When she turned to look at him and saw that he was also staring at her with a slightly hopeful expression on his face, she was surprised because she hadn't seen Damien have that kind of expression on his face. She had always known him to be a very cold, and aloof person but this expression was a new thing to her.In all honesty, she was confused about why he was so Intrigued by her. Shouldn't men who are influential and powerful like him have a beautiful woman with a stellar reputation that matches with his beside him? Why does he keep looking for her, even after she tried to ditch and ignore him he was always there. She didn't want to have anything to do with him but they kept on crossing paths with each other. Eva was starting to hate their encounter because it was beginning to look like what people would call ‘Fate or Destiny' and that is the last thing she needed to hear right now. They are not bound by Fate or Destiny, they were just unfortunate to always be at the same place. S
“What? You don't know what you did? You're the number one reason I'm gloomy.” Nathalia responded, pointing an accusing finger at Ella who raised a clueless brow. “I still don't understand what you mean." She shook her head.“You don't? Then I don't mind telling you." Nathalia said, adjusting very well on the couch to face Ella properly. “You seized my cell phone, despite knowing what I needed to do with it. And you won't let me get any other cell phone or touch a phone. So you see that you're the cause of my gloomy expression. “ Nathalia complained like a spoiled child.Ella burst into a fit of laughter after hearing all of Nathalia's childish complaints. It was true that she had seized Nathalia's phone for the past three days so that she would be focused on her work since her mind has been more focused on what is going on in Miami after she saw the headlines of what happened at the banquet. “Did I say something funny to make you laugh?" Nathalia asked, raising her brow at Ella. “Y
“Of course, of course, I wouldn't want to waste any more of your time already Miss Evan.” Stanley gestured to his secretary to bring the documents over."Then, please allow your secretary outside to allow our people to enter.” Ella remarked looking at Stanley. Earlier when they arrived with their lawyer, the secretary outside of the office had only allowed both Ella and Nathalia to enter the office and asked the lawyer to wait in the other waiting room.“That wouldn't be a problem." Stanley nodded before turning to look at his secretary, beckoning her to tell the other secretary outside the office to allow the lawyer inside the office. A few moments later, they had finished signing the contract deal. Stanley stood up from up from his seat as well as Nathalia. He stretched out his hand forward for a handshake and this time around Nathalia grabbed his hand.“It’s a pleasure to sign a contract with you Miss Evan and have your work with our company once again.” Stanley had a friendly s
When they got outside the office, Nathalia walked directly towards her car while Stanley walked towards his car as well without questioning Nathalia. Since he was the one that knew the restaurant where they would be having their lunch, he drove in front of the highway while Nathalia closely followed behind him. A few minutes later they both arrived at a very classy looking restaurant and were led to a private room that Stanley had requested for since he can't allow a high ranking and famous supermodel as Nathalia to eat at the regular table in the restaurant.********Two hours later, Nathalia walked into the building where she would be taking the photoshoot. She had finished having lunch with Stanley and after having a few conversations with him, she decided to take her leave since she was done with her meal. “You're back." Ella remarked when she saw Nathalia walking into her make-up room. She was sitting on the couch with a white document in her hand. “Mm-hm, I am. I know you mis
“Your nose is still as sharp as a bloodhound, Edwin. But, yes we had smoked oysters as a side dish.” Lawrence replied, taking notice of the surprised expression on the face of the vice president of the Evan Corporation."We? What do you mean by we? Are you saying that my older brother had lunch with you?” Edwin asked, knowing that Damien is very selective and picky about the place that he eats. “Yes, he has lunch with us." Lawrence calmly replied.“Wait, if he had lunch with you then did he take a bite out of the oyster?" Edwin asked again, already reaching for his phone. He asked the question because he knew Damien might not want to tell Lawrence that he didn't like oysters and ate it out of courtesy and respect he had for the old man. “Why are you asking with that expression? “ Lawrence replied gently, staring at Edwin." That arctic cousin doesn't like oysters, most especially smoked oysters.” Edwin muttered. Lawrence leaned forward with a frown on his face. What does this brat
He couldn't wait for the day and time when his parents and their grandfather would lecture Damien for making them wait for him to start his own family. The man was already thirty years old and had yet to bring home any woman to introduce to his family, most especially their grandfather. Now that Edwin thought about it, he remembered seeing a particular headline that was blown up recently. He had been receiving phone calls endlessly from his parents, most especially his mother who was Damien's Aunt she had been calling him nonstop since Damien wasn't picking up their calls.They wanted to confirm if the news we're true or not as they giddily imagined that a grandchild is in the near future. Unfortunately, Edwin didn't know if it was real or notWhen Eva walked out of the Smith Enterprise, she was about to head to where she had parked her car, but a hand suddenly grabbed her. “I'm not taking a cab this time since I've brought my own car, you can let go of my hand.” She turned around, r
She glanced down at Damien's peaceful expression. Her eyes trailed up to his lips to his eyes, where dark circles were heavily visible. She sighed, knowing fully well that it was better to let him sleep than wake him just because she was uncomfortable. She can endure it for a little bit more.The man noticed their intimate position but acted as if he hadn't witnessed anything out of the blue from his boss. The entire car was stuffy and filled with awkward tension, so Eva decided to be the first to break the awkward atmosphere.“You said his insomnia acted up, I still don't understand. Why did he become like this out of nowhere? Shouldn't he take medication for his health?” She curiously asked, thinking back to what the man had said earlier.“Boss is severely having trouble getting any sleep lately, not like he did sleep before. His lack of sleep had been causing him severe headaches and he had been constantly taking medication to lessen the headache since he couldn't sleep for more th
After wasting so much of her remaining energy, Eva became extremely tired. She took notice of the couch placed on the opposite side of the black, and lifeless room.Eva weakly dragged her legs, she walked slowly to it and the second she sat down, she felt her entire body grow completely weak and she slowly felt her consciousness slip out of her body.“Resting for a few moments wouldn't hurt." Eva tiredly muttered to herself.Soon, she found herself lying on the couch comfortably and curling into a ball. In a matter of minutes, she was completely asleep. ********Damien woke up in the middle of the night as he normally does. He sat up on the bed and ran a tired hand through his black silky hair before realizing his situation. He frowned instantly when he gathered the fact that he was in his bed, barely covered by the blanket. He was still wearing the dark blue three-piece suit from this morning, except for the fact that it was a bit disheveled from being used as pajamas. The frown on
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