"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Mr. Black. You married my mother off to my father, knowing that my parents have no interest in each other but all because of you only listening to yourself you couldn't see what your daughter wanted." Eva stated, her anger rising up by each moment.“My daughter was getting old and kept refusing all the other men that came for her hand in marriage. Did you expect me to sit down and watch my daughter become an old lady? I had to do what I had to do and that was why I accepted your father to become her husband since he isn't from California. I was only doing this for her happiness.” George explained his reasons. "Well, you never asked my mother if she had someone she liked or not before making a decision for her. She was never happy in that marriage for a day!” Eva yelled over the phone. She remembered those memories when her father always gave her mother cold shoulder whenever she tried to create a conversation between them. “If your parents n
He would not give away his granddaughter that easily and for some reason he was happy that her wedding with Mark which he wasn't invited to didn't work out. That way he can continue to protect her from other men, and because of that he planned to keep more eyes on Eva closely even though he wasn't in Miami.“I'm already on it before you mention it. I'm not letting some cookies-cutter date my nieces at all.” Rapheal remarked.Meanwhile, after Eva hung up the call she placed the phone beside her and fell back to the bed deelo exhausted from the discussion she had with George. “It's just five o'clock in the morning and I'm getting such a call." Eva mumbled as she went back to sleep. It hadn't been up to five minutes when her cellphone rang again, making her groan in anger.“Seriously?!!" Eva yelled and she sat back up and picked up the call.“What is it?" She asked angrily."Stupid child! Is this how you greet your father in the morning?! You're becoming more useless each passing day!!”
Few hours later, Nathalia entered Eva's security password to her apartment and entered the house. She was surprised that she couldn't find Eva sitting down in the living room like usual.“Don't tell me that she is still asleep in bed by this time?" Nathalia muttered to herself and made her way to Eva's room. She opened the door to the room and was only to be greeted with darkness from the room.“I knew that she would still be asleep by this time." Nathalia said under her breath and stepped into the room. “What are you still doing in bed at this time of the day?" Nathalia questioned as she walked towards the window and opened the curtains wide. But Eva was covering her face with the blanket so the sudden brightness didn't wake Eva up.‘This sleepy head.’ Nathalia thought in her mind as she walked towards the bed and grabbed the edge of the blanket before yanking it off Eva's body.“What the fuck!" Eva jolted awake at the sudden movement of her blanket. She had no idea that Nathalia wa
Some moment later, Eva had freshened up and was wearing faded blue boyfriend fitted jeans, and a big black hoodie sweater, she paired her dress with a black sneakers. Her hair was tied up in her usual simple ponytail style and a pair of black sunglasses adorned the top of her head.“Are you seriously going out shopping like this?" Nathalia couldn't help but ask after Eva was done dressing up. “Hm. What's wrong?" Eva looked at Nathalia and asked.“Well nothing is wrong. It's just that you look like you're going out to get groceries at the grocery store, plus I can hardly recognize my friend because you look totally like a guy." Nathalia replied as she continued to check out Eva.“That's what I'm aiming for.” Eva nodded her head in satisfaction." Huh?” Nathalia looked very confused at Eva."I need to look different from what people are expecting because my pictures are all over the internet. I will quickly get recognized if I dress the way I normally dress so this style looks differen
Eva shook her head. Thanks to Nathalia, she had just made everyone in the store close to where they were standing think that they were lovers. Nathalia didn't care that there were a lot of people that would recognize her as the famous supermodel in the country.After Natalia left, Eva walked and went to sit down on one of the sofas that were placed in the store. The place she sat down gave her a good view to watch the other customers in the store shopping for the kind of items they wanted.Just as she was looking around, she sighted a white dress that was hanging in one of the clothes ranches. Eva stood up from her seat and walked closer to where she saw the dress to have a better look. Eva grabbed the dress which she liked. However, the dress was a bit too big for her, so she called a sales woman to her side and it turns out that it was the same sales woman who had welcomed Nathalia and ignored her.“Excuse me, do you guys have this kind of dress that fits me better. This one is a l
“Do you guys have this in your store?" Nathalia asked as she showed the image on her cell phone to the saleswoman." I'm sorry ma, but we don't have this kind of dress currently in our store. But we do have other dresses and I promise that you would love it.” The saleswoman wan suggested." It's a shame, I was hoping to buy that dress for you that would rival her?” Nathalia muttered in disappointment, making Eva look at her."What are you talking about?" She questioned, casting Nathalia a suspicious look.“It's n-othing you should be worried about." Nathalia looked away from Eva. She hadn't told Eva the real truth why she was desperate to make Eva look stunning to the party and that was because she had come the news about the kind of dress Christine planned to wear to the party, it's all over the news. Nathalia had to admit that the dress was beautiful and when she called Eva and asked her if she had a dress, Eva's reply made her realize that she had no clue about the news of Christin
