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
Did he think that she was seriously going to believe that?“Can you just do this one favor for me and be Eva's date to the party?" Nathalia urged. She knew that getting Damien to be Eva's date wouldn't be easy but she didn't realize and expected it to be this difficult.“Did you realize that she would find out about our relationship if I went to the party instead of you?” Damien uttered." Eventually, she would still find out about our relationship as cousins. And I hate lying to my best friend because my cold and aloof older cousin threatens me not to tell.” Nathalia said as she ran her finger through her hair. "Besides, why don't you want her to know the truth?" Nathalia asked out of curiosity." None of your business." Damien coldly replied."Tsk. I don't want to know either. Just tell me that you're going to the party." Nathalia pouted her face when Damien refused to tell her why he didn't want Eva to know about them.“She says she doesn't wish to see me again, so I want to avoid
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