Touching the Heart of Ace
Chapter 9

??It is not because of the money, Tristian.??

He seemed to be so confused. I chuckled.

??So, this code costs around 500K and you are not selling it not because of the money?! It could solve all of my life issues, you know! You said I can have it!??

I kissed his cheek.

??These types of codes are actually double ended swords. Without proper authorization and legal formalities, it would end up in disaster. The companies that has contacted me so far, have refused to sign those ??legal?? stuff. The code itself is not a biggie. It could really effect the privacy of many people and of course will cause lot of trouble if vital information leak out.??

??I still do not get it.??

??Mmm know this. Many of the applications or programmes we use has the capability of leaking everything. The only reason it is not happening is because we have certain standards and procedures to follow through. It is like, every person has the capability to be a thief, the reason why majority are not doing it, is because of our police. And the police are capable of doing it only because we have legally tied ourselves to this country as citizens. It goes both ways.??

??So, your codes do not have it???

??Not yet, when we handover the programmes, we are handing over the legal liabilities too. If anything to happen after the selling, I should not be prosecuted. The companies that have reached me yet are increasing the amount day by day but they refuse to sign some deals.??

??They want to use your code for nasty stuff and hold you accountable.?? His eyes were popping out.

I laughed. ??Yes, if I accepted the deal and handed over the code just like that, if a situation rises, I would be the one to go to jail.??

??Jail??? Tristian squeaked. ??For how long???

??A very long time, depending on the severity. That is why I told you, I can give you this code, but you have to replace a good lawyer and make your buyers sign the deal, no matter the amount.?? Tristian was scowling at the sofa. I shook my head. One of the reasons I had a panel of lawyers was because of these kind of complications.

And why mom had added clauses and clauses in the contract tying our business venture under her empire. If any of the companies thought it would be cute to go rogue and make me a scapegoat they would be facing Truscott Co., not me or Jason at the court.

Jason was disappointed when I said, I could not start a company with him. He thought I did not trust him enough. I had to finish my post-graduation or turn twenty-five to start my own company.

I told him if I was ever to start one, it would be with him.

No one would believe me, but that child cried a lot.

Mom said she would finance him if he wanted to start his own business after the internship, but he said he wanted me as his co-owner and partner. So he was climbing up the ropes and weaving nets until I finished my studies.

??If you are serious about wanting that code, tell me. It needs lot more of work, it crashes after every fifth run and I have to manually restart it each time. I am working on it. So the pen-drive in your hand is actually useless.??

Tristian was deep in thought. These codes, computers, robots came naturally to me, so it was amusing to see someone go clueless on it. ??Tristian.?? I shook his shoulders and he jumped.

He smiled rather forcefully. ??The things you do, are dangerous. I was joking about the code, precious. If I need it, I will let you know.??

I sighed and leaned on his shoulders.

I was waiting for that moment. That moment when I would feel the irresistible urge to kiss his lips and welcome him inside me.

It had not happened yet. Tristian was completely okay with it. He had figured I was going through a very difficult time of my life when we met at the bar. And last night, kind of proved him right too.

I was dreaming of ??him?? too often, and all of it was not peaceful. I woke up at night feeling really out of place, the feeling of something not... normal.

I was surprised not to see Tristian beside me. He would sleep at the far end corner curled up like a cat. So, I went in search of him and found him in my work area crouched on the floor. ??Tristian? What are you doing???

I was surprised he did not squeal, but he lost his balance and fell sideways.

??What is going on??? I asked doubtfully.

??I was reading but the wind blew off my book mark.?? He sat up and pulled off the book mark under the table with a pencil.

??It is late. Come back to bed.??

The open window was creepy. Was someone looking at us? I squinted my eyes.

Could not see anything in the dark.

I closed it and covered it with curtains.

The feeling was still there.

Just paranoia. I was letting someone else to my heart which was occupied by him. Of course I would feel this way but... It was okay. I would go away in time.

I kissed Tristian??s forehead and hugged him. I rubbed his cheeks with my thumbs.

??Do not stay up late.??

