Chapter 9: Bitter Yet Sweet
Evelyn's cheeks flushed red, butterflies fluttering in her stomach as their eyes locked in the mirror. Zevian's familiar teasing smirk and his almost pitch-black eyes twinkling with a mixture of admiration and something deeper made her heart beat erratically. Memories of their shared passion and love flooded back, overwhelming her senses.
Quickly, Evelyn averted her gaze, cursing herself and her treacherous heart that still seemed to hold a corner for him. She had thought she had completely moved on, that he wouldn't affect her anymore, yet one glance from him stirred emotions in her that even her ex-fiancé hadn't managed to evoke in the past few years.
She rapidly applied the ointment with as much care as she could muster, trying to ignore the electric tension between them and his eyes that seemed to be constantly on her.
"It-it's done," Evelyn stammered, quickly placing the cream tube back into the box and closing it. Without daring to look back at him, she rushed toward the large front doors.
A chuckle escaped Zevian's lips as he watched her flee like a startled rabbit. He missed this, and it made him realize how much he had missed her, despite acting like he had moved on. If only he hadn't made that mistake six years ago, they wouldn't be here, feeling awkward like strangers. And, she would have been safe, away from these schemes and sacrifices.
Avery, who was having tea with the manager, smiled as she saw Evelyn emerge from the room. Her flustered expression was all Avery needed to know her mission was successful. Considering the devil her cousin was, he had probably melted Evelyn's walls a little.
Walking over to Evelyn, Avery spoke as if unaware of what might have happened inside. "What should we have for lunch? Let's go to my favorite sushi restaurant!" she added excitedly, having missed eating there for more than two weeks because of her business trip.
Evelyn nodded with a smile, thinking it would be the perfect way to escape and also to discuss Mr. Igor's future projects.
"Drop us off at Nexus Street," Avery instructed her cousin as he walked out of the room. Zevian nodded, but his sulking expression didn't go unnoticed by Avery. It seemed he was a little sad about not spending more time with Evelyn, and she sighed aloud.