“I’m glad you came,” Galilena greeted Evadne with a wide smile as she arrived at the venue of the party. It was held at the pool area of a five-star hotel.Their friend, Isaac De Delta, was about to migrate to the US. Many of their college batchmates, who were also frequent attendees at parties and events, were present. Isaac’s personal friends were also there.Evadne breathed a sigh of relief when she didn’t see Camila or Orion at the party. If the two were present, it would surely ruin her mood, and she might not even continue with the party.“I might upset Isaac if I didn’t come,” Evadne said to her friend.“Let’s go, many are waiting for you,” Galilena urged Evadne to move.Why were many waiting for her? Was she too late?Most of their acquaintances were standing around, engaged in lively conversations. They were professionals in various fields, such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, and successful business owners.“Evadne,” Isaac said with delight as he saw her. He hugged her. “It’
“EVADNE, are you okay?” Galilena noticed that Evadne seemed a bit uneasy at that moment.Evadne’s silent plea was for Isaac not to bring Gavin to their spot.Well, his name suits him. Now she knows his name. But still, she doesn’t want to prolong whatever happened between them that night. She wants to put an end to it. One of the reasons she can’t go back to her coffee shop is because of that guy. She’s not ready to face him.“I’m okay,” she smiled at Galilena.Every woman around her, married or not, still talked about Gavin. How wealthy he is, how gorgeous and hot he is, and so on.Right, he’s hot. Literally.She shook her head slightly as memories of the heated encounter with Gavin crossed her mind again.Something happened between her and Orion, but what she experienced with Gavin, the notorious womanizer, was something she had never experienced with Orion. For some reason, it felt like she lost her virginity again when he first attempted to be intimate with her. A shiver ran down
Gavin observed Evadne closely. She still seemed oblivious. The doctor warned that if she didn’t wake up soon, she might continue sleeping and wake up only the next day.When Evadne suddenly lost consciousness earlier, Gavin didn’t hesitate to bring her to his penthouse, instructing his doctor to attend to her there. The doctor assured him that Evadne’s loss of consciousness was likely due to extreme stress, a nervous breakdown.Gavin shook his head as he recalled the people surrounding Evadne earlier. They seemed to have ganged up on her, almost bullying her to the point where she couldn’t defend herself.He couldn’t believe that Evadne had such a circle of friends. Or maybe those people just seized the opportunity to talk about Evadne? Which was it?Even Gavin did not expect to see Evadne at Isaac De Delta’s party. Isaac was throwing a farewell party as he was leaving the country, and Isaac wasn’t part of Gavin’s circle of friends. He only knew him in the business world.He thought h
Camila almost screamed when she saw Orion, who could barely walk properly. Orion’s clothes were stained with blood, and there was a cut on his left eyebrow, with traces of blood on his cheek. His right eye had a black eye, and his lips were swollen. His face was covered in bruises.“W-what happened to you?” Camila asked almost breathlessly. She moved to support Orion, who then pushed her hand away.“You,” Orion said with a firm and angry tone, besides being badly beaten, he seemed drunk.“W-what?”“Get out of my house!”Camila stood in shock at Orion’s outburst. “Y-you’re just drunk, Orion. Do you want coffee? Tell me. I’ll help you inside for now.”“You son of a b***h,” Orion started swearing. He entered his condo unit leaning on the wall and rejected Camila’s offered hand.Camila gasped as Orion abruptly knocked down items on a display cabinet he passed by. Since the display was fragile, everything broke when it hit the floor.Camila hurriedly closed the door of the condo unit, unsu
Evadne felt as though a mouse was chasing her heart, causing it to beat rapidly in her chest.“Are you planning to run away from me again?” Evadne nearly jumped at the sound of that smooth voice. What a bedroom kind of voice!She raised her eyes to Gavin’s face, who had just opened his eyes. “Good morning,” he greeted her, revealing a captivating smile while keeping his gaze fixed on her.Before she could appear foolish in front of Gavin, she raised her handcuffed hands slightly. “What does this mean? Why do you have to handcuff me?”“It’s simple. You might escape again, just like you did before.”Realizing that Gavin hadn’t forgotten about their past, Evadne discreetly swallowed.“Mister, whatever happened between us before was wrong. I was drunk and not in my right mind. Whatever I did, I’m sorry. I promise it won’t happen again, and I won’t bother you anymore. So, please, take off the handcuffs. I need to leave.”“You seem to have a habit of leaving in the morning,” Gavin remarked,
Gavin struggles to reciprocate Evadne’s kiss. However, before Evadne lost her composure, she tried to break free from Gavin’s kiss, unable to deny the pleasure it brought.Yet, she didn’t want to appear too easy in front of him. They didn’t know each other well enough to give in so quickly.Yes, she was deeply touched by his words earlier. But she was afraid of easily trusting someone after what she had been through.Evadne was still catching her breath as she pulled away from Gavin’s lips.“I’m single now, yes. B-but I’m not the type of woman who easily moves on. I’m not easy to get,” she firmly tells Gavin.“Hey, I didn’t say you’re easy to get. Or even think that. I’m just making you remember everything between us.”“There’s no ‘us,’” she emphasized.“Don’t tell me,” Gavin said, undeterred by her sternness. There’s a small smile on his lips. “Are you still mourning your past relationship?”Relationship... she almost laughs at the term he used.“Mister, I’ve buried everything in the
