Evelyn's POV
I made my way straight to the bar because it was the only place that could help blow away the cobwebs that were clogged in my heart at the moment. My thoughts were still very heavy with memories of my past life and the things I'd been through. Walking into the slightly warm space with ambient lighting, I went straight to grab an order and drink my sorrows away.
I still remembered all of it, every single moment of it, and the dim lights coupled with the hum of the quiet chatting around me seemed to amplify my loneliness. I needed a drink as soon as possible. Sitting at the bar, I gestured towards the bartender.
“Whiskey, please.” I requested, flashing a tight-lipped smile that didn't reach my eyes.
He disappeared behind the counter and soon popped out again before pouring me a copious amount. I nodded and began to sip on my drink. I thought about the choices I had made, the people I had hurt, and the life I had just left behind. It was all for the best, I wasn't going to let anyone treat me like that anymore.
My thoughts were snapped back to the moment when the whiskey careened its way down my throat with a burning sensation, but it was a good burn. It made me feel alive, it made the world look a bit more cheerful, even though I was at a stage that threatened to break me apart. It wasn't long before I downed the full shot and then deftly slid the glass towards the bartender for another shot. He nodded with a tight-lipped smile, as if mocking me, and poured me another reasonable amount.
One drink turned into two, then three, and soon I lost count. Before I knew it, I was drunk. I knew it, and I knew it was a bad idea, considering that I knew nobody around. Perhaps I would stagger my way back home, I thought, but I needed to be careful. Careful of freaks and creeps who would be lying around, waiting to launch their attack on a helpless prey. At that point, I was regretting drinking that much. I thought about what to do, but the best option was faking that I was fine and then getting into a taxi.
Thereafter, I quickly paid my bill and tried to stand, but the room spurned around me. I lost my footing instantly, feeling so weightless. But just as I was about to fall, a strong hand gripped my waist instantly. I tried to snap my head around, wondering if it was the Bartender, but I couldn't get a clear view. But all I discerned at that moment was a familiar, masculine cologne. Even though I had no idea who those strong hands belonged to, something intuitive told me, despite my messed-up state, that I was in safe hands.
I allowed whoever it was to help me stand. The first person I saw was the bartender behind the counter, then slowly I turned towards him. I was shocked when I saw Caleb's uncle again! The gratitude I was about to give out suddenly seemed to stick back in my throat.
“You again,” I slurred, blinking rapidly to help focus on the view ahead. There were many people, but they were swaying before my eyes at that moment. The nausea came immediately but quickly vanished, and then I looked up at him to see his dark brown eyes narrowing down at me.
He tilted his head to the side and kept looking at me with those narrowed eyes, and with an intensity that gave me the phantom feeling that I could feel the eyes on my skin. His brows furrowed, and he took my hands before helping me to the seat again. “You're a drunk mess.” He said, smiling before dragging a seat closer towards me.
“I should be going… home.” I slurred out again as the real effects of the whiskey began to kick in really fast. All I needed right now was a long night's peaceful sleep, which was just the perfect way to forget all your problems so you could face them the next day.
“You won't be able to go home like this.” He replied, getting closer towards me and taking my hand, as if to mark his territory.
I glanced behind us and saw a group of men staring in our direction. But once again, I attested to the drunkenness. His voice continued to drone.
“Do you want to talk about what happened back there? Because I believe you owe me an explanation for what you did.”
I shook my head, brushing my raven-black hair from my face and shaking my head slightly so that the dizziness wouldn't intensify. “I don't want to talk about it.”
“And you think drinking will help you. It's only going to make things worse, you know, right? And…"
I pushed out my hand in frustration as his voice got more and more annoying. “Fine, I'll talk.” I said, gripping his hand harder.
“So tell me, why would you call off the wedding if you have feelings for Caleb?”
“A-and who says I have feelings for that monster?” I countered, angry. “I’m not depressed because of the wedding cancellation. I don't think I fucked up. I did…..something for myself."
He raised an eyebrow. “What then are you doing here if you think you made the best decision for yourself?” He asked.
I nodded. “What about you? Why are you here?”
He shrugged, downing a shot before moving the glass to the bartender for a refill. The way his veiny hands moved the glass over was almost… sexy. I wondered how it would feel being wrapped around my boobs. I pushed off the thought, just before his voice broke the silence once more.
“I came to unwind. It's been a long day, actually.” His reply was so simple and somewhat caustic. It irritated me because he had no idea what I went through.
