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.

at her back, mumbling to herself, "What's the matter? Did she fight with Mr. Lu again?

was often a result of unsolved, trivial matters that piled up over time. They slowly grow bigger and bigger, finally reaching a stage where they become difficult to handle. That

out of the taxi, 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

rules to enroll her. Now they expected her to be grateful to

too late for her to

hand, she did like her job in the company.

by ear, ' she thought, shrugging and

Cheryl were very happy to see

haven't visited in such a

them she had started working at the company.

deal with some personal matters that she hadn't been coming

the company,"

Cheryl looked at her in surprise. "Work at the company? So you

here whenever I have time," replied Ashley, feeling

then muttered, "But why

was probably a whim," said

so cute, Ashley!

you can come back here! We need you in the cake shop!" said Cheryl, smiling genuinely.

me...Ellie and I poured our blood and sweat to establish

where is Ellie? Has

resting inside,"

go see her. You

more diligent than us in the entire world," Cheryl said, chuckling

continued to banter for a while before Ashley finally walked into

sat on the edge of the couch, lost in thought.

saw her in that state, she started to tiptoe.

was startled! But she recognized Ashley's familiar fragrance, her forced voice and her touch. She

it's a heartless pig!" said Ellie

a heartless pig? You aren't as kind as you used to be! How could you make

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