Eva suddenly felt a little bit uncomfortable as she stared at her surroundings. They just had to be in a place where she had secretly sold most of her paintings to. Fucking hell! Nobody, not even her father except for Nathalia and Lucien knew that Eva had secretly sold most of her paintings she had done in her spare time to the museum. Nobody knew the identity of the infamous artist of her paintings.Never once had she visited this place because it was the place she sold her paintings and it would feel weird so she always visited other big museums whenever she had nothing to do but thanks to Lucas who had brought her here she had no choice. She can briefly sense that he was trying to please her with her favorite things but it really isn't working at all on Eva. “It's not enough." Eva finally replied to him. However, Lucas was confused by what Eva meant. He wasn't sure if Eva was indicating that the location of the date wasn't enough for her.Eva glanced at him and saw the confused e
Damien reached out his hand in order to praise her for being focused on him. He stroked her hair away from her face and pushed it behind her ear, revealing her sharp features.Damien made sure that he didn't touch her skin and only her hair. Her long lashes fluttered and immediately, he glanced at her mouth making Eva's breath quickened as she also followed his gaze.“Now, now, be a good doll and step aside. You're blocking my path.” Without waiting for her to move, Damien simply shoved past Lucas not once looking back to see the mess he had made of Eva. The second he left the spell was broken making Eva fumed in her mind. She couldn't help but chide herself for falling hopelessly into his trap. She might have as well skipped her way into the dragon's cave!“I'm sorry," Eva breathed out, she turned to look at Lucas besides her. This was a blind date with Lucas but it was suddenly interrupted by Damien's presence. She couldn't do or say anything other than the fact that she was drawn
Eva forcefully tore her gaze from the painting and glanced at the bottom of the drawing to read the name of the artist.“Surprisingly, it was drawn by S. Black.” Lucas read out as he looked at the name written beside the painting. "This is shocking, I never knew that S. Black made this painting before her death. Probably, this was the last piece she made before she died but how come she was able to hold a paintbrush, much less make such a beautiful and delicate line when she is sick?” “She was always good with her fingers no matter what situation." Eva muttered. "What? Do you know her?” Lucas asked, baffled by her words. Every one that the infamous artist S. Black was a woman but she had never once shown her face in public for people to know what she looked like. There was only news about her being sick and after a few months she died.Eva's eyes went wide in panic because she had forgotten that her mother hadn't revealed her identity when she was alive. “What I mean is that S. Blac
Damien ignored the murmur and glances he received from the women that passed by. His focus was entirely on Eva who had been staring blankly at the picture both she and Lucas had stopped in front. Damien watched as she touched her throat and glanced to the ground blinking her eyes multiple times. Even from afar, he could see that was choked up and emotional at the moment.“Boss, you shouldn't smoke indoors.” Shane moved closer to Damien and whispered gently beside him. He glanced at the cigarettes hanging dangerously low in his boss's fingertips. The ashes were burning, the smoke lingering to the ceiling, yet not once had Damien taken a drawl from it. Damien watched as Eva continued to tour the section but her expression was extremely dull and gloomy as he noticed the blood drained from her face.Damien straightened up, dropping the cigarettes to the ground and stomping it out. He will ask Shane to pay for the damages later.After a few minutes, she muttered something to Lucas and wi
“I understand your worries, Mira but I have enough strength to do it now. Don't worry I'll be fine. Besides I'm just going to sit down and draw for my daughter there is nothing so stressful about that. Who knows, this might be the last time I get the chance to draw ever again." Shenley looked up at Mira, hoping that her words would convince Mira.“Madam, please don't speak in that manner. You still have a lot of chances to draw and do whatever you like. But if you so wish that you want to draw then I have no other choice. You just have to promise me that you'd stop if you ever get tired.” Mira hesitantly uttered, she knew how her Madam loved to draw and she couldn't stop her.“I agree." Shenley quickly agreed to Mira's condition with a smile on her face. Happy about the fact that she was able to convince Mira.After Mira was done arranging the place where Shenley wanted to paint, she went back and assisted Shenley to stand up from the bed because she was too weak to stand up by hersel
