《Together Forever》


 Chapter 1: Introduction

    Chapter 1: Introduction


    A smile forms on my lips as the jet slowlynds on the runway.


    Finally home.


    Opening the window, I look outside and see everything running backward. Speed is gradually


    decreasing, just a few minutes and I will set foot on my homnd. It seems like years I have been


    here.


    Have you ever felt one hour has passed in the blink of an eye when you are doing something you like


    and the same one hour doesn''t seem to ever end when your mind is somewhere else?


    Well, I felt that just now.


    It was only a one-hour flight but it seemed like one year to me because of my eagerness to reach


    quickly seeing that it''s been six months since I came homest, my country was calling me.


    "Wow, Evie, the weather is great!" Leah says excitedly as we slowly get off the jet.


    "Yeah. Spring in New York, supposed to be great." I reply with a rxed smile.


    Some guards rush towards us and take our luggage. I give them a wave and make our way through the


    departure with them following us from behind. Once we are outside of the airport, a gentle breeze


    strokes my face, ruffling my hair. It''s a sunny morning. The soft white clouds swimming throughout the


    endless blue sky.


    Many can see various shapes in the clouds. I wish I were one of them. I look up at the sky in hope to


    see something but my eyes can''t catch anything more than some white fluffy cotton candy-like things


    dancing and dancing, making me want to eat them.


    Yeah, I am very unromantic I know.


    At least I read Romeo and Juliet if that counts.


    Though I don''t have anything like a love life, I love reading romance. Books are one of the greatest


    reasons I breathe for. When the cruelty of the real world suffocates me, I seek peace in someone''s own


    imaginary world. The one who said "Books are man''s best friend" was really genius.


    Looking around the ce, I smile and take a deep breath letting the freshness of spring air refresh my


    mind. Every time Ie here I feel happy. A strange happiness that I never feel anywhere else. Maybe


    only mothend can give that feeling. No matter how beautiful or advanced the country you live in or


    for how long, you could never feel the way in anywhere in the world which you feel in your own country.


    That''s iparable.


    The sound of hundreds of cameras clicking begins to be heard as we rush towards our car being


    surrounded by almost ten bodyguards. There are a lot of people outside and most of their eyes are on


    us. The ones who know us are watching with interest and the others with curiosity, seeing the splendor


    of our overall appearance. The paparazzi begin rushing towards our direction but before they can


    attack us, luckily we make it inside the car.


    Let the confined life begin now. Bunch of guards, maids, media, gossip the very usual things you have


    to face if you are the only daughter of a billionaire father and the heiress of one of the biggest


    Everyone wants to be famous, literally everyone. Name, fame, mor, luxury, fans; looks like


    everyone''s dream. But there are many downsides too. Who said being famous is always fun?


    If you are famous, the morous world will snatch the little pleasures away from your life. Just money


    and mour can''t buy happiness. There are some times when we just want to be alone with nature,


    alone with our thoughts, and alone with ourselves. Some happy moments which don''t need money to


    be bought, some moments for which life is meaningful.


    Reading a book sitting on a park bench, lying on the beach enjoying a beautiful sunset; are some


    basis, can''t hear birds chirping sitting in the woods, and mostly can''t get out of home whenever we


    want. And that''s when they be umon which has happened with me.


    I want freedom which is not very avable in my hometown. That is why I moved to Canada 4 years


    back.


    I was literally a nerd in my school life. No, I am still a nerd. Proud nerd, might I say. I have always given


    more priority to my studies than everything else and I don''t regret it. When it was partying next door, I


    found myself burying my head into the book to understand why the vtile substances easily


    evaporated at normal temperature. And finally, all my hard work came to sess when I got admitted


    into one of the best universities in Canada which was indeed a blessing for me.


    I wanted to move somewhere away from here so that I could live a rtively free life. Dad denied it in


    the first ce. But I am not the one to give up easily. After many arguments, I managed to convince


    him and went to Canada but not alone, with Leah going after me as my babysitter.


    Meet Leah Easton, my best friend who is currently sitting beside me cursing no one in particr and


    the reason is her makeup has been ruined. Yes, she is crazy but she is the best ''best friend'' one could


    ever have.


    Funny, pretty, a lovely girl; modeling her passion and Harry Styles her obsession. Being best friends,


    we just do one thing the whole day and that is fight. Yeah, we fight most of the time we are awake but


    that''s what friends do right? Friends are not to give chocte and hugs and to shower with sweet


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    words, that''s daddy''s job for God''s sake.


    I met her in my freshman year and from then we were stuck together. So when she began whining to


    go with me, her parents agreed easily and let us go.


    These years we visited home from time to time. But this time it isn''t like others. Now we are here for a


    full six months. Dad had to go on an urgent trip to London, so someone needs to handle the business.


    And as I am the only daughter of my father, I have to take over for him as the CEO.


    We justpleted our graduation, me on business administration and Leah on literature. I was about


    to start my MBA course, then dad called me and I hurried over here. Running a multi-billion dor


    dad with his business and now at 21, I think I havee to gain some experience of thisplicated


    business world.


    Dad has none to take care of except me. I always felt like I left him alone for my own selfish reasons.


    That''s why I started looking after our business along with my studies from an early age. It wasn''t easy


    though. But I needed to do it and I did. Now that he relied on me alone to give me such a big


    responsibility because I proved myself eligible for it.


    Now giving up all distractions, all I need to do is to concentrate on my target as I promised my dad


    again that I will make him proud of me and I will. I never break my promises

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2


    "Cathie, what happened? Why aren''t you here yet?"


    "I am sorry Evie. I''ve had a fever since morning. I was about to call you then you called me."


    "Anything serious?"


    "No, just need to take the medicines properly and it will be alright."


    "Ok, then. You don''t have toe. Take a leave for a few days until you get better."


    "No, no, I don''t need to" -


    "No, Cathie, I said and that''s final."


    "But today''s meeting" -


    "Don''t worry about that. I will manage it, ok?"


    "Thanks." She replies, hesitantly.


    "Take care."


    I sigh and shove the phone into my pocket.


    I get outside of our office and reach for my car. Hoping in, I check the time on my watch. Oh shit! I am


    I start the engine and drive fast towards the skyline restaurant. I take my eyes off the road for a second


    and look down to see what I am wearing. A ck skinny jeans and a ck shirt with hair flowing down,


    it is ok. I really don''t care how I am looking but for the sake of looking like a CEO, I must do it.


    Breaking the speed limit all the way, I finally reach the restaurant. I park my car and check the time


    once again.


    11.10 am.


    10 minuteste.


    I open the door, get outside looking up towards the beautiful building in front of me. This is one of the


    fanciest restaurants in New York and one of my favourite ces. Standing in a secluded area, with a


    lovely flower garden in front and soothing touch of nature, it''s a perfect ce for a romantic date.


    But look why I am here!


    I approach the big ss doors and wait there for a while. Why am I having this odd gut feeling that


    something is going to happen today? And people say when you feel like something is going to happen


    then something really is. But the worst thing is you wouldn''t know what until that happens. I hate gut


    feelings!


    The guard opens the door, I step inside and look around the huge area. This restaurant remains less


    crowded at this hour of the day, so does today. The tables are mostly empty, only a few people sitting at


    some of them.


    The walls are tiled in golden zig-zag tiles, gigantic chandeliers are hanging from the ceiling, all the


    tables are covered with white tablecloths while on each table there are flower vases filled with freshly


    plucked flowers.


    I make my way towards the reception, there is a young man in his uniform writing something down in


    his notebook. I approach there as he stands up and shes me a smile,


    "Hello, Ma''am. Wee to our restaurant. How can I help you?" He asks me in a boyish voice.


    "Uh...We have a reservation for Ethan Jones." I reply and he checks the register.


    He nods, "Yes, ma''am. He arrived 15 minutes ago, waiting in the meeting room. Room number 204.


    Here''s the way." He shows me the direction.


    "Thanks."


    "Wee."


    I walk towards the booth area and then take a turn to the left that leads to a corridor. The long corridor


    is lit up by the golden crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling one after another. Marble tiled floor is


    sparkling under the soft light.


    Suddenly my phone buzzes in my pocket indicating a message. I switch the phone on and Leah''s


    name pops up on the screen. I continue walking and open the message:-


    Emergency alert- Don''t kiss Mr hotshot in the first ce! Be careful! Danger zone!


    Humor of this girl!


    I smile and am about to reply when I hit something hard.


    I immediately look up from my phone when my eyes meet two deep brown orbs.


    My heart stops as my eyes fall on the man in front of me.


    Is he a human being?


    Or sent from heaven?


    How can someone be so breathtaking?


    My eyes get stuck with him as if they are watching something else, not a human.


    He is that kind of beautiful that doesn''t really exist in the world, the description of that charisma just


    found in the fantasies.


    His ck hair which has brown hue on the edge; is styled to perfection, his mesmerizing eyes are like


    you could spend hours just staring. His chiseled jawline, sharp nose, high cheekbones, light skin,


    everything proiming what a piece of art he is!


    It feels like his brown eyes are staring directly into me holding an invisible power that has made me


    frozen in my ce. It''s like an eternity we have been staring at each other.


    Suddenly my phone rings and Ie back to my senses. I cut the call and hurriedly step backwards.


    Oh God, what the hell just happened? What was I doing? I was ogling him? Am I the same girl who


    never properly looked at any man? And here I was staring at him for years!


    I want to go away from this hypnotizing man.


    It''s such a shame. I should go and join the meeting now and here I am admiring how gorgeous a man


    is! No, no, no it''s not my character.


    Finally, I decide to break the awkward silence between us and speak up,


    "Uh...I am sorry. I didn''t notice you." I say and try to pass him but he abruptly moves forward and


    stands in front of me blocking my way.


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    "Are you Miss Gray?" He asks me in a deep voice to which I nod.


    How can a voice be so melodic?


    Wait! How did he know my name?


    "Yes, I am. But you?" I ask as he makes an assured face and holds out his hand,


    "I am Ethan Jones."

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3


    *********


    What the actual hell?


    Why does he have to be Ethan Jones? Couldn''t he be anyone else?


    It wasn''t supposed to be, was it?


    I just bumped into the one and only Ethan Jones and was staring like a fool God knows for how long!


    Now he would think I have never seen boys in my life! Though I have never seen someone like him!


    I shake off the thoughts and look at his outstretched hand.


    "Hello, Mr. Jones. Nice to meet you." I say as I raise my hand to connect with him.


    The moment he touches my hand, it feels like a thousand volts of electricity strikes me, sending shivers


    through every vein of my body. His hand is cold, my whole body gets stiffened, I literally struggle not to


    quiver at his touch.


    Oh God, is he electro-man?


    "It''s alreadyte, better if we start now, Miss Gray." He says in a business-like tone as he slowly lets go


    of my hand.


    "Yeah, sure. Let''s go." I reply and he nods.


    He starts walking through the corridor and I follow him. The strong scent of his cologne engulfs me


    which I know for a fact Clive Christian Imperial Majesty. Though I don''t use perfume for myself, I like


    men''s cologne.


    We pass the booth area and enter the big hallway. The long corridor of the hallway is painted cream


    with golden curtains hanging on the wall beautifully. There are rows of tree tubs on either side of the


    corridor. The hallway is so quiet that our footsteps echo throughout the ce, like a horror movie


    scene.


    Soon we appear in front of a big wooden door. He opens the door and enters inside without waiting for


    me.


    I see you are not a gentleman!


    I step inside and see a big conference room with a big projector and a long wooden table in the middle.


    Even the conference room is so gorgeous here.


    There is also a man sitting on a chair typing on theptop. He is pretty good-looking and looks in his


    mid-twenties like Mr. Jones. When he sees us, he gets up from his seat and moves towards me. He


    stands in front of me and extends his hand,


    "Hello, Miss Gray. I am Matt, Ethan''s assistant, and friend. I am so happy to meet you. " He says


    smiling.


    "Thank you, Mr. Matt. My pleasure." I shake his hand.


    "Please, call me Matt." He smiles cutely.


    "Oh Alright."


    "But if you call me Matt, I shouldn''t call you Miss Gray. Then what will I call you?"


    "Call me Evie, it''s my nickname."


    Our moment gets interrupted by a throat clearing and both of our heads snap in the direction of the


    sound.


    My eyes fall on him and I see him staring at us with a frown and with an annoyed expression.


    But why?


    We were just introducing ourselves and when people introduce they shake their hands, isn''t that


    normal?


    "If you guys are done, let''s get started with what we are here for. We are alreadyte enough." He says


    curtly.


    Rude


    He and I sit at the two opposite ends of the table and Matt sits adjacent to him. Meanwhile, I didn''t miss


    the slight smirk on Matt''s face.


    What''s happening?


    "So...Miss Gray, let''s juste to the point." He announces looking at me,


    "I had heard that this year Graysonpany has ranked in one of the most sessful business


    industries in the world and is also spreading worldwide. Hearing that, I got interested and gathered


    more information about yourpany and found it applicable to consider making a contract between


    us. "


    "Sost week, Mr. Grayson and I had a meeting and he also agreed to consider the proposition and we


    fixed another meeting. But then two days ago, Matt told me that he had to leave New York urgently and


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    you will take over for the next six months. So, please clear up this issue."


    He says in a breath and I nod sitting straight.


    "My father had to go to London for an urgent trip. There is a very important project we had invested


    earlier a great amount of money but now there are found some defaults from the other party and if we


    don''t settle this problem quickly, we would have to face a great loss. "


    "That''s why he left for London hurriedly and told me toe here and take over ourpany because


    the head branch can''t be managed without a CEO and as I am the co-owner of ourpany. I was in


    Canada for my study so when dad called me I moved here in short order three days ago. I think now


    it''s clear to you." I say and he nods in understanding.


    "So you live in Canada?"


    "Yeah, I have been living there for four years. And after dades from London, I will go back there." I


    reply.


    He clears his throat and starts the conversation again,


    "I thought it would be profitable making a partnership agreement between us since partnership


    demands equality and also an expert person as a partner. No doubt how experienced Mr. Grayson is.


    But now in his absence, how assured can I be that this agreement will work or not?" He says, raising


    an eyebrow.


    Now he is doubting my efficiency. How dare he?


    I take a deep breath, put my hands together resting my elbows on the hard surface of the table. Ready


    to give an insolent reply.


    "Mr. Jones, since I will have to work with you if we make this agreement, so I think by assurance


    maybe you want to know something more about me. As I said before, I just finished my graduation, that


    is to say, my study isn''t finished yet as I am willing to get an MBA. But I have been handling our


    business with my dad for about 5 years now."


    "Moreover, when dad has depended on me to work on the contract with you, I think you can depend


    too, I won''t disappoint you. And that''s it." I finish and exhale deeply.


    I look at Matt to see him staring at me amusingly and Mr. Jones looks down thinking something with a


    serious expression.


    For the one hour that I have been here, I haven''t seen him smile for once, rather just talking with a


    moody face. Why do all the CEOs have to be grumpy, rude, arrogant? Can''t they be smiley smiley? It''s


    true I myself hardly smile but still, I smile.


    "I will take your words, Miss Gray."


    His words cut me off guard,


    "Yes?" I ask to be sure what he said.


    "I want to say that I was interested in diving into the partnership from the beginning. Now that


    everything is clear, I am willing to make this contract. So what is your opinion?" He asks and I just stare


    at him nkly.


    Did he just agree?


    Yes, yes, he did.


    "Miss Gray?"


    "Huh?"


    "I said do you agree?"


    "Yeah, of course. I do. " I say quickly, nodding my head.


    "Matt, give me the papers." He asks Matt and he hands him the papers. I get up from my seat, walk


    forward, and sit beside him. After his signature, I read it properly and when I find everything correct, I


    sign my name.


    Done!


    I take my copy and shove it into my bag. I am so happy. Dad was a bit nervous about the contract and I


    did it finally. I can''t believe it. I can''t wait to give him the good news.


    "Miss Gray." He calls me as I turn


    around and my head slightly strikes against his hard chest.


    Why is he so close?


    Is there ack of space in this room that he had to stand right behind me?


    I look up at his face just to be overwhelmed by the second shock of fascination. He is really an artwork,


    god-gifted debonair. He is staring down at me with the same unknown emotion he was a while ago. His


    strong scent engulfs my nostrils and I can''t help but breathe in that scent. Then I take into


    consideration how close we are.


    I try to step back quickly but my back hits something which I assume is the desk as I was standing


    against it before being mesmerized by this godly man. I don''t know why but suddenly I start feeling


    nervous. I look around hoping Matt would be here but to my disappointment, he is gone.


    "Where is Matt?" I ask slowly.


    "He left to call my driver. He is outside." He replies in a steely voice, his eyes not leaving mine.


    "Oh."


    I am getting uneasy because of the closeness. He seems to notice that but he ignores it. I can''t even


    say a word like my mouth is stitched. He puts his hands on either side of me on the desk trapping me


    and all the while I keep staring like a dumbstruck person. I push my body back as far as possible but


    the stupid desk doesn''t even move a bit.


    What the hell is happening?


    I won''t work with you if youe any closer! Go away!


    I open my mouth to say something against this ''not like business'' behavior but it seems like I forgot


    English. Our body is touching and our faces are inches apart. I am not liking this position. The event of


    today morninges rushing to my mind when I first met him. I again feel numb, no strength to move.


    Then he smirks and brings his face closer to the side of my face, causing my heart to beat a thousand


    times faster.


    Oh god, what is he going to do?


    I can feel the hotness of his face against mine. Tingles start to form all over my body and I feel like my


    face is steaming. I want to run away but my body doesn''t help.


    Before turning around and walking away, he whispers something in my ear that makes my eyes widen


    in shock and my heart skip a beat,


    "Don''t disappoint me, princess."


    ***

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4


    ****


    Yes, I have changed.


    I am not that pretty little good girl I used to be. I am not that nice anymore once I was. That girl died. I


    killed her myself. Now the girl who exists is cold, rude, who is heartless, who doesn''t have any feelings,


    who doesn''t know the meaning of love and who.......


    Many more


    But this is what was supposed to be, wasn''t it?


    How can you be soft and sweet when the cruel world around you is insisting on making you cold?


    How can you be good when the person you love hurts you?


    How would you feel when the mother who should grow you up with love and care leaves you because


    you are a burden to her?


    Yes, I have changed. I have changed from the best into the worst. But I wasn''t like this. My cruel fate


    forced me to be heartless.


    I was 5. Just 5 when the woman I depended on most left me because she needed to enjoy her life, she


    needed freedom and I was ruining her free lifestyle. I was the biggest mistake, the biggest burden of


    that so-called mother of me. That bitch just couldn''t bear me so she left me alone with my dad and


    married another man.


    I still remember the day she left me. I was too young to understand that she was leaving me forever. I


    thought she was going shopping as usual and she woulde back again. But she didn''t. I had cried


    the whole day sitting beside the window waiting for her. But she didn''te back. And that was the day


    the good girl died.


    I hate her. I hate her most in my life. How could a mother leave her child like that? Isn''t a mother


    supposed to love her child most? And here she left me like I am some kind of useless stuff. That was


    thest day I saw her and I don''t want to see that ugly stigmatized face once again. I don''t even think


    she dares to face me after what she has done to me.


    My dad tried his best to keep me well, not to miss that bitchy woman. He didn''t even marry again so


    that I don''t get hurt. All his life, he looked after me and just tried to make me feel better. What he did for


    me, not even a mother can do for her child. He is the best father in the world, he is the father every


    daughter wants to have.


    Though I didn''t get my mother''s love, I am the luckiest daughter in the world just for my dad. But the


    thing is that I don''t deserve him. He wanted to raise me as his soft-spoken, little princess but I failed


    him. I turn out as a cold-hearted, workaholic, hardcore who doesn''t let anyone get into her own life, not


    even her dad.


    I failed him.


    I don''t question my father for the girl I am today. I can never. I don''t even use the judgemental


    society, the judgmental people who are always there to judge you but not to understand you. I use


    myself. I myself made the me I am now. But I don''t regret it.


    Even a bit.


    Why?


    Because trust me when I am saying this; to live in this heartless world, and to deal with heartless


    people sometimes you just need to be heartless. You can never make everyone happy. If you want to


    do that, you will end up hurting yourself.


    No matter what you did and how perfectly you did, people will judge you. In every sphere of your life,


    you will have to face judgment. Some people just wait to catch ws in others. You want to dye your


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    hair pink, they will say, "OMG, what a choice!" You did a new neck tattoo, "Eww... gross. Are you


    so ugly like elephants.


    What aparison, right?


    We are free human beings. We have the right to live our life. And might I remind you; our look is ours,


    our personality is ours and our choice is ours. And for this fucking reason, a girl has the right to cut her


    hair in Justin Bieber''s style if that''s what she wants.


    NOBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO JUDGE.


    But our society...


    At the end of everything, againes that judgment. We are free but still, we are captivated into the


    prison of judgment. There is no way to escape from this prison.


    If you are brave, then there''s a way...


    Never pay any heed to what the hell they are saying. Just go ahead with your aim, have the courage to


    make your dreams true, and have the gut to ignore all the hate they are throwing at you. Never expect


    they will shower you with praises in fact the other way is true. Hate will chase you every moment of


    your life but if you want to see yourself as the way you dream of, you must be strong.


    That''s what I learned and that''s why I am like this.


    Does it feel so good when the children you are supposed to y with, say that they won''t y with you


    because you are a ''naughty'' girl that''s why your mother left you? And nobody even tries to make them


    understand that their guessing was wrong?


    Was I really that naughty? Was everything my fault?


    No. It wasn''t. Nothing was my fault. Nothing happened on my own wish. But now everything will.


    Everything will happen the way I want.


    I am cold-hearted?


    Oh wow, it sounds great.


    That''s what I want to be. And talk about what others think of me. I don''t give any fuck about that. They


    can think whatever they want. But I am the way I am. I will never change.


    I don''t let anyone hurt me now, if someone just tries to get into my way, I destroy them. If someone


    even tries to put any scratch on me or my loved ones, I make their life hell.


    You call it heartless?


    Yeah, I am.


    Now everyone knows it''s not good to mess with me. Because, the ones who dare to do that, I give


    them treats which they really don''t enjoy. I have learned how to retort back.


    You found me rude?


    No problem.


    Now I don''t trust anyone so easily, I don''t let anyone make a ce in my heart so easily because I


    know the one who is smiling at you now might be the one who will backstab you the next moment.


    I havee to realize that I am the one I can rely on. Just I am the one I can trust. It''s the lesson I


    have taken from my life, from the sorrow of my life.


    When I was in pain, no one tried to make me feel better, no one came as my savior. And now I will trust


    them?


    Never.


    But no, don''t get me wrong. I am not saying that everyone is evil. There are still some good people in


    this bad world. But for being good, they don''t getpliments, they are called weak, naive, failure.


    That''s usual actually, isn''t it? Is this world fair?


    But to me, they are the bravest. In this cruel world, they still have the courage to cherish soft hearts.


    They still have the heart to love the ones who hurt them. Hats off to them!


    But unfortunately, I couldn''t be like that.


    I was heartless from a young age.


    When I was a kid, I didn''t really have any friends. I always thought ''friends'' are short terms. In the end,


    everyone will leave. That was what I believed until Leah came into my life. She was different. I don''t


    know why she chose to chase the weird mafia girl out of all the students. I didn''t talk to her either but


    she kept on trying to enter my painful life. She seeded in finally proving me wrong.


    I started liking her and now I love her. At least she didn''t let me down. She won''t ever, I know. The way


    she takes care of me, guides me, loves me, sometimes I forget that she is not my own blood.


    Once I was alone. Now I have everything. A loving dad, caring sister, work, sess, fame everything.


    This is my family.


    But still every time, Ie to New York, the dark past, the hard days of my life rush back to me. No


    matter how much I try to forget them, they are like shadows that never leave my mind.


    Memories, good or bad, always stay with us and we carry them all our life.


    The one thing that helps me to get rid of those bad memories is solitude. Spending some time alone


    being isted from the world is what I do when I get tired of those burdens.


    And there can''t be any other reason for why I am now in Central Park at night. I know it''s not a safe


    ce, no ce is safe for a girl at thiste-night moreover when It''s dark, secluded, and quiet areas


    like this.


    But I just don''t feel like leaving. I feel so good and I need it.


    I exhale a deep breath and look down at my hands.


    Oh my God, I forgot to inform Leah that I would bete today.


    I quickly open my purse and take out my phone. I switch on and...


    20 missed calls from Leah.


    Great! Exactly what I thought.


    What time is it?


    Holy fuck!


    12:20 am!


    How did it be thiste? How is it possible? I am here for three fucking hours! What will I tell her


    now?


    I am about to dial Leah''s number when she calls me again. I answer the call and the first thing I hear is


    barking,


    "Evie, where the hell are you? It''s midnight and you are not at home. I don''t even know where you are,


    what you are doing. Do you have any fucking idea how worried I was?"


    "Listen" -


    "I don''t want to fucking listen to you! You listen to me. Do you know how many times I called you? You


    didn''t even bother to pick up my call. Why would you care? Who am I to you?"


    "Lee, please" - Again she cuts me off.


    "Where the hell are you?"


    "Central park."


    "What? You are in Central Park at thiste-night? Did you start consuming alcohol? Are you drunk?"


    "No, I am not. I..." -


    "Then what are you doing there? Chatting with thieves and robbers?"


    "No, I was just sitting. I aming."


    "Why? Stay at that bloody hell the whole night. How can someone be so careless!"


    With that, she cuts the call. I jump off the swing I have been sitting on for thest couple of hours and


    rush towards my car. I am really scared.


    Not of the thief, robber, or Mafia but of my Leah.


    My feisty friend!


    ****

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5


    ****


    "What the hell is this?" I bark, throwing the file towards the stupid girl in front of me. She flinches as the


    file falls to the ground hitting her hand.


    "I... I am sorry, mam."


    "What sorry? Do I pay you for saying sorry? Or do I pay you for doing my work? Might I add


    ''professionally''? What do you think? I don''t have any information, huh? You can''t do your work properly


    but you are very fond of flirting with the hottie guys here, don''t you?"


    "No...no, ma..."


    "Shut up!" I roar out. " I hate when people lie to my face. Don''t you dare to do that. Listen, Miss...


    whatever. I won''t tolerate any kind of negligence among my employees. My father is kind but I am not. I


    won''t think twice to throw you out of my office. Either work properly or print out your resignation letter


    yourself. Now get lost!" I yell to which she jumps up and walks out of my office almost falling on her


    face.


    Stupid girl! I told her to bring the finance papers and she brought the IT reports! God, how inattentive a


    person can be? Just made my mood hell!


    Opening the drawer of my desk, I take out two pieces of Hershey''s kisses. I unwrap the foil of one and


    shove it into my mouth.


    Whenever I am angry or my mood is dumb, I eat choctes. And obviously, my mood gets dumb every


    now and then for why I always carry a few bars with me. By the amount of chocte I devour every


    day, I assume within a few years all my teeth will fall out!


    Once I finish one ''kisses'', I put the other one aside and rest my head on the table. Just when I think


    about starting the process of calming my nerves down, someone knocks on the door.


    Damnit!


    Again some stupid fellow!


    "Come in," I growl. The door opens and someone walks in.


    Before I look up, I make up my mind to fling some really foul words at the person whoever they are.


    I raise my head harshly and am about to open my mouth when I see,


    Whoa!


    Ethan Jones!


    He is in my office?


    Why?


    Well, we are working together so he definitely can be here.


    But I didn''t know he wasing. What can be the reason?


    "Can I sit?"


    His voice brings me out of my reverie,


    "Yeah, sure," I reply quickly pointing to the chair opposite of me.


    He sits down, ces a file on the table before looking at me again. Then I eye him properly.


    He is wearing a full ck Armani suit, hairbed neatly with one single strand falling on his forehead


    dramatically, and that heavenly smell thating from him fills the room. He is looking more handsome


    today. Remember when I said that day that he was gorgeous, I was wrong.


    Gorgeous isn''t enough to describe him.


    No word is enough in the world.


    Now understand how he is.


    Now even I understand why he is ''Danger zone''!


    "Done realizing how handsome I am?"


    I am snapped out of my thoughts again by his voice.


    He stares at me with an arrogant smirk on his beautiful lips.


    I frown immediately, "What do you mean by that? I wasn''t checking you out." I lie though it is apparent I


    was.


    His smirk gets bigger as he raises his eyebrows,


    "Oh, really? Is there anything more beautiful than me that you were checking out?" He says mockingly.


    Well, I know he is hot as hell. It''s even true that I was looking at him but that doesn''t mean he should


    sing his praises himself.


    What a shameless arrogant!


    Clearing my throat I speak up, "Can I kindly know why you came here?"


    "Can''t Ie? We are partners, right?"


    I nod, "Right. We are ''business'' partners." I reply emphasizing the word business.


    He chuckles as he leans in, "Of course, we are. I didn''t mean anything else, did I?"


    Heck, why did I even say that? Couldn''t I find any other way to embarrass me?


    "Mr. Jon..."


    "Call me Ethan." He cuts me off, causing my eyes to widen.


    "I will call you Ethan? Do all your business partners call you by your name?" I ask to which he gives me


    a sheepish smile in return.


    "No, it''s a special offer just for you."


    "Why, just for me?"


    "Do you know you ask too many questions?"


    "Do you know you procrastinate too much? You haven''t told me yet why you came here." I retort.


    "Ok, ok, I am telling. I came here to give you this file." He says pointing to the file before him, "Here are


    some very important documents you will need. We are going to a meeting tomorrow so you must check


    the papers today. I could send it to you by someone but I just felt likeing here myself since your


    ce is so beautiful." He shrugs.


    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Really? Ethan Jones came here himself just because the ce is beautiful? The first time I saw him he


    was all angry, moody, grumpy, and now all of a sudden he is ying whimsy? Strange!


    "Here it is."


    "I will look through the paperster. Would you like to grab a coffee?" I ask, taking the papers.


    He shakes his head, "No, I would like to talk to you more." He says as his lips curve into a mesmerizing


    smile.


    "About business?" I ask.


    "No." He shakes his head, "Tell me something about yourself." He says, putting his hand under his


    chin.


    I smile, "Myself?"


    "Yeah. Whatever you want."


    He wants to gossip with me about silly things? Okay.


    "Umm... if you really want to hear then I''m going to talk something silly so don''tugh." I warn as he


    nods like a little boy, smirking.


    "Well..." I start, "I am 21 years old, turning 22 soon. My best friend is Leah with whom I moved to


    Canada and living now. I like listening to music and painting. I don''t like the present time, it would have


    been better if I had been born in the renaissance period. And finally, I want to travel around the world


    one day." I finish as he chuckles.


    "That''s a good wish." He says, smiling.


    Suddenly his eyes move to something, I follow his gaze as my eyes fall on the acrylic painting hanging


    on the wall.


    Dad puts paintings everywhere knowing that I have a great liking for them. The office room was not left


    out either.


    Being the owner of one of the biggest multi-billionairepanies, dad should have his office adorned


    with modern decorations but he made it the way I like. This office is abination of modernism and


    art.


    There is a big wooden desk with a ck leather chair before the window, where dad sits and currently I


    am sitting. One side of the room is made of full ss walls from where the streets and buildings of


    downtown New York can be seen and where I spend most of the time standing. Two Norfolk pine trees


    are ced in both corners of the wall.


    A white couch with a small ss table facing the door while a huge white bookshelf with thousands of


    books covering another wall.


    Me and my dad, we both are hungers of books. A huge portion of time, dad spends reading books


    while working in the office. I flipped through the bookshelf but didn''t find anything of my interest. I read


    romance and mystery books while dad is into the poems and business so all the books are here of


    these genres. That''s definite in fact. If a 50 years old man can be seen turning the pages of The Bad


    Boy''s Girl, that would be ridiculous indeed.


    And the painting we were talking about is hung on the opposite wall from the desk. It''s a garden picture


    with a small wooden bench in the middle surrounded by rose bushes. Shrubs of pinkish-purple roses


    hanging over the back t like a cascade and some rose petals falling on the seat and the ground.


    Bushes enclosing the whole ce giving the picture a dark vibe.


    Ethan gets up from his seat and makes his way towards the wall where the picture is. He stands in


    front of it as I follow and stand beside him.


    "It''s so beautiful." He says, staring at the painting.


    "Hmm. It is."


    "You like art very much, don''t you?"


    "Yeah."


    He turns to me, "I didn''t see many girls who have a passion for art. I thought they just have a great


    obsession for make-up and dresses and girly stuff." He says as a smirk appears on his lips.


    "That is wrong. Not everyone''s the same. I hate girly stuff. And make-up just gross." I reply, returning


    the smirk.


    He shakes his head, "Yeah."


    "What?"


    "You are different." He saysing one step closer towards me and I take one step backward.


    "And how so?" I smile though my heart is jumping with nervousness.


    He smirks as he takes another step so that now he is in front of me. I look up at his face and see him


    staring at me intensely.


    "Look at everyone else, they are merely words while you, you are poetry." He quotes.


    I keep staring at him for seconds before bursting intoughter.


    "You and poems?" I poke his chest, "Oh my God, unbelievable, mismatched, what a weirdbination


    like pineapple on pizza, popcorn with juice." I manage to say between myughs.


    "It''s getting harder for me to restrain myself." He mutters something.


    "Huh?" I ask to be sure what he said.


    He shakes his head, "Nothing."


    But I didn''t miss the amusement in his voice. Did he say something like...


    "I must go now. It''s alreadyte." He announces.


    "Of course, thanks foring."


    "I should thank you, I had a great time." He smiles, genuine.


    Though I don''t think everyone knows about this side of his character, friendly, sweet but I am really d


    to know that. When we have to work together for a long time, it''s better if we can build a friendship


    between us.


    And I guess as a friend, he wouldn''t be so bad unless he changes his mood tomorrow.


    "Bye, Ethan." I bid him with a smile.


    "Bye." He bids back as he steps out of my office. When I think about closing the door, suddenly he


    turns around. Leaning against the door frame, he moves his face towards me smirking.


    Again?!


    Bringing his face to the side of my forehead, he blows gently causing the strands of hair that were


    falling onto my face to move away. Shivers run down my spine at that soothing touch and I feel like a


    cool ocean breeze just stroked my face. He brings his lips to my ear as he whispers,


    "I am looking forward to seeing you again."


    With that said, he turns around and leaves the ce leaving me in shock again.


    *******

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6


    ......


    "Hello, Evie?"


    "Yeah."


    "Where are you now? When is heing?"


    "I am in my car. He will be happy if I pick him up from the airport. So I am on my way. Why, Lee? Can''t


    wait to see my handsome friend?"


    "I am not a bit interested.  I was just asking." She tries to defend herself.


    "Hmm... I trust you."


    "Stop mocking me and focus on driving. Bye."


    "Bye. Your ''soon to be boyfriend'' ising." I chuckle and hear a growl from the other side.


    I am going to pick up my friend, Nick. He is my other best friend. He is 2 years older than me, lives in


    Los Angeles, handling their family business. His father and my father are best buddies from the time


    they were teenagers. And now we are.


    His naughtiness has no boundaries. From childhood, he has been making my life hell. Even though


    he''s so naughty and he puts me in so many troubles like dying my hair blue, pouring pink color on my


    white dress, and so on, I love him. He is someone one can not but love.


    He has had a huge crush on Leah since he was a teenager but for the fear of rejection, he is still away


    from her flirting with other girls. Poor guy!


    But I don''t think Leah doesn''t like him. She is just trying to hide her feelings I can feel that by her


    reaction whenever I talk about Nick. I asked her many times, every time she just ignored me. I just can''t


    get it if they really like each other, what is the need to act like heartbroken Romeo and Juliet? Can''t


    they just confess their feelings?


    But now there is a chance. Nick is not going to stop his torments on me so quickly that means he''s


    here for some days. Maybe they will confess this time otherwise I will burst the bubbles myself. Yeah.


    I reach the airport and park my car in a quiet ce. I don''t want to draw any attention at least now.


    Getting out of the car, I look around and lean against it, shoving my hands into the pockets of my jeans.


    He hasn''t reached yet. Let''s wait then.


    My phone rings in my purse again. I open the purse and take out the phone. A smile creeps upon my


    lips looking at the caller ID. Yesterday in the meeting, the flirty guy changed into the full professional


    again. I wonder how many concealments he has.


    I receive the call and he speaks up,


    "Where are you? You are not in your office because I called Cathie and she said you left a while ago."


    He asks in a demanding voice.


    "Who are you? My husband?" I think to myself as I mentally roll my eyes.


    "Why? Is there any need?" I ask.


    "Yeah. I need you toe to my office."


    "Why?"


    "Come first then we will talk."


    "Ok I will go but it will be a littlete. I am in the airport." I reply looking around.


    "What are you doing there?"


    "I am here to pick someone up."


    "Who?"


    He is boundless curious, isn''t he?


    "Nick."


    His voice changes as he asks,


    "Who is Nick?"


    "Nick is my be..." -


    I hear a sound and my head snaps in the direction. My eyes fall on the jet and I instantly recognize it''s


    Nick''s.


    I walk forward to get a better view when the door opens and his facees out.


    With astonishing green eyes, dirty blond hair, and a strong muscr body apanied by a height of


    6"2'', he is someone all girls swoon over except for me. Of course, I see him just as my friend.


    Moreover, Nick has something for Leah and I have no that kind of feelings for him. I don''t think I will


    ever grow those feelings for anyone.


    Nick''s eyes fall on me and his face lightens up. He starts running towards me grinning and I stand there


    still. I know what ising next!


    "Evie, my baby. I missed you so much." He shouts as he gives me a bone-crushing hug, lifts me, and


    starts swirling me around.


    "Nicki, please, put me down. My head is spinning." I say loudly and wrap my arms around his shoulder


    tightly not to fall.


    Finally, he puts me down and gives me a chubby kiss on my cheek.


    Am I a six months baby?


    "Eww...Nicki. I don''t like kisses you know." I exim as I wipe my face with my palm.


    I told him a thousand times not to kiss me or hug me like that. I mean like a maniac. But who''s gonna


    listen to me?


    "I really missed you." He gives me an innocent smile and ruffles my hair. Soon I find myself smiling


    back at him.


    "I missed you too," I say as he makes a pout.


    "But it didn''t seem so. You didn''t tell me you came here. I had to hear from my uncle."


    "Um... sorry, Nicki. I was so busy with work. I''m sorry. I will give you choctes. Please smile." I pull his


    cheeks.


    "Ok, ok, apology epted. Now stop pulling or my cheeks will fall off. Ouch! Stop."


    I remove my hands smiling, "Thank you. Let''s go home."


    He nods while rubbing his cheeks slowly.


    We reach my car and hop inside.


    "So, how is everything going on?" I ask, starting the engine.


    He snorts, "Not good. Business is not my thing. I just hate it. Meeting and running and talking, God


    knows how you can do all these bullshits happily! And you know what is the scariest thing?" He asks


    with an agape mouth as if the Great Wall of China has been destroyed.


    "What?"


    "I have to wear suits! Fucking suits! My sexy biceps have to be covered up. Do you have any idea how


    fucking it hurts?" He shouts cing his hand on his chest.


    I roll my eyes at him. He is always like this. A tight short sleeve t-shirt with ripped jeans and messy hair


    is the uniform of which boy; suits are really very dreadful for him.


    But handsome is always handsome. For example, Ethan is always suited booted but no need to


    mention, dazzling as hell.


    Oh my God, how did Ethan evene here?


    I really need to get him out of my mind.


    "Nicki, I can''t go home now. I will drop you home and then go to my work. Sorry." I tell him.


    "It''s okay. No problem. I know my boss'' girl loves work." He jokes.


    "Yeah, I think you would also like that. Leah is waiting for you. Didn''t you miss her?" I ask, smirking as


    he turns his head around and looks out of the window.


    "Why would I miss her? Evie, it''s not what you are thinking." He replies sternly.


    "Hmm, I really trust both of you, so funny." I shake my head disappointingly.


    "What do you mean by that?" He frowns.


    "I mean that you like her but you are not confessing because you are so coward of a boy," I state.


    "What..." Nick gives me a surprised look and tries to say something but I cut him off.


    "Yeah yeah I know, I am very straightforward. You don''t have to remind me." I say with pride and he


    rolls his eyes at me.


    "Now get lost! We are home." I say as I stop the car in front of our apartment building. "Go and meet


    your Juliet but don''t faint ok? She is more beautiful now." I joke.


    Opening the door, he gets out of the car and turns around.


    "You are evil, but I love you." Nick smiles and pecks my forehead.


    "I love you too," I say and bid him bye.


    After he enters the building, I start my car and drive towards Jones Industries.


    After a 20 minutes drive, I reach his office. Parking the car, I get out and my eyes fall on the


    tremendous skyscraper in front of me. How scary!


    The whole building is made of blue ss walls which are shining for the bright sunlight. There is a


    water fountain in front of the main gate while the whole ce is surrounded by flower beds of various


    flowers.


