E V E L Y N




"What!?" I blurted unbelievably. Alice never ceases to amaze me. The level of her procrastination is irksome.




It's been a month since the wedding, yet she still hasn't finalized her designer's wedding gown. She's more into her career than the wedding, I noticed.




Alice didn't seem as ready and excited as she should have been. I've known Alice all my life, and I know enough to sense that she's not into the alignment.




Something was bothering her; I just hope it does come between her relationship with Lucas.




The thought of him sends shudders crawling up my spine. I bit my lower lip, gulping down a numb.




I was over him, or so I think. It's always been Alice; he wants her, and it's a sad truth I have to live with for the rest of my life.




They both deserve each other; after all, they are the image of Moore and Jones Corp., and I will forever be hidden behind the shadows of my sister.




It's always been, Alice. Our parents have always been focused on her, making her flawless by letting her have all the attention.




"Eve, are you there?" She cut through my train of thought.




I clear my throat, settling on the kitchen counter. "Y-yes. So when are you meeting with Mr. Martinez?"




She puffs in annoyance. "Were you even listening to me?"




"Huh?"




"I want you to fill in for me. I was supposed to go with Lucas next week, and I can't; my schedule is so tight." She spoke in one breath, my lips growing agape.




Is she insane?




"--What!?"




"I know, I know... I'm sorry, Eve, but please."




I shake my head as though she is standing right in front of me. "Ali no, listen to yourself," I try to reason.




"Please... I gotta go now; I have a shot in a few minutes. I'll text you the time and day... I owe you one. I love you. Bye!




She cut the call, leaving me tongue-tied and infuriated. I blink back the shocker, staring at the phone in a stupor.




I didn't even say yes.




I can't be with Lucas. The last time I saw him was for a very long time; I lost count, but it sure has been years.




And now suddenly Alice wants me to go fit with her soon-to-be husband? What was I? A replacement?




I blink back the set of tears that have accumulated at the brim of my eyes, letting out a groan.




I can see him. I don't even want to. He's the last person I want to cross paths with.




After all these years of effacing my feelings for him, not that it was going any less, but I was trying, because no matter how much I try or what I do, my heart will always find its way back.




A bitter fact.




"Eve!" yell and screech.




I sucked in some breath, getting a bottle of water from the fridge before exiting.




"Busy day?" I asked as my eyes beheld her exhausted figure.




She nods, narrowing her stare at me as though she were trying to sort something out.




I shrug, brushing past her to the couch.




"O-kay. Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for the gala event?"




My eyes widened. Shit! How could I have forgotten? My stare skipped to the wall clock, and a brief sigh exhaled out.




Great, I still have two hours to prepare.




Thanks a lot, Katie. There are many reasons why she's my favorite person on Earth; she's a lifesaver.




"Do you have to go?"




I chuckle. "He's my boss, remember?"




She sneers, "I still don't see why you worked that asshole!"




Katie despises Jason, my boss. She couldn't stand him. She's been trying to get me to quit, but to no avail.




It's not like I have a choice.




If I had, I would have been long gone, far away from Jason, but I knew better.




After all, I belong to him and am owned in every way. It was something I had to deal with for the rest of my life.




"I heard Lucas is in town," she announced, making my blood run ice cold.




I told you, he still has that much effect on me; the sooner I accept that, the better, yet he is beyond my reach.




"Katie, please"




She waved her hands in defeat, sending me a glare. "Do you have anything I could munch on? I'm hungry."




"There's pizza in the fridge."




She got up and headed for the kitchen, yelling, 'Do you want some?' to which I replied yes.




One hour more, and I still haven't decided what to wear. I didn't want to go; I wasn't a fan of public events. If only I could call in sick, but I knew better.




The last thing I want is Jason on my neck. I'm surprised he didn't order me to spend the night with him. I hope he doesn't, though.




The doorbell blinks me out of my thoughts as I make my way to check up—not that I was expecting anyone.




And to my utmost surprise, it was Jason. My heart skipped in angst, forcing a tight-lipped smile. I welcomed him in.




He is dressed formally in his usual customized tux. The smudge on his lips made my nose cringe.




Jason Rodriguez is my worst nightmare. The man I resent so much yet is the man of most girls' dreams.




He held a bouquet of white and red roses neatly wrapped, handing them over to me with a quick peck on the lip, or so I expected, but he bit on my lower lip, seeking entrance.




My lips parted as he slipped in, devouring every inch of my mouth. The taste of vodka is freshly vibrant.




He drew me closer, deepening the kiss.




"Get a room!" Katie blurts out in disgust.




He pulled away with a chuckle.




"Miss Williams, it's a pleasure seeing you here." His lips spread into a smirk.




If looks could kill, Jason would be five inches under the ground.