Nobody understood what it felt like until they probably went through the same rough patch, and nobody would understand because I doubted they ever would. I got up from my seat and staggered a few steps forward.
“I'm done here.” I slurred, stopping for a moment to steady myself, but it wasn't working.
“Hey!” His deep baritone called out just before his strong hands grabbed my arm. I turned around to see him come close up, holding both arms and looking down at me. “You're not going to make it back safely like this. Let me help you.” He said.
I shook my head. “Leave me alone! I'm fine.”
“You don't look fine. There's nothing about you that seems fine right now. And I care about your safety, so if you try to leave I'm calling the cops…"
I froze in my tracks when I heard that. Why did he have to be so difficult and cynical? Before I could speak, he interrupted. “It's not like I'm going to abduct you or anything. I'll take you to a hotel, and you'll spend the night there. You can leave tomorrow when you're feeling better.”
I didn't protest. I was too drunk to argue. Subsequently, he quickly paid and walked me out, holding my hand the whole time. Getting into the car almost immediately, we left for the hotel and arrived after a few minutes' drive. He gently walked me inside and guided me to a room where he set me on the bed.
“It's hot,” I mumbled, still feeling so groggy. He sighed and gently took off my jacket, but his hands brushed against my face, sending the sparks erupting. Even in my drunken state, I could feel it.
“You're so hot…" I whispered, chuckling before running a hand down his chest. He didn't say anything but stayed beside me instead. The look in his eyes was intense, and I couldn't resist. I leaned in and kissed him suddenly. Startling him and also myself, but I realized something, he was pulling back, and he stared at me with those intense eyes.
Even in my state I knew It was wrong, but if he'd let me do it, then he wanted it too. He interrupted me when he leaned in and kissed me back. I quickly wrapped my hands around his neck and frantically kissed him. He grabbed my waist and pinned me to the bed. His soft, firm lips moved against mine with a passion that I couldn't fathom.
I moaned against his lips when he nibbled on my bottom lip. He trailed kisses down my neck and his grip tightened around my waist. My head went blank as I got lost in the heat and pleasure. I had never felt this way before, not even with Caleb.
I wanted to believe that the alcohol was at play here, but the way he sucked on my skin was distracting. We continued to make out, but just as it had started, he stopped, holding me back while he groaned in frustration. Thereafter, he stood up and left like nothing ever happened.
I woke up the next day with a throbbing headache that had my head feeling like it was going to split in half. I was shocked and confused as I wondered what had happened last night.
I tried to remember it as I frantically grabbed my jacket to put it on. That was the moment someone knocked on the door. I stiffened, listening to know who it was. I opened the door to see a woman in work garb standing out there.
“Room service.” She announced, before flashing me a smile that seemed benign. “Good morning, miss, this is for your hangover. Mr. Leonard Henderson requested you take it,” she said with a smile.
That was Caleb's uncle! The moment she said his name was the moment the thoughts came rushing back. I remembered every single moment, the sparks of attraction that had me kissing him like my life depended on it, but I was unable to tell if we'd gone beyond that.
“Also, I'll be here to clean up your room in ten minutes. Is there anything you want me to bring along while coming?” She asked.
I shook my head while taking the tray, unsure. “N-no…”
She smiled at me again before leaving, while I wal
ked back into the room and sat on the bed, trying to piece together what happened.
