Chapter 72 THE END(1)

Chapter 72 THE END(1)
Two days later, Aurora was in the kitchen, stirring the pot absentmindedly. 

She didn’t hear him walk in.

But she felt him.

Strong arms slid around her waist from behind, pulling her back against a familiar hard chest. She gasped softly.

"Matteo" she whispered.

"I leave you for two minutes," he murmured against her neck, his voice low and rough, "and you run off to cook instead of staying in bed with me?"

She tried to bite back a smile. "People need to eat, you know"

He turned her around gently, his fingers still on her waist. His eyes scanned her face as though memorizing every line.

"I missed you" he said simply.

Aurora’s chest tightened. After everything, hearing it still made her knees weak. "You saw me this morning"

"Not enough" He leaned down and brushed his lips against her forehead. "Never enough"

She placed her hand on his cheek. "It’s over, Matteo. It’s really over."

His jaw clenched slightly. "Yeah. And he deserved worse than what we gave him"

Before she could respond, someone cleared their throat at the doorway.

Isabella.

Aurora jumped a little, pulling away from Matteo as Isabella stood at the doorway, her hands folded gently in front of her.

"I’m sorry" Isabella said softly. "I didn’t mean to interrupt"

"No, no, you’re fine. I was just… cooking" She stepped closer to her. "Food will be ready soon"

A faint smile pulled at Isabella’s lips. "Thank you for taking care of me"

Aurora shook her head lightly. "It’s not a big deal"

Isabella nodded, touching Aurora’s hand briefly.

"You should go to rest, food will be ready soon" Matteo said and she smiled before leaving.

Aurora let out a slow breath only for her phone to suddenly beep on the counter. She reached for it, frowning at the notification.

Matteo raised a brow. "Who is it?"

Aurora opened the message.

"It’s my father," she said, confusion settling on her face. "He wants me to come over tonight… for a family dinner"

"You look confused"

"He doesn’t care about family, or dinners, or anything like that" She stared at the screen again. "This is weird"

Matteo stepped closer. "You’re not obligated to go yunno"

"I’ll still go," she said softly. "I want to see what this is about, and i also have something to take care of"

He exhaled, brushing his thumb across her waist once more and then gave her a light kiss.

•••

AT THE EMPIRE
Maya stepped out of her suite, her hair packed in ponytail swinging behind her. She paused the moment she spotted Ace at the corridor.

He wasn’t alone.

Viper stood close to him, closer than Maya liked. She was blowing lightly into his eye, her fingers on his cheek as she examined a small cut. Their proximity was suffocating.

Maya’s jaw tightened.

Of course Ace didn’t pull back.

Of course Viper had her hands all over him.

The jealousy hit Maya like a punch to the chest.

She lifted her chin and walked past them without a word.

She almost made it out before she heard it.

"Maya"

She froze but she didn’t turn. 

"What?!" she snapped, her voice sharp like broken glass as she finally faced him.

Ace blinked, surprised by how venomous she sounded. Viper stepped back immediately, sensing tension. She glanced at Ace, then at Maya, and wisely walked away without a word, leaving them alone.

Silence settled between them.

Maya stood stiffly, arms crossed, waiting for him to speak.

Ace took a slow step toward her.

"Maya," he said again, softer this time. "We need to talk"

She scoffed. "I don't think so"

Ace moved closer, close enough that she could smell his cologne. It annoyed her how much she still reacted to it.

"Maya, look at me"

"No"

"Maya"

She finally lifted her eyes.

Ace’s chest rose and fell like he was preparing for a war.

"I think I'm falling for you. No… scratch that. I'm in love with you and it’s killing me"

Maya’s breath hitched.

Ace stepped closer once again, his eyes locked on hers like she was the only thing in the world he wanted.

"I don’t care about Boss anymore," he continued. "I don’t care about rules or consequences or who gets angry. All I want is you and you only"

Her arms slowly fell from their crossed position.

"I'm sorry I was a coward then," his voice cracked slightly. "I'm sorry I hurt you. I swear, Maya, I—"

She didn’t let him finish.

Maya grabbed his collar and crushed her lips against his, shutting him up instantly.

Ace froze just for half a second before he pulled her in with both hands, kissing her back like he had been starving for her. Like he had been dying for this moment. His fingers slid into her hair, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss until neither of them could breathe.

Maya clung to him, anger melting, jealousy burning away, replaced by everything she’d been holding back for weeks.

Ace pressed her gently against the wall, kissing her like he meant every word he just said.

When they finally broke apart, breathless, his forehead rested against hers.

"Maya," he whispered, "please… give me a chance"

Her fingers tightened on his shirt.

"You already have one" she whispered back.

And Ace smiled.

A real, unguarded smile.

Like she had just given him oxygen.

She tugged him closer and jumped slightly, wrapping her legs around his waist. Ace caught her instantly like he’d been waiting for this, his hands slipping under her thighs, holding her firmly as her back pressed against the wall.

"Maya…" he breathed, already losing control.

She smirked and pulled him into another kiss, deeper, hotter, her fingers sliding into his hair. Ace groaned softly against her mouth, pressing his body flush against hers.

His lips trailed down to her jaw… then to her neck.

Maya tilted her head, gasping when he kissed the sensitive spot under her ear. His teeth grazed her skin lightly, making her grip his shoulders harder.

"Ace…" she whispered, breathless.

He kept going, kissing lower, darker, hungrier—

Until a voice echoed through the hallway.

"Get a room!"

They both froze.

Blade stood a few feet away, arms crossed, expression flat but a teasing smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.

Maya burst into laughter against Ace’s shoulder.

Ace exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "You have the worst timing, Blade"

Blade shrugged. "Not my fault you two decided to have a telenovela moment in the hallway."

Maya snorted.

Ace rolled his eyes, but he was still smiling.

"Whatever" he muttered, and without warning, he hooked his arm under Maya’s legs and lifted her into a full bridal carry.

Maya gasped, clutching his shoulders. "Ace!"

He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "You heard him, baby. Let’s get a room"

He carried her effortlessly, straight toward his suite.

Blade’s voice followed behind them.

"Use protection!"

"Shut up!" Maya and Ace yelled in unison, laughing as the door shut behind them.
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