An unfriendly reunion

Eve’s POV

“You…” Emilia’s gaze was a mixture of anger and stupefied disbelief as she stared at me as if I was some ghost apparition that had come back to ruin her life.

Meanwhile, Stefan was still frozen in place, as if the kiss had cast a spell on him that he couldn't break. 

“Long time no see, Emilia.” I said to her, the triumphant smile on my face still unwavering. “So sorry you had to see that. Stefan and I will be more careful next time.”

This time, Emilia’s frustration turned into a burning rage and she snarled, her hand curling into a fist, ready to strike. She stormed towards my direction to hit me but before her hand could land on me, Stefan’s arm shot out and caught her wrist on time before her hand could meet with my face. 

Emilia’s gaze flickered between the two of us, her expression a mixture of anger and hurt as her chest heaved heavily with each breath. 

“That’s enough, Emilia.” Stefan said to her with a tone of warning that asked her to behave herself.”

“What do you mean that’s enough?!” Emilia yelled at him and snapped her wrist away from him. “What are you doing with her and why is she even alive?!”

“Why is she even alive?” I laughed a small laugh and clicked my tongue as I did so. “Did you try to have me killed and that’s why you're surprised and angry that I am alive and still standing?”

“You shut the fuck up, mate snatcher!”

I laughed at her again, finding her accusation ridiculous. Did she just have the audacity to call me a mate snatcher, even though she was the same person whom Stefan had cheated on me countless times with when we were still together? How delusional and stupid could she get?

“Why are you here, Emilia?” Stefan asked her, his tone cold and unfriendly. “You are not supposed to be here.”

“And why shouldn't I be here?” She crossed her arms over her chest and gave Stefan a dirty look. “So that you can sneak around with your new mistress and fuck around behind my back?”

“Emilia.” Stefan’s eyes darkened now and a shadow passed over Stefan’s face, his features hardening, becoming like a stone. A foreboding feeling washed over me as I felt a feeling of dejavu at his sudden shift. This was the Stefan I had known in the past. The scary looking Stefan who was sure to cause me pain whenever he turned this way. Only this time, his rage was not directed at me but instead, it was directed at Emilia.

“Why did you come here?” He asked and Emilia blinked her eyes repeatedly, looking a little frightened by Stefan’s new demeanor. She struggled to find her words.

“To be around you and keep you company.” She finally cleared her throat and answered. Her eyes shifted to me again like sharp daggers and with an expression of so much venom and loathing fury. “And to ward off cheap, dirty sluts like her.

Fed up with Emilia’s name calling, I rolled my eyes and tried to walk away from the room but she stopped me at my feet, her hand circled around my wrist roughly and her sharp fingers digging mercilessly into my flesh. 

“I have a final word for you, Eve.” She hissed at me, her lips playing a dark, sinister smile. “I don't know how you are still alive after so many years but I don't like the sound of you breathing. It would be my greatest pleasure to kill you by myself this time if you don't know how to keep to your lane.”

“I’ll love to see you try.” I snarled back at her and snatched my hand away before storming away from the room without a backward glance, my heart heavy and boiling like a hot, fury flame of fire. 

If Emilia thought I was still that poor, pathetic girl that she could mess with however she liked, then she was delusional and a joker. No one would mess with me and get away with it this time around. 

………..

When I arrived at the conference room, I slipped a fake smile on my face and exchanged pleasantries with the important dignitaries there before taking my seat in the chairwoman seat. Jade, who was seated closest to me leaned closer to me and whispered with a worried look written all over her face. 

“Is everything okay?” She whispered to me, her eyes searching all over my body to be sure that I was fine. As soon as I noticed that she was checkinng me out, I immediately retracted my hand and tried to hide the redness of my bruised hand away from her eyes but she had caught on it on time and fear crossed her eyes.

“What happened to you?” She asked me and I did not need to answer by myself as the devil herself walked into the conference room, smiling like a trophy wife beside Stefan, her arm entangled with his. Stefan’s eyes met with mine and my heart skipped just by that. I quickly looked away again and down to the file in front of me on the table.

Being a smart person that she had always been, Jade could already tell who she was just by seeing the both of them together. She set her jaw and turned her face back to me again. 

“She’s that bitch, isn't she?” She asked me but I kept quiet and refused to say a word in response. Last thing I wanted was to get Jade involved in all of this drama. She was not exactly the type who knew how to deal well with conflict. “Did she do this to you?”

“Just let it slide, Jade.” I answered her, my eyes meeting hers this time. “She is just an insecure bitch who isn't worth our time or attention.”

“I just wish you could let me pinch her face and drag all of her hair out. She isn't even as pretty as you are. What does the Lycan king even see in her?” She stared at Emilia’s direction as she made repulsed faces as she watched her.

“That’s enough, Jade.” I sighed, already tired of talking about Emilia.

“Fineee.” Jade rolled her eyes and looked back at me again. “Sometimes, I wish you can condone some violence just once in a while. Anyway, that aside. I found this super amazing place that makes great brunch. Wanna give it a try after the meeting is over?”

‘Why not? A chance to breathe in some fresh air isn't a bad idea at all.”

“Great. High five?” Jade shot out her fist with a large, goofy smile and I fist bumped her, smiling as I did so. 

We laughed and faced the table again as the conference commenced. When I raised my eyes again, my eyes met with Stefan’s for the second time and even when I broke our gaze, I could feel him still staring at me intently. Watching me. I couldn't help wondering how long he had been watching me. 

And why was he looking like a man in love when I knew he was a man incapable of loving?