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 inside

admiring the fine pieces of art that’s been exhibited around

They will put these canvases and pictures on auction and whoever wishes to donate, will buy them. Their

way more people who loves art will

with some today. Look at those beauties.” He pointed to the beautiful canvases around.

I giggled. “I agree.”

busy conversing with an older man, I let myself explore in the sea of people and arts. Beautiful arts that

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 and mouth, its eyes sparkled with rage and menace. On the other hand, a middle-aged man stared at the highlighted cleavage of a woman with half of

and turned to another row. But a certain painting caught my eyes. A painting of a single rose, as crimson as blood, bloomed with its velvety petals spread around, a couple of rosebuds facing in

It was gorgeous.

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

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

I said,

called him from among a group

“I’ll be back!”

group, I stayed back and

the wisp of the familiar cologne that tingled my nostrils had me frozen in my place. My heart stuttered as

it?” a deep voice rasped into my ear. An

whispered, not turning to him. His house

why do I care if he was

my Rosebud isn’t happy to see

didn’t answer

felt him stepping closer. “Why do

close proximity. “Well, most of them come to show

his breath on my neck.

he just

Creep!

here to show off. I’ve much more important things to do than wasting my time on that.” He

bear the tension, I stepped away from his overwhelming presence and touch, sent him a glare

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

Was he already gone?

Good for me.

cleared his throat in the mike, snatching everyone’s attention to 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

as the auctioneer began calling for bids. And as the

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

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

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

dollars!” a man yelled out from the

to take it home with a higher price?” queried the

dollars!”

Anyone else? Fifteen thousand dollars!