The necklace sat heavy on her neck. She was very conscious of the bangle and the ring too that she could hardly take her eyes off them.She didn't want to wear the jewellery but the pout on Lucas' face was enough to change her mind. He was persistent and adamant and so she couldn't refuse.Maybe she should've especially now that she stood before Alex who had his jaw hanging loose in shock and disbelief. His reaction made her uncomfortable and even nervous.Wasn't the gown good enough or was the jewellery too inappropriate for the occasion? His silence was putting a strain on her and she wished he'd say something at this point."I-I don't know what to say," Alex finally clamped his jaw and chose to use his words instead. He cleared his threat as he looked around, noticing the number of people who stole glances at Evelyn as they walked in.He saw what they saw too. He should at least try to restrain himself. She was already looking so uneasy."Forgive me, Evelyn. I was just stunned. You
Evelyn squeezed her fist, fuming with so much anger. Why did she have to bump into her of all times and of all places?Was she following her? That was the only reasonable explanation now."What do you mean? Do we even live in the same house anymore?" Evelyn glared. She was sick and tired of Olivia trying to ruin her name everywhere.It was getting old and burdensome. Why couldn't she just grow up and stop trying to get under her skin?"But you came over the other day, didn't you?" Olivia continued to accuse her with an unwavering face. "How would you get the necklace if you didn't steal it from me?"The gazes of some of the women were on Evelyn and it wasn't for anything good. They sized her up with contempt, thinking she was out of place. Stolen necklace or fake jewelries, they were disgusted with both!"I knew you were petty but how can you be so shameless as to lie against me in such a place," Evelyn said before touching her necklace. "My husband gifted this to me but if you're sti
"Is it really…" Evelyn touched the necklace. She was skeptical but the way eveyone else had said the same thing. Was she really wearing such high-end jewelries? But Lucas had said it wasn't anything fancy.Getting to find out now that it was limited edition, she didn't know how to react. She could only express shock on her face as she looked up at him from her wet vision."If it really was, I would've known," he said to her in a hushed voice. "They're talking nonsense. Why would I let you wear it when we can sell it for a better life."That much was understandable and believable. They needed money and he wouldn't be so dumb as to allow her wear limited edition jewelries."You sounded… so sure," she tried again. If he was lying, this was the time to tell her the truth.With his hand on her waist, he drew her into himself. His chest cast a shadow over her face and she was slowly crushed into it. Never in her life did she think she would love his warmth and crave it this much.This was c
Once he shut the door behind him, Evelyn heaved a sigh. That was close! She wasn't expecting him to come into her room like that.She opened her laptop again and her eyes turned sad as she reread the email over and over, losing track of time as she sat there.A programmer she had worked with before was asking if she was still available for a job. Programming used to be her favourite thing and once upon a time, it was her source of income.But these days, ever since that incident, she quit.Rereading the email reopened her wounds and she found that she was far from healing.Never again. She had vowed never to do it again. Her hands would not cause any more bloodshed.Yet she couldn’t bring herself to reply with a certain 'No'. She just couldn't do it. Well there was the salary advance she asked for and also Peter's medical expenses.What if something came up again?She needed to be prepared for anything.'I await your reply. Please get back to me as soon as you can.' the email said but
Evelyn took a quick shower and changed her clothes. Before heading downstairs, she sniffed herself for any smell of Charlie but her nose didn't pick up anything. When she got down, Lucas was gulping down a glass of water with his medicine in his hands.She was worried, watching him carefully with a feeling of guilt in her chest. She didn't expect that he would be allergic to dogs but good thing he had his medication around.She thought of how prepared he was, as if he never wanted to be caught off guard. A man like him must have many stories to tell."Whose dog was it?" he asked after he put the glass away, taking care of himself."It belongs to my boss, Alex," as soon as the name left her lips, Lucas went still. She didn't miss his reaction so she explained more, "He asked me to take care of Charlie.""That's not part of your job in the office, is it?" there was something to his tone that put her on edge."R-Right, it's not. He just… asked if I knew anyone who could take care of him
"If you can just hold on for me," Evelyn said into the phone. "I don’t have the money right now but I promise I'll pay as soon as possible.""Evelyn, I understand how much you care for your brother," the doctor replied. He knew the bond they shared and how much she would give to make sure he was still alive and kicking."He needs to be booked down for Chemotherapy, I can save you a spot because I don't know when they’ll be any available but Evelyn, you need to get the money as fast as you can."She nodded, knowing he couldn't see her, "Y-Yes, I'll get the money. Thank you. Thank you so much!"When she hung up, her thoughts wandered everywhere and she thought of the email she received last night. She could make quick money out of it.Just one contract and she'd have the money for the treatment and still have enough loose change-Jessica's face flashed in her thoughts and Evelyn was shaking her head, discarding the thought as quickly as it came.No, she couldn't do it.Not after what ha