“I understand your worries, Mira but I have enough strength to do it now. Don't worry I'll be fine. Besides I'm just going to sit down and draw for my daughter there is nothing so stressful about that. Who knows, this might be the last time I get the chance to draw ever again." Shenley looked up at Mira, hoping that her words would convince Mira.“Madam, please don't speak in that manner. You still have a lot of chances to draw and do whatever you like. But if you so wish that you want to draw then I have no other choice. You just have to promise me that you'd stop if you ever get tired.” Mira hesitantly uttered, she knew how her Madam loved to draw and she couldn't stop her.“I agree." Shenley quickly agreed to Mira's condition with a smile on her face. Happy about the fact that she was able to convince Mira.After Mira was done arranging the place where Shenley wanted to paint, she went back and assisted Shenley to stand up from the bed because she was too weak to stand up by hersel
“Mom, you were right. I eventually grew up to be just as you expected, I wish you were here to witness it." Eva softly muttered to herself, nearly breaking into tears.Eva watched her face one more time in order to compose herself back but it wasn't working as she was still filled with too much emotion. She decided to force herself out of the bathroom despite the fact that her gaze was hazy due to the water of the tears threatening to pour down her face.Just after Eva walked out of the bathroom and took a few steps further, she suddenly lost her balance. Eva was prepared to fall down when a strong hand caught her. Her head snapped up and saw Damien before her through her blurry vision.“.... Dam…ien…..?” Eva called out in order to confirm if it was him. Her legs gave out again but he caught her again.Damien steadied her against his chest, his arms wrapped around her trembling body. He pressed his palm against her lower back, pulling her small waist towards him.“Shh….. I've got you
Eva raised her head up and peered into his eyes. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the fire burning within them. He wasn't even touching her yet, but it already feels like he had undressed her.“This blazer belongs to my brother.” Eva finally admitted, not wanting to push her luck any further. Damien paused. His gaze flickered to the blazer and observed it carefully. It was a much smaller size than Lucas' body frame, but the blazer still hung loosely on her body and that was because Lucien was bigger and taller than Eva. Even though she was also tall, she didn't have a big body frame. So she was telling the truth. “From the same parents?" Damien beseech."Same father. But he is my blood.” Eva replied Damien relaxed a little bit when he heard her. “Good."“Good," Eva repeated.“Marvelous." Damien mused, trying to see if she would say anything else.“Fantastic…..” To his dismay, Eva did.Damien narrowed his eyes, did she think it was a game? Eva's eyelashes fluttered and she loo
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
**********The soft rustle of fabric accompanied the nurse as she finished adjusting Eva's bandages. Moments later, a team of doctors shuffled into the room, meticulously checking her vitals and updating her chart. Their scrutiny felt endless, but Eva's irritation wasn’t aimed at them—it was at the glaring absence of Gabriel.Upon inquiring, she discovered he’d been reassigned and replaced with another doctor, a woman.Her lips twisted in a knowing smile. Damien. Of course, it was him.She sighed at the thought. Gabriel was probably one the best doctors in his department at Solace Hospital. Replacing him with someone else, especially out of jealousy, was as unnecessary as it was predictable. Damien's overprotectiveness knew no bounds, even though her blind date with Gabriel had been a complete dead end.‘Typical overbearing Damien Cross.’After the doctors left, Eva found herself sinking into boredom. The day dragged on, and as the sun set, casting long shadows across the pristine roo
“Who is the person? Is it someone I know?" “No, you don't." Oliver's eyes narrowed. “You said the person is important? Like… a woman?”Damien was surprised by Oliver's question as he turned to look at the boy. She? It suddenly hit Damien at the moment that he probably still had some of Eva's floral feminine scent on him and Oliver's dog nose already smelled it.“It is a woman, right? Why is she at the hospital?” Oliver continues to question.Damien sighed. “Yes.”“Why was she hurt?” “Because she’s clumsy,” Damien replied, his patience wearing thin.Oliver's questions continued unabated until Damien zhot him a sharp glare. “Enough, Oliver. Go back inside. I have work and can't answer all your questions.”“But-" Oliver was about to protest but he couldn't anymore when Damien shot him another glare.“Alright, Big Boss...I'll stop asking questions…" There was no other expression on Oliver's face than the expression that made him look like a neglected child yearning for his mother's lov