The Trap Of Ace

Read The Trap Of Ace [by Eva Zahan] Chapter 65 – Once in the newly organized study, I found it much similar to his cabin in the office, and of course, decorated with my chosen furniture.

Except one thing.

A huge picture frame on the wall, covered with a white sheet. The same one I saw in this room during my last visit. I still remembered that blue diamond ring in her finger that was left unconcealed. But this time the sheet hid it whole.

I had the same question again. Whose picture was that?

Still securely clutching my hand in his, he stood before the picture. A soft sigh left him.

“Ace?” My voice came out as a whisper.

Rising his hand, he tugged at the sheet, letting it fall on the floor. My eyes widened slightly.

It wasn’t a picture. It was a painting. Painting of his mother, Ophelia.

As graceful and sophisticated as ever, she stood there with her head held high and confidence sparkling in her blue eyes. The navy blue velvety gown hugged her petite body perfectly when dark red lipstick sat on her lips, bringing her smile more into life. Then the blue diamond on her finger. It was evidence of her high class status and taste.

Whoever drew this painting was a h**l of a talented painter. They brought this painting to life so beautifully. One could easily mistaken this as a picture instead.

“She’s looking beautiful, as always,” I complemented.

He nodded. “She always wanted to get herself a painting of hers. And she finally did it on my sixteenth birthday.” With his gaze fixed on his mother’s face, he spoke in a low voice, “She was very happy that night.”

Though it sounded like he was telling a happy story, I could hear the pain behind his voice. The way he let out a defeated sigh, my heart clenched for him. He missed her.

I placed a hand on his shoulder. Turning to me, he gave me a close lipped smile.

“She loved this canvas, and always kept it in her room. But since… since she didn’t take it with her when she left, it remained in that dark old room. So I thought why not bring it here.” One of his shoulders lifted into a shrug. “As much as I didn’t want to open the memories of my past, I couldn’t leave this like that. I had to bring at least one of the things related to her over here.”

I squeezed his hand. “You did the right thing. Just because of some bad memories, we can’t just abandon the ones we spent in felicity. I’m glad you’re starting to cherish those memories even if you don’t want to think about your past.”

I was happy that he was opening up to me. He had never talked to me about his mother before like that. But he was doing it now. Yes, it wasn’t much, but it was a beginning. I hoped he’d let me in properly soon.

He kissed the back of my hand. “Honestly, even though I brought it here, I wasn’t planning to hang it here. My first plan was to lock it in the basement. But then,” his eyes met mine, “I remembered your words. The same ones you had told me at Tess’s rehearsal. I thought over it. You were right, until I can’t accept my past, I can’t move on with my present. I can’t be at peace. So I…”

“So you decided to keep it here?”

Nodding, he took my hands to his lips again.

one of the best decisions you took, you

smiled. “Come, there’s

followed him closely as he went around his desk that sat in the middle of the room and got out an album.

beside me as I flipped the pages. Some of them were even from their childhood. Two little chubby kids were grinning at the camera with their mouths smeared with chocolate. And I didn’t have any difficulties pointing out which one was my man, with the gorgeous stormy grey

the picture in awe. “You were so adorable back then.” He looked barely three

you mean? I’m not

his lips. “No, you’re not adorable now.” At

across his eyes as he let out a chuckle, circling

looking at a photo of him and Caleb eating cookies with both of their mouths and hands

his features. “When grandma used to babysit us. When we would be alone in the house, Mom used to call grandma over to look after us before leaving for work. And being the kind woman she was, she always used

never met that woman, the fondness in his tone made

“Where is she now?”

look,

sorry,” I

here she is.” He pointed at a picture of a woman smiling at the camera with her grey hair tied in a bun on the top of her head and two little kids on her lap. “After the d***h of Caleb’s parents and mine’s being busy all the time, she took

lovingly at me, a blush crept up my

too! She sounds

my

came an old picture of a couple. I

answered my confusion. They were a beautiful

alone, it was with his grandma and Caleb’s parents. I knew that he purposely avoided keeping his parents’ photos in there. Especially his father’s. From what I got to know, he had a strong dislike towards his dad. That’s why even if he talked about his mom to me, he never mentioned his father. His parents’ subject was a sore one for him. That could be

was glad that he was at least trying to cope up

showed me some of the trophies he won at his college. Those shining trophies were proof of his being active in sports, he was a born winner in everything. He even told me how sports and gym helped him with his d**g addiction. He spent most of his time behind them to keep his mind busy and away from

I felt to him. And I couldn’t be any happier that he was opening up to me, letting me

match! So to make up my ruined mood, he made me lunch. My favorite, cheesy garlic shrimps and chocolate cupcakes.

took me out to the open meadow that was filled with roses. The same one he showed me from our bedroom’s

daylight. The beauty of the freshly bloomed roses, the green meadow, the lush grass and the gentle breeze filled with faint fragrance of flowers just blew my mind away. I could definitely spend the rest of my life over here without any complaint. And the thing that he groomed this place with rose plants for me, only made it more special to

it’d be a great place for children to play around. Of course, I didn’t voice out my fast forwarded thoughts and let

***

of the robe around my waist, I bit my

was waiting for me in the pool. The rooftop swimming pool I was quite excited to swim in. After the whole afternoon exploring the

aware where he was taking me or we were gonna swim, I did wear matching black

looked quite good in those, s**y to say. I was just wondering what his reaction

where he was patiently waiting for me. With his back facing me, he stood in the water with a glass of fruit champagne we bought from the market