The Trap Of Ace By Eva Zahan
Chapter 18

"This is not a way to dance. No one dances like this," I complained, huffing. "I'm not anyone, Rosebud. I'm Achilles Valencian.

I don't follow rules, I make them," he said, pulling me deeper into his arms. Sighing, I gave up. While the others moved around the dance floor, he didn't let even an inch of distance between us. When his one hand should be in one of mine and the other on my waist, both of his strong arms were firmly wrapped around me, keeping me against his chest. And mine were locked around his neck. He wouldn't even move freely, just slow sways. As if no one in the world was watching us. But the glares of both single and taken women were unignorable. When my neck started to hurt, craning to look at him all the time, I rested my cheek on his chest.

Closing my eyes, I let him move us around in slow waves. His scent with every intake of breath lulled me to peace. I remained silent as he played with my hair. "Don't cut those hair ever again." My eyes opened, but I didn't move my head from his warmth.

He was talking about that time when I'd cut them short, assuming he liked it that way. "Why?" I whispered. I didn't have any plans to do something I'd done years ago out of my naivety. I was my own person now. "Because it looks beautiful on you.

And, this is the real you. I don't want you to change for someone else." I froze. So he did notice my change for him? He noticed how I became into someone else just to catch his eyes? His words touched something deep inside me. He didn't want me to change for anyone, even for him? Not that I was gonna do anything for him. His fingers brushed against the fabric of my dress after he was done playing with my hair. Even if he did mind me not wearing his gift, he didn't show it.

Though the appreciation in his eyes for my appearance was clear. And I hated to admit it, but I liked it. I liked the way he looked at me every time we met. I hated to love it all. His gaze on me, his touch, his warmth, his scent, his dominance, everything single thing. And I'd no idea how to stop myself from adoring these feelings. My hand snaked to his left shoulder. "Does it still hurt?" "No. Just a little sore, that's it."

I nodded, still roaming my hand from his shoulder to his chest. The sharp inhale of his pulled me out of my trance. Pulling away from his chest, I once again tried to maintain some distance. And this time, he let me.

But just to some inches. It was better than nothing. I could at least breath. Glancing over his shoulder, I caught Caleb and Tess moving with the rhythm of the music.

Love and adoration shone in their eyes as they whispered and laughed among each other, lost in their own world. Some unsought memories again crawled back into my mind.

I moved away from his grasp, making him narrow his eyes. "Where do you think you're going?" "I need to use the washroom," I mumbled, already walking away, not waiting for his response. He didn't follow, but his gaze did until I was out of the sight.

Dodging the strolling people and rushing kids, I kept moving. I didn't know where I was going. But I didn't want to stay near him anymore either. Why do I always forget that what pain he can cause me again? His unintentional act occurred irreparable damage to my heart.

And what'd happen when he'd do it on purpose? No, I can't live through another one. Gulping the pressure in my throat as I turned the corner, a hand grabbed my elbow, turning me around. "Stop running away from him, Em. You're hurting yourself by doing so."

I shook my head. "I'm protecting myself, Casie. If I don't run away, I will definitely get hurt. And this time, I don't know if I can handle it." When I turned to leave, she stopped me again. "You can't know what'll happen until you give it a chance. And for that you'll have to stay.

Stay and see where your heart takes you this time," she said, eyes serious. "I can't!" I snapped. Why didn't she understand my point? Didn't she know how much I suffered? "Yes, you can.

Just because something bad happened in the past, doesn't mean it will happen again. You don't even know the whole truth of what exactly happened that night and why. You're having this doubt that something is missing here, don't you? Then why all of this?" She exhaled a long breath, eyes softening up. "Look, Em. You know really well what your heart desires.

Even after years you couldn't move on from him. And now that your life is giving you another chance, don't let it go." I clutched the bracelet, and blinked away the tears that threatened to well up. She placed a hand on my shoulder. "He already took his steps towards you. It's your turn now.

Don't let your fears steal the one thing that will worth it in the future." I looked at her. "When did you become so sensible?" The side of the lips twitched as she lifted her shoulders, her strawberry blonde locks bouncing along. "I was born sensible. Now don't change the subject. You're getting what I'm trying to say?" I sighed. "I don't know what to do, Casie. I'm confused." "Then clear your every confusion. Go and talk to him. And if not, then talk to Tess. I think other than Achilles, only she can answer your every question." *** After I was done in the washroom, I rechecked my appearance and decided to join the party again.

