AXEL. I watched her storm out of the restaurant without knowing what I did wrong. The last look on her face was one that was going to haunt me for a while— one hour, two hours max. I settled back into the chair, frustrated that someone could be that dismissive of me. Evangeline was far too stubborn for a lady. Settling back into the seat, I exchanged one last eye contact with the lady from earlier. Of course, she was beautiful, probably more beautiful than Evangeline, but the spark was not there. That shiver that ran down my spine whenever I talked to Evangeline wasn't there, and it was addictive. I felt like I needed to hold her again and feel her body submit to my touch to feel whole again. How did I let an ordinary one-night stand get so bad? It wasn't very clear; I needed to have her. Why was she so adamant, though? I didn't quite understand it. I was perfect— as a person. I went out of my way to get her a fucking necklace and flowers, but she discarded them like it was nothing.

EVANGELINE.D-Day. I'd gotten off work a bit earlier, thanks to Dave and his perfect cover-up excuses— although I now owe him a favor, and that was quite a scary position to be in. Now, you already could picture the image. I was standing before my wardrobe, and my stylist, Harper, had her fingers aggressively tapping her chin as she bored her eyes into every corner of the wardrobe. I feared for that wardrobe; if it were a person, then it would have shrunk under the burning intensity of her gaze.There were countless clothes on the bed, all paired to make out the best outfit, and I agreed with it because, for some reason, I did want to impress Asher. He was willing to help my brother out of the blue, and because of what my brain had been structured like since the past, a part of my pride was still bruised.Even my father, after his very apt display of bullshit, I hadn't allowed him to help me. Hell, I didn't even let him know where Marcus schooled. I wanted him to have a better life t

ASHER.I'd begun to feel vibrations run down my spine at an insane speed when she turned to me and asked for help, although I knew it was the last thing she probably wanted to do. That didn't matter. What matters is— it was happening anyways. I was engulfed in the strong smell of vanilla when I walked to her, and I felt my blood start to rise in a way that it should not.The room grew hotter with every passing second. I breathed harshly, slowly lifting my hand and getting a hold of her zip while staring at her neckline. I wasn't able to get away even as I violently struggled to. I tried not to touch her in any appropriate way. Why was I having those thoughts anyways? Tonight was supposed to be a business night— we were supposed to talk about Marcus and how I wanted to help, but we've swerved from our original plans.It took longer than it should have, but I was done. I unzipped it just a little, enough for her to be able to fight off the rest by herself. My breathing grew more raged a

EVANGELINE."Don't bother, don't even ask how my day went because I swear to God, I don't even want to talk about it! How can everything be so shitty at the same time!?" I yelled as I walked into the house and flung my bag to the chair.After yesterday when I realized Asher was Axel's brother and he dropped me off at home, my life has been a combination of one shitty event to the other for no reason I understood! Today, I had to face Mercury regarding the disruption that a "handsome stranger" caused— Axel— during work hours. Does she not know him? I'd seen her with Asher, so it was only right she knew him, too. Everything Mercury told me today had embedded fear deep inside my chest. It was possible to get suspended for such disruption, and I CANNOT get suspended, not when I had no backup plan. I didn't understand how inconsiderate people could get at times.Axel willingly walked into AULA. What does that have to do with me? I didn't realize I'd been fighting with my shoe while in my r

EVANGELINE."The den of delinquents?" I quizzed as I walked with him. "Really? Why did I think this was going to be a normal birthday party? I mean, it's You.""Right?" Axel said without looking at me. His gaze was fixed on Mike as we went down the hall. "Why would I ever attend a party as ordinary as this?" He finally turned to me, a smug grin on his face, then he said to me, reassuringly. "Don't worry, my little butterfly. You're safe with me."Why did that even make me more terrified than I was in the beginning? "Sure," I rolled my eyes. "I feel so safe that I could die. On the other hand, I'm not being led to a traffic ring, am I?""Bold of you to think…" He looked down at me, squinting a little.."Well, you're…worthy of being trafficked, but I'd like you for myself so…"Ugh! "Can you be less flirty?""Depends," He shrugged, keeping his gaze intact. "Do YOU want me to be less flirty?" Axel's orbs bored into mine, then his gaze fell to my neck, then up to my face, again, and I swear