Ace drove his sleek, black sports car through the winding roads that led to his family’s mansion. The massive estate loomed ahead, its grandeur intimidating even to him. The mansion was a symbol of his family's wealth and status, a reminder of the legacy he was supposed to uphold. But Ace cared little for the lavishness or the expectations that came with it. He had his own battles to fight.
Pulling into the driveway, Ace barely glanced at the manicured lawns and ornate fountains. He parked his car and entered the mansion, heading straight to his room without acknowledging the staff who greeted him. His room was his sanctuary—a dark, minimalist space where he could escape from the pressures of his life.
Ace dashed into his private bathroom and stripped off his clothes, stepping into the shower. The hot water cascaded over his tense muscles, offering a momentary reprieve from the turmoil in his mind. As he scrubbed away the remnants of the day, thoughts of Hazel flooded his mind. Her vulnerability, her strength, her determination to set boundaries—it all stirred something deep within him.
He couldn’t deny the feelings he had for her, but he also couldn’t ignore the complications those feelings brought. Especially with his girlfriend, Lina, waiting for him at the party next door. Lina, with her striking looks and vibrant personality, had been a part of his life for a while now. Their relationship, however, had never felt as intense or as real as what he felt with Hazel.
After his shower, Ace slipped into a pair of black denim jeans and a crisp, black shirt that accentuated his broad shoulders and lean frame. He glanced at himself in the mirror, noting the stormy expression in his eyes. He was dressed for the party, but his mind was elsewhere.
The party was in full swing by the time Ace arrived. The sprawling garden was adorned with fairy lights, and the air was filled with the sound of laughter and music. Guests mingled, their chatter blending with the melodies from the live band. Ace scanned the crowd and quickly spotted Lina. She was standing with her cousin Amber, who had been making her interest in Ace increasingly obvious.
Lina, stunning in a red dress that hugged her curves, saw him and immediately made her way over. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into a secluded corner of the garden.
“Ace, why have you been ignoring me?” Lina demanded, her voice a mix of frustration and hurt.
Ace was taken aback. “I’m not ignoring you, Lina. I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”
Lina’s eyes narrowed. “A lot on your mind? Like what? You haven’t answered my calls or texts. It’s like you’ve been avoiding me.”
Ace struggled to find the right words. How could he explain that his thoughts were consumed by another girl? The image of Hazel, fragile and strong, flashed in his mind, and his heart pounded.
“Lina, it’s complicated,” he finally said, his voice tight.
Lina, slightly tipsy from the drinks she’d had, leaned in closer, her breath warm against his skin. “Complicated? We’re supposed to be together, Ace. I thought you cared about me.”
Before he could respond, Lina pressed her lips to his in a desperate kiss. Ace’s first instinct was to pull away, but the mix of guilt and confusion paralyzed him. He didn’t reciprocate the kiss, but he didn’t push her away either.
Unbeknownst to them, Amber had been livestreaming the party on i********:. She had captured the entire scene—Lina’s confrontation, her kiss, and Ace’s stunned reaction. The livestream was viewed by dozens of their peers, and within moments, it reached Hazel.
Hazel had just returned home, exhausted from her day at school. She was about to start her homework when her phone buzzed with a notification. It was a message from Mia: “Check Amber’s i********: live. Now.”
Curious and slightly apprehensive, Hazel opened the app and clicked on Amber’s live feed. The screen filled with the scene of Ace and Lina in the garden. Hazel’s heart clenched as she saw Lina kiss Ace. The shock and pain hit her like a tidal wave, making it hard to breathe.
Her vision blurred with tears as she watched. The feelings she had tried to suppress, the tentative hope she had harbored, all came crashing down. Ace’s earlier words, his promises, now seemed like cruel lies. She felt a sharp ache in her chest, as if her heart was breaking.
She couldn’t watch any longer. Hazel dropped her phone onto her bed and buried her face in her hands, sobbing. How could she have been so foolish to think that Ace could change, that he could truly care for her?
Back at the party, Ace finally pulled away from Lina, his expression conflicted. “Lina, this isn’t right,” he said, his voice firm despite the turmoil inside him.
Lina frowned, clearly hurt and confused. “What do you mean? We’re together, Ace.”
“No, we’re not,” he said, his voice growing more resolute. “This isn’t fair to either of us. I... I care about someone else.”
Lina stared at him, her eyes widening with realization. “Hazel,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “It’s Hazel, isn’t it?”
Ace nodded, his expression pained. “I’m sorry, Lina. I never meant to hurt you.”
Lina stepped back, tears welling in her eyes. “I can’t believe this. You’re breaking up with me for her?”
“I’m sorry,” Ace repeated, but the words felt hollow. He knew there was nothing he could say to make this right.
As Lina turned and walked away, Amber approached, her phone still in hand. “That was quite a show,” she said, her tone mocking.
Ace glared at her. “What do you want, Amber?”
Amber smirked. “Just thought you should know, I’ve been livestreaming the whole thing. Your precious Hazel probably saw it all.”
Ace’s blood ran cold. “You what?”
“Oops,” Amber said, her smile widening. “Guess you’ll have some explaining to do.”
Without another word, Ace turned and sprinted to his car. He needed to see Hazel, to explain, to beg for her forgiveness. The drive to her house felt interminable, his mind racing with thoughts of what he would say.
When he finally arrived, he saw Hazel sitting on the front steps of her house, her face pale and her eyes red from crying. She looked up as he approached, her expression a mix of pain and anger.
“Hazel,” Ace began, his voice choked with emotion. “I can explain.”
She stood up, crossing her arms over her chest. “Explain what, Ace? That you’re a liar? That everything you said to me was just a joke?”
“No, Hazel, it’s not like that,” he pleaded. “I care about you. I was trying to break up with Lina, but she kissed me before I could stop her. I swear, I didn’t kiss her back.”
Hazel’s eyes filled with tears again. “I saw it, Ace. I saw everything. How can I believe anything you say now?”
Ace stepped closer, his heart breaking at the sight of her pain. “Please, Hazel. You have to believe me. I never wanted to hurt you. I’m done with Lina. I want to be with you.”
She shook her head, her voice trembling. “I don’t know if I can trust you, Ace. This whole thing... it’s too much.”
Ace reached out, but she stepped back. “Hazel, I’ll do anything to make this right. Just tell me what I need to do.”
She looked at him, her eyes filled with sorrow. “You need to give me time, Ace. I need to figure out how I feel and what I want. Right now, I just need some space.”
Ace nodded, his heart heavy. “I understand. Take all the time you need. I’ll be here, waiting.”
As Hazel turned and walked back into her house, Ace stood there, feeling more lost than he ever had. He knew he had a long road ahead if he wanted to earn her trust back. And he was determined to do whatever it took to prove to Hazel that his feelings for her were real and that he could be the person she deserved.
Driving back to his mansion, Ace felt the weight of his decisions pressing down on him. The luxurious surroundings felt empty and meaningless without Hazel. He needed to find a way to make things right, not just with Hazel but with himself.
That night, as he lay in his dark room, Ace made a vow to himself. He would change, not just for Hazel but for his own sake. He would become someone worthy of trust, someone who didn’t hurt the people he cared about. And he would start by showing Hazel that his love for her was genuine, through actions, not just words.