Three

"Lincoln, thank God you're here. Let's go out"

He sighed, knowing very well what Eva was up to "Why? I came here to have lunch with you. You promised to cook for me. That's why I came over Eva not to accompany you to one of your crazy stalking schemes"

"Stop whining. We can have lunch outside too. I know of a great place that has amazing food and great service"

"You hate eating out unless it's necessary or you're stalking someone" he sighed again "Who is it this time?"

"You know me so well Linc. Let's go, I'll tell you on the way"

"Eva" he whined, following her. She had been looking for an excuse to go out and God had sent her an angel from heaven. Lincoln would always be her guardian angel even though he whined too much and always fell into her traps.

When her parents died, Eva had thought it was the end of the world. Her sister Rosslyn had done everything she could to cheer her up but it was hard, especially when social services threatened to separate them. Theirs was a common case. Two kids go into the system then are separated because no one wants to adapt both of them. Add that to the fact that they were older, it was almost impossible to find a family that would take them in. Due to all that, she had fallen into depression. She couldn't imagine being separated from her sister right after losing her parents.

It had taken a lot to bring her out of that dark void. Always the cheerful one, Rosslyn had refused any family that wanted to separate them, saying that since they were born together, they would go everywhere together. The other kids at the orphanage thought they were stupid to pass up the chance to have a family but no one knew Rosslyn was doing all that for her. So she wouldn't have a complete mental break down. It still amazed her how strong her sister had been back then until Lincoln found them. He was their mother's younger brother and not old enough to take care of two children but he'd taken the responsibility, saying that he was the only family they had.

To this day, he was still her guardian angel "I think he's the one. This time I'm not wrong"

"You thought your seven ex boyfriends were the one" he retorted rolling his eyes.

"I'm serious this time. It was love at first sight"

"For you or for him?"

"For us both. I can tell that he feels the same way too but he doesn't know it yet"

"Is that why we are stalking him? To make him realize his feelings for you?"

"We're not stalking, per say. I told you that I'm taking you out for lunch"

Lincoln groaned "Where is Rosslyn when you need her?"

"She said she'll visit soon. I miss her so much"

"When will she release her collection? I can't wait to see Lily-May"

"Me too. Should I remind her about that bag I wanted? Knowing her, she might forget to buy it and blame it on me for not reminding her"

"We're here" Lincoln announced

At that, Eva threw her phone in the bag and jumped out of the car. She had a big hat on, a pair of sunglasses and gloves in case any fans recognized her. Although, this was a pretty posh place. It was unlikely anyone would act out of character even if they really were her fans. "How do I look?"

"Who cares? Aren't we here to eat?"

"Yes, but it doesn't mean I have to look ugly when I'm eating. Is my lipstick okay or should I retouch it?"

"You look perfect Eva. Now let's go, I'm hungry"

The second they entered the restaurant, her eyes were scanning the whole place looking for him. She spotted him at the far end in a corner talking to someone and lucky for her there was a perfect spot just waiting for them "I want that table" Eva pointed to the one next to his.

"I'm sorry ma'am but all the tables here are reserved" the Maître d told her. Eva gave her a once over. Dressed in a black skirt, white shirt and an orange scarf, she looked neat and reasonable.

"I reserved a table too. The best one, didn't I?"

"Yes ma'am"

"Then exchange it. No one is going to complain because you gave them a better table than what they had originally reserved. Right?"

"Yes, but...." scratch being reasonable out.

"If you can't do that then call your manager. I would like to talk to him"

"Eva" Lincoln hissed.

"What? I'm exchanging the best table for the one hidden in a corner and she's complaining. Seriously, who complains about something like that? It's like refusing sushi for pork. Who does that Linc?" by then the woman was throwing daggers at her but Eva was too focused on her target to care.

"Is there a problem here?" a man in his mid thirties, who she guessed was the manager, asked.

"Yes" she said taking off her hat and sunglasses. Screw crazy fans, she wanted that table and she was going to get it, come hell or high water.

"Ma'am, it's such a pleasure to have you here" the guy started babbling when he realized who she was.

"I take it you know who I am?"

"Who doesn't know you ma'am? The cameras don't do your beauty justice"

"Thank you. Now resolve this problem for me and I'll make sure your restaurant is fully booked for the next two years" the thing with business owners was that they would lick her boots if it meant having their business blow up. One word on social media and her fans would swarm the place in under five minutes.