Evelyn jerked out of the chair at the sound of his voice. The scowl on his face was frightening enough but the jump scare made her heart pound."I-I didn’t see you there," she stuttered and studied his face. Did something happen? "Wait, did you knock? I guess I didn't hear you," she tucked her hair behind her ear-"Why are you googling a club?" His voice was so sharp and hoarse that it made her tense."I got a job offer-""A job offer?" he sounded unconvinced."Yes. A club waiter so I'm checking the reviews of the club before I accept-""You're going to accept it?" Did he hear her right? She couldn't put her bad habits away for a second, could she? She was always looking for the next man to seduce.She saw the conflicted look on his face and Evelyn innocently thought he was worried and didn't think the job was any decent.In a normal sense, who would want their wife working in a club when the first time they met was in a Casino? He was probably having the wrong idea."It's not what yo
While that was going on, Lucas had gone back to the office with his assistant and had buried himself and his thoughts in a pile of work.Mr. Parker rubbed his tired eyes as he watched his boss bring the pen to his lips with his stare hard enough to drill a hole in the document that he scrutinised.He wanted to go home and call it a day but since Lucas was here, who was he to leave his boss behind?Was it too much to ask for the end of the day to get some rest? It was already the end of the day - why wasn't he allowed to rest?He had walked out in secret and put a call across to one of Luca's good friends and so he waited patiently for his arrival.Where was he? Why was it taking so long? He was already under pressure just standing here under this thick air--The door suddenly burst open as a man barged in. Lucas and Mr. Parker gave their attention and he walked in with his shades on his face not caring about the time of the day.His smile was bright and smug and his attire was casual
“ My father has always been a powerful man and my mother? Well, she was just a woman who had nothing but love for her only son,” he chuckled with a fondness that made Evelyn's heart sink.Despite the fact that he was speaking before millions of people - with the press capturing his every word– Evelyn knew who he was really talking to.Details of his past that she never thought he would visit were being told here and now and all for her.“ Death stole her from me. My father remarried. Our relationship turned sour, step siblings were born, and well… attention was divided. I was cut off from the family business and, well, decided to start my own company.”“Away from my father's name, I took on my mother's– a sign that her blessings will continue to be with me. I got married - a contracted marriage and… man!” He sighed heavily.“ The loveliest woman I've ever come across. A heart of gold, a smile full of warmth that actually warmed up this heart I used to think had turned into stone.”The
“ Goodness me!” Morticia exclaimed as she walked into the hall with her husband, Mr. Graham by her side as well as her children.It wasn't just the gold floors or the bright fancy chandelier of the mansion, the decorations looked out of this world.“ I've never seen anything like it!” Liam, the second son of Graham had his jaw hanging loose.Morticia couldn't tell her son to control himself this time around because she too couldn't stop gawking at the place. The other guests were dumbfounded too as everyone tried to be on their best behaviour.The Graham's said their greetings to some distinguished guests and soon hurled to one side, ogling the place.“ When is this going to start?” Mr. Graham groans. “It's been over an hour now.”The place was packed with guests and a few people from the press waiting to capture the event and the face behind the successful company.“ Maybe everyone's not here yet,” Morticia shrugged but who wouldn't come early for an event like this?Mr. Graham scoff
TWO WEEKS LATERShe mixed the floor in the pan and poured the eggs, stirring it with a small smile on her face as she hummed to a song she couldn't even remember.Evelyn lifted her head when she heard footsteps rushing to her and she smiled when Peter rushed in holding a drawing book.“Look, I drew it!” he cheered, all excited and proud of himself.It was supposed to be a chicken… well if you looked at it somehow, it could be a chicken. Nevertheless, she rubbed his head and smiled at him.“You did good. You should draw more often,” she encouraged. It was a different feeling seeing him in normal clothes and outside the hospital. Her joy knew no bounds and it filled her heart.He grinned, “Yes, yes, I wanna be an artist. I'll draw something else. What are you making?”She turned to the dough and shrugged, “I'm craving doughnuts.”He almost narrowed his eyes, “ You've been having lots of cravings these days. I didn't know you were a foodie.”,She scowled and scoffed.“Add some for me,” h
