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 again? Are

over time. They slowly grow bigger and bigger, finally reaching a stage where they become difficult to

getting out of the taxi, Ashley stood outside the shop for a long time. She remembered how nice it used to be to work here

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

it too late for her

like her

Play it by ear, ' she thought, shrugging and

Cheryl were very happy to see

You haven't visited in such a long

hadn't told them she had started working at the company.

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

the company,"

at her in surprise. "Work at the company?

here whenever I have time," replied Ashley, feeling like she'd betrayed them.

nodded slowly, then muttered, "But why did

whim," said

You're so cute,

stressful, you can come back here! We need you in the cake shop!" said Cheryl, smiling genuinely. They all missed her terribly.

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

Ellie? Has she

is resting inside," said

her. You two work hard!

thing! You know you can't find anyone more diligent than us in

to banter for a while before Ashley finally walked into the

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

recognized Ashley's familiar fragrance, her forced voice and her touch. She was

I say it's a heartless

a heartless pig? You aren't as kind as you

tell me, if you aren't heartless, why hadn't you come here even once since you