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 fight with Mr. Lu again? Are they not getting

know a fight 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 was

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 she agree with Andrew on the idea

they had even broken rules to enroll her. Now they expected her to

late for her to

like her job

it for now! Play it by ear, ' she

and Cheryl were very happy to see

haven't visited

had started working

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

working at the company,"

looked at her in surprise. "Work at

I'll still come here whenever I have time," replied Ashley,

muttered, "But why did

probably a whim," said

so cute, Ashley!

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

me...Ellie and I poured our blood and sweat to establish it..." Ashley

is Ellie?

is resting inside,"

You two work hard! Don't be

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

while before Ashley finally walked into the lounge.

of the couch, lost in thought.

was going 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

familiar fragrance, her forced voice and her touch. She

say it's a heartless

She let 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 you make that groundless

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