Finally, Nathalia stomped back to Eva's bedside, a childish pout settled on her face. “Eva, I seriously don’t understand what you see in such a stubborn man!”Eva's laughter filled the room, rich and warm, as she gave her friend a knowing look. “Nathy, you should know better than anyone that stubbornness runs in your family’s blood,” she teased. She’d missed Nathalia’s lively spirit and the fun they shared. It felt like ages since she’d seen her friend so full of mischief and life.Nathalia’s mouth dropped open, and she let out a dramatic gasp, her hand clutching her chest, while deepening her pout. “Eva! I am not stubborn!” She eyed Eva's arm, clearly itching to grab and shake it as she always did, but she held herself back, remembering her friend’s injuries.Eva rolled her eyes, a smile still on her lips. “Yeah, right.”“If you keep rolling your eyes, they’ll get stuck that way,” Nathalia countered with a playful stomp of her foot, crossing her arms in a pretend huff.Eva chuckled,
After indulging in the hearty meal and feeling her energy begin to restore, Eva settled back against her pillows, her eyelids growing heavy with drowsiness. But just as she began to drift into a contented nap, Nathalia nudged her shoulder insistently.Groaning, Eva cracked an eye open, her exasperation clear. “What now?” Her voice was laced with irritation from being disturbed as she raised a brow at the expectant look on her friends face.Just as Nathalia was about to open her mouth and speak, her cell phone went off which interrupted her. When she glanced at her cell phone screen, she glanced back at Eva who was staring at her as well.“Who is it?" Eva asked.“Gwen. You know she always makes sure to visit everyday since you've been here. I wonder why she is calling me." Nathalia told Eva before she answered the call."Gwen, is there a problem?” Nathalia asked, after answering the call." Yes, there is a problem. I'm outside Eva's ward and the guards won't let me in. Though they loo
Gwen's worried look softened as she stared at Eva, she raised her hand up and helped Eva to tuck the strand of hair behind her ear while caressing her cheeks. However, the moment didn't last long as Gwen's expression switched. “Don't you dare tell me not to worry about you ever again! Apart from being your manager, I have a new job and that is to worry about you. Do you have the slightest idea of what I went through the day you disappeared? I was on the verge of dying out of worry!” Gwen scolded as she crossed her arm in front of her chest and glowered at Eva." She had everyone worried. Speaking of that, I have to let Kai know that you are awake as well.” Nathalia Interjected as she brought out her phone."Gwen, I'm sorry for making you worried. I should have told you where I was going.” Eva didn't bother to argue or explain and apologize to Gwen. She was fully aware that she was being scolded by Gwen because she was worried.After Gwen forgave her, the three of them engaged in a li
“Nathalia.” Eva interrupted, laughing. “Do you want to speak, or do you want me to answer?”Nathalia's eyes widened, and she clasped her hands together in a dramatic show of restraint. “Okay, okay! I’ll be quiet. Answer everything! All of my questions!”Eva sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips as she recalled the moments between her and Damien. She began with the day he’d sent her a luxury purse, to the absurd gift war that followed, the night he had shown up as her unexpected date, and the private moments they’d shared. She skimmed over some details, her voice growing softer as she talked, but both Gwen and Nathalia listened intently, their expression cycling between shock, delight, and amazement.By the time Eva finished, Nathalia's mouth hung open, her disbelief plain. She couldn't believe her grumpy and brooding brother is….is so loving!She never imagined he had any romantic bone in his body. But then she remembered that even as kids, his attitude had always been better with
The three shared a smile, but before they could continue, a knock sounded at the door. One of Damien’s bodyguards entered, bowing slightly. “Excuse me, Madam, Young Miss . Boss asked us to confirm that all is well.”Nathalia rolled her eyes. “Typical Damien,” she muttered. “Can’t even leave you alone without checking up on you. Besides, he should have called if he wanted to know how you are doing.”“Don't say that, Mr. Cross could actually be busy.” Gwen quickly defended Damien."Young Miss, boss already gave us the order before he left.” The guard said, confirming that Gwen was right.Eva smiled, warmth filling her chest. “Well then, I'm perfectly fine. In case he contacts you, tell him he has nothing to worry about.”The guard nodded and departed, and Nathalia watched him leave with a smirk. “See? The man can’t stay away for more than five minutes.” She leaned back with a sigh of satisfaction, crossing her arms. “Oh, Eva, this is going to be amazing. I can finally have a sister-in-
