The Trap Of Ace

Read The Trap Of Ace [by Eva Zahan] Chapter 45 – “I didn’t know you were so eager to ruin your sister’s rehearsal dinner. Inviting your ex and present lover at the same time? And when the lover is a fiercely possessive one,” Casie tasked, glancing behind me.

My heart skipped a beat. Swirling around, I found Warner strolling in the backyard. Noticing him, Tess and Caleb walked up to him, giving him welcoming hugs.

Sighing, I turned back.

“What’s with the sullen face?” she asked, the side of her lips tugged up into a devilish smirk. “Expected someone else?”

Glaring at her, I took a sip on my lemonade.

It’s been an hour we’d arrived at Tess’s rehearsal dinner at Valencian Mansion. A BBQ party was held in the vast backyard of the mansion before the dinner. The trees were lit with fairy lights and a small bonfire was set in the middle. While Mom, Dad and some of our uncle and aunts sat around the fire to keep themselves warm in the early winter night, Tess, Tobias, Caleb and their friends took care of the BBQ meats.

It was just more like a small get-together with close family and friends than a rehearsal dinner. Tess didn’t want it to be a formal event, she wanted to have some cool time with everyone.

Though I was happy with her decision, I even had a polite conversation with her after arriving here, I couldn’t help but feel bored.

Well, worried to be exact.

There was no sight of him yet. And I could understand why. Coming to the house he’d faced so many hurdles in his childhood wasn’t an easy thing to do.

Tess and Caleb had their new home not far from ours ready to shift after their marriage. And after the ceremony, they’ll leave this mansion to their new home for a new start. The main reason for them to keep this dinner over here, they wanted to spend some quality time before they left this place. And I couldn’t be mad at them for that.

But that didn’t make his pain any less. Already two times he’d come here for me. But I didn’t know if he could do it again and again.

So even if I dreaded of the outcome once Ace finds Warner here, I was more concerned of his state of mind right now. My hands itched to call him, but I just kept them in control.

I was mad at him, right? I couldn’t just call him to ask if he was alright. He’d think I forgot everything and forgave him. Which I didn’t.

Well, not yet…

“Can you stop getting lost into his thoughts? Just call him and get over with it.” She rolled her smokey eyes which went well with her black cocktail dress and high heels. “You’re not even talking to me properly. Are you ignoring me here?”

Turning away from her, I leaned against the small drink bar situated not far from the bonfire. “I’m not lost into his thoughts. And yes, I’m ignoring you. You just realized that? Now why’d I talk to a friend who joins hands with the enemy.”

“Enemy?” Her brows crinkled.

“Uh-huh. Enemy.” I threw her a look. “You told Ace about me and Warner’s break-up. And I had no idea about it. You should be in my gang to kick his a*s with me, but here you’re, passing information to him about my life?”

With wide eyes, she flashed me a sheepish grin. “Oh, so you’re mad for that.” She cleared her throat. “It’s not my fault. When you weren’t responding to his calls or messages, he’d ruined my peace to know what was going into your mind as he thought you’d share everything with me as your best friend. So to have a good night’s sleep, I had to pass him something to calm the beast, you know?”

my head at

to know sooner or later,” she added. “Now stop being a grumbling a*s and call him. And don’t make any excuses.

Was it that obvious?

way, does he still send you

Why’d she ask that? She knew really well the flowers

me. I’ll drop

“Why’d I give

with the back of her hand. “That day is my current date’s b***h elder sister’s birthday. And I’ve to attend her formal family brunch with something in my hands. Now why’d I waste my money to buy something for her when I

not surprised at all. Typical Cassandra McCoy. When it came to the people

are ready!” Mom beckoned us with her hand, serving the

forget the flowers!” saying that, Casie skipped off to the

air kissed my b**e arms, pricking goosebumps across my skin. While rubbing my arms

as I ran my thumb softly on it. After acknowledging the fact that he was one who gave it to me, it felt more closer to my heart than ever. As if it was one of my

Where is he anyway?

my left when I heard footsteps approaching. And

smiles and shared

glad you could make out some time for the dinner, Arthur. I hope you didn’t have to cancel too many of

Due to Ace’s trust in him, he saw if everything was going smooth for those projects to get completed on time and without any problems. Not to forget, he

Nothing is more important than family,” he said, fishing a small rectangular velvety box out from his pants pocket. “Here, I got you

as she took the box from his hand and opened it. The perfectly arched brows of her rose to

to buy me such an expensive gift

“Nothing is as expensive as the smile I got to see on my

eyes filled with moisture as Caleb pulled her into his arms, starting a conversation

could be dangerous for someone?” Warner’s voice

My eyes didn’t move away from him. Something glowed

at him. With a formal white button down and dark slacks, he had a glass of

nodded. “Yes. I even gave him the address you messaged me about Arthur’s business in the UK. He already

want his truth.” So that I could disclose him before Ace and throw him out of his and my family’s

But… are you sure you want to do this, Em? If

“I’m not scared of him. And don’t worry, your

Achilles anyway? I thought he wouldn’t leave another chance

me. I could understand his concern for me, but I didn’t like the fact that he thought I’d do anything Ace would tell me. I had

Though unintentionally, I’d hurt him. And I knew he wasn’t over our past yet. And it was leading him to grow bitterness

move on soon. He had every right to be happy in his life with someone who’d