    I enter through the big ss doors and as soon as I step inside, all the sounds stop as everyone looks


    at me with an open mouth and wide eyes. I can say by their face that they are afraid of me.


    What the hell? Do I look like a witch with a broomstick?


    I approach the reception and see there a girl with blonde hair staring at me standing and without


    moving.


    "Which floor is Ethan Jones?" I ask straight.


    "Top floor." The girl answers in a shaky voice as I nod.


    I enter the elevator and press the button of the top floor. The door closes and I shove my phone into my


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    pocket after checking the time.


    After what feels like an eternity, the doors open with a sound, and I step out.


    What a view!


    I stare at the mind-numbing scenery in front of me through the big ss walls. The whole ce is lit up


    by the direct sunlight and medium-size swiss cheese nt trees are ced on either side in a row. The


    hallway is long and quiet. Seems like he uses the floor all alone.


    I follow the instructions and reach his office. I knock on the door and he says to enter in an angry voice.


    Why is he suddenly angry?


    I open the door and enter inside. Closing the door, just when I am about to turn around, an arm grabs


    my hand and pins me against the wall catching me off guard.


    .......

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7


    "Who the fuck is that Nick?"


    I hear a familiar voice and finally get the courage to open my eyes just to see him staring at me


    furiously. His one hand is wrapped around my waist and the other is on the back of my head. His eyes


    are burning with anger but should I say he is still looking hot!


    He is holding me so tightly that my body is pressed against his. His face is just in front of mine, his hot


    breath fences my face. For the close proximity, every time he exhales a breath, I feel like a gust of fire


    wind is hitting me.


    Why do we always have to be this close?


    "Speak. up. Evelyn." His angry voice brings me out of my trance.


    What the hell did I even do to make him angry?


    "What did you ask? I forgot." I say slowly.


    Call me dumb but I really forgot. It''s so difficult to remember something in this kind of hot weather. I


    mean the temperature is pretty cool outside, 11 degrees celsius. But in the position I am in now, I am


    feeling so hot.


    "I asked who Nick is?" He grits.


    God, where has the flirty guy gone? He is looking furious now.


    "How do you know him?" I ask.


    "I don''t know that is why I am asking right? Now answer me."


    That''s right.


    But why the sudden interest in Nick?


    "Nick is my best friend," I reply as soon as his brown eyes instantly re up with vicious rage and that


    look really scares me. He grips my face in a firm grip and moves his face dangerously close,


    "Don''t lie to me." He whispers in a harsh voice causing a shiver to run down my spine.


    "I... I am n-not lying. He is my friend. What else would he be?" I stutter.


    "He is your boyfriend, isn''t he?"


    Boyfriend?!


    What the hell!


    I mean what kinda hell is this?


    I really can''t understand anything. What in the world made him think that?


    "What? No, why would he be my boyfriend?" I exim.


    He closes his eyes and then flutters them open and this time I see more anger on his face.


    "Then why the fuck he kissed you?" He barks, my mouth gapes hearing him.


    "Ho...how did you know that?"


    "Really? How did I know right?" He mocks, "Let me tell you that you were so excited to mingle with your


    boyfriend that you even forgot to cut the call. And I identally overheard everything."


    GOD DAMN IT!


    That''s the case.


    Now I remember when I saw the jetnding I was too excited and just shoved the phone without cutting


    the call. And when Nick kissed me, I scolded him then Ethan heard us. But so what? Can''t a friend kiss


    on the cheek? It''s cheek for hell''s sake.


    Even if he thinks that Nick is my boyfriend, there''s nothing for him to get angry. Not that I want one but I


    have the right to have a boyfriend, right?


    "Why aren''t you trusting me? He is just my friend, nothing else, and that kiss..."


    He tightens his grip on my waist as he barks again,


    "Yes, that fucking kiss! Why did he kiss you if he is just your ''friend''? If he is not your boyfriend?"


    That''s when it strikes me. He is interrogating me like Imitted a crime. Nobody ever even scolded


    me and here he is yelling at my face.


    This ispletely my personal matter. He doesn''t have any right to enter inside. Did I want him to give


    me the list of his girlfriends? It''s not that I don''t know he has a new girl with him every other day but I


    didn''t ask anything. He shouldn''t either.


    Now I am feeling bad to let him behave like that with me this whole time.


    I remove my hand from his shoulder and push him hard to which he stumbles back a little looking at me


    taken aback.


    "How dare you talk to me like that, Ethan? What the hell is your problem with Nick? Even if he is my


    boyfriend and even if he kissed me, so? Who are you to ask me an exnation?" I yell at him.


    "So you are confessing he is your boyfriend?" He asks me in a low voice with an unknown expression


    on his face.


    He stands in front of me for a while scrutinizing my face then averts his gaze. His expression changes


    as he runs towards his desk with a clenched jaw and eyes that are suffusing fire. Before I understand


    anything, he grabs the flower vase and chucks it against the wall with so much force. I let out a gasp as


    the vase breaks apart with a crashing sound and pieces of broken ss scatter throughout the ce in


    a glimpse.


    Not sparing a nce at the mess he just made, he stomps towards the wall before him and to my very


    shock, starts hitting the wall more forcefully than people punch the damn punching bag.


    I rush towards him and by the time I reach him I am sure that he has already got various bruises.


    "Ethan! Stop." I shout trying to catch hold of his hand but he pushes me away. His breathing is heavy,


    sweats forming on his forehead.


    "Go away." He shouts back as he tries to take his now wounded hand out of my hold.


    "Your hand is bleeding. Can''t you see?"


    "Why do you care? Just go."


    "Shut up and listen to me," I shout at the top of my lung, and finally, he stops struggling.


    I pull him towards the couch and make him sit there. I see the first aid kit on the shelf and take the box


    out and walk back to him. Sitting beside him, I ce his hand on myp and start wiping the blood


    slowly. I put antiseptic on his wound but he doesn''t even flinch once as if he can''t feel anything.


    Blowing gently, I bandage his hand, and all the while his eyes remain glued to my face.


    After I am done, I look around the office which is now a full mess. Broken ss is shattered all over the


    ce.


    "Why did you do all of this?" I ask and he snaps his head towards me.


    "I don''t know anything. I don''t know why I did these. I just felt like. I feel like ruining everything and it''s


    all for you. Everything is happening for you. You understand?"


    "What have I done?


    "You are confusing me from the very first day. That''s what you have been doing so far."


    "I am confusing you? It''s you who is always arguing with me. It''s you who is always acting weird. Look


    at this." I say pointing to the mess, "You did this actually for no reason at all. Why did you ask me about


    my personal life? I can have a boyfriend but that''s not your matter to think about. You forgot that. You


    are always forgetting what our rtionship is. Everything is happening for you. And now you''re saying I


    am responsible for all. Really?" I retort as he gives me an enraged look in return.


    He budges his head angrily, "Oh yeah, you are right. I tend to forget that you are just a freaking


    business partner of mine. That I shouldn''t have asked you about your oh-so-loving ''boyfriend''. Why


    one, you can have a thousand boyfriends if you want. I don''t fucking care. And don''t worry. From now


    on, I will keep it in mind..."


    The ring of my phone interrupts him. I give him a hatred look and pull out my phone from the pocket


    and Nick''s name pops up on the screen.


    Great timing Nicki!


    I nce at him to see him staring at my phone with a clenched jaw and raging eyes. He looks like now


    all he wants to do is to snatch it from me and throw it to the ground of this God knows how many


    stories this building has. Suddenly he gets up from his seat and walks off towards the window trampling


    the pieces of ss on the way.


    How would I make him believe that Nick is not my boyfriend? I don''t think of him as anything more than


    just a friend. And he likes Leah, maybe loves her. I have never had a boyfriend and never will.


    I sigh and receive the call,


    "Hello, Nicki?"


    "Baby, what happened? Why do you sound upset?"


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Nothing. I am alright."


    "I know when you are lying. Anyway, when are youing?"


    "I am not sure."


    "We are waiting, we have a surprise for you."


    "What surprise?"


    "It won''t remain a surprise if I tell you now. So I am not telling you. I am sure you will like it. Come


    quick."


    "Ok."


    "Love you, baby."


    Oh, Nicki, you are not making it easier for me.


    "Love you too," I say and hurriedly take a nce at Ethan.


    If looks could ignite the fire, then the look he is giving me now would be enough to burn me down right


    here.


    Cutting the call, I stand up and move towards him.


    "What do you need to talk about?" I ask in a steely voice.


    "Too eager, I see." He mutters.


    "Yes, eager. I would rather spend my time with family than to see your temper tantrum being here. Do


    you have any problems? I don''t think you should."


    "No, I don''t." He shakes his head making a nk face, "And for what I called you, right. Actually, I think


    now it''s not the condition to talk. I will tell Matt to discuss the matter with you tomorrow in the office. I


    have already wasted your precious personal time. I am sorry for the interruption." He replies, anger


    pouring out of his words.


    "Alright. It''s not a problem if you really understand what we really are. Just keep in mind that I don''t


    have to remind you not to interfere in my personal life again." I say and leave the office immediately


    without casting him another nce.


    He is too much. I didn''t want to behave like that with him but he forced me. I told him the truth and he


    disbelieved me. Well, he can think whatever the hell he wants to. I shouldn''t bother me with it. After all,


    I wanted to make everything up but then again he used me of all of this.


    I thought that we could be friends but I was wrong. He doesn''t know what friendship means. It would


    have been better if I just kept everything in business but I didn''t. It''s my fault thinking of him as a friend.


    Friends do listen to each other but he doesn''t. I got foolish seeing his good behavior but that was


    temporary. He is not different. He is the way I heard him. Our friendship hadn''t even started and now it


    is over.


    Everything is finished.


    Everything is.

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8


    The elevator opens and I step out. It''s 8 p.m. and after working the whole day mostly after what


    happened with Ethan, I am so tired. I reach my apartment door and press the doorbell and then my


    eyes fall on my hands.


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    Blood


    When I was bandaging his hand, maybe then I got blood on my hands.


    The door opens and Nick sticks his head out.


    "Hey, baby." He greets smiling.


    "Hi," I say and get inside.


    "Where is Lee?" I ask looking around and throw my purse on the couch.


    "She is making ''surprise'' for you," Nick says with a cheeky smile and I smile in return.


    "Oh my God, Evie, your hand is bleeding." He screams as he moves towards me and holds my hand.


    "No, no. It''s not my blood."


    "Then whose?"


    "Long story. Let me freshen up first. I am tired."


    "Ok, but you have to tell meter."


    "Yeah," I say and make my way to my bedroom.


    I kick off my heels forcefully and they slump down somewhere with a loud sound. I pull out my phone


    and throw it on the bed but my speed was a bit higher so it kept on rotating before...


    Crack


    Very good.


    I want to break everything.


    Reaching the door of my walk-in closet, I give another kick and it barges against the wall producing


    another noise. Yeah, I am angry and taking it out on innocent things. Because, unlike certain someone,


    I don''t have any intention to break my hand punching the wall.


    I take out my pajamas and t-shirt ande out of the closet with another...


    Bang


    "Evie, what the fuck you are doing? ying boxing with doors?" Leah yells from the living room.


    "I am screwing everything up. Heard me?" I yell back and hear Nick''sughter.


    Taking my clothes, I enter the washroom and turn on the shower before stepping under the water which


    soothes my skin as well as my head. I untie my hair and it spreads over my back reaching my waist. I


    flick my hair a couple of times letting the water wet through it. I take off my t-shirt and rub my hand.


    Staring at the blood, just one facees to my mind.


    Why did he behave like that to me?


    Why does he always hurt me?


    Thousands of questions running through my mind right now. The moment I saw him, everything started


    to change. The day we first met, I got stuck in my ce. And from then, every time hees near me,


    my body reacts strangely.


    I can''t think straight whenever he is close to me. He is the first man who ever came that close to me.


    He is the first who ever touched me like that. And I let him touch me.


    His touches...


    The first time he held my hand, I got strange feelings and now every time, his body makes contact with


    mine, I get shivers.


    Looking at his eyes, I forget everything. My heart doesn''t want to go away from him.


    I have always been closed off. Never let anyone take over my heart but these days I can''t stop thinking


    about him for a second. In the office, at home, and even in my dreams.


    I tried to make him understand. He didn''t let me. Friendship or whatever, now everything has ended. It''s


    hurting.


    No, no, no...


    I don''t want to think about him.


    I have to get him out of my mind.


    I have to try at least.


    After taking a long shower, I get out of the washroom. I change my clothes and dry my hair.


    Getting out of my room, I look for Leah and Nick but they are nowhere to be seen.


    "Nicki, Lee, where are you?" I call out loud but no reply.


    I decide to go to Nick''s room first. Opening the door, I take a look inside but everything is dark. The


    living room is dark, the kitchen is empty. Where the hell are they? They were talking here a little while


    ago. The whole apartment is quiet and mostly bowery, only the sounds of my footsteps and click of


    doors can be heard. It seems spooky now.


    I stand in front of Leah''s room and turn the doorknob. It''s thest room if they are not here then...


    "Happy birthday"

 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9


    I hear an ear-splitting scream and instantly fence my eyes with my hand to prevent the dazzling light


    radiating from inside.


    Birthday? Whose birthday? I can''t remember anyone''s birthday.


    Bright golden light disperses through the gap of my fingers and hits my face. When my eyes adjust to


    the light, I remove my hand and slowly open my eyes. I blink a couple of times to clear my vision and


    the sightes into view.


    What is...


    I look at the two persons in front of me utterly shocked as they give me a happy smile in return. My


    eyes slowly travel from one side to the other of therge room usually decorated modernly but now the


    vibe is fully changed. It takes me seconds to realize what I am seeing and only one wordes to my


    mind.


    Amazing


    The whole room and the ceiling are decorated with pink and white colorful balloons. Golden string lights


    and streamers are hanging from the wall. There''s a center table in the middle of the room with a


    centerpiece on top of it and the whole table is garnished with all the mouth-watering desserts. On the


    wall at the opposite side of the table, ''Happy Birthday our sweet girl'' is written in big bold letters and the


    words are shining for the string lights attached around them.


    The whole room is adorned with stars that are radiating golden light for why it''s looking so bright. I love


    stars; they know that.


    It''s my birthday. I forgot.


    So this is the surprise. That''s why Nick hurriedly came here today.


    I forgot my own birthday but they remembered it. I know they love me but I didn''t expect this much.


    Especially when the birthday girl herself forgets her birthday.


    "Will you just behold the beauty ore here and cut the cake?" Nick''s voice brings me out of the


    Disnend around me as I look at them.


    They are wearing party hats standing behind the table, Nick has a knife in his hand wrapped up with


    pink ribbon.


    "If you don''t want toe here, then fine. I am cutting the cake. No, I don''t even need to cut, I will just


    eat." Nick says as he pretends to grasp the cake.


    "No, don''t touch it. I will kill you, I swear." I shout, stopping him.


    He twitches his eyebrows and looks at me with a smug look on his face.


    "Oh really, baby? Do you know who did all these?" He says waving his hand in a circr motion


    pointing to the room.


    Then he points his finger to himself and Leah smacks his head.


    "Have you done everything alone? We both did and now you are alone taking all the credits. What an


    unfaithful baboon!"


    "Don''t call me that, I said."


    "Really? What will you do, huh? BABOON."


    "I said don''t call me that."


    "And I said I will."


    "Shut up!"


    "You shut up."


    "You!"


    "No, you."


    "STOP!" I scream at the top of my lung and they hurriedly snap their attention to me.


    I approach them angrily.


    "Guys, you need to live in the asylum. Why are you at home? If you don''t stop right now, I really won''t


    cut the cake trust me." I state.


    They give me an apologetic look, "We are sorry. Please don''t be mad. We did everything for you.


    Smile. " Nick says, pouting.


    I watch them with a hard face for some time then chuckle, "How could I stay mad at you two!"


    I say and hug them both together as they grin and hug me back.


    "Thank you very much for the surprise. I can''t tell you how happy I am. It really means a lot to me." I


    say grinning as we pull apart.


    "Everything for you." They reply together.


    "Now take it, birthday girl." Nick hands me the knife and wears me a party hat.


    Taking it, I turn my gaze at the delicious-looking chocte cake on the table. It''s a round-shaped Cake


    with a chocteyer covering it and small colorful candles surrounding the whole in a circle. Roses


    made with white whipped cream are ced on top of it in a curved line giving the cake a flowery look.


    I can''t wait to shove it into my mouth!


    The night passes with lots of fun, eating, and noises. Though just the three of us here but the number


    isn''t really a problem when we are together. We throw cakes at one another, smear on our faces and


    finally we finish our party at midnight while we look like ghosts and our beautiful apartment turns into a


    ghost pce.


    Dad would have a heart attack if he sees the house in this state.


    We decide to clean the house tomorrow. After wishing goodnight, we go to our bed and wee the


    night.


    The sleep engulfs me but not before I think of him once again.


    .............


    "Hey, sleeping beauty, wake up now. You are going to bete for office. By the way, why am I waking


    you up? I''m not your dad, right? Evie! WAKE UP!"


    I flutter my eyes open to the sound of Nick''s shouting and banging on the door. I look around to see the


    sun raysing inside the room through the thin curtains.


    "Evie, are you alive? My God, if I knew this is such hard work to wake this girl up, I would have never


    let Leah go." Nick shouts continuing the banging.


    The door is going to break now.


    What a great way to start the morning!


    "I am up! I am up! Stop it now." I shout getting down from the bed.


    "Oh finally! I thought you were dead! Get ready quickly." Nick replies and walks away I guess.


    I walk towards the washroom rubbing my eyes and pull my hair into a messy bun. It takes me thirty


    minutes to get ready and when I open the door, it''s 8:30 on the clock. That means I have thirty minutes


    to get to the office on time. I usually skip breakfast and it takes 20 minutes to reach there, so I think I


    wouldn''t bete.


    Opening the door, I enter the living room and see Nick sitting on the couchzily ying games on the


    phone.


    "Hey Nicki, good morning." I greet as I put on my heels.


    "Good morning." He says looking up from the phone, "By the way, where are you going?"


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    I chuckle, "For why you woke me up?"


    "No, I didn''t mean that. I want to say I am giving you a ride."


    "Why? I have my car." I ask, staring at him in confusion.


    He smiles sheepishly, "Leah stole your car, haha!"


    "What? Why?"


    I mean we all have our own cars. Though I and Leah share my car most of the time but if Leah has to


    go anywhere alone, she uses her own.


    "Because her car has broken down. Now shut up ande with me." He announces walking out of the


    apartment swirling the key around his finger.


    "Ok"


    We walk to the parking lot and reach the gray Mercedes Benz which is now Nick''s life. He tells me he


    would drive today and I nod, sitting on the passenger side. Nick climbs in and starts the car.


    "And I will also pick you up today. When you are done, message me."


    I nod, "Alright."

 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10


    Warning: The following chapter contains a lot of swearing, mild violence, and self harm. So my pretty


    angels, if you are notfortable with these things, you shouldn''t waste your precious time here.


    **************


    Ethan''s POV


    Since when I started to change?


    Since when did I begin to behave like this?


    Definitely, she is beautiful, utterly beautiful. But she isn''t the only one. I have seen a lot of beautiful girls


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    in my life. I always thought they are a bundle of attraction. If I was attracted to any girl, just one night


    and the chapter closed. That''s how my life has been going so far and I was totally fine with it. Badboy


    hasn''t been my title for nothing.


    Then in her case, why isn''t all the same?


    Just why?


    What magic those blue-greenish eyes hold that made me rooted to the spot the first time I stared into


    them? The way she was looking at me, the way her eyes were blinking, Why did I forget how to


    breathe?


    Being near her makes me forget everything, I don''t have any control when she is around me. Just a


    few days'' acquaintance but seems like forever... Why?


    A question with no answer


    But one thing is for sure; it''s not an attraction. It can''t be. Attraction doesn''t make someone feel like


    this. I don''t know what this is. How could I say if I have never had this kind of feeling ever?


    The first time I saw her, I knew she was different but I couldn''t understand she was this different until


    now when seeing her with that guy, making me feel like to crash down everything.


    If it was just a fucking attraction, I wouldn''t want to rip that hand off of him which is touching her.


    She lied to me.


    She fucking lied to me.


    She told me she was sick and I believed that. I came to see her. I was worrying for her what I don''t do


    for anyone. And here she is talking to her boyfriend?


    That day she lied to me but now can she deny that he is not her boyfriend?


    But...


    Why do I care?


    Did I ever care which girl has a boyfriend and which one doesn''t? Did I ever give a fuck about this


    stupid stuff? No.


    God! Every freaking thing is different when ites to her.


    But whatever the thing is behind all of this, the one thing I know at this moment is that...


    It hurts


    It is hurting seeing her with someone else...


    For some unknown reasons, it just doesn''t seem fair.


    But is there anything I can do without watching?


    No


    And I am not used to ''no''.


    I. am. not.


    I clench my jaw in anger and ball my fist to gain some control as I watch them both staring at me. That


    guy has a confused look on his face and he slowly removes his hand from her. And Evelyn...


    Her back was facing me. She slowly turns around and when our eyes meet, I see her face has turned


    pale. Her eyes are staring at me in horror and a scared look all over her face.


    The silence between us bes totally ufortable. It''s a hell of a fact. No matter how much of an


    awkward situation you are in, the world wouldn''t stop. You still have to do something. No escape.


    I notice Evelyn collects herself from the shock and forces a smile turning to Nick. Let''s get introduced


    now.


    "Hey Nick, meet Mr. Jones, my business partner." She says with a nervous smile and Nick nods


    confusedly,ing forward.


    He gives me a genuine smile and holds out his hand.


    Not a handshake, I want to punch you now.


    "And Mr. Jones, he... he is Nick, my..."


    "I know Miss Gray," I reply curtly and re at her as she stops, fear shing in her eyes.


    Despite my uncontroble need to murder this stupid in front of me, I reach my hand out for him and


    speak up.


    "Hello, Mr..."


    "Stone. Nick Stone. Nice to meet you by the way" He smiles.


    Definitely, it''s not nice to meet you!


    This time I force a smile, "Same Mr. Stone. d to meet you finally." I say mockingly as he frowns.


    "Uh... Do you know me?"


    I take a nce at her, she gulps. I nod, "Oh yeah, Miss Gray told me about you."


    "Oh, I see."


    I fake a smile and move towards Evelyn as her face turns paler if that is possible.


    I stand in front of her, "So why are you still here? You said you were not feeling well. You should go


    home now" I ask, raising an eyebrow.


    "I... Actually...uh..."


    "What happened? You are sick?" Nick asks as he reaches her, concerns in his voice.


    "Not so much. Just a headache."


    "Yet you should have told me when I asked you. Now let''s go home." He says as he takes her hand in


    his.


    Immediately my eyes snap at their entwined hands. Evelyn too watches that and then stares at me


    ufortably.


    Why am I feeling like I am losing something?


    I feel a lump in my throat and it feels like some burdens have been ced in my chest. Never in my life,


    I met with this unknown feeling. I can''t say how it feels. It just... hurts.


    Some things started to change.


    From that day, she entered my life.


    I started to change, unaware of myself.


    Whenever I am around her, I act so strange. I can''t even recognize myself then. Yes, I flirt with her, I flirt


    with other girls too. But I don''t see her with the same eyes I see others. They''re very easy to get to but


    she isn''t. I never thought something dirty about her.


    Because she isn''t like them. She is so sacred, like an angel.


    I love everything she does. How she talks, how she smiles, and everything. I don''t even know how time


    passes when I am with her.


    I don''t know if this change is for good or bad...


    How can it be good when it''s hurting me like hell?


    The feeling of losing someone can''t be good, can it?


    Wait! Why am I keep saying that I am losing her?


    When in the world she was mine?


    I''m talking nonsense actually.


    This unknown pain... whatever the reason is, will go away.


    Yeah


    "Mr. Jones, it was nice meeting you. Hope we will talk somedayter. As you know, she is not well


    today. If you don''t mind, we should get going." Nick says.


    I nod slowly, "Yeah, sure."


    He smiles and then they get to their car together. Before hopping in, Evelyn looks at me onest time


    and I give her a bitter smile. She looks down and gets inside. The car starts and they leave the ce.


    Just after that, Mattes outside. His face is worried and confused.


    "Ethan, what are you doing here? Mr. David is waiting for you."


    "Damn that fucking stupid!" I shout as I reach for my car, Matt chasing behind.


    "What the hell are you saying? Where are you going, leaving him there? This deal is very important, did


    you forget?"


    "I don''t give a damn fuck for that!"


    I was about to open the door when Matt holds my hand stopping me,


    "What''s wrong with you? Ethan, look you share everything with me, don''t you?" He tries to convince


    me.


    I look away.


    "Then why are you acting like this? Tell me what happened." He asks worriedly.


    "Nothing Matt. Please go."


    "No, I am not gonna go before you tell me what happened." He says stubbornly.


    I look at him angrily, my jaw tightened, "You really want to know? Then listen, nothing happened. But


    now it''s going to." I grit.


    "What?"


    "I want to crash everything!"


    I yell and with that, I m my hand against the ss window of the car.

 Chapter 11

    Chapter 11


    Evelyn''s POV


    If I say I was scared would be an understatement.


    I was beyond scared.


    I don''t have any idea why but the truth is I was. I have never been this terrified in my life. What much


    could go wrong if they meet? At most I would have to face his temper tantrum again, what is now


    gonna happen. But it shouldn''t be that much of a deal. Again it has been.


    I shouldn''t have been so surprised though. He has already been my many firsts. It''s one of them


    maybe.


    But the expression of him I saw then was not just anger. It was mixed with hurt. Yes, I saw hurt in his


    eyes. And that hurt me. Standing face to face right there, this was more important to me to know why


    he was hurt than knowing the reason behind his anger.


    The man who is always smirking, why did he give such a smile that breaks your heart?


    Why is he hurt?


    "Evie?" Nick''s voice breaks my thoughts as I look at his worried face. I take in my surroundings and


    realize we are in front of our house. I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn''t even notice when the car


    stopped.


    Unbuckling the seat belt, I get out of the car and head towards the elevator, Nick following behind. After


    reaching my floor, I hurriedly open the door, get inside and plop myself on the couch. Leah hasn''te


    back yet. Maybe it would be night.


    Nick closes the door and then sits beside me. I look up at him to see him eyeing me skeptically.


    "What?" I ask, my voice low.


    "You are hiding something. Now tell me what that is." He replies with a determined look on his face.


    He is doubting now too.


    I smile nervously, "What do you mean by that? What would I hide from you? It''s nothing."


    "Listen, Evie, I am not stupid, ok? Yesterday you came home with blood on your hand. When I asked


    you whose blood that was, you told me that wasn''t yours. I didn''t forget." He says, his voice getting


    louder.


    "And today, what do you think I didn''t notice anything?"


    I stare at him nkly. No answer ising to my mind.


    "When Mr. Jones came outside, you were scared. I saw your face. Before that, you were hurrying to


    restrain him from breaking my face? Now tell me what the matter is." He announces, folding his hands


    over his chest.


    I sigh, "Nicki, I don''t even know what''s going on. I''m too confused like you." I say, putting off my


    wristwatch.


    "Ok, then share with me. Let me help you." He says, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.


    There are some times in life when you need a friend by your side to say "I am here for you." A true


    friend who will never leave you. In your sess, they will be happier than you and in the bad times,


    they will support you with everything. It''s very hard to find a friend like this. Now we are selfish, we just


    think about ourselves, not about others. But if we get one, we should think of ourselves as so lucky. Not


    everyone is lucky enough to get a true friend.


    I give him a small smile, "Ok, I am telling you but don''t ask me the reason. I don''t know that."


    He nods.


    The next 30 minutes pass by me talking and Nicki shaking his head continuously. I tell him how we first


    met, running in, meetings, and almost everything. Nicki listened to me all the while with wide eyes.


    "Ok, interesting but nothing so shocking here." Look of dismay on his face.


    "Let mee to the part of the story you want to hear Nicki." I scold.


    "Ok, carry on."


    "So yesterday when I went to his office after picking you up from the airport, his behavior left me


    shocked. I was talking to him on the phone when you came out of the jet. I was excited so I forgot to


    cut the call. You kissed me and I scolded you, he heard everything and thought you are my boyfriend.


    When I went to his office, he asked me and I tried to make him understand that you are just my friend


    but he didn''t."


    I release a breath and see a small smile on his lips.


    "Hmm... now it''s getting interesting."


    I roll my eyes at him and continue.


    "I don''t know what his problem is even if you are my boyfriend. He got angry and started destroying his


    office. I tried to stop him but to no avail, he began punching the wall and got bruised. And that blood, I


    got when I was bandaging his hand. So this is the story."


    I finish and the image of him punching the walles to my mind. It was horrible. How so easily a


    person can hurt himself? He is dangerous.


    "And today I was scared because I thought if you two meet, it would be another problem. I didn''t want


    that and so I was hurrying. But unfortunately you two have met and he got angry again. And the


    reason, I don''t know. That''s all."


    I sigh and look at him and to my surprise I see him smirking mischievously at me.


    What is there to smirk?


    "Why are you smirking, stupid?" I ask.


    "Stupid is not me, stupid is you. Can''t you really understand anything?" He asks me.


    "What will I understand?"


    "It''s that why he got angry?"


    "How could I say why?"


    "No doubt you are very intelligent but that''s all for that damn business. You don''t have any knowledge


    about anything else." He says with a huff.


    "What the hell do you want to mean?" I ask, confused.


    "He is not angry, Evie. That is called jelly. J-e-l-l-y." He says chuckling.


    "Would you please say clearly what you want to say?"


    "I want to say that he was jealous."


    "Jealous? For what? For whom?" I squint my face.


    "Maybe he has something for you. So when he thought I am your boyfriend, he reacted like that." He


    shrugs to which I shake my head in disbelief.


    "Are you mad? What the hell are you saying? You just met him once. And do you know how he is? He''s


    a yer. He can never have anything for me." I shout.


    No, I don''t want to believe this. It''s not possible. He just ys with girls'' emotions. He can never have


    something for me. And why am I even thinking these shitty thoughts? Boys are just to hurt, they always


    hurt. And I don''t want to be one of those girls who love with all their hearts and then get their hearts


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    broken atst.


    And not that I want him to have something for me.


    Have I ever thought of him that way? No, no. It can''t happen.


    My thoughts get disrupted when Nicki snaps his hand in front of my face.


    "What''s wrong?"


    "It''s not what you are thinking, Nicki," I answer sternly.


    "Why, Evie? Why are you so unsure?" He asks me, slightly annoyed.


    "Because it just can''t happen. You know I have never had a boyfriend in my life because I really can''t


    trust. I always thought what if someone I love breaks my heart. I never wanted to get hurt by someone


    whom I gave my love. I have been hurt enough, Nicki. I don''t want more."


    "Moreover, not everyone is like you. I know Nicki, don''t hide from me. You love Leah, don''t you?" I ask


    him as he looks down at his hands. He seems about to say something but then he stops.


    "I will take that as a yes. I know you will never hurt her but not everyone has the same heart as you.


    Some people just know how to y with innocent, soft girls and then break them down like they are


    some ying dolls. I am not soft you know and I don''t want to be. So don''t I want to let anyone y


    with me."


    I say as Nicki nods in understanding.


    "I understand." He says and stays silent for some time before suddenly turning to me,


    "Evie, I want to tell you something." He says in a nervous voice and I nod.


    "Yeah, what happened?"


    "I''m trying to tell you this for a long time but couldn''t get the courage. Today as the matter has already


    been brought up, so..." He says seriously as I look at him upset. He hardly looks this serious. Always a


    smiley boy, what does he want to say?


    "Now you are scaring me. Will you just say?" I snap, frowning.


    "Please don''t say no." He pleads, still gripping my hand.


    "Tell me first."


    I say and he looks hesitant for a second before he says something that makes my eyes widen in shock,


    "Will you be my girlfriend?"

 Chapter 12

    Chapter 12


    Have you ever been in such a situation where you lose the ability to utter a word?


    Well, I am now. I am trying to say something but my tongue is tied. Bunches of questions currently


    brawling in my stomach but my mouth is at a loss for words.


    It seems like my own ears betrayed me but I know I heard right. The boy I have always seen as my


    friend made me dumb just by one question. Life is soplicated.


    After minutes of inward struggling, I finally speak up,


    "I don''t have any alcohol in my house. Then how and when did you get drunk? You aren''t looking drunk


    though." I say in an excessively low voice but he hears me.


    He shakes his head, "I am not drunk, Evie. I am sober."


    Since when did my life begin to run like a drama script?


    I pull my hand away from his grasp with a jerk. I take a deep breath to calm my nerves before I shot at


    him furiously,


    "Do you have any fucking idea what you are saying? How could you say that? Leah would go crazy if


    she can hear. I can''t believe you. Oh God, please Nicki just say you are joking. Please." I yell and start


    breathing heavily.


    I examine him carefully and to cause my second blow of shock, I can feel that he is trying hard to hold


    backughter. I don''t have to wait too long as he bursts into a roar ofughter, falls off the couch


    clutching his belly with his hands.


    He continuesughing and tumbling until he loses his breath as I just sit there like a thunderstruck


    person.


    "Oh ... god, you...are so... funny. How could you think I said that truly? You didn''t even let me finish my


    sentence. Ouch! My tummy is aching." He says, sitting up on the floor looking at me amusingly.


    Holy mother of chocte! He was joking! What a fucking asshole!


    I let out a huge breath I was holding, grab a pillow from the couch, and throw it straight across the


    idiot''s face.


    "You jerk! You almost gave me a heart attack! Don''t you dare to do that kind of stupid joke with me


    again!" I yell and about to get off when he grabs my arm stopping me. I turn to him,


    "Nicki, I am really mad at you. Very mad." I roar.


    "I am sorry Evie. Please listen to me. Yeah, I didn''t mean that actually but it wasn''t fully a joke."


    My mouth opens up hearing him as I look at him in utter confusion,


    "Again? What did you start today?" I crack up disgustedly.


    Everything has a limit. Now it''s getting out of the boundaries. Once saying it was a joke, then it wasn''t.


    It''s hard to believe Nick is ying this kind of prank with me.


    "Evie, I didn''t mean real girlfriend. ''Fake''." He says as I scowl at him.


    "What? Why?" I shout.


    "Calm down, calm down. Let me exin first." He says, making me sit on the couch. He sits beside me


    before he speaks,


    "Don''t get me wrong. I just wanted to request you to pretend as my girlfriend. Not actually a girlfriend


    but like that. I mean flirting. I have been thinking about this for a few days. When you brought in this


    topic today, I thought it would be better if I told you now." He tells me, making me more confused.


    "But why?"


    "Because you were right, I love Leah."


    I stare at him in shock with an open mouth and finally when I realize what I heard is real, I am already


    jumping in delight.


    "I was right! I knew it. I knew that you love her. " I scream, shaking my hands in the air.


    "Oh hello, I didn''t say I love you. I love Leah. Why are you jumping?" He rolls his eyes at me.


    "Because I am happy for you two," I say, sitting down with a content smile.


    "Then help me to get her." He raises his eyebrows.


    "How?"


    "By being my girlfriend...oh no, fake."


    Oh shit! I almost forgot about that.


    I frown immediately, "Why in the world do you need a fake girlfriend? And why me? Can''t you find any


    other girl?" I shout again.


    "Ok, ok, peace." He says throwing his hand up in the air, "I need a fake girlfriend to make Leah jealous


    because before I ask her out, I need to be sure if she really feels the same way as me or not. If she


    does, then she will feel jealous to see you with me like that. And not any other girl because all girls


    swoon over me, they won''t leave me so easily. That''s why you have to do it." He finishes, looking at me


    with hope.


    Oh no, what an evil n! Leah definitely likes him. If I do it, she will misunderstand me. It''s not


    possible.


    "Well, mister. There''s something called consent. Did I give you that?" I ask, looking intimidating.


    His face falls, "What do you mean? You won''t do it?"


    "No Nicki, Leah will be hurt if I do it and I can''t hurt her," I reply in a stern voice.


    "Listen, Evie, if she doesn''t like me, she won''t be hurt. And if she does, then I will manage her so that


    she doesn''t misunderstand you. This is the way to unbosom herself to us."


    "But..."


    "No buts. Besides, if I act like your boyfriend in front of Mr. Lady killer I mean your Ethan, you will also


    understand what is going on in that mind of his. So please agree with me."


    My Ethan? What the fuck!


    "Watch your mouth, you jerk." I snap as he chuckles and holds up his hands in surrender.


    "Ok, ok. He is not yours. But please say yes. Help me to get her." He makes his puppy dog eyes as he


    pleads.


    I want them to be together. If I can help in any way then I should. It''s a risky matter, Leah could have


    misunderstood me but still if they can be with each other atst, I will do it. Everything is worth their


    happiness.


    I huff atst, "Alright."


    "Thank you, thank you so much, baby." He exims, grinning like a stupid.


    Well, but how would we make her believe that? My eyebrows furrow in worry thinking of it. Nicki notices


    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    and shakes my hand,


    "Now what, Evie?".


    "How will we do it?"


    "It''s up to me. You don''t have to worry about that." He answers, smiling cheekily as I shake my head


    amusingly.


    "I must say, that evil idea cane only in that evil mind of yours. If I could, I would have given you a


    Nobel prize for your naughtiness." I remark to which he gives me a bow cing his hand on his chest.


    "Thank you for thepliment." He says and I giggle.


    "Of course, that looks like apliment to you."


    "Oh God, I have a lot of work to do. I forgot. I''m going to my room, Nicki." I say, jumping off the couch


    hurrying to my room.


    "Okay. See you, my fake girlfriend."


    "Shut the fuck up, you asshole!"

 Chapter 13

    Chapter 13


    Ethan''s POV


    "You are fired. Get out right now." I say in a calm voice staring at the girl, caked up with makeup. She


    looks at me in disbelief.


    "I am so sorry, sir. Please give me another chance." She says in a crying voice.


    I blow out a breath and close the shitty presentation file she just brought.


    "I don''t give second chances. What I say is what I do. So don''t make me angrier and just leave."


    Saying that I give her a ''look'' and that is enough for her. She immediately leaves the office.


    Sighing, I put my head in my hands, exhausted. This is the fourth person I fired today. Yes, I fire people


    every now and then but today it crossed the limits. I''m so fucking tired right now.


    I hear the door open and look up to see Matt entering inside with a worried look on his face.


    "What happened? A girl got out of here crying, I saw." He asks, settling him down on the chair.


    "I fired her," I reply as he shakes his head, disappointingly.


    "Reason?"


    "She showed me a shit kinda presentation," I say, innocent.


    He sighs and rubs his face with his hands.


    "What have you started Ethan?" He asks me.


    Without answering, I get up and walk towards the window, stuffing my hands into the pockets. I look


    down at the busy road and let out a huge breath.


    Damn


    It feels like shit.


    So damn shit.


    Something is distracting me. I am here but my mind is somewhere else. I have never had distractions


    in my life. Once I was up to do something, I finished that before anything. And now, I can''t even


    concentrate on my work. For only one sphere second, she doesn''t leave my mind.


    What''s happening, God?


    Why can''t I stop my mind from thinking of her?


    Those enchanting eyes, that heart-melting smile, strawberry smell... Everything is so perfect.


    Oh no, I am again thinking of her.


    Shit, I am going crazy.


    Some changese in life without any hints. We don''t want them, we can''t stop them either. Who


    knew that one deal would change my life like this? Now it feels like it would have been better if I didn''t


    meet her. Change is not in my character but I am changing slowly...by her.


    I feel someone''s presence behind me and Matt taps on my shoulder causing me to turn around. He


    gives me the same questioning look he has been giving for some days.


    "What?" I ask, my voice is tired.


    "Are you thinking of a certain someone?" He asks, raising an eyebrow.6


    Why do friends always get to understand everything?


    I shake my head, "I am not thinking of anyone."


    "Whatever makes you happy but I know what I know." He smirks.


    I roll my eyes and go back to my desk.


    "And might I ask, does she have blue-greenish eyes?"


    His sudden question makes me snap my head towards him as my eyes go wide. He gives me a


    haughty smile, watching me yfully.


    This is the reason why I feel like killing this idiot sometimes.


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    Blue greenish eyes? How could he guess I am thinking of Evelyn?


    "What the hell! What do you mean by that? I told you I am not thinking of anyone. Will you just get out


    of here? You are annoying me!" I shout, hiding the nervousness.


    "Woah Woah, why so angry dude? There are millions of girls with blue-greenish eyes. Does that mean


    I am heading to the right point?"


    "Matt, just shut up! I''m not thinking of Evelyn." I blurt out and then realize what I did.


    "Gotcha!" Matt screams, throwing his hand up in the ear like a baby who got candy, and jogs towards


    me with an irritating smile stered on his face.


    Shit!


    "So... Mr. Ethan Jones, since when did you start to think about one certain girl? Even in the work time?


    What a shame!" He chuckles, earning a re from me.


    DAMNIT!


