Chapter 53: Heal my wounded heart

“You have more than one, CEO Jace?” Genesis snapped at him. She’s not happy, she wishes Arianna and Jace can find love in each other. After Jace’s mood and emotional display the other day, she knew there might be a chance for Arianna in his heart.

“I don’t even have any,” Jace replied. He hopes that Tayo Dante of a girl, has not come to make a fool of herself. No, she won’t dare cross her limits with him.

“Genesis, just stop it this moment. What is my business with Jace’s private or love life? Please, just let this phase be over in peace so we can go our separate ways again ” Arianna declared.

Genesis didn’t pursue the case further. She sighed softly and slowly turned her face away. Jace wanted to probe, to know who the lousy woman might be but held his tongue and didn’t ask. Genesis won’t say anything else if it would upset Arianna.

“I will feed you, Aria. Please, let me” Jace Hudson pleaded. “I already told you that…” Arianna was protesting when Jace said “It’s a honour to feed you, please give me this privilege”

Genesis saw the gentleness of Jace towards her friend. At that moment, she desperately wanted something to happen between them. Something like love and the story of happiness ever after.

She needs to give them space. She quickly came up with a reason “I have to check on mom, Aria. I haven’t seen her in two days and she is hypertensive. I’ll just check on her and come back soon”

“I thought you said we’ll have breakfast together”Arianna asked. She was guessing that Genesis was trying to give them space, she and Jace to be alone.

“Yes, Hun. But since CEO Jace is here, I could as well use the advantage of it. What do you think?” Genesis shrugged, smiling broadly.

“You know it’s only you and Richard I trust in this life right now. Don’t leave me alone too long, please ” Arianna pleaded.

“Sure” Genesis said and came closer, kissed her temple and said “I love you bestie ” she said and passed by Jace whispering “Utilise the time”

“You’re talking to me?”Arianna asked. She thought she heard Genesis say something. Was she talking to her? If yes, she didn’t get what she said.

“No, just saying I’ll be back soon” Genesis lied. Arianna nodded and watched till her friend went out through the door. She didn’t believe Gene’s words, but doesn’t have proof to debunk it.

Jace removed his suit, leaving his shirt on. Arianna glanced at his body physique and found herself attracted to it. She turned her face away before Jace would catch her stealing glances at him.

Jace was glad that only the two of them were left alone. He opened the pack and dish out breakfast. Arianna could only eat little and nutritious meals.

The ward was filled with the aroma of the food. Arianna was watching as Jace gently scoop a spoon of soup and brought it towards her mouth.

Arianna glanced at him and didn’t open her mouth. Is this CEO Jace Hudson? The man who had almost strangled her several times and forced her to say things she doesn’t know or have no idea about.

Jace still held the soup and his hand stretched towards her. He had only fed Clara and it’s on a date not on a hospital bed. And yet, she was not entirely true to him.

Arianna slowly opened her mouth and Jace smiled when Arianna accepted the soup. “Wow, yummy” she mumbled. Jace smiled and was happy that she liked it.

If Arianna had complained, the cook would lose her job that day. He scooped another spoon and Arianna opened her mouth and took it in.

This was the time for him to say what he had in mind “Thank you for saving my life. I owe you everything now, Arianna” Jace said, taking another soup to her mouth.

Arianna didn’t say anything. Jace continued “After everything I’ve done to you, you still saved my life, thank you” Jace said and poured water into a glass, feeding it to Arianna.

“I feel sorry about all I’ve done. I want to make it up to you. I can’t wipe the past torture and abuse from your memory, but I want to ease the pain of it when you think about it.

I want you and I to be together, Arianna. You, Eli and myself. I want us to be together as a family. I am willing to raise a family with you, if you will give me the chance” Jace concluded.

He took another spoon to Arianna’s mouth and the latter shook her head. “I’m full” she said and Jace nodded. He quickly put the dishes aside and folded the table aside.

“I won’t give you that chance, Jace Hudson. Don’t think I did what I did because I wanted to gain your attention, I am not an attention seeker, let alone seeking one with a man like you” Arianna paused and glared at him.

Jace Hudson could hear his voice in Arianna’s words. He once called her an attention seeker. Now that she’s giving him his words back, he feels guilty about it.

“I didn’t save your life because you deserved it. I did it because you are Eli’s father. Eli is my whole life and the only thing that matters to me in this whole world.

I don’t want him to grow up and realise that his father was shot before my eyes and I couldn’t do anything to save him. So I think Eli should get the credit.

And don’t ever say you owe me your life. No, you don’t. I’ve only paid you for taking advantage of you that night like you said. The $100 was not enough to compensate you for taking my virginity, right?

And forcing your dick into me, raping me couldn’t appease your grievances against me. But I guess now, you will feel satisfied that I went the extra mile, and paid for that night.

Don’t think making me your girlfriend will make you silence your conscience that you have paid me for saving your life. I have loved, and tasted what it means to be loved.

I know what it means to be in love. And I also know what it means to be betrayed and wounded in love. I am not ready for a relationship, Jace Hudson.

And when I do feel ready, I don’t think you will be that man that can heal my wounded heart. You don’t possess any of the qualities I want in a man, despite you’re so wealthy.

So please, don’t bother yourself to pay me. Just accept this as my final payment for the past mistake. I swear on my life, Jace Hudson that I took you that night for a gigolo…”Arianna’s eyes went teary.