: Chapter 20

The aroma of fresh spices and sauce wafted across the kitchen, proclaiming the delicious food getting ready for the special Italian dinner. The provoking sweet goods baking inside the oven had me salivating.

The hunger of my tummy spiked at that. The result of not eating the whole day. How could I when my mind spiraled with a vanished man’s thoughts all the time?

“I’m happy you’re here, Em. With all the preparations for the wedding going on, we haven’t spent enough time together.” Tess added some basil in the spaghetti.

I nodded. “Yeah, but don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere, at least not for three months. So, we’ve got a lot of time to fix that.”

Something flickered over her blue irises, but then she smiled. “Right. Anyway, how was your day?”

“It was good.”

Not good. Not at all. After last night, I didn’t get any peace. What Caleb said about their relationship, about her involvement with Ace, kept my mind busy. Then he suddenly vanished from the country.

In the evening, when I got Cassie’s call and got to know about Leyla being in the UK, it raised a lot of questions in my mind. He had no one out there except her, so the suspicion that she could be one of the reasons for his frequent visits there wasn’t unrealistic. Even if I didn’t have any right to feel vexed about it, I was. But somehow, I knew he wasn’t there for her. There was nothing between them like I thought at the beginning. They were just friends.

That’s what you thought about Ace and Tess, too.

That was the main reason for me being here. I wanted answers to my questions. And at this moment, only Tess could enlighten me. I’d lose my sanity if she didn’t.

Fidgeting in my seat, I cleared my throat. “I was thinking of asking you something…”

She looked up. Observing my hesitation, an understanding etched on her features. “You can ask me anything, Em. I’ll try to answer them as long as it’s about me.”

I took a deep breath. There was no point beating around the bush now. “Did you cheat on Caleb with Ace seven years ago?”

A gasp slipped through her lips as her eyes widened. “What? What are you talking about, Em? I never did such a thing!”

“Look, I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t ask you these questions. It happened years ago, and I should just keep it there. But I—”

“It doesn’t matter if it happened years ago or not! I’ve always loved Caleb. I know we were never sure of anything, and also dated other people after our first break up. But I’d never cheated on him. Especially with Ace. He was my best friend, for God’s sake!” Disbelief filled her eyes.

“So, there was nothing going on between you two?”

“Of course not! Why’d you think that?” A frown set between her brows. Soon, realization hit her as she went quiet, guilt flashing over her features.

“I saw you kissing, Tess. If there was nothing between you two, then what was that?” I queried, a sudden desperation rolled my insides. “Caleb told me you guys started dating a month before your nineteenth birthday. Means you were with Caleb when you… What do I think of that?”

I had no right to ask her these personal questions. It was all in the past. But I needed to know.

Both of them knew of my feelings. That other night on the terrace, she told me she’d never hurt me on purpose. Ace’s words and actions proved he remembered every word he said to me and somehow meant it.That’s what I saw in his eyes every time he called me his. I wasn’t sure if he harbored any real feelings for me back then, but he didn’t think I was a fool in love with him. He cared forme and respected my feelings.

That’s what I understood from all his crazy actions and other things. But if there wasn’t anything between them, why would they do that? Why did I find them wrapped around in each other’s arms like that?

What was the reason he became so distant with me and didn’t even call or ask about me for once after that night? Not even when I moved to New York. Yes, after his father’s death, he did get distant with everyone, but not with me. Even at least for once in a while, he used to visit me. Until one day, it stopped. And then came that ominous night. The night my heart broke.

All these things have been nagging me after Ace, out of nowhere, appeared in my life and declared his claim on me.

“Tell me, Tess. Why did you kiss the boy your sister lost her heart to?” My throat tightened, my eyes burned. “Even after loving someone else, even after Ace was just your best friend, even after you didn’t want to hurt your little sister, as you claimed that night. Why?”

Closing her eyes, she rubbed her face. “I can’t tell you that,Em.”

“Why?” My voice rose. Couldn’t she see how desperate I was to know the truth? The truth they were hiding.

“Just as I said, I will answer your questions as long as it’s about me. And it’s not about only me here, Em. Nor is it my secret to tell. Only Ace can give you these answers.” She blinked away the unshed tears. “But believe me, Em, there was never anything between me and Ace except friendship. And I’d never, ever cheat on Caleb. It’s not always what it appears to be. Sometimes, you need to see beyond it.”

Her eyes pleaded me not to ask anymore questions as I sat there silently, taking in her words. What did she mean?

It was not what it appeared to be? Then what was it? Maybe Ace had the answer to this question.

Though my confusions remained unsolved, her stating there wasn’t anything between them did something to my heart.

“Em?” Her voice snatched my gaze back to her. “I hope you understand why I can’t tell you anything. It’s not my place to tell you this. I’m sorry.”

I nodded. “It’s all right. I understand.”

She placed her hand on mine. “I know how important it is for you to understand everything so you can take your next decisions of your life. So, I’d suggest you ask him yourself. I think the time has come for you to know everything.”

Surprised, I watched her in confusion. Did I really want to know everything to take my next steps in my life with him? Was I considering Cassie’s advice to give us another chance?

And what did she mean by it was the time for me to know everything? Why did it feel like the truth I was going to know soon would change my life forever?

The blare of my phone distracted me from my thoughts. It was Beth.

“Hello,” I said, picking up the phone.

“Hello, is this Em I’m talking to?” a male voice spoke from the other side of the phone, some hubbub buzzed in the background.

“Yes? Who is it? And why are you calling from my friend’s phone? Where is she?” I frowned.

“Miss, I’m calling you from Dakota’s Bar. Your friend here is drunk and alone. She’s refusing to leave, and we don’t know her address. So, we got your number from her emergency dial list and called you. We’d be grateful if you come get your friend. She’s in a pretty bad state and we don’t know what to do with her.”

“Oh God! How long has she been there?” I shot up from the chair.

“Approximately four hours, miss,” the man replied.

“All right, can you please keep an eye on her until I get there? I’ll be there as soon as possible.”

“Of course, but be quick, miss. We’re about to close our bar for the night.”

“All right, thank you.” I put the phone in my purse.

“What is it? Who was that?” Concern latched in Tess’s eyes.

“It’s Beth. She needs me right now. I’ll tell you everything later. I’ve got to go now.” Grabbing my coat, I hurried out.

“Call me once you’re free. And stay safe!” she called as I shut the door behind me.