Chapter 36


    As soon as that gavel hit the table, it was like waking up from a nightmare.


    “Evie, you did it,” Timothy eximed, rushing toward me. I gasped as he wrapped me in a tender


    hug, twirling me around. I returned the hug, feeling the swell of pride and relief.


    He set me down and I couldn’t help butugh at the sudden look of embarrassment on his face, like


    he just realized what he had done.


    “UH, sorry. Got a little excited…” He rubbed the back of his neck and I nudged him in the arm.


    “It’s fine.” I kept my hands on his arms, steadying myself with his weight or I’d tip over otherwise. I


    was still winded by the exhration of it all. “We’re okay.”


    As we pulled apart, the atmosphere shifted. Linda approached with a tight–lipped smile. Her tone


    wasced with sarcasm as she said, “Well, well, Evic. I have to admit, I’m surprised. I didn’t think


    you had it in you.”


    I shot back with a smile of my own, “Well, Linda, let this be a lesson in not underestimating others.


    Especially if they were given the opportunity over you.”


    The retort hung in the air, leaving Linda stunned. Timothy snorted beside me and I couldn’t help but


    smile myself.


    Linda scowled. “You two clowns deserve each other,” she grumbled.


    With that curtment, Linda stomped away. It certainly didn’t dampen our spirits.


    As we began to make our way down the courthouse steps, the paparazzi descended upon us like a


    swarm of hungry vultures. shbulbs popped, and a barrage of questions assaulted our ears. The


    sudden attention left me feeling sheepish, as I had never been one to seek the spotlight.


    “Evie, how does it feel to have won such a high–profile case?”


    “Mr. Timothy, what are your ns now that you’ve been cleared of the charges?”


    The questions were relentless, and I did my best to answer withposure. “I’m just d justice


    was served. Timothy’s future is bright, and I’ll continue to support


    0


    A


    him in any way I can.”


    Timothy shed a confident smile at the cameras. “Agreed. I’m looking forward to moving on and


    getting back to the game I love, and I presume Ms. Sinir’s career will prosper all the same.”


    As we attempted to make our way through the paparazzi gauntlet, it was clear that the victory had


    thrust us into the public eye. It seemed like the whole city was standing in the entryway.


    Once we managed to break free from the paparazzi, Timothy turned to me with a smile. “So, about


    dinner tonight, what do you say?”


    The question stunned me, and I found myself stuttering. Timothy peered down at


    his expression hopeful, as he awaited my response.


    me,


    The silence would havested a lifetime if Aria and Lucas hadn’t cut–off the silence as they stormed


    in squealing. I hadn’t even realized they hade.


    “I knew you could do it!” Aria cheered, wrapping me in a hug.


    Lucas held me after, his hug even more suffocating. “You’re a rockstar! What are you going to do


    now that you’re an elitewyer?”


    “Well, Evie and I were nning on doing something,” Timothy chimed in.


    “Really?” Aria asked.


    I felt the tension rise once again and I shifted my gaze from Timothy to my friends. A dinner with


    Timothy felt far too intimate.


    Timothy smiled abruptly, his eyes painfully tender. “Of course. The bestwyer in the world


    deserves a fancy treat. Dinner?”


    “You know what? That sounds nice!” I said finally. “Would I be able to invite Aria and Lucas?” I


    asked him after a moment of silence. He eyebrows shot up at that and I added quickly, “It’s just that


    they helped so much, moral support and all. They should celebrate with us too, if that’s okay?”


    Something dark flickered behind his eyes and he kissed his teeth. I noticed hist attention linger on


    Lucas for a few seconds, and I saw the gears turning in his head. Suppose it would’ve been rude to


    exclude my “boyfriend” from the celebration.


    2/6


    O


    Thu, 21 Mar G


    555


    Only when some members of the press spotted us down the hall did Timothy nod exasperatedly,


    his focus broken.


    “That’s fine! Let’s just get out of here,” he said, then grabbed my hand as we followed him out of the


    room.


    It was the fanciest restaurant I’d ever seen. The ceilings were lined with crystal chandeliers that


    gave the room an ethereal glow. The walls were an intimate velvet color that had flecks of twinkling


    gold.


    As soon as Lucas and Aria arrived, the server took us to a round table draped in a white cloth. I


    took my napkin andid it in myp.


    “Champagne, miss?” asked the server, who held a sparkling bottle above my ss. I nodded


    awkwardly and watched as he poured the amber liquid into my champagne flute.


    “I haven’t been to one of these in a while,” Lucas said, already sipping from his drink. “Those burger


    joints can get prettyfortable.”


    “I’ve never been to one of these ever!” Aria spat, flipping through the menu. It had numerous


    delicacies, half of which I could hardly pronounce. It was all so elegant.


    I couldn’t imagine if Timothy and I hade alone, especially with the table. being so secluded.


    Even sitting across from Timothy, who would give me the asional nce, was pushing it.