    How could I say her name?


    "Listen, Matt. I don''t..."


    "Ethan!" Matt cuts me off, walking towards me, his face serious all of a sudden.


    He puts his hand on my shoulder as he continues, "I am not surprised because I guessed it long ago. I


    just needed to be sure."


    What does he mean?


    How could he know?


    "Matt, you... why did you think that?" I ask slowly, bothered by the fact that his guessing is right.


    I take my suit jacket off the couch and wear it. For the three years, I have been working as the CEO, I


    never left the office before the work time was finished. But now I am going to do it. Not a surprise


    though. When the person himself changes, rules are nothing.


    I look back at Matt to see him give me a knowing smile.


    "You wanted to know why I thought that, huh? Look at yourself. The one who spends the whole night


    working in his office, now leaving before the work time is over? Do you know how you look at Evelyn?


    Maybe you don''t notice, but I did. You look at her as if she''s the only one in the world. You seem lost


    every time she''s around you. From the moment you met her, you are acting weird. Maybe I didn''t say


    anything but I did notice everything." He says in a breath as I just look at him, shocked.


    How do I look at her? I don''t know.


    "If that''s the truth, then tell me why I am doing this," I ask to which he smiles at me, genuine.


    "Maybe I know the answer but are you sure you want to hear?"


    Yes, I want to know the answer. This girl has been confusing me from the very first day. I don''t even


    know what I am doing and why. Matt is right. I can feel myself acting weird. I need to know it. I need to


    know why I feel the way I feel for her.


    I take a deep breath and nod, determined. "Yes."


    Then he says something that I didn''t imagine to ever hear even in my wildest dreams...


    "You are falling for Evelyn."

 Chapter 14

    Chapter 14


    "Good morning!" Leah greets me as I enter the kitchen rubbing my eyes to clear the vision.


    Since it''s Sunday, no one has to go anywhere so we all are staying at home. Though we have a n to


    go out in the afternoon. And as always, the cooking responsibility is upon Leah so she''s setting the


    table with breakfast.


    "Morning," I say and run my hand through my disheveled hair.


    I pull out a chair and sit down looking for my coffee but see nothing.


    "Where''s my coffee?" I pout, earning a chuckle from her.


    "Oh, I left your mug on the countertop. Can you bring it?"


    "Sure," I reply, heading to the other side of the kitchen.


    The kitchen is pretty big, one side is used for cooking and the other is separated by a partition which is


    used as the dining area. My eyes fall on the familiar Mickey mouse mug and immediately a smile


    appears on my lips. This mug was a gift from my dad on my tenth birthday. Since then, I have been


    using it and never let anyone else touch it.


    I take the mug off the counter and about to turn around when someone hugs me from behind. I get


    startled and gasp loudly as the coffee spills on my dress. I turn my head and you know who''s there.


    "What the hell! Nicki?" I whisper yell.


    When did hee here? I didn''t even hear footsteps.


    He hushes, "Hey, don''t shout. You can''t act at all, I see." He whispers back.


    "Leah will see us!"


    "Fucking hell! God, save me from this idiot. We are doing this for Leah to see, aren''t we?"


    "But..." I try to argue but get cut off by him.


    "Shut up! She ising. Act normal." Hemands and right then I hear footstepsing near us


    and suddenly it stops. I gulp in tension staying in his arms, still looking in front.


    God, I can''t act! I can''t!


    "Good morning, baby," Nick whispers in my ear, knowing that Leah is watching us.


    "Mo... morning!" I stutter, nervously.


    "Did you sleep well?" He asks, moving his face closer to my hair and I stiffen.


    If it wasn''t Nick, I would have murdered him right now.


    "Yeah," I answer.


    "Evie?" Leah''s cracked voice sounds as we both turn around to see her standing at the doorway


    looking at us in disbelief. I immediately free myself from Nick''s arms and look at her, flustered. Her face


    turns pale and she seems like she can''t believe what she''s watching.


    Shit. It needs to end soon. I can''t hurt her like this. They both like each other, just so insecure. And


    here I am caught up between them. I tried to make Nick understand but he''s too stubborn to listen to


    anyone.


    "Hey, Leah. I''m starving. Let''s go." Nick says casually as if nothing happened and she gives him a


    small nod before he leaves the kitchen.


    After Nick is gone, Leah stares at me weirdly and I just keep my eyes down before walking out quickly.


    I don''t know how to look at her pale face. Leah is so precious to me. And hurting her is thest thing I


    want. I will make it end soon. I will make sure of it.


    ...................


    The elevator opens with a click and we all step out, heading to the parking lot. We don''t have anything


    to buy but yeah, we are still going shopping. I look at Leah by the corner of my eyes who seems lost in


    thoughts. She has been acting weird since morning and I know the reason but I have nothing to do at


    this moment.


    ying Cupid is not an easy task at all!


    "Who''s going to drive today?" I ask as we reach the car.


    "Me," Nick replies excitedly and climbs in his Mercedes. I open the door and about to get into the


    backseat when he calls me,


    "Where are you going? Sit here." Nick orders, patting the seat beside him.


    I look at him in surprise. Every time we used to go out together, Leah sat with him. I forgot we are now


    acting. Turning to Leah, I see her giving me the same look she was giving today morning. But she


    quicklyposes her and smiles.


    "Yeah, go. I am sitting here." She says, getting into the backseat.


    I sigh and get inside as well. After sitting down, I look at Nick tiredly trying to make him understand to


    stop it but he just ignores me and starts the car.


    What have I gotten myself into?


    After a ride full of awkward silence, we reach the shopping mall and enter inside a big shop called


    ''Ecstasy.'' But none of us in the mood of shopping right now except the stupid Nick. Whatever, we can''t


    just sit aroundzily.


    If it was any other time, Leah would have started running around the mall already. But today she is just


    moving some dresses lost minded, not even bothering to look at them properly. I don''t really like


    shopping and without her over excitement, everything seems so boring.


    I know what we are doing is stupid. If Nick just could ask her out directly, she would agree. She would


    be happy to. But someone''s too afraid of rejection. Maybe everybody acts dumb when they fall in love.


    After strolling around aimlessly for thirty minutes, I pull out my phone and start scrolling through the


    Instagram when someone throws a dress at me. I look back and Nick gigglesing towards me.


    "What happened to you two? We aren''t here just to see and not to buy, are we?" He asks, cing his


    hand on the counter behind me, trapping me.


    "You are a dumbo. Can''t you understand why Leah is so quiet today?" I ask, he shakes his head.


    I roll my eyes, "Because of what you did today morning, dumbass."


    "You are talking about the hug? Yes, I did that intentionally for Leah to see but one thing, I hugged you


    many times before. Then why is it bothering her if it''s really doing?" He frowns.


    "Because friends don''t back hug," I state and his eyes glisten in amusement.


    I don''t know if it''s right or wrong. It''s just my perspective. I think back hugging is something couples do,


    not friends.


    "So you are saying she''s jealous?" He smirks, moving closer.


    People would really think we have a thing because of how we are standing now, so close.


    "No, she''s hurt. Heard me? Happy now?" I snap, angrily.


    "Ok, ok. I''m gonna stop it soon. No worries. By the way, good to hear my n is working." He chuckles


    as I push him away.


    As soon as he moves, I look in frontzily, and right then our eyes meet, causing me to freeze on my


    spot.


    There Ethan is standing on the opposite side with a girl clinging to him.


    He first looks at me in shock then averts his gaze upon Nick. And despite the distance, I can see his


    jaw tightens immediately.


    Again we met.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Bad luck, isn''t it?


    I gulp and take a nce at the girl quickly. She is around my age. Pretty tall, a slim figure like models,


    wearing a very short dress and jumping with another one in hands probably wanting Ethan to say how


    that is looking on her but he was ignoring her.


    Who''s she?


    I haven''t seen any girl with him yet.


    Well, what am I saying? She is probably one of his many girlfriends. If so, then why did he seem


    disturbed by her?


    "What are you wat-" Nick stops as he turns around and spots Ethan ring at us.


    "Whoa! Again Mr. Lady killer." He whispers and smirks devilishly.


    "Nick, don''t do any..." I can''t finish my sentence, he grabs me by my waist and pulls me towards him in


    a matter of seconds.


    Someone is dying to be dead.


    I try to free myself, "Nick, please. Why are you doing this? Leah is not anywhere near us." I say, looking


    around.


    "But the hottie boy is here. And I love making people jealous." He winks.


    I look back at Ethan who seems damn angry and hurt at the same time. Now he is thinking I really lied


    to him saying that Nick is not my boyfriend. And now I have nothing to do. Really nothing. As we have


    already started it, I can''t just back out from it. I''m in deep shit.


    But I can''t really get why he is always angry seeing us together.


    What''s his problem?


    When I finally manage to free myself from Nick''s grasp, I look at Ethan in fear just to see something


    that breaks my heart into pieces.


    He throws the dress away from that girl''s hand, pushes her against the wall, and...


    Then they kiss in front of everyone...


    In front of me.

 Chapter 15

    Chapter 15


    Sometimes something hurts us so badly but we don''t even know why. And then it feels like that


    unknown reason hurts even deeper, with thousands times more power. When we don''t know the


    answer to a question, it''s alright. But when we try hard to understand what the question itself means


    but fail, that''s unbearable. Because then we can''t even try to find out the answer.


    Failure is bad. Not even getting the chance to win is worse.


    I know I am in pain. But when I don''t know what is causing the pain, how will I find the cure?


    I don''t know why I am feeling like this. It''s just that seeing them kissing hurts a bit. Maybe it hurts more


    than a bit.


    I did know he is a yer. He uses girls and throws them away. I knew everything. Leah told me, didn''t


    she?


    Then why am I feeling dizzy? Why does it feel like someone betrays me? Why am I blinking too much?


    When Nick told me maybe Ethan feels something for me, I brushed it off. But did my subconscious


    mind begin to believe that? Is it why I am feeling betrayed now?


    Or the answer is different?


    Everything Ethan is doing, the reason behind his anger when he sees me with Nick, is it because he


    also feels the same way I am feeling right now?


    Betrayed? Hurt? Angry? Disappointed? Heartbreak?


    What is right?


    What should I believe?


    I didn''t realize I was staring at them for too long when Nick shakes my hand. It''s like I was in another


    world.


    I look at him to see his hurtful face. He definitely didn''t expect it wasing. He grips my hand tightly


    as if trying to console me. But why do I need that?


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Just why?


    DAMNIT!


    "Evie, let''s get out of here," Nick says slowly, holding my arm.


    I don''t answer. I am feeling too numb to do anything. He leads me to the exit and I just follow him. I


    don''t dare to look back at them again.


    When we get outside, I let out a huge breath I don''t know I am holding.


    Ethan kissed her...


    How could he?


    Who''s that girl?


    But why do I care?


    His life is his. I don''t have any right to talk about that. But how could I refrain my heart from the pain if it


    doesn''t want to?


    "Where''s Leah?" I croak as we head towards our car.


    "She is already into the car. She just messaged me." Nick says and I nod.


    Suddenly Nick stops walking and so do I. I give him a questioning look to which he just sighs.


    "Evie, I am sorry." He says looking down.


    "Why are you sorry?" I ask.


    "I really thought maybe Ethan was jealous seeing us together. I thought he likes you. But I was wrong.


    He just proved that. I''m so sorry." He says, biting his lips.


    "Please don''t apologize. You did nothing to say sorry for. Do you really think I took your words


    seriously? Huh?" I try to smile but he just shakes his head, disappointed.


    I see Leah staring at us from inside the car. Her face is dull and her head is resting against the window.


    Nick''s back is facing her so he doesn''t see her watching us.


    Everyone is hurt. We are hurting and we are being hurt as well.


    "Evie?" Nick calls me, I look up at him.


    "Hmm?"


    "I know how you are feeling. Just forget everything. You are a gem. You deserve someone who has the


    gut to cherish a gem. Don''t ever feel hurt for someone who hurts you. Know that they lost something


    precious hurting you. I love you, baby. Trust me everything will be okay." He assures me, cupping my


    face.


    But how?


    I can''t forget that moment. They were so close. I can''t get that picture out of my mind.


    I''m deep in my thoughts when suddenly Nick pulls me into a hug. I see Leah watching us with wide


    eyes as pain shes in her eyes. I try to pull apart but Nick holds me tightly rubbing his hand on my


    back.


    "Everything will be alright. Just hold on." He whispers.


    And I feel myself slowly giving in his arms. When pain takes over our hearts, maybe then just then we


    need someone to hold us like this, to tell us everything will be alright, to assure us. Maybe everything


    won''t be alright but we still need someone to help us to get over the hard times of life.


    I know I sound selfish.


    I''m hurting Leah.


    But right now, my own feelings are taking over me. And this embrace, those soothing words seem to


    calm me down. I try but I finally give up. I rest my head on his shoulder and take a deep breath. And


    with that, the burden I was having a while ago seems to go away...a bit.


    Maybe he is right.


    Everything will be alright.

 Chapter 16

    Chapter 16


    Ethan''s POV


    I didn''t want to do that...


    I didn''t want to kiss Ka.


    Why in the world would I kiss that annoying brat willingly?


    I had broken up with her two years ago. I shouldn''t call it a breakup though. It''s just that I dated her for


    maybe one month or something. She is the top model of our fashion industry. All we had was over.


    Actually we had nothing honestly.


    But whatever, that day when I went to the shopping mall, she was there and we met. And that stupid


    ginger head whiny girl began whining to choose her a dress because she couldn''t understand what will


    look good on her.


    Heck, even Cindere''s gorgeous blue gown would make her look like an ugly crow.


    She is not like someone who always looks like an angel from heaven.


    Ka isn''t like her.


    But I had to listen to her and follow her to the whole shopping mall not to cause a scene in a public


    ce. Yet I did. I ended up causing a great scene.


    What could I do without that?


    I had no choice.


    At least for once, I wanted to make Evelyn feel how I feel everytime I see her with him.


    Just for one moment, I wanted to give her the pain I get just to make her understand how much she


    hurts me.


    When I first saw them, I couldn''t see her face because that guy was blocking her. They were so close


    as if they were kissing. At least that''s what I thought at the first nce. I was about to look away when


    he moved and her face came into view. Not anyone else but she, Evelyn.


    And that''s when my anger took over me. I am not patient but I have enough of it, haven''t I?


    That kiss means nothing to me, not to Ka either. She is used to kissing uncountable guys everyday.


    But could I make Evelyn understand?


    I don''t know. When I looked for them, they were nowhere to be seen. Leaving Ka there, I quickly


    made my way to the exit and when I finally got out of the mall, my eyes found them hugging each other.


    Again...


    She was looking so peaceful as her head was resting on his shoulder. And Nick was saying something,


    I was in a distance so I couldn''t hear.


    She was in peace and a havoc was going on inside me.


    Shit


    Why does it hurt so much? God, why just one girl in the world couldn''t be without any boyfriend? It''s


    like I am losing her. It''s too much pain to bear.


    Is it because what Matt said was true?


    No, impossible. It can''t happen. I don''t have feelings. I can never fall for anyone. No, no, it just can''t


    happen.


    Then why couldn''t I retort back when Matt said that?


    It felt like that was true. I couldn''t find any answer to give him. If it isn''t true, then why couldn''t I say


    anything?


    Why?


    I''m deep in my thoughts when Matt enters my bedroom angrily. I look up to see his angry expression as


    he gives me a re. Turning on the TV, he stomps towards the bed and sits beside me, still puffing.


    "Matt, what happened?" I ask, frowning.


    He doesn''t answer me and continues changing the channels.


    "See." He says after some time in a cold voice, motioning to the TV.


    I turn my head and immediately my eyes widen seeing the news and the headline below.


    "Are billionaires in love?"


    There''s going on the video of me kissing Ka.


    Fuck! Only it was left to happen.


    I shouldn''t have done it. If I just go sunbathing, that bes news and here I kissed Ka in a public


    ce.


    I just wanted Evelyn to see and now the whole world will see the news.


    I''m so screwed. How could I be this stupid?


    I look back at Matt as he gives me a disappointed look.


    "Why in the north pole did you freaking kiss that girl?" He shouts, "Are you crazy? Did you forget who


    you are? Now everyone will see this news including Evelyn. Just great." He mocks and I put my head


    in my hands, exhausted.


    "Evelyn was there. I did it in front of her eyes." I answer slowly to which his mouth hangs open as he


    looks at me in disbelief.


    "Why?" He shouts again. "Why did you do that? What will happen now? You idiot, do you even think


    about the consequences before you do something? I just can''t believe you. Only thing now I have to


    say is that you are fucked up." He hollers before shaking his head in disappointment.


    I know very well.


    I''m a stupid.


    "Did you think I was joking that day when I said you are falling for Evelyn? Now what would she think?


    How could you hurt her like that?"


    "She isn''t hurt. She doesn''t care if I kiss Ka or not. Why would she care?" I reply in a slow voice.


    "Yes, she is hurt. I know she''s hurt but a stupid like you could never understand that. Now you will see


    what happens. The few days I know Evelyn, she''s a strong girl, not a crybaby. She won''t cry sitting in a


    corner just because a fucking asshole like you hurt her. She will teach you a good lesson. Just wait."


    He says in a breath, standing up.


    "What will she do?" I ask.


    "You will see." He says giving me a hatred look before leaving the room.


    I look down at my hands thinking about what he said.


    What else will she do?


    Is anything left there?


    She is hurting me every moment. Every freaking second, she''s in my mind. Office, business,


    reputation; now everything is useless to me. I can''t concentrate on anything. Now all I can think of is


    her.


    She is driving me crazy. Is there anything more she can do to me? Can she hurt me any more than she


    is now?


    When I first saw her, I was shocked. I felt like something was going to happen and now with every


    passing day, my conception is getting true.


    The Ethan I knew for my whole life, she changed him just in a few days. She changed me.


    Maybe Matt is right.


    Proving me wrong, making all the impossibilities possible, maybe I am falling for her.


    I''m falling for Evelyn.


    Or maybe the worse...


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    I might''ve already fallen.

 Chapter 17

    Chapter 17


    Evelyn''s POV


    "Lee, why are you dragging me here? Shopping mall is there." I whine trying hard to release my hand


    from Leah''s strong grip.


    "We didn''te here for that." She says in a very cold voice which is very odd since it''s Leah we are


    talking about who is always fun. A blind could say she''s trying hard not to push me down the street.


    And the reason, I know very well.


    "Then why are we here?" I ask, hiding the smile that was about to appear on my face.


    "I have something to talk to you about." She replies as she leads me to a coffee shop across the street.


    Her face is damn serious.


    For the past week, Nick has been continuing his mission in full swing. And that made me know what a


    good actor he is. From the day he told me to flirt with him, he has been annoying me in all the possible


    ways and I am tolerating this nuisance with a ''Whiny kid''s mommy'' patience.


    If the boy who never notices someone wearing a dress or tote bag, starts to pick up the ''Pink dress'' for


    me, something is definitely wrong.


    The same one who smeared make up on my face starting to catch ws in my appearance, always


    following me and pretending like someone named ''Leah'' doesn''t exist anymore; these all are enough to


    make his n work.


    But I think now we should stop this drama. Leah is hurt and I don''t want to hurt her more. It''s clear that


    she is going to talk about Nick today and definitely will lose her shit on me. I don''t want to be the prey


    of my feisty friend. It is high time to spill the truth.


    Walking into the cafe,we make our way to an empty table and sit down. I quickly send a message to


    Nick asking him toe over where we are. Looking up from my phone, I see her giving me a cold


    stare.


    "So Lee, tell me what you want to talk about?" I ask finally as she leans forward.


    "Can''t you really understand, Evie?" She asks in a low voice and I give her a haughty smile.


    Yes, baby I understand everything.


    "How would I if you don''t tell me?" I shrug.


    "Don''t act like a baby girl, Evie! I want to know what the hell is going on between you and Nick. Don''t


    think I didn''t notice anything" She roars pping her hand on the table and looking at me frantically.


    So now you are mad! And when I asked you a thousand times how you feel about him, what you said?


    "Nothing, Evie, nothing." Then what is this? Let''s make you angry until Nick arrives. This is your


    punishment for the torments I have endured because of Nick!


    Her action was loud enough to catch the attention of the people around us. They snap their heads in


    our direction and I re at Leah.


    "Will you be slow? Don''t catch more attention." I snap.


    "And what you wanted to know? What is going on, right? Why do you care? You have no feelings for


    Nick, do you? Just remember how many times I told you, he likes you, he likes you. But what you did?


    You just ignored me and hurt Nick. And now you care too much, huh? What did you think, he will wait


    for you until his hair grows white, really?" I retort making a nk face.


    She keeps on staring at me without blinking and then suddenly a tear rolls down her cheek.


    Oh my God, she is crying! It came out rougher than I wanted. Damn! Damn!


    I hurriedly get up from the chair and sit on the seat next to her. I wrap my hands around her back as I


    speak,


    "Lee, sorry. I''m so sorry. I was acting. Trust me. I was trying to make you angry but I messed up


    everything. Please don''t cry. I''m sorry. Hey, look at me. Lee?" I apologize but she doesn''t listen to me


    and keeps crying.


    "Lee, trust me, we both were acting to know if you really love Nicki or not. It was a n. WE WERE


    ACTING."


    Atst she looks up at me, confusion and disbelief shading over her face. Her eyes are red, face


    swollen, tears are all over the ce.


    "Wh...what?" She asks, stuttering.


    "Yeah. Nick ising. We will make it clear to you. Let''s go." I say holding her hands. I take off the


    chair with her and head towards the exit. Once we are outside of the shop, we walk to our car and I


    unhook my hand cing it on her face. Wiping the tears, I speak up,


    "I am sorry, Lee. We are sorry. I did it for you two. Don''t misunderstand me. Hmm?" I smile a little as


    she nods her head.


    "Wait here. Nick is about to arrive." I tell her and see her relieved a bit.


    I lean against the car keeping my eyes on the road. The sun is about to set. Cars passing one after


    another as well as our life, day by day. Darkness will consume everything in a while but still there will


    be lights. We know our hearts will stop one day yet we look for love.


    I didn''t believe in love but now my heart wants to believe.


    Maybe true love really exists. Otherwise, this lovesick girl wouldn''t have been by my side today.


    If that''s the truth...


    Is there any love for me?


    Will I ever find the love of my life?


    **********


    "For the love of God, now at least stop your acting and tell her the truth." I tell Nick, smiling.


    He looks at me surprised and Leah stands there in confusion. Such a mess we made together!


    "Why is she crying?" He asks, looking at her softly.


    Ugh...what a dumbass!


    "That''s what you wanted to see, didn''t you? Are you sure now that she loves you?" I smirk as a faint


    blush forms on her cheeks and she lowers her head down.


    "I am sorry, Leah." Nick says slowly, turning to Leah. His eyes are showing he is in guilt.


    "I want to know everything from first tost." Leah demands stubbornly to which I smile a guilty smile


    before starting, "Alright, I am telling you."


    "Nicki has had a crush on you since the first day he saw you at our house 5 years back. But being big


    of a coward he is, he couldn''t even ask you on a date. And you! You also liked him but being so shy of


    a Cindere you are, you also denied that you have feelings for him."


    "Whatever, one week ago, Nicki told me that he was ready to confess to you but before that he wanted


    to be sure. So he requested me to flirt with him so that you got jealous and he could be sure. A goofy


    idea, might I add! Whatever it worked out, you stepped into our n, got jealous and cried your heart


    out one hour ago. It all was our acting but still we are sorry."


    I exhale a deep breath,"Now that everything is clear; hug, kiss or do whatever you want to but excuse


    me, I am not in the mood to watch a movie." I smirk but soon it fades away as Leah gives us a furious


    look.


    "You? How dare you two? You were making me fool?" She yells.


    "Wait, it''s not my n. Nick forced me to do this. I told him no but he didn''t listen to me. Now what


    could I do?" I defend myself, throwing my hands up in the air.


    Giving me another re, she throws a punch on his chest, mad.


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    "You ugly baboon, why did you do this to me?" She tries to punch again but he grabs her hands.


    "Leah, I am sorry."


    "Fuck your sorry. You were fooling around and I believed all your lies. You hurt me and now you are


    sorry? I hate you. I hate you so freaking much." Before she can say another word, Nick stops her with a


    forced kiss and pulls her closer by her waist.


    Oh no


    "OMG! Nick ! You are gross. Eww...shame! Shame! I''m out." I shout as a fit ofughteres out of


    me.


    I shouldn''t disturb them anymore.


    I turn on my heels and run towards the car, shaking my head amusingly with a spreading smile on my


    face.


    Finally they are together.


    That''s all I wanted.

 Chapter 18

    Chapter 18


    I unlock the door and enter inside, throwing my bag on the couch. The whole apartment is quiet and


    dark. We got out in the afternoon and now it''s eight pm. Opening the door of my bedroom, I switch on


    the light and enter my closet. I take a white crop top which has a red colored heart in the middle and


    denim shorts and ce them on my bed before getting into the washroom.


    I take a quick shower ande out changed into that top and shorts. I''m not feeling like drying my hair


    now. So I justb it and let it flow down on my back.


    Reaching the kitchen, I decorate the table with the food I brought from the restaurant. They are not


    here. But I am grateful, I remembered to take out my dinner beforeing home. Otherwise, I would


    have to spend the night eating ice cream.


    Yes, I love ice cream but as a dinner, only ice cream is not a good choice.


    After I am done with my dinner, I wash the dishes and head to the living room. It''s going to be a girly


    night I guess.


    I turn on the TV and see ''Frozen'' going on. Letting out a happy squeal, I take my small nket from my


    bedroom and lie down on the couch, hiding under it.


    Don''t judge. Yes, I love disney and Frozen is my favorite.


    I was so tired after working the whole day and after watching the movie for some time, I feel my eyes


    getting heavier. Making mefortable, I push the nket over my face and give into sleep.


    ***************


    I don''t know for how long I slept when the faint sound of the doorbell breaks my dream.


    Fuck whoever the person is! I was dreaming I became a fairy and was going to visit heaven!


    I slowly open my eyes and get up to see the nket lying on the floor and the remote five feet away


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    from the couch. But I remember when I went to sleep, it was beside my leg. Definitely I kicked it


    between sleep.


    What time is it?


    I stare at the big wall clock hanging straight up on the wall and see it''s saying 11:45. OMG! Who is


    there at thiste night? Nick and Leah aren''t supposed toe home tonight, then?


    I rub my eyes and fix my hair, standing up. The only source in the room is the wavering lights of the TV.


    When I watch TV at night, I always switch the lights off. It became a habit now. The movie has already


    ended and now the ads are going on.


    I walk towards the door slowly, a bit tensed thinking who cane here at this time. Turning the


    doorknob, I open the door slowly and stick my head out.


    It feels like the ground beneath me has been torn apart as I feel my heart starts jumping inside me. I


    blink several times thinking maybe what I am watching is wrong but it remains the same. The person in


    front of me remains the same as those piercing brown eyes bore into mine.


    "Ethan?"

 Chapter 19

    Chapter 19


    From where he got the audacity to appear at my doorstep after what he did?


    The question pops up in my mind and I tighten my grip on the doorknob. I feel my heart hammering in


    my chest as I stare at him without blinking. As much as I don''t want to confess how much I missed


    seeing this face thest couple of days, I can''t also forget the moment he kissed her.


    For the first time in these few days of acquaintance, I am watching him looking all unprofessional today.


    The sleeves of his white shirt are rolled up to his elbows and his hair is so messy as if he ran his hand


    a couple of times through them.


    Finally I gather all my strength and speak up,


    "What are you doing here?" I ask in a cold voice as he looks at me with a tired look on his face.


    "Let me in."


    I immediately block the doorway and give him a cold stare, I am used to giving the ones I hate but this


    time...


    No, I don''t hate him...


    The feeling is something else.


    "Did you watch the time? I don''t think you came herete at night to talk about business."


    "Fuck that business!" He grits as he holds my wrist in a tight grip and pushes me in, getting inside


    forcefully and locking the door behind and I just stare at him in shock.


    It shouldn''t have been this way. We shouldn''t be all alone here in the middle of the night. No.


    "What the hell, Ethan? What do you want?" I shout as he steps forward, towards me.


    "I want to talk to you." He replies.


    "I don''t have anything to talk to you about."


    "But I have." He says andes closer.


    I back away. Suddenly he looks down and his eyes lock. I follow his gaze and when I look at my


    clothes, I feel underdressed all of a sudden. I am in my shorts and top.


    Shit.


    Nobody ever saw me like this except my family.


    He didn''t have to see this, did he?


    I clear my throat and he turns his head up immediately. He walks forward and stands just in front of me.


    I stare up at him to see his troubled expression as his breath hits my face for the closeness.


    "Listen Evelyn, I have something to exin. You have to listen to me. That day in the mall, what


    happened I..." He tries to say something in a desperate tone but I cut him off, raising my hand.


    "I don''t care at all. Did you hear me? I DON''T CARE. What you did, you did. It''s finished now. And why


    do you even want to exin to me? Did I ask for an exnation? That''s your life. Not mine to talk


    about. Remember our rtionship is just about business. You shouldn''t enter your personal life here.


    So please, just leave now." I shout in a breath and see his shoulder tensed, indicating he is angry.


    He looks at me with a clenched jaw and before I understand anything, he grips my hand and yanks me


    around. My back hits him with a jerk and he wraps his hands around me tightly. It all happens in an


    instance that I don''t even get the chance to process.


    He moves his face closer to my ear and I shiver at the feeling that is surrounding me.


    "Do you think we are still within the limit called ''business''? Hmm?"


    He whispers and I let out a small gasp when I feel his lips softly brushing against the bare skin of my


    shoulder. It feels like someone has put fire on that ce where his fiery lips touching me.


    I ce my hands on his and try to remove his hands but that just makes his hold tighter.


    "L- leave me."


    He chuckles slowly at my words, "Did I hold you to leave you?


    He tightens his hold on me, resting his head on the back of my head. I squirm under his touch but he


    remains his hand still.


    "I said leave me."


    "And I said no."


    "What the hell?"


    "I want you to listen but you are making it harder for me. Now if you try to be a good girl and listen, then


    I will leave you ''temporarily''."


    Anger rises within me hearing that. It''s enough, isn''t it? Now what is left there to talk? Is it how good it


    felt kissing that girl?


    I unwrap his hands and push him hard, backing off.


    I shot him a re before gritting, "What the hell do you want me to listen to? I clearly stated that I don''t


    want to hear anything from you. I just don''t want to see your face. I beg you, leave." I shout at the top of


    my lungs.


    I felt so hurt when he did that. Now just remembering that moment, it''s hurting me more. I don''t want to


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    listen to anything. I don''t.


    He stands there for sometime quietly scrutinizing my face. Then he abruptly moves forward and grasps


    my wrists, pushing me back as I hit the wall with him blocking me. I try hard to free myself but man, he


    is way stronger than me!


    I need to start learning weightlifting!


    His one hand wraps around my waist pulling me closer and another one grabs my shoulder. He moves


    his face closer and takes a sniff of my hair as if he was craving it for so long.


    He pushes a lock of hair from my shoulder and buries his face there, inhaling my scent.


    "Wh- what are you doing?" I whisper, my voice cracking.


    "Do you have any idea how much I missed it? And now you''re telling me you don''t want to see me?


    How could you say that, huh?" He growls, his hand gripping my hair softly.


    "What?"


    "I missed you." He breathes, burying his face deeper in the crook of my neck.


    He missed me? Is it a joke?


    My heart flutters as I feel butterflies in my stomach. He missed me. I thought I was the only one who


    was spending sleepless nights thinking of him without any reason. I thought I was just dying to see him


    but he did miss me too. I don''t know why but it made me happy despite everything.


    This feeling is too overwhelming. The closeness I want, those words I want to hear, his touch burns my


    skin as well as soothes my heart. He does things to me, no one ever did.


    I didn''t know when I came here that I would feel this peace in someone''s arms. But now I am. I couldn''t


    stop him. I didn''t want to. I''m hypnotized.


    This is different.


    I don''t feel like this in anyone''s arms.


    No one can make me feel like this.


    Just him.


    Now before everything, I just need to know why.


    Why?


    I ce my hand on his chest and push him slightly but he doesn''t even buzz.


    "Ethan?" I breathe.


    "Hmm?"


    "Why did you kiss that girl?" My question makes his head up immediately as he watches me carefully.


    "I didn''t mean it." He replies slowly, his arms still around me. Solemnity shows in his eyes as he speaks


    those words.


    "Then why did you do it?" I croak and feel my eyes wetting but I keep it back.


    "Because of you." He sighs.


    "Me?"


    "What were you doing there with Nick?" The softness of his voice suddenly goes away at the mention


    of Nick and his face hardens.


    "We- we were just talking."


    "Then why were you so close?" He yells, making me shudder in fear as I gasp. I try to speak but his


    burning gaze shuts me up. I can''t find anything to say.


    His grip on my shoulder tightens making me wince in pain. The softness, the beautiful moment we were


    having a while ago, everything is gone. Again we are there where we were. I look at him in fear as he


    yells at me again,


    "You are asking me why I kissed her? Before that you tell me what you were doing there. Do you know


    how I feel everytime I see you with him? Everytime he touches you, do you have any idea how much I


    get hurt? Why are you doing this to me? Why are you hurting me like this?"


    Before I can speak, he releases my shoulder and throws a punch on the wall.


    He tries to punch again when I grasp his hand stopping him. I hold his hand and softly touch his


    bruised knuckles to see blood pouring out of there in a straight line. Looking back at him, I ask slowly,


    "Why do you always hurt yourself?"


    "Trust me Evelyn, you hurt me more than anything could ever do." He whispers back, his eyes boring


    into mine.


    "Is it because of Nick?" I ask. He doesn''t answer me and looks away.


    "Nick is Leah''s boyfriend, not mine." I state and his head snaps at me. He looks at me with wide eyes


    as if not believing what I said.


    "What? Leah?" He shouts, confusion and disbelief in his voice.


    I nod slowly.


    It''s time. Everything has been so messed up. Now if I don''t tell Ethan the truth, I won''t get the chance


    again. This misunderstanding has to end now. I need answers to a lot of questions. But before


    everything, I need to tell him the truth. I need to know how I hurt him.


    "Nick loves Leah but he was afraid to ask her out directly thinking what if she rejects him. He told me to


    flirt with him so that Leah gets jealous and expresses her feelings herself. That''s why we were acting.


    Nick is just my friend, nothing else." I say and see his face still confused.


    "So you want to say that you...you don''t have any boyfriend?" He asks me,ing closer.


    I shake my head, "Yeah, never had one."


    Relief washes over him at my words and his face softens. He lets out a huge breath and runs a hand


    through his messy hair.


    "Why didn''t you tell me this before?"


    "Did you give me the chance?" I retort and he scratches the back of his neck.


    Finally everything is over. I told him the truth. It was like a burden that was continuously giving me pain.


    It''s over now.


    My back is still pressed against the wall. Looking up slowly, he stares into me deeply and leans in,


    pressing his body against mine. This time I don''t stop him because I know I can''t. These days, a lot of


    questions have appeared in my mind that I don''t have any answer to. But one thing I havee to


    realize, I don''t have the strength to stop him. I don''t.


    He looks hesitant for a moment before his hand reaches for my face and he cups it with his bleeding


    hands. He caresses my cheeks slowly with the back of his fingers and I feel hot blood spreading there.


    He tries to say something but then stops and rests his forehead against mine, engulfing me in his


    embrace.


    The room is still dark, colourful lights of the TV are wavering through the dark and falling on his face. In


    the faint light, I see his eyes closed and a weird peaceful emanation is veiling his always angry aura.


    He lets out a breath as he speaks slowly,


    "I am sorry."


    "For?"


    "For everything. I didn''t want to kiss that girl. I did it to hurt you because you were hurting me badly. I


    am sorry."


    I nod.


    Whatever, I am supposed to forgive him, ain''t I? How can you still be angry at someone who is holding


    you like this?


    "You are forgiven." I say and he opens his eyes, a small smile on his face.


    "Really?"


    "Hmm. But I have a question."


    "What?"


    I look down, not sure if I should ask it or not.


    "You...why did you miss me? Who am I to you?" I ask, fidgeting with my fingers.


    "Now I know." He smirks.


    Cocky Ethan back.


    "Then tell me."


    "Now it''s not the right time. But..."


    "But?" I ask, looking up.


    He tilts his head and leans in. I shiver when I feel his soft lips make contact with my cheek in a feathery


    touch. I clutch his shirt as his hot breath fences my face. His lips linger on me for sometime before he


    says something that makes my wild heart stop beating for a moment.


    "Now that I know everything, no way in freaking hell, I am letting you go...ever."

 Chapter 20

    Chapter 20


    Bright sunlight enters the bedroom through the small gaps of the window and falls on my eyes, making


    me squint. I cover my eyes with my hands till I am adjusted to the bright light. Getting up, I stretch my


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    armszily and throw my hair into a messy bun. Then I remember I have to go to work.


    How much I hate mornings!


    I get up and make my way towards the ss window. Shifting the curtains to one side, I open the


    window, and right away warm sunlight fills the room. I look outside and take in a deep breath, letting the


    fresh morning breeze wash away my grogginess.


    After a long time, I am feeling rxed today. A havoc of misunderstanding was going on which is clear


    now. Leah and Nick are together, years of waiting for each other are over. And I also made everything


    clear to Ethan. He isn''t mad at me anymore. Though I still need many answers from him.


    The event ofst night flies into my mind and involuntarily my hand reaches out for my face. I softly


    touch my cheek where he kissed me and a faint smile falls on my lips. I can still feel his lips here. It was


    totally unexpected. But it happened. And it made me so happy, strangely happy.


    I shake my head to change my thoughts and enter the washroom. Brushing my teeth, I take a quick


    shower ande out, wiping my hair with the towel. I dry my hair fast so that it doesn''t remain wet and


    I don''t get a cough. Otherwise, dad will throw his work into the dustbin and rush to me. I enter the


    closet and rake through the clothes. Taking a short-sleeved ck top and ck skinny jeans, I changed


    my clothes. I wear a in ck suit jacket over it and approach the dressing table.


    Combing my hair, I let it flow down and wear a light red lipgloss. I grab my wristwatch and put it on.


    Taking my purse, I check myself onest time in the mirror. Ready for another busy day.


    Walking out of my bedroom, I see Nick and Leah''s rooms locked. They came home at midnight, must


    be so tired. I decide not to wake them up and leave a note.


    I sit on the couch and start writing,


    I''m going to work. You two came homete at night so I didn''t wake you up. Enjoy your day together!


    I chuckle and ce the note on the table when my phone buzzes in my purse. I take out my phone to


    see a message from Ethan.


    I''m waiting outside of your house. Come down.8


    What? What is he doing here? I scowl and reply,


    Why are you here?


    He replies,


    I came to pick you up. We are heading to a meeting.


    But I have my car. He didn''t need toe.


    I can go there myself. You don''t need to pick me up.


    Mr hotshot: As I already came, can you please shut your mouth up ande down?


    Yes, yes, don''t be surprised. I saved his number as Mr hotshot because I like it and it suits him too.


    Hehe.


    Okie,ing.


    Putting my phone back, Ie out of the apartment, closing the door. As I enter the elevator and it


    starts to go down, I find myself checking myself over and over in the lift mirror. Why am I acting like a


    high school teenage girl today?


    I check myself once again before stepping out and making my way outside.


    All the while, just one thought kept agitating me. How would he behave today? After what happened


    I get out as my eyes find him leaning against his car, checking something on the phone.


    His outfit today is a buttoned-up navy blue suit with a white shirt underneath and a matching grey tie.


    Hair spiked beautifully with a hint of messiness as always and handsome as well.


    "Stop staring at me." He says in a voice full of amusement as he slowly looks up, smirking.


    Ughh... I got caught again!


    I roll my eyes and reach him, embarrassed. Not because he caught me checking him out again but for


    the kiss. I lower my head as I stand beside him.


    "What''s wrong?" He asks with a secret smile on his face.


    "Umm... nothing?" I reply, looking up meeting his eyes. But it sounds more like a question.


    "You sure?" He says, raising a cocky brow.


    "Yeah. Why did youe to pick me up today?" I ask, to which he just shrugs.


    "I felt like. Why? Is it a problem?"


    Yes, it is.


    "No, but it wasn''t needed. Whatever." I brush it off and hop in the car.


    He lets out a boyish giggle before climbing in beside. A fresh fragrance of sandalwood mixed with


    bergamot fills my nostrils sitting so close to him and I sniff slowly so that he can''t hear but he proves


    me wrong.


    "You like my cologne, don''t you?"


    .......................


    It is a 20 minutes drive from my house to the restaurant we are supposed to meet the businessman


    named Mr. Jonathan. The deal is about the fashion materials of our industries which they are buying


    that consists of an amount of million dors. To be said, most important till now.


