You’re Still My Man – English

GINA

She was dumbfounded by what Ace said. What? He will marry me? She felt the blood drain from her face, while she couldn’t move her mouth to answer Ace.

“We’re not going to be in the same room,” Ace assured her. “We need to ensure your security because as long as you’re married to me, I can protect you.”

“Protect,” she repeated the last thing Ace told her.

“As far as I know, Brando has his own code of ethics. He won’t touch another man’s wife and another man’s leaving, because for him -‘What’s him is only for him’ – even though he left his wife then.”

“He’s already married?” she was in shock.

“Before, but now he’s a widower.”

“What happened to his wife, Ace?”

“His wife was killed.”

“How?” she suddenly asked Ace and thought of it before she could speak again. “How did you find out about them?”

“It’s my job to find out about him. I mean, it’s my job to find out their profile as a member of the club. Just trust me, Gina. I won’t let anyone hurt you, I promise.”

“I need proof of what you’re saying, Ace.”

He leaned forward. “Evidence? Isn’t there enough evidence that Brando threatened you? And also think that we can’t stop him from going to the restaurant because he’s a member of the club there. Unless he does something against the club’s policy, and he will be expelled there. But if that happens, it might be too late.”

“I need proof because I know that rumors are sometimes not true. I’m just asking for proof Ace, because you know him better than me.”

He sat back, seeming to relax. “Gina, there’s a saying that ‘an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure’. I have already offered you the solution. If we get married, he will stop chasing you and that way I can protect you. But you’d better think about that first.”

She closes her eyes to what Ace is telling her and caresses her forehead because her head suddenly hurts. “I need to take aspirin first.” She said and turned her back on Ace.

She immediately went to the kitchen to take medicine. After taking the two aspirin tablets, she immediately went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. She thought about what Ace had said earlier. She was tempted to accept his offer, let Ace handle everything and to take care of her. She was tempted by that offer but she also didn’t want to just accept it. Yes, she really dreamed of marrying the man she loves and the one she will love completely. She even dreamed of walking down the aisle with him, pledging to love, honor and cherish him forever. She also dreamed of meeting a man like her late father, who was loving and responsible. Above all, she believes in one man, one love and one marriage for a lifetime. And part of that dream is a meaningful marriage proposal which her husband-to-be declared his undying love and devotion. So she couldn’t really imagine what Ace said earlier.

“Marry me.”

“Marry me.”

“Marry me.”

Fantasy had no place in reality as of the moment, especially in the current situation she is facing right now. Ace wanted her to trust him but he didn’t trust her. How can they have a temporary marriage if they do not trust each other?

Just temporary. She is just staring at the sink now. The truth is that even without Brando, even if he doesn’t trust her or even if he doesn’t love her, she will still want to marry Ace.

And lastly, their relationship is also labeled and it’s not just a label because they act as a married couple if she only agrees to his marriage proposal. She already has Ace within her reach, why would she refuse it? Maybe if they get married, she could use this time to create a home with him. They would share the same space, they would eat together and be able to talk for a long time. But if she agreed, of course she couldn’t tell Ace her reason. She needed his own fantasy of protecting her. She thinks Ace is also right that Brando might stop chasing her once they get married.

She carefully examined her makeup in the mirror and combed her wet hair. Perfect. Now she has to face Ace again and show him that in this situation, she is strong and not weak.

ACE

He just realized that Gina was behind him. He was deep in thought when Gina returned, like imagining himself living with her. He didn’t know why he said that, why in everything else he offered Gina marriage as a solution. He can convince her to live in the safehouse first. Why did he say that? Maybe because he just doesn’t want to lose sight of her.

But from what he saw in Gina’s eyes, he could see refusal on it, and she seemed to be shocked by what he said earlier.

“I’ve changed my mind, Ace.” Gina said suddenly. “All right, I’ll marry you tonight.”

“We can’t do it now, Gina. We need to prepare for this first, people need to know that we are getting married, if we need to publish our wedding in the newspaper we will do that, we will also make wedding invitations. And most of all Brando needs to know we’re getting married.”

“My family needs to know this first. And I also need to design my wedding gown myself, because Janice knows that one of my dreams is to be able to design my wedding gown.”

“So then, do you need enough time?”

Gina approached the calendar and opened it. “August 31. Maybe a month of preparation is enough. My class is also over and we can also announce that we will have a honeymoon after the wedding. And one more thing, we first need to convince mama and Janice that we are really in love, so that they will believe in our speedy marriage.”

“I’ll pay for your wedding gown and–”

Suddenly, what he was going to say was cut off when Gina interrupted him.

“No, I’ll pay for my wedding gown, Ace.”

“I’ll be the one to pay Gina, there’s probably no rule that the bride should pay for her wedding gown.”

“Because based on the wedding articles I read, the bride will actually pay for their wedding gowns. Don’t you know, Ace?”

“Why would I know that?” he raised his voice. “I wasn’t married before.”

“Yeah, just leave me my wedding gown, I also have enough money to pay for it.”

“But–”

“No more buts, Mr. Macho. Just think that you did it in my favor. You will marry me because you want to protect me. Well, the least I can do is pay for it.”