“See, even Gwen agrees with me. Seriously, apart from my brother having his issues, I think you should work on yourself." Just as Nathalia was about to dive into more teasing, her phone buzzed. She glanced down, and her face fell as she saw the name on the screen.It was her manager.A look of realization crossed her face, and her shoulders sagged. She’d completely forgotten about rescheduling her appointments to help Eva with her work schedule and also spend time with Eva in the hospital. She glanced at the clock, her heart sinking. She had a major shoot in just under two hours—one she absolutely couldn’t cancel.Eva, noticing her friend’s stricken expression, leaned a bit and saw the caller name before letting out a soft chuckle. “Looks like you’re in for a real lecture. Go to the shoot, Nathalia. It’s only five. You’ll make it.”“Well, you're the one who caused it. Nathalia had to push back her own schedule to help you with your own schedule for the past three weeks you've been h
Eva nodded her head after she heard Gwen. It's no surprise if both Gwen and Ella ask each other for help since the two of them are dealing with two supermodels.Nathalia's phone started ringing again. “I hope I'm not in trouble this time." She muttered to herself.“Pick it up and let's start going." Gwen told her with a lazy expression on her face.Nathalia had barely pressed the call button when her manager’s voice erupted through the phone, scolding her loudly enough that Eva could hear it from across the room. Wincing, Nathalia held the phone away from her ear, grimacing as she listened to the endless tirade.With a resigned sigh, Nathalia casted Eva an apologetic look. “Eva I really want to stay but we have to leave now." " It's okay, I understand. You both stay safe.” She smiled reassuringly at Nathalia before turning her gaze to Gwen. " Take care of her.” She told her who rolled her eyes." You should take care of yourself more. Nathalia is in my care so don't worry. Apart from
She frowned, her lips pulling into a line. Great, she thought. He’s furious. A few minutes passed as she waited for some sign of a response to the quick text she sent, but nothing came.“Well, it’s official. He’s mad at me,” she muttered, shaking her head. She’d have to make it up to him, maybe by cooking his favorite dishes when she was well enough. Harry could rarely resist a home-cooked meal, and she hoped food might help soften his disappointment.Eva decided to call Lucien first before she called her two grandparents. “You'd better have a good reason why you have gone MIA.” Lucien's cold voice suddenly rang out immediately he answered his sister's call. Even though he sounded cold, he was actually relieved when he saw her call.A few weeks ago when he couldn't reach Eva, he had contacted Nathalia but she told him Eva was busy, that's why she wasn't able to answer his call. However, he felt something was off and didn't fully believe her.“Hoho, are you really that angry with me,
Damien’s patience was wearing thin. He had no time for groveling and lies.Sensing his boss’s growing irritation, Eric opened his mouth to speed up the conversation, but before he could, Oliver burst into the room.“Hey, Mr. Piggy, could you shut up?” Oliver snapped, his bright yellow hoodie and ripped jeans contrasting with the grim atmosphere. He twirled a sleek switchblade in his hand, his boyish face betraying a sinister grin.Rex’s brows furrowed at the newcomer. Was this some kind of joke? Who let this disrespectful kid into the room? Besides, wasn't this one way too young to even be here? He was dressed naively young, like a baby chick with that bright clothes.“Hey, human garbage,” Oliver growled, his playful demeanor shifting in an instant. His eyes turned wild, and his grin morphed into something feral. “Don’t look at me like that.” He hurled his knife with terrifying precision, the blade grazing Rex’s neck and leaving a shallow cut. Blood trickled down, making Rex stumble b
