Chapter 11: Chapter 11

...Is this love or a passion for your presence, either way, it's the most treasured feeling for me ever…

Evelyn POV:-

We reached the hall as everyone stopped their activity just to look at us. Watching the newlyweds made me slightly uncomfortable.

Even though their gazes were soft and loving with the intention of blessing us, there is a certain person here who never fails to disrupt my mind. Lawrence gave me an assuring look to calm down, I stared back at him for a few seconds and passed him a faint smile as We greeted everyone.

"May God bless you both." Aunt Camila said.

“Thank you.” I passed her a smile and we took a seat. My whole being went numb when I saw Adrian sitting in front of me. I let out rapid breaths to myself.

Our eyes met for a second and a glint of hurt behind that smile of Adrian was clear which I tried my best to ignore and turn oblivious to it.

I startled at this and averted my eyes from him, I didn't dare to meet his gaze again. Even though it didn't seem like I was crumbling, I was extremely distressed in Adrian's presence.

“You okay, Evelyn?” Lawrence asked.

His very being gave me unpleasant sensation and a terror.

“Yeah.” I nodded slowly.

‘Just what happened to me in one day?’

The person I die to get some attention now I want to be unnoticed and away from him.

My heart which used to flutter with happiness by being this close is not there anymore. My feelings; My lifetime feelings changed in just a day. In a mere moment, everything faltered.

‘What is happening?’

I gulped, Lawrence took notice of my distress and asked in a concerned tone again,

"Are you alright, Evelyn?" I nodded and smiled at him.

"Yeah.. I am fine." I replied.

"You sure? I mean if you are not comfortable sitting with me, it's fine. You don't have to force anything." He said reassuringly.

‘Why are you so caring?’ His concern for my solace, evoked indescribable emotions from me.

"It's okay, you don't have to. And we have eaten food together many times, no need to vex." I said, passing him a pure smile. He stared at me for a few seconds and turned to his food.

"If you say so." He shrugged and began to eat again.

All the feelings I used to feel about Adrian are now replaced by only one emotion-Fear.

I spared a glance at Lawrence's smile, those feelings of amor and unintentional affection and immediately understood why I am afraid.

‘Why do I feel terrified by Adrian…?’

I am agitated because of the dread that Lawrence might not know about my crush on Adrian. The fright of breaking the bond Lawrence is trying to build between us, based on pure emotions.

The connection he is trying to create and scared to not break the string of hope and crumble this home. He would never tolerate it to know I have feelings for Adrian.

“Why don’t you have something? You are barely eating.” Lawrence said, giving me a pancake.

“No, no, I am fine.” I smiled vaguely.

It could be anyone but if that person is his brother, he won't take it and I am terrified, not wanting to break his trust. That moment, the unpleasant feeling of great apprehension filled me.

“If you say so.” He shrugged.

Just a day after my marriage, I was getting away from Adrian and was pulling closer to Lawrence; whom I never liked before.

‘Is marriage that powerful?’

Or is it the power of Lawrence's gallantry which could shine any heart and now when I noticed it, I couldn't help but to melt in the wind of fondness?

‘Am I going to spend my whole life in that dread?’

Should I tell Lawrence about it? No, No, No.

‘How will he react?’

“Evelyn.” The most undesirable voice called me, curling my toes, my body froze when Adrian called.

“Can I have some juice?” I asked, disregarding his words.

“Sure, here you go.” Lawrence smiled, giving me some juice.

Since our marriage, Lawrence has devoted himself to prioritizing my exhilaration and what kind of wife I would be if I can't maintain the level of pride of our relationship for a person who rejected and felt nothing for me?

The whole breakfast was filled with the sound of chattering.

But my mind is somewhere else. It was filled with stress and unfathomable thoughts from which I was to stay away at all cost.

"Evelyn?" I heard Uncle Shawn calling my name, dragging me from my thoughts.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Are you alright?" He asked. No, I am not.

"Y-Yeah.." I said, passing a faint smile.

"I was lost in thoughts." I said.

"What were you saying?" I asked.

"Dear, I was saying that you never got a chance to prepare for the wedding. That's why I was thinking that we'll delay the reception and prepare everything according to your liking.”

“You can even choose the dress by yourself instead of wearing the dress chosen by Lawrence." Uncle explained as I nodded and began to say,

"Uncle you don't have to. I am fine with everything. As for the dress, I want Lawrence to choose another dress for me according to my liking." I looked at Lawrence.

"I don't mind. I already know what kind of dress you'll like." Lawrence said, shrugging his shoulders. I smiled widely but Uncle said,

"Evelyn, At least you don't have to act like a stranger. You'll prepare everything for the reception, including Its new date."

It's useless to argue with my uncle. I simply smiled and said, "Okay."

During breakfast, I avoided making any contact with Adrian.

My mind fills with strange thoughts whenever I look at him or think about him. I have to keep my emotions at bay and not pay heed to his gaze.

"Adrian, After breakfast help Evelyn in deciding the location." My throat dried when I heard this.

‘Please, anything but nothing related to him.’

"Okay," Adrian said. I am not okay with it!

"It's alright. You don't have to." I said, preventing him from even his name. He smirked at me and said.

"Then ask for brother's help. Brother, help your wife." Lawrence smirked back at Adrian and said.

"Oh, I want a surprise. I am not doing anything at all." I frowned and said.

"What a great way to back away." At my statement, everyone began to laugh.

"You know Evelyn, I don't like arranging things and all," Lawrence said, shrugging his shoulders..

"That's why you don't even arrange your meetings," Adrian added. I sighed and began to eat too.

"So lazy." I mumbled, Lawrence raised an eyebrow at my words.

"What?" He asked.

"Yeah. Can't do little things." I pouted, turning to him.

"Oh, then why don't you fill that flaw?" He smirked, causing a scarlet shade to appear on my cheeks.

"W-What do you mean?" I asked, hesitantly.

He leaned so one one could hear him and said in his deep voice which unwillingly evoked abrupt emotions from me.

"As you are my better half now, why don't we merge and fix our flaws?" He returned his gentle smile which instantly put me at ease.

His words were so in-depth and tangled me with some strange melody I was ignorant of all this time. I sighed and shook my head.

"Yeah, yeah." My words may come out jokingly but deep down I meant it.

After breakfast, my mind went hazy at the thought of being with Adrian.

Maybe I can test myself about what I am feeling and whether I can get over him or not. I took a deep breath and prepared myself mentally.

‘From now on, Everything will be a trial for me’

A cruel game of fate that I must win. I have to explore those inexplicable feelings and have to stand firm and overcome every obstacle that's gonna come in my path.

With that heavy burden on my shoulders, I'll work my marriage out even if it means killing the love of years in my heart because I know I could never find a man like Lawrence ever....