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.”

didn’t explain anything after that, just told me to think over her request and left, leaving me alone

hiding? I

***

forgive her?” asked Casie, raising a

shrugged, twirling the fork into my

that you’re solving your problems with your sister, Em. Life is too short to hold grudges forever. I agree with your Dad.” Beth

stupid books. They’re not that brilliant in real life. Once a b***h, always a

of reprimand, causing her to roll her eyes and taking a sip

she’d done something like that to me. Thank G*d, I don’t have one!”

heart says.” She wiggled in her seat. “Uh, now that you forgave Tess, will you consider to do the

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 knew better. Just

didn’t get granted at

you talking about?” My eyes widened when I followed

from Beth. “What’s he

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

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

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

I thought he didn’t have any barbie in his

throwing me

I didn’t mean

or whom he brought here. We’re here to enjoy our dinner,

“You sure?” Beth whispered.

in my mouth, not wanting to give them any attention.

Casie sent draggers at them with

with that leech, and here I thought his sending you

just a friend. And after what he did and said at the race track, it proves that he likes you. I don’t think he is that shallow that he’d try to persue one and roam

think so, look at them. They look too cosy to be just

teeth. “I don’t care if they’re friends or not. Why should I anyway? It’s not that I’m his girlfriend or something.

I seemed to lose my appetite. Even

him and his hand patting hers. And my treacherous eyes stung,

announcing the upcoming

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

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

of a sudden, I felt

my purse. Casie

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

storm was building in my chest, wanting to release. My fingers clutched my purse in a vice grip.

to go away.

out of the exit, a

are you alright?” Caleb held my shoulder, his

him an answer, I moved away and walked into

where’re you going? It’s raining!” he called out behind me, but I didn’t pay him

of rain slapped against my face along the gust of cold wind. Goosebumps rose across my arms as the water drops pricked my skin. But it didn’t stop me, this storm was nothing before my

make any sense. But it did bother me. It did bother me to see

And that’s what frustrated me.

parked it in the parking

get over him? What’d it take for my heart to heal the wound

eye, the pouring rain washed it

my hands. A shout of my name came with a screech of tires

away when my gaze remained

d**n it!” He shaking me by my shoulders got me out of my shock. Stormy grey eyes blazed with fire under

done with his lady love that he