LOGINShare
A shadow
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56"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.
"
Related chapters
The Trap Of Ace Meeting the red head
"So, that means you will stay here now that you've been transferred to this city?" Mom eyed me, stirring the soup on the stove. Her voice radiated felicity.Peeling another pea, I shrugged. "I don't know know. I'm thinking to apply for another transfer. Maybe they will consider it?"Staying here wasn't an option for me, but leaving this job, well, I couldn't take this risk. I'd dreamed to work at companies like this, and now that I finally got the chance, I couldn't just throw it away. The one thing that didn't make any sense was, Coopers Fabrics was one of the most successful textile companies, then what happened all of a sudden that they had to sell it overnight?"I didn't know you hate this city that much," she said, her tone fragile.I sighed. "I don't hate it here, Mom. It's just, I told you, all my plans are made around NY. And I can't just ignore them just like that.""Do you think I'm a fool
The Trap Of Ace Playing with me?
I had to crane my neck to look up at the huge skyscraper standing proud before me. Moulded with sleek glass, it reflected the whole city against it. And a huge OC Textiles was hung at the top of the building. My new office.I wasn't hoping for anything to turn out good, because from the past experiences, I knew my wish wouldn't get sanctioned anyway. But that didn't tame down the nervous flutters in my tummy. I wasn't even sure if I'd have to work here or they'd consider my request and transfer me elsewhere.Let's see what happens.Blowing out a breath, I walked inside. And I was left in awe.From the dark marble floor and classy contemporary interior, to the polished dark wood ceiling, everything was stunning and spotless. I didn't know an office could be this beautiful.When I approached the receptionist, she was up to her feet with a bright smile plastered onto her face, even before I could
The Trap Of Ace As the king orders
A knock on the door put a break on my non-stop rejecting and selecting the designs from the heap of catalogues. I needed to deliver the final samples to the head designers for the new collection of OC Textiles.Liza's blonde head poked through the door."Sorry to disturb you, but the meeting is just about to begin. And your presence is required there."My brows furrowed. "But I'm just an employee. What'd I do in a board meeting?"Her shoulders lifted. "No idea. The boss's order."Why'd Caleb need me in a board meeting?Sighing, I nodded. "Alright! I'll be there in a few.""Great! See you there!" With that, she closed the door behind her and left.I didn't even have any idea what the meeting was about. Nor did I know what to do there or say. Whatever happens, I just hoped he wouldn't be there. After yesterday's confrontation, I'd tried my best
The Trap Of Ace Creep!
I set the papers aside where my designs were printed on, and picked up my phone after it blared for the second time. A smile etched into my face seeing the caller ID."It took you a whole week to call me?""And it took you two rings to pick up the phone?"I chuckled. "I was working on some designs. Anyway, what's up with you? How's the job going?"Since Warner had left for Seattle for his new job and I returned to California, it was our first conversation in this whole week."You're working on weekends? And yes, everything is going smooth. Life has never been this good. Though, the work is hard.""Glad to hear that," I said. If only my life was a little better. "And yes, but it's not official work. Just some of my ideas I needed to polish.""About the office, how's it going? I hope you still don't have any problem staying in California, do you?" he asked
The Trap Of Ace The VIP elevator
"So you mean, he literally declared that he wants you? That you're his?" asked Cassie, her jaw on the floor."He didn't exactly say that.""But this is what he meant with whatever he said. Even a kid can see through it!" she argued.I threw the cards we were playing on the table and sat back against the couch, huffing. After the auction I got a call from her to meet at her place. With a feeble flu, she was getting bored out of her mind. So I came to give her company."God! I've seen people being crazy in love before. But this? This is insane!" She shook her head in disbelief. "Buying an entire company just to bring you closer to him, forcing you to attend the board meetings so that he can get to see you more and wasting a million over just a canvas?"At the mention of the 'L' word, I sat up straight. "There's no love! It's- it just could be a want of possession or obsession of his. I don't kno
The Trap Of Ace His scorching touch
Clutching the t-shirt tight against my chest, I whirled around and my breath caught into my throat. There, he stood rigid beside the door, hand clenched around the knob as his darker than ever stormy grey gaze preyed on my almost half naked body. Even with the t-shirt before my chest, I felt naked under his scorching stare.Curse the moment I decided to go braless due to the thick cotton blouse!"W-what are you doing here? Get out!" I screeched, as he stood there immobile, staring at me shamelessly.My outburst seemed to pull him out of his trance. Closing his eyes for a moment, he took a deep breath. Once those grey pools opened again, instead of leaving, he closed the door behind him and stalked towards me.Eyes like saucers, I stepped back. "W-what are you doing? Get out of the room! Right now!"Only when he was inches away from me, then did he stop. Jaws clenched, his gaze went back to roam on m
The Trap Of Ace You're mine!
