ACE POV
The mansion was buzzing. Not with chaos, but with anticipation. I'd invited everyone to stay here until the wedding—my closest friends, Bella's besties, and a few handpicked guests. The place was big enough to house a small village, but tonight, it felt intimate. Like the calm before the storm.And mostly the old people were all in their rooms which was in a different wing from us.
We all gathered in the living room—marble floors, velvet couches, and a fireplace that flickered like it knew something was about to go down. Bella sat beside me, her hand resting lightly on my knee. Riley and Stella were curled up on the opposite couch, already teasing Dave and John about their dance moves. Mike's girlfriend—Sasha—was perched beside him, her arm looped through his,Mike, my best friend, stood near the bar, mixing drinks like he was auditioning for a luxury cocktail show. "To the bride and groom!" he called out once again, raising a glass.
Everyone cheered. Bella laughed, and I leaned in close.
"Hey," I whispered, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Tonight's gonna be low-key. Just me, Mike, Dave, John, and a couple of my guys. We're heading to my club—the VVIP lounge. No wild surprises. Just games, music, and memories."
She smiled, a little surprised. "You planned all that?"
I nodded. "For you. For us. I want to enjoy this night without losing sight of tomorrow."
She kissed my cheek and said "Have fun. But not too much fun."
I smirked. "Only the kind that makes me miss you more.", then stood with Riley and Stella. "Alright boys," Riley said, mock-serious. "Try not to break anything. Or yourselves."
Stella added, "And remember—whatever happens tonight, we will find out."
The girls left with laughter trailing behind them, heading to their own celebration. I watched Bella disappear down the hallway, her silhouette glowing under the chandelier light.
Then I turned to the guys. "Let's go."
My nightclub wasn't just exclusive—it was legendary. Hidden behind a private entrance, the VVIP lounge was a world of its own. Black marble floors, gold accents, a panoramic view of the city skyline, and a sound system that could make your heartbeat sync with the bass.
We walked in like kings, Mike immediately took over the DJ booth, spinning a mix of old-school hip-hop and smooth R&B. Dave and John hit the poker table, while my two other guys—Trey and Malik—started setting up the games, We played everything.
Truth or Dare Roulette: Dave ended up serenading a champagne bottle like it was his long-lost lover.
Bachelor Trivia: Mike had created a quiz about me—my worst dates, weirdest habits, and Bella's favorite things. I failed half of it. They didn't let me live it down.
Dance-Off: John surprised everyone with a moonwalk that made us question his day job.
We laughed until our sides hurt. We toasted to friendship, to growth, to love. And somewhere between the third round of drinks and the second round of dares, I felt it—that quiet shift. This wasn't just a party. It was a farewell to the man I used to be.
Mike pulled me aside near the bar. "You ready for this?"
I nodded. "More than I've ever been."
He clapped my shoulder. "Bella's changed you. In the best way."
I smiled. "She didn't change me. She reminded me who I wanted to be."
Around 1 AM, we piled into my private fleet—sleek black SUVs with tinted windows and leather seats. The city lights blurred past us as we drove back to the mansion, the laughter still echoing in our ears.
When we arrived, the house was quiet. The girls were probably asleep—or plotting tomorrow's chaos. I walked through the grand foyer, past the spiral staircase, and into the lounge where Bella had left her book on the couch.
I picked it up, smiled, and whispered to myself, "One more night."
Tomorrow, everything changes.
But tonight? Tonight was perfect.
BELLA POV
The living room of Ace's mansion felt like a scene from a movie—soft lighting, velvet couches, and laughter echoing off marble floors. Everyone was gathered: the girls, the guys, and even Mike's girlfriend, who had just arrived with a tray of handmade macarons and a smile that could melt steel.
Ace had invited everyone to stay at his mansion until the wedding, and it was the kind of place that made you forget the outside world existed. Grand staircases, glittering chandeliers, and a view of the city that looked like it had been painted just for us.
I sat with Ace while Riley and Stella, my two best friends sat together , while Mike,Dave and John lounged across from us. Mike's girlfriend—Sasha—was perched beside him, her arm looped through his, her eyes scanning the room with quiet joy.
"Alright," Riley said, stretching dramatically. "Time to let the boys go do whatever it is they call fun."
