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.

said, leading us inside through

the first thing that came into my view was a swarm of people roaming around and admiring the fine pieces of art that’s been exhibited

and pictures on auction and whoever wishes to donate, will buy them. Their money will directly go to

wise way, I must say. This way more people who loves art will

jam my walls with some today. Look at those beauties.” He pointed to the beautiful

I giggled. “I agree.”

man, I let myself explore in the sea of people and arts. Beautiful arts that each demanded attention. Even if I wasn’t a big fan of them, they were

in wonder at a picture standing beside his mother where a crimson skinned dragon fumed ember

single rose, as crimson as blood, bloomed with its velvety petals spread around, a couple of rosebuds facing in directions adorned it. And those tiny drops of water sparkled

It was gorgeous.

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 do you think of this? I think she will glorify my bedroom wall with

at my brother. Thank G*d that the mermaid’s chest was covered with her hair. There were children roaming around for

it’s beautiful,” I said,

of his called him from among a

“I’ll be back!”

to the group, I stayed back

felt a presence behind me. And the wisp of the familiar cologne that tingled my nostrils

like it?” a deep voice rasped into my

you doing here?” I whispered, not turning to

I care if he was busy the

Rosebud isn’t

frowned. “You didn’t answer

do people come to

feigning not to be affected by his close proximity. “Well, most of them come

of breath. And then I felt his breath on my neck. The atmosphere suddenly

he just smell

Creep!

do than wasting my time on that.” He brushed his fingers on my hip,

and touch, sent him a glare and walked away with flushed

we all 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

Was he already gone?

Good for me.

mike, snatching everyone’s attention to the stage. “Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the ‘Felicity Charity Event’ one more

was first put for 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 over a piece

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

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

over here?” the auctioneer asked. “The bid starts with

dollars!” a man yelled

dollars! Anyone else wants to take it home with a higher price?” queried

thousand dollars!” shouted

Fifteen thousand