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. 

we all reached the hall, I kept fidgeting in my place. My hands were clammy and my chest thudded. I was nervous for tonight’s meeting with Ace. And my too short dress made me

to be always by

me hope. If I and Ace would

voice broke my

padded

baby looks so beautiful today!” she gushed, her smile blinding.

“You think?” I blushed.

course, baby! You should do it

be pleased with

the gown I brought for

Very much. But Ace

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

nodded his

on Achilles Valencian. But they didn’t know that it was more

I still remembered that day clearly in

urge to cover my flushed cheeks.

when he played chess with me, he’d promised me he’d be here tonight. And he never broke his

his visit in our home had lessened. He changed. Carefree playful Ace turned into a lost and always angry Ace. But he was

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

there wasn’t still any sign of Ace.

myself, I aimlessly wandered around the people.

Where are you?

“Oww!” 

back. A pair of

my breath hitched

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

creased as he straightened me on my feet. His eyes roamed up and down my body, his lips tightening. “What’re

it happened whenever he

Didn’t he like

I bit my

as he watched my hair and heavy make-up. But then he shook his head. “You don’t need

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

close, they always preferred their privacy. So no one really knew what happened to his dad. But whatever happened,

Dad had brought me and removed my makeup. Once satisfied

Casie and Beth’s raised brows, I

with their friends, but he

Em!” Tobias called

walked

something,

hugged him

getting a squeal out of me. “Where is my gift?” he asked, once

red velvet cake I baked

party. It’s in the fridge,” I replied, my eyes going back to the crowd for a

a table. With a drink in his

my arms around Tess, I

changed?” Her

a boy in their group slapped on Ace’s back, greeting him. But he ignored him. And when Mark went to reach for the glass in his hand, Ace shot him a sharp

dress was slightly uncomfortable,” I said absentmindedly. My eyes set on him. “I will

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

surprised gasp. How did she

a sharp voice. “You

her grip. “How do you

you and I both know he only cares for you as a brother, not a lover. So don’t embarrass

kindness towards me might be just a brotherly love. But deep down, I felt there was more than that. It may be stupid and nonsense, but my

won’t know unless I confront him,

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

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