Ace was absolutely right about us not having that much time. Even now, he was still hiding away from all the reporters. Just like the times before, the reporters would not rest until a public statement was released. Even then, it may not be enough to calm them down. We couldn’t just ignore this matter and pray that the storm would pass on its own. Sooner or later, I knew that the two companies would have to make a public announcement to address the rumors.
This was where my decision would come in and it was probably what Chairman Chase had been hoping for. The real question was, what should we announce during the public announcement? Should we announce that the rumors are true, and that Ace and Elizbeth are in fact dating? Or should we simply deny the rumors of their relationship?
Now that I had to choose between my personal feelings and the greater good and the future of our relationship in the long term, what should I choose?
“You’ve gone awfully silent. What are you thinking about?” Ace asked softly.
His voice was so tender, and I could tell that he cared a great deal about me. His loving attention as his hand stroked my upper arm brought a wave of warmth into my chest. With him close to me, suddenly I started to feel a bit more courageous.
“I’m thinking whether or not I should be selfish…” I murmured in reply.
“Selfish? The term is painted in such a bad way but I’m sure that the selfishness that you’re talking about might not be that bad,” he said before beaming a smile my way.
“I’m not sure about that. Sometimes I feel like I want to be more selfish, and I might have the right to do so. At the same time, I feel like I can do better and make the sacrifices that are necessary,” I replied thoughtfully before letting out a sigh.
Ace’s eyes lit up as my words seemed to have captured his attention and interest. I could feel his eye on my face, but I didn’t have the confidence to hold his gaze.
“Have you decided?” Ace asked after a moment of silence.
It felt hard to believe but when Ace asked me that, I suddenly felt like I had decided on what I should do. Of course, I wasn’t sure if my decision was at all the right one; however, it was the only decision that I felt like I could live with at the time. Slowly, I nodded my head to tell him that I have made my decision.
“Let me hear it. What have you decided, Rina?” Ace asked before he smiled encouragingly at me.
For many reasons, I had a feeling that my decision was going to end up surprising Ace.
“I think we should go ahead with Elizabeth’s plan. The merger really needs to go through,” I replied with a definite nod of my head.
Before I could back away and lose my resolve, I gave Ace my answer. After debating about it endlessly in my own head, I finally arrived at an answer. In the end, I just couldn’t bring myself to be selfish about it. I couldn’t bring myself to put my feelings of possessiveness and jealousy first before the wellbeing of countless people that could potentially benefit from the merger including my colleagues and the other employees. I couldn’t let the hurt that I will probably experience from seeing Elizabeth and Ace acting out as a couple drive Elizabeth to choose between her career and her marriage.
“Are you sure about that?” Ace asked with widened eyes.
I was right when I thought that Ace would be quite surprised by my answer. Even I was surprised with my own decision. I could have chosen to be more selfish and put myself first, but when the time came, it just felt unreasonable and then it just felt impossible.
“I’m so sorry…” I whispered as a sense of guilt overcame me.
“What are you apologizing for, Rina? There’s nothing for you to be sorry about,” Ace said reassuringly.
I quickly looked away as I brought my fingertips up to my eyes to wipe away some tears that had formed. My chest felt tight, and I felt like I could start crying out loud at any moment. I felt so guilty for not being strong enough. There was just no other way out.
“I’m sorry, Ace. Because of me, you’ll have to go through with this as well…” I replied as I tried to keep my voice from breaking.
“If you’re worried about me playing my role as Elizabeth’s boyfriend or whatever, then you don’t have to worry. We’re not strangers and I don’t feel uncomfortable around her. I’ve spent time out with her before so going to more public events together and the like isn’t going to hurt or kill me,” Ace said, and I knew that he was being truthful while also trying to comfort me.
“I’m sorry. Even if you say that, I just feel so bad about this…” I whispered sadly.
“I should have expected that it would come to this. You’re just too nice and too kind to put yourself first before other people. Even now, you’re more worried about me than you are about yourself. While considering your decision, you probably thought more about Elizabeth and the other people as well, didn’t you?” Ace said knowingly.
Since he was spot on right about everything, I didn’t know what else that I had to say. Instead, I just nodded my head a little as I felt a sense of shyness sweep over me and I began blushing slightly. It felt quite embarrassing that he could read me so well. I guess I may not be entirely right about Ace being so surprised about the outcome of my decision.
“Enough about worrying about other people, Rina. What about you? Are you really going to be fine with this?” Ace asked sternly.
I could feel his concern for me, and I did not miss the future tense of his question.
--To be continued…
