"Enough, you're just as pompous as you ever were but before you talk about our flaws then you should take a look at yourself and look where you ended up with all your knowledge. It doesn't seem like you ever learned about what happened to you in the past." Sil pointed out the fact, hoping that her words would tarnish Eva's confidence."It's very concerning when you couldn't spare your sister from your fury and bullied Christine when she was only trying to be nice to you." Reah remarked.Eva scoffed with a raised eyebrow, "I understand if you're trying to protect your friend. However, you should know that Christine would have been kneeling on the cold hard floor on her two knees and be in a pathetic state already if I was truly bullying her. You should be aware that isn't an understatement since I'm very famous for that and you have also experienced it for yourself in the past." Eva revealed, locking gaze up to Reah's face with an intimidating look. Reah gulped in fear, unable to say a
"I apologize that you had to endure that Miss Nathalia. It wasn't my intent that your friend would have to experience this kind of thing on her first visit to our stall. I'm sorry, Miss. Our staff should have handled the situation more effectively." The manager immediately apologized to Nathalia and Eva respectively."Oh, that's okay. Besides, those ladies have a lot of unsorted problems with me, since I've also not been a good influence. And, you don't have to get angry at Miss Maria because I was the one who told her not to interfere, she was only following my order." Eva stated. "O-of course, if it was your order she was following, I have no problem with that." The manager replied. Even if there was a problem he couldn't say it.He turned to look at Damien. "Mr Cross, please excuse me, I have to take care of some matters quickly." He requested.Damien nodded his head, giving him the permission to leave. "Thank you, Sir. Maria follows me." He thanked Damien before signaling Maria to
"You're indeed a crazy woman to have a lot of courage to say that and deny knowing me." His voice was so thick with restrained anger, no one had ever spoken like this and this Eva's second time speaking to him in such a casual manner. Nathalia nearly ran out of the boutique in fear, why did her cousin have to pick a fight with her best friend.But Eva was used to these types of men who thought that their intimidating and daunting stare could make a woman run for their life. All of the times Mark had glared and threatened her had toughened her skin. Eva was lethargic and apathetic to this kind of behavior.She can't deny the fact that this man did it better than Mark, but who cares?"I don't think I'm obliged to know you when I don't. As for the fact that called me a crazy woman, I will let it go this time." Eva remarked, ignoring the warning bell in her head and the obvious red flag waving in front of her.Nathalia stood frozen in shock. On one hand, she was extremely satisfied with w
After going back to Eva's apartment condo, Nathalia headed straight to the to grab something to drink. She walked back to the living and saw that the driver had helped to place all the shopping bags containing the clothes and shoes they had bought.Sitting down on the L-shaped couch, Nathalia opened the bag of chips she had brought along with her from the kitchen."Now, let's see you try out all these clothes right away." She remarked while putting a piece of the chips in her mouth."You mean all of them?" Eva suddenly turned to look at her."Yes, and I know what you're thinking but the sooner you try them out the quicker you rest." Nathalia stated as she waved her hand urging Eva to go and try out the dresses. Shaking her head, Eva grabbed the shopping bags and headed towards the bedroom.An hour later, Eva walked out of the room wearing the last pieces of dress Nathalia bought for her. It was a navy blue spaghetti strap colored empire dress. "Wow, you look gorgeous and stunning.
