The Trap Of Ace By Eva Zahan
Chapter 8

"Come onnn, Em! You can't sit here with that gloomy face. Don't worry about the job, just ennjoy, girl! Everything will be fine," Molly, one of my college friends, slurred, leaning against the bar counter. "Here take this drink, you'll feel good." I shook my head. "I'm not in a mood. So I'd just pass."

She pouted. But as I didn't drink the shot she offered to me, shrugging, she gulped it herself.

Kate and John, my other friends and circle's popular couple, shook their heads at her and went back to their cuddling.

We were at a local pub with our college friends. After they got to know about Warner's getting the job, they wanted to celebrate it. So here we were, enjoying the night. Except me. Too many thoughts were playing in my head to get wasted with alcohol.

"Here, at least drink this orange juice. It's really good, I tell you." Warner handed me a glass, sipping on his own.

"Thanks!" My eyes went around the dancing crowd and the moving lights. Even the booming music didn't make my mood better.

"Hey!" He turned me to him. "Don't worry, alright? I'm sure you'll get it."

I smiled and then he got busy with the others, laughing and joking. And I just concentrated on my juice in silence.

You can't escape from me anymore.

What did he mean by that? Whatever he said that night, at the parking lot, and then that message, what do I think out of it? Why all of a sudden he was behaving like he... like he'd some right over me or something. All these years, he didn't even ask about me to anyone. And now...

A sigh left my lips. He confused me. I confused myself, or should I say my feelings did. Even knowing he could give me an another heartache, why did I still feel so connected to him?

"Em? You're here with us, right? You seem lost," Kate asked.

"My love, you know why she isn't in a good mood tonight. We're pestering her from the moment she arrived. Leave her alone," John said, kissing her temple, and then pulled her for a kiss. The others gagged at their PDA, laughing. Something soared in my chest and subconsciously, my hand touched the corner of my lips. The place where his scorching mouth was just nights ago.

Warner's pocking me pulled me out of my reverie. Looking at his eyes, guilt washed over me like a cold bouquet of ice. My hand balled into a fist.

How could I think of someone's kiss when I was sitting right beside my boyfriend? Shame befell on me. But I couldn't control my feelings even if I wanted to. The beeping of my phone distracted my sense of shame. My eyes widened when I checked it.

An email from Coopers Fabrics!

I squealed as soon as I read it, making Warner and others watch me with confusion. Grinning ear to ear, I leaped up from my seat. "I did it! I got the job!" Whistles and cheers resonated around the group as they congratulated me one by one. Warner seemed as happy as I was and engulfed me in a bear hug. Finally, after so many days something good happened in my life.

"Now that our dear Emerald got the job, it's time to double celebrate!" John yelled out. "And you Miss-" he pointed at me, "-no more gloomy face, enjoy with us now!"

Kate and Molly bobbed their heads as they passed me glasses of shots. And this time, I didn't hold myself back. And why not? It was a matter of celebration.

After hours of drinking and spending time with everyone, I was swaying on my feet. I couldn't even walk properly without stumbling on my way. Once everyone called it a night, John and Kate offered to drop me and Warner. As the couple drank less and got cozy more.

"Careful, Em!" Warner cautioned when I got out of the car with wobbly legs.

"Bye, guys! We'll see you soon!" shouted Kate, even if we were just outside the car. I cringed at her high pitched voice.

Waving at them, I hobbled towards my house. My eyes were about to shut down.

"You sure you don't want me to drop you to your home?" I heard John ask Warner.

"Nah, my place is just two blocks away. Thanks, man! You guys can go now. It's late," Warner replied.

Again saying goodbyes, they drove off. The sound of car engine reverberated across the empty street. Only one or two dogs barking at distance could be heard other than our footsteps.

"Hey, hey! Careful there!" He held my shoulders before I could fall on my face before my main door.

"I'm fine, Warner." I giggled without any reason. "You don't worry about me. You go home, I will just fly into my room from here in no time."

