage, otherwise, he rarely got his gun out.

A little more update on how these three weeks passed by: Ace finally enrolled Emma in a public school, Grandma and Grandpa returned from Italy, and my dad was finally dating someone.

Emma was absolutely over the moon when Ace announced the news of her transfer. However, Ace had told her to follow some rules, which she happily agreed to. I have started to notice changes in Emma's personality little by little ever since then. She told me all about the new friends she made, just by encouraging herself to talk to them first. She, who never went on hangouts, had three hangouts just over this week. Attending a party was next on the list, and it went without saying, I would make sure she looks absolutely fabulous.

I was glad Ace changed his mind about Emma's situation after the Simon incident; more like he didn't want to hurt me ever again and quietly listened to me. He was indeed adorable!

But the person who changed the most in this short time was Liliana. She completely threw herself into work by picking up as many extra hours as she could. She would barely make it home before midnight these days. I was worried about her overexerting herself, especially at this sensitive time.

But she assured me that she was fine and told me she had no choice but to continue doing this. After all, she has decided to be a single mother like her own mom. That's why she was working hard to make sure her unborn baby would never face any issue in life, especially not monetary. Just because she lived with her extended rich family didn't mean she depended on them financially.

Lastly, about Simon, I had no news. After that horrifying incident, I didn't even dare to utter his name in front of Ace. I didn't want to relive Ace's dangerous aura from that day.

"What are you thinking?" I heard a familiar voice ask.

I turned my face to the door of the bedroom, watching Ace come inside. He had just returned from the office.

I was sitting on the couch and next to me was Velvet. I couldn't believe that Ace finally allowed Velvet to stay in our bedroom and renovated his closet room to make space for my belongings. It was really one of the sweetest gestures one could ever show to me, so I decided to return it by taking down Vean's huge poster from the wall. Ace had been, of course, overjoyed.

"Welcome home," I said to him with a warm smile.

Ace hadn't gone to the office for the first three days after that incident because he was too afraid to leave me alone. But I assured him that I would be fine, and hence, he resumed going to the office once again.

Ace smiled back at me and leaned towards me, then I felt his soft lips on my right cheek.

An immediate heat rushed to my cheeks. Though I didn't look at him, I could feel his eyes on me.

I still couldn't believe that Ace and I liked each other—more than as friends. The more I thought about this matter and Ace, my feelings for him started to spread deeper than before.

"Here." Ace handed me a big rectangular box, which was neatly wrapped with a beautiful wrapping paper.

"What's this?" I couldn't help but ask.

"A bomb," he retorted, making me roll my eyes. "A gift, duh."

"Obviously, I know that Ace. All I meant to ask was, why are you giving me a gift right now? Is there any special occasion?"

"Ava, do I need to have a special occasion to give a gift to my beautiful wife?" When I shook my head in denial, he said, "Then, open it, baby."

I took the box and started to unwrap it. "Why did you use such a beautiful wrapping paper? It wounds my heart to tear these poor papers."

He chuckled. "I am sorry for wanting to give the best of everything to my wife all the time."

I shook my head with a smile. He was too sweet, sometimes.

Finally, I managed to unwrap the gift, and a gasp escaped my lips, seeing the new Silver iPad, which seemed of the latest generation. A box containing an apple pencil was there as well.

"Wow... Ace, you didn't have to..."

Ace instantly placed his index finger over my lips.

"I didn't have to, but I want to."

"Why?" I breathed out.

"Since you have a great taste in designing, you can design the dresses digitally during your leisure time." He added, "I can easily release those designed dresses' collections. With your permission, of course."

I was touched by hearing his words. He paid so much attention to me and my every detail.

However, I arched an eyebrow in amusement. "Seems like you have got planned everything, but you are holding back on sharing the entire plan. Spill it. Tell me your full-proof plan. I am interested to know."

Ace grinned and took a seat next to me, pushing Velvet to the farthest corner of the couch. I chuckled at that.

"So what I've got planned so far is, we can launch your designs as a collection once a year. It will be an exclusive collection of Ava—Ava's Collection. What do you think?" he asked me with hope in his eyes, slightly afraid that I would reject his offer. But there was nothing to be afraid of.

"Ace... Wow! I just love this idea," I exclaimed with excitement. "Thank you, thank you! You are the best!" I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. "You care for me so much."

He patted my back and hugged me back, whispering into my ear, "Of course, I do, Ava. I don't have to even think about how to express what I feel for you. It all comes naturally when it's about you."

"Same here, Ace," I whispered back. "I am really glad I got married to my best friend, instead of S—"

I was interrupted by Ace, "If you are happy with your best friend, then just express that part. No need to bring up bad memories. Put them in a locker and throw them in the ocean."

I chuckled. "You are right. I shouldn't think of bad memories. Let's focus on the good and positive ones."

"Exactly."

After a few minutes of staying in the hug, I let him go.

"I am gonna go and take a shower," Ace informed me and got up.

After I watched him go to the bathroom, I couldn't help but get confused with my own debate.

I didn't know whether my like for Ace was turning into love or not. Was I falling for him?

It was all indeed confusing!