The Trap Of Ace

Read The Trap Of Ace [by Eva Zahan] Chapter 12 – I set the papers aside where my designs were printed on, and picked up my phone after it blared for the second time. A smile etched into my face seeing the caller ID.

“It took you a whole week to call me?”

“And it took you two rings to pick up the phone?”

I chuckled. “I was working on some designs. Anyway, what’s up with you? How’s the job going?”

Since Warner had left for Seattle for his new job and I returned to California, it was our first conversation in this whole week.

“You’re working on weekends? And yes, everything is going smooth. Life has never been this good. Though, the work is hard.”

“Glad to hear that,” I said. If only my life was a little better. “And yes, but it’s not official work. Just some of my ideas I needed to polish.”

“About office, how’s it going? I hope you still don’t have any problem staying in California, do you?” he asked. He didn’t know where I was working.

And what do I tell him? All of this was still so confusing to me.

“Office is good. I’ve to work here for at least three months until I decide to think of something else,” I replied, absentmindedly. Office was good because I hadn’t seen him in the whole three days. Never even once he visited after that day, when he ordered me to have lunch with him. Of course, I denied. And the nerve of him, he sent Carter again to the canteen to deliver me the food he got for lunch!

You should eat homemade food, canteen’s stuff isn’t good for health. It was the message I got with the food boxes.

And the embarrassment I felt with every pair of eyes on me out there was a whole lot different thing!

Though he didn’t come to the office for three days now, the food was always on time. At first, I gave them away to Liza and others, but then, well, I thought I shouldn’t push away food like that.

Okay fine! These dishes were heavenly. And now that I was home today, I missed it.

From what pieces of information I’d picked up from Liza and Caleb’s conversation, he was busy hunting a new house and renovating it. Why Achilles Valencian needed a house all of a sudden?

“I don’t understand what problem do you’ve staying in that city,” he mumbled. “Anyway, I will call you tonight. There’s a day out with my office colleagues today, so gotta go now. And, I miss you, Em. I wish you were here.”

I smiled. “I miss you too. Don’t worry, we’ll meet soon at Tess’s wedding, you’re coming, right? It’s in this end of this month.”

“Of course, how can I miss it? I’ll definitely be there.”

“Great. Alright, you go now. Talk to you later.”

“Alright, love you!”

***

The car screeched to a halt and I got out of the car. The decorated gate welcomed everyone who entered though with a big bold ‘Felicity Charity Event’ hung above. An even for some people to genuinely donate for the poor, and for some people a way to show off.

Dad and Tobias also piled out and walked to me. Our family has been donating to this foundation every year for the orphan kids for the last ten years. I used to attend this function every year in my childhood. And when I heard of it organizing another event today, I tagged along with Dad and Tobias.

go,” Dad said, leading us

first thing that came into my view was a swarm of people roaming around and admiring the

canvases and pictures on auction and whoever wishes to donate, will buy them. Their money will directly go to the charity fund,” Tobias

a wise way, I must say. This way more people who loves art will donate. And it

walls with some today. Look at those beauties.” He pointed

I giggled. “I agree.”

myself explore in the sea of people and arts. Beautiful

each one of them. The colors were blended so well, it felt they’d come alive at any moment. A small boy was gaping in wonder at a picture standing beside his mother where a crimson skinned dragon fumed ember flames through his nose

my head, I passed him and turned to another row. But a certain painting caught my eyes. A painting of a single rose, as crimson as blood, bloomed with

It was gorgeous.

Tobias called out, beckoning me to him. He stood before a painting of a mermaid with the upper half of her floating on the water. “What

was covered with her hair. There were

I said, agreeing

his called him from

“I’ll be back!”

he strode to the group, I stayed back and

nostrils had me frozen in my place.

deep voice rasped into my ear. An involuntary shiver ran down my

doing here?” I whispered, not turning to him. His house hunting was finally

he was busy the whole

“I see, my Rosebud

“You didn’t answer

do people

to be affected by his close

then I felt his breath on my neck. The atmosphere suddenly rose higher

did he

Creep!

do than wasting

I stepped away from his overwhelming presence and touch, sent him a glare and walked away with flushed cheeks. But his persistent

gathered in the backyard of the building, under the open sky. Rows of chairs were lined up before the huge stage for people to sit. We took our seats in the second row. And

Was he already gone?

Good for me.

the stage. “Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the ‘Felicity Charity Event’ one more time! We all know the holy purpose we’re gathered here for. So without any

sale on the stage as the auctioneer began calling for bids. And as the auction went on, things got heated between the bidders to win

disappointed when someone else brought his mermaid’s painting with a much higher price than him, where Dad was satisfied with

the canvas of that blood rose got on the stage, I really wanted to bid for it. But well, my pockets weren’t full enough to do that. I could easily ask from Dad, but if I wanted to help someone, I wanted to do with something that I owned. So I decided to just pay them a little amount that I could afford in

hold onto this gorgeous velvety rose over here?” the auctioneer asked. “The bid starts with

man yelled out

take it home with

dollars!” shouted

Fifteen