    Ethan pulls the car into the parking lot and gets off, I follow him. I look up to see the two stories


    building, decorated with wooden designer boards surrounding the corners. Small trees are ced in


    front of it in a row and a huge board which has written ''Thaitanic'' in big shining letters. Does it have a


    connection with Titanic? Lol.


    We get inside and spot him sitting in a booth with his assistant. As we walk towards them, I watch them


    carefully. The man seems like in his mid-thirties and the girl who is his P.A in herte twenties, maybe.


    Her blonde hair is up into a ponytail and she is wearing a very tight ck skirt for which her cleavage is


    clearly visible. It''s an official meeting. She should have been more decent, I think.


    We reach them and they stand up seeing us. The girl literally starts drooling over Ethan as she watches


    him through her batting eyshes. I roll my eyes and take a nce at Ethan who doesn''t even look at


    her properly. And as soon as my eyes fall on the man, I see him giving me an up to toe dirty look that


    makes me cringe inwardly. Both are perverts, I see.


    "Hello, Mr. Jones. Nice to meet you." The man says as they shake their hands. Then he reaches his


    hand out for me with a disgusting smirk on his face.


    If I could, I would break your face right now for watching me like that.


    I hesitantly raise my hand and he grips my hand in such a strong grip that it will leave some bruises for


    sure. I instantly pull my hand away but his touch leaves an irritating feeling on me.


    "Miss Gray, nice to meet you too." He smiles like a devil and I just nod.


    I turn my head and gulp nervously when I see Ethan giving him a furious look. His jaw is clenched and


    his eyes are burning like fire.


    Shit. He noticed everything. I just wish Ethan doesn''t kill this man now.


    We sit down and I feel Ethan''s quick breathing and tensed shoulder beside me as he keeps ring at


    that bald man. I put my hand on his and give it a slight squeeze to calm him down. He immediately


    looks at me and his burning eyes soften and his body rxes a bit.


    The next one hour passes talking about the deal and all the while, that pervert keeps eyeing me


    shamelessly. I see Ethan''s fisting his hand every now and then, trying to control his uncontroble


    anger.


    Finally, what seems like ages to me, the meeting ends, and now it''s time to sign the contract. The girl


    hands us the papers but instead of signing them, Ethan puts the pen down and stands up, making us


    all surprised.


    Mr. Jonathan frowns as he asks confusedly, "Is anything wrong, Mr. Jones?"


    "Cancel this deal," Ethan announces stubbornly, causing me to widen my eyes.


    "What?" Mr. Jonathan shouts as he hurriedly stands up. "Do you have any idea what you are saying,


    Mr. Jones? The profit is yours. Every industry lines up for this deal and here you are rejecting my


    proposal?"


    "You don''t have to worry about our profits. I said the deal is canceled, that''s it." Ethan says, angrily.


    "Miss Gray, is your opinion the same?" That man asks me but before I can answer, Ethan cuts me off.


    "What I said is final." He shouts.


    I turn to him, "Ethan, listen..." Before I canplete my sentence, he grabs my hand and drags me to


    the exit, leaving the old man and that girl with open mouths.


    After we are outside of the building, I hold his arm, stopping him. He turns to me, still breathing heavily.


    "Why did you do that?" I ask him.


    "That fucking pervert was watching you badly. Didn''t you see?" Now he shouts at me.


    I nod, "Yes, I saw. But it''s just a deal. After the work is done, we don''t have to see him. Why did you


    cancel it? We will lose a million dors, do you know?"


    He takes a deep breath before he speaks, "We will make it up somehow. He is not the only one in the


    whole world. We will find someone else but I can''t work with someone harmful to you."


    Then he stares into my eyes so deeply and for a moment, his eyes lose the burning anger as he says


    something that melts my heart.


    "You are more precious to me than millions of dors."


    And for that one moment, I feel like the whole world stops leaving us two together, staring into each


    other. I can''t find anything to say so I just stare at him nkly without blinking. I look for solemnity in his


    deep brown eyes and find myself nodding atst when I got what I was looking for.


    He was telling the truth.


    He was.


    Sighing, he holds my hand again and leads me to the car. We get inside and I buckle my seat belt,


    absent-minded. For the whole ride back to I don''t know where just some words keep ringing in my


    head.


    "You are more precious to me than millions of dors."

 Chapter 21

    Chapter 21


    "Really? You two are leaving me?" I ask, staring at Leah and Nick, dumbfounded. Nick is watching TV


    while eating fries, engrossed in his football match. So he just gives me a shrug and again dives into his


    world.


    "Don''t be so dramatic, Evie. As if we are leaving you forever." Leah rolls her eyes at me while putting


    some clothes in her luggage.


    "That''s the same. I will have to shift to Manhattan and live in that huge spooky pce all alone. What is


    so important that you are leaving hurriedly?" I ask, pouting.


    "Try to understand, Evie. It''s been six months since Ist saw mom and dad. I am missing them so


    much and they are also telling me to go."


    "Alright but why is that baboon going with you? That''s your house, your parents, not his. What will he


    do there?"


    "What the hell? Stop calling me baboon!" Nick whines and throws a fry at my direction. "And I am going


    there to visit my future parents inw. What''s your problem?" He winks at Leah and as usual earns a


    smack from her.


    Leah''s parents called her today morning from Texas telling her to go there. She will leave tomorrow. At


    least I thought Nick will stay with me but being Leah''s very good ''friend'', he is also going after her. But


    we all know the backstory very well. I couldn''t go because I have work to do.


    Leah was handling everything here. Now as I don''t know the ''c'' of cooking, I have no other way than to


    go to our pce in Manhattan, much to my displeasure.


    The main reason for living in this apartment is because I don''t like to have a thousand maids and


    guards for me who will inform my dad every two hours what I am doing or if I am eating properly and


    h h h.


    But now, there''s nothing to do.


    Leah''s phone rings in her room and she goes to pick it up leaving us alone. I find it the perfect time to


    talk to Nick about what happened between me and Ethan that night.


    "Nicki?" I call him as he looks at me.


    "What?"


    "I need to talk to you. It''s important. Turn off the TV."


    "Not important than my match." He sticks his tongue out at me and I shake my head.


    "Ethan came here that night you two were outside."


    "What?" Nick shouts as he jumps up from the couch, turns off the TV immediately and runs towards


    where I am sitting with wide eyes.


    He sits beside me, ready to hear what I want to say.


    "Why did hee here? Huh? After hurting you like that? Did he do something bad? Tell me, Evie. I


    am getting scared now." He continues rambling, making me sigh.


    "No, Nicki. He didn''t do anything. He came here to...to apologise for what he did that day." I say,


    looking down at my hands.


    "To apologise?" He asks, confused.


    I nod, "Yeah. He told me that he kissed that girl because he was angry seeing me with you and so he


    wanted to hurt me. But he didn''t mean that. He apologized to me and..." I exin while Nick listens to


    me carefully and nods.


    "And?"


    "And he...he kissed me...here." I utter slowly, pointing my index finger to my cheek, shyly.


    "What the hell?" Nick screams as he jumps up, causing the chair to fall down with a loud bang. I look


    up at him and he grins at me from ear to ear.


    "Oh my God! Ethan kissed you! Really? OMG! He finally kissed you? We should throw a party. Don''t


    you think that?!" He exims, pping his hands like a little boy and I just stare at him in shock.


    I wanted to keep it a secret from Leah but here goes everything in hell.


    His scream was loud enough for Leah to hear. She hurriedly walks out of her room with her phone in


    her hand and mouth hanging open, equally shocked.


    I sigh and shake my head in disappointment.


    These are called friends.


    "Evie? Did I hear it right?" Leah shouts walking towards me, "Ethan kissed you? What Ethan? I mean


    which Ethan? Don''t tell me it''s Ethan Jones. OMFG! What the hell is happening? I don''t know anything.


    Like what the fuck?" She continues shouting. I re at Nick and he just smiles sheepishly at me and


    shrugs.


    "Baby, calm down. I am telling you everything." Nick says, pushing Leah down on the chair.


    The next one hour passes by me and him exining everything from first tost and Leah shouting at


    us every two minutes. Finally when we finish, she is ring at us like we murdered someone.


    "Why do you two always hide everything from me? What type of best friend are you, Evie?" Leah


    hollers at me angrily.


    I sigh, "Don''t misunderstand me, Lee. I just told Nick everything today. And I wasn''t sure how to say


    this to you so I didn''t. I''m sorry." I say making puppy dog eyes.


    She huffs, "Alright." Then suddenly her eyes sprinkle with amusement as a huge grin forms on her


    face, I knew it.


    "By the way, I can''t believe it! Ethan likes you? Oh my God! How is it possible? When did all this


    happen? Our Evie finally got a boyfriend."


    "Hey! Wait!" I raise my hand and shake my head in disbelief, "Boyfriend? What the fuck?"


    She puts her hands on her hip making a stubborn face.


    "Boyfriend not? Then what? He kissed you and you let him kiss you. Then tell me who he is to you?"


    She asks me.


    Really? Who''s he to me? What are we now? I didn''t think about it.


    "Umm... I don''t know." I reply slowly, confused.


    "You don''t know, right? That''s it. He is now your boyfriend and if not he will be soon, I am predicting."


    She says confidently as I just smile.


    "Whatever." I brush it off and get up from the chair, heading to my room.


    I remember something and look back, "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you this." I say, smiling mischievously at


    them.


    They watch me skeptically before Leah asks, "What else now?"


    "I invited Ethan. He ising here tonight. That means you alone have to do everything because I


    couldn''t. I''m out." I shout in a breath closing my eyes then run towards my room, hearing Leah cursing


    me behind.


    ...................


    I wake up to the faint light of the settling sun falling on my face. I look at the window to see the fading


    evening lighting through the thin sheer curtains that are shaking slightly for the cool breeze


    blowing outside. Rubbing my eyes, I sit up on the bed and watch the time.


    5:00 p.m


    Shit. I slept for three hours.


    I get down from the bed and walk towards the door. Opening it, I see nobody in the dark living room but


    here some noises that areing from the kitchen. I go to the kitchen and see Leah there, making


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    brownies.


    Her eyes fall on me and she smiles.


    "Hey! When is heing?" She asks me.


    "Soon. I invited him for dinner." I answer.


    "Oh ok. I''m almost done."


    "Hmm."


    I told Ethan toe here for a reason. There are some things that need to be sorted out between him


    and Nick. He misunderstood Nick. Though I told him everything but it would be better if they can be


    friends before Nick leaves.


    Leah turns around and looks at me then her eyes widen as she gasps. I look down to understand


    what''s wrong but see nothing.


    "What happened?" I ask confusedly.


    "What the hell are you wearing?"


    "What the hell am I wearing?" I repeat her and take a look at my clothes. A white crop top with a ck


    leggings. What is there to be surprised?


    "Evie, someone''sing and you will go in front of him like this?" She says, pointing to me.


    I roll my eyes, "You are acting like a prince ising, Lee? There''s no way I am changing. I''m


    "Of course, a prince. Your own prince charming ising, idiot. Either change or I will kick you out of


    the house. Go!" She shouts, suing me towards my room.


    "You are impossible!"


    "Thanks for thepliment."


    ........................


    I''m now in front of the full length mirror of my room with a dress in my hand that Leah chose for me. As


    I said before, I don''t wear dresses. This is Leah''s.


    A v neck sky blue dress with two thin straps on both sides and covered with an unattached shearyer


    that has small white flowers and pearls all over the ce. It''s a bit revealing for my choice but


    sometimes it''s not bad to try different things. Moreover, Leah''s forcing me.


    I change into the dress and it fits my body perfectly, ending just before my knees. Ib my hair and


    let it flow down to the one side of my shoulder. Just when I finish applying my lipgloss, I hear the


    doorbell rings.


    He is here.


    I don''t know why but everytime he is around me, my heart starts beating faster. I get nervous without


    any reason. Or maybe there''s a reason. I will find out. Soon.

 Chapter 22

    Chapter 22


    I check myself onest time before heading towards the door. With every step I take forward, I feel my


    heartbeat increasing. As my hand touches the doorknob, I take one long breath and turn it around.


    I nce up and my eyes fall on him, making me gasp inwardly.


    His hair is gelled back and the brown hues are glistening, the light golden suit jacket that he is wearing


    over the ck full shoulder t-shirt couldn''t make anyone more handsome than him. He has a wrist


    watch matching with his jacket on his left hand which is shining and reflecting golden light.


    Can he look bad just for once?


    When I tear my eyes off of him, I see him looking down at me. He seems a little surprised but at the


    same time his eyes roam over my body. Starting from the leg then slowly upwards then my face and


    then again slowly downwards. Again upwards. Again downwards.


    Am I looking bad?


    He is making me self conscious now. It''s not like I am feeling uneasy because he''s watching me like


    that. As I said before, his stare doesn''t make me uneasy.


    It''s...it''s so intense.


    Like he is looking directly into my soul taking in everything off of me.


    Has anyone ever looked at me like that?


    No.


    "Ethan?" I say slowly, a smile tugging on my lips and his gaze returns to my face. He immediately looks


    down scratching his back with his fingers. The upside of his tan cheeks turn a flushed pink as he tries


    to say something, clearly embarrassed.


    I let out a soft giggle watching him all blushing. This Ethan is totally different from the one I see always.


    This Ethan is so cute, boyish with no anger, no ferocity and I like this Ethan more.


    "Will you stop blushing?" I chuckle which makes his eyes shoot up immediately.


    "I...I am not blushing at all." He says as a cute frown appears on his face.


    I nod, "Yeah, I can see that. Nowe in, please." I grin and hold the door open for him to enter. His


    lips curve slightly in a small smile as he gets in along with a fresh vani smell.


    I close the door and when I turn around, I see Leahing into the drawing room. She is wearing a


    crimson red full sleeved satin gown that is hugging her body tightly reaching up to her knees. It has a


    satin belt of the same color with a big love broach in a side full of glitters and white shiny pearls that''s


    sping her waist. Her wavy brown hair is hanging loosely on her shoulder and she has matched her


    lips with the same colored lipstick as her dress.


    She looks gorgeous.


    She approaches Ethan with a bright smile on her face and Ethan smiles back.


    "Hey! Leah, right?" Ethan says as he holds his hand out for a handshake.


    "Yeah." Leah''s face turns a bright red as she raises her hand.


    "I heard a lot about you. I''m so happy to meet you finally." She says, smiling shyly and they shake their


    hands.


    "Same here. You are looking gorgeous by the way." He says, showing his famous cocky smile and she


    mutters a thanks.


    She is looking gorgeous? Yes, she is. Am I really looking bad then? He told her right away but he didn''t


    say anything to me. I know I shouldn''t be thinking about such a silly thing when it''s true that Leah is


    really so pretty and I am not but it''s just... whatever.


    Nick enters the room and we all look at himing towards us.


    It''s going to be awkward.


    He has a in ck shirt squeezing his body tightly showing his abs and his sleeves are rolled up to


    his elbows where a big tribal tattoo is standing out proudly. His hair messy as always falling on his


    forehead, he didn''t feel the need tob them even knowing Ethan wasing.


    He shots a sly smirk towards my direction and walks towards Ethan who seems a bit confused about


    the situation. The main reason for this gathering is to fix their stupid misunderstanding and I just wish


    everything goes well now.


    "Hey! Ethan." Nick greets casually as he stands in front of him.


    "Hi! Mr..." Nick cuts him off with a sudden hug making us all surprised. Nick pats his shoulder in a


    friendly way before saying,


    "Call me Nick." He says and then whispers something in an excessively slow voice I can''t hear.


    He then pulls off and for the first time in these few days, Ethan really chuckles at him in amusement.


    "Nick." Ethan says smiling and Nick grins sweetly before raising his hand for a high five.


    "Yep, buddy." They high five each other and I stand there smiling at the scene in contentment.


    Nick started the mess and he fixed it himself. I knew he would make things up between them somehow.


    I can depend on him. I can believe him.


    This is why I love him this much.


    *************


    We are now sitting at the table eating and talking about almost everything. Actually they are talking and


    I am eating quietly. I am sitting with Ethan and Nick and Leah opposite of us. I don''t know why but till


    now, Ethan didn''t even utter a word with me. He is simply ignoring me and I really don''t know what I


    have done wrong.


    In the middle of our dinner, Leah excuses herself and goes to the washroom. Nick and Ethan keep


    talking about a football match and all those things I don''t pay any attention to. I quietly finish my food


    and stand up.


    "Hey guys, I am feeling tired. You talk, I am going to my room." I say and Nick nods hurriedly, not even


    ncing at me.


    I walk out of the kitchen and head to my bedroom quickly. The room is dark with a gloomy dim light


    hanging above and the window is closed. Approaching my dressing table, I put down the bracelet I am


    wearing and look for a hairband to tie my hair when a click sound catches my attention. I immediately


    look back and see Ethan getting inside in the dark. He closes the door behind quietly and I just stand


    there in surprise.


    Why is he here?


    Again my heartbeat starts increasing being alone in the room with him. I walk towards him with a frown


    on my face but I think he doesn''t notice it.


    "What are you doing here? They will think something wrong if they see us." I say and try to pass him to


    open the door when he blocks my way with a naughty smile spreading across his face.


    "They are busy." He says casually.


    "Busy doing what?"


    He lets out a giggle at my question, "How could I say? I don''t know."


    "Whatever." I scoff.


    He is really impossible to understand. One second, he is ignoring me and the next moment, talking to


    me so sweet sweet. It''s just getting on my nerves now. This time I am really angry.


    "What did Nicki tell you there when you came?" I ask, curiously.


    He smiles cockily at my question, "He told me that he didn''t mug you from me. That''s all."


    Nick is really a badass!


    I roll my eyes and try to walk past him but he again moves forward, our chests about to collide.


    "What''s wrong princess? Are you angry?" He says, smirking.


    Princess? It''s been a long time since he called me that. Whatever, I am not gonna budge so easily this


    time.


    "No!" I try to speak confidently, "Is there anything that I should be angry about?"


    "Hmm." He humsing even closer, that smirk not leaving his face as if he''s enjoying this too much.


    "Then... umm...are you jealous?" He raises his cocky brow, his lips moving upwards in a devilishly


    handsome way.


    I shake my head, "Why in the world would I be jealous?" I say and try to walk away.


    Yes, I am. Because you told Leah gorgeous but didn''t say anything to me and also ignored me.


    But before I can take a step forward, his hand grabs mine and I slump back, colliding with his hard


    chest. On instinct, I ce my hand on his chest making a bit of distance between our faces as his hand


    finds its way to the back of my waist, pulling me closer.


    He smiles down at me, "I know you are and I know the reason too." He says and I just look away.


    He slowly ces his hand on my cheek and runs his thumb so softly on it, making me shiver. I clutch


    his jacket at that soothing touch and try hard not to make any sound that''sing out of me.


    "Couldn''t you understand I was teasing you?" He asks, making me look at him with questioning eyes.


    "Do I even need to say how beautiful you are? You are beautiful when you are happy. You are even


    more gorgeous when you are angry. Heck, you are the prettiest when you are jealous right now. Trust


    me I have never seen someone so beautiful like you and this is the only truth. Are you still angry?" He


    says in a breath smiling and I just stare at him in awe.


    I scrutinize his face with an open mouth, not finding anything to say.


    "I...I mean..." I begin to speak but he cuts me off.


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    "Don''t."


    "Huh?"


    "Don''t say anything."


    His eyes darken as his both hands cup my face. In the dim light, I see a soft smile on his face and he


    slowly moves closer. Before I can stop him, I feel his lips on my cheek. His face softly brushes against


    mine as his lips slowly move downwards. An unwanted gasp leaves my mouth when I feel his wet lips


    make contact with my skin, trailing slow kisses from my chin downwards to my neck. My clutch on his


    jacket tightens as an unknown feeling overwhelms me that I never felt ever.


    God, stop me... Why can''t I stop him ever.


    Gathering all my strength, I push him away and run towards the window, opening it quickly. I grasp


    some air and normalize my quick breathing. Various colors of light from the street enter the room


    washing the darkness away, making it look mysteriously beautiful.


    "Is it getting too hot in here?" He asks standing beside me and without looking at his face, I know he''s


    smirking.


    His cockiness knows no bounds!


    He rests his hands on the window wall and looks down at the street.


    "Ok, let''s talk about something else. Why did you ask me toe here today? Is there any particr


    reason?" He says normally and I just roll my eyes.


    He is behaving like nothing happened a moment ago? Here I am running out of oxygen and he is fully


    normal. Great!


    "Will you answer me?" He asks impatiently this time.


    "I...I wanted to fix the misunderstanding between you and Nick. They will leave for Texas tomorrow. So


    before he leaves..."


    "Why are they leaving?" He questions as he seems confused.


    "Leah''s parents want her to go there and live some days with them. Leah is leaving and Nick is going


    with her."


    "That means you will live alone here?"


    "No." I answer, "I will shift to Manhattan tomorrow. How can I live alone? I can''t cook." I say,


    embarrassed as heughs out.


    "This is the only reason?" He asks, grinning at me.


    "Yes." I shot him a re and he just shrugs. "But I don''t want to go there. That house is so huge and


    full of guards and maids what I don''t like. Plus they inform my dad everything I do. What I am doing,


    where I am going, everything. It''s so disgusting."


    "Hmm." He seems to think something as he leans against the window. I look at him by the corner of my


    eyes. The wavering lights are falling on some ces of his face when the remaining seems dark. Due


    to leaning forward, some strands of hair fall on his forehead shading his face slightly.


    He is godly.


    "I got an idea." He says suddenly and looks at me with excitement.


    I squint, "What idea?"


    "How about if you shift to my apartment for some days? I live alone so there''s no problem. You will


    "What?" I shout as I try to understand if he''s kidding. But his face seems serious. That means he is


    asking me to live with him seriously?


    "Are you kidding me? Why would I do that? What will they think? Moreover, when my home is here,


    why would I shift to your ce?" I ask, rolling my eyes.


    He seems disheartened at my answer but I remain my face still. No way I am doing that.


    "What''s the problem?" He asks me, anger taking over the hurt. "You said you don''t want to go there.


    Then what''s wrong if youe to my house? Nobody will know if you don''t want anyone to." He


    shrugs.


    "No. It''s not possible." I reply slowly looking away.


    "Possible." He says in an angry tone shooting me his challenging eyes.


    He grabs my waist and pulls me towards him. I hit his chest with much more force than before as he


    puts his other hand on my face.


    "Either agree or..." He whispers smirking, a mischievous glint sparking in his eyes.


    "Or?"


    "Or... I will kiss you." He mutters with confidence in his voice, making me widen my eyes.


    What the hell?


    "What the..."


    "I promise I will." He smiles a devilish smile. And by his face, I can say he could definitely do it. I don''t


    believe him. Nope.


    I try to unwrap his hands but he makes his hold tighter.


    "One... " He slowly moves his face towards me and I feel like I am hypnotized again. I just stare at him


    in shock as I see his lips slowlye closer.


    "Two..."


    Oh my God!


    "Three."


    "Stop." I shout closing my eyes, "I will go."


    All the sounds stop except our quick breathing. I remain my eyes closed for some time and when I


    don''t feel anything, I slowly open them to see the culprit grinning at me like a devil.


    Ugh! I hate him so much!


    "I knew it would work." He shows me his proud smile as he lets me go finally. He stuffs his hands into


    his pockets, eyes glistening in amusement.


    "Ok then. It''s final. I wille to pick you up tomorrow." He announces before heading towards the


    door leaving me totally shocked.


    "You are evil." I shout as he approaches the door.


    "I know." He shouts back and turns around before shooting me a smile.


    "See you soon princess."

 Chapter 23

    Chapter 23


    "Take care of yourself."


    "Ok, ok. I will." I say and hug Leah for the fifth time this morning. We head towards the door, Nick


    I know they would make a big deal out of it. Before they return, I wille back here so nobody will


    know.


    "I will miss you."


    "Me too." Leah says sadly as she gives me a kiss on my cheek.


    "Girls, you are acting like you will never meet again." Nick rolls his eyes at us.


    "Shut up, you baboon!" I scold him yfully and wrap my arms around him in a fondling hug. He puts


    his face on my shoulder, hugging back.


    "I will miss you too. Come back soon." I mutter.


    "We will. Take care baby." He says with a content sigh as he pulls back and kisses my forehead.


    He walks to Leah and holds her hand while I watch them with a smile. How good it feels when two


    lovers get together after years of waiting and you are the one ying Cupid? I''m quite proud.


    "Bye guys."


    "Bye." They say in union as they get out. I watch them get into the elevator and they wave at me.


    After they are out of sight, I close the door and plop myself down on the couch. Taking my phone from


    the table, I watch the time. I should start packing my stuff now. Ethan will be here soon.


    I know it sounds weird to move in with someone whom you know for barely two months. But there are


    many reasons I agreed to do this. It wasn''t just for the kiss. Though I didn''t want him to kiss me either.


    After all, it''s my first kiss!


    Then there are a lot of things I need to sort out with him and for that we need time. It would be better if


    we can stay under the same roof because other than that, we are always busy outside. I need to know


    where we are standing now. It''s clear after all of this, we are not friends anymore. Then what? I need


    him to tell me what we are because I really don''t know.


    And besides everything, I know I will be safe with him. If it was anyone else asking me to stay with


    them, never in a million years I would have agreed. But it''s him. He will never do anything to hurt me. I


    believe it.


    Now the question is how do I trust him this much when I know him for such a short time?


    But sometimes you don''t need to know a person''s everything to know the person himself. You know


    how he looks at you? With love, affection, passion? You know what he is thinking when you look into


    his eyes? Maybe he doesn''t say that he cares about you but with his every deed, he shows and makes


    you feel he does care? You think you don''t know him for the fullest but with your heart, you feel like you


    know him forever? Yes, that''s when you really know the person even if you think you don''t.


    And in this spell of two months, I have seen him in different ways, under different circumstances that


    now I feel like somehow I know him more than I know myself.


    Though it''s strange, it''s true.


    Getting up, I head to my room and bring out my luggage. I fill it with my clothes and other stuff. After


    thirty minutes, I was done with packing. I take a quick shower and change into a simple ck and red


    sweatshirt and blue dark washed denim jeans. I quickly dry my hair and pull it into a high ponytail.


    That''s when the doorbell rings.


    I put on a hairpin and run towards the door. I open it revealing Ethan in a grey hoodie and full messy


    hair with ck skinny jeans that just gave the whole outfit a perfect touch.


    He takes a quick look at my appearance and then smiles.Though he hardly smiles but he really looks


    so sweet when he does it. But I am notining. Smiles, smirks or frowns whatever, he always


    looks the same. Perfect.


    "Hey." He greets and gets inside before cing a soft kiss on my forehead. He is kissing me more


    often these days, what''s wrong? And that''s too without any hesitation? Oh what am I saying? When did


    he kiss me taking my permission? Haha.


    He throws himself down on the sofa and puts his both hands on the back of it making himfortable


    there and then turns to me.


    "So you ready?" He asks me with a smug look on his face.


    "Yeah."


    "Aren''t you excited? To go to a new ce?"


    "Not at all. You are forcing me." I say, rolling my eyes though that''s not the truth.


    He chuckles, "Oh don''t say that. You know you want it too. And even if you don''t, I won''t apologize." He


    replies, cing his hands behind his head and puts his legs on the table in front of him.


    What a bad habit!


    I walk to him and push his legs down with a huff.


    "Yes because you are a badass."


    "You like this badass, don''t you?" He says, smirking.


    "Not even a bit." I scoff, hiding the smile.


    "Liar."


    I look at him to see the slight disappointment in his eyes but he quickly regains himself and brings his


    smug face back.


    "If you''re ready, let''s go then."


    "Yeah." I say and get inside my room, bringing the luggage outside. He stands up and takes it from me.


    We walk out of the apartment and I lock the door behind.


    We head towards the parking lot and my eyes fall on a red mustang standing out proudly in the crowd.


    He puts my luggage inside and opens the door for me. I raise my eyebrows mockingly causing him to


    chuckle.


    "What? I''m a gentleman." He smirks.


    "Oh sure, you are." I shake my head amusingly and hop on the car.


    He is being extra honey today. Not a problem though. I like this carefree side of him. I just wonder is he


    like this just in front of me? If yes, then why? Now that I will be spending more time with him, I will get


    to know him much better and I want to.


    Let''s see how everything goes now.


    **********


    He pulls the car outside of the huge skyscraper and we get out. I look around a bit and then we walk


    into the elevator. After it stops, we walk out and he opens the door. As soon as I get inside, something


    flies towards me and I close my eyes immediately covering my face with my hand to stop whatever it is


    from colliding with my face.


    A crushing sound can be heard and I open my eyes to see a remote control lying on the floor in a


    helpless condition and Matt?


    He is jumping and screaming in front of the TV where a ser match is going on.


    "What happened?" Ethan asks in a concerned voice as he gets inside quickly and sees the mess.


    "What the hell, Matt?" Ethan shouts while shaking his head disappointingly.


    What''s happening?


    Matt looks back and his mouth forms a full ''o'' shape seeing me there.


    "OMG! Evie? What are you doing here?" He asks, totally shocked.


    "Before that, you tell me what is this?" Ethan points at the mess.


    Matt looks down and his eyes widen. He mutters ''oops'' and looks at us apologetically.


    "Sorry. Actually my team won and I was too happy and it was near me and I just threw it away because


    I couldn''t understand what to do. Hehe." He smiles a guilty smile as he scratches his back,


    embarrassed.


    What? Never heard of anyone throwing the remote itself as a celebration!


    Such crazy!


    I burst outughing and Ethan just smiles.


    "Hey! Don''tugh. I am not crazy." Matt says, frowning.


    "Of course." I reply.


    "By the way, what are you doing here?" He asks me as his eyes fall on my luggage.


    "I...uhm..."


    "You go. I''ming." Ethan cuts me off and points at a room.


    I nod and get inside, leaving them behind.


    -------


    Ethan''s POV


    I watch her as she gets inside the room. Now I have to exin everything to Matt. I close the door and


    plops on the couch indicating Matt to sit down.


    "Care to exin why she is here? She is supposed to break your head after what you did." Matt says,


    sitting beside me.


    "Her friends are out of New York for some time. She will stay here until they return." I say, smiling.


    His jaw drops to the floor as he gives me a ''are you kidding'' look.


    "Really? Are you serious? But how? How did you make her agree? Isn''t she angry at you?"


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "She wouldn''te here if she was angry. I make everything up between us."


    "How?"


    "Yes because I am not that stupid you thought I was. I will tell you everythingter. Now close your


    mouth if you don''t want to catch a fly." I grin and walk back to the room where Evelyn is, leaving a very


    shocked Matt behind.

 Chapter 24

    Chapter 24


    I open the door and slowly enter the spacious room, creating an amenable sound on the dark wooden


    floor. The grand room is painted in light golden color, a huge bed covered in a in white sheet in the


    middle with a silver footboard bench in front. The front wall has arge LED TV and a crystal chandelier


    is hanging from the ceiling emanating the upper half of the room in a pleasant shade of crispy gold. The


    whole ce is garnished with some luxurious furniture while some photographs and sceneries are


    covering another wall. A big balcony is on one side and the outside view is easily seeable for the thin


    ss door that is separating it from the room.


    I walk forward towards the porch when a certain picture catches my attention. Turning on my heels, I


    walk back to the wall where the picture is hanging on.


    There Ethan is standing in the gym I guess, with no shirt on, hands clutching the rings, sweats pouring


    from the forehead down to chest; looking all sexy!


    So that means I will have to stay in a room with a half-naked picture of him?!


    Lol!


    Who knew I would be happy to live with someone whom I know for only two months?


    I wasn''t supposed to be here. But here I am. Sometimes life throws us into some situations that were


    never deduced to happen. Despite not having any presages, somehow we make us congenial to it


    under the pressure of circumstances. Because that''s life. If everything happened the way we thought of


    it, then how will we learn to survive? If life gave us the prognosis of the future, then there would have


    been no danger. But remember life is not a fairytale where a prince charming will always wait for you.


    Here on the cruel surface of earth, if you lose your shoe at midnight, you are drunk.


    That''s why I am here. To wee the unknown consequences of the future.


    "The guy is so sexy, isn''t he?" Ethan''s voice startles me as I hurriedly look back to see himing


    towards me, hands stuffed into the pockets and with his signature smirk stered on his face.


    For how long he is here? He definitely saw me gawking at his picture!


    I roll my eyes, "I wasn''t thinking about that."


    "Oh really? Then what were you doing?" He asks, frowning yfully.


    "I was thinking something else."


    "So you want to say that I am not sexy?" He says with a fake painful expression,ing closer.


    "Ugh! You are disgusting." I huff loudly stomping away hearing him chuckling behind.


    Pushing the door open, I get inside of the huge balcony that has a ss border surrounding the


    corners with no roof. I like it this way, the open sky. Some trees are ced in the corners with a rocking


    chair and a center table with pink roses in the middle. I walk forward and lean against the border,


    resting my hands on it. The scenery before me is stunning. The leaves of the trees are gently blowing


    because of the light wind, creating a pleasant sound that is blending with birds chirping. Ake can be


    seen at a distance with shining blue water.


    "This is beautiful," I say lightly as Ethanes and leans in like me. A lock of hair falls onto the side of


    his forehead. The brown hues are glistening for the shaft of sunlight.


    How I wish I could run my hand through them!


    Oh my God!


    What the hell did I just say?


    I''m really changing.


    "You like it?" He asks, looking at me.


    "Yeah, very much so." I smile. As if my smile reflects on his face just as a pretty smile falls on his lips.


    My eyes involuntarily shift from his eyes to his shimmering lips, his gaze following mine. Instantly my


    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    sense hits me and I look away.


    I am starting to doubt my own sanity now!


    "This is so beautiful. It will be hard to leave."


    "If that happens." He murmurs, smirking.


    "What do you mean?"


    "Who knows what will happen in the future?"


    "But I won''t stay here forever, right?" I ask, smirking back.


    "If destiny wants, you will." He replies seriously with a different kind of confidence in his voice.


    The sunbeam is falling on his face making him squint slightly. His unruly hair is shaking in a swift


    movement and as he stares into my eyes through his dark orbs, something in me stirs making me want


    to believe those words.


    But how?


    Just the thought of it scares me. Even if I try, I can''t just ept it. How better it would have been if I


    didn''t meet him. But now that I am here, I can''t just back off and I can''t go ahead either. It''s


    "That won''t happen." I shake my head, smiling, trying to cut back the tension that''s been growing


    between us.


    He looks a bit disappointed at my reply but as always, he instantly covers it with his mighty smirk.


    "Do you really want to leave me?" He tries to sound like joking but looking at his face, I feel like there


    was something more behind his words.


    These days I don''t know how but I get to know him a lot. It''s not about his family or those things but his


    feelings. Just one look, just one eye contact is enough to say if he is happy or hurt. And when he said


    that, he wasn''t joking.


    "Why wouldn''t I?" I ask in a slow voice which wipes the fake smile that he was trying to hide his


    emotions with off his face.


    "Because you don''t want to either?"


    It sounds more like a question as his face turns nervous. I gulp down the feeling that was being


    provoked inside me and turn my face cold.


    "And why is that?" I ask, maintaining steady eye contact with him.


    He tries to say something but then stops and looks away. The air bes heavier as we don''t hear


    anything else except our quick breathing. As if sensing it, he looks back and moves closer, tension


    thick in the air.


    Despite the cool breeze, I feel like my face starts steaming just as his sweaty hand makes contact with


    it. Looking down at me, he gulps. He tilts his head to get a better view and leans in, touching his


    forehead with mine. He closes his eyes and it feels like gathering all his courage, he whispers,


    "Because you feel the same way I feel for you, don''t you?"

 Chapter 25

    Chapter 25


    "Because you feel the same way I feel for you, don''t you?" He slowly opens his eyes that are pleading


    with mine to say yes.


    No matter how strong you are, there will always be that special someone who will make you weak. We


    all have to face mental breakdown sometimes when our heart is tired of battling with the constant


    argument that our head gives rise to. We would rather wound our heart over and over again by burying


    our emotions deeper into it than to show our vulnerability to others but still, there are sometimes when


    we just break. And now for the first time, he is breaking in front of me.


    Only my heart knows how much I want to say yes. Something deeper within me is screaming that''s


    what I believe but my fears, my uncertainties persuading me to say no. But I know very well that''s a lie.


    If I wouldn''t feel anything for him, then why am I here?


    I''m just afraid. Afraid to ept the truth.


    "Say something." He pleads in an excessively slow voice, something shing in his eyes.


    Fear?


    Fear of what?


    If I say no? Does it matter that much to him?


    I can''t hold his vulnerable gaze anymore. I look down avoiding eye contact, my face starts sweating at


    this point. How would I lie looking into those piercing eyes?


    I shake my head slightly, "I...I am not sure." I say, my voice is barely audible.


    As if proving me right, his body stiffens and he slowly removes his hand from me. I immediately look up


    to see something in his stare that I''ve never seen before. It''s not just disappointment, not just hurt, not


    just pain, it''s something more than that which I can''t decipher. But what I see, just breaks me and I


    regret what I said.


    "Ethan," I call out his name and take a step towards him but he moves back.


    "I understand." He murmurs, looking away.


    "I am sorry. I didn''t want to say that." I say and hold his hand into mine. I entwine our fingers and run


    my thumb slowly on his knuckles, looking down.


    "Just... just give me some time," I whisper.


    He nods.


    "It''s ok. Take your time." He says, giving me a tight-lipped smile.


    "Thanks."


    "You must be tired. Come, freshen up." He initiates and I nod.


    Before he leaves my hand, he gives it a slight squeeze and a sad smile make its ce on his face, and


    then he says something that I believe is true deep down inside my heart.


    "But I promise I will make you say yes eventually."


    ********


    "Ethan! Give my panda back." I yell, chasing him from one side to another of my room. He keeps


    running towards the bed carrying my panda bear with him and then lies down there,ughing his asses


    off.


    "Oh my God! Little princess ys with pandas! How cute!" He shouts cing both hands around his


    mouth so that it can get louder.


    He is a liar. After lunch, he told me that he would help me unpack my stuff. I believed him and let him


    in.


    He started tousling with my things and discovered some embarrassing odds and ends. Firstly Leah''s


    nighty that I mistakenly brought with me and now my pinky bear.


    I growl in frustration and then stomp towards him. I snatch it from his hand and ce it nicely beside


    my pillow.


    "Really, princess? You still y with pandas?" He says,ughing.


    "I don''t y with it. I can''t sleep without hugging my bear that''s why I always carry it with me.


    Understood?" I shout.


    He sits up on the bed and then turns to me, smirking.


    "How I wish I were a panda!" He dreamily sighs.


    I burst outughing and kick his leg yfully. Such a jerk!


    "Ethan, you aren''t helping me at all." I pout.


    "Ok, sorry, sorry. I will work now, I swear." He says, jumping off the bed and walks to my luggage.


    ********


    I take my clothes and walk inside the closet. It takes me fifteen minutes to arrange them properly and


    this whole time, I didn''t hear anything from outside. When I came here, Ethan was doing something


    with my bag. God knows what he has brought out now!


    I walk out and see him sitting on the floor watching something attentively, his back facing me. I tiptoe


    towards him and lean in quietly. But the sight I see shocks me.


    A picture of mine in his hand that is attached to a photo frame my dad gifted me. His thumbs are slowly


    running upon my face.


    What does this mean? Why is he watching my picture like that?


    I stand there still for sometime when he suddenly looks back and his face turns uneasy. He stands up


    hurriedly and hands me the picture.


    "Umm...what were you doing with it?" I ask taking it from his hand. He seems embarrassed as if he


    can''t find what to say.


    "I...I was just watching. I have something to do. I wille back soon." He says in a breath and leaves


    the room, not casting me another nce.


    *******


    Finally, it''s night and I finished unpacking everything. And should I mention, Ethan didn''t help me at all.


    Instead, he snatched my phone and now ying sh of ns. Nobody ever touched my phone


    except me but this man never listen. He is giving me a headache now.


    I walk up to him, he is lying on my bed. I grab my phone forcefully and snatch it away.


    "I can''t believe that I let you touch my phone. No one ever did."


    He gets up and shoots me a haughty smile, "Nothing to be surprised of. You always act differently


    when ites to me. Because I am special." He says causing me to roll my eyes.


    "By the way, tell me one thing. Why is your phone''s wallpaper the Eiffel tower? I never saw anyone. "


    "Because I love Eiffel tower. I don''t know why but I have a huge crush on it since I was a kid." I reply,


    smiling.


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    "Hmm... Eiffel tower is lucky that it''s not a human." He smirks.


    "What would happen if it was a human?" I squint.


    He gives me a sheepish grin, "Then I would kill it!"


    My mouth hangs open hearing him as I shake my head in disbelief.


    "Really? Now you are jealous of the freaking Eiffel tower?" I giggle.


    He pretends to be shocked but I can understand he is trying to hide his smile.


    "What are you talking about? I was never jealous." He says, throwing his hand up in the air.


    "Sure, Mr gentleman," I say and pat his shoulder before we both burst intoughter.

