The Trap Of Ace

Read The Trap Of Ace [by Eva Zahan] Chapter 7 – A pair of stormy grey eyes gazed down at me, my heart skipped at the intensity in them. I tried to move but as if I didn’t have any control over my body. I couldn’t do anything but to watch those grey pools coming closer.

Then I felt hot breath fanning on my neck, sending goosebumps across my skin. My insides squirmed with anticipation.

“Mine…”

Jolting awake from my sleep, I searched around for him. But there was no one. But, I felt as if someone just called me mine…

Running my palms over my face, I sat up. It was just a dream.

He wouldn’t leave me alone even in my dreams, would he? Three days had passed since that night and my returning back to NY, and his words still haunted my sleep.

Shaking my head, I glanced at the time. S**t! It’s already eight!

Scrambling out of the bed, I grabbed my clothes for the interview and ran inside the washroom. I’d two interviews today, and the first one was at nine. If I wouldn’t reach there in time, I’d lose the chance to work at one of my dream work places.

Actually both of them were important to me. If I got a job at one of them, it’d be a golden ticket for my career as a designer.

And my first destination was Summer Clothing House. One of the most famous fashion houses across the city.

***

“What? But how’s that possible? I was informed that I’d have an interview today at nine.”

The receptionist sent me a professional look of apology. “I’m sorry for the hassle, but we’ve found the perfect candidate for the post, so we’d to cancel the interview. Didn’t you receive the email, Miss?”

I frowned. “What email?”

“We’d sent all our expected candidates an email regarding the rescission as an apology,” she informed.

Oh! I’d kept my phone off since I left home that night to avoid my family’s questions and a particular person’s messages. And I didn’t even check my email for some days now.

How could I be so careless?

“Uh, maybe it missed out from my eyes.” I bit my lip. “Alright, my bad luck, I guess.”

“We’re again sorry, Miss. Have a good day!”

Nodding, I sent her a tight smile and got out of there. Time to go to my next destination. I just hoped everything will turn out good this time.

***

Checking myself one last time in the rearview, I let out a breath, wiping my clammy palms on my skirt.

Come on, Em! You’ve got this!

Chanting the mantra in my head, I got out of the car and looked up at the huge forty something floor building. A big Coopers Fabrics was hung at the top.

I blew out a breath. I really didn’t want this chance to get out of my hands. These two were my dream workplace, and now one is gone, left the latter. I’d try my best to impress them to take the ball in my court.

Ignoring the nervous wreck in my tummy, I padded inside. Shoulders squared and chin high in confidence.

But as soon as the crowd in the waiting area came into my view, my confidence melted into a puddle. All of them were sophisticatedly dressed, with CVs in their hands. Definitely for the interview.

Of course, this was one of the most renowned textile companies in the country. What did I expect?

The receptionist guided me to wait with the others as there was still quite time for my turn to come. And getting among these sharp and talented looking people, my nervousness just rose into a new height.

So choosing a vacant seat, I settled at the furthest corner of the waiting area and waited for my turn to come.

My phone blared in my purse, getting some eyes on me in irritation. Getting out the phone, I put it on silent. It was Warner.

“Hello,” I whispered.

you finally switched on your phone. Your parents were k*****g me asking about you.

nails, the sense of guilt was picking up on me. I hadn’t given them that much of an explanation of my sudden leave, and then

check the calls or messages. I’m sure my notification box has

my family’s bombering. I will talk to you later about it, I’m now at Coopers

Em. It’s just that even I’m worried for your sudden change of heart. Anyway, I called you to give a good news. I

I’m free tonight.” I ignored

a surprise for later tonight. Now I gotta

smiled. “Thanks. See you

down. What good news he was talking

A lady in her mid-thirties with a high tight

my

is waiting for you inside,” she said. Tone professional

my head, I grabbed my purse, CV, and followed

pair of white doors, she knocked and

was going to take my interview. I already had

left. Taking deep breaths, I entered. Restless butterflies stormed in

sat opposite of the huge desk. With a big scowl, he continued to sign in some papers, muttering something incoherent

I stopped at

Sit!” he grumbled, without looking at me. He didn’t seem to

crinkle my nose at the foul odor in the air, I took the chair opposite of his and placed

Hutton.” I kept my tone as professional as I could

already, will you?” Brushing the

good, I was still at the edge of

Spanish and Italian? Or you just added it out of excitement?” His tone

on Italian and my second language was Spanish at high

grunting. “It’s not that I’d understand anything anyway. You could

my nerves. Who

eat well?” For the first time

brows creased. How did that relate to anything with the job. “Uh, I do

“Girls of your generation are fond of keeping themselves empty stomached to stay lanky. And if your stomach is empty, so will be your head.

he mentioned fit

still want to work in his

Mr. Cooper. I prefer to be healthy

me. I fidgeted on my seat. Then all of a sudden, he closed my file and slid it to me. “Get out now. And tell Lucinda to send the next

raised my brow. Did he just reject me? Then I understood that it was his way to say: you may leave now. And I assumed Lucinda was that woman who sent me in, and headache was the

lips tight, I flashed him an even tighter smile and stood up. The nervousness now turned into fear as I informed Lucinda and then walked away. She

of the elevator, my shoulder bumped

I’m so sorry!” Looking up, I found a man near Mr. Cooper’s age standing there. But he was far from small and round, the opposite in fact. Tall and fit. Some grey hairs were peaking out of the dark

he glanced at me, something flashed across his dark hollow eyes. Tilting his head, he gave me a look over. I didn’t know why, but he looked familiar. And from just looking

their way when they don’t see where they’re going. Or… crossing whom’s path.” The edge of his voice evolved some secrets. Then the ominous look suddenly vanished and replaced a

looked down at my CV. But still, they were in a file, how did he know that I came here

But, how do you know that I

that look again. “I know a lot of things, young lady.” His eyes flickered over my shoulder. “If you will now excuse me, I’m in a hurry right now. I will see you later.” Nodding, he passed me and

doors

was he? He talked as if… he knew me

him around again. That man radiated some kind of negative

give me an answer, his expression didn’t seem to be

noon. And I was

And this time it was

anything like that. They’re just friends! And if it still bothers you then, you should know that she’s happily married,” Casie finished in one

That girl with him at the diner. That red head. All of a sudden, irritation

say? They’re just… friends? Not anything

did I feel so light all of a sudden? I shook my