"I don't think so. You can barely walk straight, Em. Let me help you to your room," he offered.

"I can walk just fine. And I'm already at my home. So I will be fine. You go." I insisted, fumbling the keys out of my purse.

"But... you sure?" He seemed hesitant.

I bobbed my head without looking at him. Sighing, he gripped my chin and pressed his lips against mine.

I stood there still, not returning the affection. Something told me to pull away, but I didn't.

Suddenly at the corner of my eyes, I caught a movement. Pulling away, I squinted my eyes to see clearly. There, at the furthest corner of the street, opposite of ours, stood a shadow under the damaged street light. Its body was angled to us. Goosebumps crawled up onto my skin as I felt its gaze on me. Though I couldn't make out anything out of it as it was in the darkness, but I could feel it. Its stare.

"What happened? What are you looking at?" Just as Warner turned around, it vanished totally into the shadow. "Is something wrong there?"

"I think I just saw someone there."

"But there is no one, Em. Who would be there at this late night?" Warner frowned. "But if you're not feeling good, I can stay the night if you want."

My head snapped back to him, blinking. "Uh, no, it's fine. It could be my imagination. I think, I drank too much tonight. You go home, I will be fine." Though it could really be just my imagination, but after that, I wasn't feeling that high right now. My head seemed to get cleared up.

"Alright, if you insist." Yawning, he gave me a hug. "I will go now. See you later. And call me if you need anything."

As he walked away, my eyes flickered to that spot where I saw that shadow, but there was no one. It must be my imagination. Shaking my head, I opened my door and closed it behind me.

***

"Em, you should sleep well, especially if it's the night before your first day at job," Mom chastised over the phone for me not sleeping enough last night properly.

Well, after returning home at midnight, I only had two hours of sleep until I woke up with another dream of a particular person. And then the hangover came along. Even though after two pain killers, I got some relief, I couldn't fall asleep after that. Excitement and nervousness had kept me wide awake. It was six in the morning, and here I was, pacing around the hall out of anticipation. "Anyway, when will your office start again?"

"At nine." Three hours more to go. And I already could feel my hands and feets turning cold.

"There is still so much time. You could still take a nap for an hour, you know, honey? I don't want you to look like a zombie on your first day." When I'd informed her about the job, she was over the moon. She was way more excited for my job than I was. And I was happy about that. At least she wasn't upset with me for leaving all of a sudden anymore.

"It's alright, Mom. I'm fine. I won't fall asleep even if I want. So I will just make some breakfast for me now and then get ready."

"Oh, okay then. Don't forget to call me after your office, I want to know how did it go, alright? And eat something healthy," she said.

I smiled. "Alright, mother. I will. Now can I go? I've not even taken a shower."

"Okay, okay. Go. Your father is waiting for me outside for jogging anyway. I will talk to you later. Love you!"

"Love you, too!"

***

The doorbell rang, halting my movement around the kitchen. I glanced at the clock.

Seven-thirty. Who could be here so early in the morning?

A grey head peaked through the peephole.

"Carole? What are you doing here today? I thought you'd be at your daughter's place on vacation," I asked as the aged woman stood at my door with a box in her hand.

Carole was the caretaker my parents hired for me when I shifted to this city. Since then she'd come and look after my needs every morning and evening. Even though I could handle everything myself, this lady wouldn't budge from her duty to take care of me.

"Good morning, Ms. Hutton. It seems you're not happy to see me here," she said, raising her brow.

Shaking my head, I laughed, giving her a hug. "Of course, I'm happy. I was just surprised to see you here as you still had two days off in your hands."

She walked inside, padding directly into the kitchen. Her primary responsibility, feeding me well. Well, because obviously, I sucked at cooking. It was never my forte.

"I was supposed to. Even Mindy was upset that I left so soon. But you see, dear, the cold weather didn't suit me well. So I cut it short and came back last night." Mindy was her daughter, who lived in Canada. And once a year, Carole goes to visit her because her daughter can't make it here because of her job. "You should've taken the day off today and rest, you know?"