I shook my head. Why did I care about what he was doing here?I should just go back to the terrace.Once back upstairs, I found the meeting was over and everyone was now enjoying their drinks, except Ace. He simply drank a glass of plain water.And… that witch was now in my seat!But his attention wasn't on her, instead those stormy eyes were searching around for something. Until they landed on me. Was that relief that flashed over them?He beckoned me to him with his head, but I turned around and went to Liza who was talking to two of the Arabs beside the railings. Matt wasn't here, he went to attend a phone call right after me when I left for the washroom."Hey, where did you go?" Liza queried."Washroom," I replied, standing next to her. Nodding her head, she returned to the conversation.One of the Arabs' eyes
The Trap Of Ace Turn around...
Where did everyone disappear all of a sudden?I was looking around in confusion, until I felt a pair of scorching eyes on me. Turning to him, I found his gaze following every curve of mine and cuts of the dress, that exposed my sudden ultra sensitive skin to him.I bit my lip, not wanting to fidget under his stare. "Is it okay?"With a tight nod, he beckoned me to him. Confused, I glided near. Still his eyes on my body, he handed me a black dress."Try this."When I unfolded it, my eyes widened. It was even shorter than the one I was flaunting right now. And as a cherry on the top, it was off shoulder and backless. What the hell? He could just instead pick a bikini for her!"I'm not wearing it!"One of his eyebrows arched. "Why not? It's a classy branded gown. I think Tess will definitely love it.""But it's too short!" I argued.
Latest chapter
The Trap Of Ace Bonus chapter - Part 2
The last time I saw him was at the police station. After that night, Ace handed him over to the police for trying to force himself on me. And as much as that night managed to send a shiver down my spine for months after that, I pressed down on my grudge against him and thought rationally. Yes, what he did was wrong, but he was drunk at that moment. Not that it gave him any excuse to do that to me, but I decided to let things end and requested Ace to withdraw his complaint.Even I did wrong to him, though it was nothing compared to the deed he tried to do. But for the sake of our years of friendship, I decided to let him out after fifteen days of his jail, much to Ace's dismay. He wanted him to rot behind the bars forever.Even though he apologized for his actions endlessly, I had told him to stay away from me and not to try to reach out in any way.But here he was today, probably with his fiance. I just hoped Ace wouldn't see
The Trap Of Ace Bonus chapter - Part 1
Dragging myself out of the car with some struggles, I got out the box and looked up at the enormous glass building towering before me.EMERALD ENTERPRISES was written in bold red letters at the top.A goofy smile tugged up my lips. With the warmth that surged through my chest, emotional tears burned my eyes.Valencian Corp's new branch, which he opened with my name. It was his gift for me on my birthday, passed just last week.Rolling my eyes, I let out a breath through my lips.I was getting sentimental again.Shaking my head, I closed the car door behind me with a thud and dawdled inside.Once in, my eyes took in the interior. As fancy and elegant as I remembered from a week ago. Though there weren't many people working here that day. But today, the way everyone was at their best speed, it seemed like they were working here for years.