He gave me a smile; was it forced???I could not sleep well; I am sorry for worrying you.??

??Hmm, you were not there.??

He nodded and tried to walk away.

??Tristian.??

He froze.

??If you come in here, do not touch this.?? I showed him the laptop connected to that phone which was what keeping my location hidden from him. He chuckled. ??I was not snooping.??

??Never said you were, some of my programmes are... trouble.?? Dangerous was the correct word. ??I do not want you to be hurt.?? Hurt by ??him.?? He nodded and went to the stairs.

??Tristian.??

He turned around smiling. ??Yes, beautiful???

I went to him and hugged him close. ??You would tell me if you are in trouble, wouldn??t you? Even if it is small, you will tell me, right???

??I am not in any trouble.??

??Just...??

??Yes, I will tell you. How about you tell me about this troubling codes, tomorrow.??

That was what we were doing. He was fascinated. Now, just confused.

Adorable.

He jumped like someone threw a stone at him.

??Let us go out to dance.?? He pulled me up from the sofa.

?? You don??t dance.??

??I don??t. You do. You are worried, you lost your passion. Come on.?? The dork was trying to dance but ended up thrusting his hips awkwardly to his sides.

I laughed.

What was there to lose? Either I could dance or I could watch this adorable... was he having a seizure? Nope, just some move he was trying to do. I was so going to have fun. I followed him to the bedroom. I wished that moment came faster. I wanted to have a serious relationship with him and it would not happen if I did not feel like kissing his lips or having sex with him.

I snorted.

Ironic wasn??t it?

With the person I was not supposed to have a relationship with, I could not stop the lust from bubbling out and with the person I was supposed to have the relationship with, I could not replace that moment that made a slut.

I should give myself more time; the moment came out of nowhere with ??him?? too.

We were under a tree doing something that put kindergarten kids in shame. We were silly all the time. A grown man and a college boy playing tags and peek-a-boo was...whatever, we had fun.

It was way before he left me for someone else. It was moments before I figured that what I was feeling for him was not friendship.

Out of nowhere I became hyperaware of his touch on my hands and the smell of his sweat behind me.

I had this insane urge of doing something.

I watched laughter and mirth leaving his eyes and his smile slowly dropped and he stared at my lips.

I wetted them for him and he panted through his mouth.

I wanted his lips on mine, I wanted that hands on my body, I wanted to feel...

Frankie stopped us from going further than staring.

It was only when I hid behind the tree when Frankie came calling for us did I know that I changed. Or else, why would I hide?

I hid because I lost my innocence.

Would I feel same with Tristian? I had to.

??The club is really packed.?? When had we reached here? I was so deep in thoughts.

Of him!

I wanted to cry but Tristian pulled me to the bar.

I danced until my unused muscles started protesting. Should have stretched before coming here.

I turned to Tristian who was bobbing his head to the beat and gently tapping his feet. That was dancing too, I would pinch anyone who judged my boyfriend.

??Will be back.?? I shouted to his ears and went to the rest room, I was sweating.

Someone pulled me back to the dance floor clutching my right wrist in his hold. The man had pinned my back on his chest with his other hand on my waist, squeezing hard.

I froze.

Familiar!

I felt wetness of tongue and the man rubbed his lips all over the side of my neck.

??Nggmm.?? I moaned. The moment came where the lust was bubbling up.

Need! Want!

I was left cold the next very second.

HIM!!!

It was him!!!

I could feel the burn on my wrist.

Oh my God!

Tristian.

Tristian!!! Did he get Tristian? Where was he?

I could not replace him. ??TRISTIAN.??

I was worried sick. If he was here... ??TRISTIAN.??

??What is wrong? I got you a water bottle.??

I hugged him throwing my hands around.

??I want to get out of here, we have to get out of here, Tristian.??

??What is wrong, precious???

??Please. Let us go.??

??We are going. Come one, we are going.??

It was him.

No one else could. It was him.

I stared at my right wrist under the cab light.

It still burned. It was him.

Only he could...could...make me feel.

How did he replace me?☐☐☐☐