Touching the Heart of Ace

4.30 p.m.

He said he would be back by three or four in the evening. Where was he? Did he forget about me? What was he doing there anyways? Shouldn??t he be with me?

?? You have no idea what your warmth does to me... I cannot let this ever go.?? Did he forget what he did to me when I followed him innocently to help him with his files? Well, I still had that warmth, where was he?

I heard a shriek beside me, when someone was thrown across the dance floor. Liam was livid and he wanted to beat the crap out of the guy on the floor. But he seemed to breath his control in and he ripped the wallet off the guy.

??Man! That is my rent money!!! You fucking hobo! You, thief.??

??Imma take hun?? fifty dollars! Stuck the rest shit up yo ass!?? Liam counted the money and threw the rest on Jerry and kicked his shin.

??What the hell is going on??? Someone asked. Was I the only one who saw the tears in Liam??s eyes?

??Hell, I will see you tomorrow.?? I snatched my bag off the floor and ran to Liam.

??Oh, hey man.??

??You okay, Liam???

He thought of lying but decided against it. ??No.??

Jerry was supposedly Liam??s good friend. But the guy smooched off Liam a lot. He did not mind giving his friend money but Jerry tricked Liam into believing he broke his Clark??s table and made him pay one fifty bucks.

Thankfully Rupert started his class on Logarithms.

??Thanks.??

??It is just a conversation, Liam.??

??No, not for dat. For school. You pay money.?? I froze. Liam was not supposed to know that.

??They did??n tell me shit. I saw a cheque.?? I did not know what to do, but Liam did not seem to mind.

??I don?? like the geo lady.??

??Oh. She came with good credentials. What is wrong???

He shrugged.

??Tell me Liam.??

??I don?? no. She is snappi?? me for jokes. I heard her talk.??

I hated those kind of people. If Liam knew everything, he would not need help, now would he?

??English lady is good. She no happy wid me. But... she no make no fun of me for shit.??

??Of course she is not happy. You have to add ??shit?? in each sentence.??

Liam laughed.

??I will take care of geo.?? He nodded. ??People like her should not teach.??

????m dumb.?? He told me like it was no big deal.

??For the time being, may be. You have the capability to learn. It is okay to be stupid sometimes and not to know what is going on. Learn Liam. Ask away. Thank you for notifying about that issue. Ned will look into the matter.??

??He take me to museum tomorrow.??

Wow! Grammatically incorrect but that was good progress. Was Liam blushing?

??Miss. English ordered a cane, for my ??shit??.??

I did not know what was so funny about but we were laughing like crazy, slapping on our thighs. His teacher for language was 5-foot tiny, retired school teacher with an adorable Tweety face. Her spanking 6 foot 6 Liam with a cane was funny, right? Or was I just crazy?

We agreed to meet tomorrow at the bank. Liam tried to give me some money for his tuition. I told him I would collect it later. So, we planned to start a savings account under his name. I was not going to take his money, but it was good to have savings.

5.30 p.m.

My good mood vanished when I reached to an empty penthouse. I pressed down my passive-aggressive need to leave to the dorms. I had promised him I would be here waiting for him in the morning.

I woke up along with him though he protested. But I was not going to let him leave without a fresh memory of myself. I made him his favourite black coffee, packed him some snacks, gave him a good blow job and helped him dress.

Did he forget me already? Where was he?

Please leave a voice message.

I squished down my need to scream. He might be stuck in traffic. He took his jet but the aerodrome was half an hour away. He had no reason to switch his phone off, right? He could just call me and inform he would be late, right?

I did everything I could think off to take my mind off Robbie. But the bastard had meant it when he promised me I would remember his absence every second.

I stared at the multiple proofs of our love making on my body. I smiled; thinking of the similar ones I had given him too. But was he missing me?

He came back at 6.49 pm.

By then my mind was fucking tight with anger and resentment. I had no idea who I was projecting that too. I just knew that it was not to Robbie, because all I felt was relief when I saw his tired body.

He was here. That was all that mattered.

??Your phone was switched off.?? My voice a bit snippy when I noticed he did not bring me any gifts. Did he forget about me?

??Sorry, Angel, I forgot to switch it on.??

I waited for a few moments to know the reason why he was late but he stood there at the door step. His head hung low.

I could be a passive aggressive bitch later. He was tired and looking a bit lost.

I sighed. ??Come in, Robbie. You look so tired.??

??I am fine, Angel. Just tired.??

Huh?

Silly baby! Was he worried would throw a tantrum?

I helped him out of his clothes. I had prepared some juice for him. He drank a tall glass in one gulp.

?? You were thirsty.?? I chuckled. ??Why don??t you take a shower? I will set the table for dinner.??

He was so lost in thoughts. ??Robbie???

He jumped. ??Angel???

I smiled, so he would know that I was not angry at him for being late. ??Go, shower.??

He nodded and walked to the bathroom obediently. I picked up the clothes form the floor and put them in the hamper.