"How can you not know who was standing in front of you? Don't you know a single information about him? Ha……. Seriously, Eva." Nathalia sighed as she rubbed the space between her eyebrows, she thought Eva would be joking but the clueless expression on her face just made more perplexed at the moment."He is the most handsome and eligible bachelor and most importantly the dream husband of every single woman in the country. Not only is he just the dream husband, he is a very powerful man no one wants to offend, yet my dear you just casually spoke to him in such a manner, plus you told him to his face that you know nothing about him. Haa……I'm already losing my mind." "So you seem to know a lot about that man." Eva raised an eyebrow and gave her a suspicious look.Nathalia did know that she was advertising Damien to Eva but she couldn't stop at this moment. "Yes, I know a lot about him because that man is my cou…..ehem, I mean because he is very famous and even if you ask any individual abo
"What?!" Eva yelped in utter shock. Of course, she wasn't a country pumpkin. She has heard of the name Damien Cross a lot of times from other female socialites. However, she wasn't really interested in knowing more about him, but according to what her ears picked from people's conversation about him, he is a very powerful individual. Mark had even told her about the Cross Enterprise in the past. "Did you know what he is mostly called among other people?" Nathalia asked but Eva shook her head indicating that she didn't know."The Demo CEO. And the reason he was given such a name was because of his cruelty and ruthlessness. That person you saw is a very dangerous man that no one dared to offend. Even the government was very cautious when dealing with him. Despite his fearsome reputation, you can tell how many single women in the country flock around him all the way to celebrities and other young men from rich families. Did you know what he did to a female celebrity who had mistakenly
After they were done eating, both Eva and Nathalia spent the rest of the day binge-watching K drama movies then switching the TV channel to the latest variety show on the best couple in Miami which gave Nathalia the opportunity to throw popcorn at the screen.Nathalia was extremely exhausted from all the day's events, slumping lazily on the couch, Nathalia slept like a child as her body was curled into a ball and her arms tucked underneath her face.Eva chuckled at this sight, she switched off the TV before walking to her bedroom and walked back to the living with a heavy blanket which she used to cover her up.Tying her up her long hair, she began to clean up the mess they've made in the living room. If it was the woman from nine months ago, she would've left the chores to the housecleaner. Since she would be twenty-three years old this year and a grown adult, she figured it was best for her not to remain lazy. Being able to clean the house and do her laundry was something she shoul
Eva's entire life was built around a man that shattered her. From a young age after the death of Eva's mother, as if it was planned, she was drilled on how to become his pillar of support, after Eva stopped modeling, her father forced Eva to help Mark manage his multi-million cooperation, she wasted her time learning how to handle paperwork, secretly helping him fulfill his position when he was absent, she was his safe haven, and also a perfect wife. Eva thought she was doing all of this out of her love for Mark. However, all of her training and endless night of working hard was completely shattered within the span of nine months. In just nine months, Mark had forced Eva to her lowest point because he betrayed and fell in love with Christine.Nathalia knew that Eva was hurting so bad, because a similar situation had happened to her mother. It was like a deja Vu for Eva.Eva sighed, not angry about the fact that she was being yelled at by Nathalia. "Okay, fine. I'll think about it bu
Eva’s heart pounded as she searched for a way to diffuse his anger. She knew that escalating this tension would only make things worse. Desperate, she decided to play a different card—a gamble.“Tell me, how would you like to handle the consequences? Perhaps I should start with—" He was interrupted when she abruptly stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace. The suddenness of her action made him freeze in place.“What are you doing?" He blinked. "Damien," she murmured softly, her voice sweet and soothing. She pressed her face against his chest, rubbing her cheek against the silk of his shirt.His body stiffened, his clenched fists trembling at his sides. "This won't work," he said, though his voice had lost its sharp edge."I'm cold," she whispered, her words muffled against his chest."Eva," he warned, but his tone lacked conviction."Won’t you hug me?" She tilted her head up, gazing at him with wide, pleading eyes and a slight pout on her lips. Her heart ski
After bidding Belle goodbye and promising her one last time that she would return tomorrow, Eva walked down the hospital halls with a spring in her step. A soft hum escaped her lips, her arms filled with snacks Belle had insisted she take. The little girl had brightened her day and made her feel less alone in the dreariness of the hospital."You shout it out, but I can't hear a word you sayI'm talking loud, not saying muchI'm criticized, but all your bullets ricochetShoot me down, but I get up," Eva softly sang, her favorite song playing in her mind as she strolled back to her room. She smiled, wondering if her friend Nathalie would enjoy the snacks she was carrying.“I'm bulletproof, nothing to loseFire away, fire awayRicochet, you take your aimFire away, fire awayShe was in such a good mood that she even gently danced along the hallway to her. “You shoot me down, but I won't fallI am titanium………..”“You shoot me down, but I won't fallI am titanium” a low voice suddenly com
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