The Trap Of Ace novel Chapter 7

The name that used to give me flutters in my tummy, now only added fuel to something that was smoldering inside me for years.

I didn't want to be called by that name anymore.

"I didn't think my Rosebud could stay mad at me for that long," he drawled out as I kept quiet, eyes searching for something on my face.

My Rosebud?

Whatever you see on my face, Achilles Valencian, but you won't find the fifteen years old sister of your best friend there. Because she died that night because of you. And the irony was, it wasn't even your fault.

"Don't call me that!" My voice came out much like a snap.

When he raised a brow, I tried to cool down my nerves. I couldn't show him my anger. And though how much right it seemed, he wasn't at any fault.

He didn't even know.

"I- I've a name. And I'd prefer to be called by that. I don't like when someone calls me with nicknames," I clarified.

The side of his lips quirked up. "I know your name. But you will always be Rosebud for me." He leaned in, his hot breath fanning my earlobe. "Though this Rosebud of mine now bloomed into a beautiful rose."

My heart stuttered.

Whispers of the past echoed in my mind.

"Really?" I'd brightened up like a Christmas tree. "That means you will marry me?"

He'd bit his lip, his eyes lit up with amusement. "I'm sorry, Rosebud! But I can't."

"Why not?" I pouted.

"Because it's not the right time. You're still so young."

"Then when will be the right time?" I'd gazed up at him with so much hope.

"When you turn into a blooming rose from a rose bud."

A shaky breath left my lips, a squeezing pain shot through my chest. My eyes stung with forbidden memories. He… remembered?

But then flashes of that night floated across. My throat tightened, causing me to ball my fists.

I gulped, it felt like acid burning inside me. I needed air!

Moving out of his arms, I pushed him away. Surprise flashed across his eyes, and then something like concern took over his features. Not wanting to stay there any longer, I turned around and walked away. As fast as I could without creating a scene.

"Rosebud!" He called after me, his voice closer. In my peripheral vision, I saw Tobias going to him, maybe to stop him from following me.

"Em? Where are you going?"

Ignoring Warner's question, I ran out there and didn't stop until I was at the serenity of the huge balcony.

Gripping the railing, I breathed in the cold night air. Up in the sky, hung the half curved moon, surrounded by gazillions of twinkling stars. They winked at me, as if mocking me for my pathetic feelings.

A lone tear escaped my eye as the cool breeze touched my face. And then I let some more to fall free. Tears that I'd been succeeding to put in for years.

My hand clutched my chest as I felt the same pain it felt that night. As if someone has sliced the old wounds open.

Biting my lip hard, I attempted to stop those tears. Seven years. Seven freaking years! And here I was, still mourning over the heartache I got as a punishment of my foolishness. Seven years, and it still pained me physically to remember the loss.

I was still afraid of meeting him. I was still a coward. That's why I tagged Warner along. I needed support. I knew one way or another, in these two weeks I'd have to face him. I had been trying to escape him after that night. I had avoided him like a plague. Even if it was impossible on some occasions to avoid him before I went to high school in another city, I hadn't looked at him. I didn't look at his face or into his eyes, because I knew, if I made the mistake to look up, he would see it. He would see it all.

And he'd find out how pathetic I was for believing in his words he said to a nine years old naive kid, not to break her fragile heart.

I thought, I'll forget him if I go away. So I went to live in a different city. I thought, if I dated other men, I'd forget him. So I dated a lot of men. If I toughen myself up, I'd be able to wipe him from my memories.