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.

to herself, "What's the matter? Did she fight with Mr. Lu

a result of unsolved, trivial matters that piled up over time. They slowly grow bigger and bigger, finally reaching a stage where

Ashley stood outside the shop for a long time. She remembered how nice it used to be to work here and take care of the shop. Why did she agree

Now they expected

late for her to change

other hand, she did like

ear, '

and Cheryl were very happy to

what brings you here today? You haven't visited in such a long

told them she had started

some personal matters that she hadn't been coming to

at the company," Ashley said.

Cheryl looked at her in surprise. "Work at the company? So you aren't working

still come here whenever I have time," replied Ashley, feeling like

then muttered, "But why

was probably a whim," said Ashley

You're so cute,

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

and I poured our blood and sweat to establish it..."

way, where is Ellie?

inside," said

I'll go see her. You two work

know you can't find anyone more diligent than us in the

while before Ashley finally walked

sat on the edge of the couch, lost

to call her out, but the moment she saw her in that state, she started to tiptoe. She walked over to her back quietly, covered Ellie's eyes and tried to fake as different a voice

forced voice and her touch. She was relieved

well... I say it's a heartless

"Why am I a heartless pig? You aren't as kind as you used to be! How could you make that groundless

here even once since you started