Ace's POV.
I watched in barely contained rage as Joshua Jung sent me a smug look, closing the door of his car with Scarlett in it. I turned to the window, trying to get a glimpse of her but my own angry reflection stared back at me.
"Drive safe." Joshua sent another smug remark my way and my fists tightened, imagining how satisfying it would be to send his neck flying back with just one punch.
I bet he wouldn't look so smug then.
I laughed a dry laugh in response, fixing my dark gaze on him.
"Careful, Mr. Jung. I'm not a man to be messed with." My voice dripped with unspoken threats and his steps faltered for a moment, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down as he gulped.
Good. Be afraid.
He didn't say a word. Instead, he silently got into his car and drove off, a haunted look in his eyes.
If he had forgotten how powerful I was, I would have to remind him.
Even though I knew it wasn't his fault that Scarlett chose to go with him, I had become too irrational to care.
Joshua Jung had challenged me and there was no way I was going to back down. Not now. Not when Scarlett's lips had been so close, so lush, so mine.
I got into my car, speeding off to my best friend's mansion.
Jason, as much as he liked to party, lived in one of the calmest parts of Los Angeles.
The estate was lined with towering houses and fenced gates. The only sound was the grinding of my tires against the tarred road and the small whimper of trees swaying in the wind.
I finally stopped at the front of his house, his silver gates glinting off the reflection of my car.
"Ace?" A shirtless Jason clad in just low hanging joggers squinted at me, a trash bag in hand.
He quickly disposed of it, walking barefoot to my car door as I rolled down the windows.
"Open the gates." I said and he eyed me suspiciously.
"Are you high or something?" He sniffed the car, trying to find the non-existent aroma of weed and I rolled my eyes.
"You know I quit smoking years ago."
"I had to be sure. You look like shit." He deadpanned and I glared at him.
"Just saying." He mock surrendered, jogging to open up the gates. I finally drove in, stopping at the stairs leading to his golden double doors.
"It's open." He yelled from a distance, jogging to catch up with me as I pulled the door open.
"What's going on man?" He asked as he closed the door behind us.
I stayed mute, hanging my coat by the door and reaching for a bottle of whiskey by the bar.
I kicked off my shoes and walked to his living room, settling into his couch like I owned the place.
All the while he followed behind, stopping in front of me with an annoyed expression.
"You're just not going to say anything? You know I don't let just anyone in my house, especially at night."
"Oh shut up, Jason. I'm not anyone."
He gasped, mouth opened like a puffer fish.
"Why you entitled-" He began, albeit about to begin with his dramatics but I cut him short.
"I'm going crazy." I finally admitted, freeing the top buttons of my shirt.
"Going?" Jason snickered like the fool he was before sitting beside me.
"Can you be serious for once?" I breathed, exasperated at the unseriousness of my best friend. We were polar opposites and as ironic as it sounds, I believe that's why we got along so well.
"Depends. I charge by the minute."
I glared at him for a few moments before breaking into a smile at the stupid look on his face.
"You are the dumbest smartest person I know." I laughed and he rushed up, twirling around the room like some fairy princess.
By the time he was done my anger had dissipated into thin air and I could breathe without imagining a bloodied Joshua.
"Now that you look human again, what's going on?" He finally asked, turning serious now.
I sighed, feeling like a creep for what I was about to voice out.
"I almost kissed her today. Scarlett, I mean."
"You clarified because you know you're a man whore."
I sighed, rubbing my hands over my face. I wouldn't have minded giving Jason one or two blows at that point but I was in his house and he was the only one that could give me some advice.
"Fine. I'll attempt to be serious. Did she almost kiss you as well? Is she interested?"
I thought about how her head tilted ever so slightly. How her lips parted like she wanted me as badly as I wanted her. But I couldn't be sure. Maybe I was just crazy and hallucinating.
"I don't know."
Jason sighed, watching me closely.
"What exactly do you want? You want to date her? Are you in love with her?"
"Hell, no." My blood ran hot at the thought of that word. "Love."
Love is what had my mom's blood spilled like a piece of meat. She loved my father so much that even with his abusiveness she never once thought of leaving and she paid the ultimate price for it.
