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. 

hands were clammy and my chest thudded. I was nervous for tonight’s meeting with Ace. And my too short dress made

as always. They’d to be always by the hips. Even after twenty

hope. If I and Ace would be

broke my

smiled and padded towards

My little baby looks so beautiful today!” she gushed, her

“You think?” I blushed.

course, baby! You should do it

seem to be pleased with me dressing up like

didn’t like the gown I brought for you, princess?”

But Ace wouldn’t

course I did, Dad! But… I couldn’t

nodded his

knowing look on. She knew, everyone knew of my crush on Achilles Valencian. But they didn’t

dream prince from the day he stepped 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, he became

the urge to cover my flushed cheeks. Where was

month when he played chess with me, he’d promised me he’d be here tonight. And

a year ago, his visit in our home had lessened. He changed. Carefree playful Ace turned into a lost and always angry Ace. But he was always soft with me

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

wasn’t still any

aimlessly wandered around

Where are you?

“Oww!” 

stumbled back. A pair of arms circled around my

up, my breath hitched

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

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

it happened whenever he

eyes widened. Didn’t

look good?” I bit my

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.” With that,

Was anything wrong with my look? Why was he so distant?

preferred their privacy. So no one really knew what happened to his dad. But whatever happened, it changed

white gown Dad had brought me and removed my makeup. Once satisfied

brows,

sister were busy chatting with

Tobias called

walked to them.

something, little sis?”

I hugged him tight.

squeal out of me. “Where

gift from me. Actually, he loved the red velvet cake I baked him since I honed my skills in

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

corner, beside a table. With a drink in his hand, he looked deep

arms around Tess, I wished her.

“You changed?” Her eyes

when Mark went to reach for the glass in his hand, Ace shot him a sharp

eyes set

went to move, she caught my arm and dragged me away from her friends’ earshots. “You’re going to confess tonight, aren’t you?”

a surprised gasp. How did she

in a sharp

grip. “How do you know? Who

be foolish, Em! Just because he is soft with you 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 with your stupidness. He is already disturbed with his

just a brotherly love. But deep down, I felt

unless I confront

embarrass him. And you don’t know everything. So why don’t you just go