“Miss Nathalia, would you like something to drink?" The head staff asked after Nathalia sat down on one of the couches placed in the dressing room. The head staff clearly knew who Nathalia was, that was why she had been the one to come and welcome her into the store earlier. And based on the way both Nathalia and Eva acted with each other, the head staff could easily tell that they are closer than normal.“Just a glass of water would do, please.” Nathalia politely replied as she scrolled through the fashion catalog that was placed on the table hoping to encounter a more suitable dress that she would for Eva to wear. Even though she was a popular model in the country and outside the country, Nathalia never forgot her manners unlike other celebrities that would just look down on people because they are famous. The head staff nodded and gestured to one of the saleswomen standing in the room to go and get what Nathalia asked for.“Hope she doesn't need a hand in there?" Nathalia asked as
Eva didn't say anything and headed back into the dressing room to change out of the dress and wear her normal dress. “Thank you. Please come again!" Mira said, bowing her head deeply as both Eva and Nathalia walked out of the store. She had personally been the one to help Nathalia check out of their store.She could already picture how large of a commission she was going to get, plus bonuses of how items were purchased. And she even got the chance to engage in a comfortable conversation with the famous supermodel Nathalia. She was expecting Nathalia to be arrogant in person but she was surprised when Nathalia didn't treat any of them in the store like they were beneath her.“All the clothes from that store are beautiful. I think I just found a new place to shop until I drop.” Nathalia commented, holding multiple shopping bag in her hand. One would think that all the items in her hand were for her but she only had a few things she picked for herself and the rest were for Eva.She happ
She paused, her mind flashing back to the countless fights, the shattered dishes, the cold silences that followed her every rebellion. "But I didn’t let their expectations control me. I chose my path, even when it meant walking away from them entirely." Eva let out a sigh, her gaze still focused outside the window. " I really loved it when I refused them, even though it would earn me being slapped senselessly. I always find pleasure somehow and I took pride in becoming the perfect, graceful black sheep of that damned family.” Belle hung on every word, her eyes wide with admiration and curiosity."But," She continued. “I only did it when I was a grown adult, legal enough to make my own choices. My plan wasn't perfect nor did it work in pleasing my family, but then again, why should I continue to please them when they were never family to me in the first place?" Eva gently moved her gaze back to Belle, leaning forward, "However, as someone who has gone through all that, you should k
"So, Belle," Eva began, pulling a chair close to the bed and sitting down. "Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself? What brought you here to this hospital room?" Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the overflowing flowers and gifts surrounding the small child."I caught a fever a few days ago," Belle replied glumly, her voice quiet. Though it was just a fever, she’d been stuck in this hospital for a week. She felt fine now, but her parents insisted she remain."I'm all better now. Nothing hurts anymore. I just want to go home, but they won’t let me." Belle’s lips turned down in a bitter frown as she recalled how her parents refused her calls and ignored her requests to leave. Deep down, she knew they preferred her absence."Why not?" Eva asked softly, though she already sensed the answer."Because they hate me."Eva’s heart clenched at the words, so full of pain and resignation. She studied the young girl, who stared back with guarded eyes that looked far older than her years.
Once the door shut, the girl turned her head slightly. "You can come out now."Eva pushed the gifts aside and slid out from under the bed. She straightened up, her gaze meeting the child’s lifeless, cold eyes. They lacked the innocent sparkle of youth."Why were those men chasing you? Who are you?" the girl asked, studying Eva intently. Despite her disheveled hair and rumpled gown, there was no mistaking the elegant air that surrounded her.Eva smiled faintly, deciding to test the girl’s intuition when she noticed how she was studying her. ‘Let’s see if you're smart. "Who do you think I am?"The child’s eyes narrowed. "You’re not a simple patient.""Oh? What makes you say that?""This is the VVIP floor, accessible only with a private keycard. Your gown is made of high-quality cotton, reserved for VVIP patients.""Well, I could’ve stolen the keycard and clothes," Eva countered.The girl’s gaze didn’t waver. "Despite your messy appearance, you carry yourself with grace. Your posture, ev