As Gavin laid Evadne on the soft bed, her breath caught as she felt the firm presence of Gavin’s hardness against her thigh. The hem of her dress was lifted, allowing her to sense its rigidity. Adding to that, he was only wearing boxer shorts. The thin fabric intensified the sensation.Evadne’s softness increased as Gavin continued to explore her lips without relenting.Does he miss her so much? Because, with every kiss, it seemed like there was no tomorrow.Yes, it was just one night that connected them. But it was right; it was unforgettable. Despite her attempts to forget, it lingered in her mind.When their lips finally parted, Gavin gazed at her intently as they both caught their breaths.“Am I dreaming?” he murmured.“Hmmm,” she replied. “You’re just dreaming, Gavin. Go back to sleep.”“Brat,” he said with a smile, kissing her lips again.For the fourth time, their lips met in a lingering kiss.After a few moments, Gavin’s hand, unrestrained, began to roam. He lifted the hem of
The growling of her stomach woke Evadne up. It was already noon. As she opened her eyes, she immediately glanced at her side. Gavin wasn’t there. She also looked to the other side. Gavin was not there either.She raised her hands with the handcuffs, and her throat tightened when she couldn’t find the handcuffs. If that’s the case, Gavin must have removed them. She lowered her hands and stared at the ceiling.She bit her lower lip as she remembered the passionate encounter between them that morning. She closed her eyes for a moment.Despite the craziness, she still felt the lingering effect of Gavin’s intimacy. Was that the result of their three rounds of lovemaking?In an instant, she didn’t want to admit it because she thought everything was happening too fast, but here she was, drowning in thoughts of Gavin Wright.After a while, she tried to get up. Her body, especially the lower part, was a bit sore. When she felt that she was wearing panties, she touched them. She vaguely remembe
Evadne felt worse than someone bitten by a snake because of that kiss from Gavin. Not even the sharp lightning and loud thunder could shake her. Whereas earlier, she could hardly keep still because of fear.But the fear she endured earlier seemed to vanish suddenly.Evadne’s hands instinctively rose to Gavin’s chest. While she still had some sanity left, she decided to push Gavin away from her.He relented.“W-what do you think you’re doing, Gavin?” she scolded, swallowing hard. For a moment, her gaze flickered to his lips, but she quickly returned her eyes to his.Those lips were a fierce temptation.Perks of being long deprived, Evadne? her mischievous mind teased.“I’m kissing you,” Gavin replied without hesitation. He took a deep breath. “And I’m not sorry for kissing you. It’s to ease your fear.”To ease her fear? That was a pretty good reason.“Gavin, you shouldn’t have done that. You know-”“I know there’s someone else,” he quickly interjected. “But, to be honest, the more we’r
She secretly swallowed. “I’m happy here, Gavin. You don’t need to see it with your own eyes.”“Just let me if what you’re saying is really true.”“Do you doubt me?”“It’s not like that. I just want to make sure.”“I’m okay. We’re okay...” she and your children.“You’re not married yet.”Evadne couldn’t immediately respond to Gavin’s statement. Was she going to confess?“Is it really necessary for two people to be married before being together?” she reasoned.Gavin sighed. “If he really loves you, he’ll marry you. What if I decide to take you back, can he do anything? You’re not married yet.”Was he serious? Was he ready to take her back from someone else if she had someone else?“The conversation’s going off track, Gavin,” she scolded. She stood up and approached the grilled food he ordered. “Can I have some? I’m hungry,” she said before taking some. She also took another stick and handed it to Gavin.“No wonder the barbecue at that grill tastes so good because you’re the owner,” he
Gavin squeezed his eyes shut, his head resting on his knees. His heart felt like it was being wrung dry as he listened to the fading hum of the motorboat. He hadn’t expected to see Evadne in that place. So, the moment he heard her familiar voice—while he was searching for firewood on the island for the bonfire he had planned for later that night—he dropped the wood he was carrying and ran toward her faster than a lightning strike. His heart thudded loudly in his chest upon seeing Evadne. She was really right in front of him earlier. But just like that... they were parted for good.And he couldn’t accept that part. That their past was finally severed. Suddenly, the surroundings seemed even more colorless and bleak. It’s as if his mind deliberately reminded him of the happy memories he shared with Evadne back then. When they were still okay. Now, he had to come to terms with the fact that it’s really over. That Evadne, who was once a part of his life, wouldn’t be coming back. Deep in