"So that you could eat these dry sandwiches for another day?" She glanced at the leftover bread I was gonna make my breakfast with spread on the counter. Flashing her a sheepish grin, I hopped on a chair and eyed the box she brought.

"What's in that?"

"Oh, I almost forgot. I brought you some cookies I got from Canada. They're delicious, you will love them." She smiled with affection in her eyes. Though she was a caretaker of me, she has become more of a family for me over those years. She loved me just as a grandma would to their grandkids.

"You didn't have to, Carole. But thank you!" Unpacking the box, I picked up a cookie and munched on it. And the moan that left my mouth, had her smile in acknowledgement.

These were amazing!

"You eat them while I make you something for breakfast," saying that she went to do her magic in the kitchen while I devoured the cookies. Who needed breakfast if you had these pieces of heaven?

***

Blowing out a breath, I checked myself in the rearview one last time before getting out of the car. The huge building stood tall over me. It felt like a deja Vu. But I just hoped today wouldn't turn out like last time.

Forcing my legs, I raised my chin high and walked ahead. But as soon as I crossed the entrance, my steps halted.

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People were like on a marathon around the lobby, coming in and out with boxes, racing around with loads of folders. No one left another even a single glance as they ran like headless chicken. Even the receptionist was having difficulties attending so many phone calls at a time.

A frown set on my forehead. What was happening here?

"Hi! Actually it's my first day here, so can you tell me where Lucinda is..."

The receptionist cut me off with her hand, and picked up another call. Her looks were disheveled compared to the other day. She looked miserable.

"Excuse me? Can please tell me..."

She again ignored me for the third time of my asking, and then my eyes fell on the packed box on her left. Was she- leaving?

Some other stuff were also carrying those same boxes with crestfallen faces. What was happening?

"Oh, Ms. Hutton! You're already here, I see. Good that I found you now, otherwise I don't think I'd have any time later to discuss anything with you. Now, follow me."

She didn't even let me speak as she turned around and stormed away, leaving me no chance but to follow her.

"You see, there is a lot of work today. So I won't take much time of yours. Sadly, Mr. Cooper is not here right now, otherwise he'd inform you all newcomers himself," she informed, not stopping her steps a bit.

It was good that he wasn't here. I preferred my environment pure and breathable.

"Uh, what is going on here? And what information Mr. Cooper was supposed to tell us?" I queried, but that woman ignored me, walking inside a spacious cabin.

"Here!"

"What's it?" I eyed the white envelope she handed me. Something churned in my stomach. Oh no! Was I already fired for some reason?

"Your transfer letter," she replied, no emotions on her face. "You've been transferred to another city in one of this company's branches."

"What?" I gaped. "What do you mean by transfer letter? I- I don't understand. What's happening?"

She sighed. "We apologise for the sudden decision, Ms. Hutton. But Coopers Fabrics had been sold to a multinational company last night. A lot of employees have lost their jobs, some even got appointed. You're lucky that the new owner didn't terminate the newcomers and decided to give them a chance."

My mouth was on the floor, eyes wide. Someone bought it overnight? But how was it possible? And about my transfer, I didn't have any idea of which corner of the country they've shifted me.

"Is there no other way to change the decision? I mean, I can't just leave everything and move to a whole new city all of a sudden." My voice desperate.

"Sadly, no. We're doing what we'd been ordered to do. We're just doing our job, Ms. Hutton," she said, glancing at her watch. "Now, I've something else to attend to. If you will excuse me. All the best for your future." "But, I..." And she was already gone.

I just stood there, flabbergasted. What the h**I just happened?

I glanced down at the letter. Only G*d knew.

With shaky hands, I pulled the paper out and unfolded it. My heart stopped beating in my chest.

G*d! It's not happening! It can't be.

Now the crestfallen expression was slapped on my face as I walked out of the ominous building and pulled my phone out, dialled the number. After some rings, he picked up. "Hello?"

"I'm coming back."