Chapter 22: Chapter 22

"The truth always comes out in the end,

No matter how hard anyone tries to hide it or stop it.

Lies are just a temporary delay to the inevitable."

Black Estates

Inside CEO's office

11:25 a.m.

Dylan's P.O.V.

Evelyn: So, if we check the previous records of Smith Corporation, they are renowned as the richest investors and they would be the most appropriate shareholders for the company. Talking about Smith Enterprises, they do invest a huge amount of money but only when they are totally satisfied with the project and expect favorably or you can say beneficial outcomes. So, we need to plan a more efficacious strategy that should be more accurate and goal-oriented. In this way, we will be able to attract affluent investors that would also be capable to support the company financially.

Eve said in her soft voice as she kept explaining to me the ins and outs about which investors, we should hire for our next project but I couldn't grasp a single word as my mind was somewhere else.

Yesterday's memories kept flashing in front of my eyes. Her crying face, her red eyes, her sobs, and her painful agony, and most importantly THAT GUY!!!

Who the fuck he was? I couldn't think straight. I may be delusional about the way he touched​ her but still, I can't get rid of my jealousy whenever I remember their interaction. Also, since the day I revealed my real intentions to Eve, I had been suffering from insomnia and frustration. But I am too pissed with her.

She helped her gold-digger Mum then why is she acting as if I am the villain in the story? I need my answers. I can't just sit here and watch everything as if nothing happened. I need to know the truth.

'But what if Eve didn't even know anything about her mom’s plans? What if she was running away for another reason? What if-'

My body turned stiff. But no this is not possible. Eve's voice pulled me out of my trance as it dispersed all the unnecessary thoughts away from my mind.

“That's all I have to say. The rest is up to you.”

Eve concluded her explanation and looked at me for consent. She scrunched up her eyebrows and looked at me puzzled. I know she was confused watching my fierce glare but I couldn't care less. She squirmed in her seat a bit and again looked at me. But my gaze was fixed on her fragile figure.

Eve averted her gaze down and started fiddling with her fingers. I know she was becoming uncomfortable but my temper is rising more and more watching her innocent eyes. My heart is screaming to me that she is innocent but still my stubborn self is unwilling to accept the fact.

Eve then finally looked at me. I kept staring at her without blinking my eyes for once. Her face turned red and she spoke sternly.

“I shall take my leave then”, she then stood up from the chair and started walking towards the door.

“Did I tell you to leave?”

Eve immediately halted in her steps and turned back. I also stood up from my chair and started walking towards her.

“I need to do my work or Rose will get mad at me,” she spoke calmly and looked at me. I tugged my hands inside the pocket of my trousers and glared at her.

“Did.I.told.you.to.leave?”

I again asked her with gritted teeth. Her eyes flickered as she gulped in fear.

“I told you everything I have researched about. Now it's up to you what you want to do next as I-“

“ANSWER MY FUCKING QUESTION!!!”

Eve flinched as I yelled in a thunderous growl. She started moving backward but I yanked her arms forward. She yelped when her dainty figure collided with my hard chest.

“W-W-Wh-What-“

“SHUT UP!!!”

I gripped her forearm and shouted furiously. Eve shut her eyes tightly in fear. She then slowly opened her teary eyes and started prying my hands off her. I jerked her body forward and pulled her closer to my face.

“What are you d-doing? Leave m-me.”

“Cut the crap Eve. Stop playing innocent.”

I growled with a clenched jaw while tears started streaming down her eyes.

“I am innocent, I don't need to prove it and especially to someone like you.”

I became shocked as she spat on my face, her voice laced with hatred and resentment. Anger flooded my veins. I gripped her small face in my large hands and seethed her face.

“Oh!! Since the victim card of my innocent pussy has expired now my ugly pot is calling the kettle black. Don't you have any shame left? For how long? For HOW LONG I HAVE TO DEAL WITH YOUR BITCHY SHIT!! FOR HOW LONG YOU AND YOUR FILTHY PARENTS WILL PLAY YOUR BLOODY WICKED GAMES!!! YOU DO EVERYTHING AND WHEN YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES, YOU START SHEDDING YOUR CROCODILE TEARS AND BLAME ME FOR EVERYTHING!!! That's a good one Eve. First, fabricate a shrewd plan along with your bastard parents, execute it wisely using your slutty tricks and when everything goes wrong and you're caught red-handed, ACCUSE ME OF EVERYTHING!!!! PORTRAY ME THE VILLAIN!! GREAT EVELYN BLACK, JUST GREAT!!!!”

