Read The Trap Of Ace [by Eva Zahan] Chapter 17 – A knock descended on my door.
“Coming!”
Putting the lipstick down on the dressing table, I attended it. Judy, our house help stood there with a white box in her hand.
“Sorry to disturb you, dear. But this has come for you,” she said, handing me the parcel.
For me?
“What’s in it? And who sent it?” I glanced down at the box.
Her shoulders lifted. “I’ve no idea, dear. A courier boy just gave me the parcel and left. Anyways, I’ll leave you to this. A lot of chores are on the hand.”
Nodding, I flashed her a smile along a thank you and closed the door.
I searched for a name on the box, but there wasn’t any. Who could’ve sent it?
Biting my lip, I unpacked it.
A gasp slipped through my lips as my eyes landed on the red gown lying in it. Taking it out, I unfolded it. It was the same gown I saw him checking out that day.
A note that was placed beneath the gown, caught my eye. With a skip of my heart, I picked it up.
This one was left out from trying. So I want to see it on you tonight.
A
So, he… bought it for me?
A warmth surged through my chest as I ran my hand on the beautiful cold shoulder gown. The fabric felt smooth under my palm.
Holding it against me, I stood before the mirror. It looked… beautiful.
But why did he get it for me?
Flashes of that night on the road floated in my mind. That horrible night we’d almost faced the d***h…
My hands clutched the dress tight.
A car had lost balance and strayed up in our way. To save us, he’d to avoid a collision and our car ended up hitting a street lamp.
I closed my eyes as the fear of that moment hit me back.
How he’d put his arm over me to save me from getting hurt, not caring for himself. Even after the seatbelts, I was about to hit my head with the window glass if not for him. The hit was that severe. Good thing that both of us didn’t get any major injuries. I got a small scratch in my leg. But his shoulder was hurt. The jerk of the c***h and the way he stretched to protect me, had his shoulder a muscle injury.
I was so rattled after the incident that he’d to clutch me to his chest for almost half an hour until I gained some composure.
I hated that feeling. The fear I felt at that moment. The fear of d***h, the fear of losing him…
I shook my head, shaking off the inauspicious thoughts.
I shouldn’t be thinking of that. Everything is alright now. Today is Tess’s official engagement night, so I should just concentrate on that.
I looked back at my reflection.
This dress.
Shouldn’t I be mad that he sent another gift for me? But I wasn’t. The red tint on my cheeks proved that.
A sigh left me.
wandering away from my goal: avoid him until the three months passes and I can finally go back to NY,
it’s just
I bit my lip.
ready?” Mom called out
minutes!” I yelled back, my gaze returning back to the
Should I?
***
red carpet that led us inside the Valencian Mansion. It should’ve been called a castle instead, because that’s the vibe I
contemporary and dazzling atmosphere. And why not, after all it
at the tail of the grand staircase at the middle of the vast hall, surrounded by
to us followed by Caleb and threw herself on Mom and Dad. Both of my parents had moisture in their eyes as
standing beside. And then came my
her regular sandalwood, the fragrance of Jasmine filled my ambience as she engulfed me in a hug. Pulling away, she eyed me up and down. “This isn’t fair! Only the bride should look that gorgeous in her engagement, not her little sister!” she complained, frowning. But then an involuntary grin stretched across her lips. Mom, Dad and Caleb
that’s why you’re the one who’s radiating the evening with your beauty. You look stunning!” Then my eyes fell on her neck. She wore the
grazed the oval shaped diamond that dangled down
had chosen it, it wouldn’t be that beautiful. He wouldn’t even go to
He told her?
she nodded her head. “He told me how you chose it for me. Thank you, Em! Otherwise I don’t think I would be wearing my best friend’s gift
around to get a glimpse of someone. The flutters that have been dancing in my tummy since we
Where is he?
you like the dresses? I hope they
fell over her face. “What dresses? What’re
necklace. He made me try them to see
her head. “No, he didn’t give me
give them to her, then
buy them
clutching the purse tight in my hand as a pang
had some other plans with
hand on my shoulder. “Maybe he wanted to give them to me on other occasions? You know, he bought all the gifts altogether so that he could give me one by one at
That made sense.
lifted
I just not care? She mustn’t have
pulled everyone’s attention. And when Tess moved and
man I bumped into at Coopers Fabrics, back in NY, and saw at the restaurant
here at
smile on his face as Tess and Caleb welcomed him
Mr. Hutton. It’s been a long time!”
been months. You finally got free of your busy schedule,
work. You
as that man shared pleasantries
and Caleb’s uncle.” She introduced him
that lucky to have the pleasure of meeting you!” He grinned.
Ace’s uncle?
a coincidence that I already met him twice before our official
smile. “Nice to meet you too! By the
raised
met? Where?”
We did?” He titled his head, dark eyes puzzled. Why did it look so
Coopers Fabrics,
moment, he then shook his head. “Sorry, dear! I’m a little lost here.
him. When he looked at me again, something flashed over his
***
I don’t see him anywhere,” asked Casie, sipping on her drink. She arrived just minutes after we did, and without Beth.
not my prince charming,” I replied, holding back the urge to look around myself,
the frustration building inside me at all. I’d be happy that he wasn’t here. But… he
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