He Appeared

The snowy days always made Evelyn feel nostalgic and depressed. It had to do with the memories associated with them.

They were always eventful.

Stepping out of the restaurant, Evelyn sighed, watching the white and soft snow touch her stretched palm.

The day was snowing exactly like this when she first met him, fell for him, got married to him, and then left him.

Somehow, no matter how much she convinced herself she was a changed woman, a better version of herself who didn't grovel at anyone's feet, snow always brought her thoughts back to him.

It was truly annoying.

A sardonic chuckle escaped her mouth.

She was really not a person who stayed attached. In fact, growing up, the number of characters she remember from her childhood was indeed pitiful.

She hardly remembered her classmates' name from high school although she got along with them pretty well.

Every time she encountered them after finishing high school, they looked at her with those accusing eyes, most likely calling her cruel in their mind, when she failed to recall their names.

One even jokingly— at least that's what her tone indicated although it was filled with resentment— pointed out how she might have not amounted to anything in Evelyn's eyes.

Can Evelyn be blamed? It wasn't that she treated then with half-heartedness, but it's just that she had always been a social butterfly.

She loved and interacting with new people.

And from birth, she had never been called smart. Her brain didn't have the capability to hold so much information.

That's why, it probably exhausted itself by holding each and every single details of him.

Evelyn could hardly remember the content she learned the previous night for exam yet when it came to him, even if it was something she faintly heard, it stayed in her mind, etched permanently.

And at this rate, even after decades had probably passed, he would probably remain in her memories.

Evelyn really pitied herself.

"Do you need a ride?"

Hearing that voice, Evelyn raised her head. The face of a sunny and handsome man fell into her line of sight, but unfortunately, it created no ripples in her chest.

She once again pitied herself.

There was clearly this bright young man who was capable and well-off showing interest in her yet she found herself comparing him to that person.

That poison she had been given that winter when she was fifteen really has no cure.

Or else why would she be so calm at the face of such an attractive man? Everyone was envious of her for having his heart, and she envied them for having their heart moved at the sight of them.

"Aren't you going the opposite direction?" Evelyn questioned.

He flashed her a smile. It was refreshing just like him.

"It's fine. The snow is pretty heavy tonight. You wouldn't be catch a cab here, and it's not even safe for a pretty, young woman like you to return home this late at night alone."

"What young woman? Don't flatter me with words you don't mean. I am pretty sure you are showing the care for elderly," she joked before going towards the car.

She shuddered as she touched the handle before pulling it open and sitting down.

Regardless of how all the big days of her life always had to happen in winter, Evelyn hated the cold. One could see her fear for cold with how she was bundled up.

Even the temperature was at negatives, others would feel hot simply at a glance at her.

"Old and this pretty? You can only make the others envy."

Evelyn nodded her head in agreement. She couldn't really deny.

°°°

The car ride wasn't boring. The two of them talked for long time without being exhausted and even laughed. Their personality matched well.

When the car stopped in front of her apartment, Evelyn stepped out and winked at the man, giving her goodbyes before closing the door. As she was about to leave, the young man stepped out of the car and enunciated, "Lyn."

This got her to halt her steps and look back, raising an eyebrow.

The man showed nervousness on his face. His eyes stared down at the snowy roads, and having him become so timid all of a sudden confused Evelyn.

What happened to that energetic young man whom she just saw a minute ago? What caused his temperament to change so suddenly?

"Lyn, tomorrow is a day off."

"Yeah?"

Evelyn wasn't young. She experienced a lot. That's why, she dreaded where he was going with this.

"If you are free, then would you like to spend the day with me?"

Evelyn was tempted to give this a try and make it work. But she knew that the latter part could merely be a dream to her. That's why, as much as she wanted to go along with this, she couldn't bring herself to be heartless and give him hope only to ruin him later on.

Her heart, the stubborn little thing, was stuck on one man. And she was totally helpless in the matter.

That's why, being the good person she was, Evelyn opened her mouth to convey her rejection.

"Rick, I… fuck no!" Evelyn cursed as her eyes widened.

Maverick's expression fell down fast, and those eyes of his were filled with grievances. If she wanted to reject him, then she could so.

Why did she have to be so harsh?

But when did Evelyn have the luxury to notice mood?

Her eyes fell on the figure standing in the shadows. Those blue, cat-like eyes fell on her, intimidating her. They were cold, holding no emotions, yet she felt akin to a small prey being eyed by a ferocious beast.

One that wanted to brutally tear her apart.

All her sense became alerted, and the adrenaline spread through her body, causing her to immediately flee from there as a reflex before her brain could even process the situation.

As for Maverick, the man was puzzled, wondering if the proposal he made had been this horrifying. This was bound to leave a long-lasting effect on him, seeing how this was the first time a woman acted as though he was a monster from horror movie upon being asked out.