AN INVITATION

Lucian waited anxiously for Ace's response, her eyes fixed on her phone. Sarah, sensing her friend's nervousness, tried to distract her with small talk.

But Lucian's mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Ace and their impending conversation. What would he say? Would he confess his feelings for her, or would he tell her that he couldn't be with her because of Jenny?

Just as Lucian was starting to get impatient, her phone buzzed again. She snatched it up, her heart racing with excitement.

"Where are you?" Ace's message read.

Lucian's hands trembled as she typed out a response. "I'm in my office. Where are you?"

Ace's response came quickly. "I'm downstairs. Can I come up?"

Lucian's heart skipped a beat. Ace was coming to see her. Now.

She looked up at Sarah, who was watching her with a curious expression. "He's coming here," Lucian whispered.

Sarah's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, wow. Good luck!"

Lucian nodded, taking a deep breath. She was ready to face whatever came next.

Lucian's office door swung open, and Ace walked in, his eyes locked on hers. Lucian's heart skipped a beat as she took in the sight of him, his tall frame and chiseled features making her feel weak in the knees.

Sarah, sensing the tension in the air, quickly got up from her chair. "I'll leave you two alone," she said, smiling knowingly at Lucian before making a quick exit.

Lucian watched as Sarah closed the door behind her, leaving her alone with Ace. The air was thick with tension as they stood there, facing each other.

Ace was the first to break the silence. "Hey," he said, his voice low and husky.

Lucian's heart fluttered at the sound of his voice. "Hey," she replied, trying to sound calm.

Ace took a step closer to her, his eyes burning with intensity. "I've been thinking a lot about us, Lucian," he said, his voice dripping with emotion. "I think we could be great together."

Lucian's heart skipped a beat as she processed his words. Was he really saying what she thought he was saying?

Lucian took a deep breath, her heart rising with emotion. "Ace, I need to talk to you about something," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ace's expression changed, his eyes clouding over with a mixture of pain and guilt. He felt a pang of anger at the mention of Jenny's name, remembering how she had cheated on him with thousands of others.

Lucian noticed the change in his demeanor and felt a pang of curiosity. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice soft.

Ace's eyes flashed with anger. "You want to know about Jenny?" he spat. "You want to know about the woman who cheated on me with thousands of others?"

Lucian's eyes widened in shock. She had no idea that Ace knew about Jenny's past.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Lucian asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ace's expression turned cold. "I wanted to see her true identity, to see if she would ever show her true self to me," he said. "And when I finally realized who she was, she bluntly asked for a breakup, which I accepted."

Lucian felt like she had been punched in the gut. She had no idea that Ace had gone through so much with Jenny.

"I'm so sorry," Lucian said, her voice filled with remorse. "I had no idea you knew about Jenny's past."

Ace's expression was understanding, but also firm. "I need you to promise me something," he said. "Never mention her name to me again."

Lucian nodded eagerly, still feeling a mix of emotions. "I promise," she said.

Ace's expression softened, and he took a step closer to Lucian. "I'm glad we can move forward from this," he said, his voice low and husky.

Lucian's heart skipped a beat as Ace's eyes locked onto hers. She could see the affection and desire in his eyes, and she knew that she felt the same way.

Without another word, Ace leaned in and pressed his lips to Lucian's. The kiss was sweet and gentle, but it sent shivers down Lucian's spine.

As they pulled away, Lucian smiled up at Ace, her heart full of joy. "I'm glad we had this talk," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ace smiled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Me too," he said. "Me too."

As they kissed, Ace's hands roamed over Lucian's body, sending shivers down her spine. He grabbed her waist, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss. Lucian felt herself getting lost in the moment, wanting more of him.

Ace seemed to sense her desire, and he lifted her up, sitting her on the edge of the office table. His hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs tracing circles around her nipples. Lucian gasped, feeling a rush of pleasure.

But just as things were getting heated, Ace suddenly stopped. "We can't do this here," he said, his voice low and husky.

Lucian looked up at him, feeling a pang of disappointment. But Ace just smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Come to my mansion tonight," he said, his voice filled with promise. "We can continue this in private."

Lucian's heart skipped a beat at the suggestion. She felt a thrill of excitement at the thought of being alone with Ace in his mansion.

"Yes," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ace smiled, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I'll send a car for you at 7," he said. "Be ready."

Lucian nodded, feeling a flutter in her chest. She couldn't believe she was agreeing to go to Ace's mansion, but she couldn't deny the attraction she felt towards him.

As she slid off the table, Ace handed her a small card with his address and a phone number. "In case you need to reach me," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

Lucian took the card, feeling a sense of excitement and nervousness. She tucked the card into her pocket and smiled up at Ace.

"I'll be there at 7," she said, her voice firm.

Ace grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'll be waiting," he said.

With that, he turned and walked out of the office, leaving Lucian feeling breathless and excited. She couldn't wait to see what the night had in store.

As soon as Ace left, Sarah walked into the office, a curious expression on her face. "Spill the tea, girl!" she exclaimed, plopping down in the chair across from Lucian. "What happened with Ace? You two were in here for a while."

Lucian couldn't help but blush, feeling a little self-conscious about the intimate moment she had just shared with Ace. "Nothing, Sarah," she said, trying to brush it off. "We were just discussing... business."

Sarah raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Business, huh?" she repeated. "With the way Ace was looking at you, I'm pretty sure it was more than just business."

Lucian felt her face grow even hotter, and she looked away, trying to hide her smile. "Sarah, stop it," she said, laughing. "You're making me blush."

Sarah grinned mischievously. "That's what I'm here for," she said. "Now, come on, Lucian. Tell me what really happened. I want all the juicy details."

Lucian sighed, trying to maintain her composure. "Sarah, I'm serious. Nothing happened. We just talked about some work-related stuff."

Sarah raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Work-related stuff, huh? With the way Ace was looking at you, I'm pretty sure he was thinking about something other than work."

Lucian felt her face grow even hotter, and she looked away, trying to hide her smile. "Sarah, stop it," she said, laughing. "You're being ridiculous."

Sarah grinned mischievously. "I'm just trying to get the truth out of you, Lucian. You're being very secretive, and it's making me curious."

Lucian shook her head, trying to deflect Sarah's questions. "There's nothing to tell, Sarah. Really. Now, can we please just drop it?"

Sarah pouted, looking disappointed. "Fine, but I'm not giving up. I'll get the truth out of you eventually."

Lucian smiled, knowing that Sarah was just trying to have a little fun. "I'm shaking in my boots, Sarah," she said, laughing.

Just then, Lucian's phone buzzed, signaling an incoming text message. She glanced at the screen and saw that it was from Ace. Her heart skipped a beat as she read the message.

"Hey, beautiful. I'm looking forward to tonight. See you soon."

Lucian felt a flutter in her chest as she read the message. She couldn't help but smile, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. Tonight was going to be interesting.