The man was so tired, I saw him leaning on the shower, trying to sleep. I had to literally drag him to the dinner table. ?? You don??t like it???

??No, it is delicious.?? I knew his fake smile. He was not enjoying this.

??I have some chicken in fridge, I will make...??

??I said it is fine.?? Was he angry at me? Did I do something? Did his wife say something? Was he going to... I bit my lips to stop myself from crying. He was squirming on his seat.

??Robbie???

He was sweating. Then he dropped his fork altogether and started pacing. Robbie... he looked troubled and scared and sad and...

I walked to him, gently touched his shoulder. He jumped again.

He was scaring me.

Jesus, his troubled eyes was breaking my heart. Where was my Demon? He should be fearless and confident and aggressive... my big baby.

The last time he was scared; he took all the sharp things off the kitchen. Was he scared of that again?

??Robbie, big baby, what is wrong???

??Angel? Ang... Angel???

??I am here, I am here, what is it???

He started shaking. Was he going to cry? What?

??Angel.??

Then he hugged me but his legs started to shake and he fell on his knees hugging my stomach.

??ROBBIE! What is it, bastard? Tell me...??

I dropped on my knees taking his troubled face in my hands.

??My child... Angel... something is wrong with my child. Doctor said something is...?? Then he was shaking in my arms, scared and sad. I was not liking it. My Robbie, he...

??What did doctor say???

??I don??t know Angel. My baby may not make it...??

??What!!!??

Then he hid his face in my chest and he was trembling.

I did not know how long we sat like that. I started to feel a foreign emotion from the pit of my stomach. It was making me uncomfortable. I had this heaviness around my abdomen and it was spreading to the chest.

??Fuck this shit! Robbie call the doctor, ask for more information.??

I pushed him off from my chest. Then pulled on his hands until he sat on the couch. I thrusted the phone to hands, demanding him to make the call.

He started pacing in front of me. Talking to shit load of people and I was nervous as hell. I did not like Robbie scared, I did not like him sad. He should be confident, happy and throwing tantrums and I hated he looked broken.

My big baby.

I jumped to a crash.

??IT IS FUCKING CONFIDENTIAL!!!??

??What!??

??They say it is confidential. That fucking good doctor cannot disclose anything.??

??What!??

??I don??t know Angel.?? He was back in my arms, clutching me for dear life. ??I don??t know.??

??You are the father of the child. You have the right to know!!!??

??Something about mother being the primary preference, Angel. What do I do? My child, Angel. I...?? Then he jumped off me. ??IT IS THAT BITCH??S FAULT!!! WHERE IS SHE???

He went through the phone like a mad man. ??Where is she!!! JANICE!??

It was the first time he said that name in front of me. And it was out of anger and hatred. But he should not call her this angry, she would be struggling too.

??FUCKING SWITCHED OFF!?? He screamed.

??Robbie???

He turned around, his anger was dissipating. His eyes were slowly showing his true emotions. He felt like a failure. Oh my baby. He was not a failure. ??Come here.?? I patted my lap.

??Angel, I...??

??Shh..??

He did not come to me. He stood there, looking like he was the worst mistake of life.

I was breaking. I could not sit still.

I went through his bar, poured three fingers of bourbon and gave him the glass. Just a taste, so he would stop stressing this much.

I wiped my sweaty lips.

??Please, stop crying, Angel. I cannot see that too. I... This is my life... You should not...??

What! I wiped my cheeks, and my hands came out wet. I was surprised.

He calmed down a bit. ??This has nothing to do with you. It is my life. You...?? He sighed leaning on me and we walked us to the couch again.

??The doctor said he can??t tell me anything. I am the father, baby, don??t you think I want to know if my baby is sick? But I can??t...??

??Fuck it! Which hospital???

??Baby, it is my life...??

??Which fucking hospital, Robbie???

??Holy Mary. You know the one, we went to...??

??Yeah, I know.??

I ran to my bedroom, collecting my laptops and throwing pillows on the living room floor. ??Robbie, bring me your laptop.??

I went to his office and switched on his P.C. Robbie was looking lost with his work laptop staring at me. I noticed how tired he was.

??Robbie, don??t touch your P.C, okay, not even your mouse.?? That would disrupt the download.

He nodded and I cracked my fingers.

??Finish your dinner. I made it just for you.??

??Baby, I am not...??

I glared.

??I will try to eat.??

??There is juice in the fridge; this might take a few hours. Don??t disturb me.??

??Do you need anything, Angel???

??A paper and a pen, please. Fucking assholes, he is the father. He has the right. You don??t want to tell us, good, don??t tell us. ROBBIE, BRING MY GREEN BAG.??

??I am right here, Angel.?? Robbie was staring at me like he was seeing a ghost.

??Oh! My green bag, please.??

I picked up my phone, inserting a disposable sim, calling ??SLIME.????Man, I need a mask.??

?? You know me, man.??

