Claiming Mr.CEO

CHAPTER TWO

Three years later, New York City,

At an Award ceremony,

Around the stage, there were blinding flashing lights, blue lights, and gleaming black marble-stone flooring. Since it was such a big event in the city, everyone in attendance was dressed to impress. People from all over the nation have gathered to represent their companies to other revitalized organizations in order to form a strong link.

Around the vast area beneath the lighting, there were a few clusters of people. There were men in formal suits discussing business and other matters, women chattering off topic, and folks on their way to see their love interests. There was a mix of emotions in the air.

"May I steal your attention, ladies and gentlemen?" The event's host drew everyone's attention. "I'm Kevin, your host for the day, and I'm looking forward to having a good time with you all. Thank you." He said, flashing a charming smile. There was a chorus of applause from the audience after the host introduced himself.

The host courteously bowed, showing respect to his audience and spoke, "Let's get this event started."

The ceremony began with some gorgeous visuals along with elegant music and ended with a display of the awards that would be handed to the top businessperson at present. After the last award of the best entrepreneur was flaunted, the opening came to a close with everyone's gaze fixed on the gleaming silver trophy. The words "Best Entrepreneur" were carved in glossy black letters on a slender, flat, long curved rectangle-shaped award. When the white spotlight fell on the award, it glistened.

"At long last, the moment you've all been waiting for," Kevin, the host, began the award presentation.

People were called to the platform, where they took their awards and thanked those who had made them deserving of them. The sessions were nearing the end, and the highest award was yet to be given out.

"And the Best Entrepreneur of the Year award goes to none other than the one and only ACE ELROD!" Ace came up to the stage and accepted his award to thunderous applause.

It's been two years straight, he has owned this position and this is expected.

For the past three years, he has been solely focused on his business.

A group of ladies was pushing amongst themselves just to get a better view of the man.

"Gosh, this is the second time." Said one of the girls as the other ones started squealing,

"He's so fucking handsome!"

"DOES HE HAVE A GIRLFRIEND?" A girl let out a loud squeal

"Well, he's rumored to be a player. The last scandal of his was with an actress." Said another

"Yeah, I heard that too and also there was that fashion designer. He was male, but since it was gossip, I'm not really sure he's gay." A woman sounded disappointed.

While Ace Elrod was the hot topic of the gossip of the ladies, the other older businessmen were impressed by his achievements too. A few men were talking amongst themselves as they watched Ace receiving the award.

"A very fine young man indeed. He's just getting better day by day since his debut in the business industry." Said a man as he smoked his cigarette.

"Agreed. At this rate, I believe he'll sure set up a new branch."

"He takes just after his father. He is indeed a splitting image of Daniel Elrod himself." One of them continued

"Lucky to be such a proud father."

"So, Mr. Elrod, you've won the honor twice already. Without a doubt, you're currently the city's most successful businessman. What's your key to success?"

The anchor began to speak. Ace could feel the camera's bright beams on him.

"Hard work." Ace responded to cheers from the crowd.

"All right Mr. Elrod, How about you letting us know how you are feeling about winning this award the second time?" The anchor asked as everyone's eyes were on that handsome man.

"Time is money for me and I believe these functions are a waste of time, whereas I could utilize this time for my work." Ace Elrod said as he stared at the award, which is every businessman's dream with great disinterest.

The host went on to the next set of questions.

"Okay, there's one question that your female supporters, especially, want to ask you, because you're the most eligible bachelor in town. Do you have any love interests?"

There was a brief pause here. People were waiting for his response with eager anticipation but he didn't give them a satisfactory reply.

"Well, let's just say I don't have any particular interest in love. This type of question is the reason why I'm up here and you're interviewing me." Ace rolled his eyes, letting the anchor know how ridiculous his question was.

The host was kind of embarrassed and dumbfounded by Ace's answer. But since as a host he had to keep his calm, he cleared his throat and spoke with a nervous laugh,

"You're as straightforward as the rumors say. Very well, thank you for your answers, Mr. Elrod." After the host completed, Ace was not the least bit bothered to reply back. Instead, he decided to leave the function without wasting his time, since he was done with his work there.