The Trap Of Ace The epilogue - Part 2
The color of Arthur's face drained. With wide eyes, he watched Ace in horror."Y-you can't do that to me! I won't let you!"I grimaced at the feeling in my stomach. The world around me started to spin.Stepping back from him, Ace wrapped a hand around my waist. "I can and I will. You've seen my respect for you these years, and now you'll see my enmity. You should've thought ten times before you joined hands with Antonio and decided to go against me and tried to hurt my Rosebud. You did what you wanted, now you suffer the consequences. May God send you to hell. Goodbye, Arthur.""No! You can't do that…"Not being able to contain it in anymore, I clutched my stomach, hunched forward and threw up."Shit! Rosebud! Are you alright, baby?" Wrapping his arms around my shoulders, he pulled my hair back as the cops and Arthur jumped back from my puke."Wh
The Trap Of Ace The epilogue - Part 1
"Rosebud?" His deep voice murmured into my ear, followed by a lingering kiss on my neck. "Wake up, baby. We're here."Groaning, I moved on his lap and made myself more comfortable against him, snuggling my face into his chest. "Let me sleep."His husky chuckle sent a shiver down my sore body. Well, the reason behind my tiredness was him. After our fifteen days trip to Greece and Turkey, we were supposed to meet my family at dinner directly after landing in California. So here we were, outside my parents' home. But here I could barely move without wincing.Because this man just can't keep it in his pants.Just because a male cabin crew flashed me his biggest smile, he literally banned that man from his private jet and took me like a ragged doll in the posh cabin of his, claiming me again and again as his.As if I wasn't already his!Not that I didn't beg him for more and
The Trap Of Ace The jealous Greek god
His pupils darkened more in rage even if it was possible. "You remembered the accident when we were returning from the house I bought for us?"My eyes widened. "H-he was behind it?"He nodded, a muscle of his jaw ticked. "It was him. Even though I was his target, he shouldn't have involved you in this."I let out a breath.So that was the reason behind his intense hatred against Antonio. That's why he was so mad at Tess' wedding when Antonio came to meet me."When Arthur brought up the Russians offer to me, his desperation for me to sign it and his being the head of this project had me suspicious. So I had his phone tapped. To know what was brewing in his shrewd head. And I was right. I got to know about his intention behind the project while he discussed it with Ivanov on the phone. But as cunning as he was, he never unfolded his whole plan to him. Until this morning, when everything in h
The Trap Of Ace The master plan
Across the open field, a black car that I knew really well passed through the empty road. No other sign of vehicle or human was there.Then a truck sped through the field, going directly to the car.I tensed. The rate of my heart beat peaked up. I had to stop it.But when I tried to open my mouth to say something, yell his name, my body didn't move. A panic set in when I attempted to open my eyes but they didn't move either.No!I watched as the truck neared the car with full speed. It was going to hit it!A desperation to stop it rolled inside, making me restless. I wanted to move but as if my body got paralyzed, I couldn't move even how much I wanted to.I wanted to scream, thrash to be set from whatever that held me back. I wanted to stop that truck. But all I could do was watch as the truck went ahead and hit the car with a force that it flew
The Trap Of Ace Curiosity killed the cat
An eerie silence fell over the ambience for a moment while I stood there frozen. Only the sound of my own heavy breath reached my ears.Then I heard heavy footsteps of boots approaching from the other side of the room they were in.Oh no! They're coming!I need to hide! I wouldn't be able to run from them. They'd catch me if I ran.Looking around frantically, I searched for a place to hide.I couldn't use the flower pot this time. They'll find me.Rushing to the one of the doors lined up beside theirs, I tried to open it without making a noise, but to my utter bad luck, it was locked. I tried another, but no avail. They were locked.No, no, no! I can't get caught! I can't! I need to inform Ace about his plan.My heart pounded under my rib cage as I went to the opposite side of the hallway and pushed at a door. And this ti
The Trap Of Ace He dies...
Six men stood there in the middle of the room. Before Arthur, stood a man in his early fifties with short height, a thin mustache on his upper lip and a shining bald. Four more much younger men surrounded him with the same black clothes the guards wore before the VVIP entrance.The way they stood behind and around that bald man, indicated theirs being his men.And obviously working with Arthur."Pozdravlyayu, Mr. Valencian," said the man with his thick Russian accent. His mustache twitched as a smirk tugged onto his dark lips.Arthur shook his hand with his. "Congratulations to us, Ivanov. After all, it's the result of both of our hard work."I frowned.Ivanov? Why did this name sound familiar…My lips parted in shock. Ivanov, one of the partners of the Russian company Ace was going to sign the deal with.He was with Arthur? Oh
The Trap Of Ace Forbidden place
Walking through the endless corridors, I walked watching out for the room numbers not to get lost.The hotel was huge. Not just a hotel, it was a palace built in the middle age, now turned into a lavish five star hotel. With the mixture of antique architect and modern decorations, it gave out a feel of royalty. From the masterpiece paintings on the walls, to the gorgeous chandeliers shimmering with golden glow. Not to forget the huge gold plated flower pots at the both sides of the corridors, aside the red carpet down the way.As soon as I neared my destination, I found the whole area totally separated from the others by a pair of glass doors. VVIP Area was written in bold red letters on the glass. Two bulky men in black stood at the both sides of the door.Not again!I remembered Carter warning about some restrictions.Mentally groaning, I approached the VVIP conference area.
