Filed To Story: The Trap Of Ace Book PDF Free
I found him at the feet of the huge staircase, talking to a bald middle-aged man.
But his gaze was on me.
Averting my stare, I stopped a passerby waiter.
“Yes, ma’am?
What’d you like to have?”
He pointed to the variety of drinks on his tray.
“Nothing, but I need you to do something.”
Shrugging off the jacket, I handed it to him.
“Would you please return it to Mr.Valencian?
He forgot it with me.”
The waiter followed my gaze, and seeing the tightness of Ace’s jaw, the color of his face drained.
He fumbled in his place with the tray and jacket in both of his hands.
Before he could object, I thanked him and left.
The more I’d be away from him, and things related to him, the more it’d be good for me.
“Em?
Where were you?
You okay?
I was about to go to you, but Tobias said to give you some time alone.
Is everything all right?”
Warner fired as soon as he saw me.
Standing beside him, my brother eyed me with concern.
I gave him a tight smile.
“Everything is fine.
Don’t worry.
I just needed some fresh air.”
He didn’t look convinced, but nodded, anyway.
That’s what I liked about him, he never forced me to do anything I didn’t want to.
When I asked Tobias for the car keys, excusing of not feeling well, he requested me to stay until the announcement and cake cutting.
I agreed to stay until the announcement, only for Mom and Dad.
I didn’t want them to worry.
And the entire time, I ignored a pair of scorching eyes on me.
I needed to get away if I wanted to keep my sanity intact.
The blaring
of my phone alarm woke me from my sleep that had come to me with much difficulty last night.
The soft beams of morning sun fell into the room, causing me to squint.
Letting out a yawn, I sat up.
My head felt heavy.
And soon my heart followed as the memories of last night flew in.
Closing my eyes, I pinched the bridge of my nose.
Just a few more days, and then I will be gone.
The buzz of my mobile caught my attention.
Must be one of the girls.
Reaching out, I grabbed my phone and saw a message from an unknown number.
Good morning, my Rosebud!
Hope you had a good night’s sleep.
My heart skipped a beat.
Ace?
My hands curled around the phone.
What did he want now?
Was my behavior last night not enough to clarify that I didn’t want to do anything with him?
Even though he didn’t know the reason, I didn’t care.
I thought to reply to him with a ‘back off’ but didn’t.
Deleting the message, I threw my phone back on the bed and padded into the washroom.
“So?
What’re you gonna do now?”
Cassie raised her brow when Beth munched on the chocolate chips she brought with her.
They came to hang out at my place and together we had breakfast.
Then we sat before the TV, sprawling on the leather couches.
Mom and Dad went shopping right after breakfast for Tess’s upcoming engagement party.
And Warner tagged along happily.
Good thing I could share everything with the girls without fearing about anyone overhearing.
“I don’t know.
And it doesn’t matter, you know?
He is just being polite to me as a family friend, that’s all,” I replied.
“And ‘ow do you ‘ow that?”
Beth asked with her mouth filled with chips.
I shrugged.
“Why else was he being so nice all of a sudden then?
Before I moved to New York, he was never around.
And even when he was, he never said a word to me, which I was grateful for.
But now, after all these years, he is suddenly so nice to me.
Calling me Rosebud like nothing happened.”
Both of them listened to my blabbering with utmost attention.
“Hmm, it’s confusing,” Cassie hummed.
“Maybe you’re right.
But then you said he remembered what he said on your ninth birthday?”
I nodded.
“He did say those words.
But I don’t know if it was just a coincidence.
Maybe he didn’t even know what he was saying?”
Did he really?
“He even said he cares for you and his behavior was strange,” Beth stated, then her hazel eyes lit up with realization.
“Maybe he saw you last night and lost his heart to you?
You know, love at first sight?”
I rolled my eyes.
“Shut up, Beth!
Achilles Valencian isn’t a man to fall in love with someone at one glance.
Of all these years, did you see him with even a single girl around him?”
Cassie scoffed.
“Some even think he could be a closet gay.”
Not even a single girl?
I thought if he wasn’t with Tess, then there must be another girl in his life.
Something burned in my chest at that thought.
I ignored the feeling.
It wasn’t possible.
He must have someone in his life.
“He isn’t and that I can guarantee you,” Beth retorted.
“Did you forget the amount of girls he used to tag along at school?”
Cassie flipped her middle finger and slumped back on the couch.
“We don’t know everything.
Maybe he changed his preference after he’d gone to England for two years, right after Em left for New York?”
I heard about him going to England to pursue some degree.
And in those two years, he didn’t return home even once.
“Whatever.
And you said you moved on, right?
You like Warner.
Then why do you care what Achilles Valencian does?”
Beth queried.
I was out of answers.
“Of course I moved on.
And I do like Warner very much.”
I raised my chin in confidence.
“And I don’t care what he does or doesn’t do.
I was just sharing what happened last night.”
They gave me a look, not convinced at all.
I shifted my eyes to the television.
The doorbell rang, breaking the awkward situation.
I sighed in relief as both of their gazes turned to the door.
Cassie went for it, and a minute later she walked back in.
“Well, I think it’s now a considerable matter for you to care about,” she commented, with a bouquet of white roses in her hand.
“Whose is it for?”
Beth raised to her feet.
Cassie’s eyes locked with mine.
“Guess who?”
Leaping up, I grabbed the bouquet and took out the note.
A beautiful day should start with those beautiful flowers.
Hope you like them.
-A
My heart raced.
“Who sent them?
And who is ‘A’?”
Beth asked, frowning.
Cassie rolled her eyes.
“You should guess it by the letter.”
Beth’s eyes went big as realization set in.
“So, he sent flowers for you.”
Her tone was teasing.
“I didn’t know people send their family friends good morning messages and flowers without any reason.
But why white roses, though?”
I looked up at Cassie as she said, “White roses symbolize peace.”
The corner of her mouth turned up in a smirk.
“And a fresh start.
So, you better start caring, Emerald Hutton.
Because I think Achilles Valencian wants a fresh start with you.
And as far as we all know, he always gets what he wants.”
FOUR: MEETING THE DEVIL AGAIN
I cleared my throat, catching everyone’s attention around the square table.
The noise of their cutleries and spoons stopped along.
I knew what I was about to say would upset them.
But it had to be done.
Taking a deep breath, I said, “I’m leaving for New York this Friday.”
Silence.
The shock on Tobias’s face was clear.
“But we thought since your college is finished now, you’d stay with us again from now on.”
Dad’s forehead creased.