ACE
He wanted to speak, but he couldn't open his mouth. He was hesitant to tell Gina the truth. But he had to, once in for all.
"No. I'm not your husband, Gina."
He saw the sudden paleness on Gina's face. "I'm not your wife? H-how did that happen? Didn't we get married to the judge?" She asked one after another.
"Because I'm not Ace Durant."
"Then what? who are you?"
"I'm Ace Soler."
"Soler?" She repeated. "How are you related to Judge Soler?"
"He's what I'm telling you, Gina. He's my father."
The expression of her face revealed everything--shock, hurt and anger. Similar to how he felt when he'd realized that she recorded him without his knowledge.
"Well, that simplifies things, doesn't it? no annulment, no legal separation and whatever." She said and got up from her seat. She took her bag from the table and noticed that her hands were shaking.
"I only did that to protect you, Gina."
"Thank you." She said in a sarcastic tone.
"I hope you understand that it is also for your sake, Gina. If nothing else, give me credit for that."
GINA
She is angry, she is really angry with what she knows. She tapped the front table with both hands. "What do you think Ace, that I married you because I needed your protection?"
"Isn't it?"
"I really accepted your marriage proposal because I wanted to give us a chance to get to know each other. If you were honest with yourself, I would think that you offered me marriage not because you just wanted to protect me, but because you want me too."
"I only did that to get you away from Nicolas, Gina."
"Since the beginning, I don't really believe that marrying me is the only solution for you to protect me from Brando. That's the only solution you thought of because you also like me. I believe that there is something really connecting for both of us."
He frowned. "I just want to protect you, nothing else. And look how you paid me back. You secretly record me like some sort of criminal."
She had no answer to that. So she chose to remain silent. "I want to go home." It was all she said and turned away from him. But he blocked her at the door.
"We have an issue remaining here, Gina."
"Just text me."
"We made love."
"We had sex," she said emphatically. "I have absolved you for that, Ace."
"But we don't use protection."
"Well, don't sweat it, honey pie. Mama and Janice won't chase you with a shotgun."
"If I get you pregnant, I deserve to know." She saw him clench his fist. "A child needs a father. I did not grow up with mine. So I know what it is like."
She closed her eyes for a moment. If only she could erase her love for Ace just like that. But instead, her love is what makes her stronger every day to live. As if this is her life support. And only fate knows how long she will love him.
"I'm going back to our headquarters in Virginia. Maybe after six months I'll be able to keep in touch with you." He said, breaking his silence.
I know. It's expected. But she didn't just voice it. She is afraid to speak because she might get hurt even more. Standing so close that she could hear him breathe. So close that she couldn't take a deep breath herself. He didn't want to show Ace her weakness, especially now.
Ace held her hands. "Goodbye, Gina."
She just swallowed. Could this be the last moment she could hold Ace's hands? Oh God! How could she survive the rest of her life without it? She wanted to hate him for his secrets, for his willpower to keep them. But she couldn't hate him--she couldn't.
So, is this what dying feels like? But she still doesn't see the light and the souls that follow her. The only thing she felt at that time was trembling and loneliness. "Goodbye, Ace." she said, lifting her chin.
He let go of her hands, but he still didn't let go of her eyes. "I'll take you home." He said after a minute.
"I can go home alone."
"Just let me take you."
"It's up to you." She answered with a shrug.
During their entire trip home, none of them really spoke. The only time she spoke is when she got out of his new car. "You can pick up all your stuff at home anytime." she said in a monotone."Just make sure I'm not here at home when you pick it up. I'll just give the key to mom or Janice afterwards."
"Gina--"
"That's enough, Ace. This is the most painful thing I've been through. I'm sorry I recorded you. Despite what you think, I did trust you. I just wanted to get to know you better. I could have handled anything Ace, anything because--" and she just covered her mouth so she wouldn't end up sobbing. "Your responsibility to me is over honey pie. We don't have to worry about each other now that Brando is in jail. We don't hold anything because our marriage is invalid. Goodbye, Zorro." She ran away towards the door of her house. She doesn't want Ace to see her cry.
When she entered the house. She let the anger come first, and then followed by regret, rejection and loss. How can she forget Ace if she sees his memories in her own house?
She ran towards Ace's room. She climbed on the bed and buried her head on the pillow and cried there. Until now, she can still smell his perfume, maybe it has stuck to his pillow. Just the smell of it will remind her that Ace is still here.
"I wish I never met you."
But every time she remembered what Ace said while he was sleeping, the pain she felt only increased. But life must go on, she has to move on.
*****