"Get to the Elrod Mansion as fast as you can, your dad called for you. You've been playing around too much," Regan, his secretary as well as his best friend, said as he fixed his glasses.

"Ah fuck!" Ace mumbled to himself and the next moment he asked Regan.

"Is it regarding that actress?" Ace asked for confirmation.

Regan nodded, answering.

"She created a total mess all over the media and now it's all over the news. Just when will you learn to choose better one-night stands?" Regan grunted in absolute annoyance.

"Please! You, don't get started now!" Ace groaned, realizing his father's thoughts regarding the whole issue.

"Someday you'll really get in trouble if you don't stop playing around." Regan spat and Ace raised his eyebrows.

"It's just sex and I'm pretty sure that I'm very clear with my partners that I don't need a relationship." Ace rolled his eyes, ignoring the flashes of cameras and reporters asking questions while walking towards his car.

At the Elrod Mansion,

The car passed through the opulent mansion's large black iron gates. The road from the main gate to the front door of the house was still somewhat long. On both sides of the road are large green exotic forest trees. The space was enormous, and there was even a separate wooden outhouse located among the woods.

Finally, the car came to a screeching halt in front of a magnificent structure with high ceilings, wide windows, and a stunning exterior that radiated grandeur. A three-story building in a cream-brown tint with matte black ceilings and large windows. A stunning garden is found on the left. The entire mansion area has a feel similar to the massive castles depicted in the books. The golden lights that surrounded the mansion for decorating only added to the beauty of the setting because they enhanced the cream-brown color of the walls even more.

Ace's father, Daniel Elrod, his mother, Juvia Elrod, and Ace himself make up the family of three that lives here. There is a large number of helping hands in this mansion. The house butlers here are dressed conservatively and formally, with a black waistcoat, grey pants, a white Windsor cut shirt, and a black tie. There are also maids dressed in black and white formal maid uniforms, as well as a few more staff dressed in light cream colored formal clothing for outside domestic tasks. They were all wearing a small golden nameplate that identified them as the Elrod household's hired staff. There are approximately twenty-seven servants in all, the majority of whom are male. Females are about four or five in number.

Ace grew up in this house, but when he turned twenty, he moved out and moved into his own apartment. His flat is also located on one of the city's opulent estates, but it comes nowhere close to the exquisite Elrod Mansion. It's only appropriate, given that the Elrod Mansion is owned by Daniel Elrod, the country's largest estate dealer.

Ace, who is only twenty-seven years old, is the CEO of the world's largest real estate corporation. Ace is the owner of Skylark Estates, a company that every aspiring real estate agent dreams of working for. Ace's bank account, however, stands in stark contrast to the household to which he belongs. Ace Elrod is the Elrod Family's sole successor.

____________________________________________________________________________

In front of the main entrance of the mansion,

"And, we're finally at your destination." Regan muttered, and Ace got off while Regan still remained in the driver's seat.

"Let me know how you got your ass whacked." Regan made a sarcastic comment.

"Bastard." Ace rolled his eyes.

Regan had already driven away and Ace walked into his house where his father's manager greeted him as soon as he entered.

"Hello young master, Sir is in his study and he's strictly forbidden me not to let you go to your room until you meet him."

After Ace heard from his father's manager, he sighed and asked back, "And he told you to stand at the door just to tell me this?"

"Yes sir, now if you please... go to meet your father." The manager spoke and walked away without uttering a single word. Ace took small steps towards his father's study room, knowing that he would get scolded.

Ace knocked on the door and saw his father talking to someone over the phone and he looked pretty happy.

"Yes, of course." Ace's father hung up the call and fixed his gaze on Ace.

"Dad." Ace's tone was low.

"Your guilty tone confirms the fact that you know what you did." Daniel Elrod, Ace's father, spoke in a stern tone.

"This will not happen again." Ace muttered, looking down, and his father sighed, calming down.

"No doubt you are excellent with your achievements, but you must know that such scandals will start ruining your reputation if you don't stop. You are old enough to handle your personal life, so I don't want to lecture you, but keep in mind that next time if I see this repeating, I won't go easy on you." Daniel Elrod said.

