The Unwanted Guest

Evelyn

Damn, why is it so hot?

My hands on their own made their way to my cheeks which were burning. I opened my eyes only to be blinded by the sunlight peeping through the slits of the curtain.

“Argg”

Groaning, I placed my right elbow balancing myself on it while with the other, I continued scratching my eyes which were swollen.

“Was I sleeping in an oven?” I spoke groggily when suddenly a high-pitched scream rang in my ears that almost stopped my breath.

‘That voice... it was me.’

Panicking, I checked my surroundings only to find myself in my room.

‘But wasn’t I with...Miller?’

A soundless gasp escaped my mouth when the memories of that dreadful incident flashed in my mind.

I went to his company to finalize the deal. That fucking pervert tried taking advantage of me and I was fighting with him. But,

“But then what happened?”

Closing my eyes, I rubbed my temples trying hard to recall but all I could see was darkness. Removing the duvet, I checked myself. I was in my nightgown.

“Don’t tell me it was a nightmare?”

I can’t believe this. It felt so real then why the heck am I in such a good condition?

Kicking the covers away, I tottered to the dresser when suddenly I heard laughter coming from downstairs.

My brows furrowed.

“Why it sounded so familiar?”

We never had any unwanted visitors that too so early in the morning.

Changing my way, I wore my slippers and rushed outside.

“Mom, who is it?”

Yelling, I inched near the balustrade to get a glimpse of our guest only to stop dead in my tracks.

“Brandon?”

It came as a whisper but was audible enough to gain their attention. Brandon and Mom both snapped their heads and looked at me with smiles etched on their faces.

“Cutiepie?”

Brandon murmured in his usual deep voice and stood up from the couch.

I remained rooted in my position. That endearment was enough to break my resolve. Tears sprang to my eyes but I pushed them back forcefully. My body jarred as he approached me with long and faster strides. How badly I wanted to cry and scream but I didn’t surface my emotion and watched him emotionlessly.

Brandon was no doubt handsome but these two years had accentuated his masculine features more. He was dressed neatly in a black suit, his slick black hair combed perfectly and the silver chain dangling from his neck gave him a regal look. The man looked as if he had come out straight from a book.

I clenched the hem of my pajamas tightly. Suddenly, I felt embarrassed and cautious about the way I was dressed. My hair was a tangled mess as I had just woken up. I was still in my pink night dress that had strawberries printed on them. My eyes dropped to his shiny Gucci shoes and then darted to my flip-flops that had white bunnies stuck on them.

‘What a great start to the day.’

I squeezed my eyes, my jaw clenching in annoyance. His magnificent aura and dapper appearance made me feel inferior.

Climbing the stairs, Brandon finally stood in front of me, dwarfing me with his damn height.

“I missed you so much.”

His baritone and the way he delivered those words almost melted my heart. His eyes were speaking volumes. I could see all sorts of emotions swirling in them- be it happiness, sorrow, guilt, pain, hurt, and lastly, love.

His smile slowly wavered as I didn’t grace him with any response and continued glowering at him.

Why? Why the hell you came now? Where were you when I needed my friend the most? Why did you never try contacting me in the past two years? Even if I was angry, at least you should have given up on your ego and tried finding out about my whereabouts. If you loved your Cutiepie this much then why you left her to die?

Neither of you tried looking for me nor Xander?

So many, I had so many questions. In fact, I had long lists of complaints but I chose silence over everything. Neither he deserved my friendship nor my hatred.

I know that if I open my mouth, I would burst out crying. Both of them never understood me. They were selfish, pathetic sybarites who only know how to play with a girl’s heart. And I being a fool, believed all their lies.

But there’s a limit to stupidity. I am not that fragile, innocent Evelyn anymore. I am Evelyn Clarke, CEO of Maria Estates, not Dylan Black’s spineless and vulnerable wife. I don’t need them in my life anymore. She died long ago and my booming success buried the ashes of her miseries and sorrows.

Averting my gaze, I walked past him and descended the stairs. His shocked face didn’t go unnoticed by me.

“What happened last night Mom?”

I asked Mom who also had a muddled look on her face. Perhaps, she was equally shocked by my blatant ignorance toward Brandon.

“Uhmm, h-he was the one who brought you home, Evie.” She whispered and wiggled her brows. It was one of her ways of making me apologize to someone.

