Clara had been here for five years now. It was already enough for her to understand how precarious the situation is currently, and how far it had turned the already harsh Mark even more unbearable to work with. Ever since the Smith Enterprise had cut off the connection between the two companies , the Johnson corporation stock had been slowly dwindling. She was one of the core workers who knew about Eva’s existence in the Johnson Corporation. Before she was promoted to become CEO Mark private secretary, she had already been a part of the CEO’s team of secretaries. Not many people knew that ever since Eva stopped being a model , she had immediately taken on running the company as Mark proxy. Clara had witnessed first hand how Eva spent a whole year holed up in the office with them, barely eating and sleeping, resulting in the drastic skyrocketing of Johnson Corporation’s net worth.Eva ran a tight ship. Every single contract and proposal went through her, and she had led the managemen
Clara looked back at the loving couple and felt her mood turn incredibly sour when she saw that they did not wait for her to take her leave before getting into a compromising and intimate position. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes at how inappropriate they were in the office. ‘Can’t they control themselves, or better still get a room for goodness?’ Clara complained to herself, feeling nauseous and the scene before her. This is also one of the reasons why she disliked Chistine, she doesn’t compose herself and can’t refuse it at times. Clara was aware that there are times a couple might get carried away by their emotion but it wasn’t the case for christine. Thinking about it now, Clara couldn’t but believe that Mark never loved Eva because there was never a time she had seen him get intimate with Eva when she was still his fiance. He always had a frown on his anytime she visited, probably because he heard news that eva had caused trouble again somewhere. Clara couldn’t understand ho
The living room was filled with the sound of a hauntingly sorrowful melody. Along the way, she began to sing the lyrics of the song that came to her mind at the moment. It was one of her favorite songs which was sung by the artist Adele - Someone Like you.Eva forgot all of her worries at the moment and began playing the keys of the piano to match the song.“I heard that you're settled down.That you found a girl and you're married nowI heard that your dreams came trueGuess she gave you things, I didn't give to youOld friend, why are you so shy? Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light.I hate to turn up out of the blue, uninvited But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight itI had hoped you'd see my faceAnd that you'd be reminded that for me, it isn't over.Nevermind, I'll find someone like youI wish nothing but the best for you, too"Don't forget me” I beg I remember you said“Sometimes , it last in love, but sometimes it hurts instead" A memory flooded through
"I've told you to stop cutting me off like that. And yes, you can. I'm only agreeing to let you go because I need your full attention tomorrow at the fashion show. The last thing I want is for you to make a whole mess of everything, I don't really care if the show gets ruined but I'm worried about your public image." Ella remarked with a serious expression. She didn't want Nathalia to make a fool out of herself tomorrow if she kept looking dull like this.“What did you take me for? Even if I'm not in a good mood, you should know that I have always put on the best facial expression on my face when it comes to working." Nathalia grumbled while crossing her arms in front of her chest. Her mood was already starting to change to her usual self without her realizing it.“Then I shouldn't bother with booking the flight since you are confident in yourself." Ella replied.“No, of course not. But what about the fashion show? Wouldn't going to Miami take more time?" Nathalia asked.“It won't. It
“ I will handle the consequences later. Break the speed limit.”Ray was a little surprised at his order, but nonetheless, followed it like it was the law. Less than a few seconds, he was speeding down the highway , dodging cars, and breaking into the city streets. He drove the black Bentley Bentaya to its limit, like a car racer with a heart of frenzy for speed.Eva was too busy daydreaming out of the window to even hear the whisper coming from her phone in the background. She pressed a finger onto the window and started tracing out the people below that looked like ants with a blank and bored expression on her face.She didn’t realize that her emotions were growing unstable as if she was taken back to the version of her from nine months ago. She remembers herself swearing to her grandfather back when she used to live with the Black family before coming back to miami. Goerge had asked her to promise him that she would keep her emotions under control. That was the only thing he asked h
“Don’t lie to me, Evangeline.” Damien’s voice was so soft despite him calling her by her full name. She felt a warm and fuzzy feeling within her when she heard his voice.“Now, be a good girl and open the door.” Damien said, knocking on the door, waiting patiently for her to open the door. He didn't ask which apartment she was staying at because he was already aware of the apartment she was in, thanks to the information Shane had gathered about. However, he needed her to open the door for him, because unlike when he carried to her other apartment he was able to easily unlock her apartment door because of her fingerprints and her gullibility to mumble answers to the questions he was asking her while she was asleep.Eva felt a slight buzzing in her head and her cheeks felt warm. Stumbling her way to the door, she opened it to see him standing in front of her in all of his full glory. She couldn’t control herself and got herself mesmerized and captivated by him again. The lights from the
Damien raised a brow at how she didn’t try to argue with him. He knew the alcohol tended to lower one’s inhibitions and reveal their true self. Does she always act like a docile kitten when she has a drink? He couldn’t help but pat her head lightly for her good behavior. “Did you eat something?” He knew she often skips meals, and he wanted to find out if she was drinking on an empty stomach.“ I don't want to eat.” She stubbornly replied, walking away from him feeling the desire to lay down and sleep. “You have to eat something, little one.” He grabs her wrist, pulling her closer to him. “But, i’m not hungry-” “Your stomach says otherwise.” he said, remembering how her stomach made a growl sound every time she refused to eat in front of him. She blushed at his words and tried to push him away, but he gently kept his hold on her.“Don’t be stubborn.” He curled an arm around her waist and a smile appeared on his face when he saw how she didn't try to push him away like she normally
“I can never change the past. Whenever I close my eyes ,all I see are the images of the people I broke, the bonds I severed, and all the awful things I have done! I’m such a bad person, I'm a villain , and even at my wedding-” Eva's voice became muffled when she was suddenly pulled into a tight hug by Damien. For the first time, he saw her in her vulnerable state. His impression of her had always been of someone who is confident, daring and feisty. He didn’t know this was how she thought about herself?“You said it yourself, the past can never be changed, my dear kitten. Instead of burying yourself in the past, learn from it. See it as a meaningful lesson and let it go. Besides, nobody is pure in this world, we all have done bad things, not just you. Everyone just has the limit of the bad things they’ve done and how long they can hide it. You were born and trained in a family that had reached its peak by being ruthless and eliminating everyone that stands in their way. Being kind to
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