"What problem?"

"I'll let your employee tell you" she said heading towards the table she wanted. Lincoln followed her asking

"Did you have to cause a ruckus?"

"I really like this table Linc" she said adjusting her clothes and smoothing her hair back. When they got to the table, she placed her bag on one of the seats, sat down and counted to five. Then she looked up and gasped "Mr. Adler, isn't this a pleasant coincidence. What are the chances we would see each other again, here of all places?"

"Yeah, what are the chances" Lincoln retorted shaking his head. Eva kicked him under the table to shut him up.

"Miss Becker, good afternoon"

"It's a great afternoon indeed, now that I've seen you again. How have you been?"

"Busy. As you can see, I'm in the middle of a meeting...."

"Oh please don't mind me Miss Becker. My wife loves your books. She wouldn't shut up about the latest one" the guy Adler was with said. Smiling sweetly she replied,

"I'll have to invite her over for tea and a chat. Give me her number"

"Really? Let me call her and tell her the good news" the guy stood up in a rush and went outside, probably to brag to his wife about how he was so willing to fulfill all her dreams. It was what most married men did. They kept their wives happy that way ensuring their happiness too. Eva thought that she would like that someday. For someone to keep her happy. It would be so better if that person was Mason Adler. She really wouldn't mind at all.

"What do you think you're doing?" Adler bit out. Unperturbed by his anger, Eva winked.

"Securing the deal for you. Thanks to me, this guy gets to make his wife happy. Take it from me, you don't even have to keep negotiating. Name your price and he'll do anything. People call it gratitude"

"I don't need your to help close deals. I've been doing that long before I met you"

"But now that you have, you can relax. I'll show up and close the deals with just my presence"

"Aren't you being rude? You're here with your boyfriend and instead of paying attention to him you're busy chatting up another man"

"Boyfriend?"

"Yes, him" Adler pointed at Lincoln who was busy going through the menu.

"He's actually cute enough to be considered my boyfriend? You should be proud of yourself Linc" she kicked him again

"If you kick me one more time I'll show you what cute boyfriends do to their rude and annoying girlfriends" he snarled snapping the menu shut.

"Adler, this is my grumpy uncle Lincoln Morris. Linc, this is Mason Adler. The guy I was telling you about"

"Nice to meet you Mr. Adler. I suggest you run away from my niece before she ruins you" he said stretching his hand to shake Adler's.

"Is all your family like this?"

"Like what?"

"Insane"

"It comes from my mother's side. She used to perform in a circus before she met my father" Eva replied getting up to sit at Adler's table. He looked ready to follow Linc's advice and run but his client came back so he had no choice but to stay put. The man's beaming face was evidence that what Eva had thought earlier was true.

"Mr. Adler, thank you for making my wife so happy. Her mother died a little over a month ago and she's been feeling down lately. When I told her she was going to meet Miss Becker, she was over the moon. For the first time since the funeral, she laughed happily. I can't tell you what that means to me. So I'll let you set the terms of this deal. Anything you want"

"That's not necessary...."

"This is business" the man said "We both know what we want and we would have spent the whole day trying to best each other. But just this once, you have the upper hand. Take advantage of it Adler. I have to go. Send my lawyers the contract and I'll sign it without hesitation. Miss Eva, it was nice meeting you"

"The pleasure is all mine. Tell your wife to free up her weekend"

"Thank you. Adler," they shook hands and the man left. The look on Adler's face was priceless.

"See? With me by your side you don't have to spend hours arguing over something that can be solved with just a mere invitation. Imagine all the free time you'll have and how you would like to spend it. With me of course"

"Do I look like a joke to you?" he asked, having gotten over the shock "Who gave you the right to interfere in my business?"

"I don't need permission to help someone"

"I didn't ask for your help. I'm perfectly capable of closing deals on my own"

"Yeah, well, I closed this one for you so you owe me dinner. Tomorrow at your place. I'll cook"

He stared at her as if she'd gone crazy "You really are insane"

"Life's too short to be sane all the time. What's your favorite food? Are you allergic to anything?"

"As a matter of fact yes. I am allergic to something"

"What?" Eva asked taking out her phone to make a reminder.

"You"

"Me? That might be a problem especially if you are to be my boyfriend but no worries. Together we'll find a way to cure your illness. Anything else?" she continued, unfazed by his words. When she wanted something, pride had no part to play in her decisions. Neither did shame. Mason Adler was about to find out just how shameless she could be.

