My one and only highschool love, has become my husband.

As Ace stood up from the ground, he said, "You don't have to thank me for that. At least I didn't want to be involved in an accident."

Aria helped her brother up, who had fallen on his buttocks when the car stopped just a few feet away. "Yeah, neither did my brother want that, right?" she asked, smiling.

Max looked up at Ace with his big, adorable eyes. "You know each other, brother? You know my adorable sis?"

Aria felt a blush rise to her cheeks as Ace chuckled and said, "Sure, I do know her. Aria, won't you introduce me to this adorable little man?"

Aria felt pressured under Ace's gaze. "Max, this is Ace, my senior at school. Ace, this is my little brother, Max."

Max's small voice piped up, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Ace."

Ace smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you too, but please, call me Brother."

Max's little brows furrowed. "Why? Are you going to marry my sister?"

Aria's eyes widened in shock, but Ace just smiled and said, "If that's the case, then fine. You'll call me Brother if I'm going to marry your sister, right? Okay, I'll marry her, then. Now, call me Brother."

Aria's eyes grew wide in disbelief. What was happening? Were they making a deal about Ace marrying her?

Max, however, seemed to take Ace's words seriously. "Excuse me, but fat chance!"

Ace grinned. "Fat chance? Seriously, I'll make it small among the small; I'll make it the smallest."

Aria intervened, trying to break the tension. "Hey, guys, you forget about me, right?"

To her surprise, both Ace and Max muttered in unison, "Yes."

Aria pouted intentionally, seeking her brother's attention. "Oh, then I'm leaving, since you've got another brother."

But before she could leave, Ace froze, his eyes fixed on Aria's pouting face. Her small lips were pursed, and she looked adorable.

Max, however, was oblivious to the tension. "No, sis, wait! I'm not staying here; we should go buy ice cream. We're leaving!" Max exclaimed, grabbing Aria's hand.

Ace's eyes snapped back to reality. "No, wait, you're leaving?"

Aria smiled sweetly. "Yes, we are leaving. Thank you again."

As they walked away, Ace asked, "Aren't you the one who said yes, you forgot about me just now?"

Aria turned back, smiling. "Wait, you're also going to the nearby restaurant to buy cake. Care if we go together, Max? You want cake?"

But Max refused without hesitation, his sister's hand still clutched in his. "No, thank you."

Aria felt a pang of disappointment. She had wanted to spend more time with Ace.

Ace, however, seemed undeterred. He scooped Max up in his arms, twirling him around, and Max squealed with delight.

Aria watched, surprised by Ace's playful side. She had never seen him like this before.

As they walked to the car, Ace noticed Aria hadn't buckled her seatbelt. "You forgot to seatbelt yourself, Aria."

Aria thanked him and tried to buckle up, but the seatbelt wouldn't lock. Ace offered to help, "Let's me help." his deep voice sending shivers down her spine.

As he leaned in to assist her, their foreheads collided, and Aria winced in pain.

Ace apologized and gently rubbed her forehead. "You're too fragile; if I didn't rub it for you, it might swell, and then you won't be beautiful anymore."

Aria's eyes fluttered closed as she felt his gentle touch. Her heartbeat quickened, and she blushed, enjoying the sensation.

But as she opened her eyes, she saw Ace's handsome face inches from hers, his perfect eyes gazing down at her. Aria's breath caught in her throat.