Evelyn's POV“Evelyn, where have you been all these time? Have been trying your number, but I got no response from you. Do you know he was worried? I was also scared,” my father's voice resounded in the living room as he flared up? I was somehow expecting this reaction. He hated being lost or confused and after everything that happened yesterday at the engagement party, he must have felt exhausted while trying to answer the questions from the guests and worse, from Caleb's parents. “We have a lot to discuss, so sit down,” he gestured towards a couch without waiting for me to explain myself. I could tell that he was angry.“I'm sorry, dad, for not telling you about my plans or explaining why I had to cancel the engagement,” I started. “But the truth is, I don't think I want to get married to Caleb anymore,” I said and waited for him to respond.His brows creased into a hard knot as he stared at me speechlessly. He seemed confused again. “I don't understand. This is the same guy that
Evelyn's POVThe morning sunlight streamed through the large windows of my father's office, bathing the room in a warm glow. I sat across from him, feeling slightly tense as I watched him go over some company reports. His expression was unreadable, a combination of stern focus and fatherly concern. I couldn’t help but wonder if he truly believed I could handle all this responsibility.“You wanted to learn, Evelyn,” he said finally, setting the papers down and fixing his sharp eyes on me. “Running a company like this isn’t about making speeches and shaking hands. It’s about decisions, hard ones. Do you think you’re ready for that?”I nodded, though my heart pounded in my chest. “I know it’s a lot, Dad, but I’m ready to prove myself. I just need you to give me a chance.”He leaned back in his chair, studying me for what felt like an eternity. “Alright,” he said at last. “I’ll start by letting you sit in on today’s board meeting. Just observe. Listen carefully. If you still want to do th
Evelyn POV Dana’s message came out of the blue late in the evening. "Can we meet tomorrow? I’m worried about you."For a moment, I stared at the screen, wondering if I’d imagined it. Dana wasn’t the type to check in unless she had an ulterior motive. Still, curiosity tugged at me. What could she possibly want? Her concern felt as genuine as a plastic pearl, but I decided to play along.The next afternoon, I walked into the café, a quiet little spot tucked into the corner of the city. Dana had chosen the table by the window, naturally. She was already seated, her designer sunglasses perched on her head and a delicate teacup in her manicured hands.“Evelyn!” she said brightly, her smile wide enough to show all her teeth. “You look amazing.”“Thanks,” I replied coolly, pulling out the chair across from her. “You wanted to talk?”The waiter approached, and Dana ordered her usual tea with extra honey, explaining how she’d been “under the weather.” I asked for coffee, no frills. As the wai
Evelyn’s POVThe note burned in my pocket like a live coal. Every time I moved, I felt its weight, its sharp edges digging into my side as if to remind me it existed.I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the crumpled piece of paper now spread on the nightstand. The bold black letters were stark and unforgiving.“You’re making a mistake. Stay in your place, or you’ll regret it.”I read the words over and over, searching for some hidden meaning, some clue that would point me toward its author. But nothing about it gave anything away. No signature, no smudges, nothing.A thousand questions swirled in my mind. Who had sent it? Dana seemed like the obvious suspect, but the directness of the note didn’t match her style. She preferred manipulation through subtlety, not outright threats. Caleb? Unlikely. He had too much pride to resort to anonymous notes.The more I thought about it, the less sense it made.The sound of a car pulling into the driveway snapped me out of my thoughts. I peere
Evelyn's POVI barely slept. The events of the previous night played on a loop in my mind, haunting me like a bad dream. Caleb's unwelcome advances, the sheer panic of breaking free, and most of all, the fact the note was missing. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt his grip on me, and it made my stomach churn.When morning came, I dragged myself out of bed, beating my chest that Caleb's actions won't paralyze me. I had bigger battles ahead, and dwelling on the horror wouldn't change what had happened. Besides, I needed to find out what Caleb intended to do with that note—if he had it at all.At the office, I focused on keeping my composure. My father had asked me to sit in on a few meetings to start learning the ropes, and I didn’t want to give him a reason to worry. The thought of Caleb being in the building made my skin crawl, but I steeled myself and kept my head high.I was halfway through my second meeting of the day when the fatigue started to creep in. My mind felt clouded, as
Evelyn's POVThe drive home was unusually quiet, with only the faint hum of the engine and the occasional honk breaking the silence. The city lights blurred past me as my mind wandered, replaying the day over and over again. Dana’s unexpected appearance at the café had left me uneasy. What were the odds she’d just “happen” to be there? She didn’t work nearby, and her explanation felt thin at best.I was in deep thoughts and hadn't realized how distracted I was until the sound of a sharp honk pulled me back to reality.It was too late. My car had slightly grazed another vehicle while I was trying to switch lanes. The crunch of metal made my stomach drop, though the damage seemed minor.I pulled over immediately, parking by the side of the road. The other driver, a middle-aged man in a crisp suit, stepped out of his car, visibly annoyed. His headlamp was cracked, and the tension on his face made it clear this was not how he’d planned to spend his evening.“You weren’t paying attention,
