Nate was wearing a cleaved shirt and fitted pants with a small flower bouquet. The sunset orange light made his skin glow and make his blue eyes even more shining, and a confident smile played on his lips. "Hi," he said and walked towards Evangeline's house.
Evangeline breath hitched. Her eyes widened, and she couldn't speak in shock, she murmured herself. "What are you doing here? How did you find my house"
"What do you mean?" He extended the eye-catching colorful bouquet. "Yesterday, I dropped you off, right?"
"No... I mean why you didn't inform me before? "
" You think I didn't. I called you" he said casually, a hint of amusement in his tone. "You didn't respond. It's not my mistake."
"Shit" she muttered, her cheeks flushing. "I left my phone in my room" she paused, then added, " I thought you'd forgotten about the project, but you came today, I'm really..... surprised," she said and inhaled the sweet fragrance of the bouquet. "It smells good. Okay let's go in"
They entered the house, where Chris and Michael were deep in discussion, their laptops open on the coffee table. Chris's eyes narrowed as he spotted Nate. "Who's this?" he asked, his voice sharp, pointing a finger.
Evangeline stepped forward and said, "Chris, this is Nate, my classmate. He's here for the project."
"Okay...." Chris's gaze scanned him head to toe, a silent warning. "If you need anything, call me."
Chris and Micheal continued their work and Evangeline and Nate went to her room, the scent of rose and old books filled the air. "Wow," Nate said, glancing around. "Your room shows... an authentic mind."
"Thank you. " She gestured towards a shelf. "You can place your bag on this self, I am goanna get something to drink, you prefer coffee or a Cool drink, "she asked watching him.
He glanced around, placing one hand on his pants, and suddenly he turned, his gaze locking with hers." I prefer you "he whispered, a small smirk on his face.
Evangeline's breath caught in her throat. Her pupils getting bigger than before, questioning, locked with his eyes. "Um! What...? "
"Just kidding, he said, a playful glint in his eyes, his gaze lingering on the blush creeping up her cheeks. "Coffee's fine."
She nodded, a nervous flutter in her stomach, and without speaking anything she silently went outside.
Outside the room, she leaned on the wall, she placed a hand on her chest, her beat peaked at his words, "Why he is so cheesy, shit I can't even stop blushing "she murmured, and she start running towards the kitchen, her steps echoing to Nate's ears.
He watched her room, He picked up a small photo frame, a teenage picture of Aaron and Evangeline. and a small smirk appeared on his face, glancing around. Then, he moved to another frame, a family portrait. Evangeline, small and innocent, stood beside her taller brother, Ethan. One day, that smile will vanish, he thought, his gaze intense. I need to know everything about her. He sighed softly, placing the frame back exactly as he found it.
"I am coming 'she said, holding a coffee with snacks on a plate. . "Here you go." She placed the tray on the table. "Enjoy the coffee, I am going to take a quick shower because I haven't..." She said, clinching her nose.
He nodded, and he sat on the table and took a sip of the coffee. He opened the email sent the day before while listening to the sound of the shower starting. A small, almost imperceptible, smile touched his lips.
Meanwhile, in a sleek, high-rise office, Damien sat at his desk, a glass of whiskey untouched at his side. His assistant, Nick walked in, holding a tablet and a file.
"Sir, these just came in," the assistant said, placing the tablet in front of him.
Damien's sharp eyes scanned the images of Nate and Evangeline, each photo captured with precision—Nate's lingering gaze on Eve, their shared smiles.
"These were sent by Nate," Nick continued. "He says everything on his side is under control, and we should trust his process"
Damien leaned back; his expression unreadable. "You may go," he said after a moment, his voice clipped.
The assistant bowed and left, leaving Damien alone with the photos. He traced a finger along the edge of one image, his jaw tightening. His mind drifted to the past, to Serena's trusting smile.
"Serena," he muttered, his voice laced with a tone of revenge. "You saw me as your lovable brother, not as the terrible villain. Time tells everything "Hè said watching Evangeline's face.
Evangeline came outside after bathing, a delicate fragrance of French rose trailing behind her, her hand running over wet silky-smooth hair, and the soft glow of the room's lighting made her legs appear smooth and luminous beneath her night shorts.
Nate, his gaze fixed on her, seemed to have forgotten how to breathe. He remained frozen, his eyes wide and unblinking, as if he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing.
" Have you chosen our project topic?" she asked, sitting opposite him.
He blinked, snapping back to reality, "Um yeah..." he nodded, looking towards his laptop. "We are thinking of making a product in 3 in 1 like a cosmetic product"
"It sounds good. Perfect one" she said, pointing to the screen. "We can go with that."
Her scent blends with the room, something uniquely her, was a constant distraction to Nate, but he forced himself to focus, discussing the project's finer points. He then started coughing continuously.
She stood up from the wooden chair, concern etched on her face. " I'll get some water. "She said and opened her room fridge but no water in. "I'll grab some from the kitchen." she said, walking towards the kitchen.
Outside Chris and Michael notice her activities and smile on her face, "It's not spring season, right?' Chris asked, a teasing lilt in his voice.
"What do you mean? "Micheal replied in confusion.
"All those butterflies fluttering around the third room," Chris said, his voice dripping with overtone, "You can't see it"
Evangeline stopped, and said "Chirs, stop" before stepping upstairs and looking at them, "It's not what you think, "her voice tight. "We are classmates "
"We didn't say anything, right Micheal, "he said, exchanging a knowing glance with Michael.
"Who cares "she said, exchanging a knowing glance with Michael.
The door opened slightly with a sharp sound, disturbing the fun atmosphere. She recognized a familiar face. "Aaron," she breathed, her voice barely a whisper. He stood in the hallway, a picture of effortless charm, a vibrant bouquet in his hand, his smile warm and familiar.
Evangeline got another mini heart attack, her eyes wide, "hey Aaron," she said, managing a smile. "You came on this time" she murmured, walked towards him, and gave a warm hug. exaggerated kissing noises behind her back. She rolled her eyes at them.
"Do you want something to drink?" she asked.
"No, I came just to check on you. I heard you were absent today."
"Yeah, I felt tired, so I took deep sleep and rest, "
"Okay, can we catch up in my room," she said, pointedly looking at Chris and Michael and mocking back.
They stepped up on stairs, her mind racing to Zoey's words echoed in her thoughts, I love him, I... want him, it's not my fault She walked absently, her thoughts swirling.
Aaron noticing the sudden change on her face, " Eve, are you okay?"
She back to reality by his soft touch on her shoulder, "yeah," she said. When she gripped the doorknob, she remembered Nate was inside. Oh my god, I forgot Nate was inside, Shit! I don't know how Aaron will react after watching him. I hope Aaron took it as easy Her mind racing in fear, her heart pounded against her ribs.
But she gripped the nob tightly, her hand trembling slightly. And opened it.
Nate stood on the opposite side of the room, his expression remained neutral. Aaron's eyes locked with Nate's, the air crackling with tension. Aaron's jaw tightened, his fists clenching.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Aaron asked, his voice low and dangerous.