Chapter 73 – Rom-Com

Ace Rhodes.

The evening sun cast a warm glow as I parked my car outside my house. I had called Isabelle and Alex over earlier to discuss some work matters and also to share something important. As I entered the main door, the sound of lively voices drifted from the living room. A frown made its way to my face. As I stepped closer, I recognized the source – Alex and Isabelle singing along to something utterly criminal to the ears.

“BUT SHE WALKSSSS BY WHAT A SIGHT FOR SOREEEEE EYES!”

“SHE’S GOT YOU MESMERISED WHILE I DIE”

“WHY WOULD YOU EVER KISS ME—“

Pushing open the living room door, I found them in the midst of their musical performance.

Isabelle hastily shut her laptop, a deep blush adorning her skin, while Alex coughed awkwardly as he caught sight of me.

He tried to play it off, “Stupid ads always popping up, I swear.”

“Ads, for sure,” I nodded with raised eyebrows as Isabelle giggled and Alex flipped me off.

“So, if you guys are done mopping around listening to teenage music, can we start?” I asked, loosening my tie and opening some buttons. I didn’t miss the way Isabelle’s eyes lingered on the now exposed chest.

“Fine. Let’s do business.” Alex rolled his eyes.

Taking a seat, we dove into the details, crunching numbers and dissecting strategies. Isabelle and Alex were easy to discuss business with. Most of the time all of us were on the same page.

Once the work discussions subsided, I knew it was time to address the real reason for our gathering. I cleared my throat and turned to Isabelle, who was looking at me with her oh so tempting innocent eyes.

"I have something important to share," I began, my tone serious but warm. "Isabelle, I've been going through the reports and stats of the past six months, and your work has been nothing short of exceptional."

Isabelle's brows furrowed in a mixture of surprise and confusion. "Thank you, Ace," she replied modestly, clearly uncertain about where I was going with this.

"That's why," I continued, "I've decided to promote you to the position of CFO at the company." I paused, giving her a moment to absorb the impact of my words.

“About time,” Alex said with a mouthful of crackers as he leaned back on the sofa, observing us.

Her eyes widened, disbelief evident in her gaze. "CFO?" she echoed, her voice tinged with astonishment.

I nodded, a small smile gracing my lips. "But that's not all. Along with the promotion, I'm offering you shares in the company as well."

Isabelle's astonishment grew, her mouth slightly agape. "Shares? Ace, this is too much. I can't..."

I raised a hand to gently interrupt her. "Shush. Isabelle, listen. You've earned this. Your dedication, your hard work – it's been outstanding. For almost nine months I was gone, and when I came back I expected the company to be in shambles honestly, considering Alex—"

“Hey hey now!” Alex interrupted, raising his brows in question.

“Okay, fine. You did well too, Alex. But Isabelle you took over my role too well. I think it would be unfair to your talents if you keep working as my secretary. You have an MBA for the love of God,” I put the glass of bourbon to my lips.

Alex chimed in, "He's right, Belle. You deserve this."

Isabelle looked between us, clearly a deer caught in headlights. Her eyes glistened with emotion. "I... I don't know what to say."

"Say yes," I encouraged, my smile widening. "You've earned this opportunity, Isabelle."

She took a deep breath, her gaze steady as she met my eyes. "Okay. I’ll think about it," she finally said, her voice carrying a mix of gratitude and uncertainty.

I leaned back, a sense of satisfaction washing over me. "Good. Consider this. If you say no, I’m firing you and making you sit at my home all day, Princess.”

Alex snorted and Isabelle rolled her eyes as I gave her a wink and shrugged my shoulders. The idea of her sitting in my bed all day didn’t seem like a bad one.

In fact, I wouldn’t mind that at all actually.

*****

The weariness of the day seemed to settle heavily upon me as I slouched on the sofa at Emily and Noah's house. My head rested against the headboard, and I stared ahead with a distant expression.

I must have looked like I'd wrestled a bear. Emily plopped down beside me, giving me an elbow nudge that could've woken the dead. "What's with the long face?" she asked, her voice a mix of concern and curiosity.

I shrugged, not really sure how to put my feelings into words. "Nothing," I mumbled, my gaze flickering away.

She raised a brow, clearly not buying my attempt at deflection. "You know, Ace, postpartum hormones have made me a bit psychotic. If you don’t want to see a bloodbath here, I’d suggest you spill."

With a sigh, I leaned back further, my gaze locked on the ceiling. "I don't know, Em. Sometimes... I'm afraid."

"Of what?" she prompted, her tone gentle but pushy.

"Of loving Isabelle," I confessed quietly, my voice carrying the weight of my thoughts.

Emily's eyebrows shot up, surprise written across her face. "Okay, that needs some explanation."

I hesitated, unsure how to express what I was feeling. "I’m just…not good at loving people."

Emily studied me for a moment before speaking, her voice soft but firm. "Ace, you can’t let your past define your present and future."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I know, Em. But it's just... Isabelle, she's different. She means more to me than anyone ever has."

Emily's gaze softened, and she placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I get it, Ace. I really do. Love isn't supposed to be lukewarm. It's supposed to be messy, scary, and sometimes even painful."

"But I don't want to hurt her," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Emily's grip tightened on my shoulder, her eyes locked with mine. "Noah and I ran away from our feelings for the longest time, thinking it was for the best. We tried to discard our emotions, but life kept bringing us back together. Sometimes, even now, I regret the choices I made before giving in."

"Ace, don't make that mistake. If you love Isabelle, really love her, then show it. Don't be afraid to open up, to be vulnerable. Love isn't about playing it safe. It's about taking that leap of faith, even if it terrifies you. Love is never easy. This isn’t a rom-com, man.”

I snorted. "No kidding."

She nudged me again. "So, don't be a chicken. You love Isabelle, show it. No half measures."

Her words hung in the air, sinking into my thoughts. A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I looked at her. "You’re quite persuasive, no?"

Emily laughed. "Hey, someone's got to whip you into shape."

“Thanks, Em. I really pushed,” I leaned my head on the couch again as I felt her stand up beside me.

She grinned, "I do have my moments of wisdom."