??Transaction in five, four, three, two, one. Got it???

??Got it.?? He hung up the call.

??Who did you call???

??I don??t know. He is known as Slime, he is the V.P.N God. Gotcha!?? I received the code. ??Big baby, stop staring and eat your dinner.??

It was taking longer than I anticipated. Why was a hospital needing this many cyber security protocols? Hmmm...

I felt myself sliding to a lap.

??Your back is aching.??

??Uhh... uhhh.??

??Robbie, what did you tell the name of the doctor was???

??Dr. Ferguson. Stout balding man. He looked kind enough but he refused to tell what is wrong.??

??Uhh... huhh...??

The names of the doctors were barcodes. Hmmm...

??This makes no sense.??

??What Angel???

??Is this your doctor??? I pointed him to the monitor.

??Yeah! That is him.?? Hmmm....

??Did you have a blood test, today???

??Yes, somewhere around 11 am.??

??11. 07 am. Janice was admitted yesterday at 6.34 pm. You are healthy. Your wife is healthy. Apparently so is your baby, Robbie.??

??What???

??Exactly, what???

??Why did your wife changed the hospitals after second trimester???

??I don??t know. Madam Claire said something about long queues.??

??Hmmm... According to files, there is nothing wrong with any of you. Your wife has some elevated B.P but it is expected and checked clear, no serious hormone fluctuations, normal, normal, normal, mood

swings, checked clear, normal, normal... Bobby is fine. Heartbeat normal, all are green and checked okay, Robbie.??

??Bobby???

??Robbie??s baby. Bobby.?? I felt a kiss on my cheek.

??Then why did the doctor say such a thing???

I had counter checked it twice. There was nothing wrong till this date.

I shook my head.

I woke up at the middle of night feeling a tick. I was sleeping with my head on Robbie??s stomach. I remembered reading Robbie a book.

I tried to ease the coldness on my chest. But it was not going away. Fuck! What was going on? I had nothing to be afraid of, but the feeling was steadily taking over.

I sat up shaking my head, but was I fainting? I was not. God! I hated this fear. I was not afraid, but there was something trying to scare me.

I squirmed trying to find a comfortable spot but...

Shit!!! I had to...

Bobby!!!

I shook Robbie awake, and he woke up with a start.

??Wh...what is wrong???

??Get out... GET OUT!!!??

I screamed at him the paranoia taking all over me.

??Baby? What is wrong???

??Yo...u yo... have to go... go... get them... get them... out.??

I scrambled off the bed, throwing clothes at Robbie... Shit!!! I was going to faint.

??ROBBIEEE.... I AM GOING TO FAINT!!!??

??Shhh... I am here... breathe...??

??No!!! GET out... pl... please... get Janice... out of there... go...??

??Angel???

??Get out get out out out... GO GO GO!!! I AM GOING TO FAINT??

I threw the shoes at his feet. I had to fight this panic.

??What is wrong, please tell me Angel.??

I could see only spots. And Robbie fretting around me. I could not breathe.

??Go! Get Janice out of that hospital. No matter what, get them to a hospital you trust. No matter what. Take the fucking cops with you. Take her out of the hospital. Please. Please. Trust me please.??

Something was wrong.

I thought I was shouting but Robbie was scared shitless. I watched him getting dressed.

??Baby, you...??

??I am fine... you go...??

??But...??

??JUST GO!!! PLEASE... I BEG YOU. It is serious, you cannot be late. Go, now??

I watched him standing there scared and calling someone and screaming at them.

??It is my Angel; I don??t know... I... okay...okay...??

Robbie covered me in a blanket and I screamed at him. ??GOOO!!!!??

He carried me to the living room couch. I watched him turning around and looking at me with misty eyes.

??I would not die. it is just a panic attack. Save them. Take to another hospital.?? I shooed him away, I could not breathe.

***

Warm, comfy and relaxed.

There was someone patting my back. Not Robbie. I frowned.

Robbie would practically climb on top of me.

Gentle steady pats on my shoulder. I smiled.

Jason. My brother.

But when I opened my eyes, I saw Robbie??s face on a laptop.

I smiled before the memories rushed to me.

??Everyone is fine. My kid is fine. They did all the initial tests, now they are doing some others too, just to be sure. Janice is fine. I am fine. Bobby is fine.?? Robbie rushed out.

I could breathe easier.

??You scared us shitless.?? Jason scolded me from my behind. I turned around and kissed his cheek.

Jason left to fetch me something to drink.

??Robbie...??

??My Angel.??

When would he back? Would he ever be back? Was he going to stay with them? What would I do, then?

??The jet is getting refuelled, there is one more blood test for me, then I am coming home. Please listen to Jason till then, my love. Don??t give him any trouble. I will see you in a few hours.??

He was coming to me. I was so tired to smile.

I watched him leaning to the monitor and pressing a kiss. ??I miss you already, don??t scare me like that ever again. You are my Angel.??