Filed To Story: The Trap Of Ace Book PDF Free
The hit was that severe.
Good thing neither of us had any major injuries.
I got a small scratch on my leg.
But his shoulder was hurt.
The jerk of the crash and the way he stretched to protect me gave his shoulder a muscle injury.
I was so rattled after the incident that he clutched me to his chest for almost half an hour until I gained some composure.
I hated the feeling.
The fear I felt at that moment.
The fear of death, the fear of losing him…
I shook my head, shaking off the inauspicious thoughts.
I shouldn’t be thinking of that.
Everything is all right now.
Today is Tess’s engagement night, so I should just concentrate on that.
I looked back at my reflection.
This gown.
Shouldn’t I be mad he sent another gift for me?
But I wasn’t.
The red tint on my cheeks proved that.
A sigh left me.
What was I doing?
I was wandering away from my goal: avoid him until three months passed so I could finally go back to New York, away from him.
But… it’s just a gown…
I bit my lip.
“Em?
You ready?”
Mom called out from downstairs.
“Just give me five minutes!”
I yelled back, my gaze returning to the gown, admiring it.
Securing
my hand on Dad’s arm, I took a deep breath and walked down the red carpet that led us inside the Valencian Mansion.
It should’ve been called a castle instead because that was the vibe I got every time I visited here.
The party was in full swing.
A typical rich, classy, sophisticated, and dazzling atmosphere.
And why not?
After all, it was Tessa Hutton’s engagement.
In the swarm of all the dolled up people and rushing waiters, we found her at the tail of the grand staircase in the middle of the vast hall, surrounded by a group of her friends.
Flaunting a sea green mermaid gown, she looked gorgeous.
The groom stood alongside her with a three-piece posh suit.
He didn’t look any less.
As soon as her gaze caught us approaching her, she rushed to us, followed by Caleb, and threw herself on Mom and Dad.
Both of my parents had moisture in their eyes as they hugged their elder daughter with love and affection.
I smiled, standing beside.
And then came my turn.
“Em!”
Instead of her regular sandalwood, the fragrance of Jasmine filled my nostrils as she engulfed me in a hug.
Pulling away, she eyed me up and down.
“This isn’t fair!
Only the bride should look that gorgeous in her engagement, not her little sister!”
she complained, frowning.
Then an involuntary grin stretched across her lips.
Mom, Dad, and Caleb laughed along.
I couldn’t help but smile back, shaking my head.
“Yes, and that’s why you’re the one who’s radiating the evening with your beauty.
You look stunning!”
Then my eyes fell on her neck.
She wore the necklace we chose for her.
It went well with her attire.
“Especially this.”
I pointed towards the piece of jewelry.
“It’s beautiful on you.”
Glancing down, she grazed the oval-shaped diamond dangling down the slender platinum necklace.
“All thanks to you!
I’m sure if only Achilles had chosen it, it wouldn’t be this beautiful.
He wouldn’t even go to the mall.
He would just order an expensive one randomly online!”
She rolled her blue orbs.
He told her?
Seeing my surprise, she nodded.
“He told me how you chose it for me.
Thank you, Em!
Otherwise, I don’t think I would be wearing my best friend’s gift tonight.”
I chuckled, my eyes seeking to get a glimpse of someone.
The flutters that have been dancing in my tummy since we left home still stormed around.
Where is he?
“How did you like the dresses?
I hope they weren’t that bad,” I asked, remembering those outfits.
Confusion fell over her face.
“What dresses?
What’re you talking about?”
I frowned.
“The dresses he got for you, along with your necklace.
He made me try them to see if they’d look good on you.”
She shook her head.
“No, he didn’t give me any dresses.”
If he didn’t give them to her, then what did he do with them?
Did he… buy them for someone else?
I bit my lip, clutching the purse tight in my hand.
“Oh, maybe he had some other plans with them,” I said, forcing a smile.
Something flashed over her eyes as they widened a bit.
Mumbling something under her breath, she put a hand on my shoulder.
“Maybe he wanted to give them to me on other occasions.
You know, he bought all the gifts together so he could give them to me one by one at my other wedding ceremonies?”
That made sense.
The heaviness in me disappeared as I nodded.
Why could I just not care?
She must have noticed the sudden change in my mood.
Someone’s clearing their throat behind Tess pulled everyone’s attention.
When Tess moved, and that person appeared in sight, my lips parted in surprise.
The man I bumped into at Coopers Fabrics, back in New York, and saw at the restaurant that day.
What was he doing here at this engagement party?
Dark orbs stared right back at me with a smile on his face as Tess and Caleb welcomed him with side hugs.
“Hello, Mr.Hutton.
It’s been a long time,” he said, shaking his hand with Dad.
Dad smiled.
“Yeah, it’s been months.
You finally got free of your busy schedule, huh?”
He shrugged.
“Work is work.
You can’t avoid that.”
“True,” Dad said, as that man greeted Mom.
“Em, meet Arthur.
Achilles and Caleb’s uncle.”
Tess introduced him to me.
“And Arthur, this is Emerald, my sister.”
“Ah, the infamous Emerald Hutton.
I finally got lucky to have the pleasure of meeting you.”
He grinned.
Taking my hand, he placed a kiss on the back of it.
Ace’s uncle?
What a coincidence I had already met him twice before our official meeting.
I gave him a hesitant smile.
“Nice to meet you, too.
By the way, we’ve already met if you forgot.”
Tess and Dad raised their brows at that.
“You guys already met?
Where?”
Caleb queried.
“Oh?
We did?”
He tilted his head, dark eyes puzzled.
Why did it look so fake?
“Yeah, at Coopers Fabrics, New York?”
Thinking for a moment, he then shook his head.
“Sorry, dear.
I’m a little lost here.
Maybe I forgot.
It’s proof I’m getting old now.”
Everyone cackled with laughter, but I couldn’t.
I didn’t know why, but something was off about him.
When he looked at me again, something flashed over his eyes, but it was gone as soon as it came.
Averting his gaze, he went back to the conversation.
“Where’s
your prince charming tonight?
I don’t see him anywhere,” Cassie asked, sipping on her drink.
She arrived just minutes after we did, and without Beth.
Again, she had her boyfriend problems.
I gave her a look.
“He’s not my prince charming,” I replied, holding back the urge to glance around for the umpteenth time.
It’s been almost an hour, and he wasn’t still here.
I didn’t like the frustration building inside me at all.
I should be happy that he wasn’t here.
But… he wouldn’t miss his cousin and best friend’s engagement, would he?
Where the hell was he?
Is he all right?
“Yeah, right!