"Have some dignity woman and leave me alone. I want nothing to do with you"

"They all say that in the beginning but end up falling in love with me. You're no different Mason. The harder you try to resist me the harder you'll fall. And the more you try to push me away, the more determined I become. I believe in the saying 'good things are worth fighting for'. You, Mr Adler, are a rare man to come across. If you think I'll let you go so easily, think again. I'll see you tomorrow at six. Don't be late" she blew kisses at him and went back to her table. Lincoln had already ordered and was halfway through his lunch.

"Old man, couldn't you wait for me?"

"I had to eat before I lost my appetite. You were more shameless than I've ever seen you Eva. Are you sure he's worth it?"

Knowing he could hear their conversation, she said "Fifty percent. He knows that I want him and he's playing hard to get. We both know that the only way to get rid of me is to give in easily. That way I can lose my interest sooner and be on my way. But he doesn't know that so I'll have more fun seducing him. I wonder how long it'll take before he gives in"

Lincoln looked up at her and shook his head. He also knew what she was doing. Goading Adler to accept her thinking that she would get bored and leave on her own. In reality, he would just be playing into her hands. She knew that since he'd heard them, he was going to start giving in to her demands easily. And boy was she going to demand a lot of things.

Dinner was just the beginning. There would be breakfasts and lunches and more dinners until it became routine for him. She wouldn't stop until he went looking for her himself, asking why she didn't show up for lunch. By that time he would be ready to go to the next level. Sleepovers. And before he knew it, she would be an important part of his life. He would start missing her and demand she spend more time with him. He would be the one making the demands and not the other way round.

"Eat your food before it gets cold"

"Uncle Linc. You should be proud for having raised an awesome person like me"

"I keep thinking where I went wrong. How could I not instill some dignity in you? Is it too late to do that?"

"Probably because you don't have any yourself. How's Rina? Have you settled on the flowers?" she changed the subject.

"Don't ask. Please let me eat in peace without thinking about flowers" he replied cringing. He and his fiancé Sabrina were in the middle of wedding planning. Bridezilla aside, Sabrina was one of a kind. She couldn't decide on one thing, always changing her mind about the colors and fabrics, so that it took her almost a month to decide on one thing. At the rate they were going, Eva was sure she would get married and have a baby before they finalized their wedding.

"I have an idea. Why don't you kidnap her and elope? Go somewhere where there's just the two of you. Take a break from wedding planning"

"Do you want me to die? Sabrina will kill me if I do something as crazy as that"

"She wouldn't have the time to do so if you reminded her why she accepted to marry you. Go to the beach house or the cabin upstate. Rekindle your romance, bring your sexy back and forget about the wedding for a while. I think that most people get enough of each other before the wedding, so that after they're married, the spark is already gone. Leaving you wondering why people bother getting married if they're going to divorce six months later"

"That's the kind of advice adults give. Not children" Lincoln said smiling.

"I'm not a child"

"Yeah, I can see that. So will you please find a man and settle down like your sister"

"I'm sorry but how old are you to tell me to settle down? Give me a dozen cousins first before asking me to get married"

"Aaaand you're back. Let's go before you see another man who you think is 'the one'"

Rolling her eyes Eva got up. She noticed that Adler had already left which was a good thing because she wouldn't want another woman to see him and think of trying to compete with her. He was hers now. It didn't matter what he said, he was hers. She was going to pester him until he agreed to see her then she would make him fall in love with her. Of course there was a possibility he wouldn't love her but then again she couldn't know that until she tried. Right?

Even if Linc didn't tell her, Eva knew love couldn't be forced. That didn't mean she couldn't try her luck. What if he was really the one and she missed out on him because she was too proud to make the first move? No way. She couldn't risk it. Rosslyn had a husband and a daughter. Linc was getting married and would soon have his own wife and kids. She was the only one who would be left alone if she didn't find someone to spend her life with. It wasn't a competition about who got married first but she didn't want to be alone. Not again.

"Hey Linc"

"Mmmh?"

"Just in case he's not the one, I will still have you guys. Right? Married or not, you'll still be my family. Right?"

"Whether I want it or not, I am your family Eva. That is never going to change. Never"

"Okay" she nodded looking outside the window. Worse comes worst, she would end up as Lily-May's favorite aunt who spoiled her. She was never going to be alone again.

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