Filed To Story: The Trap Of Ace Book PDF Free
And the curious stares I got from around the table were embarrassing.
Irritating man!
Then I remembered I only had a few more hours before his given time would be over.
Though I knew what my answer was, I didn’t think I could give him my answer when we would be locked in his office.
He somehow would tamper with my head and change my decision.
So again, grabbing my phone, I messaged him.
Yes.
My phone beeped.
Yes, what?
You agree you should always be beside me?
My eyes widened.
What?
No!
I meant, yes, I’d go out with you.
After tapping send, I typed another one hurriedly.
But don’t think of it as something else.
We’ll go out together, but just as friends, not as a couple.
His jaw clenched as his eyes hardened.
When his gaze snapped up to me, I held it.
Another message.
We both know that we’re anything but friends.
We’re going on an actual date as a couple.
And that’s final.
I mentally groaned.
God!
Why was it so difficult to convince him?
I wanted him to agree.
That was the only way I could get all my answers.
BecauseI wanted to know more than what happened seven years ago.
I wanted to know more about him, his past, his pains.
Everything.
And if I didn’t go on a date with him, he wouldn’t tell me a thing.
And going on a date with him right now wasn’t possible for me.
Not until I had everything settled with Warner.
And to be honest, going out with him as a couple scared me.
The thought of starting something with him officially made me nervous.
The fear of getting hurt held me back.
I needed him to agree.
Going out as friends was the only option for me right now.
I will only go out with you if it’s just a friendly date, not something else.
It’s your decision now.
Yes or no.
Putting down the phone, I crossed my fingers on my lap.
Please say yes, please say yes!
I needed my answers!
Gray eyes flashed as they read my message.
With a vice grip around the phone, he turned it off and put it down.
Not giving me another glance, he turned to the meeting.
My heart fell.
What?
He won’t say anything?
But… I thought he’d argue more.
Disappointment filled me as he didn’t look back at me.
With his steely features, he joined the conversation.
He wouldn’t take me out with him?
Yes, as friends, but what’s wrong with that?
Did he already give up?
My hands itched to take back my words and surrender to his wishes, but I decided against it.
I wouldn’t move from my decision this time.
Letting out a huff, I turned my body away from him and focused on the meeting, not giving him any attention.
Just like he did for the rest of the hour.
“So,
you guys aren’t going on a date anymore?”
Beth asked, over the phone.
“Damn, Em!
Why did you stamp that ‘as friends’ mark on this?
Now you have lost all your chances to get your answers.”
Cassie’s discontent voice came from the other side of the conference call.
Holding the phone in between my shoulder and ear, I washed my hands in the basin and dried them with some tissues.
Walking out of the bathroom, I grumbled, “I thought he’d say yes.
At least I agreed to go out with him, right?
He should be happy!”
“After you stamped those words on his face when he wants you more than just friends?
I don’t think anyone would be happy in his place.
We’re talking about Achilles Valencian here.”
I could imagine her rolling her amber orbs.
“But he also should understand her situation, right?
She needs some time before making any serious decision about their relationship,” Beth argued.
Always the sensible one.
I nodded, as if they could see me.
In the middle of their banter, when I turned down another hallway, I found Arthur outside on the balcony.
With his phone in his ear, he was engrossed in a heavy conversation.
With his dark eyes flaming, nostrils flaring, he hissed something into the phone.
Due to the glass door between us, his words couldn’t reach me.
Who is he talking to in such a manner?
I’ve always seen him composed and calm.
Not this furious and anxious.
Closing his eyes, he ran his hand through his almost gray locks.
Listening to something the other person said, he slowly nodded and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
A sinister smile.
“Em?
Are you listening to us?”
Cassie’s voice called out to me, but my gaze was set on him as he turned and his eyes met mine.
The sinister smile slowly faded, and a deadly look took over his features.
A shiver ran down my spine.
Not wanting to be there anymore, I hurried down the corridor.
Something was going on in his head.
But I couldn’t find out what.
What if I’m just assuming things?
I shook my head.
I couldn’t decide anything until I talked to Sierra.
“Em?
You there?”
Beth inquired.
“Yeah!”
I cleared my throat.
“I’m listening.”
“Where were you so lost?
Saw your devil charming again?”
Cassie whistled.
A chuckle snuck out of my mouth.
“No.
I wasn’t lost anywhere.
Anyway, what were you talking about?”
“I said ask him directly.
Maybe bat your eyes a little.
I’m sure he’ll agree.
He can’t deny his Rosebud.
And that way, you can get your answers also,” she suggested.
I sighed.
“It’s not that easy.
He was pretty mad when he read my message.
He didn’t look at me after that.
I don’t think he’d agree.”
“Maybe give him a kiss?”
Her tone was teasing.
Beth chuckled along.
“God, no!
No kissing!
Keep your perverted thoughts to yourself.
I’ll think of a way out myself!”
I said, exasperated.
As they started to argue again, I almost cut the call when my phone buzzed.
My heart jumped when his name popped up on the screen.
I opened the message.
My legs stopped in my tracks, but my heart started racing to miles.
Be ready tomorrow evening.
I’ll pick you up at seven sharp.
THIRTY-THREE: OBSESSED
ACE
S weat trickled down my neck to my spine, the thriving heat in my body accelerated my speed, and the buzz of zeal coursing through my veins encouraged me to force myself more.
Even the wounds on my knuckles didn’t stop me from hitting the hard punching bag once more.
The more pain I was in, the more I could keep myself in check.
The more my head focused on my physical agony rather than my heart’s desires and… fears.
As I worked on my agony and salvation, his brown eyes never left me from the corner of the gym.
“Achilles, stop it.
Your knuckles are bleeding!
What’s wrong with you tonight?”
Caleb’s voice reached my ears.
But the anxiousness of his tone couldn’t halt my movements.
Intense working out every night to help me sleep and keep myself sane was a routine of my life, but the pain and exhaustion became a necessity for me since I had her in the same city as me.
Not being able to see her and have her into my arms even after her being so close to me drove me crazy.
But not to scare the light of my life away from me by revealing the intensity of the craving I had for her, I had to bind myself back with everything I had.
Red stains smudged on the gray punching bag as I continued.
“You’ll have to meet her tomorrow evening.