Damien didn't speak, instead, he pulled out a gun, turning it around and examining it, a crude expression on his face.His right-hand man, Eric, stepped forward. Unlike his boss, Eric is also active and very talkative in this kind of moment when it comes to cleaning up filth like this."Take a guess," Eric said coolly, his tone sharp enough to cut glass.Rex’s eyes darted to Damien, who was calmly examining a sleek, custom-made gun. A shiver ran down his spine. He recognized the weapon—a modified Smith & Wesson, known for its devastating effects. The bullets it fired didn’t just kill, they tortured, leaving behind excruciatingly slow, acid-induced agony. It was an acid that burned through everything until the pearly white bone was exposed. That pain alone would have people begging for death over mercy.Mr. Damien, I-I’m not sure of the purpose of your visit. V-velvet vipers hasn’t interfered with the Cross’s business—”“Blood fist.” Damien’s icy voice cut through the tense atmosphere,
Just as Rex reached for his expensive wine again, the door to the room burst open with a thunderous crash, silencing the revelry in an instant. Crimson laser dots swarmed the room, targeting every man, freezing them in place.Rex barely blinked when he saw the commotion. It was not something new to have enemies barge into the place he was having fun. Probably, it would end with another threat conversation before the other party leaves. Calmly, he sipped his drink and set it down. But just as his fingers released the glass, a bullet shattered it, spilling the expensive liquor onto his custom Dior shoes."Bold little bastards," Rex muttered, his patience wearing thin. Reaching into his waistband, he pulled out a pistol.Upon seeing the lethal weapon in his hand, the women beside scattered like frightened mice, their shrieks piercing the tension-filled air. They weren't women who worked for the clan, instead, they were just simple escorts and prostitutes called in to please these big-sho
After switching the light on, her eyes landed on a set of bags near the couch. The scent of familiar dishes wafted through the air, and her heart twisted painfully. He had brought her favorite foods, likely intending to eat with her.He had wanted to eat with her. Her chest prickled with guilt and for a moment, she hesitated.But then she glanced at the shattered vase she had thrown in anger, and the guilt was replaced by frustration. Gathering the bags, she marched to the door and opened it to find Damien’s bodyguards standing stiffly outside.“You must be hungry standing out here all day,” she said, shoving the bags into their hands. “Take these. I’m not in the mood to eat.”The men exchanged bewildered glances.“Lady Boss, are you sure—”“If you don’t want them, throw them away,” she said curtly, shutting the door before they could protest further.“We can't really toss this away, can't we? This is too expensive." One of the bodyguards said, glancing at the bag while the others nod
His scowl deepened, and for a moment, she thought he might explode. But instead, he bit back whatever retort had been on the tip of his tongue. He knew that pushing her further would only backfire.“I understand you hate hospitals,” he said after a long pause, his voice gentler. “But staying here and resting is for your own good. You’re too stubborn to take care of yourself, so I have to do it for you.”Did he view her as a child? Why was he so persistent in keeping her here? She could recuperate somewhere else with a personal doctor — anything was fine, as long as it wasn't this chemical-filled location brimming with painful memories.Eva’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I don’t need your intervention.”His eyes narrowed, his irritation simmering just beneath the surface. “Don’t be stubborn—”“You’re a hypocrite,” she shot back before she could stop herself. Well, to some extent, she was hypocritical."Ehm, ehm……you demand me to not be stubborn, but here you are again, also being st
Eva felt her heart ache at the tone of Damien's voice, so small and fragile, like that of a lost child. Her chest tightened with guilt for having pushed him to this point. Her logical mind chastised her for taking things too far, while her heart yearned to soothe and comfort him.“Will you do it again?” she asked softly, her fingers tracing gentle circles over his rough, calloused hands.Immediately, his hand shifted to clasp hers tightly, intertwining their fingers in a firm yet comforting grip. Her heart skipped a beat at the gesture, a tiny smile tugging at the corners of her lips.“I can’t promise you a definite no,” he admitted, his deep voice muffled as he rested his head on her shoulder. He breathed her in—the intoxicating, calming scent of jasmine filling his senses and clouding his mind. “But I will try my hardest to be lenient.”She paused, unsure how to respond. Sensing her silence, Damien tightened his hold on her fingers, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.“Are you sti
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