The Trap Of Ace novel

The amber rays colored the horizon, manifesting a crown of crimson and pink above the setting sun. Lines of birds flew alongside across the sky in the direction of their shelter; melodic twitters of them felt like an announcement for the darkness to befall.

I took in a deep breath, filling my lungs with the cool evening air.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Dad said, sitting on the car hood beside me.

I nodded, a smile curved onto my lips. "Yes, very. Thank you for bringing me here, Dad. It's been so long since I last visited. I really missed our sunrises and sunsets."

We used to come to this meadow at least once a week. Well, at least me, Dad and Tobias. Mom and Tess were too lazy to join every time. It was like a tradition for us. The tradition my grandfather started with Dad. But after my shifting to NY, I couldn't join Dad and Tobias anymore.

"Me too, princess. Without you, our visits here didn't have the same meaning." His tone filled with nostalgia.

"Yeah, that idiot had all the fun for himself," I joked, mentioning my brother. He couldn't join us due to an important meeting this evening. "But I'm happy that you came here with me this time. It's my turn today to have all the fun." I grinned.

Chuckling, he shook his head. "Nah, our time here became pretty boring as even Achilles stopped joining us after you left for your high school."

My smile slipped at the mention of his name.

He used to accompany us regularly to watch the sunrises and sunsets. But after his father's death, his visits became less, until it stopped totally. I still remember my extra enthusiasm for the ride here even at four in the morning to see him. Meeting him was more important for me than watching anything else.

I heard Dad heaving a sigh. "Sometimes we've to let go of the past to live our present, Emerald. Because until you live your present, you won't be able to accept your future."

I knew what he was trying to say. Though my family hadn't said anything, but I knew everyone'd sensed my distance with Ace even after so many years. But I couldn't explain anything to them even if I wanted. They didn't know the whole truth, so they couldn't understand.

"But what if it's too difficult to let go of the past?"

His blue gaze locked with mine. "Nothing is impossible, sweetheart. Sometimes we indulge ourselves so deep in our pain that we can't see anything past that. All you've to do is, open your heart a little more, be a little more greater, and let go of the grudges. Don't let the past hold you from your happiness of the present."

I put my head on his shoulder, saying nothing.

Could I do it? Could I be that brave to let go of everything and move on? I haven't been able to in years.

The buzz of my phone cut my thoughts.

"Who is it?"

I put my phone back. "Casie. She and Beth want us to have dinner together at our regular."

Nodding his head, his gaze turned back to the chromatic horizon.

After spending some more time talking and refreshing memories, we headed back to home. Once dropping him off, I turned the car around and drove to Nova's Diner, where the girls were waiting for me.

But all the way, the only thing that consumed my mind was, Dad's words. I knew he was right. I couldn't let go of the past because I held grudges. Grudges against my sister, grudges against Ace, grudges against myself.

I could understand the reason I blamed Tess and myself, for being so naive. But Ace, he didn't deserve my hatred. He'd never promised to take care of my heart that I'd blamed him to break it. But the heart couldn't see anything other than its ache. And it knew, it'd to hurt others if it wanted to prevent another ache.

After talking to Tess last night, I decided to give us another chance. Maybe it was time to let go. Even if it was just a tiny step, but it was something. I couldn't just hold over something that happened years ago.

And maybe, it wasn't all I thought it was. Last night's conversation flashed in my mind.

"Did you love him?"

Her eyes didn't flicker as she answered, "No."

"Then why did you do it? Why did you do it even after knowing that you'd be hurting me by doing that?" I asked, my voice was desperate.

A look of sorrow had covered her features. "I didn't want to hurt you, Em. I'd never hurt my little sister like that, no matter how much we were different from each other."

"Then why?"

apology. "I'm sorry, Em. I can't tell you

didn't explain anything after that, just told me to think over her request and left, leaving me alone and

hiding?

***

forgive her?" asked Casie, raising a

twirling the fork

is too short to hold grudges forever.

things only sounds good in your stupid books. They're

I sent her a look of reprimand, causing her to roll her eyes and taking a sip from her

sister if she'd done something like that to me. Thank

Em! You do whatever your heart says." She wiggled in her seat. "Uh, now that you

in the first place, but trying to get my relationship good with him meant sacrificing my heart

your wish didn't get granted at all,"

eyes widened when I followed her gaze to the furthest

a gasp from Beth. "What's he doing

She sat right beside him, too close

his shoulder. And he too reciprocated with a soft smile he only displayed on

eyes set on her hand on his shoulder.

I thought he didn't have any barbies in his life." Casie

throwing me a concerned

didn't mean

is here or not, or whom he brought here. We're here to enjoy our dinner, and we will just do that." I casted another glance back at them. She was now whispering something in his ear; the grip on my

"You sure?" Beth whispered.

in my mouth, not wanting to give them any attention. But it was difficult when her

and Casie sent daggers at them with their hostile looks.

and here I thought his sending

he did and said at the race track, it proves that he likes you. I

look too cosy to

or not. Why should I anyway? It's not that I'm his girlfriend or something. And whatever he did

seemed to lose my appetite. Even if I didn't want to, my eyes went back to them.

and his hand patting hers. And my

announcing

his lack of attention, she followed his gaze. Her eyes widened slightly as she untangled herself from him once she noticed the direction of my stare. But he remained as comfortable as he was. As

why would he? It's not that he really did care for you or he'd any

a sudden, I felt suffocated.

grabbing my purse. Casie and Beth went

went to protest, I shook my head. "Don't. I will see you

purse in a vice grip. My

to go away. I

the exit, a shoulder bumped

held my shoulder, his face morphed into concern. The flash of lightning fell

him an answer, I moved away and walked into the open

It's raining!" he called out behind

across my arms as the water drops pricked my skin. But it didn't stop me, this storm was

did bother me. It did bother me to see him with that girl even if I didn't have any right over

It hurt like a bitch! And that's what frustrated me. I didn't

car wasn't parked where I left it. The valet must've parked it in the parking lot. So ignoring the rain and howling wind, I

me to get over him? What'd it take for my heart to heal the wound that I'd

tear that slipped from my eye, the pouring rain washed it away. I hope it

A shout of my name

yelled out some curses driving away when my gaze remained in no particular direction with my

God damn it!" His shaking

with his lady

him away. "It's not that you'd care if