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 she fight with Mr. Lu again? Are they not

result of unsolved, trivial matters that piled up over time. They slowly grow bigger and bigger,

to be to work here and take care of the shop. Why did she agree with Andrew on the idea of working in

Now they expected

for her

the other hand, she did like her

it by ear, ' she

were very happy

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

them she had started

to deal with some personal matters that she hadn't

started working at the

really?" Cheryl looked at her in surprise. "Work

time," replied Ashley, feeling like she'd

then muttered, "But why

it was probably a whim,"

so cute,

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

blood and sweat to establish it..." Ashley said, looking all

Ellie? Has

is resting inside,"

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,

banter for a while before Ashley

the edge of the couch,

didn't even notice Ashley come in. Ashley was going to call her out, but the moment she saw her in that state, she started to tiptoe. She walked over

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

say it's a heartless pig!" said Ellie

her. "Why am I a heartless pig? You aren't as kind as you used to be! How

tell me, if you aren't heartless, why hadn't you come here even once since you started working at the company?" asked Ellie, raising one