 Chapter 26

    Chapter 26


    Ethan''s POV


    Ie out of the washroom taking a shower and enter my closet. I decide to wear a in white shirt


    with a pair of ck jeans and change quickly. Evelyn hasn''t woken up yet. I have to call her I guess.


    It feels different. Like I have some responsibilities. I have been living alone here for years now but


    never felt the need to have anyone with me. Everything has changed. It seems like if she leaves now,


    the enormity of this ce will suffocate me. Just for her presence, this huge house feels like home now.


    Opening the door, I walk outside towards her room. I knock a few times but hear no response.


    "Evelyn," I call out and knock again but still no response.


    I hold the doorknob and slowly turn around and to my surprise, the door opens.


    She forgot to close the door.


    I get inside at a slow pace trying to make no sound and see her sleeping peacefully, her leg wrapped


    around the panda and her face buried in the pillow.


    I''m really jealous of the panda now!


    I open the window and a ray of sunlight enters the room immediately making her squint slightly. She


    groans and buries her face deeper.


    I tiptoe to her bed and sit upon my knees on the floor. A lock of her chaotic brte hair is falling upon


    her face hiding it from me. As much as I like her hair, I would love to see her beautiful face more.


    I raise my hand slowly and push the curl from her forehead with my trembling fingers, unveiling her


    soothing sleeping face. The blonde golden light tumbles upon her white skin causing it to shed aAll content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    smashing pinkish glow. Unbeknownst to me, a smile appears on my face.


    A thousand years won''t be enough for anyone to admire this divine beauty. Ok, I am taking it back. If


    not for anyone else, for me at least.


    Are angels of heaven more beautiful than her? If yes, still I don''t need them. This sleeping angel would


    be enough for me.


    I don''t know for how long I have been staring at her when suddenly a droplet of water falls on her


    cheek from my wet hair.


    I again forgot to dry them.


    She peers slightly and moves her face. After some time, she slowly opens her eyes adjusting to the


    bright light. Blinking a couple of times, she looks at me properly.


    "Good morning," I whisper, smiling down at her.


    She wipes the droplet with her hand and then her eyes fall on my hair.


    "Your hair is wet." She says in a groggy voice, making me giggle.


    It was the first thing she said after waking up?


    "Yeah. I forgot to dry them." I reply running my hand through my hair and standing up.


    She rubs her eyes andzily gets down from the bed. Her hair is full messy carelessly falling over her


    shoulder. Her eyes are puffy and yet with everything, she''s looking like a princess.


    My princess.


    "Do you always forget to dry your hair?" She asks, yawning.


    "Yeah, often."


    "But you shouldn''t. You will get a cold." She states and starts walking towards the washroom.


    I chuckle and shout at her back just as she closes the door.


    "I won''t if a certain someone stays here to take care of me."


    ******


    Ethan''s POV


    After I am ready, I wait for her in the living room. Thinking it''s gettingte, I take a nce at my


    wristwatch when shees out of her room dressed in a dark blue long-sleeved shirt with the same


    colored jeans, hair pulled up into a bun. Even in her business attire, she looks amazing.


    "Let''s go." She says and I nod, standing up and heading towards the door.


    We get into the elevator and as it starts to go down, I catch her stealing nces at me a couple of


    times. We walk towards the parking lot and I scowl when I see her heading towards her Mercedes.


    "You will go in your car? I could just drop you off." I ask, frowning.


    "Do you want the reporters to post fake news about us in tomorrow''s headlines?" She says in a stern


    voice as she opens the door.


    "I don''t mind though." I smile a fake smile.


    "But I do, you know." She says, getting into her car. Giving me onest nce, she leaves the


    premises.


    "Yes, I know." I sigh and get into the car as well.


    If she would have agreed to go with me, I could spend the time with her even if it''s a bit. But who cares


    about my feelings? Who cares if I am hurt or not? No one.


    ******


    Evelyn''s POV


    After trying to pay attention to the work for the whole day, I angrily push theptop away. I can''t get his


    thoughts out of my mind. The more I am trying to pay attention, the more my mind is drifting off to him.


    The broken look of him when I denieding to the office in his car, isn''t leaving my mind. But I had


    nothing to do. Definitely, there would be a great disaster if anyone could see using out of the same


    car. I don''t know what I would tell dad after hees back. He will definitely question us about living


    together and I don''t at least want him to know from the newspaper.


    Did I make the right decision by moving in with Ethan? We are getting closer. Will it be good for us or


    will it bring us more danger?


    I just can''t take all of this.


    I''m hurting him continuously and I can feel it. But what can I do? I''m helpless. He is trying to change.


    The Ethan I saw when I first came here; cold, ruthless, angry; has already changed. He is trying to


    change himself for good and what am I doing? I''m hurting him like a heartless.


    God, help me, please.


    Show me a way.


    *******


    Evelyn''s POV


    I unlock the door and go inside to see lights on in the living room. That means Ethan came back before


    me. I leave my purse on a table and walk inside the room. Ethan is sitting on the couch with his head


    leaning behind resting on the headboard. The upper buttons of his shirt are opened and his zer is


    lying beside him. He looks exhausted.


    I walk to him and call out his name, "Ethan?"


    He opens his eyes and gives me a tired look.


    "Hey." He greets me as I sit beside him.


    "You look tired," I say, examining him carefully.


    "Yeah. Today was pretty hectic. By the way, tomorrow we will have to attend a business party. Be ready


    by the evening." He says looking at my face and I nod.


    "Alright."


    He stares at me for sometime before he speaks, "You are tired too. Go, rest."


    "Hmm," I reply, giving him onest look, I stand up and head towards my room when he suddenly calls


    me back.


    "Evelyn."


    I turn around and see himing towards me, hesitantly. He stands in front of me and keeps his


    shivering eyes still on my face before he slowly raises his hand as if scared if I stop him.


    Coming closer, he cups my face and touches his trembling lips on my forehead in the lightest peck. It''s


    like he is making me realize how hurt he is, how much pain he is in through this one kiss. The things he


    is keeping in him, he couldn''t say to me in words; this kiss bes the way to express himself. It isn''t


    just a kiss, it''s a bearer of his thousand unspoken emotions.


    Finally, when he removes his lips from me, I don''t know how he feels but I feel disappointed. As if I was


    craving his touches as if I needed more of his kisses.


    "Good night." He whispers with some unknown pain in his voice and then goes back to his room.


    And finally, I let the tears that I was holding back for the whole day escape from my eyes.


    He is changing from bad to good and he doesn''t even know it. And I know I am the reason. He is trying


    to be good, he is trying to be the man every girl dreams of. And when I am the reason behind all of this,


    instead of helping, I am hurting him.


    Only I know how much I am hurting myself by hurting him. I don''t want to. I want to hold him and let him


    hold me because I know that makes him happy. I want to let him kiss me as much as he wants. But


    something is holding me back. Again my fear and my wavering feelings.


    But it needs to stop. I can''t hurt him anymore.


    I don''t know what dad will do after knowing this. Maybe he will also leave me, maybe everyone will


    leave me. Alright, let it be. I don''t care but I...I can''t leave Ethan.


    When destiny made me the light of his life, after knowing this, I can''t push him into the darkness again.


    Even if the world goes against me, I will stay with him. I will.

 Chapter 27

    Chapter 27


    Feelings


    A small word with the greatest supreme power that is overwhelming our heart and soul with storms of


    dangling emotions.


    Why do we have feelings? Just to have pain when our loved ones leave us? Just to get our hearts


    broken when we realize we are not that important to them we thought we were?


    People say that not to love is sad but not being able to love is worse. Never thought about it so deeply


    but now it seems like this quote was made for me.


    We all try to hide our feelings because we don''t want to look weak to others. No matter how much we


    try to show people that we don''t care and we don''t have feelings, deep down inside we all know we are


    vulnerable. Because we are humans. We have hearts. We are meant to feel.


    Still, there are some times when we don''t feel anything. Not happiness, not hurt, nothing. Just so


    empty. As if something is missing but we don''t know what. That hurts.


    And that''s when we need a shoulder to lean on, a hand to hold on to. Someone who will care about us,


    someone who will fill the emptiness with some love. And this is the hardest thing to find. So hard.


    I guess I have already found that shoulder. I''m just afraid to lean on. What if someday he leaves me


    and I fall? The scarce hand is trying to hold me but I am pushing it away.


    If we could just win our uncertainties, life would be so easier. Unfortunately, here we lose. You think you


    are brave and strong? Maybe from outside. But with all your fears, doubts, and diffidence; you are just


    a fragile doll of your fate.


    I sigh onest time and get up from the bed after trying to sleep half of the night. I walk towards the


    balcony and open the door, revealing the starry enormous night sky, standing out all alone. Just like


    me. I sit down on the chair and take in the fresh cool breeze. Dense ck clouds floating across the


    equally dark sky and within them, numerous shiny stars are peeking out. As if in a discerning ck


    ocean, they are striving continuously to survive. Maybe after some time, they will be submerged under


    the immense clouds but then, they will shine again. Just like our lives. With all our pain, failure, and


    misery, we all try to stay alive in this relentless world. Sometimes we fail. But we don''t stop. With all the


    strength left, we try again and this is how we survive.


    I am deep in my thoughts when I hear a faint sounding from the living room I assume. I get up and


    walk into the room, heading towards the door. Opening it, I see the giant wall clock that is hanging on


    the wall saying 3 in the morning. I walk further and then my eyes fall on Ethan, sleeping on the couch


    with his hand resting on his forehead.


    The only source of light is the chandelier that is emanating shaded golden light for why I can see his


    face somehow from the distance I am now. I walk towards him very slowly, trying to make no sound,


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    and sit on my knees on the floor just beside his head. Then I examine him carefully.


    His face is facing me, a slight cringe on his forehead and tiredness reflecting from his face.


    Why did he sleep here?


    I remove his hand carefully from his head so that I can see him properly. He is looking so restful, so


    innocent like a child as if he threw all his ferocity outside when he slept. Yet somehow, with everything,


    he seems like he''s hurt. He is looking for something like when he drifted off to sleep, he was in pain.


    A strand of hair is falling on his eyes covering his forehead. I slowly raise my quivering hand and push


    the strand away when my fingers softly brush against his skin and I shiver. The first time he touched


    me how I felt, it''s still the same.


    I ce my hand so gently on his cheek so that he doesn''t wake up. My thumb slowly caresses his face


    and I move my face closer when his quick breath hits me. My heart starts beating faster as my fingers


    remain still, feeling his warmth beneath my skin.


    If I could touch him a bit longer...


    I remove my hand unwillingly, my inside clenching in pain. I take his hand in mine and rest my forehead


    on it. And for the second time today, tears escape my eyes.


    I want to hold him like this forever. I don''t want to leave him. But what can I do? What should I do?


    Sometimes I feel like forgetting everything, I just stay with him and the next moment, this thought


    scares me. If we could know what we should do, there wouldn''t be any problem. But it doesn''t happen.


    We were born to have a life full of confusion.


    I raise my head and wipe my face before cing a soft kiss on his knuckles. Giving him onest look, I


    stand up and am about to head back to my room when a hand grabs my hand and I slump back on his


    chest with a thud.


    When I finally open my eyes, to my shock I see those familiar brown eyes staring at me impatiently. His


    hands are behind my waist holding me tightly and mine are on his chest feeling his quick heartbeat.


    He was awake all the while?


    Without saying anything, he suddenly switches our position so now he is on top of me. He keeps


    staring at my eyes searching for I don''t know what as I take the time to process what just happened.


    His chest is pressed against me and our hearts are beating in sync. Both so fast.


    "Will you still say you''re not sure?" He asks in a husky voice, almost a whisper, his eyes boring into


    mine.


    Shit. Why did I touch him? How can I avoid his questions now?


    I stare at him with an unknown fear like a thief who has just been caught. His speedy hot breath


    continuously stroking my face, making me feel like I am on fire. Not being able to hold his zing gaze


    anymore, I quickly look away.


    "What were you doing?" He asks in a hoarse voice.


    "Evelyn, look at me." Hemands but I don''t dare.


    "I said look at me." He says angrily as he holds my chin and makes me look at him forcefully. His eyes


    are now burning like fire. And for some unknown reason, I just can''t stare into them.


    "Say yes." He says and moves his face towards me, pressing his forehead against mine. It wasn''t


    gentle like other times, it was harsh. His nose touches mine and now there''s just a bit of difference


    between our lips.


    I try to push him away with all my strength but just as my hand touches his chest, he grabs my hands


    and pins them around my head. It will leave some bruises for sure.


    Then all of a sudden, his lips touch my cheek and he starts kissing there hungrily. I wheeze when I feel


    the wetness of his soft lips on my burning face. I suck in a sharp breath as his lips slowly move


    downwards to my jaw, from there towards my neck. I gasp struggling for air and that just makes his lips


    move faster. It''s like he''s torturing me for not saying yes by kissing the hell out of me.


    I close my eyes as he bites softly on my skin making me moan loudly. I fist my hand out of the unknown


    feeling that''s overwhelming me and my hands move aggressively beneath his death hold. He then


    moves upwards and stops at my chin. When I don''t feel his lips on me for some time, I slowly open my


    eyes to see his dark eyes digging into mine.


    Staring into my eyes deeply, he slowly releases my hands and finally lets his body fall on me with all its


    pressure and nuzzles his face in my neck. I hear his sharp intake of breathing as he mutters,


    "I''m going crazy for you. Can''t you see?"


    He looks up at me for an answer but I close my eyes, causing a tear to roll down my cheek.


    Then his lips find my face again as he softly kisses the corner of my lips.


    "Say yes, please." He breathes against my parted lips.


    It wasn''t amand, nor a request; it was a voice full of desire with a hint ofnguishment.


    Right now at this moment, all I want to do is to say yes and hug him for years. But instead, I am crying.


    I don''t know why. It wasn''t supposed to happen but now we both are out of control. We don''t have any


    power over us anymore.


    He turns his head up and is about to say something when his eyesnd on me. His eyes widen in


    shock as he gets off of me immediately and sits on the floor, me still lying there closing my eyes.


    "I...I am sorry." I hear him saying as he cups my face and wipes the tears off with his thumbs.


    "I shouldn''t have done it. I am sorry. Please look at me. Evelyn?" He says in a desperate tone and at


    I sit up slowly, my body feeling so numb. I nod somehow and stand up, rushing towards my room. As I


    enter the room and close the door, I feel his eyes following my every move.


    I fall down right there, my back against the door. Letting all my tears streaming freely, I sit there numb


    thinking about what just happened. These tears are not for him to kiss me but because I couldn''t say


    yes to him. He begged me but I couldn''t.


    I hurt him again.


    I did.

 Chapter 28

    Chapter 28


    I stare down at the bright redce gown in my hands in dejection and sigh heavily. The mood I am in


    right now, it would be better for me to go to a funeral but here I am being dressed for a party where we


    would meet our new clients. If the redness of the dress could give me some enthusiasm, I think to


    myself.


    Finally fighting with my inner discouragement, I stand up and slowly slip into the gown that reaches my


    feet. The dress is adorned with designer floweryce with longce sleeves and a v neck that ends a


    few inches before my cleavage.


    The upper back of the gown is opened and the other half is attached to a hook. Now the problem is I


    can''t sp the hook. After trying five minutes continuously, I give up. Why don''t we have a pair of eyes


    and hands in the back?


    "Fucking hook! What''s wrong with your ass?" I growl angrily and slump down on the chair in front of the


    full-length mirror.


    Right then the door opens and Ethan enters inside. My eyes widen and I jump off the chair clutching


    the back of my dress and hurriedly turn around.


    "Ethan? Don''t you know you should knock before entering a room?" I scold angrily.


    He realizes as he stands there still, "I am sorry. I forgot you were here." He says and leaves the closet,


    closing the door.


    Just when I think he''s gone, the door barges open again causing me to jump out of horror.


    "Ethan?" I shout in annoyance as he scratches the back of his neck embarrassingly.


    "Sorry. Actually, I just came to ask, are you having a problem with your dress?" He says pointing to my


    hand that''s holding the back of my dress together.


    "Y...yeah but you have nothing to do with it." I stutter nervously.


    "What''s wrong?" He asks me in confusion.


    "I can''t put the hook on."


    "I can help you. Let me see." He saysing towards me and I step backward.


    "Hey, no! You can''t help me. Get out!" I say in a panicking voice trying to stop him. "It''s a girly problem."


    "But here''s no girl right now. Just me. Then?" He shrugs, standing before me.


    "But..." I get cut off as he holds both my shoulders and turns me around before I can understand


    anything.


    Suddenly the temperature in the room drops by a few degrees celsius as soon as his eyes fall on my


    full bareback from my neck to my waist.


    Someone, please kill me now.


    I see his eyes widen and his mouth slightly opens as his piercing eyes graze every inch of my skin.


    That''s why boy you should have listened to me!


    Finally, after letting his eyes roam over my back for some time, he slowly lowers his trembling hands


    and grabs the hook. I gasp inwardly just as the coldness of his fingers kisses my skin in a soft touch. I


    lower my gaze causing the flowing long hair to fall around and hide my face that is now scrunched up


    because of the impact of his igneous touches. After what feels like an eternity to me, maybe actually a


    few seconds, he puts the hook on and removes his hand as I turn my face up to meet his dark clouded


    eyes that are looking at me deeply in the mirror.


    He moves his head forward slightly towards my hair and then like reality hits him as he stops and steps


    back. I see his eyes filling with sorrow as if he wants to touch me right now but trying hard to control


    himself. He grabs the doorknob and is about to walk out when he suddenly stops and turns around. In


    a matter of seconds, he snakes his hand around my belly and pulls me back making me hit his chest


    with a jerk.


    He grabs my hair softly and throws them to one side of my shoulder revealing my back.


    "I can''t fucking control myself anymore." He says desperately and the next moment he smashes his lips


    against my neck.


    I close my eyes immediately and let my head fall back on his chest as his lips move at a fast pace on


    my skin. He kisses behind my ear causing my long earring to bounce against his face. He trails harsh


    kisses from my ear towards my neck and stops reaching the end of my shoulder.


    I ce my hand on him that''s gripping my belly and try to unwrap when he tightens his grip, pressing


    me more against his body. He raises one hand and slowly ces it on my throat making me choke on


    my breath. He keeps kissing my neck while his fingers slowly move downwards to my chest leaving a


    ghost of heat on the way. Before he can get any lower, I grab his hand stopping him just before the


    outline of my dress.


    "Ethan..." I breathe but it doesn''t sound like my voice. It''s clouded with something.


    As if everything I am doing is putting him on the edge, he turns me around right away and ces his


    lips on my cheek.


    "Say it again." He says nting soft kisses from my face and towards my throat. His one hand is


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    behind my head keeping me in ce and tugging my hair backwards to get a better ess while


    another one is cupping my face.


    "Say my name again." He growls biting my skin softly. It hurts where his teeth are grazing my skin but


    it''s not just pain, it''s giving me a different kind of feeling. It''s overwhelming. Addictive. Captivating which


    makes you want more.


    "Ethan?" I say, confusedly just as he stops kissing and grabs my face between his hands, looking into


    my eyes.


    At this point, I am panting because of the havoc of kisses that just happened as I stare back at him.


    "Stop it, Evelyn." He whispers as he leans in. "Just stop it. Don''t hurt me anymore." cing a kiss on


    my forehead, he leaves the closet hurriedly.


    I look back at him for a moment before turning around to the mirror and I gasp in horror. There are red


    spots all over my neck and throat and my cheeks turned a bright shade of bloody red.


    Fuck!


    How do I go to the party in this state?


    I quickly grab a tissue and wipe my face and neck but the red spots don''t go away. It looks like I got


    rashes. After putting some concealer on all over my shoulder and chest where he kissed me, I finally


    manage to make myself watchable.


    So these are called hickeys?


    Ethan gave me hickeys!


    ******


    After a ride full of tension, we finally reach the ce where the party is being held. I was just praying to


    get out of the car as soon as possible because I don''t know if it''s for the kiss or what, Ethan hasn''t


    uttered a word with me till now. He seems angry and I know I am the reason.


    He stops the car in the driveway and gets out without waiting for me. I sigh and get out as well. The


    huge building in front of me is dazzling with golden light and falling on the street. Loud buzzes of music


    can be heard from outside and I see a line of expensive cars in the parking lot. I get inside and my eyes


    fall on the exquisite entryway that has a long line of chandeliers on the ceiling and tree tubs one after


    another.


    After getting into the huge ballroom, I look for Ethan but he''s nowhere to be found. Well, after kissing


    me like that, now he left me alone?


    The grand ballroom is adorned with luxurious amenities. Some paintings are hanging on the wall and


    by the look of them, I can say they cost millions of dors. The whole ce is sparkling like gold


    because of the blinding lights of the numerous chandeliers, men in expensive suits and women wearing


    gorgeous dresses are standing here and there.


    Finally, my eyesnd on Ethan and I literally cringe at the sight. He is drinking sitting at the bar and a


    girl wearing a very short dress that''s hardly covering her butt and her front view is clearly visible; is


    sitting beside him almost on hisp. Her hand is on his chest as she is saying something smiling and


    he seems like he''s enjoying this.


    Ethan''s eyes meet my raging ones but he just gives me a nk look and remains indifferent about his


    surroundings. Ok, then.


    Giving him a hatred look, I look away and head in the opposite direction. I don''t know where I am going


    when I bump into someone.


    Why do I keep bumping into peopletely?


    "I''m sorr..." I get cut off as soon as the man turns around and I gasp so loudly that I think everyone has


    heard me.


    No one else.


    It''s Liam.


    I can''t believe my eyes.


    It''s Liam.


    How can it be possible?


    "Liam?" I call out his name as I take in his appearance quickly.


    The teenage boy I used to know haspletely changed. His then wavy long blond hair is now cut


    short, his tribal tattoos that covered half of his body are hidden inside his expensive suit, the thin boy is


    now a muscr handsome guy.


    He was only left to appear in my life right now.


    "Evie? You here?" He asks, his face is equally shocked like mine.


    I didn''t notice he was holding my arm when someone yanks me off of his grasp.


    I look around to see Ethan looking at us with burning eyes. ring at me, he takes my hand in his


    keeping me securely with him.


    Ethan turns his gaze at Liam as he speaks curtly, "Mr. Liam, you know Miss Gray?"


    Liam watches our entwined hands confusedly and nods.


    "Yeah. We know each other." He replies, "But Evie, what are you doing here?" He asks me but before I


    can answer, Ethan again cuts me off.


    "Excuse me, Mr. Liam. We have something to talk about. We areing back." Ethan says and then


    literally drags me with him towards a silent hallway, leaving a confused Liam behind.


    As soon as we get away from people, he pushes me against the wall keeping his hand beside my


    head, trapping me.


    "How do you know him? Why was he calling you by your nickname? Why was he touching you?" He


    shoots the questions one after another, anger in his voice.


    I give him an enraged look, "I don''t think you have to know that Ethan. You were there with a girl. Did I


    ask you who she is?" I say and try to pass him but he again grabs my hand and pulls me towards him.


    He moves his face to my ear as he whispers, "You already pissed me off a lot. Don''t make me angrier


    princess. Or I will do something you really don''t want." He kisses the side of my head.


    "He...he is Liam." I stutter atst giving up, affected by his bitter yet sweet torture.


    "Yes, I know that. But who he is to you?" He grits.


    I think I should just tell him the truth.


    I take a deep breath before I utter those words.


    "Liam was my crush."

 Chapter 29

    Chapter 29


    In everybody''s life, therees a time when every day starts with the hope of a new adventure,


    hormone levels get higher and life seems like a ride of a roller coaster where throwing all the anxiety


    behind, one''s one and only target bes to enjoy life to the fullest.


    Yes, I was different from others but still, I can''t fight my teenage hormones, right? The swirling of newly


    discovered emotions, impulsive mood swings, and the undeniable thirst to encounter the daring


    teenage experiences; it''s hard to resist.


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    So yeah, the time when everything was rainbows and jellybeans and when It was the time to have


    some fun, I got a crush on the hottest football yer of the school Liam Reynolds.


    Wow, he is just wow!


    It was the thought that used to run across my mind every single time I saw him. When he chased the


    ball in his wet clothes under the rain, when he smiled how his dimples showed up and the way he


    danced at the parties with numerous girls, everything just amazed me.


    Thest one hurt though!


    But who cares? You know the typical bad boys? He was one of them.


    I wasn''t invisible at all. In fact, the other way is true. Some people feared talking to me because of my


    weird attitude and some didn''t dare at all for my wealth and all that. But Liam did. We talked at times


    and sat together in sses too but everything was captured into a bowl of friendship. And that''s all. I


    wasn''t anything more than a friend to him but he was to me.


    Then years passed, I grew up, that infatuation slowly faded away that I didn''t even notice when Liam


    became unknown to me. I moved to Canada leaving everything behind along with my once


    uncontroble delusion.


    But no matter how much you try to avoid your past, sometimes it keepsing back.


    In these years, a lot of things have changed including me. Once love-struck Evelyn turned into a


    grown-up woman who has many responsibilities to perform, a business to handle. Life took turns and


    someone new came into my life and right now in this hectic time, Liam had to appear.


    Life is beautiful, isn''t it?


    I keep my eyes down standing in the full silent hallway where nothing can be heard except our


    breathing as Ethan eyes me quietly, speechless.


    After all of this drama, he clearly didn''t expect this new one. Not me either.


    I look up slowly when my eyes meet his dull ones. He removes his hands from me and looks away.


    After blowing out a heavy breath, he stomps away from me without looking back, pissed off.


    I knew he would be angry but it was out of my hand? I can''t change my past now and about telling him


    the truth, I thought it would be good for everyone.


    Fuck everything!


    I try to find Ethan walking out of the hallway but he''s got lost in the crowd again. Some people are


    dancing and a frowzy scent is spreading in the air suffocating me. And this gorgeous dress isn''t helping


    either. I just want to get out of here.


    I am walking aimlessly when someone holds my hand from behind and I look back to see Liam there.


    "Hey!" I say nervously, giving him a tight-lipped smile.


    Without answering, he guides me through the crowd towards the bar area. When we reach there, he


    indicates to me to sit on a chair and he sits beside me. Music keeps sting but here where we are


    sitting, the sound isn''ting too much.


    "So...it''s been a long time since west met." He says, looking at me with a smile.


    "Yeah."


    Numerous colorful lights are dancing throughout the ce and in this dimmish state, I try to call


    together the teenage boy I used to know. But he''s long gone. The lock of blond hair that used to fall


    upon his tan cheek is nowbed back and the urge once I felt to run my hand through them has


    vanished. There was a time when I went to watch football matches regrly despite not having any


    interest. The actual intention was something else. But now that the same boy is sitting before me, I am


    feeling nothing.


    The human mind is the mostplicated thing that has ever been created.


    The thing you are misunderstanding as love; might be nothing but a mere infatuation.


    Wait just some days, it will go away and you will be surprised by yourself like I am now.


    "What are you doing here?" Liam''s question breaks my thoughts as I look back at him.


    "We...we are here to meet our new affiliate, Rey''s organization," I reply just as his eyes shoot up and


    he gives me a surprised look.


    "Seriously? That means you are the heiress of Grayson''spany." He says and tries to remember


    something, "Oh yeah, your name... Evelyn... Evelyn Gray, right?" He asks me excitedly.


    "Yeah?" I nod in confusion, "But why are you here?"


    He seems to understand something as he smiles at me, leaning back in his chair.


    "My dad is Mr. Reynolds, owner of Rey''s organization."


    Fucking hell!


    Rey... Reynolds... right! Now I have to work with Liam? Great, just great!


    "Oh, that''s good to hear." I fake a smile.


    He smiles back, "Yeah. We could work together now and get to know each other better."


    Of course!


    My life couldn''t get any more dramatic, I guess. When you don''t want trouble, it wille to you right


    then. Why me, God?


    Liam looks around for a while and then stands up. He holds his hand towards me and asks,


    "Wanna dance?" He smiles, genuinely.


    Sure so that Ethan can kill you right here!


    "No, thanks. I can''t dance." I shake my head, smiling.


    "Oh,e on. Let''s teach you." He grins sweetly, his hand still holding out for me.


    This innocent boy has no idea of what I am going through.


    Finally, I give up and am about to hold his hand but when I look behind him, instantly I take my hand


    back out of horror, my eyes wide.


    Ethan is standing there behind him with his hands shoved inside his pockets, fuming and ring at us.


    Liam notices my reaction and immediately looks back and his face scrunches up in confusion.


    "Mr. Jones?" Liam says as Ethan moves forward and stands in front of him.


    I get up from my chair and move towards Ethan, stopping beside him.


    "I have already talked to Mr. Reynolds. The agreement is done. Hope to work with you, Mr. Liam."


    Ethan says professionally and they shake their hands.


    After they are done, Liam looks back at me and is about to say something when Ethan cuts him off.


    "Miss Gray? We should get going now." Ethan holds my hand tightly, again catching Liam''s attention.


    It''s natural though. At a party like this, if someone always keeps holding your hand as if you both are a


    couple, people will definitely look at you.


    "Yeah. Bye, Liam." I say, nervousness building up inside me.


    "Bye." He says, confused as ever.


    I don''t get the chance to look back at him again since Ethan drags me away from there and towards the


    exit.


    Why is he just dragging me?


    After we are outside and away from people, he pulls me against him, his eyes are burning.


    "You were going to dance with him?" He grits, his hand gripping mine so tightly that at this point, it''s


    aching.


    "So what? Do I need to give you an exnation? I can do whatever the fuck I want. You don''t own me,


    Ethan." I bark at him, trying hard to free my hand from his death hold.


    He suddenly pushes me against his car pressing his body against mine. He puts his hand on the car


    and grips my face softly with another one so that I don''t get hurt. His face is sweating despite the cool


    air and his hair messily falling before.


    "You know what princess? I do own you. I do own every freaking inch of you. And for this fucking


    reason, no one has the right to touch you except me. You heard me?" He roars, making me tremble in


    fear.


    The next moment he shoves me into the car and closes the door. He gets inside and starts the car.


    As we drive down the quiet dark road, he starts increasing the speed now that I think we are going at


    the end of the speed limit. At this moment, I didn''t get the time to buckle my seat belt so when he


    abruptly takes a turn, I bump against the hard surface of the door. I wince in pain and ce my hand on


    my wounded one and unbeknownst to me, suddenly a tear rolls down my face.


    I know he has been harsh to me before as well but why? Why does he always behave like that with


    me? At the party, what did I do wrong that he is being like this? In my whole life, no one ever dared to


    talk to me in a loud voice, and here he is continuously hurting me. And right now I am mad at myself for


    always bearing this attitude of him. I can''t just retort back as if he really owned me. Something is


    actually wrong with me.


    I wipe my tears a few times and I can feel him stealing nces at me. But I don''t dare to look back. His


    heavy and raging breath fills the car and all of a sudden, he throws a punch on the steering wheel,


    startling me.


    After some time, suddenly he pulls the car in the driveway and looking up, I see we are in front of our


    house. I wipe my face and open the door to get out when he holds my hand.


    I shoot him a re as he runs his hand through his hair, huffing.


    "I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have talked to you..." Without giving him the chance to finish his sentence, I yank


    my hand off and get into the house.


    After the elevator opens, I hurriedly walk out and open the door, hearing Ethaning behind me.


    As soon as I get inside, Ethan holds my hand and pushes me against the closed door. He keeps his


    hand on the door trapping me and ces his other hand slowly on my face. I look up at him to see his


    dull and tired face, eyes reflecting hurt, disappointment, and something more.


    He runs his thumb softly on my sweaty skin while his eyes wander my whole face. Like he is watching


    me for the first andst time at once. As if he won''t see me again.


    He wipes the remaining tears off my face as he speaks,


    "I''m really sorry."


    His voice is full of sorrow and I can feel he really means it. I look down, saying nothing.


    I don''t know what this is, I can''t be angry at him. Never. When he hurts me, I get hurt and I cry but I


    can''t be mad.


    What''s wrong with me?


    "You are going away from me. Why can''t I just hold you with me?" He speaks suddenly in a slow voice,


    no anger in his eyes, utter sadness.


    "You are going away from me." Just six words but a whole lot of meanings lying behind. When was I


    his?


    I look up and try to speak but he stops me, "Do...do you still love him?" He asks pausing after every


    word like he is scared to even ask me that. I try to understand his expression and feel like his wet


    brown eyes are just telling me to say no.


    He runs his fingers onest time and when I open my mouth to answer, he takes it off.


    "Ethan? I..." I can''t finish my words, he steps back and rushes towards his room shutting the door with


    a thud.


    I keep staring at the shut door before sighing loudly.


    I just can''t make you understand, Ethan. Love is so far away, I never loved Liam. I just liked him and


    now that''s too gone. I don''t feel any attraction towards him anymore. Liam was my past which is gone.


    And now you... you''re my present. All I think about is only you and it will always be you because


    maybe... if my intuition is right, maybe it''s you who is my future...

 Chapter 30

    Chapter 30


    I walk out of the washroom, wipe my face and enter my walk-in closet. I am feeling so exhausted today.


    My head is throbbing, limbs are sore. It feels like someone has beaten me up to the toe. Not feeling


    good to wear any formals, I go for a casual white cotton dress today that reaches my knees. It has a


    whiteyer over it and its long sleeves are also made of, showing my skin. I leave my hair open


    and just when I am about to get out of the closet, suddenly my head spins around. Somehow I manage


    not to fall by grabbing the handle of the door and steady myself.


    What''s happening to me?


    Walking out, I gulp down a ss of water and take my purse.


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    The previous week was pretty hectic for me. Meetings, deals, work, and above all, what is hurting most


    is Ethan''s rude behavior. He isn''t really talking to me from the night of the party. In the morning, he left


    for work before me and at night, came home after I went for sleep. Though I don''t want to confess it, it


    really hurts.


    We had a few meetings with Liam and his father. I got time to talk to Liam and we got closer. I mean


    like friends. Nothing else is going to happen anymore.


    I think the busy schedules, stress, and anxiety are the reasons why I am feeling like this.


    I get out of the room and head towards the door when I hear another click sound. I look back as my


    eyes fall on Ethaning outside of his room dressed in a dark blue suit. If it was any other time, he


    would give me just a dull look and walk out but now his face wrinkles in worry and he marches towards


    me and I stand there still.


    I look down seeing himing towards me as I see his shoese into view.


    "You okay?" He asks, his voice is still cold and for some unknown reason, that just angers me.


    After behaving like that to me for no reason, now he''s asking if I am okay or not? I don''t owe him an


    answer.


    I narrow my eyes at him, "That''s none of your business." I say in a stern voice and try to walk away


    when he grasps my wrist.


    I look back to see his angry expression as he speaks, "I asked you something." He grits every word.


    I yank my hand away, "You shouldn''t bother yourself about that."


    Without giving him the chance to say anything, I turn around and walk out of the apartment.


    It''s evening and I am in my office, that throbbing pain has increased two times. Usually, I get home in


    the evening but today I haven''t been able to finish my work yet. Taking a sip of my cappino, I again


    start typing on myptop when someone knocks on the door.


    "Come in," I say in a tired voice.


    I look up and to my surprise, I see Liam entering inside.


    What the hell is he doing here?


    As much as I remember, we weren''t supposed to attend any meeting together, nor any other need.


    Then?


    Liam smiles at me and sits on the chair before my desk.


    "Liam?" I call out his name, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "You here?"


    He shrugs, "Yeah. Came to see you."


    I chuckle nervously, "We don''t have any meetings today, do we?"


    "No, that''s why I came. These days, we just met when needed. Today I wanted to spend some free


    time with you." He smiles, his familiar dimples show up.


    There was a time when I needed this attention from him. I didn''t need it. I craved it but then he didn''t


    notice me. Everything has a time. The thing you want today, if you get that tomorrow maybe till then,


    the want will vanish and you wouldn''t feel any need for it anymore. Now, this unwanted attention is


    nothing but useless to me. I don''t want it anymore. Time''s up.


    "You still have work?" He asks, watching the files on the table.


    I nod, "Yeah. A lot."


    He furrows his eyebrows and watches me cautiously before asking, "You don''t seem well. Are you


    okay?"


    I fake a smile, "Yeah. I''m fine."


    He seems unconvinced by my answer.


    "But you don''t seem so. Can you just stop working for today? Is it too important?"


    "It is." I give him a small smile.


    "Don''t pressure yourself too much. You need a break." He says, concern shing in his eyes.


    "But..."


    "I insist." He requests and looking at his face, I finally nod and close theptop.


    He grins as a delightful expression covers his voice, "Thank you. Let''s go to a cafe. We will talk


    sometime and you will feel better too."


    As I think about his proposal, it seems good. I really don''t feel like working now and coffee will probably


    be something to give me some relief.


    I nod slowly just as his face brightens up and he smiles at me, gratefully.


    Liam was right. I really needed a break and coffee is something that always makes me feel better. We


    really seem to have a great time talking about the past when we were in high school. I have been really


    enjoying hispany and I don''t notice how time has passed when the sound of rain catches my


    attention.


    I look through the ss window of the cafe and see the night has already fallen. It''s already dark and


    for the clouds, it''s looking more obscure.


    "Liam, I should go home now. It''s gettingte." I say and take a look at my wristwatch.


    Shit. It''s already 9 p.m.


    I should have gone home before.


    "Yeah. Let''s go. I had a great time by the way." He says, smiling.


    "Me too."


    When wee outside of the cafe, drizzling soon turns into heavy rain as the wind blows creating an


    eerie sound on the way. People start running for a shelter and some are getting into their cars. The sky


    has turned full ck, dark clouds are shading it and for that, the dark night looks more ck.


    We quickly get into Liam''s car and he starts the engine. shing golden headlights enlighten the dark


    night as we head towards my home, boring the lurking darkness on the way.


    Ethan''s POV


    I know what I am doing makes no sense but I just can''t control myself. When I thought maybe finally


    everything would be fine, this Liam came up. I shouldn''t be angry at her I know but it''s just happening.


    Not being able to concentrate on the files in my hand, I hastily get up. I walk outside of my office and


    make my way to my car. Today morning, when she left for work, she didn''t seem fine. She usually gets


    home at this time. What if I pick her up today?


    After driving fifteen minutes, I park my car in front of her office. When I get out of the car, it has started


    drizzling. I see the guard sitting and move towards him. He immediately stands up as I reach him.


    "Is Miss Gray in her office?" I ask.


    He shakes his head, "No, sir. She left a while ago with..."


    I frown instantly, "With?"


    "With Mr. Liam."


    That was it.


    Just hearing the name rolling out of his mouth makes me want to punch his face.


    What the fuck?


    I thought she was sick and here she left with Liam? I was absolutely right about it then. She still loves


    him. Just the thought of them together causing anger to arise within every vein of my body and I feel


    like my blood starts to boil.


    She fucking left with him.


    Where are they now?


    Fuck.


    I want to punch someone so bad.


    Evelyn''s POV


    The raindrops pour so heavily as it covers the ss window and drops down slowly one by one. I am


    deeply engaged in seeing the outside view when Liam suddenly ces his hand on mine, causing me


    to look at him. I immediately scrunch my face in confusion at the look of him.


    He has a different kind of look on his face that starts to make me feel nervous. I bow my head slightly


    indicating him to say what he wants. He sends me a deep nce as he slowly moves towards me. I


    look away slightly and move a bit away from him. The situation is getting difficult now. What does he


    want?


    He suddenly stops the car in the middle of the road, surprising me. Then he turns around and I see his


    expression has changed. He seems nervous.


    "Why did you stop the car here?" I ask, suddenly a bit frightened.


    "Actually, I have something to tell you." He replies in a nervous tone making me frown.


    I still nod, "Yeah. Tell me."


    He looks a bit hesitant and as if after fighting with his inner discouragement, he finally speaks up.


    "Can...can we take our friendship to more than just friends?"

 Chapter 31

    Chapter 31


    "Can¡­ can we take our friendship to more than just friends?"


    If he said this a few years ago, I couldn''t believe it but that would have been because of happiness.


    And now years after, I can''t believe it either but now it just seems meaningless.


    Time


    Time is something so precious and something to be spent wisely. And this time does determine the


    deeds we need to do. If something is not done by the right time, then all its value vanishes and the


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    thing that remains is mere repentance. Yes, it''s good sometimes when we have done something wrong


    and we understand our fault, then we can repent and start everything from the beginning. But there''s a


    thing called ''deadline'' and it applies in every single thing of life and when you cross it, you repent just to


    increase the pain of knowing that you can''t change anything anymore.


    If you just told me this a few years back¡­


    Maybe everything would have changed.


    But it''s toote.


    I look at his face carefully and try to understand his expression. He seems nervous as he keeps staring


    at me expectantly. There''s an awkward silence in the car but at the same time, a faint sound of the rain


    can be heard.


    I press my lips together and chuckle nervously, "Liam, what are you saying? You...are you serious?" I


    ask, still hoping if all it was a nightmare.


