The Trap Of Ace

Read The Trap Of Ace [by Eva Zahan] Prologue – I stared at the girl before me, and her nervous eyes behind those black rimmed glasses were also set on me. Tentatively, I tucked a strayed strand behind my ear and bit my lip. She mimicked. I blinked, so did she.

“You done with your staredown match with yourself, Em?” A huff came from behind me. “For G*d’s sake! You’re doing this for the last five minutes! You’re creeping me out now!”

I glanced at my best friend through the mirror. With folded arms on her chest, sitting at the edge of my bed, she scowled at me. 

My eyes went back to my reflection. “I don’t know, Beth. Do you think he- he’ll like my look?” 

“After we spent two hours to doll you up? Yes, we think that he’ll like your look. And won’t reject you when you announce your undying love for him,” said my other best friend, Casie, standing beside Beth.

Reject. The same word that has been haunting my dreams for years now. I’ve been waiting for this day for six years. The day he said those words to me. I’ve been waiting since. 

And if he rejects me today… I don’t know what I’d do.

Flashback~

“Will you be my prince, Ace? I want to be your princess,” I’d asked my brother’s best friend when he gave me a Cinderella dress on my ninth birthday.

He laughed at my silly question, almost breaking my heart. But then when he saw my crestfallen face, he crouched down before me, looking into my turquoise eyes with his stormy grey. “You’re my princess.”

“Really?” I brightened up like a Christmas tree. “That means you will marry me?”

He bit his lip, his eyes lit up with amusement. “I’m sorry, Rosebud! But I can’t.”

“Why not?” I pouted.

“Because it’s not the right time. You’re still so young.”

“Then when will be the right time?” I gazed up at him with so much hope.

“When you turn into a blooming rose from a rose bud.”

End of flashback~

I’d waited till that day to bloom into a rose. I didn’t know what that meant at that moment. But to remember and understand, I’d written those words into my personal diary. 

And Casie said at this age we were big enough to have a lover. Well she already had one at the age of fourteen, and is on her fourth at fifteen now.

I knew whatever Ace had said that day was because he didn’t want to break a nine year old’s naive heart. But I didn’t care. I think I was ready to confess my feelings to him today. For real this time. 

“Em, you’re looking stunning! Though I preferred your long wavy hair. But it’s alright, this also suits you,” commented Beth.

I’d cut my waist length hair to my shoulder and tamed my wild waves into straight. Just like Tess, my sister. She and my brother, Tobias, were twins. So obviously, Ace was her best friend too. And I’d once heard him say that he liked Tess’s hair. So I turned my hair just like her. Though hers were blonde where mine was chestnut.

“Short hair is in fashion now. And Ace likes them short,” I replied, checking my manicured nails. Just like Tess’.

Just like Ace preferred. All of his girlfriends were just like my sister. Beautiful and classy. Yes, I was jealous of them. But then they all were temporary. Once we’d be together, then there wouldn’t be anyone else in his life other than me.

I blushed at the thought.

So I decided to be like them taking inspiration from my sister. Maybe he would notice me then?

And today’s whole makeover was the proof. Dressed like Tess, styled like Tess. I even sneaked her favorite perfume from her room. 

“Isn’t this dress too short, Casie?” Though I wanted to wear something like Tess, I was uncomfortable in them. Well she looked good in those tight little dresses. She had a good amount on both front and behind. Where I was flat in both ways. Well, a fifteen year old couldn’t have more.

“Is not! You’re wearing that and that’s final! Don’t you want to make Ace notice you?” She raised her brow. 

“Fine!” I said, taking a deep breath. Come on, Em! You can do this!

“Alright, let’s go now! Otherwise we will miss your brother and sister’s grand entry,” she chirped, sauntering outside.

Today was my older siblings’ nineteenth birthday. And every occasion at Hutton family was known to be grand. So no one wanted to miss this special event. Almost half of the renowned families were invited today. 

kept fidgeting in my place. My hands were clammy and my chest thudded. I was nervous for tonight’s

to each other, as always. They’d to be always by the hips. Even after twenty years of marriage,

I and Ace would be

voice broke my

and padded

my! Look at you! My little baby looks so beautiful today!” she gushed, her smile blinding.

“You think?” I blushed.

baby! You should

didn’t seem to be pleased with me dressing

didn’t like the gown I brought for you,

But

course I did, Dad! But… I couldn’t find matching jewelry with it,” I

his head.

everyone knew of my crush on Achilles Valencian. But they didn’t know that

into our house with Tobis when I was just seven. I still remembered that day clearly in my vague memories. But the day he saved me from some bullies in my school,

urge to cover

He should’ve been here by now. Last month when he played chess with me, he’d promised me he’d be here tonight. And he never broke his promises

lessened. He changed. Carefree playful Ace turned into a lost and always angry Ace. But he was always soft with me though. He’d come and see us once a month. And of course, to play chess with

as Tess and Tobias climbed down the stairs in a dramatic way with the spotlight on them. In a pink mid-t***h fairy dress, Tess looked like a real fairy, while Tobias looked good in his black tux. They smiled down at the cameras

any

I aimlessly wandered

Where are you?

“Oww!” 

hard chest, I stumbled back. A pair of arms

up, my breath hitched at my

gone, showing his chiseled jaw. Jet black hair gelled back and the ring on his right brow wasn’t there today. Even though there were dark shadows

he straightened me on my feet. His eyes roamed up and down my body, his lips tightening. “What’re you wearing?”

it happened whenever he

eyes widened. Didn’t

I look good?” I bit my lip. “I thought you’d like

heavy make-up. But then he shook his head. “You don’t need my approval in anything, Emerald. It’s your choice to whatever you want to wear.”

down at myself. Was anything wrong with my look? Why

privacy. So no one really knew what happened to his dad. But whatever happened, it changed my Ace drastically. And it made my heart ache for him.

me and removed my makeup. Once satisfied with my new neutral look, I

raised brows,

busy chatting with their

Em!” Tobias

I walked to them.

forgetting something, little

I hugged him tight. “Happy

of me.

his birthday gift from me. Actually, he loved the red velvet cake I baked him since I honed

get it after the party. It’s in the fridge,” I replied, my eyes going

beside a table. With a drink in

arms around Tess, I wished her.

Her eyes raked

boy in their group slapped on Ace’s back, greeting him. But he ignored him. And when Mark went to reach

eyes set on him. “I will be back just in

my arm and dragged me away from her friends’ earshots. “You’re going to

surprised gasp.

said in a sharp voice. “You

her grip. “How do you know? Who

doesn’t mean he harbors any kind of feelings for you.” Her voice was harsh. “And you and I both know he only cares for you as a brother, not a lover. So don’t embarrass him

his kindness towards me might be just a brotherly love. But deep down, I felt there

know unless I

you don’t know everything. So why don’t you just go and enjoy your party and let me be on