The Trap Of Ace

Read The Trap Of Ace [by Eva Zahan] Chapter 20 – The aroma of fresh spices and sauce wafted across the kitchen, proclaiming the deliciousness getting ready for the special Italian dinner. And the provoking sweet goods that baked inside the oven had me salivating.

The hunger of my tummy spiked more at that. The result of not eating the whole day. And how could I when all my mind was spiraled with one suddenly vanished man’s thoughts?

“I’m happy that you came here, Em. In all the preparations of the marriage, we couldn’t get enough time to spend,” said Tess, adding some basils in the spaghetti.

I nodded. “Yeah, but don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere for sometime. So we’ve a lot of time to fix that.”

Something flickered over her eyes, but then she smiled. “Right. Anyway, how was your day?”

“It was good.”

Not good. At all. After last night I hadn’t got any peace. What Caleb said, about their relationship, about her involvement with Ace kept my mind busy. And then he suddenly vanished from the country.

In the evening when I got Cassie’s call and got to know about Victoria’s being in the UK, it’d raised a lot of questions in my mind. Like he’d literally no one out there except her, so the suspicion that she could be one of the reasons for his frequent visit there wasn’t unrealistic. Even if I didn’t have any right to feel vexed about it, but I did. But then, somehow I knew that he wasn’t there for her. There was nothing between them like I thought at first they had. They were just friends.

That’s what you thought about Ace and Tess too.

That was the main reason for my being here. I wanted answers to my questions. And at this moment, only Tess could enlighten me. I’d lose my sanity if she didn’t.

Fidgeting in my seat, I cleared my throat. “Uh, I was thinking to ask you something… umm, I…”

She looked up from salads. Observing my hesitation, an understanding etched into her features. “You can ask me anything, Em. I’d try to answer them as long as it’s about me.”

I took a deep breath. There was no point to beat around the bush now.

“Did you cheat on Caleb with Ace seven years ago?”

A gasp slipped through her lips as her eyes widened in fraction. “What? What are you talking about, Em? I never did such a thing!”

“Look, I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t ask you these questions. It happened years ago and I should just keep it there. But I…”

“It doesn’t matter if it’s years ago or not! I’ve always loved Caleb. I know we were never sure of anything, and also dated other people after our first break up. But I’d never cheated on him. And especially not with Ace. He was my best friend for G*d’s sake!” She cut me off, disbelief filled in her eyes.

“So, there was nothing going on between you two?”

“Of course not! Why’d you think that?” A frown set between her brows. And then realization hit her as she went quiet, guilt flashing over her eyes.

“I saw you kissing, Tess. If there were nothing between you two, then what was that?” I queried, a sudden desperation rolled my insides. “Caleb told me you and him started dating just a month ago before your nineteenth birthday. Means you were with Caleb when you… what do I think of that?”

I’d no right to ask her these personal questions. It was all in the past. But I needed to know.

Both of them knew of my feelings. That other night on the terrace, she told me she’d never hurt me on purpose. Ace’s words and actions proved that he remembered every word he said to me and somehow meant it, that’s what I saw in his eyes every time he called me his. I wasn’t sure if he did harbor any real feelings for me back then, but he didn’t think I was a fool in love with him. He cared and respected me and my feelings.

That’s what I understood from his all crazy actions and other things. And even if they didn’t have anything between them, then why would they do that? Why’d I found them wrapped around in each other’s arms like that?

What was the reason he became so distant with me all of a sudden and didn’t even call or ask of me once after that night? Not even when I shifted to NY. Yes, after his father’s d***h, he did get distant with everyone, but he never did with me. Even for once in a while, he used to visit me. Until one day, it stopped. And then came that ominous night. The night my heart broke.

All these things have been nagging me after Ace suddenly out of nowhere began to appear in my life, declared his claim on me, after my talk with Tess that night, and finally after what Caleb told me last night.

“Tell me, Tess. Why did you kiss the boy you knew your sister had lost her heart to?” Tightness clogged up my throat, burning my eyes. “Even after loving someone else, even after Ace was just your best friend, even after you didn’t want to hurt your little sister as you claimed that night. Why?”

