The Agreement

I arrive at the restaurant and ask them where the table Ace had booked was. Well to avoid a lot of attention from fans he booked a private table upstairs. It was expensive but he arranged everything so they were no complaints. I wait patiently for him to arrive and I hear the door behind me open. He comes and takes a seat across from me.

"Never thought you would come," he said raising an eyebrow.

"But I did. Get to the topic," I say.

I'm mostly free at this time enjoying my sweet time alone. "Okay," he says adjusting his seat and turning serious, "I came up with an idea but before I tell you, promise you will go as I planned it," he says.

Without thinking it through I agree.

"Okay. So we could pretend to be a couple and by the end of this month we break up. Boom. It's all over," he says.

I couldn't help but laugh, "Wait," I try catching my breath, "That's your plan?" I ask.

He looks at me confused and replies, "Yeah".

I laugh even more.

"That's the most ridiculous plan I've heard since like forever. Don't think like a kid from kindergarten Ace. This is serious and can affect our jobs," I say.

"Says the one who is immature," he says.

"If you have nothing else, I'm going," I say.

"Wait Jade. Just listen," he says and I sit back down, "It's only for 1 month".

I don't know why but the thought of us becoming a couple for a month even if it's a pretense, it just makes my heart race and butterflies flutter in my stomach. I sigh and just agree to it because I wanted to get out of there.

He offers me dinner but I tell him I had dinner at home. Of course, I hadn't but I just wanted to get out of there. My heart felt as if it would pop out. He then offers to drive me home and I had no choice but to agree. "Ummm...do you mind going to the flower shop?" I ask.

He just nods and drives to the flower shop.

I get out and breathe in the smell of a beautiful fragrance I have always liked since a child. Ace gets out too and stands beside me.

"Why did we come here?" he asks.

I sigh and answer, "I wanted to get flowers for my mom. She's in the hospital".

"Oh...hope she gets well soon," he whispers.

"Yeah," I say as I enter the shop.

The shopkeeper sees me and runs to me. "Jade dear," she says.

She was a woman I knew since I was a child. She was in her sixties now. "Grandma," I say as I hug her.

"Celeste!" she shouts, "Jade is here".

Celeste was about ten, she was a little sister I never had. She comes out of a room I full speed and jumps into my arms.

"Celly," I say as I pick her up.

"Sissy Jade," she says, "You're back so soon".

I giggle and say, "I told you I would be back".

"Where are the chocolates?" she asks.

"The chocolates?" I ask as I remember I had promised her some chocolates.

"Yes," she says, "Where are they?".

I look at Ace and then back at Celly who was looking at me in excitement. "They are here," I hear Ace say going to the car.

Celly jumps out of my grip and runs after Ace. Ace enters the car and comes out with a handful of candy. 'How did he get them?' I wonder. Celly jumps in excitement and I couldn't help but smile. They come back to where I and Grandma were standing as Celly runs back into the room.

"Don't eat too much dear," Grandma says.

"I won't granny," Celly replies.

I giggle and take grandma's hand. "Grandma, you need to rest now. It's too late for you to stay up with your age," I tell her.

"Oh shush, don't pester me, I might be old but I still got strength. And if I just sit around doing nothing, who will manage the shop and take care of Little Celeste?" she says.

"I will Grandma. I will continue your business and take care of Celly," I reassure her.

"Oh dear Jade. You are as kind as your mother," she says.

She removes and glances at Ace who was just standing there. "Hello there sonny," she says.

Ace bows and replies, "Good evening uhh..," he looks at her.

She waves her hands and says, "Just call me Grandma Lin".

"Grandma Lin," he finishes.

She laughs and goes to the table. "The usual?" she asks.

"Yep," I say popping the letter 'p'.

She comes back holding a bouquet and hands it to me. "Tell Akira I wish her a good recovery," she says coming to my ear, "I like your taste," she withdraws and smiles at me then looks at Ace.

'Hell no,' I say to myself. I chuckle and pat her back. "Goodnight Grandma. Rest early," I say.

"Goodnight sweet Jade," she replies.

I get out of the shop and Ace follows. "They are familiar with you? Are you a daily customer," he asks.

"No...I mean yes...I mean...urg," I sigh, "I've known her since I was a toddler, she was kind of my nanny until Celeste's parents died. She moved out to take care of her and her son's business but that didn't stop me from visiting her," I explain.

"Oh," he says.

"Shall we head to the hospital?" I ask.

"Sure," he says opening the door for me.

I smile at him and enter the car. We drive off to the hospital and I see my mother. She was awake and I guess bringing Ace along was a bad idea.

"Little Jade," she says.

"Mother," I say walking to her with Ace behind me.

I go and hug her. I hand her the bouquet and she smiles. "I know how much you like these flowers," I say.

"Oh, child. This is the third time today. Will you keep on spoiling an old lady like me?" she says.

"Where is the old lady?" I ask, "You're not old".

"Oh Jade," she says wiping a tear.

She looks behind me and sees Ace. "Is the gossip true?" she asks.

I glance at Ace who just nods. "Mom, this is...Ace Swift. My..." I cough, "..boyfriend".

Her eyes widen as she keeps on looking at Ace then me then Ace. "Really?" she says, "My little Jade is growing up so fast," she pinches my cheeks, "At least you have found someone unlike your brother".

"Mom!" I say.

"How are you dear?" she asks Ace.

"I should be the one asking you that Auntie," he says.

"Don't worry, I'm okay now after hearing the news," she says waving her hand.

"Mom!" I say.

"Oh shush Jade. When do you plan to marry my daughter?" she says.

I could see that the question was too much with the way Ace hesitated, "Mom. You need to rest," I says.

"Jade Gray?" she says and I knew that was my second warning.

She looks back at Ace and smiles at him. 'Why do I feel I've been replaced again?' I ask myself.

"I haven't thought of that," he says running a hand through his hair to push away his unruly bangs.

"Mom you need to rest," I say, "I'll leave with Ace now," I stand up and kiss her forehead.

"Okay then," she says, "Goodnight Little Jade".

Ace says his goodbyes and we leave the hospital. It was almost 11 o'clock. He drops me home and drives off to his house. I enter the house remove my shoes and fall asleep on the couch.