“There is an innocence in admiration: it occurs in one who has not yet realized that they might one day be admired.” – Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
•X A V I E R•
It was all a facade. The innocence, the simplicity, the devotion, a pathetic attempt to hide her true self from coming out. All I wanted was to pull her mask off so desperately. I wanted to show everyone her true colors, hidden beneath her pretense.
"Oh, come on, you're drinking again?" Chris asked when he entered my office and found me slumped against the wall, right under the window of the office.
"Fuck off." I rolled my eyes and attempted to pour another glass of vodka when he snatched it from my hands.
"What happened?" He said, crossing his hands in front of his chest and asking with creased brows.
"Nothing." I emitted wearily.
"Are you aware that we're leaving for California tomorrow?" He asked and when I sent him a glare, well, he glared back. "Did you inform Evelyn?"
"Yes, I remember your precious meeting and no, I don't. We don't need her there." I sighed heavily, knowing that she wouldn't be able to face her brother, not right now.
After everything she had done to me, I could not just torment my best friend, just to see her in pain.
"And how would you know that?" He kneeled before me and asked.
"I just know."
"Enough of this chitchat my dear partner, it's time for you to go home and sleep." He said, pulling the half-filled glass from my hands and taking a sip of it.
Standing up, Chris pulled me up with my hand. It wasn't a difficult task considering his masculine build. Once he pushed me towards the elevator, I leaned against one of its walls, moving towards the parking lot, I sat in my car as the driver drove us to my penthouse.
.
.
.
It was Sunday, the day we were supposed to leave for California. There were four other employees in Chris' private plane, one of them happened to be Evelyn and unfortunately, even her seat was right in front of me, irking me to my core.
Well, according to the looks, she looked rather fine from yesterday. My eyes flickered to her, reminding me of the fear in her eyes when I asked her to drink the ginger tea, although fake, amused me as I pinned her in her seat, caging her in between. Even though it was just meant to baffle her, something tugged inside my chest when I watched her mind lose consciousness.
I retreated back when I realized that her proximity could mess with my mind, well it already did. Her presence was giving me a headache. I don't believe people like her could change, then why was she doing this? Why pretend? Why was she trying to be someone she was not? Or was she really changed? No, no. That couldn't happen considering she was the same cunning Evelyn Williams. I never understood her before and after years of patience, I still failed to understand the mystery that was Evelyn Williams.
I focused my attention back on the boring business magazine in front of me. Although nothing was interesting inside, it was better than staring at her pretty face. I could feel her gaze on me, boring holes in my forehead but when I lifted my head, I expected she would avert her eyes but guess what she didn't.
Raising an eyebrow at her in a questioning way, she understood and said, "It would have been better if you had informed me personally that we were flying to the place where I grew up and did terrible things."
Had Miss Williams just confessed her feelings to me?
Before I could answer her, "Hey man." Someone called me and I angled my neck to look at Matt Rogers, the head of the finance department of Walker Industries. Nodding my head in acknowledgment as he sat down beside me, passing a flirtatious smirk to Evelyn who ignored him.
"Is this the new secretary?" He leaned to me, whispering into my ear.
"Yes," I replied, directing my gaze back to the magazine.
"Marvelous." He said in a suggestive tone.
Matt had the kind of personality of a douchebag who kept track of the girls he slept with. I didn't give a damn before but now when he seemed to be interested in Evelyn, a part of me wanted to choke him right there.
He pulled his hand out towards Evelyn, saying, "Matt Rogers and you're?"
Evelyn's gaze shifted towards me as I maintained my blank face, not showing any emotions. "Evelyn Williams." She responded briefly.
"Lovely…Tell me one thing Evelyn, do you always look this beautiful or is it a special day for men around you today?" He whispered in an unusually deep tone.
When she locked her gaze with him, I saw that fire in her eyes. The kind which she always carried with her for her whole life. I thought it was lost somewhere. But she surprised me again. As I said, she is still a mystery to me.
Leaning in her seat backward, I saw her smirk when she said, "You're the head of the finance department, right?"
Matt's eyes twinkled, "In the flesh and bone." He replied, arrogantly.
Evelyn nodded her head in a kind of mocking smile which I surely registered, "Well, you must be the arithmetic man then, do ask me why."
Matt too leaned in his seat backward, keeping his arrogant features intact, he asked, "Why?"
"Because Mr. Rogers, you add trouble, subtract pleasure, divide attention, and multiply ignorance."
If I'd have been drinking something, I'd have thrown up.
My blood boiled at his words, but listening to Evelyn's perfect reply, I might have felt better.
No, you feel satisfied; a nagging voice interrupted my thoughts, which I always hated.
Excusing herself from our company, she walked towards Chris' secretary.
"Bitch." He cursed under his breath.
"Collect your wounded honor and depart towards your seat, Mr. Rogers," I said, casting a hard glare toward him.
"I'll make her pay for this." He vowed and I balled my hands into fists.
"Fuck off Matt," I said, turning my face away from him so that I won't have to look at the devilish smirk on his face.
We will see about that; I thought to myself.