“Uh,” Nathalia trailed off after they released the handshake. She glanced at the hesitant Eva to the happy looking Lucas.“Eva, is it true that you'd be attending the birthday party of the Grason patriarch this weekend?" Lucas suddenly asked.Eva glanced at him for a moment then nodded her head in response. “Then do you already have a date? I can be your date-"“I already have a date." Eva suddenly cut off Lucas.“Oh, really. If you don't mind, can I ask who your date is?" Lucas asked curiously. He wanted to know if there was another man he didn't know about.“Nathalia. She is my date to the party." Eva curtly replied with a serious expression.Lucas was taken aback when he heard Eva, he glanced at Nathalia who gave him a small smile and nodded her head. “It's true, I'm going to be my best friend date to the party. “ Nathalia confirmed. “I see," Lucas nodded and the three of them fell into silence waiting for the first person to speak again.Nathalia glanced back and forth between E
Eva paused. Who is this? She suddenly became on high alert as she took a good look at the driver. But then, she noticed a small golden pin on the chauffeur's suit. She narrowed her eyes and faintly made out a symbol of the Cross family.Instantly, she knew who sent the man. Eva swallowed hard as she had no choice. There was a saying that goes: Be Careful not to run away from the tiger and fall into the hands of the lion.However, in her case . To escape from the tiger, she had to get into the dragon's cave. Eva forced a small smile, tightening her grip on Nathalia. “Ah, is the driver you sent for?" Eva loudly asked, making sure that Lucas heard it well.“Yes." Nathalia calmly replied, making the whole scenario look real. Unlike Eva who was on high alert, she knew the driver was from the cross family and it was Damien that had sent him to come and pick them up. But she didn't want to act like she knew since Eva doesn't know that Damian was her cousin, so she has to continue acting cl
Eva saw the chauffeur glance at them through the rearview mirror again. When their eyes met, he offered her a friendly smile and quickly looked away.“Though, I doubt any one among them can ever meet the standard of yours truly, Damien Cross." Nathalia snorted. Somehow she felt that Damien was starting to steal Eva away from her.Eva forced another laugh. " Oh, please. You're making us seem way too familiar-”" Yeah, yeah, sure.” Nathalia quickly hugged Eva and released the embrace." I'll see you later.” Nathalia elegantly stopped out of the car and as expected, she gained people's attention the moment she alighted the car.Eva let out a soft sigh and leaned against the window, watching how Nathalia elegantly strutted her way to the company entrance." Where are we going?” Eva asked the driver when the car began to move down the busy road again."To our destination.” The chauffeur informed, stepping harder on the gas. He was instructed to do incase Eva made an attempt to run.“And whe
Eva gulped and pressed her knees together, glaring dagger at Damien. She knew she shouldn't have gotten into this car. Now, she was in the dragon's cave with no way to escape.“Are you aware that this is kidnapping?” Eva peered at Damien."Is it? Did anyone forcefully drag you into the car?” Damien asked back without sparing a glance at Eva.Eva's face dropped, she knew this is what would end it all. The fact that she had willingly entered this car in the first place can't even be considered as kidnapping. Even though Eva knows the truth she wasn't going to give up because her survival depends on it. " I'm going to scream bloody murder if you don't let me out." She threatened.Damien shrugged. " Wouldn't be the first time you've screamed loudly in my bed.” Eva could only look at him like he was crazy when she heard him. “What?" Damien asked as if he hadn't just dropped a bomb. Eva hated the things that this man could do to her. A single glance in her direction was enough for her en
Eva finger traced the prominent veins on his masculine hand. “The truth about how you knew so many personal things about me?""Will you kiss me if I tell you?” Damien bantered.Eva paused for a while before she let out a small laugh. “If that's what would take you to tell me the truth. It's just a kiss." Hearing her response, he gritted his teeth as his jaw tightened, his eyes flashed dangerously and in an instant, Damien grabbed her hand and yanked her closer to him. “Do you agree with every man that asks for a kiss just easily?” Damien beseech in a cold voice that sent shivers down her spine. “Didn't you request for a kiss in order to tell me the truth?" Eva shot back. " If you're so desperate to know the truth, then kiss me.” Damien uttered in a soft voice.Eva swallowed. He was the one to start this game of seduction and she decided to join him, so she had to finish it. "Maybe if you plead with me to do it.” Eva had a cunning smile on her face as she leaned closer towards him
“I didn't say that. I was just a little surprised to see that you're being nice to me while we are still working. It's unlike you.” Nathalia replied. She knew that her manager was a little bit harsh on her but only she knew the nice and warm hearted personality her manager possessed. But it was only whenever they were no longer working does her manager show this side to her, so seeing her manager suddenly being nice made Nathalia surprised. Her manager chuckled when she heard Nathalia. “You make it sound like I'm a demon. Anyways you've been working so hard, so I just wanted to be nice to you." She replied.“If you say so." Nathalia shrugged her shoulders not wanting to argue any further. If her manager was being nice to her, then she should just enjoy it and not question too much. Nathalia placed her phone beside her and grabbed the cup of iced tea. “Yes, I almost forgot!" Her manager suddenly exclaimed "What is that?” Nathalia asked after taking a sip from her drink.“It's about
