ACE SPOILS DATE PLAN-E

It was a long week for Ace Wagner, who had to attend meeting and inspection from FDA. Apparently, someone complained about Wagner Sparkling Blood mixed with a weird substance and he had to conduct multiple tests and abide by different regulations. After obtaining negative results by Thursday, he wanted nothing but spend a day in the garden to unwind himself.

He had been sending text messages to Astrid on daily basis and based on her responses he was looking forward to seeing her and maybe, just maybe kissing her.

But when he reached home, his mother had a set him up with a date for Friday night. He immediately called Astrid.

`Hello, Astrid', Ace spoke while lazing in the jacuzzi.

`Hi, Ace or Hadwin?', she answered.

`Ace, were you expecting Hadwin to call?', Ace was curious.

`I didn't save your number properly. Sorry', Astrid was putting up curtains in her room and sat on a chair to answer his call.

`Are you coming over this weekend?', he questioned.

`Yes, I am looking forward to that dirt bike ride. I didn't know Hadwin was a champion', she gushed.

`Astrid, do need help with the curtains?', Enlil poked his head inside her room and Astrid shook her head.

`Who is that? Where are you, Astrid?', Ace tensed up and sat straight.

`Its….Enlil..my..my distant cousin', Enlil helped her to mouth the words and laughed silently at her. Astrid pinched his shoulder for interrupting her call.

`Where are you? Are you safe?', he did not like the idea of a cousin with Astrid. And a male at that.

`Don't worry. I'm at home', she pushed Enlil away and closed her room door.

`I will pick you up. Let me know your location. By the way change of day. Friday.', Ace did not leave room for argument with his authoritative tone.

`But I thought Saturday? I have work and school on Friday', she had to rush to meet him right after night school.

`What time will you finish?', Ace Wagner massaged his nose bridge.

`Approximately 9 pm', she answered.

`Too late, I need a favour from you. Can we meet at Route 3 bus stop by 7 pm?' Ace vaguely remembered his mother saying date at 8 pm or 9 pm and he needed Astrid to be ready by then.

`Pop won't be happy if I skip school. Is this favour of yours really important?', Astrid wondered what Ace was up to.

`Please, Astrid. Just this one time. I'm in a situation and I need to take a clear stance against it'. Ace did not want to tell her in details, hoping she won't ask further.

`Don't forget to bring along shorts, sturdy shoes and swimwear.' Ace remembered her wearing his shirt and he could not wait for her to sleep on his bed. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her senseless and hug her tight. Shit, does she feel the same way as I? Well, I will find out soon when I taste those lips of hers.

`Or better still, just bring yourself and I will dress you up', he smirked imagining her in bra and jeans when she last came to his house.

`Someone is being flirty. I got to go now. Bye good night', Astrid wanted to end the call, seeing Enlil making funny faces at her to distract her no doubt.

`Dream of me, Astrid', he lowered his voice and whispered in his thick accent before ending the call.

Astrid was blushing at the end of the call. Enlil who was standing by the door, opened the door only to be thrown a pillow at for eavesdropping on Astrid. Grandpa Jones chided Astrid for being careless and told her to respect Enlil as an `elder' person. Astrid was flummoxed because she could not tell her woes to pop and Enlil was bullying her clearly taking advantage of her crush for Ace Wagner.

Ace met Abigail after his shower to enquire about his date set up.

`What do you want to know?' Abigail raised an eyebrow and crossed her legs.

`Everything about her. Why is mom adamant with this dating'? Ace locked the room door and sat by Abigail's bed. Her room was painted in deep marron, with cream coloured furniture and fixtures. A four-poster bed with exquisite carvings was the centre of attraction of her room. Her walk-in wardrobe was double the size of Ace and she arranged all meticulously by colour and brands.

`Well, she is pleasant looking, a vampire, an entire wife package if you ask me.', Abigail spoke lazily.

`Look, I don't want this date with her. Astrid is coming over and I rather spend time with her than this stupid date', Ace ran his hand through his hair.

`Stupid date has a name. Jane Dixon. Her father is the CEO BlueDeck Shipping industry', Abigail smiled at him.

`Yeah, whatever. I need to get rid of her. What time will she arrive tomorrow?', Ace was thinking of a plan.

`Where did you drop your ears Ace? By your dum dum roses? Didn't you hear what mom said?', Abigail was pissed being made to repeat things twice.

`Come on, Abi.',

Abigail looked at his brother and turned his face to her right and left before saying `You like her, don't you? The Astrid girl', she focused her eyes on his face for the slightest sign and noticed how his eyes sparkled for a fleeting second before he dulled them.

He knew his sister was a sly fox. He could not hide from her, but he'd rather confirm his feelings with Astrid than admit it to his sister. `Time of arrival?', he asked and got up ready to leave.

Abigail answered him `8 pm. And lover boy where will you be keeping her this time? In your room?'.

She snickered, knowing full well he kept her in his room the last time she visited. Butler Lionel who went to his room as per routine to wake him up was surprised to see Ace Wagner spooning Astrid. He dashed to Ace and shook him up. Butler Lionel seems to have a soft spot for the girl, and he was horrified of both Wagner brother's close affinity to Astrid.

`I need a word with Butler Lionel', he walked to the kitchen and seek Butler Lionel. Ace instructed him to prepare a guest room for Astrid tomorrow. Butler Lionel stared at him and made a grim face. Ace assured him that they will be no drinks and she was coming as a friend. He wondered how long Butler Lionel knew Astrid for him to care for her.

Friday,3rd May 2035.

Ace Wagner fast-tracked his work as soon as he stepped his foot on his office. His secretary Gordon Browne had to push through one meeting after another, by lunch hour he was exhausted. Ace was relentless, he skipped his lunch and did a video call with a few tech guys from Silicon Valley and approved a start-up fund to kick start their idea of ethical hacking. In Gordon's eye, they seem more like hacking for Ace Wagner. He knew there was a mole in the company who was planting some faults here and there with the authorities and Ace was having none of it.

When the clock strike at 5.30 pm, Ace went to his room, attached to his office and showered. He ordered a Japanese meal of Salmon Teppanyaki in sweet sauce and a pot of green tea. Ace changed his suit and wore a deep violet tie, white shirt and dark blue pants. He instructed Gordon to purchase a red lipstick, a colour which can leave a mark behind. Gordon was baffled with this weird demand but didn't question.

Ace opened his briefcase and looked at the denim sleeveless mini Versace dress. Sigh, the things he is doing for this girl. Abigail would have a good laugh at him if she saw the dress in his briefcase. He shook his head and ordered the driver to get ready to head to Route 3 bus stop. He picked Gordon who was waiting anxiously at the lobby.

`Show me the lipsticks', Ace demanded.

`I hope these are red enough, sir', Gordon was nervous.

Ace stared at the lipsticks. There were 3 colours, all in different shades of red. He couldn't decide which one would leave a visible mark on his shirt. I guess she has to pick one, Ace wondered.

`Driver faster, I can't be late', Ace checked her phone and text, Astrid, asking for an update of location. She replied she would reach in 10 minutes time.

Ace Wagner arrived at the bus stop earlier than Astrid. He leaned against his car and stared into the trees nearby. When he saw a green light beaming on the roadside, he searched for her only for her to acknowledge and wave at him. She hurried towards him, with a genuine smile of happiness on her lips. Both the driver and Gordon snickered in the car.

`This is going to get exciting eh', Gordon nudged the driver.