The drive was exceptionally quiet and I didn't care until Ace pulled over to the side of the road, his expression cold and detached. "You can get out here, Sharon. I have somewhere to be."
I stared at him, incredulous. "What? You're dropping me off in the middle of nowhere?"
Ace nodded, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Yes. Take public transportation from here. I don't have time to take you all the way home."
I felt a surge of anger. "You're kidding me, right? You can't just drop me off like this."
Ace turned to me, his voice firm. "I'm not kidding, Sharon. Get out of the car."
I shook my head, my anger boiling over. "No. I'm not getting out here. You're being ridiculous."
Ace's expression darkened. "Get out of the car, Sharon. Now."
I laughed, a cold, hard sound. "Or what? You'll throw me out? You're such a joke, Ace. You're so used to getting your way, you think you can just treat people like trash."
Ace's eyes flashed with anger. "Sharon, don't push me."
I leaned in, my voice low and furious. "Oh, I'm pushing you, Ace. I'm pushing you to see how far you can go. You're so cold, so distant. You're like a robot, not a human being."
Ace's face was inches from mine, his voice a growl. "That's enough, Sharon."
I shook my head, tears of anger pricking at my eyes. "No, it's not enough. You need to hear this. You're a terrible boss, a terrible person. I regret ever asking to renew my contract."
Ace's expression was stone, but I could see the anger burning in his eyes. "Get out of the car, Sharon..."
I just could not believe him at all " how do I get my stuffs"
He was starring at me now " Make sure you get your things out and leave before I'm back" his voice just flat now
I glared at him, then opened the door and got out. Ace zoomed off, leaving me standing in the middle of the road, fuming.
I took a deep breath, then walked to the nearest bus stop. I was angry, hurt, and humiliated. I texted Maxie, telling her I'd be going home.
When I got to Ace's house, I was still seething. I went straight to my room and started packing my things. I was muttering to myself, swearing at Ace and regretting everything.
"Son of a bitch ..., this whole contract shit is over "
As I was arranging my things, the doorbell rang. I ignored it, too angry to answer. But it rang again, and I got up, angrily stomping to the door.
I looked through the peephole, and my heart skipped a beat. It was Mrs. Langley, Ace's stepmom. Fear filled me, and I froze. I had met Ace's real mom earlier today, and now it was his evil stepmother.
The stepmom punched in a password at the door, and I held my breath. If that door opened, I was dead. But then the door made a declining sound, saying the password was incorrect.
I watched as the stepmom tried twice, but the same wrong password. I rushed back to arranging my things, waiting for her to leave.
As I waited, I went back and forth, my heart racing. Then, I slept off on the couch, exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster.
I was jolted awake by the sound of the door opening. I sat up, groggy, and that's when I saw him ...
Ace, he was standing in the doorway, looking at me with an uncertain expression.
"Is it so hard to obey instructions?" he asked, his voice cold.
I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the sleep. "What instructions?" I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
Ace's eyes narrowed. "I told you to leave immediately. I didn't want to see you when I got back."
I laughed, a bitter sound. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was supposed to be at your beck and call. I'm not your personal servant, Ace."
Ace's expression darkened. "You're not listening, Sharon. You're not taking me seriously."
I stood up, my anger boiling over. "I'm not taking you seriously? You're the one who's not taking me seriously. You're treating me like a child, like a nobody. I'm a human being, Ace. I have feelings, I have thoughts."
Ace's voice was a growl. "You're not here to think, Sharon. You're here to ..."
I shook my head, tears of anger almost pricking at my eyes. "No, I'm here to be treated like a human being. I'm here to be respected. But you, Ace, you're incapable of that. You're a douchebag, a selfish, arrogant, cold-hearted-"
Ace's face was inches from mine, his voice a snarl. "That's enough, Sharon."
I pushed him away, my hands shaking. "No, it's not enough. You need to hear this. You're a terrible boss, a terrible person. I regret every day I worked for you."
Ace's eyes flashed with anger, but I didn't care. I was beyond caring. I was beyond reason.
"You know what, Sharon?" he said, his voice cold. "I think it's time for you to leave. For good."
I laughed, a cold, hard sound. "Oh, I'd love to leave. I'd love to get out of this toxic environment. But you know what, Ace? I'll leave on my own terms, not yours."
I walked away from Ace's house, my feet carrying me on autopilot as I dialed Zion's number. The phone rang a few times before he answered, his voice cheerful and familiar.
"Hey, Zee! Can you come pick me up from Ace's area?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Zion's tone changed, becoming more serious. "What's wrong, Sharon? What happened?"
I shook my head, even though he couldn't see me. "Just come get me, okay? I need to get out of here."
Zion agreed, and we hung up. I sat down on the ground, my back against a tree, and let the tears flow. I was exhausted, emotionally drained, and just wanted to go home.
As I sat there, I couldn't help but think about what had just happened. The memories of Ace's touch, his kisses, his words, they all swirled together in my mind, making me feel like I was going crazy. Maybe I was going crazy because that contract was supposed to be a get back at his wife not for me to catch feelings.
I heard the sound of Zion's car approaching, and I stood up, wiping my tears away with the back of my hand. He pulled up beside me, and I got in, collapsing into the passenger seat.
Zion looked at me, concern etched on his face. "What happened, Sharon? Tell me."
I shook my head, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Just drive, Zee. Please. I just want to go home."
As I sat in the car, trying to process everything that had happened, Zion pulled over and his voice broke the silence.
"Sharon, can I ask you something?" he said, his eyes fixed on the road.
I nodded, still feeling a bit numb. "What is it?"
Zion took a deep breath, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. "I've been thinking about this for a while now... I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me?"
I turned to him, surprised. "What?"
Zion glanced at me, a small smile on his face. "I like you, Sharon. I think you're amazing, and I was wondering if you'd like to go on a date with me?"
I was taken aback, my mind still reeling from everything that had happened with Ace. I didn't know what to say, how to respond.
Zion's eyes were on me, waiting for an answer, but I just shook my head, trying to process everything.
"Zee, I... I don't know," I stammered, feeling like I was trapped in a dream.
Zion's face fell, but he nodded, understanding. "It's okay, Sharon. I just wanted to ask. No pressure, okay?"
I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me. But just as I was about to say something, my phone rang, breaking the tension.
It was Aec...