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.

to see

center table back in its place, he brought a bottle of Whiskey and two glasses for us

in a mood of drinking right now, Warner. And you shouldn’t

off phone was in my

must be going crazy

glass won’t do anything. And I’m fine, don’t worry about

head, hesitating. I didn’t come here to drink here with him. Though I already said sorry several times, I wasn’t sure if he really

me? Can’t you do that

had me sigh. Nodding my head, I took the glass in my hand. The bright smile

the whole substance in one go and slammed the glass on the table. I frowned

too much tonight? You don’t drink that

he gulped the second fill. “Situation changes a man accordingly, Emerald. And this thing,” he pointed at the bottom, “can be quite a good friend when

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

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

then.” And then came Achilles Valencian. Like a storm, he put my life upside down. And unbelievably, I still loved

back those days. Where

my mouth, he put his hand with his glass still in his grasp in the air, stopping me. A sudden

my limits here again. Sorry,

my nose, I took a sip on the drink.

him to get hurt, you know?” I changed the subject. I didn’t want

going all quiet, he just

to call Sierra again but her phone went unreachable again. I really don’t

you’re, starting with your problems again. I’m tired of listening to all your

just stared at

with me like that. Not even when he was in his shittiest mood. But his behavior was totally different from the Warner I

was

uh, sorry. I was

a sudden as he smiled. Adoration 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 this color suits you?

to pull my hand back but his grip was firm. His eyes didn’t leave my face as he

and more beautiful day by day. California’s weather is suiting you well, I can see.” His tone dropped to

from his grasp and made some distance between us. All of a sudden, I felt slightly suffocated in this room

averted my eyes. “C-can I get a towel? I need to dry my hair I guess. They’re still

for a moment, he slowly nodded his head and then stood up. Stumbling once on his

“Thanks!”

dry my hair. And he just watched me silently. An unreadable look on his face. And the way his dark brown gaze slid down my body, a chill ran down my spine. The eerie silence was

towel on the table and stood up. “Uh, I think I should go now. It’s

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 seen drunk Warner before, but

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

I’m sorry for that. But I’ve somewhere to go,” I excused. “So, uh, I’ll

up in displeasure. “It’s Achilles, isn’t it? You don’t want him to wait for you much longer. But you can definitely leave me here when all I

to meet you, right? And you also must have some packing

gaze hardened. “So everyone in your life is important for you other than me. You’ve time for everyone

and you know that. You wanted me to meet you 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 tonight, I think you

purse, when I turned to go,

give me a goodbye hug before you go? Did

brain was telling me to say no and get out from here, my heart called out for my friend. I could at

arms around him. The strong smell of alcohol filled my nostrils instead of his familiar

even a second to pull me closer in

miss you so much, Em,” he whispered in my ear, his hot breath