The Trap Of Ace

Read The Trap Of Ace [by Eva Zahan] Chapter 6 – The amber rays colored the horizon, manifesting a crown of crimson and pink above the setting sun. Lines of birds flew alongside across the sky in the direction of their shelter; melodic twittering of them felt like a announcement of the darkness to befall.

I took in a deep breath, filling my lungs with the cool evening air.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Dad said, sitting on the car hood beside me.

I nodded, a smile curved onto my lips. “Yes, very. Thank you for bringing me here, Dad. It’s been so long I’d last visited. I really missed our sunrises and sunsets.”

We used to come to this medow at least once a week. Well, at least me, Dad and Tobias. Mom and Tess was too lazy to join every time. It was like a tradition for us. The tradition my grandfather started with Dad. But after my shifting to NY, I couldn’t join Dad and Tobias anymore.

“Me too, princess. Without you, our visits here didn’t have the same meaning.” His tone filled with nostalgia.

“Yeah, that idiot had all the fun for himself,” I joked, mentioning my brother. He couldn’t join us due to an important meeting this evening. “But I’m happy that you came here with me this time. It’s my turn today to have all the fun.” I grinned.

Chuckling, he shook his head. “Nah, our time here became pretty boring as even Achilles stopped joining us after you left for you highschool.”

My smile slipped at the mention of his name.

He used to accompany us regularly to watch the sunrises and sunsets. But after his father’s d***h, his visits became less, until it stopped totally. I still remember my extra enthusiasm for the ride here even at four in the morning to see him. Meeting him was more important for me than watching anything else.

I heard Dad heaving a sigh. “Sometimes we’ve to let go of the past to live our present, Emerald. Because until you live your present, you won’t be able to accept your future.”

I knew what he was trying to say. Though my family hadn’t said anything, but I knew everyone’d sensed my distance with Ace even after so many years. But I couldn’t explain anything to them even if I wanted. They didn’t know the whole truth, so they couldn’t understand.

“But what if it’s too difficult to let go of the past?”

His blue gaze locked with mine. “Nothing is impossible, sweetheart. Sometimes we indulge ourselves so deep in our pain that we can’t see anything past that. All you’ve to do is, open your heart a little more, be a little more greater, and let go of the grudges. Don’t let the past hold you from your happiness of present.”

I put my head on his shoulder, saying nothing. Could I do it? Could I be that brave to let go of everything and move on? I haven’t been able to in years.

The buzz of my phone cut my thoughts.

“Who is it?”

I put my phone back. “Casie. She and Beth wants us to have dinner together at our regular.”

Nodding his head, his gaze turned back to the chromatic horizon.

After spending some more time talking and refreshing memories, we headed back to home. Once dropping him off, I turned the car around and drove to Nova’d Diner, where the girls were waiting for me.

But all the way, the only thing that consumed my mind was, Dad’s words. I knew he was right. I couldn’t let go of the past because I held grudges. Grudges against my sister, grudges against Ace, grudges against myself.

I could understand the reason I blamed Tess and myself, for being so naive. But Ace, he didn’t deserve my hatred. He’d never promised to take care of my heart that I’d blamed him to break it. But the heart couldn’t see anything else than its ache.

And it knew, it’d to hurt others if it wanted to prevent another ache. After talking to Tess last night, I decided to give us another chance. Maybe it was time to let go. Even if it was just a tiny step, but it was something. I couldn’t just hold over something that happened years ago.

And maybe, it wasn’t all I thought it was. Last night’s conversation flashed in my mind.

“Did you love him?”

Her eyes didn’t flicker as she answered, “No.”

“Then why did you do it? Why did you do it even after knowing that you’d be hurting me by doing that?” I asked, my voice was desperate.

A look of sorrow had covered her features. “I didn’t want to hurt you, Em. I’d never hurt my little sister like that, no matter how much we were different from each other.”

“Then why?”

She’d casted me a look of apology. “I’m sorry, Em. I can’t tell you why. But you will know, soon.”

told me to think over her request and left, leaving me alone

hiding?

***

to forgive her?” asked Casie,

the fork

solving your problems with your sister, Em. Life is too short to hold grudges forever. I agree with your

stupid books. They’re not

causing her to roll her eyes and taking a sip

wouldn’t forgive my sister if she’d done something like that

says.” She wiggled in her seat. “Uh, now that you forgave Tess,

want to talk about him right now, Beth. Let me just enjoy my dinner right now with you guys, will you?” There was nothing to forgive Ace in the first place, but trying to get my relationship good with him meant sacrificing my heart again. And I

wish didn’t get granted at all,” Casie commented, looking at

widened when I followed her gaze to the

a gasp from Beth. “What’s he

the table. She sat right beside him, too close to just be a business associate. With fiery red hair, porcelain

delicately placing a hand on his shoulder. And he too reciprocated with a soft smile he only displayed on rare

eyes set on her hand on his shoulder. Turning around, I

thought he didn’t have any

Beth hissed, throwing me

Em. I didn’t mean to… we can

or whom he brought here. We’re here to enjoy our dinner, and we will just do that.” I casted another glance back

“You sure?” Beth whispered.

give them any attention.

sent draggers at

that leech, and here I thought his sending you messages and flowers meant

“She could be just a friend. And after what he did and said at the race track,

them. They look too cosy to be just friends,” remarked

if they’re friends or not. Why should I anyway? It’s not that I’m his girlfriend or something. And whatever he

food, I seemed to lose my appetite. Even if I didn’t

patting hers. And

outside, announcing

Her eyes widened slightly as she untangled her herself from him once she noticed the direction of my stare. But he remained as comfortable as

he? It’s not that he really did care for you or he’d any soft corner for you anyway. Everything he said and did was just

a sudden,

my purse. Casie and Beth went to

guys finish your dinner. I’m done.” When they went to protest, I shook my head. “Don’t. I will

my chest, wanting to release. My fingers clutched my purse in a vice grip. My jaws right, holding the

needed to go away.

stepped out of the exit, a shoulder bumped

my shoulder, his face

giving him an answer, I moved

It’s raining!” he called out behind me, but I didn’t

face along the gust of cold wind. Goosebumps rose across my arms as the water drops pricked my skin.

me. It did bother me to see him with that girl

frustrated me. I didn’t

in the parking lot. So ignoring the rain and howling wind, I strode towards the

for me to get over him? What’d it take for my

tear that slipped from my eye, the pouring rain washed it away. I hope it could take away the

my eyes, causing me to cover them with my hands. A shout

driving away when my gaze remained in no particular direction with my heart pounding in

d**n it!” He shaking me by my shoulders got me out

with his lady love that he came