Realization finally dawned upon Ace, and he found himself not knowing how to react.
'How did this woman draw the conclusion that I'm sad?'
'I did look gloomy just now, but it wasn't because of Cecilia.'
Instead, he was simply reminiscing about his marriage with Joanna. He realized that the entire event was too rushed and dismissive. There wasn't a single thing that could be considered a good memory.
Regretting his lack of attention then, he even went as far as to plan a whole new wedding in his head, hoping that he could get back together with the woman someday…
However, he obviously wouldn't tell her the truth. On the contrary, he took the chance to mess with Joanna. Putting up a perplexed face, he said, "Yeah, I'm so upset that my heart hurts, and I'm so angry at the fact that they would do this to me! What do I do?"
This made Joanna sympathize with the man even more, patting him on the head as comfort. "Don't be sad, cheer up… In my opinion, the best revenge is to live a better life than them, and to experience a sweeter love than them!"
"But I don't have that…" Ace pouted. "My relationship was a complete failure. Everyone knows we're divorced, and that you've been fooling around with that Blackwood kid! I'm so embarrassed; it's like I came here to be laughing stock!"
"Don't worry. I promised I'd help you out today! As my ex-husband, your image affects mine too. I can't have you looking like a loser…"
Cecilia was watching the whole time as the two whispered into each other's ears. Although she was smiling sweetly while playing bonus games with Christopher, her heart felt bitter.
'Didn't they get a divorce? I heard it ended quite badly too! Why are they still so intimate with each other? How could they hold hands at a time like this!' She thought, yet was unable to express her frustrations.
"Ace, don't just stand so far away! You know how much we longed for your blessings…" Cecilia called out to the man. "It's almost time for the group photo. I hope the three of us can take a picture together."
Everyone looked rather uncomfortable when they saw the bride being so reckless, as if she just couldn't read the room.
'Of course she'd have a chokehold on her ex and her fiance! They've been pampering her throughout their entire friendship, after all!'
Ace raised a brow, not showing much emotion as he responded. "Sure."
Just then, Joanna raised her hand and exclaimed. "I'd like to join in too! I'm quite close with Ace, after all! How could I miss out on such a happy moment?"
Cecilia clenched her fists, putting up a fake smile as she indirectly tried taunting the woman. "Wouldn't it be inappropriate for ex-spouses to take a photo together?"
"So what if we're divorced? We're just switching up our relationship! Honestly, our bond has only gotten stronger. That's why I'll go wherever he goes!" Joanna said as she pridefully looked toward Ace.
She was trying to show him that she was a woman of her word and that she had her ways of saving his dignity.
Cecilia was visibly annoyed now, replying. "We have a special relationship with Ace, and we've known him for much longer. That's why I still hope just the three of us can have a photo together. I'd like to keep it to commemorate this day…"
"There's no need for that," came Ace's cold interruption.
This made Cecilia's eyes redden, as she gazed into the man's eyes. "Ace, do you still hate Chris and me? Is this why you're saying this on purpose?"
"You've never been able to move on from this, haven't you?"
Her questioning only made the tense atmosphere worsen.
Ethan quickly moved closer to Cecilia, whispering under his breath. "Cecy, everyone's watching! Please don't be like this!"
The groom, however, seemed rather calm in this situation. A mysterious smile was planted across his face, as Christopher spoke up. "Why don't we all take a group photo? That'd be more memorable, right?"
Now that Christopher had stepped in, Cecilia realized she was acting out of line. Hence, she merely tightened her grip, not daring to say anything more.
The photographer then instructed everyone to pose, mostly focusing on the newlyweds. "Don't be so shy now, you little lovebirds! Come on, show us some love! It'll be even better if you could kiss for the camera! Then this photo would be all the more unforgettable!"
However, the two looked as if they harbored resentment towards each other, and refused to do as advised.
Just then, Ace suddenly cupped Joanna's face with both hands…
"Like this…?" … and started kissing her deeply.
Everyone was utterly shocked. His action was similar to a bomb, causing an explosion in everyone's heads.
That was because the rest had always known Ace as a cold, calculated, and low-profile person. They thought he would never even dream of participating in a public display of affection, let alone displaying a kiss in public.
"Mmh!" Joanna's eyes widened as her mind went blank. She instinctively tried to push him away but remembered she was supposed to help the man out.
'If I struggle my way out, I'd be humiliating him, right?'
With that, she chose to accept it, despite her initial unwillingness…
Ace's focus and burning passion completely disrupted her once-placid heart. As though she had been thrown into an oven, her face burned up as she started reciprocating his advances…
"Yes! Exactly! So sweet! So sexy! You two should be an example to all the couples here!" The photographer was excited, to say the least, greedily capturing the moment as rabidly as he could.
The crowd seemed mesmerized; their hearts fluttered like they were enjoying a free romance movie playing out before their eyes.
Even Ethan, who was rather 'experienced' in this field, started clapping in awe. "Ace is so skilled! Who could possibly resist his charms? Looks like he has a talent for romance, too, huh? Ah, this lucky b*stard!"
Christopher was watching the entire time as well. His smile seemed rather ambiguous, but his rather jealous tone gave him out. "So that's what it looks like when the feelings are mutual. Ace has finally realized this…"
The bride, Cecilia, seemed to be the only one who was devastated by this. No matter how much she tried to hide it, even balling up her fists with all her might so she could suppress her emotions, it was to no avail.
Out of nowhere, she suddenly yelled. "ENOUGH, OKAY?!"
Her shout came so suddenly that it instantly turned everyone's attention to her instead.
Cecilia's lips were quivering at this point, while she tried putting up a smile. Her eyes were downcast, yet she chose to speak in a lighthearted tone." It's our wedding day, you know? It'd be inappropriate for someone to take our spotlight! Chris and I are just so envious of you!"
It was only then that Ace let go of Joanna, though his expressions indicated that he wished to continue. He smiled lightly and said, "You're right. We should leave matters like these to the bedroom…'
"Since we are at fault for seizing your limelight, we'll be taking our leave. See you at the wedding venue later."
After that, the man dragged Joanna, whose cheeks were still flushed, out of the room in front of everyone. As the two arrived at the exit, the beautiful greenery and sea view came into their field of vision.
Ace took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air into his lungs, feeling a great sense of relaxation he had never felt in the past. He then turned to the woman next to him. "There's still time till the wedding ceremony starts.
Would you like to take a walk on the beach?"
Joanna felt like she had just awoken from a dream. She flicked Ace's hand away and teased, "How was that, Mr. Ex-husband? Didn't I do well as your paid actor? You feel like a winner now, don't you?"
Ace's expression darkened, his tone upset. "Who said I was treating you like a paid actor?"
"Were you not?" Joanna asked, acting nonchalant despite feeling quite bashful a while ago. "You were just trying to annoy your first love by kissing me anyway."
"From an objective point of view, I'll rate your kiss at a 9.5 out of 10! I'm sparing you the 0.5 because I don't want you to get too smug, you know?"
Ace huffed coldly. "You're so smart; it's like you understand the entire situation."
"Of course I do!" Joanna lifted her chin, seemingly proud of herself. "I can tell that you have yet to move on from your first love, and nor has she! But I'm guessing she's not willing to let go of Christopher either!" "Honestly, you have to give it up to her! I'm impressed she has both of you in a chokehold like this!"