The night air was still and serene as Hanna and Evelyn lingered in the compound, their laughter mingling with the sounds of crickets in the background. Suddenly, the engine of a car broke the tranquility, and Evelyn's heart quickened at the sight of something familiar gliding into view. Instinctively, she stood up, her eyes wide with recognition. Hanna, transfixed by the sight, dropped her food in disbelief.
"Holly Lord, is he always this handsome?" she breathed, her gaze glued to the figure emerging from the car.
"Who? The secretary? You met him at the wedding!" Evelyn exclaimed, confusion dancing in her eyes as she noted her friend's infatuation.
"Exactly! Why didn't I notice him before? I must've been blind! He's absolutely gorgeous!" Hanna gushed, placing a hand over her heart as it raced.
Evelyn placed a hand on her friend's shoulder, shaking her head in playful exasperation. "What the hell are you talking about?" she chided softly before rushing toward Gavin, who stood waiting by the car. Anxiety bubbled within her as she worried her father would spot him.
"Why are you here?" she asked, concern creasing her brow.
"The boss wants me to pick you up," Gavin replied, his voice steady but his expression serious.
Evelyn frowned. "But he said I could sleep over earlier."
"He seems to have changed his mind," Gavin said, the worry evident in his tone.
"Is something wrong with him?" she questioned, a knot tightening in her chest.
"You'll see when you get home," he gently reassured her, but just then, Hanna sprinted over, her bright smile illuminating the darkening sky.
"Hey, I'm Hanna, Evelyn's friend," she chirped, twirling her hair in a flirty manner.
"I know," Gavin replied, cutting her off while focusing his attention back on Evelyn. "We'll be late."
"Let me say goodbye to my father," Evelyn insisted, slipping back inside the house.
Once alone with Gavin, Hanna's gaze drifted over him, taking in the way his long legs and well-toned muscles filled out his suit. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of his chest. Temptation surged through her, and shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she took a bold step forward.
"Let's be friends," she said, her voice laced with playful charm.
"We weren't enemies before, were we?" he replied with a slight smirk, a teasing glimmer in his eyes that made her heart flutter.
'He do have ways with words' She bite down her lips
Leaning closer, she reached into his pocket and pulled out his business card, feeling audacious.
"That's rude!" Gavin exclaimed, taken aback.
"If you don't want to be my friend, I'll be yours regardless," she shot back with a mischievous grin, before walking away. "I'll contact you!" she called over her shoulder, her laughter trailing behind her like a melodic echo.
Meanwhile, Evelyn stepped into the dark mansion, her pulse racing. She made her way straight to Carlos's study, the weight of her emotions heavy in her chest. Knocking softly, she entered, greeted by a comforting silence.
"I'm home," she said, though he remained turned away. Just as she considered slipping out, his voice pulled her back.
"Are you okay?" he asked, and she halted, her heart skipping a beat. When she turned to face him, it was the first time she saw such vulnerability in his expression—worry etched into his chiseled features as he finally met her gaze.
"Yes," she replied, her voice soft and unsure, wondering what had brought on this unexpected tenderness.
"Why did you cry? Did I make you cry?" His words were gentle, but they struck right at her heart. He took a step closer, and she felt the electricity between them pulse like a heartbeat.
"Cry? I don't understand..." she hesitated, her brow furrowing in confusion.
He revealed a picture from that morning, the one that had captured her tears. There were lines in his forehead, transforming him before her eyes from the cold, unyielding CEO into someone tender and concerned. It was disarming.
In that moment, her heart swelled. 'Is he worried about me now?' he looked genuinely concerned and she couldn't help but find him cute at moment. She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him in a warm embrace, drawing him close.
"I'm just so thankful for all you've done," she whispered into his shoulder, her voice trembling with emotion.
he wrapped his arms around her in return and she felt a rush of warmth flood through her, melting away any lingering tension.