Evelyn's POVThe silence stretched longer than it should have. Leonard’s voice on the other end of the line had caught me completely off guard, leaving me momentarily speechless.“Evelyn? Are you still there?” His deep tone was calm but held a trace of concern.I finally found my voice. “Yes, yes, I’m here. Um, how are you, Leonard? How… how did you get my number?”He chuckled softly, the sound warm and unhurried. “Let’s just say it wasn’t difficult. You’re quite an important person now at the company. Your contact information isn’t exactly classified.”I let out a small laugh, though I felt a tinge of embarrassment. “Well, I suppose that’s fair. But still, this is unexpected.”“Unexpected, yes, but not unwelcome, I hope?”“No, not at all,” I said quickly, surprising even myself with the honesty in my tone.I had barely started to relax into the conversation when I heard the unmistakable rumble of my father’s car pulling into the driveway. I sat up, glancing at the clock. He was home
Evelyn POVThe morning of the trip started early, but despite my best efforts to stay ahead of time, I still felt rushed. I stood in front of my closet, second-guessing my choice of outfits. Dad’s voice boomed down the hallway.“Evelyn! How much longer? We’ll miss the flight at this rate!”I rolled my eyes. “I’m almost done, Dad!” I called back, frantically folding the last blouse into my suitcase.Moments later, he appeared at my bedroom door, dressed immaculately in his signature tailored suit. He leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed, watching me with an amused expression.“Still packing? Women are always the same,” he teased.I threw him a playful glare. “Mom wasn’t like that.”He chuckled, a soft fondness entering his eyes. “Your mother was one of a kind. Efficient when she wanted to be, but she had her moments too.” His voice turned wistful, and I felt a pang of sadness.Snapping out of it, I zipped my suitcase and grabbed my handbag. "There, ready to go!"The housekeep
EVELYN'S POV:Just when I thought I was finally catching a break from all the chaos, my heart pounded uncontrollably as I deciphered who had sent the message. I cursed under my breath in frustration. I hadn’t even finished dealing with Caleb and Dana, and now this? "Get ready for the battle you just began!" the text read.I stared at the screen in disbelief. Why was everything happening now? Hadn’t I already been through enough? Yet, as much as I wanted to break down, I knew I couldn’t afford to. Leonard had warned me before: staying strong was my only option. And I will abide by just that.Sliding my phone into my pocket, I headed to my room to gather my thoughts. I tried to act normal—at least on the surface—but my body betrayed me. My father noticed immediately that something was off when I got back. His concerned gaze lingered as I handed him the documents he had requested earlier.“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice tinged with hesitation.I nodded quickly. “Yeah, I’m fine.” I re
EVELYN'S POV:When I arrived at his place, he was sitting on the balcony, his shoulders slumped, staring out at the horizon. It wasn’t like him. I made my way inside and climbed the stairs, feeling a heaviness in the air. Something wasn’t right. And feared for the worst, but still couldn't say what could be wrong.“Hey, Dad,” I greeted as I stepped onto the balcony, forcing a smile. He turned to look at me, but his response was muted, his tone flat. My heart skipped a beat.As I walked closer, I noticed the small picture of my mom clutched in his hand. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, and it broke my heart to see him like this. “Hey, Dad,” I said softly, kneeling beside him. “I know you miss Mom. I miss her too, more than words can say. But you’ve got to take it easy on yourself. This—this won’t help you, Dad. You know Mom would want you to be happy. She’d want you to find joy, even in her absence. You still have me. Don’t you think I’m filling even a tiny bit of the space she le
EVELYN'S POV:Like the morning sun breaking through the horizon, his voice illuminated my day. He complimented me with a warmth that sent a blush creeping across my face. Though I tried to hide it, it was impossible. Leonard had a way of seeing right through me. “You look cute that way.” He said as he noticed the blush, and tucked me.I laughed as I reacted to it.“Sit,” I said, motioning toward the bed. I brought the breakfast tray up and placed it between us. We ate together, but the meal was brief; the clock reminded us both of the looming workday ahead.Once we finished, I gathered the dishes and headed to the kitchen. When I returned to the room, Leonard was already waiting for a bath. We stepped into the bathroom together, savoring a quiet, intimate moment before the rush of the day overtook us.Afterwards, we dressed and got ready to leave. My phone buzzed just as I reached for my bag. It was my secretary. She reminded me not to forget the files I had taken home to work on. “