Closing her eyes, she rubbed her face. “I can’t tell you that Em.”

“Why?” My voice rose. Couldn’t she see how desperate I was to know the truth? The truth they were hiding.

“Just as I said, I will answer your questions as long as it’s about me. And it’s not about only me here, Em. Nor is it my secret to tell. Only Ace can give you these answers.” She blinked away the unshed tears in her own eyes. “But know that Em, there was never anything between me and Ace except just friendship. And I’d never, ever cheat on Caleb. It’s not always what it appears to be. Sometimes, you need to see beyond it.”

Her eyes pleaded me not to ask anymore questions as I sat there silently, taking in her words. What did she mean?

be? Then what was it? Maybe

there wasn’t anything between them ever did

her. “I hope you understand why I can’t tell you anything. It’s not my place to tell you this. I’m

“It’s

her hand on mine. “I know how important for everything to clear up to you to take your next decisions of your life, Em. So I’d suggest you ask him yourself. I think the time has come for you to know

I watched her in perplexion. Did I really want to know everything to take my next steps in my life

it was the time for me to know everything? Why did it feel like the truth that

phone distracted me from my

said, picking up the

a male voice spoke from

you calling from my friend’s

from Dakota’s Bar. Your friend here is drunk and alone. She’s refusing to leave and we don’t know her address. So we got your number from her emergency dial list and called you. We’d be grateful if you come and get your friend, she’s in a pretty bad state and we don’t know what to do

long has she been there?” I asked, getting

hours, miss,” replied

until I

about to close

I put

it? Who was that?” asked Tess,

I’ll tell you later everything, I’ve got to go now,” saying, I grabbed my coat and

me once you’re free. And

***

the car through an almost empty street, my gaze continued their connection with the GPS tracker of my phone. I’d never heard of that bar’s name before, and after tracing Beth’s phone, I found it was at Northern Avenue. The street infamous for old buildings, illegal casinos, small cafes and

she was doing here

eerie silence around, I felt people of this

destination at the middle of a narrow road, I double checked the location and the bar’s name. A big ‘Dakota’s Bar’ was written on a

her up and flee out of this uncanny

at the small parking lot at the corner, I found it full. And the c****o beside it explained the reason. I’d just park my car

turned to another narrow road and found there a place to park. Keeping my car there, I took my phone

my skin as I walked along the footpath, brown locks of mine swayed with the breeze. Distant music coming out from the c****o’s closed doors was the only sound I could hear

hand, she sang something in her not so pleasant slurry voice; her dark curly head rested on the rounded table at the corner. It was

a man in white shirt and red bow around his neck greeted

friend of

be here at this moment,” I said, genuinely grateful. At places like this, she could

four hours, drinking and crying non-stop. And when it was our time to close the bar, we asked her to leave but she wasn’t in

happened to

for taking care of her until I arrived,” saying, I hurried

“Emmm! You’re ‘ere! I was soooo lonely.” She tugged at my hand. “Come, sit ‘ere! Now we’re going

out of her forehead, her cheeks were streaked with dried

I hoped everything was alright. I’d talk to her once she was sober. But

more. Let’s go, we’re leaving.” I tried to get her up

to go! Need more drinks, an’ you’ll drink with me,”

man shuffled in his place, eying his wrist. The whole bar was empty, he was just waiting for us to leave

need to go!” Forcing her to stand up, I wrapped one of her arms

want a drink!” she complained, but walked along me

give you one once we’re back home. Now let’s go,” I said to her and then glanced at the man. He offered if I needed help but I denied. Paying her bill, I thanked him again and carried her out

her the way my car was parked. Some wobbling figures appeared and disappeared

she started crying again, mumbling something incoherent under

alright. We’re almost

my spine as I felt eyes on me. My gaze flickered around, but there was no one. Only two dogs passed across the

footsteps behind me, i’d to turn

the other end of the street. But there was no

I came here? No, it must’ve been another car. There wasn’t only one Range Rover out there. But that