The Last Laugh novel Chapter 65

***

Heather's POV:

I entered the apartment in tears. I was so angry. I'd cried so much my vision was blur and my eyes were swollen.

"Oh my gosh, what happened?" a surprised Shirley rushed to me. She sat me down and did everything to calm me down. When she'd succeeded, I told her everything. Of course she too was shocked.

"Ace?" she asked in surprise.

"Yes. I was shocked. It hurts me so much. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because I think I'm falling in love with him. Heck, I think I love him. I can't believe my heart is this weak. I- he makes me so comfortable, you know. I feel like I've always known him. This has never happened to me before," I stated, sniffing and threatening to sob again. Shirley wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight and calming me down.

"Calm down, honey. Please. I know you're furious but please, calm down."

I told her about what Sawyer said.

"Heather, Sawyer might be lying. You know how she is. And Ace is really into you, in my opinion."

I got out of her grip before staring at her.

"Are you defending him?" I asked, slowly.

"I'm just saying I don't believe-"

I stood up and shook my head.

"I don't wanna talk about it anymore, Shirl. I need to rest. My head hurts."

Before she could answer, I left her presence and went to my room where I sobbed endlessly.

*

Ace's POV:

I reached my apartment in a horrible state. Keith was waiting for me and was surprised when he saw what I looked like.

"Dude, what happened to you? Your eyes are swollen."

I told him everything.

"Sawyer, did that?? That bitch deserves hell, what fuck? But why don't you tell Heather the truth, Ace?"

"You know I can't. Not until everything is accomplished," I replied in a totally depressed manner.

"But look at your state, man. Ace, you are-"

"Just let me be, please. I need to rest," I stood up and went straight to my room.

***

Days passed and I didn't leave my apartment. I didn't go to work. I was discouraged. Keith did everything to help but it didn't help much.

I was pretty sure Heather now hated my guts. And even if I'd want to tell her the truth, she would not even allow me to approach her. What was I going to do now?

Keith's POV:

Never had I seen Ace in such a mood. Things were getting out of hand. He was giving up. As a friend, I couldn't leave him like that. I picked my cellphone and called Shirley. Luckily I'd stored her number.

*

I arrived Heather's apartment and knocked. Shirley opened the door for me.

"Thanks. You're of great help."

"Welcome. She's in the living room, come in."

She let me in and I headed straight to the living room. There on the floor, in a similar mood, was Heather.

*

Heather's POV:

I was thinking about how foolish I'd been, when someone entered the room. I recognised Keith. I was surprised.

"Keith? What are you doing here? Shirley??"

Shirley appeared at his side.

"Please, listen to what he came here to say, Heather."

"If he's here to talk about Ace, I really don't wanna talk about him."

"I'm here to tell you the truth, Heather," he replied.

I frowned at him.

"What truth?"

"Can I sit? So we talk."

I looked at him.

"I'll leave you both," Shirley said and left.

"He sent you?" I asked.

"No," he replied and sat close to me, "Heather, he doesn't know I'm here. I want what is best for both of you. That's why I'm here. He might get upset with me, but you need to know the truth."

Keith had just said this with so much seriousness that I stared at him.

"Speak up, then."

He stared at me as if contemplating. As if doubting.

"I'm listening, Keith," I said impatiently.

"Ace. His real name and identity is, Sheridan Wesley."

I froze and stared at him like he was crazy.

"Tsk. Are you serious right now? This is not funny," I frowned, "Keith, leave before I lose my cool."

"Heather, believe me."

"He told you about Sheridan, didn't he? I told him that story and confided in him. Now he's using it?" I scoffed and shook my head.

"Heather, I'm telling you the truth."

"Where's proof? Mm?" I asked with raised brows.

He was silent.

"You see? Seriously," I let out a sarcastic chuckle, "Just leave. Leave before I call the police."

I was exhausted. I was tired. I was heart broken. And now this idiot, trying to defend his friend, was using Sheridan's name? Couldn't he rest in peace?

"Fine, Heather. I'll leave. Just promise to open this," he threw an old little photo album at me, "Open it. It'll tell you the truth more than I can."

And with that, he left my apartment.

I sat on the floor, thinking hard. I hesitated to open the album. I ended up laying on the carpet and sleep took over.

--

'I'm with Sheridan. He's eleven, I'm ten. We're strolling. He smiles at me.

"Still looking for me?" he asks.

"Yes."

"Wake up. You've got the clue, Heather. You've got it!"

"Where is it??"

"Wake up!" '

--

I woke up. I'd fallen asleep on the living room carpet. I looked around. Shirley was asleep on the couch.

My hand hit something and I turned to look. It was that old album Keith had given me. I picked it up and opened it.

I gasped.

Shock paralyzed my entire body!

The first picture that album contained, was an old picture of uncle Paul with Sheridan? Where had Keith gotten it?!

I panicked and threw the album, my heartbeat increasing almost dangerously. But then, I picked it up again and began to look at the other pictures.

They were all of Sheridan! Pictures I'd never seen!

I saw one of when he was fourteen or so. He was standing close to a man I found very familiar. And then it hit me! The man he was standing close to was called Victor. He'd been uncle Paul's assistant!

On that picture, he held Sheridan like his own son. Had he adopted him? Was Sheridan alive?

I went on, and on the next picture, I saw a grown up, sixteen year old who seemed to be Sheridan. My hands began to tremble. I began to feel sweaty. My throat was instantly dry.

The more I turned, the more Sheridan looked like- Ace!

My breath hitched.

And then, I fell on the last picture.

A graduation picture of Ace. He was with Victor! Victor was still holding him like a son.

"N- no. This can't be," I whispered to myself, beginning to feel dizzy. I could feel the bile rise up to my throat. I opened to the last page of the album, to where the following words were written:

"I thank uncle Victor. He saved me from a horrible past. I'm alive and healthy.

Sheridan.

A.k.a

Ace!"

On the spot, everything became clear to me. The album dropped out of my hands.

The cinnamon biscuits!

The dreams!

Yellow lake!

My dead father's words!

Shirley's reasoning!

Ace! Was he? Yes. Yes he was, Sheridan! My eyes watered immediately. I tried to stand but I couldn't. My knees were suddenly weak.

"Shirley! Shirley!" I screamed happily, tears rolling down my cheeks.

She woke up from sleep in total confusion.

"What is it?? What's wrong??"

I threw the album at her.

"Look!"

She did.

Her mouth dropped wide open in shock.

"Ace, is-"

"Yes! Yes! I need to go there now! Help me up! Help me up!"

I couldn't stop my tears. I needed an explanation. I needed to understand.

I needed to go his apartment. And fast!