"Not so sure; I was just leaving." She placed the plate of pizza on the center table, assembling her items.




She shared a disappointing look at me, brushing past us. The sound of a bang on the door made it clear that she was miffed.




I hated that I had to hide my pain from her. She's the one person who knows me inside and out. Katie has always been there for me.




We've been best friends since college. Unlike me, who is devious, Katie is upfront. She solely believes in kicking asses and is in full control of her life.




Sometimes I can't help but be envious of her.




"So. Why aren't you dressed?"




I gulp down a numb, "I was just about to," I stutter, averting my stare from his.




He got a hold of my chin, turning my head to look him in the eye. He leaned in as though he were about to steal a kiss yet again, but rather, he mumbled, "Then make it quick," letting me go.




I nod, turning on my shoe and marching to the room.




I made it very snappy, knowing very well how Jason deserted waiting, and I knew better than to infuriate him.




We left for the gala shortly after.




As expected, we had to go through dozens of paparazzi with tons of questions.




Jason answered a few before we walked into the hall.




"Stay close," he whispered in my ear while I nodded. He grips firmly on my waist, and as we walk further in, Jason stops to attend to some people, and all I do is smile and look pretty.




As ordered.




"Lucas," Jason calls out, drawing my eyes to meet his broad figure stiffly standing a few steps ahead of us.




My heart rate escalated, and my lips suddenly turned dry. How is he here?




And when he turned his eyes to mine, I lost it. A wave of nostalgia washed over me, getting lost in his metal-gray eye.




My stare sprints to his perfectly made hair, which I dream to run my hands through and feel the silk and softness of.




Lucas oozes superiority. His solid, sculptured muscles complement his demeanor.




A Greek god he is.




"It's Mr. Moore for you," he corrects, his tone harsh and clean.




Jason laughed. "Apologizes. So I heard your wedding is in a month," his lips twitching to a smicker.




The firm gaze Lucas had on me had a panic clog. He is scrutinizing me as though I were a lab rat dying to be tested.




"Oh, pardon me. Meet Evelyn, my secretary," he introduced.




He extends his hand forward for a shake. I thought about whether to run off and escape from his captivating stare or just take it. I was going with the first choice, but Jason clutched harder, urging me to slip my hands into his manly ones.




Our hands fit perfectly. Not that I am exaggerating it, but it felt so damn right. He thought Alice's hand slipped away, yet surprisingly, he didn't let go.




"Pleasure," he says, finally letting go.




The air was becoming suffocating. I had to get away before things took the wrong turn, which is the last thing I want.




"Excuse me"




I didn't wait for a sec. I walk away in search of a more private area with fewer people.




I ran out through the back door, fresh air hitting my nostrils. I stop to admonish the feeling. The cold air flowed through my skin, urging a shiver.




My eyes begin to sting, fear absorbing most of me.




Why did I have to be here? Why did he have to take over and control me even after all these years? The effect he has on me is still fresh and clean.




In a few days, he'll be married to Alice. It still stings, no matter how hard I deny myself from wanting him.




Was I selfish?




A lone tear slipped as I broke into sobs. I'm lost and confused.




I want out of all of this. Jason, my parents, and Lucas. I wish to run away to where I wasn't known and tagged as Jones blood.




A fresh start.




"Hazel"




My heart dropped. It's him, Lucas. Wasn't he discussing it with Jason?




I hurriedly wiped off my tear-stained face, forcing a tight-lipped smile as I turned to face him.




"Mr. Moore"




"Is everything okay?"




I nod, avoiding his protruding eyes, "Y-yes."




He moved an inch closer, compelling me to take a step back. He took another step, and so did I until there was no more space to move.




He leans his face towards me, getting a hold of my chin and lifting my stare to meet his.




My emotions were haywire. I'm starting to regret coming to this gala. Why was he everywhere?




"What did he do?"




"Huh?"




"Jason. Did he hurt you?"




"—I, well—" I couldn't form a coherent sentence.




It was clear that he despised Jason's guts just as much as I did, or even more.




What has Jason not done? A lot more than he could ever think of. It took every nerve in me not to fall into his warmth and cry my misery out.




But only if wishes were horses.




"Don't lie to me" is stern and intimidating.




The devouring gaze he had on me made me shift uncomfortably as I had different thoughts on how to get as far as I could away from him.




"Speak"




I quiver at his tune, placing a hand on his abs, trying to get him off, but who was I kidding?




"Please." A new set of tears began to compile.




That at least got him back to his senses. He recovered, clearing his throat.




I made a move to sprint off, but he was fast enough to get a hold of my wrist. "Do I know you?"




A bead of sweat formed on my forehead. I chew on my lower lip, trying to wiggle off his hold.




"—No. I must leave.

" With that, I strolled away, pacing as fast as I could.