    He nods, "Of course. I''m serious."


    Looking away, I let out a heavy breath. Things are just getting moreplicated.


    I look back at him as I speak with a straight face, "Liam, I am sorry but it''s not possible."


    I see his face falls and his expression turns confused. Maybe he thought I would ept his proposal.


    "But why?" He asks, desperation in his voice, "Are you in a rtionship?"


    I shake my head, "That doesn''t matter if I am or not. It''s just that it''s not possible."


    "Just why? Show me a reason. I really like you. Don''t you like me? " He says, causing me to look away.


    "Yes, I do but that''s just as a friend. You are my very good friend but I can''t think of you anything more


    than that. I''m really sorry." I say the truth.


    He remains silent for some time and then his eyes suddenly turn big and he huffs angrily, "You are


    rejecting me? I can''t believe it. You are rejecting Liam?" He throws his hand as he roars again, "Don''t


    you know every girl throws themselves at my feet, and here you are rejecting me?"


    Thest sentence was enough to let me lose my patience. How dare he talk to me like that? I''m not like


    every girl. I''m Evelyn.


    I breathe a raging breath as I shoot my angry eyes at him, "Keep your voice low, Liam. You don''t have


    any right to talk to me like that. And from where you got the audacity topare me with your ''every''


    girl? I''m not like some kind of fling who will swoon over you. In the future, think twice before talking to


    me." I holler between gritted teeth.


    He seems taken aback by my sudden outburst but he keeps his mouth silent.


    This is the consequence of misbehaving with me.


    "Now before I make up my mind to cancel this deal, get this damn car to my house." I bump my fist


    against the seat as I grit every word, "RIGHT NOW."


    I don''t have to wait too long since he immediately looks away and starts the car. The ride to home


    remains terribly soundless and soon enough, the iron gate of Ethan''s housees into view.


    As soon as the car stops, I unbuckle my seatbelt but before I can get out, his voice stops me.


    "Is it because of that Ethan? I saw how he kept you stuck with him at the night of the party like you are


    his." He says, anger evident in his voice.


    I clench my face as I snarl, "It''s Ethan Jones for you. Don''t you dare to insult him in any way, either


    directly or at his back. I won''t tolerate that."


    I open the door of the car and before stepping out, I turn around and bite down the words at him.


    "And you are damn right, Liam. I am HIS."


    I don''t know from where this courage came to im me as his but I just knew, I had to say that and it


    didn''t seem wrong at all to me. Maybe deep down inside, my heart believes what I said.


    Ie out in the heavy rain and close the door with much force. Without looking back, I walk forward


    and the guard immediately opens the gate but by the time, I get under the roof, I am fully drenched. My


    white dress is tightly sticking to my body.


    The elevator opens and I step inside the apartment. Ethan usuallyes homete at night. He


    shouldn''t be here I guess but by any chance, if he is here, then I am dead.


    The whole apartment is dark, no lights are on. Opening the purse, I take out my phone in trembling


    hands because of the impact of cold rain. I turn the shlights on and head towards my room. I pass


    Ethan''s room and let out a sigh of relief when I see the door is closed but soon my relief fades away as


    my eyes fall on the open door of my room.


    I closed it when I left in the morning.


    Then?


    My heart starts jumping in my chest when I see the light on.


    I gulp in fear and slowly get into the room but no one''s there. Just when I turn around, I see the door of


    the corridor is opened. But for the darkness, I can''t make out anyone there. I take slow steps towards it


    and with every step, anxiety builds up inside me more and more.


    Sprinkles of raindropse inside the room and as soon as I stand in the doorway, my eyes shoot up


    at the sky seeing Ethan standing in rain, his back is facing me and his hands are on the railing.


    What will happen now?


    I feel like he acknowledges my presence but still, he doesn''t move from his ce.


    I step under the rain and the cold air blows against me, causing me to shiver. I ce my hands around


    me as a shield from the coldness as I walk towards him slowly. The raindrops wet me thoroughly from


    head to toe. When I am feet away from him, I stop and eye him carefully.


    The short-sleeved t-shirt he is wearing lets his muscles open to see that it seems like bulging out of the


    cloth as I notice how strong he is gripping the railing. As if he is trying to uproot it.


    The enormous sky above is dark ck and from time to time, thunder strikes the ground creating


    frightening sound and under the enormity, he seems like another thunder.


    Waiting to consume me.


    I gulp and call out his name, "Ethan?"


    He doesn''t budge but even though the rain causes a great noise, I feel like I still can hear his raging


    breaths.


    I know he''s angry but this silence is hurting me more.


    Finally, he speaks, "You had a great time, didn''t you?" And then he turns around, "When thepany


    is someone you like, then it''s not even catchable how time passes, right?"


    He knows everything.


    Suddenly the thunder strikes again with a crashing sound and shing light letting me take a nce at


    his face but I wish I didn''t.


    He is totally drenched, his t-shirt is clinging to his body causing every muscle in the right ces to


    show its presence. His shiny ck hair is damp, raindrops pouring from the tip of his hair, slowly


    towards his face and lips and his lips are pressed in a thin line. And what I feared most is his bloodshot


    red eyes. It seems like he is soaking wet in the rain for a long time. He looks so calm but I know he is


    raging inside. When someone is angry, if they don''t show it and keep it inside, that anger will burst with


    more power. And I am afraid of his angry self. If he yelled at me right now, it would be alright but he


    isn''t and this calm attitude scares me more.


    He takes a small step towards me, his face neutral.


    "Do you know how worried I was thinking that you were sick? I went to pick you up but you were


    enjoying the time with someone else. Is it fair, princess?" He asks in an excessively calm voice, making


    me shiver.


    He went to pick me up? I shouldn''t have gone with Liam.


    He takes another step as he speaks, "Don''t you think you should pay for it?"


    Dangerous


    He seems dangerous.


    Like a chaser waiting for his prey.


    I step back, "I... I am sorry." I manage to speak somehow but he shakes his head.


    I''m scared. I really am. No one scares me but him. And I have never been this terrified in my life before


    and never seek an escape like I am now.


    Why am I acting so weak? I''m not weak.


    "But he always makes you weak, can you deny?" Someone says inside me. My inner self.


    "I don''t want your sorry. I want something else." He says suddenly in a hissing voice andes closer.


    The distance between us is closing slowly.


    "What do you want?" I ask, my voice is weak.


    He smirks at my question.


    Mischievously.


    Now he''s right in front of me. Blocking my every escape. Blocking my mind. Blocking my every


    apprehension to feel. To sense. To see. For the first time in my life, I feel helpless. So helpless. I realize


    my lips trembling continuously. For the fear? Or for the cold? I don''t know.


    His chest slowly touches mine and I gain my consciousness back. I look up at him. He looks down.


    Fear in my eyes. Something else in his. He tilts his head slowly and moves his face towards me. And I


    feel like I am losing myself slowly. Losing my sense. I can''t feel the rain anymore. It seems like I am lost


    in another world. All I know is I have to go away from him. And that''s what I do.


    I turn around and just as I am about to take a step, his strong hands grasp mine as he pulls me back


    and I collide with his chest with a thud with my hands on him.


    He snakes his arms around my waist so strongly and the next moment, before I can process anything,


    he presses his lips against mine.

 Chapter 32

    Chapter 32


    I shut my eyes as soon as I feel his soft lips on mine.


    I wouldn''t believe it if it wasn''t for the freezing cold water flooding on us in a brisk, his hands pressing


    me against his body more and more as if we aren''t close enough and his lips shielding mine causing


    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    me to strangle my breath with every passing second.


    I don''t dare to open my eyes, afraid that what if all it''s a dream and if I do, it will end. And I don''t want


    this moment to ever end. But when the thunder crashes again and he tightens his hold, I realize it''s not


    a dream.


    This is happening. My first kiss.


    This is happening.


    It was the payment then?


    A feeling that never lived in my mind overwhelms me from the core of my heart causing an unworldly


    intoxication to curse through every vein of my body.


    He kissed me before but it can''t bepared to others. It''s totally different. Soft yet harsh. Gentle but


    iming. Forbidden and addictive.


    He isn''t kissing me really. He is just touching his lips with mine. So softly. As if devouring its taste and


    relishing the moment. With the hand I have on his chest, I feel how fast his heart is beating. He is


    slowly consuming me with this unknown feeling I know only he can give me. When I am about to give


    up, something hits me.


    What am I doing?


    It...it can''t happen.


    I try to push his chest with all my strength though I am so weak now but just when he feels me trying to


    move, he grabs my wrist and slowly tangles it around his neck despite my powerless protest. He holds


    me more tightly if that''s even possible and flushes my body against him now that there''s no centimeter


    difference between us.


    And right then, at that moment, I understand I can''t get away from him.


    No matter how much I try, he wouldn''t let me go.


    He puts more pressure on my lips like he is trying to destroy some unseen boundaries that aren''t letting


    him in. Like he wants to feel me in every way possible. And then atst, I give in his divine kiss. I can''t


    fight anymore. I lost. I lost to his enormous power, the dominance he has on me, the power that makes


    me forget everything. But I don''t regret it.


    For the first time in my life, a loss gives me indescribable pleasure.


    I wanted to lose.


    From the beginning.


    I don''t know for how long we stand there pressing our lips together when he suddenly starts moving his


    lips slowly. His lips feel so soft yet, they have this outrageous power to make me lose my mind. And I


    can''t take that burning sensation anymore. My stomach clenches in pain and at this point, it bes


    unbearable.


    A cold wind blows again and gets through the thin fabric of my wet dress as I shiver. He feels that and


    puts his arms around me closely trying to dispatch the warmth of his skin to mine.


    I hold his shoulder tightly for bnce as it feels like I will fall now.


    Just as my soaked hand touches his skin, he lets out a slow growl and increases the pace. His lips


    move demandingly against my trembling ones as I keep losing my senses more and more. I can''t keep


    up with his pace. He was angry. I thought he would be harsh but he isn''t. Like his anger vanishes


    slowly as he tilts his head and deepens the kiss more and more.


    When he softly grazes my bottom lip, I can''t stop myself as a loud gasp escapes my lips and both of


    my hands go around his shoulder and I hug him so tightly. The coldness isn''t affecting me anymore, the


    heat of the kiss and the heat radiating from his body make me feel like I am on fire.


    I don''t know how much time has passed, finally, when he pulls back, I am panting like I am taking my


    chest.


    "Look at me." He says breathing heavily as he keeps his hand moving on my back up and down in a


    calming manner.


    I can''t.


    I don''t know how it happens but soon I find myself crying in his chest. I don''t even know why I am


    crying. I just feel like he stole something precious from me.


    He removes his hands from my back and holds my face up, making me look at him forcefully. His


    fingers go behind my ears and his thumbs brush my cheek softly as if trying to wipe the tears off that


    are blending with rain. The corridor is full dark but it''s still a bit enlightened because of the light in the


    room and for that, I can see his face. His eyes are looking down at me with so much warmth in them


    that melts me from inside.


    I have never seen him like this. He seems like he has put all his guards down and now I am seeing the


    real him.


    It''s unbelievable that this same guy was here a few minutes ago.


    He jerks my face a little as he speaks slowly, "Why are you crying? It was supposed to happen sooner


    orter, wasn''t it?"


    He brings my face towards him more, "I don''t regret it a bit. Do you?" He says, his voice dashing with


    the sound of the rain. He presses his lips together as the water pours on them and they glisten like


    shimmer.


    I don''t know.


    If it feels wrong even a bit, it feels right a thousand times more.


    I blink continuously as tears fill my eyes.


    "You¡­ you took my first kiss." A sob breaks my throat.


    He chuckles at my words and ces his hand on my wet lips. His thumb softly brushes my bottom lip


    and a droplet falls on my face from his dark eyshes.


    "If that''s the reason you''re crying for..." He smirks, "Then I should let you know that¡­" He pauses as


    his gaze shifts to my lips.


    "I will make sure of it that I am the first andst one on the earth who has the right to touch these."


    With that, he crashes his lips against mine again.


    This time it''s harsh. Like he didn''t just say those words, he is trying to prove it by his actions.


    "And touch YOU."


    He sucks on my lower lip as he cups my face firmly with his hands. His lips move aggressively against


    mine and I step back a little with him as the force hits me. My hands clutch his shoulder and the pain in


    my stomaches back. As if everything inside me whirling like a cyclone.


    We don''t even notice how time is passing. None of us cares about the rain, about the icy coldness


    anymore. Just us.


    Hot tears stream down my face as the realization hits me.


    This is how I wanted my first kiss to be. I always dreamed of having my first kiss in the rain with


    someone special who will be my first andst. Everything is happening just perfectly.


    But¡­


    Is Ethan that special someone?


    How will I know?


    My wet hair is stickily falling on my shoulder. He ces his hand on my shoulder de and removes


    the hair backward, sliding his hand behind my neck keeping me in ce.


    And with every moment, I find myself losing me in him. Just he is enclosing me, my heart, my body, my


    soul with his presence, his thoughts, and his kiss.


    It''s for the sickness in the morning, for standing in the icy cold rain for God knows how long or for the


    kiss; I don''t know but I feel myself slowly giving in. My legs can''t take my weight anymore. Everything


    seems hazy as our mouths apart and my head gently falls back but he holds it with his palm. I try to


    catch him but my hand slips and falls loosely. I try to speak but no words seem toe out of me.


    "H...hold me," I whisper somehow as I feel my breath hitching and my heart beats so loudly.


    "I will. Always." I hear him say and I let my body fall on his hand that''s holding me tight.


    I try to keep my eyes open but I fail and they close bit by bit and thest thing I see is his face and his


    sparkling dark eyes above mine.


    Before the darkness consumes mepletely and I lose my senses, he says something that throws all


    my confusions away and I realize, yes, he is that special someone.


    "I love you."

 Chapter 33

    Chapter 33


    Ethan''s POV


    If it wasn''t heaven, then what was?


    I knew I wanted her from the day my eyes fell on her. The moment I looked into those cyan eyes, I


    didn''t just see my future, I felt what my heart wanted. But I wasn''t used to it.


    That beauty wasn''t just enough. It was extravagant, unrestrained, and exceeding all the limits, it was


    that kind of beauty that''s too much to handle.


    Sunshine is beautiful. But why can''t we stare at the sun directly? Because its unsurpassed brightness


    is too igneous that our eyes that are hungry for beauty can''t even take that. It has the daintiness to light


    the world along with the fiery rays to burn us.


    And she was just like that.


    Like a fire. I knew I shouldn''t get closer to her but a maic attraction always drew me. My eyes


    weren''t used to that deep-dyed trove she had to offer but I couldn''t stop my reckless instinct which


    wanted to explore the danger.


    At first, I tried to avoid the growing feelings towards her but how can we stop the inevitable? How can


    we change the destiny God has already nned?


    And just like a moth gets drawn to fire, I got enticed by her venomous beauty and stepped into my fatal


    destiny.


    She is my death and at the same time, the source of my life.


    I wish I were a poet and express these uncontroble feelings that are agitating me from inside through


    words. Maybe then I could get a bit of relief.


    I knew she was supposed to be mine.


    And just when I was about to get her, she was going away from me. But I couldn''t let that happen. I


    knew she felt the same way. Her eyes spoke to me but she tried to deny it. And I couldn''t let go of what


    was mine.


    I needed her to know what exactly I felt for her. It''s that it was nothing like that will ever go away.


    I love Evelyn.


    I didn''t understand that before but I got it then when she was going away and I felt the urge to stop her.


    I need her.


    I can''t let her go and as long I am staring at her, my mindset is getting stronger.


    That kiss was divine.


    Those few seconds were heavenly.


    I knew she was sacred, untouched and I couldn''t get happier.


    I want to be her first andst.


    She''s all mine.


    Only mine.


    I should get her inside now. Then I can stare at her for the whole night.


    I gently pick her up in my arms and carry her towards the bedroom. Our clothes are fully steeped, now


    that the hit of the kiss is gone, I am feeling cold.


    I slowlyy her down on my bed and sit on the edge, looking down at her.


    Her face is streaming, droplets are embellishing her sleeping face and beneath her fair skin is glowing.


    A wet strand of hair is lying across her nose and closed eyes. Her skin seems so soft like the mushy


    petals of a rose. And her pink lips are slightly open with sprinkles of water upon them as if a pink rose


    covered in dewdrops in a winter morning.


    A smile appears on my lips as I raise my hand and push the lock of hair away from her face and I feel


    her face burning a bit.


    Oh no. I forgot she was sick today morning as well.


    I get down from the bed and pick a towel, thene back to her.


    I loop my hand beneath her head and gently hold her up. Wiping her hair with the towel, Iy her back


    and slowly rub it on her face when my eyes drift down and fall on her soaked clothes.


    Shit.


    What do I do now?


    If she remains in these clothes, she will definitely get a fever tomorrow. And she fainted. I can''t wake


    her up now.


    But I shouldn''t do it.


    She will think so low of me.


    Then again, I can''t let her burn in fever though.


    Ok, I don''t have any bad intentions and it''s for her own health. I will keep my eyes closed. And above


    all, the thing is that¡­


    She is mine.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    So *shrugs*


    ¡­¡­


    I wipe my hair and change my clothes. I wear a t-shirt with sweatpants and then walk out of the


    washroom.


    I turn the lights off and climb on the bed. I get under the duvet and turn to her as soon as my lips turn


    into a smile. She seems so fragile as she sleeps crawling her hands on her chest. Her back is facing


    me so I hold her hand and slowly turn her towards me.


    I lie down and spread the duvet over us. Getting closer, I look at her and touch her delicate skin. I brush


    my thumb on her face gently and move even closer.


    I can''t believe she''s here with me.


    She is here.


    I run my hand through her hair and take a sniff as a heavenly fragrance fills my nostrils.


    Does her shampooe from heaven?!


    Why do they smell so good?


    I get my hand on her face again and move my face closer. She is so warm, soft, sacred.


    Suddenly my eyes get stuck on her lips and I feel my heart beat faster.


    I brush her lips with my thumb as her breath continuously falls on my face. Our noses are almost


    touching.


    Should I do it?


    I can''t control myself but¡­


    Fuck! Let go of sanity for now!


    I get closer and touch my lips with hers. Not a kiss. Just a feeling. Our lips together, skin to skin. So


    intimate. I hold her face and give a light peck on her lips and linger there for a bit longer before pulling


    apart.


    I smile in satisfaction as she stirs a bit and slowly wraps her hand around my shoulder.


    This angel is mine.


    I kiss her lips onest time before wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her closer.


    After the heavy rain, a cozy coldness has been floating across the room.


    Taking ast look at her face, I close my eyes and get lost in her warmth with her in my arms.


    I feel so blessed.

 Chapter 34

    Chapter 34


    Evelyn''s POV


    I wake up to something tickling my nose, probably someone''s hair. Groaning, I slowly open my eyes


    but close them almost immediately as the bright sunlight hits me. I ce my hand on my face and rub


    my eyes with the back of my hand till they adjust to the light. My head throbs continuously as if


    someone hit it with a hammer and my body feels so weak.


    Feeling hot at the side of my cheek, I slowly turn around and a loud gasp escapes my lips as soon as


    my eyes fall on him. Ethan is sleeping beside me almost upon me with his face clinging to mine and his


    hair messily falling on his face which was tickling me all this time.


    What the hell?


    I slept with Ethan?


    I mean...no, no, I slept beside Ethan?


    Someone, please scream on my behalf.


    On instinct, I jerk up from the bed trying to sit but soon my body falls back with the exact force and I


    look down to see his hand lying on my belly clutching me so tight as if I am some kind of teddy bear.


    How did I evene here?


    Well, I should calm down.


    Calm down...deep breaths.


    I shut my eyes and try to remember what happenedst night.


    It was raining, I came home, I thought Ethan wasn''t home but he was there in my bloody room, he was


    angry, he scolded me and¡­


    My handes toppling over my mouth like whish in utter shock as I remember what happened


    next.


    My Gawd¡­


    Ethan...kissed me!


    It happened. Oh my God, it happened for real.


    He kissed me and I let him kiss me. Was I in an illusion? I¡­


    My head falls on the pillow in defeat and I look back at his sleeping face as a long sigh breaks free from


    my lips. I turn around to face him, he stirs a bit and wraps his arm around my waist again, pulling me


    closer. I ce my hand under my chin and eye him carefully.


    It happened finally.


    I''m surprised.


    I can remember him asking me if I regret it or not. Well, I don''t. I mean why should I? If he wasn''t the


    one to kiss me, then who? He was the one who made me feel different for the first time in my life. He


    does things to me no one ever did and nobody even has the power to do so. Then in this case, why


    wouldn''t it be him?


    I knew it was going to happen. Still, I tried to stay away from him just for the sake of it but I couldn''t. He


    didn''t let me. Like he is holding me now, implying no matter how much I try, I can''t go anywhere. I''m just


    shocked.


    Because never in my life, I thought this day wille when I will stay in someone''s arms like this.


    Someone will kiss me. I never wanted to but like when flood submerges the world and deluges


    everything away but it still keeps raining, at that moment as a person looks up at the imcable sky in


    utter hopelessness, then to God how he looks, so helpless and so weak having no power to stop the


    torrent other than praying and watching the devastation; just like him, to Ethan''s ruinous power and


    dominance he has on me, I was helpless. I tried but everything was in his hand and I was just a mere


    victim of his precedence.


    I raise my hand and softly touch his face, getting a shiver at the contact. I move my face closer leaving


    inches between us as his hot and steady breath strokes my face when my fingers gently caress his soft


    skin. A smile creeps upon my lips bit by bit and I close my eyes to devour the moment but just as those


    wordse flooding back in my mind, they shoot open.


    I can remember something. He... he said something.


    My eyebrows furrow at the oue of me trying hard to recall everything.


    As my mind gets cleared more and that moment reys over and over in my head, my eyes get bigger


    and my hand stops moving. The effect of those words causes me to release all the adrenaline in my


    body, making it flow through my bloodstream and my eyes stop blinking.


    I''m sure. He did say it. It wasn''t a dream.


    When I can''t keep staring anymore, my eyes hurt, and the moment I blink, a single tear rolls down my


    face.


    Then another. And another.


    Soon the pillow beneath my face gets wet but my stream of tears doesn''t seem to end.


    I love you¡­


    He said it before I lost consciousnessst night.


    He loves me¡­


    He loves me.


    As I remember saying him those three words over and over, my heartbeat quickens and an


    indescribable pleasure fills my heart.


    Do I look like a stupid because I am crying and the reason is the person I don''t know what I feel for


    loves me?


    Even if I do, I can''t stop.


    It all feels so overwhelming.


    I don''t know how to express this emotion when someone... to me only this boy says he loves me.


    I wipe the tears off my face and look back at Ethan. He seems so innocent as he sleeps with his hair


    over his forehead like a baby. I lift my head and bnce it with my hand and use my other hand to push


    the curls away from his face. I gently caress the side of his forehead when my eyes suddenly fall on an


    ink paint on his neck. I get closer towards him and pull the cor of his t-shirt down revealing a star


    tattoo on the side of his neck.


    I never saw it before. It''s a five-star tattoo and every half of each side is inked ck while the other half


    is his skin color. It''s so beautiful.


    I try to touch it however I don''t get the chance as Ethan suddenly gets a hold of my wrist and pulls me


    on his chest and looks at me with sleepy eyes.


    My hands fall t on his chest and my hair flows on both sides of my face as I take the time to calm my


    heart down.


    Why does he always catch me like this?


    He smirks at me and pushes my hair back, "Look I again caught you gawking at my ''beautiful'' sleeping


    face." He says, throwing quotation marks in the air.


    I roll my eyes, "Yeah, your thoughts are too high. I wasn''t gawking at you."


    I''m sure as hell I was.


    "Yeah yeah. I trust you." He grins.


    As he stares carefully at my face, suddenly his smile vanishes as his face wrinkles in worry.


    He puts his hand on my face and softly brushes my puffy eyelids.


    "What happened? You were crying?" He asks, frowning.


    "Umm...no?"


    "But¡­"


    "I wasn''t. Why would I cry?" I try to reason as he keeps brushing my lids trying to tten them.


    It''s very hard to lie to him.


    He frowns bigger as he ces his hand on my forehead.


    "What are you doing?" I ask, confusedly.


    "I''m checking if you are still burning or not because you werest night." He says, "No, you aren''t. Then


    what''s wrong? You look sick."


    "I...I am alright." I reply.


    He seems unconvinced by my answer but he lets it go and sits up on the bed with me.


    And then I notice what I am wearing. I look down at the t-shirt that has written ''Boss'' in bold letters and


    look back at him, puzzled. It seems boyish. I definitely wasn''t wearing it yesterday.


    He takes notice of my uneasiness as he asks, "What?"


    "What... what''s this?" I say, holding out the cor.


    He eyes me and replies, "It''s called a t-shirt."


    Oh, I didn''t know that.


    "It''s not mine."


    He nods, "Yeah. That''s mine."


    Oh my God!


    Is it what I am thinking? I didn''t change myself. That means someone else changed me. No way¡­


    I gasp, "What the hell? Who the hell changed me?" I yell.


    "Of course, me. Who else?" He says, rolling his eyes.


    What the fuck? He fucking changed my clothes and now acting like it''s not a big deal? I mean¡­ I¡­


    Speechless


    I watch him in shock not finding anything to say.


    "You did?!" I point at him, "You changed my clothes? How dare you? How could you do that? Why did


    you do that? Ugh¡­ You saw everything! My God... I am dead." I fall back on the bed with the sheets


    covering my face.


    I hear him chuckling as he falls beside me.


    "I said before you were burning so I couldn''t keep you in those wet clothes. And you fainted so I


    couldn''t wake you up. Simple."


    I push the sheets off my face as I re at him, "It''s not simple at all. That doesn''t mean you can change


    me."


    "Oh, calm down. I swear I saw nothing." He pauses and I narrow my eyes at him causing him to give


    me a sheepish grin, "Well, nothing much."


    Much?


    Yeah, that describes everything.


    How can someone be so unaffected after doing such a thing? He is so shameless.


    "How could you think that you had the right to change me?" I shout at him.


    He blows out a breath, "Ok, I am sorry. Can we just stop talking about it now? I''m hungry and you too.


    We didn''t eatst night."


    "I have another question," I say.


    "Shoot."


    "What are you doing in my room? Why didn''t you go back to yours?"


    His face turns uneasy at my question and he scratches his neck.


    "I... actually...umm...it was so cold yesterday and I didn''t feel like sleeping alone in my room. So I


    stayed here." He shes me the most innocent smile I have ever seen.


    I roll my eyes as I sit upon the bed, "That''s a freakingme excuse."


    "As if you didn''t like me staying here. You seemed pretty cozy cuddling with me." He says, proudly.


    "Maybe because I thought you were my panda."


    He grins cheekily, "I would love to be your panda though."


    *******


    We are now at our kitchen having breakfast. I''m almost done but Ethan isn''t really eating. He is just


    moving his spoon and he seems nervous all of a sudden.


    "What''s wrong? Why aren''t you eating anything?" I ask, shoving thest spoon of omelet into my


    mouth.


    "Nothing. I just want to ask you something." He says, looking down.


    "What?"


    "Umm¡­ do you remember anything fromst night? I said something to you." He asks and I catch him


    gulping.


    Yeah, I remember very well what you said.


    I nod, "Yeah, I do remember. You scolded me a lot." I say, nonchntly.


    His eyes shoot up at me and guilt shows up on his face.


    "I am sorry. I was angry because¡­ whatever. I told you something else apart from scolding." He says,


    nervous.


    "Nah, I can''t remember you saying anything else." I tease, taking a sip of water.


    I''m having so much fun!


    His face falls and he seems gloomy. I pretend not to notice and get up from the chair, heading to the


    living room. I hop on the couch and ce a pillow on myp, hugging it. Footsteps can be heard and


    soon Ethanes and sits beside me.


    "Evelyn?" He sounds like a whiny kid.


    "What?" I try to look annoyed, suppressing the smile that is fighting to break free but I fail and he


    catches me, smiling.


    He frowns a little and then like he gets it as he smiles himself and with just one pull on my wrist, he has


    me on hisp and my hand is behind his neck and another on his chest. It doesn''t seem as unlikely


    now as it seemed to me before. Maybe just the magic of those three magical words.


    He smirks, "You teasing me?" He says, raising his eyebrows.


    I nod, smiling innocently.


    "You remember then?"


    I nod again.


    "So?" He asks and I feel his body stiffens under me.


    "So? I don''t know." I shrug, causing him to sigh.


    He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear as he speaks, "Say something, please." He pleads.


    "Do I have to really?" I sigh looking down at myp and he nods.


    I just don''t know how to say this.


    "Ok." I huff as I look back at him.


    I slowly raise my hand and ce it on his cheek and move my face towards him very slowly. He seems


    taken aback by my action but he shrugs it off and closes his eyes, tightening his hold on me.


    Do it!


    But¡­


    Just fucking do it!


    Ok¡­


    I close my eyes and tilt my head and move my face closer until I feel his hot skin against my lips. I take


    a deep breath and kiss his¡­


    Cheek?!


    I just kissed his cheek?


    I am such an idiot.


    As soon as I remove my lips, his eyes shoot open.


    "That''s all?" He asks, disappointment in his voice.


    I nod, sighing.


    He finally chuckles seeing my sad face and kisses my forehead.


    "Ok, I will wait." He says, smiling and hugs me tightly.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    I smile and hug him back.

 Chapter 35

    Chapter 35


    Ethan''s POV


    I wouldn''t say I am not disappointed. I want to know what she actually feels for me and for heaven''s


    sake, I want her to kiss me herself. I need her to confess the swirling emotions I can always see in her


    enticing eyes that she''s trying to hide. I wanted a little more but the moment I look at her and see her


    face so sad like a baby failing to draw unicorns, a smile reces the disappointment.


    She is so cute. The first time I saw her, she seemed cold to me just like myself. But now that I know her


    well, I understand that coldness is just a barrier she puts around her but inwardly, she''s an angel who


    can even pout like she''s doing now.


    I swear I never saw someone looking so damn cute when they pout.


    I chuckle and kiss her forehead.


    "It''s ok. I will wait." I smile and pull her face to ce on my shoulder. Relief washes over me when she


    hugs me back.


    For the first time, she hugged me willingly. She didn''t pull back when I touched her. She didn''t try to


    stop me. It feels great.


    I told her how I feel for her. And I don''t regret it because that''s just the truth. What scared me was how


    she would react. She didn''t say anything but she didn''t let me down either. I understand she needs


    time. And I am okay with no matter how much time she takes, as long as she''s not going away from


    me, I am alright.


    We sit there in each other''s warm embrace as time passes but we are too oblivious to pay this time any


    attention for now. Time is important and doesn''t wait for anyone but this moment is valueless to me,


    oveing the worth of everything else. Who knows if I would ever have her this close again or not?


    Her hands are wrapped around my neck while her head is slightly tilted, resting on my shoulder. Her


    hair is flowing over my hand that is around her back keeping her close and the feverish scent of the


    brown locks reaching my nose. A dead silence is enclosing the room but still, it feels so peaceful.


    I never felt like this in anyone''s embrace ever. The more we wait for something, our attraction towards it


    gets stronger. And when finally the thing is gained, it gives the feeling of conquering the world and


    that''s what I''m feeling right now since she''s my long yearned gem.


    "So¡­ we missed office today." She says, raising her head looking at me.


    I budge my head, smirking, "Yeah. Your health is more important than work and don''t worry, from now


    on, we will miss office quite often." I wink at her.


    She narrows her eyes as she asks, confused, "Why? What will we do if we don''t go to the office?"


    "Uhm¡­" I point at us as I say haughtily, "The thing we''re doing now."


    She gets my hint and looks down embarrassed and then I see something on her face that I didn''t see


    ever. A slightly rosy tinting glow appears on her cheeks under her big magical eyes and slowly spreads


    across her white skin, making her look the most beautiful human being I have ever seen. She''s


    blushing. I made her blush for the first time.


    God. That blush is divine.


    If she looks beautiful all the time, now with that blush and those locks of brown hair falling across her


    face, she''s looking¡­speechless.


    Looking down at her hands for some time, she looks up with a crease on her forehead.


    "Ethan?" She calls me in a confused tone.


    "Yeah?"


    "I think I am burning now." She ces her index finger on her left cheek as she says, "I''m feeling so hot


    here."


    I chuckle at her innocent gesture as I ce my hand on her cheek and brush my thumb upon the blush,


    "No. You''re fine."


    "Then?"


    I smile at her bemused face and reply.


    "You''re blushing."


    -------


    Evelyn''s POV


    We pass the morning just gossiping and watching some TV shows. And the most shocking news that I


    got is that Ethan doesn''t know what the ''Criminal minds'' is! Like what the fuck? Who in the world


    doesn''t watch this show? I don''t know why he even has a TV in his house.


    Now he''s making lunch in the kitchen and I am listening to Taylor Swift lying on the couch. I don''t have


    any idea why he doesn''t have any maids here. Like being a girl, I can''t spend one single day without


    Leah and he being a busy guy, living in this mansion all alone. This is surprising.


    I sit up removing the headphones and pause the music. Let''s take a look at what he''s doing.


    I head towards the kitchen and see him cutting onions on the kitchen counter. He has a simple ck


    hoodie on with grey sweatpants but still, he''s looking hot as fire.


    "You cane in. I won''t mind." His voice startles me as I look at him to see his eyes still stuck on the


    onions.


    I always get caught like a creep!


    Walking in, I move towards him and hop on the countertop, sitting therefortably.


    He looks up at me, his face is sweating and a sweat drop is slowly falling downwards to his jaw with his


    slightly wet hair swooping on his forehead.


    He really looks so good!


    Well, it''s not my fault that he has a god-gifted perfect look and it''s definitely not my fault if I act like a


    creep sometimes and can''t take my eyes off of him.


    He clears his throat and asks, "So... what I want to ask is that what you were doing with Liamst


    night? Why did you leave your office with him?"


    Again Liam¡­


    I almost forgot about him.


    Just at the mention of him, my swinging legse to a halt and I sit there rigidly with my eyes staring


    at him in fear, getting bigger in size.


    "Uhm¡­ I¡­ didn''t I say it before? Well, we just went to a coffee shop nearby." I say, nervously.


    He steps closer to me with his eyebrows raised, "And here I thought you were sick and was worrying


    like hell while you were on a date with your crush."


    His eyes seem like a pure stone as he said that to me.


    He''s angry again. I don''t tell him bipr for nothing.


    "No! It wasn''t a date. He just asked me to go with him and I was tired working the whole day so I


    agreed. It''s not a big deal." I shrug, trying to look unaffected.


    "Of course, it''s a big deal. You can''t go out with Liam."


    This time I raise my eyebrows, "And why''s that?"


    He seems a bit uneasy as he looks away from me.


    "Because¡­ because I don''t like him at all."


    I smirk and retort, "So that means I can go on dates with other guys?"


    "Of course, no. I didn''t mean that." He blurts out almost too quickly.


    I chuckle shaking my head as I speak, "Well, now calm down. I''m not going on dates with anyone. And


    talking about Liam¡­ I don''t like him either."


    He turns to me quickly, mockingly raises his brows, not believing me.


    "And you told me he was your crush." He says cynically.


    "Yes, he was, in the past. Years and years ago when I was a little girl who used to think school''s


    football yers were hot guys so all the girls should have a crush on them!"


    At my words, his hard face slightly subsides and a tiny smile makes its way on his lips that I kissedst


    night.


    What? Shut the fuck up!


    "Oh really?"


    I throw my hand in the air as I say, "Yeah, really. Moreover, then there wasn''t this you who always


    drags me away from all the guys out there."


    He looks at me with challenging eyes and dropping the knife, traps me cing his hands on either side


    of me.


    "Do you have a problem with that? Even if you have, I don''t care and I will keep dragging you away


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    from all the guys in the world." He says, giving me an innocent smile.


    "Yeah sure." I roll my eyes and push his chest.


    He chuckles and takes the knife again. He keeps chopping the onions while his eyes find their way to


    my face over and over again.


    "But it''s not right that football yers mean hot. When I was in school, I didn''t y football but look I''m


    still hot." He remarks, cockily.


    "Yeah, I can see that." I giggle as I push my hair behind. His eyes follow my every move as he keeps


    staring at me with a smile.


    And the next moment I hear a hiss and he drops the knife, stomping back.


    "Fuck!" He curses and I see blood on his finger.


    I jump off and hurriedly open the cab behind me. I take out the first aid kit and hold his hand in


    mine.


    "Why the hell were you staring at me? It''s bleeding a lot." I shout and lead him towards the dishwasher


    to wash his hand.


    "You were distracting me. Not my fault." He pouts.


    After washing his hand, I put the antiseptic on his cut and he flinches.


    I blow on his finger and look at him apologetically, "I am sorry."


    He smiles and touches my face,ing closer and then he says something once again melting my


    heart.


    "It was all worth it. I can have a million cuts if that''s needed to see your celestial beauty."

 Chapter 36

    Chapter 36


    I was looking through the papers that a new girl who joined recently has worked on when the door


    opens and Cathie walks in. Only she has the right to enter my office without any permission since we''re


    friends and friends don''t wait for permission. She''s in all ck today with the tight ck skirt that


    reaches her knees and hair open with two pearl studs just polishing her appearance. As always, my


    eyes fall on hers and she greets me with her sweet smile.


    I smile back and gesture to her to sit on the opposite chair of me.


    "Hi!" She bids me, grinning.


    Over the past months, I have managed to put her guards down a bit. Now I think she has believed that


    I am not just a moody cold-hearted boss who always goes ordering around. I can be a friend too if you


    can be one to me.


    And I also got to know a lot about her. Her parents and her younger brother live in ska. Because of


    the retirement of her father, now all the responsibilities of her family are upon her shoulder from grocery


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    shopping to her brother''s education, everything has to be managed by her. Being the dutiful girl she is,


    she doesn''t spare one single second for herself to provide money for her family. And how am I


    supposed to not respect this replica of dignity?


    "Hey! So¡­ how are you doing? I haven''t gotten much time to talk to you in thest few days." I tell her.


    "I''m doing good. And yeah, I noticed you were busy. The night you left with Mr. Liam, Ethan sir came


    looking for you I got to hearter."


    I nod, "Yeah, he came."


    She fidgets with her fingers looking down before saying, "Evie? If you don''t mind, can I ask you


    something?" It seems like it took all her strength to utter those words.


    "Yeah, sure. Just shoot." I reply, smiling.


    She starts to speak hesitantly, "Uhm...are you and Ethan sir only business partners? Actually, you


    seem close I mean more than just official associates. I''m sorry for prying like this. I just couldn''t help


    myself." She chuckles nervously.


    Her words catch me off guard. We never act in public the way we''re at home still how could she guess


    that?


    I let out a giggle as I reply, "You know what Cathie? Now I got that why dad likes you this much and


    even my cold-hearted self fell for your charm. You''re quite intelligent."


    She keeps staring at me confusedly waiting for me to continue.


    "And yes, you guessed right. We are more than just business partners." I give her a secretive smile and


    her face lightens up.


    "Oh see then? I knew it." She chuckles with me. "By the way, you both look so cute together."


    I lower my head to the papers at herpliment as I mutter thanks.


    "Oh shit! I almost forgot about it." She blurts out suddenly, "You have a meeting today in Jones


    industries and Mr. Liam will join you."


    My smile vanishes at the news. Liam and Ethan together? Well, another trouble.


    "Oh ok. You manage the new workers here and I''m leaving now." I say, getting up from my chair.


    She nods, "Okay."


    ******


    I park my car in front of the Jones industries and hop off. It''s 11 a.m right now and the weather is very


    appealing today. The mild sunshine is impaling New York City ring afy warmth in the air that''s


    blending with the soothing cool breeze and since it''s spring, flowers of diverse colors and natures


    eliminating the beauty of this ultra-modern city with its spontaneous natural glory. Every time Ie


    here, this flower garden surrounding the blue ss building always blesses my eyes.


    I enter the building and head straight towards the elevator without giving any attention to the piercing


    eyes around me. Pressing the button of the certain floor, I check myself on the lift mirror. I straighten


    the ck zer I''m wearing over the grey short-sleeved top and the skinny blue jeans with zippers. My


    hair is pulled up into a bun with loose strands falling on both sides of my forehead. I''m not looking that


    professional but whatever.


    The doors click open and I step out, walking in the direction of the meeting room.


    But my bad luck, in the midway I meet Liam who ising from another way.


    He looks at me and I look away, increasing my pace. I''m not in a mood for any drama right now.


    I am about to pass him when he stops me, calling my name.


    "Evie, wait."


    I curse under my breath and slowly turn around when he approaches me. After that night, I really can''t


    stand him.


    "You want to say something?" I ask in a stern voice.


    "Yeah."


    "I''m listening."


    He looks down, his face is a bit shrunken like he is embarrassed for some reason.


