In Evadne’s previous visit to Gavin’s penthouse, she didn’t even explore it. Now that she has the chance, that’s exactly what she did. However, she found herself stuck in the pool area. The side of the pool was made of thick transparent glass, providing a clear view of the surrounding buildings and the distant scenery.The view was stunning, as if inviting her to sip red wine while submerged in water, watching the sunset with the pool area facing it.“Wanna swim?” Gavin asked Evadne as he approached her on the pool lounge chair.He joined her and sat on the chair behind her. From there, he wrapped his arms around her waist, causing her to lean back slightly against the chair.“I don’t have a change of clothes,” she told her boyfriend.“There’s a women’s boutique downstairs in this building. I can call them and have something sent over for you.”If she stayed there overnight, she didn’t even have sleepwear or bathing attire for the next day.“I should have stopped by my apartment befor
Evadne stirred as she felt the light kiss that Gavin showered on her face.“At last, you’re awake,” Gavin said with a smile as Evadne slowly opened her eyes. “Good morning, sweetie.”A smile played on Evadne’s lips as she first saw Gavin’s handsome face. It was already morning, and Gavin had awakened earlier than her. Fatigue from the previous night made her sleep longer.“Good morning,” she greeted, her voice almost hoarse.Gavin kissed her on the lips again. “Let’s have breakfast. The dining area is ready. Unless you want me as your breakfast?”“I’ll get up now,” she replied with a laugh, rising from her lying position. Gavin helped her sit up.But he didn’t immediately let her go, pulling her into an embrace.“Gavin, I need to use the bathroom,” she complained. She felt like her bladder was about to burst.“Okay. Make it fast,” he said, giving her another kiss before releasing her.“Hmmm,” she murmured, trailing her fingers across his cheek before finally getting out of bed.Her si
“H-How—”Camila still couldn’t believe what her eyes had witnessed. Evadne and Gavin Wright were no longer in her sight, yet she couldn’t bring herself to move from where she stood. She was more stunned than the fish caught earlier.Was Evadne unaffected by her earlier taunts because of what happened, or was it because of her new relationship? And with Gavin Wright, of all people? How did that happen? Camila tightened her grip on her pushcart.“How could she have hook in such a big fish like Gavin Wright?” Camila felt like she was going crazy just thinking about it.Could Evadne be happier than her? Everything she desired seemed to fall into place for Evadne - in life, with men, and in attention. Everything favored that woman.“You think you’re always happy? I won’t allow it, Evadne Whitlock,” she firmly stated.That night, when Orion returned to his condo unit, Camila stared at him intensely.Did he know that Evadne’s new partner was now the CEO of their company? From Orion’s actions
Evadne clutched the bathroom door handle. She felt dizzy that morning. Alone in her apartment, she decided to deal with her discomfort on her own. Believing that proper rest would make her feel better, she resolved to take a nap.As she was about to step out of the bathroom, she suddenly felt a twist in her stomach. Hastily, she rushed towards the toilet bowl and vomited the breakfast she had earlier.What was happening to her?Even the morning meal she had consumed was expelled from her system.When Evadne felt that she had nothing left to throw up, she rinsed her mouth and brushed her teeth to get rid of the taste. Deciding to lie down and rest, fatigue quickly overcame Evadne.Upon waking up before noon, her condition had improved. The headache from earlier had subsided due to a good rest.When she checked her cellphone, she noticed numerous missed calls and text messages from Gavin. He was out of town with his personal assistant and was scheduled to return to New York the next day
FROM the cellphone, Gavin’s gaze lifted to Evadne, who had been staring at him for a while now. He smiled and stopped peeking at his online business. He shifted his attention to his girlfriend.“It seems like you want to melt me with your stares, sweetie?” He teasingly grabbed Evadne’s attention.She blinked and realized what she was doing. Blushing slightly, she averted her gaze back to the TV.If only she knew how cute she looked to him while staring. And his heart? It seemed to overflow with joy seeing the emotions in her eyes, all her attention focused on him.When he caught her looking at him, he couldn’t miss the slight reddening of her cheeks.“Or maybe you’re still thinking about what we did in the bathroom? Want a round two? Maybe you’re just shy to say. You know there’s no judgment from me. My body is yours,” he teased her.“Gavin,” Evadne scolded him, making her cheeks even redder. “I thought you were watching, but you seem too engrossed in your cellphone.”“Yet, when you l