After hearing from his father, Ace looked down because he knew that Daniel Elrod was not someone who could be taken lightly.

"I understand dad, I'll make sure something like this doesn't happen again."

Ace's father seemed to be satisfied with his son's answer.

"Good to hear that." He said, and Ace thought the conversation was over and was about to leave, but just then he spoke

"Wait."

Ace stopped and turned back.

"Richard's son is coming back. Make sure you behave and not pull any stupid stunts."

Ace's expression changed as soon as he heard his father.

"HUH?!"

"You may leave." Daniel Elrod spoke before Ace could say anything.

Ace was bewildered as he stood there. He can't believe that, after three years, that person is finally returning. He's finally regained control of his life, and he's amazed by the audacity of the person who is returning after leaving without saying anything. Ace was enraged at the thought of that person appearing before him again. He mumbled the name with his fists clenched.

"Crescent!"

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At night, Ace's apartment,

Ace left the Elrod Mansion after completing his conversation with his father and went straight to his own flat. Even though Ace has a good relationship with his parents, he still likes to live alone in a small apartment with a few helping hands.

Ace opened the door and entered, and it was dark as usual because the servant had left after dawn. Ace sighed and sat down on the couch after turning on the lights, folding his coat and placing it on the couch.

Ace closed his eyes for a brief moment. He remembered his father informing him about Crescent's return. He exhaled and leaned back in his chair, adjusting himself to the couch comfortably, before closing his eyes once more. He wasn't aware that he had already dozed off.

"You WHAT?" Ace was taken aback and questioned blankly.

Crescent boldly stated, "I've loved you since I was a child."

"I'm fairly certain this is the first time we've spoken." Ace told the boy in front of him, who seemed to be a child. "How old are you anyway?" He questioned.

Crescent said, "I'm 12 years old," with a serious tone.

In the middle of a party, two teens were discussing with each other. Crescent had dragged Ace outside forcefully and confessed.

Ace had the ability to draw away, but he didn't feel like it at the time. Crescent was currently in the middle of the declaration of his love.

"And why are you so fond of me?" Ace asked, puzzled.

Crescent answered, "Because you're handsome."

"Will you date somebody who is handsome?" Ace tilted his head.

Crescent confidently replied, "Only you."

"No, my answer remains the same." Ace gave a bland response.

"Why?" Crescent grumbled.

"Because you're just a kid who has no idea how things work between two men," Ace said to Crescent, who was younger than him by several years.

"Not true. I know how things work." Crescent stomped his foot on the ground.

"Oh really?" Ace gave a wolfish grin as he found the little boy quite amusing.

Crescent was annoyed since Ace was speaking to him in a sarcastic tone, so, to prove his dedication, he tiptoed to reach Ace's lips, put his arms around Ace's neck, and clumsily pressed his lips against Ace's lips.

Ace was caught off guard for a moment by this guy's unexpected bold action, but it didn't take him long to realize that this kid had no experience.

Crescent eventually drew back and blushed as he stared at Ace.

"Your techniques are terrible." Ace mumbled as he snatched Crescent by the waist and drew him into a passionate kiss. Crescent was caught off guard and parted his lips to say something, but Ace took advantage of the situation and slid his tongue inside, causing Crescent to quiver. As Ace took the lead, Crescent clutched on to Ace with shaky hands.

Ace finally pulled apart after a minute, and Crescent slumped on his shoulder because Crescent's legs seemed to have turned to jelly.

"Now this is what you call a kiss," When Ace saw Crescent's reaction, he chuckled.

Crescent was surprised when he raised his head and glanced at Ace.

"I'll consider your proposal when you are a little older," Ace said as he released go of Crescent's waist.

When Ace opened his eyes, he realized he was dreaming. No, it wasn't a dream, but rather a memory. Their first kiss is a long-forgotten but priceless memory. Ace's face lit up with a smile as he remembered Crescent confessing to him as a child. When he remembered his last memories with Crescent, which were nothing but painful, the smile gradually faded.

As Crescent's face flashed before his eyes, Ace's jaw clenched. Crescent, his love, who was once a beautiful memory for him, is now nothing more than a nightmare.