    He clears his throat and then opens his mouth, "Evie, I''m really so sorry for that night. I shouldn''t have


    talked to you like that. I...I just lost control. I''m sorry. Can we just forget it and be friends again like


    we were?" He speaks and he seems like he''s really guilty.


    Well, if he really understands his mistake and apologizes, I don''t have any problem forgiving him. After


    all, he''s my friend.


    I smile at him, "It''s okay, Liam. I''m happy that you realized what was wrong and yes, we can be friends


    again." I touch his arm in a friendly manner.


    "Thanks." He smiles back, "I''m heading to the meeting. Youing right?" He asks and I almost say


    yes when I see the elevator open and a grumpy facees out who''s also known as Ethan.


    Liam''s back is facing the elevator so he doesn''t notice him. I immediately remove my hand from his and


    nod my head, averting my eyes from Ethan.


    "Yeah, you go and I''ming."


    He nods and then walks past me. After he''s in a distance, I turn around to see Ethaning towards


    me, sulking.


    I sigh in disappointment, making myself ready for another one of his temper tantrums.


    After he''s in front of me, the first thing he says is, "What were you doing with him? I saw you two on the


    CCTV."


    His face is sullen as he stares at me for an answer.


    "And you came running here?"


    "That''s not the case." He shrugs it off.


    "We were just talking about a matter. Nothing else." I reply to which he narrows his eyes at me.


    "I don''t like him." He shouts and I can clearly imagine him stomping his feet on the ground.


    There''s a room on our right which door is open. I hurriedly take a peek inside just to make sure that no


    one''s inside hearing our conversation.


    "I know. But we work together. We have to meet often. Nothing to do." I shrug with a helpless smile.


    "But I can''t stand him anywhere near you. I just can''t." He whines, his hair getting messy in the


    process.


    Imagine the world-famous billionaire cold-hearted suited booted Ethan Jones whining like a kid.


    I chuckle as I fix his hair, "Well, I heard you. Now stop whining and join the meeting. They''re waiting for


    us."


    "But¡­ "


    "Shhhh¡­" I hold his hand and try to take him with me but just as I take a step forward, he pulls me


    back to his chest and the next moment, he enters the room beside us with me, glued to him. He closes


    the door immediately and before I can understand what''s happening, he presses me against the closed


    door and captures my lips.


    It takes me seconds to realize what''s happening and when I get it, again my heart starts drum rolling in


    my chest. After that night, we didn''t kiss again and even if we did, I will never get used to his kiss.


    His handse up to cup my cheeks and the coldness of his hands doesn''t help me at all as my face


    keeps burning. He holds my face firmly while his lips move rapidly on mine. I can''t kiss since I never


    kissed anyone before so I just try to move my lips with him letting him take the lead, letting him have


    me the way he wants.


    When he pulls back, I''m breathing hard. I put my hand on his chest to keep the bnce of my body.


    I look up to see him staring at me, eyes that are darkened and digging into my skin as if his eyes are


    kissing me now.


    "Ethan, we''re gettingte," I tell him.


    His breathing is heavy just like mine and his chest is rising and falling beneath my hand.


    "But I''m not done yet." He says and the next moment he pulls me to him and connects our lips again


    pressing his hand behind my head.


    He angles his head to get better ess and for the movement of his hand in my hair, my bun gets


    loose and the next thing I know, my hair spreads over my back in a second.


    He puts pressure on my lips as I clutch his shirt tighter. His fingers thread through my hair and he pulls


    me closer and closer to his body.


    Finally, when he pulls back again, I am a full mess. My hair is messily spread over my back and some


    on my face, and my breathing is heavy. As I look at him, his condition is the same. His hair is upon his


    forehead and his lips are swollen with his shirt creased up thanks to my hands.


    "Nah I''m still not done." He whines, looking at me with pleading eyes.


    "But we have to go. Everyone''s waiting for us."


    He huffs before saying, "Just one more thing."


    "What?" I ask.


    He looks down at my lips before brushing his thumb upon them very slowly like he never saw


    something like that. His finger feels like a soft rose petal palping my skin enriching its glow.


    And then he kisses my lips again and again and again.


    Aren''t we the perfect and responsible heirs of ourpanies? Our workers are in the meeting room


    waiting for us and here we''re kissing in a dark room.


    But the thing is that we''re now out of control. Nothing is in our hands. To control water flow, we close


    the floodgates but that''s just a temporary restraint that we use against natural phenomena for a short


    period of time. The period the water can''t flow freely, it doesn''t remain stopped. Moreover, it gains more


    strength with every second and when the floodgates are open, the wateres brimming over with its


    extreme power that has been procured in the time it was restrained.


    And here we''re just like this. We had kept our feelings to ourselves for a long time trying to stop them.


    But it happened the other way. They just got stronger as much as we tried to make them weak and now


    we''re lost.


    Lost in each other.

 Chapter 37

    Chapter 37


    Ethan''s POV


    Sitting on my bed, I try to finish the remaining of the presentation, my back resting against the


    headboard of the bed. All my efforts to pay attention go in vain as it seems like the ck words on my


    head.


    What the hell? Since when have I be careless towards my work? Shit.


    Angrily, I put theptop down on the bedside table and fall t on my bed, exhausted. I run my hand


    through my hair as I groan in dejection.


    What''s wrong with me?


    I take a look at the wall clock which is showing 1:00 in the morning. I better go to sleep now. I turn the


    up groaning. I can''t even sleep now.


    What''s wrong with this bed?


    Getting down, I walk towards the balcony and push the door open. Just as I step out of my room, a cold


    wind brushes against my skin, and the short-sleeved t-shirt I have on doesn''t help at all to offer me


    some warmth. I ignore the little shivering of my body and walk forward as the pitch-ck streetes


    to view which is enlightened by the streetmp.


    Further in distance, the busy New York street can be seen and the headlights of the transports seem


    like some moving firelights chasing the darkness of the night away. The gleaming lights from the


    skyscrapers are blending along with them making the city look still alive at midnight. The sky is


    deprived of bright stars today, something I could spend the night just watching. Instead, it has a


    different dark shade of blue on which grey clouds are traveling through.


    I look around as I lean against the ss railing.


    What''s Evelyn doing? She must be asleep now. Well, I can just go and see that but should I go to her


    room like a thief in the middle of the night?


    But it''s my house so¡­


    I walk inside the room again and close the door. Taking my phone from the nightstand, I get out of my


    bedroom heading towards Evelyn''s. Standing in front of the door, I think again about going back but


    decide against it.


    I ce my hand on the doorknob and turn it very slowly trying not to make even a little sound. When


    the door opens, I push it back and stick my head into the room.


    I sigh in relief when my eyes find her sleeping peacefully in her bed.


    Then I can just go back to my room. But why do my legs want to go inside?


    Because you want to see her dumbass.


    My inner self scolds me.


    Finally, I listen to my heart and push the door further back making my way inside. Shutting the door, I


    tiptoe towards her bed like a real thief. If she wakes up now, it would be fucking embarrassing.


    When my eternal run to her ends, I kneel upon the floor with my hands on the bed.


    Once again her face and the peacefulness it''s clouded with soothes my heart. The stars hanging above


    her bed working instead of the nightmp as in its mild golden light, I behold the sacred beauty of her


    serene face. Her big eyes are closed and the long eyshes are pieced together. Her pink lips are


    parted a bit and it takes all my strength not to kiss them. The way she''s hugging her panda like a baby


    brings a smile to my lips.


    How can I go back to that gloomy room of mine again?


    I''m gonna sleep here with her.


    But what would she think? Well, I will manage thatter.


    With that thought in my mind, I gently climb into the bed, cautious not to stir it that much, and am about


    to lie down when my eyes fall on the panda and my eyes narrow involuntarily.


    That''s my ce. You should go to hell for now.


    I grab it and try to take it away from her embrace but she mumbles something in her sleep and hugs it


    tighter. Even though it''s just a panda and I know it doesn''t make any sense but still it always makes me


    jealous.


    I again hold it and almost forcefully make it free from her bear hug. cing the monster panda on the


    couch, I smile in victory and make my ce beside her. I cover ourselves with the duvet and pull her


    closer, wrapping my arms around her back. She mumbles some baffling words again and snakes her


    hand around my shoulder, giving me an indescribable pleasure that she doesn''t even know.


    This is the only warmth that can break the icebergs that are surrounding me.


    This is the onlyfort I want.


    I feel something poking my chest continuously in my sleep. I try to ignore it and go back to my deep


    slumber when the pace increases now that it''s hurting me.


    "Um... what the fu-" My words stop midway as I open my eyes to see Evelyn''s puzzled face above


    mine. Even with my sleepy eyes, the thought that crosses my mind first is how pretty she''s looking right


    now with her hair falling downwards and as the sunlight hits her face, the reddish glow on her cheeks


    highlights her milk-like skin. Her lips pressed together showing her confused expression.


    "Why are you here again?" She asks, narrowing her eyes.


    I gulp in tension. How do I answer her now?


    Last night, I came to your room like a thief and seeing you sleeping so cozily, I couldn''t help myself so I


    threw your panda away and took his ce!


    Ew! What an idiotic answer!


    "I...Uhm...I am here because..." Suddenly somethinges in my mind as my face lightens up and I


    grin at her, "Your panda was so tired so I am doing his job."


    Hearing my answer, she squints at me for some time before her lips move upwards into a


    heartwarming smile.


    "What''s wrong with you Ethan? You are being a good boy these days." She asks, raising her eyebrows.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "I was always a good boy." I give her a good boyish smile.


    "Sure." She says, mockingly before trying to get up when I curl my hand around her belly causing her


    to fall back.


    "Please don''t go. Let''s sleep a bit more." I say in a whiny voice.


    "No way. We''re alreadyte."


    "But I''m not going to office today," I reply as I pull her towards me despite her struggle.


    "Why?"


    "Because I want to cuddle with you."


    "Ooh! I have to go though. I''m not going to miss my office just because you are acting like a baby who


    wants to cuddle." She giggles.


    "I''m not letting you go." I retorted, nuzzling my face into her neck that smells like a fresh rose.


    She always smells so good but what''s strange is that every time she smells like different flowers.


    "Ethan!"


    "You''re not going anywhere and that''s final."


    "Bu-" I shut her off pressing my lips on hers. Lingering there for a few seconds, I pull back as I smile,


    "You know once I said that I won''t let you go, that means I won''t. So how about you shut your mouth


    and cuddle with me. Doesn''t it sound cozy?"


    "Ethan, you-" I peck her lips again.


    "Keep talking. I really don''t mind kissing you over and over again."


    She groans atst, "Alright. I will stay."


    "Hmm... good girl." I lie down again and squeeze her small figure in my arms. She keeps her hand on


    my face as a gentle smile touches her lips. We keep staring at each other before falling asleep again,


    in a loving embrace.


    By the time we wake up, it''s already one p.m. After I freshen up, I hurriedly make something since we


    both are hungry and have our breakfast at noon. Matt called me asking why I didn''t go to the office


    today and I just excused myself telling him I was sick but I doubt how much he believed me. Since right


    after he awarded me with a long lecture about how everyone falls sick often when they''re in love and


    some bullshit like that.


    I wash my hands and wipe them with the towel, I head to the living room. I walk up towards the couch


    where Evelyn is watching something attentively on TV, I guess that''s name is criminal minds, she told


    me once.


    She''s too engrossed that she doesn''t even notice me. Just when I sit down, she nces at me and


    turns her head to the TV right away.


    What''s so good about that show that she''s ignoring me?


    Ethan can''t stand it when someone ignores him and especially when that someone is you, Evelyn.


    "Did youplete the presentation? Due date is tomorrow." I ask her, trying to get her attention.


    She nods not looking at me, "Hmm."


    "And what about the insurance reports? Did you look through them?"


    "Hmm."


    "Will you stop humming and speak kindly?"


    "Hmm."


    "Evelyn!" I huff and finally, she looks at me in annoyance.


    "What?" She shouts in a scolding manner.


    "Why aren''t you talking to me?" I murmur, my lips pouting unintentionally.


    "Because I''m watching something." She shrugs and I can see her lips twitching upwards. A bit.


    "But I''m bored," I say and snatch the remote from her and turn the TV off.


    She tries to catch it and keeps shouting, "What the hell? Give my remote back. Right now. This episode


    was so good. No, no, no. I have to watch it." She struggles to take it from my fist and I stare at her with


    a mocking smile.


    Finally, after struggling for some time, she gives up and sighs, "I hate you."


    I chuckle, "You love me."


    She raises her eyebrows and smirks, "I never said that."


    "But I know."


    "Still you didn''t hear that from me."


    That''s true. She hasn''t said anything yet. But if she didn''t love me, why would she let me touch her?


    As I think about it, my face turns cold and when I look up, soon the smile on her face fades away


    slowly. My gaze shifts to her lips and when she looks into my eyes, I notice her visibly tensing. She


    immediately looks away from me but the nervousness is obvious that''s emitting off of her.


    I never wanted anything this much as I am craving those spanking lips now.


    -------


    Evelyn''s POV


    As he lowers his gaze to my lips and keeps staring, something clouds his eyes. He moves closer to me


    but I don''t look up from my fingers.


    Who did the nail polish? It''s great.


    My breath gets hitches when he touches my skin and his finger palps my cheek like a feather.


    "If you don''t love me, why aren''t you pulling away?" He asks, closing the distance between our faces


    slowly.


    "And why is it only me who makes you blush every time?" His fingers keep stroking my cheek and it


    feels so soft and warm that I feel lean against his hand more.


    "And when you know what''s going to happen next, why aren''t you stopping me?"


    That''s when I look up at him and his breath swipes my face.


    His face moves towards me at a slow pace all the while his brown orbs are absorbing the taste of my


    lips before he finally takes my lips in his.


    On instinct, my eyes close and my hand finds its way from his shoulder to his tousled hair. His lips


    move on mine as his hand pulls my body to his, snaking his arm around my waist.


    He takes me off the couch and ces me on hisp, cupping my face with his other hand. My fingers


    keep running through his silky hair as I try to keep up with his pace, fast pace. I feel like everything


    around me gets slowly vague along with my sense. The only thing that orbs me is those lips.


    I don''t know how long after he finishes this sweet yet passionate kiss, I open my eyes to see him


    already staring at me.


    Before I can say another word, he tilts his head and soon enough the hotness of his lips kisses my


    neck. A gasp escapes my lips when he grazes my skin and crushes me against his body. While his lips


    keep kissing and sucking my neck, he slowlyys me down on the couch with his hands beneath me


    and he, hovering over my body.


    When after an eternity, he stops and I unclose my eyes again to see his infatuated gaze upon me. His


    eyes travel upon my face with close attention as if taking in every detail.


    Hesitantly, he opens his mouth, "Evelyn, I¡­ "


    Just then the doorbell rings and he groans in disgust. Unwillingly, he climbs off of me, and giving me


    onest look full of longing, he walks towards the door while I sit up and straighten my clothes. Thank


    God! It went too far. If we didn''t stop now, we would have to regret itter. I thread my hand through my


    blowsy hair when the person walks in. My eyes fall on the unexpected person and a lot of memories


    Ka

 Chapter 38

    Chapter 38


    Evelyn''s POV


    My eyes widen in surprise as she walks in without bothering to ask for permission, her waist swings


    with her, thanks to the six inches heels she is wearing. A tight burgundy dress is hugging her body


    leaving her skinny legs full on disy while her shiny red hair is bobbing with each step and though


    she''s here, it seems like she''s walking on the ramp. When her eyes meet mine, she stops and slowly


    puts off the sunsses of her eyes. She scowls at me as her eyes go up and down my sitting frame as


    if she''s trying to recall something. Definitely I''m not making a good impression with my disheveled cloth


    and hair sitting on the couch of billionaire Ethan Jones'' apartment. I just wish this girl knows me and


    doesn''t think I''m some kind of fling.


    I finally avert my eyes from her and look at Ethan who is standing in the same ce with wide eyes,


    still in shock. He looks at me, then Ka and then me again as an emotion shows up in his eyes that I


    never witnessed before.


    Fear.


    These days I was so overwhelmed with happiness that I almost forgot that maybe all this would end


    one day. This new, good and sweet side of Ethan made me forget about everything that he was before.


    Girls were simply some kind of things he used to y with. He was never made for a rtionship. Now


    that he confessed to me and has been acting differently, does that mean he has fully changed?


    I forgot everything. I gave in to him. But I just can''t be like this. I have to be careful if I don''t want to end


    up with a broken heart.


    I get off of the couch as I pull the hem of my white frock down and look directly in her hazel eyes that


    are boring into mine.


    "You? Umm, I ¡­ do I know you?" She forms her words pointing her finger at me.


    Well, who the fuck does she think she is? This is Ethan''s house and she''s acting like it''s hers. It''s none


    of her business who I am.


    She looks back at Ethan as she asks, "Ethan, who is she? What is she doing here?"


    Seriously? Is she his girlfriend that she''s interrogating him? Well, she was but not anymore. She lost all


    rights when the word ex was put before her name.


    Instantly, his face hardens and he res at her, "I should ask you that. What the hell do you think you


    are doing here? How dare youe into my house without my permission?" He barks at her.


    "Oh Ethan! Calm down babe."


    Babe?


    She makes her way towards Ethan with a seductive smile on her face, ignoring the daggers Ethan was


    showering. When she stops in front of him, she raises her hand and ces it on his chest but soon it''s


    pped away from him.


    She pouts dramatically, "O! Why are you being like this? It''s not like you don''t like me here." She


    smirks.


    "Well, for your information, if anyone in this world likes you, it sure as hell that their brain has been fed


    up with disgusting worms since they can like a whiny hag like you. " He roars in utter disgust but that


    bitch doesn''t even budge on hearing such harsh words.


    "Oh really darling? But you know what you seemed to like this same whiny hag a lot even some days


    ago that you needed me...to keep your bed warm every night, remember?" She whispers, her eyes


    gleaming in evilness.


    I literally flinch at her nasty choice of words and once again fear shes on Ethan''s face as he looks at


    me. But he covers it up quickly and turns to Ka.


    "Oh sweetheart! Sorry for hurting you but the truth is if you ever think I liked you, then you reallyck


    pure hatred in his eyes.


    She chuckles slowly and runs her index finger down her forehead before saying, "What do you think


    Ethan? Since I stepped in your life once, it''s that easy to throw me away, huh?"


    Ethan blows out a breath trying to gain some control, "Listen, Ka. I don''t have time for hearing your


    bullshit. Either say why you''re here or I''ll ask the guards to throw you out."


    "Nah, you''re so rude." She pouts, "I was just missing you honey. So I thought about giving you a visit."


    She says and suddenly turns to me, "But I didn''t know you already had someone here." She raises her


    eyebrows at me.


    I see Ethan''s jaw clenching as he immediately grabs her arm and yanks her back causing her to gasp,


    "Before your dirty mind thinks something bad about her, I would like to tell you her identity and I''m sure


    after you know who she is, you will get a shock." Ethan says, gritting and atst fear shows up in her


    eyes.


    "Who is she?"


    "She''s the only heiress of the Graysonpany, Miss Evelyn Gray."


    As soon as he utters those words, her eyes widen in shock and her neck shoots back at me. Ethan lets


    go of her hand harshly that she needs topose herself not to fall. She keeps staring at me for a


    pretty few seconds before opening her mouth.


    "Ma''am, I''m sorry. I haven''t seen you before so I didn''t..."


    I stop her, raising my hand.


    "Cut the act and tell us why you are here." I don''t know what made me so rude but the fact is that I


    don''t like her at all and I just can''t like her.


    She looks between me and Ethan with an upset face before opening her mouth, "I... actually I came


    to..."


    She gets cut off by Ethan,


    "Got it Ka. You don''t have any valid reason. Or maybe it''s just that you got a bit of free time and


    couldn''t think what you can do to pass the time so you came here. But oops I''m busy. And I will highly


    appreciate it if you leave now." He says angrily and soon Ka''s face turns into a frown.


    "Why Ethan? Now you just want me to leave because you got someone else, huh? And just a few days


    ago, you kissed me in the mall." She bites out.


    "Well, that was nothing. If you thought that kissing you meant we still had something between us, then


    you were wrong. We didn''t have and we won''t ever."


    Ka steps back and stands face to face Ethan as she bobs her head angrily, "What do you think of


    me, Ethan? I''m that easy to get rid of. No, I''m not. I will see...you." She looks from him to me as she


    says thest word.


    She then puts on the sunsses again and turning around, she gets out of the apartment, her hills


    pping against the floor.


    After she''s out of sight, Ethan looks at me and makes his way towards me, his face pale. I don''t know


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    why but I feel a rush of anger inside me.


    He stands in front of me and scrutinizes my face, I try to look as neutral as possible.


    "Evelyn, I..." I cut him off.


    "You don''t have to say anything, Ethan. It''s your life and everything is your choice. You don''t owe me


    an exnation." I say coldly and without giving another nce, I head back to my room and close the


    door behind me.


    The rest of the day passes by me staying inside the room. I decide not to go outside and Ethan doesn''t


    My head feels like a mess. I walk back and forth in the room as my mind wanders through the memory


    knows how many exes he had. Now even if I believe that Ethan is trying to change, will it work? Will his


    yboy character change forever just for me?


    When did my life get attached to him like this? I couldn''t realize. Now all I know is him. He''s turning into


    my addiction slowly. And no one knows better than me that this addiction will have no cure.


    I''m in a mess.

 Chapter 39

    Chapter 39


    Evelyn''s POV


    It is already night and I haven''t gotten out of my room since this morning''s incident. Currently, I''m sitting


    on the balcony staring at the starry night sky, something I do whenever I get tired of the emotional


    burdens. The peaceful look of the dark enormous sky always calms me down and I don''t know why.


    Never had I thought one day woulde when I would be brawling my mind because of a guy. I


    always stayed away from guys but this time I didn''t have any control over myself when I got attached to


    Ethan.


    God, what will I do now?


    Even after everything, should I give Ethan a chance? Everyone deserves to love and like anything else,


    people do change too. I don''t know anything much about him. Maybe he didn''t get anyone in his life


    who could teach him what love is. Probably he didn''t ever get love. That''s why he''s the way he''s now. If


    I think like this, my heart wants to give him a chance to prove himself.


    But my mind interrupts. What if in the process of making him happy, I end up finishing every bit of


    happiness in my life?


    I just don''t know what to do now.


    I sigh as I close my eyes but my thoughts get disrupted by a knock on the door.


    I open my eyes immediately and get off of the couch. I have to face him now. Living under the same


    roof, I can''t keep ignoring him.


    I enter the room and walk towards the door before opening it.


    There standing Ethan in his all-time sexy messy hair and kinda disheveled state. I budge my head


    indicating him to speak.


    He eyes me carefully before saying, "Evelyn, you didn''t eat anything after today morning."


    I would lie if I say I didn''t get a bit surprised. Since when I-don''t-give-a-fuck-about-anything Mr. Ethan


    Jones started to worry about if someone has eaten or not?


    "Uh¡­ I don''t feel like eating now." I say as I see his face falling.


    "Oh."


    "Good night," I say as I proceed to close the door since I don''t really want to talk to him now but Ethan


    holds the door with his hand stopping me.


    He has a pleading look on his face as he says, "Can Ie inside?" Looking into my eyes, he adds,


    "Please?"


    This man for sure knows how to melt my cold frosted heart. Now how am I supposed to say no though I


    am kinda mad at him?


    Sighing I nod and hold the door open for him. After hees inside, I close it and turn around. Instead


    of getting on the bed, he walks towards the balcony and I follow him. He sits on the couch and then


    looks behind at me and pats the ce beside him.


    I move forward and sit myself down while he keeps staring at me.


    I lean back and look up at the sky again, Ethan''s eyes still on me. After sitting in silence for a few


    minutes, he calls me,


    "Evelyn?"


    I look at him, "Yes?"


    "I...I want to tell you something." He says nervously and I nod, knowing exactly what he wants to say.


    "About Ka¡­ I''m so sorry. When she was with me, I was apletely different guy who didn''t care


    about rtionships. But now I''m not like this. I know I''m not a good guy but I''m trying to be. I don''t even


    know why Ka appeared here today. I know you''re upset about this whole matter. I''m sorry." He says


    with a sad look on his face.


    "Ok...if Ka wasn''t anything anymore, then why did you kiss her at the mall days ago?" I ask, raising


    an eyebrow.


    He looks away as he replies, "It was because I¡­ actually I was angry at you seeing you with...uh Nick.


    I thought he was your boyfriend and then..." He trails off.


    "Then he was so fucking close to you. So I lost my shit and kissed her." He shouts. "But I know I


    shouldn''t have done that. I''m sorry." He whispers again.


    I nod my head suppressing the smile on my face at his stupidity.


    "But why are you even telling me all this? I clearly told you before you don''t owe me an exnation." I


    shrug.


    His jaw clenches as he answers in a high voice, "I do. I do owe you to tell you every freaking thing that


    happened in my life because you have the right to know."


    "And why is that?"


    "Because you are my-"


    I indicate to him to finish what he wanted to say but then he looks away and sighs.


    "Nothing. Can we please stop talking about it? This shit already ruined my day." He says, irritated.


    "Ok." I shrug.


    He pauses for a moment and looks down, "But I''m really sorry."


    "It''s ok Ethan. You don''t have to be sorry." I reply, smiling while he inspects my face.


    Hees closer as he hesitantly takes my left hand in his. I shiver slightly as his hand touches mine.


    He rubs his palm slowly on my hand looking down before squeezing it faintly. And then looks up


    meeting my eyes, his face has a soft look.


    "Evelyn, I know you can''t believe me right away but I''m really trying to change. Those kisses weren''t


    fake, neither were those three words. I meant it. I know what happened today made you skeptical


    about our rtionship but I¡­"


    I ce my hand on him as I speak, "Yeah tell me."


    He gulps and whispers, "I just want a chance."


    It would be a lie if I say my heart didn''t flutter hearing him. The thought that was irritating me for the


    whole day really sunk down at his words. He wants a chance. To prove himself. The Ethan I saw when


    I came here and now, I can''t believe it. If someone told me yboy Ethan Jones asking for a


    rtionship, I would have never believed.


    I was lost in thoughts when he snaps his fingers in front of my face. I look at him to see his questioning


    gaze upon me.


    I clear my throat, "Ethan, can I ask you something?"


    He stares at me curiously and nods slowly.


    "Uh...you...what about your family? I don''t know anything about your family."


    In the mention of his family, his face hardens as he looks away immediately. He leaves my hand and I


    can see the hint of sadness in his eyes. It seems like he doesn''t want to talk about his family. He never


    mentioned anything about his parents ever or not anyone even came to visit him either. Maybe


    something serious.


    "Do you really want to know?" He enquires.


    I nod.


    He sighs as he starts to speak reluctantly, "I..."


    "I don''t have anyone." He says, reinless and my eyes get bigger as I hear him.


    It takes me a moment topose myself, "Oh...I am sorry."


    He looks up at the sky slowly, his eyes are inflicting pain and hurt.


    "We were a happy family. Mum, dad and me. My parents loved each other a lot. Being a housewife,


    mum still helped dad with his business. Everything was going well. Until one day, they left for Australia


    for a meeting. I was asleep when they left. When I woke up, I found a note which said they woulde


    back by night. I waited the whole night but they didn''te back. And the next day, I got the news that


    the ne crashed."


    I hold his hand again trying to console him as he continues, "I was just five then. And my world crashed


    down. My dad''s brother started to look after me and our business. But you know just a five-year-old


    orphan and a big business. Who can resist the tempting chance to cheat? By the time I was 16, that


    traitor already embezzled all the benefits of our business alone. At that young age, I had to kick his ass


    off and take over this huge business myself. But I knew I could do it. I wasn''t born to lose and I did


    prove myself. I became the Ethan Jones I''m today."


    He finishes and lets out a breath and looks back at me.


    I just stare at him, awestruck. Like they say, behind every sessful person, there''s a backstory. How


    much hardship Ethan had to go through. I thought I was so unlucky because my mum left me. At least I


    had my dad who did his best for me. But for Ethan, there wasn''t anyone. There wasn''t anyone to love


    him. He grew up all alone.


    "You know what Evelyn?" Ethan says, "Maybe this is why I''m like this. I know I''m a fucked up jerk, a


    yboy, cold-hearted ass. But what else do you expect? I didn''t have anyone to tell me what was right


    and what was wrong. When I cried, there wasn''t anyone to tell me everything will be fine. I just did what


    I wanted to. When I spent the whole night in the club being drunk, no one told me it wasn''t a good


    thing. And that''s how it went. To the world, I''m a sessful, hot, and famous billionaire. But behind the


    morous veil of fame and wealth, I''m just a messed up guy who is alone." He says with a weak smile


    on his face that just breaks my heart.


    I move towards him and hold his face with both of my hands, "No Ethan, you are not alone. You are so


    strong. I can''t imagine what you have gone through. But you didn''t lose. You are a winner. You are not


    alone. I''m here." I tell him softly while he keeps staring at me with a gassed face.


    He ces his hand on mine that is on his cheek as he speaks, "You¡­ you are here for me?" He asks


    in a confused tone.


    I nod, smiling.


    "Will you ever leave me?"


    "No, I won''t."


    "Promise?" He talks like a baby but fear of losing is evident on his face.


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    "Yes, promise " I grin, his face beams with happiness.


    "Does that mean you forgave me for today?"


    "Yes," I reply as he grins cheekily.


    We are already close but then he moves his face closer and I feel butterflies in my stomach. I stop


    moving as I see him smiling affectionately at me. I close my eyes and I feel his lips on my forehead. He


    kisses me softly and then pulls back smiling.


    God, it was so intimate.


    I smile back at his happy face. I always want to see him happy.


    "My mum was so beautiful just like you. Every night, I used to sleep on herp. It felt so good when she


    rubbed her hand through my hair and I slowly fell asleep. Otherwise, I couldn''t sleep." He says happily


    then suddenly his face falls again.


    "I miss her. I miss sleeping on herp. It''s been twenty years and I don''t think for one day, I slept that


    peacefully like I did when my mum was there. I felt loved then." He whispers and I feel his voice


    breaking.


    I know how it feels to miss mum.


    I am about to speak when I see him staring down at myp with longing. Does he want to¡­


    When he sees me looking at him, he quickly looks away.


    I nce at myp and look back at him with a smile while he''s busy looking up at the sky.


    I call him, "Ethan?"


    "Hmm?" He hums.


    "You wanna sleep on myp?"

 Chapter 40

    Chapter 40


    Evelyn''s POV


    "You want to sleep on myp?" I ask, smiling slightly at him.


    He gives me a look of disbelief and searches my eyes, probably trying to understand if I''m kidding or


    not.


    "Are you serious?" He asks me.


    "Yes, I''m serious."


    "But I didn''t say that I wanted to." He says as a smirk falls on his lips.


    "Yeah, but your eyes told me." I shrug, smirking back.


    He rolls his eyes at me, "So eyes speak too? You are impossible."


    I raise my eyebrows and retort, "Ok, fine. I''m taking my offer back."


    His eyes widen at my words as he says, "Wha- but I... I didn''t say I don''t want to either."


    I chuckle, "Guess who''s impossible then?"


    "Whatever."


    He looks down at myp as he smiles a bit. Hesitantly, he moves closer and leaning towards me,


    slowly ces his head on myp. Butterflies start jumping in my stomach almost immediately. He


    makes himfortable there while I put my hand on his hair and another one over his arm, keeping


    him close to me.


    At first, I feel a little ufortable since no one has evere into such an adorably intimate contact


    with me before. But I push the thoughts back and look down at him. The moon is shining and the side


    of his face is enlightened by the moonlight. The cool night breeze is blowing, the leaves grazing with


    each other creating a cid sound. I smile down at him as I keep running my fingers through his silky


    hair. He hums infort and closes his eyes.


    "You know what Evelyn? Not everyone''sp is the same. It has to be someone special who can make


    you feel peaceful." He whispers, eyes closed.


    "Are you feeling calm?"


    "Hmm."


    "So does that mean I''m someone special?" I smile.


    "You just knew that today? Of course, you are." He says, making me giggle.


    A few minutes pass in silence while we enjoy the closeness and the balsamic quietness of the night.


    My fingers keep traveling through his smooth hair.


    "Evelyn?"


    "Hmm?"


    He grabs my hand and hugs it tightly before he murmurs softly, "Will you give me a chance?"


    He doesn''t look at my eyes, instead keeps my hand close to him as if I am leaving him at this moment.


    I stare down at him for some time as I think. He has never gotten love. That''s why he''s like this. Love


    can change everything. He will change too if he gets love and care. And when he''s asking me for


    these, I will definitely give him.


    I sigh as I mumble, "Yes."


    I can feel Ethan smiling though I can''t see his face. He nods slowly. We both stay quiet after that. Only


    the breeze whistling and our breathing are the only sounds. I feel my eyes heavy and a yawn escapes


    my lips.


    When I look down, I found Ethan already asleep. He seems so sound asleep that I don''t feel like


    waking him up and telling him to go inside. Guess we will be spending the whole night on the balcony


    then.


    A wind brushes again and I feel Ethan shivering slightly. I look around for something to wrap around


    him when my eyes fall on my shawl that''s on my shoulder. I smile and unwrap it then slowly embrace it


    around Ethan. He stirs a bit and goes back to sleep. I start feeling cold but I ignore it. If I go inside now


    for a nket, Ethan might wake up what I don''t want at all.


    He seems so calm and there''s nothing I wouldn''t do to give him a peaceful sleep for one night.


    The next morning I wake up when the cold breeze brushes against my skin. I feel myself shivering as I


    slowly open my eyes to meet with an unexpected sight. Ethan is sleeping on myp hugging my hand,


    his messy hair on his face. Then the events ofst nighte to my mind. He shared everything about


    his family with me. Last night was really a memorable one.


    I check the time on my phone to see it''s 8 am. We still have one hour to get ready for the office. I take


    in a breath that refreshes me from inside. Birds chirping can be heard and the green leaves of the trees


    are wet from the dewdrop.


    I look down at him and shake his hand slightly as I whisper his name.


    "Ethan, wake up." He stirs a bit and turns around but instead of getting up, he wraps his hand around


    my waist and nuzzles his face in my stomach, causing a ticklish feeling there.


    "Ethan, what are you doing? Ahaha- I''m feeling ticklish." I manage to say between my giggles.


    Finally, he stops as he opens his eyes and rubs them with his hand. He seems confused for a moment


    while he looks side to side and back to my face, his head still on myp.


    "It''s morning." He says in a raspy voice.


    As if I can''t see that.


    "We spent the whole night here?" He asks me and I nod.


    "Now if you don''t mind Ethan, would you please get up at least now?" I tell him, mockingly.


    He smirks, "Nah I do mind a lot. I love it here."


    I roll my eyes as I push Ethan hard and he finally gets up, chuckling. His eyes fall on me and the smile


    vanishes immediately. He looks down at the shawl and then at me.


    "What the hell? You were like this in the cold the whole night?" He says, pointing out at my bare arms


    since I''m wearing a tank top right now.


    I nod.


    "Why was it around me? Why didn''t you take it?"


    "You were shivering. So I wrap you up with the shawl."


    "And you thought it was fine for you to stay like this? Why didn''t you wake me up?" He asks, kinda


    angry.


    I sigh, "Ethan, it''s not a big deal. You were sleeping so peacefully and I didn''t want to wake you up. At


    least for one night, I wanted you to have a sound sleep. And the cold is nothing. I''m totally fine."


    I say as he keeps staring at me, surprised. When he doesn''t say anything, I call him.


    "Ethan, let''s get inside now. We have to get ready." I say, getting down.


    "Ok." He mumbles.


    ¡­¡­


    I quickly dress up in a white-colored top, dark washed denim jeans. I keep my hair down and wear a


    ck suit jacket over the georgette top. After getting ready, we both get out of the house and reach for


    Ethan''s ck Mercedes. He drops me at my office and then heads off to his.


    I attend two meetings one after another with Cathie ande back to my office. Asking her to make a


    coffee for me, I settle down on my chair and lean back, resting my head when my phone rings.


    Argh! I can''t even rest for a while.


    I curse under my breath and take out my phone from my purse. As soon as my eyes fall on the caller


    ID, my eyes glisten as I smile happily.


    Dad


    For the four months I''ve been here, dad called me approximately every week since he was so busy


    with work. But it''s been two weeks since hest called me. I wanted to call him a few times but thinking


    maybe he was really swamped with work, I didn''t. And I was busy too.


    I receive the call and dad''s soothing voice beams through the phone.


    "Baby girl."


    "Hey, dad," I reply, smiling.


    "I''m sorry I couldn''t talk to you in thest few days. I was really busy. Are you mad at me?"


    "No, dad. I''m not mad. I understand. Like I''m here getting exhausted by the number of meetings and


    files I have to face every day. I don''t know how you handle all this all alone."


    Dad chuckles as he speaks, "I got used to it. By the way, you don''t have to take too much pressure. I


    don''t want you to fall sick because of me being selfish, I made you handle everything all alone. Don''t


    overwork yourself, okay?"


    "Don''t worry, dad. I won''t. How''s your health now? Did you go to the doctor''s appointmentst week?"


    "I did. The doctor said everything''s alright. Nothing to worry about."


    "Hmm. And don''t forget to take your medicines in time."


    "Ok, ok, mum. I''m your good boy. Don''t be tense."


    I chuckle at his words.


    "And how''s the deal with Mr. Jones? I heard that you were making an agreement with Mr. Reynolds


    and his son?"


    If only you knew dad. Everything got messed up. I''m living with Ethan and now Liam made everything a


    lot moreplicated. But no way I''m telling you this.


    I clear my throat, "Uh... yeah... everything''s going well. We''re working on a new project now and I hope


    the profit will be worth our hard work."


    "I know, baby girl. You can do this. That''s why I depended on you." He says and I can guess him


    smiling, "Oh I''m heading to a meeting right now. I''ll talk to youter. And once again, don''t overwork


    yourself, okay?"


    "Okay, dad. Deal."


    I hear himugh, "Ok then. Bye sweetheart. I love you."


    "I love you too," I say and cut the call.


    As I put the phone down, someone knocks on the door. I tell them toe in and look in the direction


    in the hope to see Cathie but instead, Liam walks in.


    Trouble again I guess?


    He has a grey suit and his blond hair is gelled back. Hees towards my desk with a smile while I


    take the time to process. I don''t know if I did it right or wrong forgiving him but now that I already did,


    we are friends now. At least guess so.


    "Hey, Evie!" He greets me.


    "Liam, sit down." I smile back.


    He sits on the visitor chair and puts some files on the table. I eye them before throwing a questioning


    nce at him.


    "Dad told me to hand you these files." He clears up.


    I nod as I bring the files to me and after looking through the headings quickly, I put them aside. At least


    this time, he came here for work. That''s good.


    "Wanna grab a coffee?" I ask for the sake of manners.


    "Sure."


    I call Cathie and tell her to bring two coffees to my office.


    When I put down the receiver, I watch Liam staring at me. To lighten the environment, I ask,


    "So how''s everything?"


    "Everything''s fine. And Evie, I''m really sorry about that night. I wasn''t in my senses." He says, guiltily.


    "It''s ok, Liam. You already apologized." I tell him, smiling.


    He smiles and starts to look around the room when his eyes fall on the same acrylic painting Ethan was


    watching four months back from now. He stands up and heads towards it, standing in front. He watches


    it for a while before turning around and running his eyes over the books arranged orderly in the


    bookshelf.


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    "You still read poems?" He asks, smiling at me.


    I walk over to him and shake my head, "No, dad does. I''m not into poems anymore."


    He takes out a book as he speaks, "But you used to love reading poems. You remember?" He asks,


    looking up.


    I chuckle lightly, "Yeah but that Evelyn changed a long time ago."


    A sudden look of sadness engulfs him when he nods slowly and says, "But I wish you never changed."


    What does he mean? Why doesn''t he like it that I changed? After all, I changed and that''s why my


    crush on him went away. That''s why I don''t see him the same way I used to do years ago.


    I look into his eyes that are filled with disappointment. He''s acting really strange. What''s wrong with


    him? I would like it if he stayed the same arrogant asshole he was who didn''t even look at me. But no,


    this was the right time for him toe back.


    We are staring at each other, lost in thoughts when the door clicks open. I look away immediately and


    at the door but my eyes widen and my heart starts jumping in my chest as I see who walks


    in.

 Chapter 41

    Chapter 41


    Evelyn''s POV


    I see Ethan closing the door behind and I feel my pulse quickening. Why does every time Ethan have


    to see us together? Bad luck, Evelyn.


    He turns around and a smile happens to appear on his face when his eyes move beside me and the


    non-appearing smile turns into a frown immediately. His hands are shoved in his jeans pockets and his


    suit jacket is hanging from his elbow. His sleeves of the white shirt are rolled up and the muscle of his


    arms are bulging out, hair messy.


    Sexy as hell!


    Shut up! This is not the right time.


    He takes slow steps towards me and I stand there like a statue. When he''s standing face to face, he


    raises a questioning eyebrow to ask what''s going on here. I look beside me to see Liam''s confused


    face, his eyes moving from me to Ethan.