Love was for weaklings.
I'd sworn off love a long time ago and I wasn't planning on going back on my word anytime soon.
"You know I don't do love." I warned and Jason eyed me suspiciously.
"When was the last time you got laid?" He inquired, grabbing the bottle of whiskey I'd been downing at intervals and setting it down calmly.
"I don't know." I muttered, wondering where he was headed.
He whistled, a smirk in place now.
"Are you sure you're even capable of having sex with another woman? This Scarlett chick seems to have your balls on lockdown." His tongue clicked mockingly and my blood boiled at the insult.
"That's shit and you know it." I countered and his ears perked up, eyes dancing with mischief now.
"Oh really? Prove it then. Call Tiffany and go get laid. If you can, that is."
I knew Jason was baiting me but ignoring his challenge was agreeing that I was too whipped to smash someone else.
My ego couldn't let that narrative stick.
I picked up my phone and dialed Tiffany Cortez, the Heiress to Cortez Couture and my booty call for the past few months.
She picked up on the first ring.
"Ace, darling. I've been-"
"Are you free?" I cut her off and she purred like a kitten in response.
My hair raised in disgust but I shook it off. I couldn't let her desperation ward me off.
"Good. Meet me at the Golden Royal hotel in thirty minutes." I ended the call before she could reply, knowing she'd run there like a lost puppy. She always did.
"See. Easy." I turned to Jason and he smiled to himself.
"You haven't done the dare yet."
"I will. And I'll tell you in person so I can see that smug smile fall off your face."
"I look forward to it." He replied with a grin as I stormed off, only one thing in mind. To prove Jason wrong.
I arrived at the hotel in exactly thirty minutes, getting a text from Tiffany who had already booked a room.
I sucked in a deep breath as I stood in front of the beige coloured door.
I had done this countless times, but never had it felt so…stifling. It felt like I was on a quest to conquer a beast and I wasn't so confident anymore.
But I couldn't let Jason be right. I wouldn't hear the end of it. I pressed the doorbell and the door immediately flew open.
A lingerie-clad Tiffany greeted me with what she thought was a seductive smile. I didn't try to hide my grimace.
I fucked Tiffany for release, nothing more. And I never looked her in the face when I did so.
She knew the drill. I pushed past her inside.
"Welcome." She purred, taking off my suit jacket and throwing it on the bed in practiced motion.
"Come." She whispered into my ears and I followed as she led me to a cushioned wooden chair in the middle of the room.
I sat and watched as she walked away slowly, flipping the lights. The fluorescents suddenly turned red, setting the room in an eerie glow, one that reminded me a bit too much of the last night I'd spent with a woman.
Scarlett's lush lips came into view behind my eyelids but I pushed it away. I had to prove Jason wrong.
I steeled my mind into the moment, watching with strained interest as Tiffany got on all fours, whipping her wavy blonde hair around in a seductive dance.
She squirmed about on the floor, rubbing against the curve of her fake boobs and pinching her nipples with a light moan.
I watched the private scene unfold, waiting to feel something, anything but my body stayed still, unmoved by the half naked girl performing right in front of me.
Beads of sweat formed at my temples. The implication of what was unfolding becoming clearer and clearer as Tiffany came closer, even more exposed than before.
Her breathing was heavy as she crawled to my feet, eyes heavy with desire that I was unable to mirror.
I looked down at her, as disinterested as could be.
Her perfectly manicured hands slowly slid their way up my trousers, fondling with my belt.
The sounds of fingers rubbing against her heat filled the room, the smell of her desire wafting through my nose but it only repulsed me further.
I couldn't help myself anymore.
I got up, causing her to lose balance and land on her back.
"Where are you going? Do you want to shower first? I can wait." Tiffany got up, following behind me like a lost puppy as I picked up my suit jacket, putting my belt back in place.
"I just remembered that I have an appointment." I lied, my voice strained against the force of realization.
"I can wait till you get-"
"I won't be coming back. Goodnight." I cut her off, leaving and closing the door behind me before she could protest further.
My steps were heavy, hurried. I stepped into the elevator, finally releasing the breath I'd been holding in.
That last thing I wanted to do was admit it but fuck!
Jason was right.