She wouldn't have been this scared if it was the Eva she knew before, because no one dares to pick on Eva in the society. Instead it was Eva who always picked on them. But with her current condition, there are going to be a lot of socialites attending this party not because it's the Grason patriarch's birthday but to basically pick on Eva. “That’s exactly why I planned to go with her as her date. However, my plans got ruined by those fools threatening me. How long is my contract with them?” Nathalia asked. “Well, toi still have about six months to go before the contract we signed with them expires." Her manager replied." I'm never signing a contract with them. But for now that is the least important thing to be worried about.” Nathalia mumbled as she nervously chewed on her manicured fingernails. She had told Eva that she would be at the party with her, so it was not possible to tell Eva again that she can't go with her. Nathalia knew that she needed to resolve this matter one way
“What brought you here? Or did you come to insult me?" Damien demanded, knowing that Nathalia must have been in some kind of trouble and that was the reason why she is here." I came here for other reasons. Do you have plans this sunday?” Nathalia asked.Damien didn't quickly reply to Nathalia as he stared hard at the file in front of him. “What does that have to do with you?" Damien questions back.“Alright, it's no use talking to you right now." Nathalia muttered as she turned her attention to Shane behind her. “Did he get invited to the Grason patriarch's birthday banquet that would be held in two days?" Nathalia pointed at Damien and asked Shane, knowing that Damien would give her the response she wanted.“Yes, Boss was invited to the party as well." Shane nodded, curious to know what Nathalia was up to by asking such a question.“Is this workaholic brother of mine attending the party?" Nathalia asked, not failing to use the little opportunity to insult Damien.“Ah, no. I'm not s
Eva exhaled deeply, her grip tightening on the steering wheel as Damien's words echoed in her mind. She hadn’t meant for the conversation to spiral into this, but his response had struck a nerve she hadn’t realized was so raw.He doesn’t understand what I’m trying to say. He keeps assuming I don’t see him as my husband. Damn it, of course, he’s everything anyone could want in a husband—perfect, dependable, and... maddeningly oblivious! she cursed inwardly, frustration bubbling beneath her calm exterior.What Eva truly wanted, though she could never bring herself to say it, was for Damien to ask her out the traditional way—a formal, heartfelt gesture that would solidify their relationship in the way she longed for. But she was too proud, too stubborn, to admit it aloud. Instead, she had resorted to subtle hints, hoping he’d pick up on them and take the next step.Yet Damien, with all his intelligence and sharp instincts, was painfully oblivious when it came to matters of the heart. He
After finishing her meal with Kai, Eva was ready to head home but paused, noting how bright the afternoon still was. Her grandfather’s words from their call replayed in her mind: Damien bought you a property.The curiosity nagged at her. Should she ask Damien about it? What if he thought she was being too demanding? After a few minutes of careful deliberation, she decided to call.The phone barely rang once before Damien picked up. His voice was calm but tinged with concern. “Eva, are you okay?”In the executive meeting room, heads turned in astonishment. Their boss, who usually disregarded calls during meetings, had not only answered his phone but done so without hesitation. His phone, typically kept out of reach, now sat prominently on the table—a change that hadn’t gone unnoticed.Eva hesitated briefly. “I’m fine, Damien. It’s nothing serious. I just wanted to ask you something.”“Go on,” he encouraged, his tone soft and attentive.“Well…” she began cautiously, unsure how to phrase
“Did Dustin Banks insist you attend the banquet, or was it your grandfather?” Kai asked, his tone laced with curiosity. It puzzled him why Lawrence couldn’t attend the event himself. Sure, the man was getting older, but didn’t he just make an appearance at a similar event three months ago? What has changed now?Eva blinked at the question, momentarily taken aback. She hadn’t thought about it in depth before, but now that Kai mentioned it, the whole situation did seem odd. Why was her grandpa Smith so adamant about her attending in his stead?“Now that you mention it, I’m not too sure,” Eva admitted, her brows furrowing as she contemplated it. She took a bite of the beef she had prepared, the flavors melting in her mouth, followed by a sip of soup to balance it out.Kai went quiet, his thoughts running wild as he considered different possibilities. His sharp eyes rested on Eva, who was too preoccupied with her food to notice his gaze.Even as she ate, there was an undeniable elegance t