    I clear my throat as I break the silence, "Ethan. Liam came here to...to give me some important files.


    You know the construction site we are gonna visit tomorrow, about that."


    I exin to which he nods, slightly ring at Liam. Poor guy! He doesn''t even know what he did wrong.


    Ethan nces at his watch and says, "Now that the work time is over, I guess you both are done. Or do


    you want to work a little more?" He asks me, mockingly.


    I shake my head, "No. We were leaving actually." I lie as I see Liam staring at me, questioningly.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Yes, Liam. You have to drink the coffee alone now.


    "Ok, let''s leave then," Ethan says, I nod when Liam speaks up.


    "But Evie, why are you leaving with Mr. Jones?"


    I see Ethan clenching his teeth and he answers instead of me.


    "Maybe because we are going to the same house." He fakes a smile.


    Liam seems shocked as he turns to me, "The same house? Do you live together?"


    "I...umm... yeah." I stutter.


    "But why?"


    "Because¡­"


    "The reason you''ll get to know soon Mr. Liam. Very soon." Ethan cuts me off and holds my hand.


    Before turning around and walking out of the office with me, he tells Liam,


    "We will see you tomorrow then."


    With that said, we hurry out of the room leaving a very confused Liam with a hurt look on his face


    behind.


    The ride home is awkwardly silent and I don''t dare to speak. When the car parks into the driveway of


    the house, I sigh in relief and get out of it.


    I hurriedly get inside before him, wanting to get to my room as soon as possible but of course, he had


    to call me and stop me in my tracks. I curse under my breath and turn around slowly as he walks to me,


    a hard look on his face.


    "What was that bastard doing in your office?" Ethan yells at me, his jaw clenching in anger.


    "For God''s sake Ethan, try to understand. We are working together. He definitely cane to my


    office." I try to reason.


    "If it was really an official work, Why couldn''t hee to my office instead? Did his car take the wrong


    turn and run to you?"


    I roll my eyes and try to pass him when his hand grabs my arm and he pushes me back against the


    wall. Throwing his jacket away, he puts his face forward very close to mine as his eyes burn like fire.


    "How many times do I have to tell you that you are only mine? Fucking mine." He barks, throwing a


    hard punch at the wall.


    Gasping, I stop him from punching again as I yell this time, "How many fucking times do I have to tell


    you not to hurt yourself?"


    He res at me as his bleeding hand holds my face and he pushes my head back, careful not to hit it


    at the wall.


    "You''re making me do it. I just can''t stand him anywhere near you." He grits.


    I re back, "Why? What''s his fault? Just because I had a crush on him years ago, you can''t be like


    this. What''s your problem?"


    "The fuck. It''s my problem because I..." He stops midway as he seems puzzled.


    Yes, Ethan. Say those three words again when I''m in my senses.


    He takes his hand away from my face and looks away disappointingly but that''s just for a bit. The next


    moment he quickly grabs my face in his hands and takes my lips in his in a fiery kiss.


    It takes me moments to realize and I instantly hug him tightly not to fall down because of the pace he''s


    going on. His lips brush against mine and I tilt my head. While he keeps kissing me hungrily, his hand


    moves from my face to my chest and he starts unbuttoning my jacket. When he''s done, he takes it off


    of me and throws it away too leaving me in my thin georgette top only.


    Shit! We need to stop.


    I pull back to speak and he growls, "Ethan...w-we should stop." I say, breathing heavily.


    I see his brown eyes darkened and he shakes his head and without dy, he ces his lips on my jaw.


    He kisses there and slowly moves downwards to my neck as a moan escapes my lips. He presses his


    lips harder and tightens his grip around my waist.


    After madly eating my neck for minutes, he pulls back and looks into my eyes, panting.


    He holds my cheeks and brushes his thumb slowly on my face, "He likes you, right?" He whispers,


    looking disheveled.


    "I don''t know," I say, honestly.


    He looks down for a while as he grits, "He does. But s! It''s toote." Looking up, he says in a husky


    voice, "Now you are only mine."


    With that, he sps our lips again.

 Chapter 42

    Chapter 42


    Ethan


    I nce at Matt who is working on hisputer, half lying on the couch in my office. It''s been a


    thousand times I guess I told him to at least try to be a bit professional when he''s with me. But it''s Matt


    after all.


    Today morning I had to go to visit a construction site with Evelyn and Liam was there too. I don''t know


    why but seeing his face is enough to anger me. Maybe he has some tectonic problems with his face.


    It''s only evening now but I can''t wait anymore to go home. It''s weird how the same me used to spend


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    the whole night in the office just months back.


    I look down at the file in my hand in irritation. It''s boring.


    I sigh and look away when my eyes fall on my phone. And I smile.


    I take the phone and type a message to Evelyn.


    Ethan: Are you home already?


    I wait a minute before my phone buzzes.


    Evelyn: On my way.


    I type the next message, a huge smile on my face.


    Ethan: Missing me?


    Evelyn: Oh you wish!


    My lips turn into a pout as I read the message. Doesn''t she miss me at all? Maybe it''s only me who is


    missing her like crazy.


    Ethan: But I''m missing you a lot.


    I write honestly.


    While I wait for her reply, I look up to unexpectedly meet Matt''s questioning gaze. He has hisptop


    beside him as he''s sitting straight, watching me attentively with both of his hands on his cheeks like


    Evelyn watches criminal minds. He wiggles his eyebrows at me as he asks,


    "Are you ok, bro? One second smiling, the next moment pouting? I guess something is wrong with your


    system." He taps his chin, yfully.


    I re at him, "Nothing''s wrong. Stop disturbing my work and do yours."


    "Tsk tsk tsk. I''m watching how much you''re working. Liar, liar, pants on fire!" He says,ughing like an


    idiot.


    "Are you 5 or what? Someone, please tell him to grow up." I shake my head.


    "Don''t worry about me dude. Now tell me who you were texting. Well, let me guess." He thinks for a


    while before smirking, "Evie, right?"


    "Yeah, so what?" I snap, irritated.


    "So nothing lover boy." He shrugs.


    I am about to speak when my phone buzzes again.


    I look down and read her text and an involuntary smile breaks through my face.


    Evelyn: Thene home early today.


    I think I just needed to hear that to close the file I was working on.


    "Hey hey where are you going?" Matt asks me as I stand up, gathering my things.


    "Home."


    I say as soon as he gives me a shocked look.


    "What? Why? It''s just evening. You never ever went home this early. And above all, you''re supposed to


    join a meeting with Mr. Liam in thirty minutes. "


    "Well, cancel it. I''m in a good mood and don''t want to see that fucker right now. "


    He frowns at me, "Fucker? What has that innocent guy ever done to you?"


    "Excuse me? Innocent? Innocent my ass. I can''t stand him." I bite out.


    "And might I know the reason?"


    "Evelyn had a crush on him when they were in high school and now that fucker wants her back. God


    damnit!"


    Matt keeps watching me with wide eyes for a pretty few seconds before he bursts outughing and falls


    back on the couch.


    Did I say something funny?


    "Why the hell are youughing?" I ask, annoyed.


    "Oh my God! Ethan fucking Jones is jealous! It''s not like he''s snatching your Evelyn away from you."


    He says between hisughter.


    Taking the file off my desk, I throw it aiming at his face but he catches it skillfully.


    "I will chop off his fucking head if he even thinks of that."


    I say and walk towards the door, Matt stillughing.


    As I open the door, I hear him say,


    "Ethan became a lovesick puppy! Hahahahaha!"


    "Fuck you!" I shout, before closing the door.


    ¡­¡­


    Evelyn


    I open the door as I push myself into the house and kick my shoes off. I throw my purse on the couch


    as well as plop myself on it. Resting my back on the pillow, I close my eyes when the phone rings out.


    Opening the purse, I take it out to see Nick''s name shing on the screen. I miss them so much. It''s


    been so many days I didn''t get to talk to Nick or Leah.


    Receiving the call, I put it in my ear,


    "Hey, Nicki!" I greet him.


    "Yo babe! Seems like you forgot us."


    "No, Nicki." I pout, "I was just too busy. Sorry."


    "You know what? You put all your attention into your work. It''s not good at all to work that much."


    "Don''t talk like dad," I say, chuckling. "By the way, how are you doing? And how''s Lee?"


    "We''re doing great. You can''t imagine what happenedst night. We sneaked out of the house and


    went to a party because Mr grumpy pants¡­um...I mean Leah''s dad would never permit us." He says,


    I giggle as I reply, "Nicki! You can''t address your soon-to-be father-inw like that. Learn how to respect


    people." I scold yfully.


    "But he doesn''t like me. I don''t know how I will tell him about us. He will surely chop me in pieces. But


    Aunt Mary is sweet though. She knows about us too."


    I know managing my uncle will be hard. He has always been strict about life rules and not to mention,


    Nick is someone who doesn''t even know what that word means. There will be a war for sure when he


    gets to know about their rtionship.


    "I know. Uncle is always like this. But don''t worry much. He loves Leah so much and when her


    happiness is with you, he will agree eventually."


    "Hmm...let''s see. Ok, enough of us. Tell me how you are."


    "I''m good," I say, biting my lip.


    I guess I should at least tell Nick that I''m now in Ethan''s house. I''m feeling so bad for not saying that


    earlier. But if I tell Leah now, she will surely kill me.


    "Nick? I have to tell you something important. I know I should have told a long time ago but I was


    nervous."


    "What is it?"


    "First promise me you won''t say anything to Leah."


    "Promise."


    I look down at my hand and speak in a breath, "The day you left, I moved into Ethan''s house. He forced


    me of course. And also I needed to fix some things with him. So...I''m here now."


    After I finish, there''s a long pause on the other line but I see the call is still on. What''s wrong?


    The second I ce the phone against my ear again, all I hear is a scream.


    "WHAT THE FUCKING HELL? YOU''RE LIVING WITH ETHAN AND YOU''RE TELLING ME THAT


    NOW? HOW DARE YOU? OH MY GOD! WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN YOU GUYS? ARE YOU A


    COUPLE NOW? OMG! I NEED TREATS!"


    He keeps shouting, giving me no chance to speak. Damn! I forgot it was Nick.


    "Nick! Shut up. SHUT UP! Let me exin, idiot." I yell along with him.


    "Ok, exin then." He says, breathing heavily.


    I sigh, "Ethan confessed to me some days ago but I didn''t say anything in reply."


    "Why? Don''t you feel the same?"


    "No, no, it''s nothing like that. It''s just I''m nervous and I don''t know how to tell him that."


    "Stop acting like a dumbass and go tell him you love him too. Don''t make him wait. It hurts. I''m telling


    you from experience." He says proudly as I roll my eyes.


    I snort, "Eh! Saying that boy who was scared to confess to his girl himself. Hahahahaha!"


    I can imagine him pouting and he replies, "Don''t make fun of me. Just be together soon. I''m happy for


    you. Anyways, got to go. Leah is shouting. Bye"


    I smile, "Bye."


    Hopping off the couch, I head to my bedroom and enter the closet. Taking a ck hoodie and leggings,


    I get into the washroom. After taking a long shower, I dress up ande out. I wipe my hair with a


    towel andb before letting them open to dry naturally.


    After I am done, I march towards the bookshelf and start searching through the piles of books. Taking a


    book out, I open it and am engrossed in reading when suddenly two strong arms wrap around my


    waist. The book falls on the floor as I scream and turn my head just to meet two familiar brown eyes.


    "Back hug is something couples do, not friends."


    My own voice rings in my head. I told Nick once.


    Ie to my senses and scowl, "You scared me, Ethan."


    He grins putting his chin on my shoulder, "Sorry."


    He seems like he just took a shower and his hair is watery. He has a white half-sleeved t-shirt on that


    shows his hot muscr arms. He loves to show them off I guess!


    I ce my hands on his and put my head back, cherishing the moment. It feels good.


    "You told me toe early and I came."


    "Hmm. Wasn''t there any important work?" I ask.


    "A meeting and I canceled it. But Matt made fun of me." He pouts.


    "What did he say?" I giggle.


    "He called me a lovesick puppy! Can you believe it?" He exims, causing me tough.


    "He wasn''t wrong though." I tease.


    "Please. Not you too."


    I turn around as I see water dripping from his hair that already wetted my shoulder.


    "Your hair is wet," I say, pointing at his hair.


    "Oops. I forgot again." He says, pulling the tip of his hair with his fingers and smiles sheepishly.


    I roll my eyes as I bring a towel from the closet and hand it to him but instead of taking it, he puts his


    head forward making me roll my eyes again.


    However, I wipe his hair nicely before putting the towel in its ce again.


    When Ie back, I see him smirking at me, his hair falling upon his forehead.


    "What?" I ask.


    "Do you know who usually does what you just did?" He points at his head.


    Wiping his hair?


    "Who?" I ask, confused.


    His smirk deepens as he says, "Wifee."


    Oh, now I get it.


    I raise my eyebrows, a sly smile on my face, "Oh really?"


    "Oh yeah."


    I take a small step towards him, "But you know wife does some other things too."


    He seems a bit confused at first seeing my reaction but soon he smirks again.


    "Yes, I know. Do you want to do those too?" He tilts his head.


    I can y too, Ethan Jones! You will see now.


    I nod mockingly, "Only if you want." I take another step as he''s standing on the edge of the bed.


    "You don''t have any idea how eager I am."


    "Hmm." I hum, smirking, and push Ethan slightly causing him to fall back on the bed on his back, he


    bnces himself on his elbows. I lean forward, putting my hands and knees on the bed, and slowly


    move towards Ethan. By now, he has a totally puzzled look.


    I pass forward now that my body is upon him. He tries to speak but getspletely dumbstruck. Didn''t


    expect me to be like this. But he should know he''s not the only yer.


    I get closer, my face inches away from him, our breath hitting each other. Ethan gulps when I softly


    ce my hand on his cheek and start to get lower to his jaw and neck. Smiling, I tilt my head and touch


    my cheek with his, my hair drowsily spreading over Ethan''s face. My fingers get lower and lower to his


    arm, tracing his veins and I feel his body stiffen beneath me. He suddenly grasps my hand, stopping


    me as he mumbles,


    "Evelyn, what are you doing?" Nervousness in his voice.


    I ce my lips on his ear as I whisper, "Just what a wife does."


    When I stare into his eyes, I see them clouded. He holds my cheek with one hand and wraps another


    around my waist, pushing me to him more. He brings his lips towards me, eyes half-closed when I


    suddenly get off of him and stand on my feet, leaving a shocked Ethan in bed.


    You got fooled, Ethan!


    He gives me a questioning look and I grin, "But guess what, I''m not your wife." I simply shrug.


    "Are you kidding me?" He asks, clearly annoyed.


    "I''m just speaking the truth."


    "You were ying with me all the while?"


    I nod, innocently, "Guess so."


    He snorts before jumping off of the bed.


    "I just got yed. Don''t you think you have to pay for this?" He smirks devilishly,ing towards me.


    I step back bit by bit before running out of the roomughing with Ethan chasing me from behind as I


    hear Ethan shout.


    "You can''t run away from me, Wifee."

 Chapter 43

    Chapter 43


    Evelyn


    Monday night, after taking a hot bubble bath, I leave the washroom wrapped up in a towel and walk into


    the closet. I am about to take a hoodie out of habit when my eyes fall on a red nightdress. I don''t really


    wear these since I feelfortable in my hoodies and t-shirts. But it''s not bad to try something new


    sometimes.


    I take the dress out of the hanger and my eyes move over it. It has a v-neck enough to show my


    cleavage, is made of a full with thin straps and it ends on my upper thigh. It''s beautiful but sexy!


    Wearing the dress, I take off the towel that''s covering my head and wipe my hair. After I''m done, Ie


    out of the closet and my eyesnd on my bed just to gasp loudly as I see Ethanying there peacefully.


    The fuck


    I forgot to lock the door.


    He''s so busy with his phone that he hasn''t noticed me yet. I stand there like an eternity pondering over


    if I should call Ethan just like this or run back inside the closet.


    But I think it''s alreadyte.


    Ethan turns his head and looks up when his gaze meets mine and my body freezes. I see his mouth


    slightly open in shock as he slowly looks down at my bare legs and lingering there for a while, looks up


    at my reddish hot tomato face again.


    It''s not happening. No boy ever saw me this underdressed.


    Ethan ploddingly sits up, his eyes still connected to my shocked ones. If I had eye problems, I think I


    wouldn''t be able to see the hint of blush that''s appearing on his cheeks.


    It''s getting embarrassing. I have to say something.


    Gulping, I open my mouth, "Um...w-what are you doing here?"


    He gulps too as he answers, "I...I actually c-came to tell you something. But you were in the washroom


    so I thought about...uh waiting."


    "What did you want to say?" I ask.


    -------


    Ethan


    What did I want to say?


    Damnit! I forgot.


    How am I supposed to remember things when she''s standing in front of me like this?


    I won''t lie. I''m speechless.


    Of course, she looks beautiful all the time but today it''s quite different. The red dress hugging her body


    showing her bare legs and for the thin straps, the white of her arms and chest is radiating off. Her


    stomach is slightly visible for the that''s covering it. Her wet hair is cascading down on one side of


    her shoulder, water dripping from its end. In a word, she''s looking like a goddess.


    And a temptress unknown to her¡­


    She''s standing just meters away from me. Getting up, I slowly stride towards her, she''s still in shock,


    disheveled. I try my best not to look down at her body as I speak,


    "Uh...I willeter."


    Standing before her, I say while she nods looking down. My eyes involuntarily drift off to her exposed


    chest and I gulp.


    No shit! I can''t control myself.


    I don''t know how but I find myself moving towards her more as if someone else is controlling me. She


    looks up at my face immediately and for some reasons, she looks scared as she tries to step back but


    the door behind her blocks her way. Her cian eyes stare back at me in apprehension while her wet lips


    tremble slightly.


    "Evelyn..." I whisper, pressing my body against her bit by bit while my hands rest on the door on either


    side of her.


    "E- Ethan? What are you..." She stutters when I speak again,


    "Can I kiss you?"


    ¡­¡­


    Evelyn


    He''s asking me? I mean he never asked before all the times he kissed me but this time he''s asking and


    upon that, shockingly I''m scared to say yes. Because he doesn''t look normal. I''m having a feeling if he


    gets the chance to kiss me now, it will end up in something else.


    "Ethan but..." He cuts me off with another whisper.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Please¡­ " His eyes be overcast as he pleads.


    After knowing it''s going to be withering, I budge my head slowly and I feel like his clouded eyes are


    now clouding all my rational senses.


    He doesn''t need to be told twice, he softly touches my face while his other hand slides along my waist.


    Moving the back of his fingers upon my cheek, he brings his face closer, making me close my eyes.


    Soon I feel his lips on mine.


    He pecks my lips before starting to move slowly. I entangle my hand around his neck as my other hand


    holds his back. His grip on my waist tightens and he squeezes my dress there, pressing me more


    against his body. The kiss is slow at first but soon it turns into a fierce one.


    He bites my lower lip making me moan against his mouth. And for the first time, I open my mouth giving


    him ess. He slides his tongue inside and starts kissing me hungrily while my hand grabs his hair


    tightly.


    When he pulls back, we both are panting. I stare at his lips to see them wet and red from the kiss as he


    keeps eyeing my face.


    His both hands wrap around my waist as he presses me against the door, cing his lips on my neck


    this time. I tilt my head giving him more ess while his fingers y with the strap of my dress and he


    pulls it down slowly.


    I know where it''s going but I can''t stop him. I don''t want to.


    He bites on my sweet spot marking the ce there as a loud moan escapes my lips. This feeling is


    overwhelming, something I never experienced before. I feel my body giving up slowly as a reaction to


    the dauntless feelings. I let my body fall atst knowing he will be there to hold me and he does.


    He pulls me to his chest while I keep staring at his darkened eyes from my clouded ones.


    Suddenly he picks me up in his arms and moves towards the bed, his eyes not leaving mine for a


    second. cing me on the bed gently, he climbs up on me as I breathe heavily.


    He puts his face just above mine as he whispers,


    "I can''t stop Evelyn. I can''t."


    "Then don''t." When the words leave my lips, something shes in his eyes and hees to kiss me


    again but pulls back the next moment.


    "No, I can''t. Until you answer my question." He shakes his head.


    "What?" I ask, desperately. I want his lips against mine.


    "Do you love me?"


    My eyes shoot open at his question. I have to tell him today what I''ve been keeping to myself for the


    As I take the time, his face suddenly loses its colors as sadness shows in his eyes. Before I can say


    anything, he gets off of me disappointed and about to get down from the bed when I stop him, grabbing


    his t-shirt. He looks back at me in hope as I calm myself down.


    I must tell him now.


    Gulping, I open my mouth and say those words in a breath.


    "I love you, Ethan."


    When I open my eyes, I see him staring at me in shock.


    "I''m sorry for not saying it earlier. I was scared. I never thought someone would love me and I will love


    him too. I just couldn''t think how I was supposed to tell you what I felt. Trust me I loved you from the


    start."


    A smile slowly breaks through his face at my confession and the next moment he falls upon me again,


    nuzzling his face in the crook of my neck.


    "You love me?" He mumbles.


    "Yes, I do." I feel him smiling against my neck as he kisses there softly.


    While his body rests on mine, his hands slowly move towards my waist further down and he sniffs on


    my neck.


    "I waited for so long to hear this. I love you more. Trust me I do." Whispers he, while I keep running my


    fingers slowly through his silky hair.


    "I know."


    He moves his head up and looks down at my face with so much softness and adoration. The Ethan I


    saw on the first day and now, these two aren''t the same. Not at all.


    He eyes the exposed skin of my chest and digs his head down there bit by bit. As soon as his wet lips


    touch my cleavage, I shut my eyes and press my lips together to stop the moan. He kisses there before


    going upwards towards my jaw then my neck again as he bites the flesh there, my hand gripping his


    hair tightly.


    Suddenly he changes our position now that I''m on top of him. He tucks a strand of my wet hair behind


    my ear before touching my exposed shoulder. His trembling fingers travel down all the way to my hand


    before he intertwines our fingers, his eyes boring into mine.


    "You are a temptress Evelyn." He smirks, "And only mine."


    I look away, smiling.


    He imnts his hand into my dress from the back, caressing my waist, and moves up to my back


    igniting all the mes in my body. His other hand grabs my chin making me look at him again as he


    asks huskily,


    "I want you."


    There is something in his voice and his eyes that makes me hallucinated and it seems like everything


    along with my own heart conspiring against me to say yes. And all the while the things he did to me, I


    would die if I lose this warmth now.


    "Have me," I whisper.


    I didn''t imagine my first time would be like this but I don''t know how it could be better. Ethan has


    be my everything now. He is all I want and I love him. I don''t have a doubt.


    "You sure?" He asks.


    I stare into his brown orbs and nod.


    "I love you."


    Just as the words leave my mouth, he gets me off of his body and sits up before taking off his t-shirt in


    a swipe showing his muscr toned body. Before heys me down again quickly, I hear a tearing


    sound and my beautiful dress is now out of my body. He throws our clothes on the floor andys upon


    my almost naked body, his chest grinding with mine and the warmth causing me to gasp for air.


    He looks down into my eyes once again for a few seconds before sping our lips together in the most


    fierce kiss I''ve ever had.

 Chapter 44

    Chapter 44


    Evelyn''s POV


    I blink my eyes open slowly as I feel the tint of sunlight on me. I rub my eyes before looking beside me


    and a smile falls on my lips. Ethan is sleeping on his stomach, his hair swooping on his face. His tan


    back is glowing with the light. I move towards him more and push the hair off his face. Caressing his


    cheek, I ce a kiss on his forehead and he stirs in his sleep.


    He turns on his back as he opens his eyes slowly.


    "Good morning." I smile at him earning one from him.


    "Morning." Wrapping his hand around my shoulder, he pulls me close to his face and pushes my hair


    off my forehead.


    I scrutinize his face carefully. Big deep brown eyes with long eyshes, ck hair with a hint of brown,


    broad forehead, freckles under eyes, and thin pink lips; he''s beautiful.


    "I know I''m beautiful." He grins at me like an idiot.


    What the hell? Can he read minds or something? Vampire...? Oh my God-


    "I can''t read minds, I swear." Says he with a taunting smile making me scowl.


    I scoff yfully, hitting his chest and heughs. Childish prettyugh. He seems really happy these


    days.


    "Anyways, let''s have breakfast. Aren''t you hungry?" He asks, sitting straight up on the bed.


    "Yes. We didn''t have dinnerst night."


    "That''s because we had something else."


    It takes me a few seconds to process what he said and when I look at him, he''s staring at me with a


    smirk.


    "Shameless," I grumble pushing him off the bed as he bursts outughing. Falling back on the bed, I


    cover my head up with the nket while he starts walking towards the washroom stillughing.


    "But it''s true." He states.


    "Fuck you."


    "Hehe, I love you too."


    .....


    I''ve been raking through my closet for thest five minutes but I can''t decide what to wear. Like since


    when I became cautious about my looks? It''s not like this is some special day. But whatever.


    Finally, I find a red long-sleeved top and I pair it with some denim shorts. Leaving my wet hair open, I


    get out of the room and to the kitchen where Ethan is cooking I guess.


    I tiptoe to the door and see his back facing me. He''s freshly showered and in nothing but a trouser. His


    wet hair is dumped on the side and his muscles are flexing for movement. He should have worn


    something-


    "What a view, huh? I know right." He says, startling me.


    What the fuck? This is getting on my nerves now. I''m sure I didn''t make a sound. I was just watching


    like a thief...I mean yeah.


    Scoffing, I stomp up to him and sit on the countertop. He turns around with a knife in his hand, smiling.


    "How do you understand every time I''m watching you?" I ask.


    cing the knife on the chopping board, he puts his hands on both sides of me as he smirks.


    "Because..."


    "Because?"


    "Because I feel you." Says he, making me wiggle my eyebrows.


    "Ahh. That was...kinda romantic?" I mock as he turns aroundughing and shaking his head.


    But that was deep...


    "Ethan?"


    "Hmm?"


    "Why don''t you keep maids? When I first came here, I thought I would see your house as usual like


    others, so many maids. But it''s not like that." I ask, swaging my legs.


    Ethan stirs something on the pan as he answers, "I like to live alone. All alone."


    "Then why did you force me toe here?" I smile inwardly, knowing the answer already.


    "Your matter is different." He chuckles.


    "How''s that?"


    Turning the stove off, he also sits beside me and begins to speak.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "I like it when you''re around. I love everything about you. How you talk, how you walk, and even the


    way you pout!"


    My chuckle interrupts him, causing him to look at me, pouting.


    "Why are you chuckling? I know I sound stupid but it''s the truth." He throws his hands up in the air.


    "Ok, ok. Go on."


    "Hmm." Smiling, he starts again, "I love to spend time with you. When you were at your apartment, I


    just tried to find a reason to go there and see you. When you''re with me, I feel happy. I didn''t know


    what emptiness felt like before I met you. You make meplete."


    I watch him in awe as he keeps talking like a child lost in his own world. But his every word touches my


    heart.


    When he notices me staring at him, he stops and gives me a questioning look. I shake my head and


    smile.


    He holds my hand in his and intertwines our fingers, "This is why I want you with me. I don''t want to live


    alone anymore. I''m happy to share my home with you forever." He grins.


    Forever?


    He already started nning his forever with me?


    "I..." I am about to speak when someone clears their throat and our heads snap in the direction of the


    sound to see Matt watching us, amused.


    "Oh no! Did I just ruin a fuckingly sweet romantic moment?" He fakes surprise, "Fuck you, Matt. You


    should go rot in hell." He says as he seems to bang his head on the wall dramatically.


    I shake my head, jumping off of the counter and I hear Ethan scoff in annoyance.


    "Why are you here, Matt? Ethan asks.


    "Dude, seriously? Like did you forget I was your friend? Do I need a reason toe here? You hurt


    me." He wipes fake tears causing Ethan to roll his eyes.


    "Just stop the drama, ok?"


    "Ok." He smiles sweetly, "But I''m hungry."


    "So what am I gonna do about it?" Ethan replies.


    "You''re gonna feed me milk with a feeder like my mummy used to do or what?"


    Ethan grunts in response.


    "I''m waiting at the table by the way." Saying, he leaves the kitchen.


    ......


    I serve the pancakes on the table, Ethan and Matt''s with maple syrup and mine with chocte sauce. I


    sit down and see Matt trying to draw something on the bread with strawberry syrup.


    It looks like... cactus?


    "The cactus is beautiful." I smile while Matt scowls at me.


    "It''s not cactus. It''s a cloud."


    "Oh! Cloud! Nice." I say awkwardly.


    After that, we start eating in silence when suddenly Matt speaks up,


    "Ethan?"


    "Hmm?"


    "I guess I''m in love again."


    I almost choke on my juice but Ethan seems neutral.


    "You heard me?" Matt asks impatiently seeing Ethan''s reaction.


    "Yes."


    "Then?"


    "Then what? You said that one hundred thirty-three point five times before. So?" Ethan shrugs.


    "What the-"


    Matt stares at him in disbelief as he throws a piece of bread at Ethan. He catches it and throws it back


    at Matt and it continues.


    "Stop guys. This is not a badminton court." I scold yfully.


    "Sorry, Evie." Matt apologizes before turning his attention to Ethan.


    "Ethan, listen. This time I''m serious."


    "Last time about the blond girl, you were serious too." He says, sipping on his grape juice.


    "But but this time I''m so...I mean he...I mean so much serious."


    Ethan sighs, "Ok, who''s the girl again?"


    Matt scratches behind his ear as he says the name making me choke for the second time.


    "Cathie."


    Ethan puts his hand around me and pats my back, "Are you okay?"


    I nod somehow and gulp down the water before ring at Matt.


    "What the actual hell?" I shout.


    "Evie? Why are you staring at me like that? You''re looking like Annabelle."


    "I don''t care but what the hell you just said? Cathie? Out of all the girls, you decided to y with


    Cathie? Listen, Matt. I''m serious. She''s an innocent and responsible girl. If you flirt with her, she''ll take


    it seriously. She doesn''t y games. I swear to God if you break her heart, I''ll kill you."


    "Evie, just cool down," Matt says with a serious expression. "And no, you''re wrong. It''s true that I''m a


    yer but I''m not that bad you are thinking I am. I''ll never y games with someone like Cathie. What I


    said is true. I really like her. Maybe you won''t believe me but look at Ethan. He was a fucking dickhead


    before you came but he has changed now. You changed him. Why can''t I?"


    "Oi! Did you just praise me or..."


    "Shut up." Matt cuts Ethan off.


    As I calcte what Matt said, I think maybe it''s true. Probably he''s really catching feelings. If Ethan can


    change, why can''t he? I don''t have the right to stop him but I also have to make sure Cathy doesn''t get


    hurt.


    "Ok, I believe you. But I''m saying again don''t you dare hurt her unless you want to be dead." I warn


    Matt.


    He smiles before bowing his head, "Sure ma''am."


    I smile back.


    "But how am I supposed to ask her out? I''m...uh...kinda nervous." Matt says.


    "You will wear a banana costume and go ask her out." Ethan smiles, innocent.


    "Yeah sure. nning to sue me, right?" Matt grumbles, rolling his eyes.


    "Evelyn?" He whines.


    "What?"


    "Only you can help me."


    "How?"


    His eyes glisten in excitement as he exims.


    "I got an idea."

 Chapter 45

    Chapter 45


    Evelyn''s POV


    I secretly take a look at Cathie who''s sitting across my desk and I smile appreciatively. She''s wearing a


    navy blue zer underneath a grey t-shirt and her hair is up in a ponytail. Very simple but still so


    beautiful.


    I close myptop and she looks up, stopping ying with the paperweight.


    "So Cathie, how''s it going?"


    "I''m doing just fine. Work and home, that''s it." She says, her face glowing with a small smile.


    I chuckle as I say, "Yeah. You''re one unique girl. By the way, have you ever been in a rtionship? Of


    course, if you don''t mind telling me."


    "No, no, it''s ok. Actually, I haven''t. Just didn''t get the time to think about something else. You know,


    always being swamped with so many responsibilities." Says she, shrugging.


    "Don''t you sometimes wonder how it would be to have a caring, sweet boyfriend?"


    Sheughs, carefree, "To be honest, I do. But then I remind myself that I don''t have the time and who


    would like a simple girl like me?"


    I roll my eyes, "Cathie, please! You''re such a beautiful girl. I''m sure there are boys lined up to be with


    you. You just don''t notice." She chuckles, shaking her head.


    "Umm...what do you think about Matt? How''s he?" As soon as I bring up the topic, she looks down


    seeming kinda nervous all of a sudden.


    "I..you mean..."


    "I mean does he seem good?"


    "Yeah...he is helpful, charming, funny and-"


    "And?" I ask.


    "And good looking...I guess?" She chuckles nervously and I burst outughing.


    After all, it''s Cathie.


    "You guess?! Obviously, he''s good-looking." I state, "Did you look at his eyes? Such gorgeous ocean


    blue eyes."


    Ethan would be mad if he could hear me!


    "His eyes are beautiful. Yeah." A hint of blush creeps upon her cheeks as she smiles.


    I think she has a tiny crush on him too. I ship!


    I am about to speak again when I catch a glimpse of Matt walking into the building in the CCTV. I need


    to leave soon.


    I stand up and gather some files hurriedly that Cathie will have to work on now. Intentionally, I put some


    more files so that they can spend more time together and atst when I''m done, I see her staring at the


    piles of files with wide eyes.


    I let out a chuckle before saying, "Too many files, right? That''s why I asked Matt toe over to help


    you with these."


    Her eyes shoot up in surprise, "He''sing?"


    "Yes!" I say in a chirpy voice.


    I''m acting like a fangirl lol. Not my fault. I''m just excited.


    I take my purse and proceed to leave when Cathie calls me, "Evie? Where are you going?"


    "Me? Me¡­ Oh, I just remembered I have to go home soon. Ethan caught a cold."


    Such ame excuse! *face-palms*


    "Yeah. Bye." I turn around and bump into Matt hard and he stumbles back a little for the hit.


    "Oww! Why are you in such a hurry?" He asks me.


    "Because uhm... Ethan is sick?"


    He narrows his eyes at me, "But I just saw him fine. I mean he''s waiting for you in the parking..."


    "Shut up!" I hit his head with my purse, "Ethan caught a cold, you forgot?"


    He seems confused while I shove him aside from the doorway. He''s stupid just like his friend.


    Before leaving, I turn my head to see them staring at me, surprised.


    I wave them bye and say, "Work attentively. Have a great time. Bye!"


    Closing the door behind me, I head to the elevatorughing. After getting to the ground floor, I walk out


    of the building and towards the parking lot where I see Ethan leaning against his car in a dark blue


    denim shirt, sleeves rolled up, and messy hair with sunsses.


    He greets me with a mesmerizing smile as I reach him.


    "Everything''s okay? You never leave this early." He asks, tucking some hair behind my ear.


    "Everything''s good. I just made Cathie and Matt work together and I left saying you''re sick. " I grin


    cheekily.


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    "Really?"


    "Yes. They''ll spend more and more time together from today onwards because I ship!" I say, excitedly


    and heughs.


    "Alright but I''m totally fine. So what are we supposed to do now?"


    I think for a while before looking up at him smiling, "I wanna go to an amusement park!"


    He puts off his sunsses as he stares at me like I''m crazy.


    "What?! Amusement park? How old are you again?" He asks, shocked, making me scowl.


    "Fine. You don''t have to go." I say, huffing, "I''ll just go home. Not yours of course." I pretend to leave


    just to be turned around again by him.


    "Wait, not mine, then whose?"


    I shrug, "Mine. Or maybe..."


    "Maybe?"


    "Liam''s. You know he won''t mind at all if I give him a surprise visit." I smirk causing him to shake his


    head ''no''.


    "What the fuck! No way. Never. Amusement park? Okay, fine. Get in the car."


    I let out a little squeal, "dly."


    -------


    Evelyn


    "You want to get into that thingy?" I shout dragging Ethan with me.


    "What? No! That''s so high."


    "That one?"


    "That''s so fast. You''ll fall down."


    "Then that one?"


    "Oh my God, my head is spinning already."


    "You''re no fun at all." I pout and am about to ask him to let him get into that ride when I see a teddy


    bear shop.


    "Ahhhh! Ethaaaan! See what I found!"


    I try to walk to the shop but he pulls me back immediately.


    "Teddies? What the- no! We''re not babies."


    "Who said teddies are just for babies? Let me go please." I whine.


    "I said no." He says sternly.


    I frown, "I''m going to ask Liam toe here."


    "Can I just bang my head on a tree? No Liam. I hate him. Ok, teddies are fine. Let''s go."


    "Yay!" I pull his cheeks as I sing ''Thank you'' and we march towards the shop together.


    After an hour, we leave the ce as it bes dark slowly. I feel really happy after a long time.


    ----------


    Ethan''s POV


    I never thought there woulde a day when I would have to go to an amusement park and buy


    teddies. Like who ever imagined that cold, rude Ethan Jones would fall in love? And that''s with


    someone who is a baby sometimes?


    But honestly, I enjoyed every moment of it. It was all so new to me but I would lie if I say I didn''t love it.


    Her cheerful, happy self...I would do anything to make her happy.


    I take a nce at Evelyn, she''s busy ying with the paws of her new Panda, a smile tugging on her


    lips. She''s so cute.


    I look at the road for a moment before looking back at her.


    "One panda wasn''t enough? You needed another one?" I scowl, yfully.


    She looks at me sadly, "You don''t like pandas?"


    "No."


    I hide a smile as she keeps staring at me disappointingly. But that''s for a while before her face glows


    up.


    "I know why you don''t like my pandas." She giggles.


    I narrow my eyes, "Why?"


    "Because you are jelly!" Sheughs, throwing her head back.


    "I''m not."


    "You are."


    "No."


    "Yes."


    "No."


    "Yes."


    "No, no, no."


    "Yes, yes, yes. Shut up! I love you!"


    I look at her wide eyes, "You just said that to shut me up?"


    "Of course. Or why? I don''t love you. You know that." She smirks.


    I scoff and turn around faking anger when my phone rings.


    I receive the call and Matt screams from the other side.


    "OH MY GOD! BRO, YOU CAN''T IMAGINE WHAT CATHIE SAID. I THINK I''M GONNA GET A HEART


    ATTACK!"


    "I''m cutting the call right now if you don''t talk in a human voice." I retort just to hear himugh.


    "Dude, Cathie said my eyes are beautiful and my heart went poof! I''m so happy like what the fuck- Can


    I dance, please? And you know she''s so so so pretty. Her eyes- OMG and her smile and everything.


    I''m going crazy. Help meeee!"


    I shake my head, sighing, "I''ll talk to you when you''re sober."


    "Hahaha I''m not drunk but whatever. I have to get back to my baby. Ahh did I just call her baby? Yay,


    my baby-"


    I cut the call as I see Evelyn staring at me questioningly.


    "Matt went crazy," I exin.


    "Why?"


    "Cathie said his eyes are beautiful."


    She squeals, "Oh my God! Yass, my ship!"


    "You both are high." I roll my eyes before getting my eyes back to the car.


    ---------


    Ethan


    She opens the window and a heavy wind hits her, making the loose strands of hair spread all over her


    face. Soon it starts raining and sshes of raindrops adorn her face and lips slowly just like raindrops


    look on a fresh green leaf. Closing her eyes, she enjoys as more droplets fall on her skin and she


    smiles.


    I know I should focus on driving but the heck I just can''t look away. Why does she have to be so


    beautiful? I force myself to look at the road again and speed up.


    After half an hour, I park the car in front of my house safely without any ident. Thank God.


    It''s already dark and the rain is still pouring down in torrents. I look beside me to see Evelyn rubbing


    her eyes sleepily. She must be tired after all the fun today.


    Opening the door, she''s about to get down when I stop her.


    "What?" She asks as I close the door again.


    "We''re not done yet," I reply, moving towards her.


    "But I''m so tired. What do we have left?"


    I chuckle, holding her face.


    "This." And I press my lips on hers, catching her off guard.


    She takes a moment to reciprocate while I hold her and make her sit on myp. It''s shadowy inside the


    car, only the streetmps lighting it up a bit, the drizzling sound of the rain ringing along. Pulling her


    close, I bite her lips slightly and slide my hand inside her thin top causing her to gasp. Her hair is still


    pulled up in a bun, I pull out the hairband and her hair rushes upon her back in a swipe.


    "I like your hair down," I say, pulling away.


    Evelyn smiles before sping our lips together again. She kisses me hard, wrapping her arms around


    my neck while I rub my hand upon her waist in circles. These lips and this scent of her always drive me


    crazy.


    "I love you." She whispers in an unworldly soothing voice before getting down to my jaw as she ces


    a kiss there.


    I can''t do this anymore.


    Taking off her top in an instant, Iy her down in the seat before iming her lips once again.


    "I love you too."


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