I kept staring at her with a stoic face but internally I was screaming. Because I was also failing to recall what happened to me last night.

Miller was forcing me and I was screaming. But after that as if my mind switches itself off. No matter how hard I pressurize my brain, I wasn’t able to remember what happened after that.

Still, I acknowledged her words and turned to Brandon who was still standing near the staircase.

A scoff escaped my lips.

“I guess I should thank you Mr. Brandon. As Mom told me that you were the one who saved my dignity last night but can you do me a favor and enlighten me on how you appeared at the scene suddenly? If I am not mistaken neither you are an employee nor any friend of Mr. Miller.”

I deliberately mocked him. And it worked as the very next moment his expression turned sour.

Prowling towards me with raging steps, Brandon narrowed his eyes at me, “Out of everything you’ve got to ask me this.” He spoke with gritted teeth.

My indifference was troubling him. But I don’t give two flying fucks about what he thinks of me.

I was so pissed. Instead of the dreadful incident that transpired last night, I kept recalling the dark days I spent with his monster friend all because of his worthless presence in my house.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I met his glare head-on and snarled, “Answer the damn question Mr, who the hell are you and how did you save me?”

“EVELYN!!” Mom hollered from behind, “What’s the matter with you-”

“Stay away Mom.” I cut her midway and pinned her down with a glare.

“You have no idea so it will be better if you let me clarify things rather than believing a stranger,” I spoke and shifted my eyes back to the fuming man who was glaring down at me.

“You can fool her not me. Why my interrogation is riling you when you genuinely saved me? I wasn’t drunk as a wheelbarrow last night that I can’t recall a thing. I went for business purposes and the last thing I remember was being molested by the client with whom I was going to sign the billion-dollar deal. Then I woke up in my bedroom and saw you in my house whom my Mom claims to be my savior. So, isn’t it my right to ask you how did you save me? You weren’t in that building nor I ever heard your name in America then how come you appeared out of nowhere and turned my hero overnight?”

I rattled everything that was on my mind.

How dare he lie on my face? I wasn’t drugged last night nor banged my head on the wall that I lost my memories and will believe everything whatever he’ll feed me like an idiot.

His nostrils flared and his eyes turned furious to the point that I could see streaks of red in them. I was taken aback as I have never seen him this mad before.

Seething, Brandon stepped forward, his eyes boring holes in my face, “You’re not the only one who can be stubborn Evelyn.”

Grinding his teeth, he lowered his head to my face level making me jerk backward, “Think what you want to but I refuse to give you the answer.”

The audacity.

My temper flared, “How dare you-”

“YES, HOW DARE YOU!!” Shouting, he grabbed my right forearm in a vice grip and hauled me to himself roughly, “How dare you just disappear from my life? How dare you decide to cut all your ties with me? Tell me did I mean nothing to you? Didn’t I hold any FUCKING PLACE IN YOUR HEART??”

“NO, YOU DON’T”

I couldn’t hold back anymore. I was done.

“You are nothing to me. I don’t even know you. Fucking just tell me how you found me yesterday or else I will call the cops.” I threatened him.

His hold loosened as he gave me an incredulous stare. Probably, stunned by my completely changed personality.

“Evelyn!!” Mom roared and pulled me from behind roughly, “He brought you home. You were unconscious, your clothes were torn, and you were in such a desolated state that I nearly had a heart attack last night.” Her voice broke. My gaze softened when I saw tears in her eyes.

“Mom, but how come-”

“Is that so important?” She rebuffed, her lips quivering, “That’s it. I am not letting you work ever again.”

“What?” My eyes widened, “No, what are you saying? It’s my company. My work-”

“Do hell with your work.” She snapped, “I can’t sacrifice my daughter’s life just for that damn company. Work with Brandon or Xander or you can simply stay at home. I will do the work as I used to do and we’ll be happy. I don’t need this mansion or your expensive cars or these luxuries. All I want is your smile. Do one thing, return to your parents at least you’ll be safe.”

“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”

Screaming, I yanked myself out of her hold. Mom was startled as it was my first time raising my voice at her.

“I am not dead okay and that is not a damn company. It’s my hard work, my years of investment, and the skills I garnered by doing multiple courses. Still, if you want to believe this man over me and not gonna tell me the truth. Fine. I will put an entire investigation team on it and deal with things myself.”

Saying that I didn’t waste a second and stormed to my room while she continued calling me from behind.

*****