Evadne mind was still conflicted—should she go back to Maine with Uncle Varenzo, or should she grant Gavin’s request for time to talk?Why was it so hard to decide?“Girl?” Varenzo called to her. He must have sensed that something was wrong because he approached her, ready to pull her away from Gavin.But why did it hurt to think of leaving white sand island without even talking to him? A part of her wanted to hear his side—why had he suddenly grown cold toward her back then?Was it worth listening to what he had to say?In the end, Evadne made a decision. She looked at Varenzo. “Can you just wait at the boat, Uncle Varenzo.”“Are you sure you don’t want to go home yet?”She nodded, and he respected her choice. She watched as Uncle Varenzo walked away. In her mind, she counted to five before finally turning to face Gavin.She could see the relief on his handsome face, as if her willingness to talk had allowed him to breathe easier.“Ten minutes, Gavin,” she told him.“Can’t we make it
Evadne wanted to pinch her cheek to see if what she was seeing was real or just part of her imagination. Would the face she was seeing completely change the moment she blinked? Even her breathing momentarily halted. She couldn’t believe what her eyes were seeing. In the end, she couldn’t help but blink. But upon doing so, what she was seeing didn’t change. The man approaching her still had the same appearance. Like her, he couldn’t believe seeing her.When she recovered from her surprise, she managed to step back slightly away from Gavin, who was now approaching her. That voice was familiar. Even after five years, she could still recognize it so quickly. She secretly swallowed. “I’ve placed your order for the barbecue in your tent,” she said, trying not to let him see how affected she was by seeing him again in person. Why was it like that? Why was there a part of her that was excited to see him? Shouldn’t she be angry with him? Just as she was about to quickly turn away, he gr
“WHAT’S WRONG? Your face looks sad again, Darling,” Catalina glanced at her husband, Gabriel, as he approached her.She sighed. “Gavin just arrived from somewhere. I don’t think our plan to set him up with Rosalin will be successful. Your son seems completely disinterested in Friend Dina’s daughter.”Gabriel embraced her and gently rubbed her shoulder. “I told you, you should talk to our son first. Maybe he has someone else in mind, which is why he’s not interested in Rosalin.”“Gabriel, our son is already thirty-seven. Do you want him to wait until we're dead before he thinks about having a family? Everything we have now will go to waste if there’s no one to pass it down to. We’re getting older. All I want is to see our son have a family of his own, a wife to stand by his side.”“When there were many girls linked to our son, you advised him to stay away from them and not get entangled. Now that he’s avoiding girls, you’re pushing for him to get married.”“How was I supposed to know i
After Gavin finished his breakfast, the next thing he did was to take a shower. He had no intention of staying in that big house. Especially since it seemed like Rosalin was just waiting for the right moment to corner him. That’s how he felt. That’s why earlier, when he had breakfast, he chose to eat by the seaside. While his parents were sitting facing the sea.“Where are you going?” Rosalin asked curiously when she saw him coming out of his cramped room. He was wearing dark shades and even had an umbrella. It was obvious he was going somewhere.“Just around,” he replied curtly.“Do you want me to give you a tour of the island?” she invited him further.He shook his head. “I want to be alone,” he said before he walked past her. She caught him with a glance.He breathed a sigh of relief because he didn’t see his parents at the beachfront. That’s where he planned to take a walk. He noticed that the shoreline stretched straight from their beach mansion. It seemed like a pleasant walk.T
The children were sound asleep, but Evadne’s mind was wide awake at that moment. Glancing at the wall clock in their room, it was already eleven o’clock at night.She carefully got up and went to the kitchen to warm some milk. Perhaps that would help her fall asleep quickly. After preparing it, she sat on a chair by the dining table and drank her milk.For five years, despite being alone in raising her children, she managed and strived to keep going.“Mom, someone is bothering us at school. They said we don’t have a dad,” Evadne remembered Elisa telling her yesterday.One of her worries was when the time came that someone would bully her children for not having a father. So, yesterday, she went to the Day Care Center to speak with the teacher of her three children. She informed the teacher that her children were being bullied, and the teacher spoke to the mother of the child bullying them. The bully’s mother apologized to Evadne, and the child also apologized to her three children.H
That question kept haunting Gavin repeatedly. He still feels the pain every time he thinks that Isaac might take Evadne away forever from him.He let out a heavy sigh as he gazed into the distance, standing by the pool area of his penthouse.“I’m sorry, Gavin. But the truth is, I don’t know where Evadne is right now. I have no news about her. Neither do our other friends. After the sale of her coffee shop, three years ago, she vanished without a trace. I’ve tried contacting her through email, but there’s no reply.”“Isaac, you’re my only hope,” he pleaded. Hoping that Isaac would take pity on him and grant his wish.“Even if you offer me all your billions, Gavin, you won’t get anything from me. And even if I find out where Evadne is now, I won’t tell you. And if you try to find her yourself, let’s make it a race. Because if I find her first, I won’t let her see you. I’ll pursue my own interests with the woman who matters to me. May the best man win,” Isaac said, flashing a mischievous