Chapter 211

211 Just the Two of Us

“We should come here or go on trips like this more often...” Ace said wistfully.

Well, it wasn’t like it was impossible for us to do that. We just needed to take care of our projects better. The workload work at work would be better for me once we are done with Project Alpha and the competition is finally over. Both the company’s future and our future were on the line for this competition. We can’t afford to lose after coming this far.

“What are you thinking about? You’re frowning...” Ace said as he peered closely at my face.

I hadn’t realized that my thoughts had caused me to frown. To not worry Ace or ruin the mood, I turned and offered him one of my best smiles.

“It’s nothing...” I replied although it wasn’t entirely true.

“Don’t think about work. We’re supposed to be on holiday,” he warned.

His large hand stroked my hair before pulling my head down onto his shoulder. Leaning against him comforted me in a way that words couldn’t describe. It made me feel like he was here for me and that I could depend on him. However, I didn’t want to be someone who would always need to depend on Ace. One of these days, I’ll make it so that he can depend on me too.

Even if that was my intention and determination, I had to admit that it wasn’t easy. Right now, just focusing on getting myself past the many trials that awaited me was already stretching me to the extent of my abilities. Ace was right when he said that I was learning so much.

“Of course. Let’s not talk about work and just enjoy ourselves!” I agreed enthusiastically.

.....

That day, I learned that not doing anything could be so fun and fulfilling and that was probably because I had Ace by my side. All we did was laze around on the beach and just taking in the beauty of nature. The staff prepared grilled seafood for us, and we ate them on the beach. It was the most perfect and relaxing holiday, and I didn’t want it to end.

“The seafood is so fresh here...” I said admiringly.

“Well, we are at the sea so...” Ace replied like it was supposed to be obvious.

I laughed at myself for stating the obvious. We were in the middle of lunch, but I was already thinking of dinner. Getting to wind down made my appetite return back to me in full swing.

“What are we going to have for dinner...?” I wondered out loud.

“Are you here just to eat?” Ace asked before he laughed at me.

“I’m going to eat a lot while I can...” I replied without any regrets.

“Let’s have dinner outside on the veranda or something. The weather should be nice,” Ace suggested.

“Sounds like heaven...” I said wistfully.

“Let’s go for a little dip in the water after this or would you rather swim in the pool?” Ace asked.

'

“Let’s play in the sea and then we can go to the pool,” I replied before flashing him a smile.

“Basically, you couldn’t pick between the two so we’re doing both...” Ace surmised quite correctly.

“Pretty much. There’s nothing wrong with that, right?” I asked a little too proudly.

“You’re right. There’s nothing wrong with wanting it all,” Ace replied with a chuckle.

I loved his smile and how carefree we could act while we were alone together. While that thought ran through my mind, Ace stood up from his seat before walking over to my side. I looked up at him questioningly while I wondered what he was going to do.

“Ace!” I cried out his name.

Ace bent down and scooped me into his arms effortlessly. He didn’t pay my cries of surprise any mind as he proceeded to carry me towards the beach and then into the water.

“You don’t have to carry me. I can walk on my own!” I protested.

“Oh, yeah?” he teased.

I let out another cry of surprise when he suddenly let go of me and dumped me into the water. The water felt nice and cool on my skin suddenly being dumped into the water wasn’t cool. I quickly gathered myself and stood up from the water to find Ace laughing at me. He was clearly having the time of his life teasing and making fun of me. I was all wet from head to toe. Seawater dripped down my body as I stood up from the water that only reached a little more than halfway up my thighs.

“What did you do that for?” I yelled at Ace.

That only made him laugh even louder. It was rare to see Ace like this and it made him seem so young and carefree. I bent down and started splashing water at Ace. He didn’t stop laughing as he began returning the favor. It felt like we were little kids playing with each other at the sea. If only life would always be simple and happy like this.

After playing until I was exhausted, we made our way to rest on the beach. After laying out large towels on the sand, Ace sat down while I lay on my back with my head pillowed on his lap. Ace stroked my hair and played with its loose strands leisurely as we just enjoyed the peace and quiet.

“The sun is about the set,” he mumbled from above.

“The sky looks so pretty when the sun is about to set. It changes from blue into a beautiful mix of colors,” I said dreamily as I kept my eyes on the horizon where the sun was making its descent.

The color of the sky had started to transform from a calm blue to a mix of pink, red, orange, and hints of purple. Its beauty felt magical just like the happiness that I felt in my heart. Watching the sunset at the beach with Ace felt like a small magical miracle in itself after the weeks of busy work that we had been through.

“Do you like it?” he asked, and I glanced up to see him smiling down at me.

“I love it...” I replied softly.

“Let’s watch more sunsets together like this, Rina,” Ace said before he smiled down at me again and patted the top of my head with his large hand.

–To be continued...