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
A black shadow flew at the speed of light and before anyone could react, a hand had smacked her face with so much force that it turned to the side.The crowd gasped in shock. Never in a billion years would they expect Mark to strike a woman.Eva's face was immediately swung to the side with so much force, she knew she just received a whiplash as she could feel a taste of blood in her mouth. Tears gathered in her eyes at the stinging pain in her cheeks, but she pushed them back. She didn't even slap Christine so hard like this earlier."Oh my god! Mark, are you okay?" Christine immediately grabbed Mark's rough and stiffened hand. It was bright red because of how hard he had smacked Eva."Does it hurt?" She gently asked him with her sweet, angelic voice, she blew air into his red hand, lightly rubbing her cold fingers against him.Mark's eyes softened at the sight of the fragile woman beside him. "I'm fine, sweetheart." He whispered to her. Eva hatefully glared at them, she sneered in
"What the fuck!" Eva who was still half asleep immediately her drowsy eyes flew wide open when she heard the distant yet familiar voice."Good morning, father. It's nice to hear your voice after all this while. I apologize, it wasn't my intention to ignore your calls but it's rather strange because I wasn't expecting to receive a call from you today." Eva explained in a modest manner."How brazen you've become! Now I have to make an appointment with you before I call you, huh? So much guts you've got!" The voice yelled again."Of course not. You can call me anytime you want, which you rarely do unless you need something from me or someone to yell and vent your anger on. The morning seems to have a good vibe so, let's not waste each other's time and get straight to the point of why you've decided to call me today of all days?" Eva said with a yawn, she was already sick of him beating around the bush. Besides, she desperately wants to go back to sleep. She has never woken up this early
After hanging up the call, Eva had a dark expression on her face. She hated it whenever Mathew had to always have to bring up her mother's name to get her to do whatever he wanted.The marriage between both Eva's mother- Shenley Black and Mathew Carter was a political marriage. The Black family is one of the top five influential families in California, and since the Carter family have a close relationship with the Black family. At that time the Patriarch of the Black family was looking for a suitable husband for his daughter Shenley Black, so the Carter family used their close influence to make Shenley marry their son who was no other than Matthew.The two people were reluctant to marry one another but they couldn't refuse their family. The first three years after their marriage the two people living under the same roof had a very distant relationship. However, the heavy pressure Matthew received from his family elder to copulate the marriage and make Shenley bore a child. The elders
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