I'd taken extra moments than I needed considering the advice Casie provided. I didn't know what fate would bring out of Ace and my relationship, even if there was something, but I wanted to know everything that had happened in the past.

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Because hearing Tess's confession that night on the rooftop and observing Ace's behavior and hints of knowing of my feelings years ago, forced me to think beyond.

There was definitely something I didn't know. And even there wasn't. Even if whatever I saw was true, maybe they... could have something in them, or maybe it was just a heat of a moment, whatever it was, I wanted to know everything. Because until I didn't know the truth, I'll continue to suffer thinking of the possibilities.

Maybe I should just talk to Tess. Walking down the hallway, I stopped at my track.

When everyone was enjoying the night, he stood there before the huge window, alone. Hands in his pockets, he stared out into the dark sky. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes illuminated an emptiness... loneliness. My heart tugged at this.

I wanted to reach out and wash away the emptiness in him and bring back the light I used to see in his eyes. A long sigh caught my attention. Caleb and Tess stood aside the pillar situated near the staircase.

They watched Ace just as I was a moment ago. Tess put a hand on Caleb's shoulder as a sadness washed over his face, his gaze fixed on his cousin. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have been forcing him again and again to come here. Even after knowing how much this place gives him pain, how much he hates this mansion."

She rubbed his back. "Don't blame yourself, Cal. You just wanted your brother to stand beside you in your happiness, that's all. And see, even after everything he came. Maybe he's finally ready to move on from his past? He can't always live into that darkness, can he?" A light chuckle left him. "We both know why he came here both at that celebration night and this evening."

Her lips turned up into a smile. "Yeah, for his Rosebud." My heart stopped in my chest. F-for me? And they knew about it? When I glanced back at him, he was gone. Where did he go? My eyes roamed around the vast mansion that he grew up in.

How could the place he spent most of his life give him pain? And what past they were talking about? Then I remembered. His father's suicide. His father killed himself when he was just eighteen.

Though he was never that close to his dad, I remembered how he looked up to him as his hero, an inspiration. And after his sudden demise, his life changed, he changed. I still remembered how he grew distant with everyone, even with Tobias and Tess after that incident.

Maybe that's why he chose to leave this mansion when Caleb decided to stay back. He didn't want the memories of his father to haunt him. Something squeezed in my chest. I couldn't even understand how much he must have gotten hurt coming back here. But he did. For me.

My legs started to move even before I knew, eyes searching around for any glimpse of him. I wouldn't give any explanation why, but I wanted to be there for him right now.

Maybe I could give him some comfort? But where was he? He wasn't anywhere in the party. Looking up, I got a fleeting shadow of his disappearing into the first floor.

Not wasting anymore time, I followed. Climbing up the stairs, I strode to the way he went. But all I found was an empty hallway. I just saw him come here. Where did he go all of a sudden? My eyes searched for him some more, but there was no trace of him.

Then the east wing came into my view. Maybe he went that way? Not hesitating, I entered into the east wing. Even the shadowed corridors didn't stop me.

Though it did look eerie. I didn't know how Tess and Caleb stayed here alone in this huge Palace. From what I remembered from last time I came here, everything was changed now. From the antique furniture, to the colors of the walls, everything was replaced with modern contemporary interior.

Gone the old house that they got from their ancestors. I halted in my steps as something caught my peripheral vision. Stepping back, I stood at the head of the hallway. And there he was. What was he doing in front of that door? His hands still remained in his pockets as he stood there immobile.

But this time, his frame was rigid, eyes darker than I ever encountered. The hatred his gaze held as he stared at the door sent shivers down my spine. But other than hatred, there was... pain and something else that I couldn't decipher. Another tug in my chest urged me to go near him. But I stayed still. Something about his tensed demeanor warned me to stay away.

But I couldn't just stay back and watch him like that. So I moved. But as soon as I started to approach, he turned around and stormed away. "Ace!" running ahead, I called out for him. But he was already gone.

I glanced at the door he was staring at with such hatred. While all the other doors were replaced and new, this one remained the same, old crafted dark wood door. And... it was locked.

Whose room is it? And why is it locked unlike every other room around here? This can't be a storeroom either, because storerooms are in the basement.

Touching the lock, I tried to budge it knowing it was useless. "I'm afraid Achilles wouldn't like it very much if he replaces out you're snooping around in a place, where you shouldn't." Who do you it is? And what secret Ace is hiding into his past? Tell me your guesses in the comments!