Claiming Mr.CEO

CHAPTER EIGHT

"Ace!"

Crescent felt a shiver run down his spine the instant he heard the name, but that was to be anticipated.

Crescent knew he'd have to run across this man at some point, even if he didn't want to.

Finally, entering the hall was the man Crescent had never wanted to meet. Crescent immediately felt the need to leave the area, which was a strong urge. He wasn't sure why he felt so afraid to face this man. The man was none other than his ex-boyfriend, Ace Elrod,

Ace Elrod, the Skylark Estates' next-in-line CEO, is 27 years old.

His aura screamed power and authority, and he was a man with a highly terrifying presence.

In terms of appearance, he is the incarnation of Eros himself, according to some people.

A stern visage and ice-cold eyes. He wasn't the type of person you'd want to get tangled with.

Ace entered the room with flawless chocolate brown eyes that complemented his well-defined features and tanned skin. He was dressed in a two-piece black Armani suit that was precisely made to fit his 6'3" well-toned frame.

Crescent could feel the thick air around him the instant he walked in. As soon as that man entered the room, he managed to get everyone's attention. That's how endearing he was in person. He's someone people strive to be, having achieved so much at such a young age, and he's blessed with both intelligence and an attractive appearance.

Daniel Elrod gave his son a warm embrace.

Everyone in the room was looking at them. Anyone could see that Ace immediately became the focus of attention after entering the party.

The others were heading in Ace's direction, especially the girls, in an effort to get a better look at him. They were attempting to get his attention.

However, there was just one person in the room who wished to stay as far away from Ace's sight as possible. The person who wished to avoid Ace at all costs was Crescent.

"He's grown into such a wonderful young man." As he looked up to Ace as an ideal, Richard Hart stated.

"It's great to see you all; I hope you haven't had any issues with the hosts," Ace said.

Ace's deep voice resounded clearly in Crescent's ears, which Antonio and Regan picked up on. Both Regan and Antonio had no trouble noticing the heavy air between Ace and Crescent.

Ace's gaze met Crescent's at that same moment. They both exchanged glares, since they were equally irritated to see each other.

Crescent quickly averted his gaze and remained still for a brief moment. He took a big breath and exhaled slowly. He sighed and exhaled, finally gaining control of himself and not displaying the nervousness on his face.

"Let's go out." Antonio suggested, paying attention to his best friend's expression, which was not particularly pleasing. Antonio and Ace exchanged glances.

Even Regan's taunts stopped noticing Crescent's unusual behavior.

Crescent nodded, wishing to get out of here as soon as possible, as the expression of his face had altered. Crescent locked his gaze with Ace one last time before following Antonio's lead.

To get Crescent out of the place for some fresh air, Antonio grasped Crescent's arm and led him out onto the large yard outside the mansion.

On the other hand, Ace silently observes Crescent and Antonio leave. The sight that irritated him the most at the time was Antonio's hand on Crescent's arm. Regan intervened at just the right time to stop Ace from following them after furiously balling up his fists in front of him.

You okay? Regan enquired with concern. He soon realized that the sight of Crescent and Antonio together was making Ace lose his composure.

Ae was startled back into reality by hearing Regan's voice. Ace felt foolish for losing his temper over someone who had long since left his life.

''Ace?'' Regan questioned his friend once again.

''Huh?'' Ace mumbled absentmindedly in response, ''Yeah, I'm okay.'' He said.

"Behave yourself." Regan whispered to Ace in a low voice, as he didn't want Ace to act hastily at a public gathering. Ace sighed heavily and nodded.

''Ace? Regan?'' Ace and Regan's conversation was interrupted by Richard Hart.

''It's been a while, uncle.'' Regan turned to Richard Hart and asked with a polite smile and nod, "How are you doing?" He questioned

"Well, I'm forever young." Richard Hart made a joking comment

Ace wasn't replying to Richard Hart since he was still in a daze and was instead thinking of something. Regan sighed in exhaustion as he nudged Ace's arm to engage in the conversation.