“Uhm.. Gina, if that’s really your dream gown you’re designing, what if the right time comes that you’re going to marry the man who’s really for you?”

GINAProperty of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

There seemed to be tears in her eyes when Ace said that. Can you let me fantasize about it Ace, even for just a few minutes? she said to herself. She dropped the calendar from its place. “I’m tired to talk about that. Can we just talk again tomorrow?”

Ace suddenly grabbed both her shoulders, turning her to face him. He lifted her chin, and examined her face. She couldn’t look directly at Ace so instead she just looked out of the corner of his eyes. She tried to keep the tears from coming out of her eyes because she didn’t want Ace to see it.

“And do you think I’ll just leave you here alone?” Ace said in a gentle voice. “Didn’t I tell you that I will protect you as much as I can. Tomorrow, we will replace the lock on your door and I also have a security system installed here. So don’t worry and just sleep well tonight, because I’m just here and I’ll watch over you. So do you have any objections?”

She just shook her head, being relieved and comfortable at the same time. One pressure is removed and one has gained. I hope it’s like this forever, she said to herself.

“I have a sofa-bed in the other room,” that’s all she said. “Wait, I’ll get it for you.”

“It’s okay for me to lie down on the couch Gina, so don’t bother anymore. Maybe just give me a pillow and a blanket.”

She took the bedding from her closet and started to put the bedding on the sofa where Ace would lie. While she was aware that the man was just looking at her from behind. And after she fixed it, she confronted him.

“Thank you, Ace.”

Ace just nodded in response.

“Goodnight.”

ACE

He followed Gina’s gaze until she entered her room. He just sighed, still fighting his need to take her in his arms, because he knew that at these times Gina really needed someone to lean on.

He quickly turned off the light in the living room and immediately took from his ankle holster the gun he had placed there. He laid it on the coffee table and covered it with a blanket. He went to the window to look around outside.

The night was getting darker and he thought Gina might be asleep. He was now in front of the door of Gina’s room because he suddenly thought of peeking at the girl while she was sleeping. He carefully turned the door lock to open it. When he continued to open it, he was greeted by the fragrant smell of chamomile and it was so relaxing. He just realized that he was already inside Gina’s room.

GINA

She felt someone enter her room so she pretended to be asleep. She could also hear the footsteps approaching so she was suddenly nervous especially when he sat on the side of the bed. She pretended to move and changed position. Now she is on her side facing the person sitting on the bed. She slowly opened her eyes and she was right to suspect that Ace had entered her room. She saw that Ace was surprised but he was stiffened in his seat. She got up and caressed his chest up and down, her fingers playing with his tiny nipples while she didn’t take her gaze away from Ace. She followed an imaginary line from his throat to his navel and up to his back. She feels that Ace’s body has hardened even more, probably due to the so-called touch therapy. But she suddenly realized what she was doing and immediately pushed Ace.

“Who really are you, Ace?” She asked in shock.

“I don’t know why you’re asking that.”

“I’ve been spying on you Ace, just after you entered my room.” She smiled and continued speaking. “I can’t imagine how hard your body is.”

“Why don’t you apply for a model, Ace? You’re blessed with such a yummy body, just like the bodies of the superheroes in the movie.” She joked.

“I am what you see, Gina, and I love what I’m doing.”

“You’re wrong, Ace.”

“I’m telling you right Gina, and don’t look at me like a fantasy hero or the model you fantasize about. How far I am from them, you know that.”

“You know, you’re like a status on facebook, you’re so complicated, that’s just a suggestion to me. Because you have a muscular body so you can apply for a model. You’re a principled person and you seem to know everything, but you’re just contented with what you do and what you are now. Don’t frown at me because it’s not a comment but an observation.”

She stopped talking so that Ace could react, but when he still didn’t move, she immediately continued the ambush interview with Ace. “Do you have any goals or dreams in life, Ace? or are you just contented with being a waiter? I think you have a lot more skills.” She asked in succession as she played with her fingers in Ace’s hair. OMG! feeling close right away? she said to herself. She swallowed when Ace took her hand and entwined his fingers to hers.

“I just did what I had to do. So I don’t want to make mistakes in my decisions. Our marriage will be strictly in name only and don’t try to change that, because you’ll only get hurt eventually.”

She let go of Ace hold on her and instead, she teasingly pressed her palm to his hardness.

“What are you going to do with this?” she said in a whisper.

“I’ll control it.” Ace replied and removed her hand. “Go to sleep Gina, and sweet dreams.”

“I know you like me too, Ace.”

“Why? Do you want something to happen?” Ace brought his face close to hers.

“I won’t give up on you, Ace.”

“I hope you respect me too, Gina, and don’t make this difficult for me. My control is limited and I want to keep my conscience clear while we’re together. I’m counting on you that you won’t do that again.”

“I don’t really understand you, Ace.”

“That’s also for your sake, Gina.”

ACE

Gina was speechless at the last thing he said, so he turned his back on her and immediately left the room.

He lay down on the sofa and forced himself to close his eyes. He kept thinking about what Gina had done to him. He can’t even imagine that she was so aggressive. At least now he knows. “That woman is really venomous.” He said to himself. But the truth is, he really likes what Gina does to him.

*****