He’s not just a cruel guy, I guess. He’s also a great pretender, who showed kindness in front of my parents. Since they left us, he already removed his mask. Now, the evil Evan is back.
“So what if I am mad at you?” I snorted.
I crossed my arms and looked away. My eyes are unwilling to even glare back at him. He’s getting into my nerves! I reminded myself to calm a bit. I don’t want to make any scene knowing that my parents are here and probably eavesdropping on us or what not. For sure, I wouldn’t like what might happen next the moment they hear me yelling at this guy.
I heard him chuckle. What’s so funny? It’s strange how he can easily jump from persona to another. He was just playing an angel role earlier and here’s how he behaves now that we’re alone.
“I will make my employees aware that I have a fiancée,” he said in a soft tone.
My lips parted as my eyes widened. I glanced back at him.
Is that for real? If so, does that mean he would not back out from this arrangement? I gasped. He’s only looking at me with the amusement evident in his pierced eyes.
“I thought you are here because you wanted to talk to my parents and tell them that... you’re going to back out from all this,” I said with my voice so low.
The side of his lips curled up. It seemed that he is very amused to see me getting dumb-founded because of my false hunch.
“You wanted to have lunch with me, right? I can make time for you tomorrow.” he added.
“What?”
He shook his head, with a smile flashing on his lips. “You heard me, Risha. And just so you know, I don’t plan to back out from this arrangement set up by our families. I would like to make it clear.”
“And why is that?”
“Your family business can definitely help my company.” He simply answered.
That put a lot of thoughts in my mind. He owned a big company which operates hundreds of hotels and restaurants across the country. His businesses are well-known and so he is. With the kind of businesses he has, he would need a stable company that can provide him high-quality woodwork furniture, and that’s us. In the contrary, there are a lot of woodwork companies out there that offers the best furniture. So, why is he settling with us? I mean, they have the final decision about this knowing their company is bigger than what we have.
Or maybe our families are just really close to each other reason why they set us up? If so, then this guy would really chase me no matter what happens?
Wow! This must be a nightmare.
“Yeah, I forgot that this is purely for business,” I managed to say.
He nodded. “This is how we work for business, Risha Nathalie.”
“Okay...”
He’s right. And since I am the daughter of Frank and Michelle Saavedra, I am obliged to help my parents achieve their goals.
You’re fully aware of this, Nathalie. This kind of set up has been introduced to you even before you did not have any idea about it, ever since you were young.
They only added details as I grew up to better understand it.
“Are you still mad?”
I shook my head. “Not anymore.”
“Then I am waiting for your apology,” he said, with his tone hard, especially when he uttered the last word.
I scowled at him. I can’t believe what he just said! Why do I need to apologize to him? His eyes squinted as he looked at me, waiting for my apology. I even saw the rage on his smile. He’s totally mocking me!
“So, am I a fucking loser to you?” he said, still, with his hard tone.
I frowned and swallowed the big lump in my throat. I suddenly felt ill upon remembering those hurtful words I said in this office. I mean, those words would have not been said only if he treated me fairly. He started the fight between us! Now, why is he asking me to apologize? He’s insane!
“You also slapped me,” he added.
Oh my goodness! I felt my knees getting weak. But, he deserved that slap, anyway! He insulted and denied me in front of his secretary and Riley!
“That I deserve to be dumped and not worth the love from someone?”
I heard the bitterness on his voice when he voiced out his last statement. Damn it! I was dazed and couldn’t react anything as I know that those I have said were really hurtful. I bit my lower lip.
He took two steps to be closer to me. My whole body is freezing up as his aura became more intense. I wanted to step back but I have no strength to do so.
Guilt and nervousness fucked me up!
It feels like I am in a big trouble. I can’t even handle his intense glare at me. His eyes are still flashing in rage. His entire presence is too scary that I felt so alarmed and guilty.
My heart is pounding aggressively. Should I start apologizing now?
But, hey! He’s the one who started this fight, not me!
“I didn’t expect you to be this gutsy because you are too young, Risha Nathalie,” he uttered in a firm and deadly voice. “That was the first time I got slapped in the face.”
Oh, that surprised me! That was the first time that someone has slapped him? Does that mean his ex-girlfriend was that kind and didn’t hurt him physically?
My lips parted in disbelief. I was about to say something but I can’t utter the right words.
“You remind me of someone...” he said bitterly.
I breathed in heavily. With all my courage, I looked at him. His piercing eyes are still in rage as he looked at me warily. It’s like he’s sending a warning that I have to be good or else I’m dead.
“You were the one who started this, Evan. I am not going to apologize. If only you have treated me fairly, things like this won’t ever happen in the first place.”
His jaw clenched. I know he’s only trying to control his emotion. I stepped back, trying to save myself from the intensity of his dark aura. He smirked and shook his head once again.
He pulled out his wallet from the back pocket of his pants and took a card from it. He moved closer to me and held my hand. He put the black card on my palm.
“I still owe you a lunch,” he said, his voice is already calm. “If in case you are not mad at me, please call me. You can also visit my office. I will make sure that all my employees will be aware of the situation so you won’t be embarrassed again...” He chuckled. “I will keep reminding myself that I have a young fiancée too. I will not forget it, Risha.”
My jaw has literally dropped on the floor just when he pulled me closer to him and gave me a kiss on my cheek.
“I have to go. I hope you have a good night,” he said coolly.
He left me dazed and confused. What the hell was the kiss for? Clueless and feeling dumb about what has just happened, the only thing I managed to say is a curse.
“Damn you, Evan Zendejas...”