''Hello uncle.'' Ace smiled

It appears that my young student has grown up because he is no longer in need of his uncle. Richard Hark pretended to be upset.

Ace quickly refused, saying, "Absolutely not." he exclaimed ''How can I not ever need my mentor?!''

For Ace, Richard was not only his father's best friend, rather a mentor who was there for him at every step.

''I was only joking.'' Richard Hart playfully said. ''Anyway, have you met Crescent yet?'' He asked

There was an uncomfortable pause. Uneasily, Ace and Regan exchanged awkward glances.

"Not yet," Even though Ace spotted Crescent, he still lied to Richard.

"Why not? I still recall how close you two used to be.'' When Richard Hart finished speaking, Ace frowned.

Regan gestured for Ace to remain calm when he turned to face him.

Flynn Woods, Regan's father, yelled, "Regan!" from a distance.

"I have to leave. Please excuse me.'' Regan gave Richard Hard a courteous smile. '' I'll talk to you later, uncle.''

Richard Hart nodded in response.

After Regan had left, Daniel Elrod, Ace's father, immediately yelled, "Richard!" to his best friend.

''It seems like I must leave as well.'' Richard spoke.

''That's all right, uncle.'' Ace smiled. ''We can catch up later.''

Just as Richard was ready to leave, he stopped and asked Ace, ''Dear, can you ask Crescent to come to me?''

''Me? Ace was at a loss for words. ''But..''

Richard was once more called at impatiently by Daniel Elrod. ''Richard!"

''I have to leave.'' Without giving Ace the chance to speak, Richard put a hand on his shoulder and said, "You go fetch Crescent."

Ace sighed as he watched Richard leave in a hurry.

''Talk about my bad luck.'' Ace muttered to himself.

___________________________________________________________________

Following his best friend's voice, Richard Hart eventually arrived at the spot where Daniel Elrod was standing alone, edgy, holding a glass of red wine.

''What's wrong?'' Richard Hart questioned as he observed the disturbed look on his closest friend's face.

Daniel Elrod appeared to be contemplating something, but he suddenly became alert of Richard, his closest buddy, approaching.

''Where have you been?'' Daniel Elrod impatiently asked his best friend, Richard Hart, who had just walked in.

Richard said in a low, collected voice, "I was chatting with Ace."

''Oh,'' Daniel Elrod murmured softly, "Did you tell him about what we discussed? He questioned

''What?'' Richard Hart frowned when he heard Daniel ask the seemingly absurd question, "No. We can't just move hastily. Can we?" he asked.

''Guess you're right.'' Daniel Elrod muttered in a low voice.

''I know what you're thinking,'' Richard sighed and put an arm around his shoulder, whispering to his best friend. Richard grumbled, '' However, I don't think it will be the right decision to proceed in this matter against our children's wishes. It concerns their life after all. ''

Daniel nodded his head in silent agreement without saying a word.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the meantime, in the yard in front of the Elrod mansion,

Since Antonio dragged Crescent outdoors to get out of Ace's sight a few minutes ago, there had been an unsettling silence between them.

Crescent caught Antonio's attention as he appeared to be pondering something. Antonio gave Crescent some time to collect himself. Antonio finally put an arm around Crescent's shoulder.

Crescent flinched as he suddenly felt Antonio's touch, but he quickly snapped out of his daze.

"Are you doing better?" Antonio inquired of his best friend, who replied with a nod.

"God! You look like you were about to have a panic attack at any damn moment." Antonio tried to lighten the tension with a joke, but when Crescent didn't respond, he stopped. "Are you scared?" he asked.

"I feel suffocated actually." Crescent replied, forcing a smile with a pained expression.

"It's been three years," Antonio attempted to persuade.

"I know." Crescent smiled bitterly, but the memories of the past were too painful to forget, and seeing that man now only made it worse.