Stella added, "And time for us to remind Bella why she's lucky she's marrying Ace and not one of these goofballs."
Dave grinned. "Hey! I'm a national treasure."
Mike raised his glass. "To the bride and groom—may tonight be unforgettable, and tomorrow be even better."
Sasha leaned over and whispered to me, "You're glowing, Bella. I made you a little something for later—chocolate truffles with rose petals. They're in your suite."
I blinked. "You're an angel."
Ace who was next me , taking my hand gently. "Hey," he said softly, "tonight's just me, Mike, Dave, John, and a couple of my guys. We're heading to my VVIP lounge at the club. No chaos. Just games, music, and memories."
I smiled, a little surprised. "You planned all that?"
He nodded. "For you. For us. I want to enjoy this night without losing sight of tomorrow."
I kissed his cheek. "Have fun. But not too much fun."
He smirked. "Only the kind that makes me miss you more."
then Riley and Stella stood . "Alright boys," Riley said, mock-serious. "Try not to break anything. Or yourselves."
Stella added, "And remember—whatever happens tonight, we will find out."
And with that, the girls and I slipped away, heels clicking against marble, laughter trailing behind us like perfume.
Ace had arranged everything. Of course he had. A private rooftop suite at one of the city's most exclusive hotels, complete with panoramic views, a personal bartender, and a playlist curated by Stella herself.
The room was drenched in rose gold and blush tones—balloons, streamers, and a massive neon sign that read Bride Vibes Only. There were custom cocktails named after inside jokes, a tower of cupcakes shaped like wedding dresses, and a photo booth with props that ranged from tiaras to fake mustaches.
Riley handed me a sash that read Future Mrs. Ace and a glittery crown. "You're royalty tonight," she said. "Act accordingly."
Sasha had joined us too—Mike insisted she be part of both worlds. She fit right in, laughing with Stella, dancing with Riley, and helping the bartender mix a drink she called The Bella Bloom—a blend of elderflower, champagne, and a hint of lavender.
We played everything.
Never Have I Ever: Stella confessed she once skinny-dipped in a stranger's pool. Riley admitted she'd handcuffed a guy for flirting with her while she was on duty. Sasha revealed she once cooked a five-course meal for Beyoncé's backup dancers.
Bella Trivia: Riley had made a quiz about me—my favorite snacks, my worst dates, my most embarrassing moments. I got half of them wrong. Stella didn't let me forget it.
Truth or Dare: I was dared to call Ace and say, "I'm marrying you for your money." I did. He laughed and said, "Good. I'm marrying you for your chaos."
We danced like no one was watching. Riley taught us a routine she swore was "cop-approved," and Sasha showed us a salsa move that made us feel like we were in Havana. Stella made us do a slow-motion catwalk across the suite while she narrated like a fashion commentator.
At one point, the music softened, and we all sat in a circle, sipping champagne and sharing memories.
Stella looked at me and said, "You've always been the girl who trips over her own feet but somehow lands exactly where she's meant to be. And now? You're landing in love."
Riley added, "Ace is lucky. You're loyal, fierce, and you make people feel seen. That's rare."
Sasha smiled. "You two balance each other. That's the kind of love that lasts."
I blinked back tears. "I didn't expect all this. Any of this." which was true , a part of me felt a little bad that we had lied to our friends and family that we had been dating for a year, I felt a little scared too that our new life was built on an agreement , but a huge part of me knew that ace and I had already agreed to make our relationship work and I had enough faith in that.
Stella leaned in. "That's the best part. You didn't expect it. But you deserve it." and she was right I did deserve it.
Around 2 AM, we returned to Ace's mansion, heels in hand, makeup slightly smudged, hearts full. The house was quiet, the kind of quiet that feels sacred.
I walked through the grand foyer, past the spiral staircase, and into the lounge where Ace had left a note on the table:
> Hope you had fun. I missed you already. Tomorrow, we begin forever.
I smiled, clutching the note to my chest.
Tomorrow, I marry the man who I had a crush on,the man who help out my family when we needed help and the man who planned a night just for me, who sees me even when I'm invisible to myself, who makes me feel like falling isn't failing—it's flying.
And tonight? Tonight was unforgettable