"When last did we share a drink?" Andrew wondered as he looked to the other two were sprawled on the booth in the private room.There were over ten drinks on the table and neither of them seemed like they wanted to stop any time soon.Eric owned the place so he could very well pass the night and he wouldn't mind if they did too but Lucas? He was fucking married."It's past 10p.m. Why are you here again?" He asked Lucas who narrowed his eyes at him.Lucas didn't know what to say to that. He was confused and didn't know what to think.So last night he texted Evelyn that he would be working overtime which was true because he had some files to look at. He got home early by 3a.m in the morning and he joined her in bed after a shower. They kissed and they even had sex.The next morning, he woke up alone in bed which was normal and alright. When he got to work, his assistant informed him that Evelyn had taken a sick leave.According to him, she got to work, felt sick and went back home." We
"Here's a full report on how our stocks dropped my 3%"Mr. Williams sighed as he rubbed his temples. His head was throbbing and he could use a break right about now. It was already 7p.m but he had to stay at the company and have this meeting with his staff.There was a commotion outside and everyone turned their eyes to the door. A woman barged into the meeting and when she walked forward, Mr. Williams was sitting upright."Evelyn?" He asked in shock. What was she doing here?"What is the meaning of this-""Is it true?" She barked, ignoring the fact that this was a company. She was seething with so much anger and the look in her eyes was fierce and terrifying."Don't be such a mad woman, Evelyn. Whatever it is, we can discuss it at home-""I asked if it's fucking true! What happened to my mother, is it fucking true!" She screamed at the top of her voice, ignoring the presence of everyone else.The hall was silent as everyone waited for the CEO to speak. They were dumbfounded by the sh
ONE WEEK LATEREvelyn grabbed her bags from her desk once it was time to leave the office. She rolled her shoulders as she walked down the road and stopped by a coffeeshop to get some pastries.For the last week, her life had been full of ups and downs, from one drama to the other.“Thank you, come again!” the attendant said with glee and she smiled back politely.She sipped from her hot tea as she walked down the road in the cold with a small bag of pastries in her other hand.She was in no rush to go home. Her first stop was the hospital. She needed to visit Peter as she had been doing every morning and evening before and after work.He was always eager for her visit.She should hail down a cab but for some reasons, she felt like walking. A long stroll to ease her mind from all the chaos she had gone through these past few weeks.Diana was still in jail, no chance of getting out. From what she heard from the warder, she was going through a lot. Her cell mate was a big bully.Evelyn
"Insanity?" Evelyn scoffed, refusing to believe her ears. "They are pleading insanity? Oh no way! She wasn't insane when she did that! She was fine and in her fucking right mind!"Olivia's lawyer thought it was best to say his client was mentally unstable and Evelyn knew what that meant.She would escape jail time if he managed to convince the judge."I've known Olivia for years and I can tell you that she's never been to a psychiatrist all her life. You have to believe me, Lucas." She pleaded, feeling frustrated already.She paced the floors of the courthouse, chewing nervously at her nails. "She's not mad! She can't get away with this so easily.""Calm down, Evelyn. I'm sure there's a way to go about this," Lucas hoped yet he sounded so sure, Evelyn almost started to relax.Why did it seem like he had everything figured out?She didn't want Olivia escaping jail. That was totally unfair.Even after all the evidence they brought up on her kidnapping Peter, they were going to rule her
It didn't take long before Evelyn tracked down Olivia's car by tapping into the camera's on the street she drove through. Her hands moved so fast the same way her heart pounded.She couldn't be even a second slow. The pressure was choking her but she managed to remain calm.Lucas noticed the pressure she had around her and he clenched his fist, wishing he could have handled this with his connections but she was faster, of course and more skilled.“We should leave now,” Evelyn announced. “They are headed for a dead end. If we leave now, we can leave before anything happens.” She gulped, already thinking of the worst.The policemen dashed out with Evelyn and Lucas behind them. They got into their separate cars and drove down to the address Evelyn had given.The place was an old warehouse at the outskirts of town. It was dark and spooky. Evelyn could already imagine how terrified Peter would be in the arms of that maniac.“We have the place surrounded. You two stay here and don't move a
Evelyn dropped the groceries on the table, humming in delight as she moved back and forth in the kitchen. She was enjoying her leave, thinking of her bosses generosity, the trial and pretty much everything that had happened these past few days.Peter was doing well. She could see it in the way he moved and how jovial he was. Things were finally starting to fall into place.She glanced at the clock and figured it would still be another two hours before Lucas got off work. She could make it just in time by cooking something good-She heard a car pull into the driveway and she froze. She quickly wiped her hands when she heard the car door shut and as she stepped into the living room, Lucas was opening the door.His face was in a big smile when he held her gaze."Hello you," he said, making her heart take a flip with butterflies in her belly as he approached her with a bottle of wine in his hands."Uhm… hey," she responded in a daze. He pulled her into a hug, kissing her on the cheek."Wh