EVELYN’S POV:He paused, his gaze piercing mine as though he was waiting for permission to speak. His intensity was palpable, but I said nothing. I just stood there, staring at him, my emotions swirling in a confusing storm of anger, hurt, and vulnerability.Suddenly, a wave of nausea hit me, and I barely made it to the bathroom in time before throwing up. My stomach churned violently, and tears streamed down my face as my body heaved. Leonard appeared moments later, crouching by my side. He helped me clean up without saying a word, his hands steady and comforting.“I’ll be fine,” I murmured, my voice hoarse. “Just… excuse me for a moment. I need to take a bath.”He nodded and left the bathroom, giving me the privacy I needed. The cold water from the shower was both soothing and shocking, washing away some of the emotional turmoil, if only temporarily. I took my time, letting the water cleanse me physically and emotionally.When I stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, I not
EVELYN’S POV:My heart was racing as I scrolled through the images and the accompanying write-ups, each headline more shocking than the last. I leaned back in my chair, overwhelmed by a storm of emotions. Tears welled up in my eyes as I struggled to process everything. All I ever wanted was peace—peace I thought I had finally found with Leonard. But now, that fragile trust I was building had been shattered. How could he do this to me?I pushed myself up from the chair and trudged back to the bedroom, collapsing onto the bed. I lay there, trying to make sense of it all, but my mind had reached its limit. No clear thoughts emerged; only a chaotic swirl of hurt and frustration. I tried to sleep, hoping it would bring me some relief, but the turmoil inside me wouldn’t let me let sleep intervene.Frustrated, I got up and began pacing the room. My anger bubbled over, and I grabbed nearby items, smashing them against the walls. The destruction brought no solace, just more emptiness. Desperat
EVELYN’S POV:We walked out of the restaurant, the crowd still waiting outside. I tried to hide my tear-streaked face as we passed through them. When we reached the car, Leonard opened the door for me. I entered, and he followed. And he ordered the driver to move the car.The only sound in the car was the soft hum of the engine and my quiet sobs. How could I have known that Leonard was only taking me for a ride and would eventually break my heart? Caleb was right all along. I remembered his warning, how he’d told me to be careful. Even though we were not cool, I regretted not listening to him.Tears continued to flow as helplessness overwhelmed me."Evelyn, this isn’t what you think. Please let me explain," Leonard pleaded, his voice calm yet desperate.His words only fueled my anger. "Please, Leonard, take me home and spare me the lies. You never even asked me out officially! I only assumed things. How foolish could I have been?" I said, my voice trembling through my tears."Evelyn,
EVELYN'S POVI couldn't help but catch Leonard's glances every now and then. He could barely take his eyes off me, and I felt my cheeks warm with shyness as a blush crept over my face."Why are you staring like that?" I asked, still shy.Leonard looked at me with a deep sigh. "Right now, I feel like I'm getting a tan, 'cause girl, you're damn scorching.""Oh, right, but stop giving me those eyes," I chuckled at my last words. "I mean, you don't want to ruin my period do you?”"Wait, what eyes?" Leonard asked, leaning closer so I could see his eyes more clearly.I gasped. It felt like there was magic in his gaze. Leonard was a ten out of ten, and the more I looked at him, the more my heart fluttered. I was falling for him deeply. I looked away immediately, not wanting to be caught staring—or worse, drooling."I see. She gets a little shy," he teased, a smirk playing on his lips. "You can't really handle me, huh?"My whole face turned red, and I couldn’t meet his gaze anymore.He reache
EVELYN’S POV:The moment the door clicked shut behind him, I rushed upstairs, quietly tiptoeing as I neared Leonard’s room. I didn’t know why, but my curiosity burned—what was Leonard up to?As I approached, I caught snippets of his conversation through the slightly open door.“Listen, Mr. Watt,” Leonard’s voice was calm and firm, “by next week, everything will be sorted out. You’ll have your meeting with her. I promise you won’t regret this. Evelyn’s sharp, and you’ll gain so much from collaborating with the company. You just need to give us a bit more time. I know there’ve been delays, but trust me—right now, she’s not fit for an official meeting.”It hit me like a wave. Leonard had been managing my schedule, helping me when I couldn’t help myself. Mr. Watt should’ve been furious over these constant delays, but he wasn’t—because of Leonard. He’d been standing in the gap for me, silently ensuring things didn’t fall apart. But, I wondered if this was the reason behind Leonard's react
EVELYN’S POV:The sunlight cast a golden glow on my body through the curtains, entering directly into my eyes and forcing them open. I squinted against the brightness, disoriented. It was morning already, though the night had felt far too short.As usual, Leonard wasn’t in bed. I turned toward the door, half-expecting him to walk in with my morning coffee, as he often did. Ten minutes passed, and still, he didn’t show up.A wave of anger washed over me. Why would he just leave without letting me know? Tears stung at the corners of my eyes. I needed him around—his presence was my comfort. Had he left because I was on my period? The thought alone made me furious. If that was his reason, it was rude and lame. And I vowed to not speak to him again.But then I remembered how sweet he’d been the previous night. Could something have happened? My anger began to fade into worry, my mind swirling with a hundred possibilities.I snapped my fingers, trying to shake off the negative thoughts. “Wha