Chapter ten

"Motivation is temporary, determination is permanent. Motivation may give you courage to start but if you are not determined you will eventually give up. You are determined only if you have a goal no matter whether it is a small one or gigantic"

ACE'S P.O.V

A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. Whatever you do, do with determination. "If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins." Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage, And I got the courage to confess my feelings to the woman who had always been on my mind.

The news about my meeting with Tasha spread like wildfire. I was worried Ashley would think otherwise. I didn't want anything to put asunder between us, not even a bit. She meant the world to me and I didn't want any misunderstanding between us. I knew Tasha was behind this, she wanted the public to know of our meeting they would try to bring us together and that wasn't going to happen .

My manager and many reporters, journalists, and people had crowded My house to hear what I had to say about the exposed picture. I haven't had a breathing space since six am the picture was uploaded. This was among one of the fastest viewed picture in internet with thousand of views. I was woken up by some minutes after six by my manger first and was informed about the picture, later on many other calls came in, my mum, business partners, reporters, and many others to a point, I had to turn off my phone.

It was around evening when I decided to turn on my phone. The crowd was still there. I had to put a call to Ashley to explain everything to her as I couldn't come out of my house because it the crowd outside.

I called her severally but no answer which made me worried. Was she angry? did she read today's news? what should I do? ...this was what I could think of at the moment. I started thinking of a way to go out of the crowd without been caught of seen, which I know wasn't possible because I was surrounded by people. Suddenly, a thought came to my mind. If I want to go out then I had to jump off the window and disguise with my normal face cap and nose mask. I got prepared and went through the back fence thankfully without being caught. I jumped off the fence and put on my little disguise and moved on

As I walked down the road, i tired to keep my face down so as not to be recognized. I took a public transport as my car was at home.

I got to Ashley's house and knocked at the door and the door was opened by her

"Are you angry?" was the first thing i asked

"No I'm not...And what should I?... come on in" she said as we entered and she closed the door behind us. We stood by the dining.

"didn't you read today's headlines?" i asked, hoping that she didn't

"I....didn't...but I overheard something going on between you and a female co star or something" she said trying to remember what she had heard. "I didn't go out with my phone so I missed your calls" she said with an apologizing face

"Thank goodness.... I thought you were angry and didn't want to take my calls anymore" I let out a sign of relief

"wait...was that the reason you came here?" she asked and i nodded in affirmation. "why will I be angry? it's your life and it has absolutely nothing to do with me...you should enjoy your life" she blurted out and my mood instantly changed. Didn't she care ? doesn't she have a little bit of affection for me?....I thought.

"You....you...mean you don't feel jealous or...or ...maybe ...I don't know...sad?" i asked hoping she would say she did

" jealous?...why? we aren't dating, I don't love you, and whereas I'm older than you, I don't date younger boys " she said. Was she the reason? if it weren't, would she have loved me?

"is age the problem?" i asked as I became more sad. I just wish age wouldn't, I don't want something small like age to cause a drift or hinder us

"problem?...which problem? " she asked with a puzzled look on her face

"is it why you don't love me?" and that statement caught me off guard. Wait!! I said that?

"love you?... you're are like ten years younger than me.... I...how can I love you?....I don't date younger boys and....And...you... love me?" she asked, and I noticed how more puzzled she looked

"yes...I love you" and yessss!!! I did it ? I confessed? Wait ! no way...I...I... told her I loved her? seriously? ....no No...this wasn't the confession I had envisioned, I wanted it to look romantic, not ...not some... trash ...like this, I though to myself, completely regretting my action. What will be her reply? ... was I ready to hear it?

"but I don't love you...We we...like...I....you...God what is going on" she said scratching her hair with her left hand as she paced to and fro in the sitting room.

"I had loved you since I first saw you at the library but I couldn't muster up any courage to tell you. I love you more than words can express, I love you more than I did yesterday but much as tomorrow, I love you more every second. I want to share your every laughter and sadness with you. I didn't expect you to fall in love with me so easily, I knew I was up for a bigger challenge and I was more than ready for it cause what is life without challenges? I love you Bernice, and I don't want this sudden confession to create a drift between us, if it's for the age gap, give me three months ...just three months to prove my love to you and after this three months and you still don't fall in love with me then I'll stop disturbing you, just let me in a bit and I'll prove myself" i said without stopping for a bit to catch a breath.

I watched her as she stood transfixed. still surprised at my confession.I wonder what was going through her mind at the moment. How I wish I could read minds at this moment because I was so eager and I was getting restless waiting for her to respond. What if she disagrees? Oh no, what was I gonna do? I can't bear to ...to.... lose her... At this moment again, I regretted my confession. Please Bernice.... Please.... Please....do give me a chance, just three months please and I'd do everything within me to make her fall in love with. Three months was all I ask for Ashley. Even though I had absolutely no idea what I was to do in that three months , but something tells me that I can do, my instincts never lies and my instincts told me that yes , I can do ... so I think that I can and that I was going to. The look on her face was getting more intense as she was deep in thought on what to say. I could see her eyes as she thought. slowly, her face widen as I readjusted myself, ready for her reply.

"just three months and if you fail,then we go our separate ways.....Ace Huters" she said calling my name in full. " I give you three months to make me love you"

and that was it!!!