A Love Trap

Remorsefully, Claire said, "It's my fault...I shouldn't have put it here. I thought it would be easier for you to grab it if it was kept closer to you. I didn't think you could also knock it down accidentally..."

"Claire, it's okay. I'm not hurt. I am just clumsy sometimes. It's not your fault, don't worry."

"You didn't get burnt, did you?" asked Claire, feeling guilty.

"No, no. It didn't splash on me. Just don't worry about it...

Could you please clean up the place? I'm going to my room for a while," said Ashley with a reassuring smile.

"Okay, Miss Mu. I'll take care of this..." Claire replied, her eyes still low.

Leaving Claire there, she forced herself to climb the stairs, even though her feet were hurt.

She sat on the edge of the bed once she reached her room and checked her feet. The right one was alright, but the left one was miserable.

There was a red blotch on the instep. It had already started to swell.

She hissed quietly and walked to the bathroom to run cold water over it. Once the pain and stinging alleviated a bit, she fished for an ointment in her medical kit.

The ointment cooled down the spot instantly, making her feel much better. She then rested on the bed, playing a game on her phone.

Every now and then, the large empty bedroom overwhelmed her. She felt bored and lonely.

She never felt like that when Andrew was around. They didn't even have to be talking for her to feel comfortable. His sheer presence was enough.

Everything felt different now. Her mood these days had changed.

She wasn't used to sitting idly, without having anything to do.

Now that her foot wasn't bothering her so much, she forgot about it completely. She realized that she hadn't been to the cake shop for a long time. 'I don't have anything to do anyway, so why not go to see Ellie there?'

She acted as soon as she got that thought. She changed into better clothes and left the house. On her way out, she told Claire she might not come back home in the evening.

herself, "What's the matter? Did she

time. They slowly grow bigger and bigger, finally reaching a stage where they become

for a long time. She remembered how nice it used to be to work

rules to enroll her. Now

too late for her

the other hand, she did like her job in the company.

it for now! Play it by ear,

Cheryl were very

here today? You haven't visited in such a long time!

hadn't told them she had started working at the company.

because she had to deal with some personal matters that she hadn't

the

"Work at the company? So you aren't

I have time," replied Ashley, feeling like she'd betrayed them.

slowly, then muttered, "But why did you suddenly start

was probably a whim,"

so cute,

the job too stressful, you can come back here! We need you

I poured our blood and sweat to establish it..." Ashley said, looking

is Ellie? Has she

resting inside,"

see her. You two work hard! Don't be

thing! You know you can't find anyone more diligent than us in the entire world," Cheryl said, chuckling

a while before

edge of the

her in that state, she started to tiptoe. She walked over to her back quietly, covered Ellie's eyes and tried

familiar fragrance, her forced voice and

I say it's a heartless pig!" said Ellie

I a heartless pig? You aren't as kind as you

why hadn't you come here even once since you started working at the company?" asked Ellie, raising one of