Arriving at Elite EntertainmentThe sleek glass doors of Elite Entertainment gleamed in the morning sunlight as Eva stepped out of her car. The reception area buzzed with activity, but the moment she entered, heads turned. Being one of the agency’s most prominent models, Eva’s presence never went unnoticed.Ignoring the whispers, she made her way to the elevator, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Moments later, she was stepping into Kai’s office, where he sat behind his massive desk, engrossed in a document.“Kai,” Eva greeted, her voice drawing his attention.He looked up, his sharp eyes softening slightly when he saw her. “Eva. What brings you here so early?”Eva placed the container of food on the small glass table with a sly smile. “Bribery.”Kai raised an eyebrow. “Bribery for what?”“For what I’m about to tell you,” she replied, sitting down on one of the couches in his office mini living room.Intrigued, Kai leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “This shoul
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the Miami sky in shades of orange and purple, Eva leaned back on her couch, flipping through a stack of papers. Her phone buzzed on the table beside her, and she glanced at the caller ID. “Grandpa Smith,” she answered with a smile as she picked up the call. “Eva, my dear, how are you feeling?” Lawrence’s warm, deep voice came through. His concern was evident, as always. “You’ve been overworking yourself lately, haven’t you? Tell me, how’s your health?” “I’m fine, Grandpa,” Eva assured him, her voice was light and soothing. “I’ve been careful, and I’m almost fully recovered. There’s no need to worry.” “Good, good,” Lawrence replied, though his tone suggested he wasn’t fully convinced. “I just wanted to check up on you—and remind you about the banquet. I assume you’ve prepared for it?” Eva chuckled softly. “Of course, Grandpa. I wouldn’t dare forget something so important. I’m getting everything ready, and I’ll be there on time.” “Good
"U-uhm, Boss?" Clara noticed he had been spacing out for quite a while.She couldn't deny the appeal of her worldly boss whose face resembled the statues tucked away in museums. His face was the polar opposite of his personality. His clean-cut appearance was amplified by the fact that he was smoking.In the dim room where the cigarette smoke was more prominent, his eyes were slightly squinted, sharp jaw clenched, and ruffled hair giving off a very dangerous type of man — the kind you wanted to convert into good."Clean my office." Mark flicked the ashes off of his cigarette.Because of the scandal, he had been having issues with Christine nonstop the past few days, with this morning being their worst… Today was not a good day for him."I'll contact the Janitor right away—""I don't have the time to wait for the janitor. Do it yourself." He commanded her, his tone not leaving any room for discussion.Disgruntled at his request, but with no option to disobey it, Clara could only grit he
The executive wailed upon hearing the two most dreadful words in the world. He squealed like a pig being slaughtered. "No, wait, Boss, please! Give me another chance! I swear I won't be bribed again—" Too late. He was dragged out of the room, screaming, kicking, and begging for mercy, his grating voice bouncing off the hallways, causing the employees to cringe upon hearing the deafening sound.Shane walked in immediately afterward. "Boss, your next order?""Have all of his work and personal history checked." Damien paused before saying, "Bankrupt him." He disdainfully said."I expect to see the stocks of Johnson Corporation drastically plummet by the crack of dawn.""Right away, Boss." Shane nodded, bowed his head, and excused himself. When he was out of the office and the door was closed, he sighed in disappointment.What a foolish man.Just a few minutes ago, the executive had miraculously talked his way into having a personal meeting with the President, and instead of eventually ut
Once outside, she spotted her assistants seated near the entrance, their faces etched with fatigue. They had clearly missed the commotion inside the store."Please ensure the purchases are delivered to the Cross Estate," she instructed. After a moment, she added, "You’re free to go home afterward. Thank you for today."The assistants blinked in disbelief before scrambling to their feet. "N-no, thank you, ma’am!" They bowed deeply as Eva walked off, determined to find a proper gift.Eva wandered from store to store, dissatisfied with every option until she reached a small boutique tucked into the corner of the mall. The store’s minimalist logo, "NE" caught her attention.“NE?" Eva muttered under her breath.Intrigued, she stepped inside. The boutique, despite its modest location, radiated sophistication. Every piece was crafted with exceptional detail and elegance. Yet, Eva couldn’t help but wonder why such an acclaimed brand was hidden away on the uppermost floor.A sales associate ap
"It's alright, Mr. Billy. A few replaceable employees aren’t worth losing sleep over." Eva’s calm smile sent shivers down Mr. Billy’s spine, leaving him terrified yet eager to please her.Understanding the unspoken warning, he quickly replied, "As the head of the security team, it is my responsibility to handle nuisances like these. Please don’t trouble yourself with such matters, ma’am." The fear of losing his lucrative position was evident in his voice. Though Eva appeared composed, Mr. Billy knew better than to underestimate someone with her reputation.The sales associate, now pale as a sheet, stammered, "M-ma’am, w-would you still like the cufflinks? I-I can wrap them up immediately and include a bonus—"Eva waved her hand dismissively, her gaze fixed on her nails. "No need for bonuses. Just swipe the card." She ignored Christine, who angrily slapped her polished black card onto the counter."I said those cufflinks are mine!" Christine’s voice trembled with rage. Losing to Eva tw