The Trap Of Ace

Read The Trap Of Ace [by Eva Zahan] Chapter 61 – Knocking on the door, I waited.

The hallway of the hotel was quite empty. I didn’t even notice much rush of customers around. This hotel’s being so old and deep in the city could be the reason behind it.

This was the hotel Warner was staying at for the time being. He once gave me his address to meet him there, but I couldn’t make up my time to do so. Well, I had been ignoring him a lot in the last few days, even months. And here I was thinking not to hurt him anymore.

It was my luck to have such a great friend like him. Even after everything, he was here for me.

When some moments passed and nobody answered, I knocked again. And this time I heard his voice.

“Who’s it?” asking, as he opened the door, his slightly swollen eyes met mine.

Surprise flashed in them.

“Em? Y-you came?” A uneven smile stretched across his face. “I thought you don’t care for me enough to keep my last request before I go back.”

I frowned. His words totally went ignored by me as I took in his appearance.

Disheveled hair, half tucked button down white shirt, some of the buttons were undone. The redness in his eyes, dark bags under them and the slur of his voice had me concerned.

“Warner, are you drunk?”

His shake of head was immediate. “Not at all. Was just having one or two glasses.” Rubbing his face, as if to make him look better, he held the door wide. “Come in.”

Wrapping my arms around me, I walked inside. And the crease between my forehead formed again.

He had booked a small room with an adjoined bathroom and balcony with it. It’d be pretty cosy if it wasn’t so messed up. Things were everywhere. Some of his clothes were scattered on the floor and on the bed. The cushions of the couch lied on the floor, the center table was upside down. Even the sheet of the bed was half hanging down and half covering the bed.

It seemed like a storm had passed through this room.

I glanced at Warner. He awkwardly looked around the room, before starting to pick up the cushions and his clothes.

Did he do the mess?

“Sorry, i- I was a little upset,” he said, swaying a little on his feet. “I thought you weren’t going to come to meet me. I thought I wasn’t going to see you for one last time. But…” A goofy smile tugged on his lips. “You did come. I was wrong, you do care for me. I was missing you a lot, you know?”

I smiled sadly. “Even after everything you’re saying you were missing me. Even after everything you had to go through because of me. The things Ace did to you…” Sighing, I shook my head. “I’m sorry again, Warner. I swear I had no idea about these. I wouldn’t have let him do those to you if I knew. I’m really sorry. But I promise, I’ll make everything right.”

His brown orbs met mine. “I know you wouldn’t let him do anything if you knew his intentions, Em. It’s not your fault. It’s him who ruined everything.” His tone turned bitter with the mention of Ace.

I let it pass. I myself was mad at him tonight.

“You’re just too innocent that he caught you in his trap.”

I wanted to disagree with this statement of his, but he cut me off.

“Anyways, let’s not talk about him anymore. Let’s talk about something else. Like old times,” he said, pointing towards the couch for me to sit, swaying slightly on his feet he walked towards the landline of the room. “Tea?”

“I’m fine. You don’t need to call the room service for that.” Running my hands up and down my arms, I sat on the couch. The temperature of the room was cold for my state.

“You’re soaked.”

“Yeah, got caught up in the rain on my way. You noticed it now?” I asked, glancing at him. But his somehow now darker gaze was roaming over my body clung with my thin sundress.

Averting my gaze, I tugged the end of my dress over my knees as a feeling of discomfort rose in me.

cleared his throat, shaking his head. “I was too surprised to see you here to notice

place, he brought a bottle of Whiskey and two glasses for

of drinking right now, Warner. And you shouldn’t drink

was

must be going crazy out there. Well, he deserves

don’t worry about me,” he said, pouring the liquid in both of

to drink here with him.

Can’t you do that

I took the glass in my hand. The bright smile that etched across

the whole substance in one go and slammed the glass on

tonight?

man accordingly, Emerald. And this thing,” he pointed at the bottom,

I looked down. “Well, it can’t. Because even when you’re drunk

his glass again. “Let’s not talk about the problems tonight. Let’s talk like old days. I’ve

was so simple back then.” And then came Achilles Valencian. Like

“I wish I could get back those days. Where there would

still in his grasp in the air, stopping me. A sudden dry laugh

again. Sorry,

a sip on the drink. The sweet and bitter taste of it burned down

leave Arthur’s case? Because I don’t want him to get hurt, you know?” I changed the subject. I didn’t want to argue with him on the night

quiet, he just

tried to call Sierra again

thought we were having some ‘us’ time like back in NY. And here you’re, starting with your problems again. I’m tired of listening

just stared

had never behaved with me like that. Not even when he was in his shittiest mood. But his behavior was

was the

uh, sorry. I was just a

filled his eyes as his eyes roamed on me again. “I know, my Em is always concerned for everyone.” Sliding closer, he grasped my hand. “Did I ever tell you that

his thumb brushed over my knuckle, I tried to pull my hand back but his grip was firm. His eyes didn’t leave my face as he tucked a strand of my wet hair

day. California’s weather is suiting

distance between us. All of a sudden, I felt slightly suffocated in this room with him. And I didn’t miss the way his features hardened with my reaction. His

I averted my eyes. “C-can I get a towel? I need

and then stood up. Stumbling once on his way, he went into the bathroom and then returned with a

“Thanks!”

from his hand, I started to towel dry my hair. And he just watched me silently. An unreadable look on his face. And the way

my face as I put the towel on the table and stood up. “Uh, I think I should go now. It’s getting

thought coming here, I’d have a good talk with him before he goes back. But now, I didn’t want to stay here any longer. His behavior was different tonight. I had

frown formed between his brows. “You want to leave? So soon? We

to go,” I excused. “So, uh, I’ll see you soon?” Maybe when you’re

you much longer. But you can definitely leave me here when all I wanted was just to spend some quality time with you

you also must have some packing to do. So… I’d just leave now. You get sober up and pack

in your life is important for you other than me.

here and I did. But I think I should go now. And I can’t stay in these wet clothes all night,” I explained. “As you’re leaving

turned to

give me a goodbye hug before

to him. Though my brain was telling me to say no and get out from here, my heart called out for my friend. I could at least give him a bear hug before

The strong smell of alcohol filled my nostrils instead

even a second to pull me closer in

Em,” he whispered in my ear, his hot breath fanned