"Clearly you know what happened three years ago was not your fault, then why are you the one getting all worked up about it, as if you're the one who's in the wrong here?" Crescent became more stable hearing Antonio.

"You are right. Why should I be troubled by someone who didn't even think twice before hurting me?" Crescent asked.

"That's like my buddy. You're strong enough to confront that jerk, right?" Antonio cooed as if he was talking to a child.

"I will not let that man influence me no matter what," Crescent said to Antonio, but it was more of a reminder to himself not to display his vulnerability again.

It's been three years, and Crescent has worked hard to alter himself, to replace the naive youngster he used to be.

He wasn't going to let anyone break him this time.

Antonio, on the other hand, appeared to be somewhat more concerned with Crescent's condition.

"You are really fine, right?" Antonio asked, concernedly.

"Totally!" Crescent replied with a broad grin on his face, assuring Antonio.

Crescent took a long time to recover from those three years of increasingly painful memories from the past. His rehabilitation was remarkable for the most part. He learnt how to use his mind to make those little lockable boxes inside his heart to help him deal with his emotions. That is how he has managed to deceive others around him into believing that nothing related to Ace Elrod affects him anymore.

Contrarily, Antonio sighed and clenched his fist, debating whether or not to leave Crescent alone for the time being to handle his conflicted feelings. Whenever Crescent suffered as a result of Ace Elrod, he could not stand it. Ace had Antonio's utmost hatred. Out of everyone in the world, Crescent had to choose Ace Elrod, which infuriated Antonio.

Antonio briefly caught sight of Crescent's eyes glistening with tears. Prior to addressing Crescent, Antonio paused.

''Crescent..'' Antonio started speaking.

''Hmm?'' Crescent hummed while smiling bitterly and rubbing his eyes.

When Antonio parted his lips to speak, his phone promptly began to ring, interrupting him.

"Ah! Dad's looking for me." On his ringing phone, Antonio noticed his father's caller ID.

''Alright.'' Crescent said, ''Go ahead then.''

"Aren't you coming?" Antonio asked.

Crescent refused to accompany Antonio, saying, "You go ahead, I want to stay here outside a little longer."

Antonio tried to say something again but dropped the idea since the words never came out. Because Crescent was someone very special to Antonio.

Antonio decided to give his best friend some space when he realized Crescent needed a bit more time to get back to normal. He walked away after nodding at Crescent's statement.

Crescent was alone in the yard when he noticed the trees were festooned with small fairy lights that resembled little glittering stars.

His gaze was drawn to a large, old tree, and he remembered how it used to be strung with a swing. Then he suddenly remembered some old memories. He can't stop himself from smiling.

Crescent used to play in this yard all the time when he was a kid. He had flashbacks of the first time he saw the younger Ace playing his violin when they were both children. This lovely garden was the first location he encountered Ace, and he was instantly charmed.

They spent a lot of time there, playing hide & seek and learning music together. But none of them matter any longer because the location, as well as his memories, have been altered. Nothing is the same as it used to be.

Crescent noticed that his thoughts were becoming clearer.

He looked up at the dark blue sky and saw a half-moon, which was rather lovely.

He quietly closed his eyes, allowing the cool, yet peaceful breeze to flow past him.

When Crescent forced himself to stop thinking about that man, he had a sharp pain in his chest. Where did things go wrong, he wondered? Their lives were so perfect. Crescent is still able to recall both the day he first saw Ace and the last time he saw him. He exhaled deeply. If they hadn't broken up that day, he questioned whether things might have turned out differently.

''Why did you hurt me?'' He muttered to himself in a soft voice.

Just at that moment, Crescent flinched when he heard a sound. His attention was drawn when he heard someone clearing their throat. His eyes fluttered open. Crescent spun around to see Ace Elrod himself standing in front of him.

When Crescent saw the man standing right in front of him, he flinched.