The Trap Of Ace novel Chapter 4

"Poor boy," mom murmured, subtly sending Dad a look of reprimand which he proudly ignored and padded inside. Shaking her head, she looked at me. "Honey, why don't you go to your room and freshen up. I will make something quick for you in the meanwhile."

Getting a nod from me, she followed Dad. Definitely to give him an ear.-

Tobias threw an arm over my shoulder as we climbed up the stairs. "So? You're determined to keep this one, huh?"

Like Dad, he also wasn't fond of my boyfriend. But when Dad was blatant about it, he was sneaky.

"He is a good guy, Tobias. And the best thing is, he is my best friend."

"Is it just it? You will keep him because he is a good guy and your friend?" He raised his brow.

"Isn't it enough?"

He shrugged. "What about feelings? I don't see you look at him the way you used to look at A…"

I put a hand before him, not letting him finish the sentence. "I like him. And I think it's enough for me to stay in a relationship with him. And you should be happy for me, don't you?"

Something flashed in his eyes which I couldn't decipher. Then he smiled. "If that's what makes you happy, Em."

My lips curled up. "Thanks for understanding."

Once he left me in my room to freshen up, I left a message to Casie and Beth of my arrival and prepared for a long warm bath. It's been so long I haven't met them, though face-timing was regular between us. They'd wanted to join me there for college, but Beth couldn't because her boyfriend was here. And Casie, well, she'd left her study for her modeling career.

Good thing that her decision was right. She was a successful model now. And I couldn't be more proud of her.

At the dinner, Warner looked much better than this morning. Tonight was our family dinner, so delicious dishes made by Mom were the speciality. If I missed all these years anything beside my family, it was her cooking.

When she placed a plate of apple-pies before me, I gaped at her, my face splitting into a greedy grin. "My favorite!"

Chuckling, she took her chair beside Dad.

When Tobias tried to pick one, I slapped his hand away. "Don't you dare touch them, they're all mine."

He frowned. "But that's not fair! I also love them!"

"Tobi, let my daughter have whatever she wants. You had them these years all by yourself, now it's her turn," Dad said.

"This is partiality!" he complained, making us all laugh. Mom's eyes twinkled watching us banter like old times. Then her gaze fell on my left wrist.

"What a beautiful bracelet! When did you get it, honey?"

I gazed down at it. An involuntary smile touched my lips. It was a thin golden chain, decorated with glittering emeralds and sparkling tiny diamonds, shaped like roses.

"Someone gifted it to me on my graduation day," I replied. I still remember that day. Mom and Dad couldn't join because their flight got cancelled due to bad weather. No one from my family could attend. With a sunken mood when I returned to my flat that night after a wild party with my friends, I found a small box laid before my door.

It was from someone anonymous. No note or name. Though I didn't want to keep it, I just couldn't resist it. I fell in love with it at the first site.

"Who?"

I shrugged. "Don't know. There wasn't any name on the gift box."

"Princess, you shouldn't accept anonymous gifts. It can be risky. And who would give you such an expensive bracelet and don't reveal their name?" Dad's forehead creased.

"It might be Tom. And I'm sure he is the one who sends you roses on your every birthday," exclaimed Warner.

"Who is Tom?" Mom looked at me.

I sighed. "No one, Mom. A guy from my college who once asked me out."

"No one? He literally stalked you everywhere until something happened and he disappeared in the air. He must've taken seriously my threat to hand him over to police," Warner said, his face grim.

"Stalker!" Mom and Dad shrieked at the same time.

"All this happened, and you didn't even consider informing us?" Dad gave me a look of displease and disappointment.

Warner shifted uncomfortably on his chair at my glare. He had to open his big mouth right now, didn't he?