As the private jet soared smoothly through the sky, Evadne unfastened the seat belt strapped around her and approached Gavin for a hug. It seemed they had the same intention, as he was about to remove his seat belt as well, only to be preempted by her. As she embraced Gavin, he, in turn, pulled her onto his lap. He reciprocated the hug.“I love you,” Gavin once again expressed with full affection.Tears still welled up in her eyes as she looked at him. “You do?”“Isn’t it obvious yet?”Evadne bit her lower lip slightly to prevent herself from bursting into tears. She was too emotional, unable to help it.Gavin took a handkerchief from his pants pocket, gently wiping away the tears on her cheek.“Sweetie, don’t cry,” he pleaded softly.“I can’t help it, Gavin. I’m just happy to hear those words from you.”A smile formed on Gavin’s lips as he hugged her again, using the handkerchief to wipe away her tears this time. Evadne pressed her face against Gavin’s neck, and he didn’t complain ab
“GUYS, not now, please?” Gavin requested as the guys approached their table.Evadne remained silent and refrained from joining the conversation. Deep inside, there was a part of her that couldn’t help but feel a bit starstruck by the men surrounding her and Gavin. It was her first time being surrounded by this kind of divine blessing from God.“Why does it seem like the girl with you on your last visit was different?”“Yeah, right?”Confusion was evident on Evadne’s beautiful face. Did Gavin bring another girl aside from her?“Don’t believe them. They’re good at teasing,” Gavin retorted, turning to her with a very apologetic expression. It was as if he wanted to warn the guys that he could get protective. “I’m warning you guys,” Gavin added as they stood up. “Coming here was a big mistake.”“If Arturo hears you, you might not even step foot here,” Kwame scolded.“I don’t care,” Gavin replied, approaching Evadne to help her stand.“Leaving already?” Armando asked Gavin.“Yes, and my gi
“Let’s talk about business later. I want our conversation today to be about us. Hmm?”She smiled at Gavin. “No problem with me.”When his lips descended to hers, she didn’t hesitate to respond to his kiss. They were alone, and she didn’t see anyone else. So, she thought it was safe to respond to the kiss of the man she loved.***Does many in Evadne’s circle of ex-friends know Gavin well because his name is also famous as a member of the UHB Leisure Club?Now she pieced together that information. She was already familiar with the UHB Leisure Club; she had heard about it before. However, she couldn’t pay much attention to it or join in the hype because she preferred to focus on her business. And when Orion came into her life, that’s when her world mostly revolved.She felt even more overwhelmed by Gavin’s status in life. He was surrounded by friends who were also billionaires. Gavin practically had a golden spoon in his mouth.She sighed as she watched Gavin approach her. They were in
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
“MR. WRIGHT?” Gavin was called by his lunch meeting companion at that moment in a VIP room of an expensive restaurant. Samuel, seated beside Gavin, cleared his throat.“Pardon?” he said, snapping back to attention.“As I was saying...” the meeting continues. How many times has he felt adrift during these close-door meetings? It’s been five years, but it feels like just yesterday.“You’re scheduled to visit UHB Leisure Club next day, Sir Gavin,” Samuel informed him as they walked out of the restaurant. The meeting had concluded smoothly.“Okay.”Samuel sighed again. Even he couldn’t help but feel sorry for Gavin because his world seemed to revolve solely around work. He no longer had time for joy or relaxation like he used to. How could he be happy when it feels like half of his heart is still missing? Gavin, too, seemed imprisoned in the past, a past without proper closure.And he knew deep down that he had no one to blame but himself for everything he was going through. Five years