Eva jumped in alarm, spinning around to find a young girl sitting on a hospital bed. The room was filled with vases of flowers, their cloying fragrance filling the air. The child, no older than fourteen or fifteen years old, looked at her with wide, innocent eyes, her long hair framing her delicate face.Eva blinked in surprise, her anger momentarily forgotten as she stared at the young child. Somehow she felt something about this girl resembling a boy she used to know. “Hello.”“What's your name, child?" She asked, just as the footsteps outside became louder.The girl smiled faintly. “You’re running from people.” she said nugging at the door.Eva's brows furrowed. “Yes, I am.”. “Quick! Look for her before Boss gets upstairs!”The sound of the bodyguards’ voices rang in the hallway, getting closer. Panic flooded Eva's chest. She scanned the room frantically, looking for a way out, but the space was small, and the windows were sealed shut.She turned back to the girl, her pulse racing
Eva who was moments away from hitting him with the IV pole again when his pitiful plea caught her attention. “You can tell your boss to rot in hell—” she started, but the man cut her off.“Please, Lady Boss!” he cried, desperation in his voice. “I have a wife, kids, and a family to feed—”Eva's brow twitched at his words. Of course, he definitely wouldn't be a monk like his boss, however, she had a feeling he was saying this to make her feel guilty. “And you have a dog too, I bet?” she quipped sarcastically.His eyes widened in shock. “Y-yes! Exactly! His name is Chase!”She grit her teeth in annoyance, snatching the phone from his shaking hands. “What do you want?” she demanded, her patience wearing thin. She could guess that he was trying to stall time until he got here but she wasn't planning to let him meet her here.The bodyguards flinched in fear. They truly applauded her for her boldness, but they also feared for the poor woman's head! It would really fly if she continued talk
Turning back to the bodyguards, she picked up the IV pole and tested its weight in her hands. It was lighter than she expected, perfect for swift strikes. She had a lot of experience fighting with wooden sticks in her days in the military.Her gaze landed back to the men, a dark scowl on her face.“I’m sure everyone of you all heard the conversation,” she said coolly, her voice steady. “If you value your limbs, step aside.”The men stood their ground, but the unease in their expressions was clear.When reinforcements arrived to block the entrance entirely, Eva's lips curled into a dark smile. They’ve made a mistake.Gripping the pole tightly, her eyes blazing with determination as she scanned the men creating a barrier at the entrance.“Fine, you've all made your choices. Let's see who’s leaving with bruises.”Eva's grip on the metal IV pole tightened as she positioned herself to strike. Her eyes locked on the bodyguards standing in her way, each one ready to brace for her next move
She sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose in exasperation. If they were working for Damien, they wouldn’t stand insults against him. She smirked, deciding to bait them.“Fine. Is it your unbelievably stubborn, hideously jealous, and completely insufferable boss, Damien Cross?”One of the guards instinctively stiffened, muttering, “Our boss is not—” and immediately cut himself off, his face paling. He can't believe he just fell for that trick.“Aha!” Eva said triumphantly. “We have our catch. So it is Damien.”Smirking, she stalked back to her bed, grabbing her phone. She dialed Damien’s number, and unsurprisingly, he answered on the first ring.“Evs, you should be resting—”“Young man, tell your men to step aside,” she interrupted, her tone sharp.Damien frowned when he heard her. Asking him to order his men to step aside meant that she had gotten out of bed!His voice hardened. “What are you doing out of bed? Get back to bed right-”“You’re not the Boss of me. I’m not goi
**********The soft rustle of fabric accompanied the nurse as she finished adjusting Eva's bandages. Moments later, a team of doctors shuffled into the room, meticulously checking her vitals and updating her chart. Their scrutiny felt endless, but Eva's irritation wasn’t aimed at them—it was at the glaring absence of Gabriel.Upon inquiring, she discovered he’d been reassigned and replaced with another doctor, a woman.Her lips twisted in a knowing smile. Damien. Of course, it was him.She sighed at the thought. Gabriel was probably one the best doctors in his department at Solace Hospital. Replacing him with someone else, especially out of jealousy, was as unnecessary as it was predictable. Damien's overprotectiveness knew no bounds, even though her blind date with Gabriel had been a complete dead end.‘Typical overbearing Damien Cross.’After the doctors left, Eva found herself sinking into boredom. The day dragged on, and as the sun set, casting long shadows across the pristine roo
“Who is the person? Is it someone I know?" “No, you don't." Oliver's eyes narrowed. “You said the person is important? Like… a woman?”Damien was surprised by Oliver's question as he turned to look at the boy. She? It suddenly hit Damien at the moment that he probably still had some of Eva's floral feminine scent on him and Oliver's dog nose already smelled it.“It is a woman, right? Why is she at the hospital?” Oliver continues to question.Damien sighed. “Yes.”“Why was she hurt?” “Because she’s clumsy,” Damien replied, his patience wearing thin.Oliver's questions continued unabated until Damien zhot him a sharp glare. “Enough, Oliver. Go back inside. I have work and can't answer all your questions.”“But-" Oliver was about to protest but he couldn't anymore when Damien shot him another glare.“Alright, Big Boss...I'll stop asking questions…" There was no other expression on Oliver's face than the expression that made him look like a neglected child yearning for his mother's lov