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.

stared at her back, mumbling to herself, "What's the matter? Did

piled up over time. They slowly grow bigger and bigger, finally reaching a stage where

how nice it used to be to work here and take care of the shop. Why did she agree with Andrew on

even broken rules to enroll her. Now they expected her to be grateful to them.

for her

hand, she did like her

ear, ' she thought,

were very happy to see Ashley.

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

hadn't told them she had started working at

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

at the company,"

looked at her in surprise. "Work at the company?

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

"But why did you suddenly start working

whim,"

so cute, Ashley!

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

our blood and sweat to establish it..." Ashley

Ellie? Has she not

is resting inside," said

You

can't find anyone more diligent than us in the entire world,"

to banter for a while before Ashley

on the edge of the couch, lost in thought.

Ashley come in. Ashley was going to call her out, but the moment she saw her in that state, she started to tiptoe. She

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

I say it's a heartless pig!" said

go of Ellie instantly and jumped in front of her. "Why am I a heartless pig? You aren't as kind as you used to be! How could

come here even once since you started