    “I’ll give you a moment to look over the menu,” said the waiter, and he pulled out a notepad and


    pencil. “In the meantime, any appetizers?”


    Aria smiled wide. “I wouldn’t mind some buffalo caprese.”


    “Aria!” I narrowed my eyes at her. “You won’t even have room for dinner. You know how you are.”


    “Hey, it’s a free meal,” she said, then mped her mouth shut and looked shyly at Timothy. “At least


    I assumed it was…I can totally pay!”


    Timothy simplyughed and waved her off. “It’s my treat. I’ll pay for everything.”


    Lucas gave him a mischievous grin upon hearing those words. He picked up the


    3-6


    11:19 Thu, 21 Mar G GA


    menu and started looking through it with sudden interest. “Everything, ch?”


    “Within reason,” Timothy growled at him, and Lucas snickered.


    I lifted my menu


    Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    evening felt like “P, trying to mask the smile on my face. After everything, this


    evening felt like a breath of fresh air. Timothy and I were both free to an extent, although that made


    me wonder about where we’ll be once this dinner is over.


    We were all startled when Timothy stood suddenly, clearing his throat. He took his champagne


    ss and lifted it in the air.


    “I figured now was as good a time as ever to propose a toast,” he said, stealing a nce at me.


    Lucas and Aria giggled and exchanged knowing looks.


    “Thank you all for being here tonight,” Timothy continued as a light blush dusted his cheeks. “Today


    is a day I will cherish forever, and I couldn’t let it pass without. expressing my gratitude.”


    I groaned, burying my face in the menu once more. There were some curious. patrons also looking


    in our direction.


    “It was a privilege to work closely with Evie on this case. From the moment Iid eyes on her, I


    knew she was exceptional, not just as awyer, but as a person. She spent many sleepless night to


    get us to this moment, never one to back down from a challenge.”


    “Timothy…” My eyes started burning and I wiped them furiously, fearing the tears. ready toe.


    “But it’s not just her brilliance that I admire. It’s her kindness, herpassion, and the way she


    stands up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. And I want. everyone to know that this


    sess isn’t just a win for our clients; it’s a triumph for everything she represents.”


    “Aw!” Aria pressed a hand to her chest, her eyes glistening. The whole room fell silent, everyone


    captivated by Timothy’s words. I let out a shaky breath, my bottom lip trembling as my resolve


    crumbled.


    “So I want to say thank you again, Evie,” he continued. “Thank you for being an inspiration and a


    brilliantwyer. To me, you will always represent true justice.”


    He lifted his ss and announced hisst words even louder. “To Evie.”


    4/6


    A


    11:19 Thu, 21 Mar G


    “To Evie!” echoed the rest of the room, who had lifted their sses as well. A soft apuse filled


    the room, and I was too stunned toprehend it all.


    As the others continued to cheer, Timothy returned to his seat and sipped form him ss. He then


    looked over at me and smiled warmly.


    “T–Timothy,” I stuttered, sniffling. “Thank you. I… I don’t know what to say.”


    He shook his head and reached over, his and cupping mine for the briefest of moments. “You don’t


    have to say anything. Just keep being incredible.”


    As soon as Lucas and Aria settled down, he removed his hand and settled it back in hisp. Our


    gazes didn’t leave one another. As always, it was as if the whole world. was fading away, leaving us


    secluded in our own little bubble.


    ***


    As the night came to a close, we were handed a hefty bill that Timothy paid for without even


    flinching. Lucas was dragging Aria to the entrance, since she’d drunken a little less responsibly. By


    the time we got to the parking lot, she wasughing hysterically.


    While Lucas attempted to haul her into the car, Timothy pulled me aside. Before I could open my


    mouth, he leaned toward me, his voice low.


    “What are we going to be after tonight?” he asked. While I had thought of that question as well, I


    was far from prepared to hear him ask it. He had be serious in just those couple of seconds.


    “I don’t know,” I said truthfully, and even I wasn’t satisfied by that response. “I mean… we had a


    good run, working as a team.”


    “Don’t be vague with me, Evie. Please,” he said, his tone pleading. “Don’t tell me we’re just going to


    stop here.”


    “Timothy…” I searched hard for the next words to say. I didn’t have time to fill the silence before


    Lucas called out to me from the car.


    “I could use a little help here!” he shouted, attempting to shove Aria in the car.


    “I want more croutons!” Aria screamed, gripping the car door.


    I forced augh, even as my heart felt like it was being wrung dry. I gave Timothy


    5/6


    one more look, and it hurt to see him so pained.


    “I have to go….handle this.” I gave his shoulder a squeeze before stepping away. “I will keep in


    touch, okay?”


    He nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets as he turned away. He didn’t budge. after a while, and


    I figured that the conversation hade to a harsh conclusion.


    I was indecisive the whole ride home. While I had always wanted to end things with Timothy, it


    suddenly felt irrational now.


    SEND GIFT


    COMMENT


    0


    21 Mar


    8.55%%