I screamed ferociously and pushed her back with full force. Eve couldn't maintain her balance. She stumbled backward and fell on the floor. Eve then lifted her head and stared at me with tears streaming down her pretty face like a waterfall. I glared at her with my red eyes and clenched fists.

I have lost my mind now. I was in a quandary about what to do with her.

“I just don't understand. Your parents themselves signed a deal with Brandon about becoming our new clients. What kind of parents do you have Eve? Don't they have an ounce bit of regret for what they have done to you? What I had done to you that's my greed but… God! Are they your real parents or are you an illegitimate child? Or an orphan or adopted? But whom am I talking to? I canceled their offer and kept you away from all this mess so that you don't get hurt, but guess what? You had designed everything. And when your BITCHY Mom told you everything you decided to run away like a BLOODY COWARD!!!”

I snarled while looking at her in disgust. But her eyes widened in shock as if she was struck by a lightning bolt.

“W-What?”

End of Dylan's P.O.V.

Evelyn became shocked​ after hearing the truth. It felt as if millions of daggers have been stabbed in her body.

Dylan looked at her pale form with furrowed brows. She was still sitting on the floor. Her breathing was still and an eerie silence crept inside the room. His eyes softened a bit and frowned looking at her shocked state. Like it is always said 'the tongue may hide the truth but eyes never lie'.

And that was the case with Evelyn. Dylan saw the pain and hurt in her eyes and it was clear that she was oblivious to everything. But being the hard-headed jerk, he forced himself not to believe her.

Dylan scoffed and took long strides toward her. He then gripped her shoulders and made her stand on her feet.

“What now my Drama Queen? Any new show you've prepared for your audience today?”

He mocked her while pulling her up to his height. Only her toes were now touching the ground as he wrapped one hand around her waist and with the other, he pulled her nape bringing her closer to his lips. He was squeezing her body.

But he became shocked as Evelyn smiled at him sadly. His smirk immediately got wiped from his face. Evelyn stared at him with a pained expression.

“There is no point in fighting with you now. You all have wrecked me. I neither have the strength to fight back nor to prove myself innocent. Because I know I will be the only one who'll suffer in the end.”

Dylan released her as his hands fell to the sides.

“Y-you're lying. DON'T ACT-“But before he could lash out at her, Evelyn cut him off.

“Think what you want to. I am not obliged to clear your doubts. Neither I am obliged to prove myself pure especially to someone like you.”

Dylan clenched his fists after hearing her words. He marched towards her angrily and pinned her to the wall.

“What do you mean by someone like me? And why would I believe in someone like YOU!!”

He growled at her but Evelyn chuckled in return adding fuel to the fire.

“Then don't believe me. I didn't say anything to you or anyone. And even if I say you have ways to keep me shut like you always do.” Her voice was as calm as a silent night. Dylan's eyes widened in shock as he felt a pang in his heart. He remembered all the things he had done to her.

He abused her.

He made her his puppet.

He played with her feelings.

And lastly, he threatened to kill her parents.

Evelyn was right. Why is he getting affected so much when he has every way to keep her quiet?

Dylan kept staring at her in shock but his rage took over his heart again when he saw Evelyn wiping her tears while sobbing silently. He couldn't control himself and punched the wall beside her head to which she flinched.

“THEN WHY DO YOU ALWAYS CRY? WHY DO YOU SOB LIKE A LITTLE CHILD? ACT AS IF YOU'VE DONE NOTHING WRONG?”

He yelled while his face turned dark in rage. His breath shortened as his body started shaking due to anger. But Evelyn still stared at him with a blank expression.

“Why does that matter to you? I know you and my parents if they can be even called so have given full measures to transform me into a robot but unfortunately, I am still a human being. I know you all want me to act as a cyborg but still, I am breathing, I still have a heart and I can't control my emotions. I know you all despise me too much but as far I know you just want my brain, right? So that's what I am doing and I have never cried in front of you. You must have seen me cry if you have ever spied or stalked me. Well, if that's what you want, I will be more careful next time. But mark my words Dylan Black, I will never tell anyone about this if that's what you're fearing about. Still, that's ironic of you to say that when you know I have no one in this world. You have snatched everything and everyone from me. Neither I can escape from you nor I have anyone who would believe me.”

Evelyn said in a painful voice. Her face was as long as a fiddle. Dylan kept listening to her with sealed lips.

“Still if my tears are making you feel guilty and you feel bad about it, I will try my best not to cry in front of you. And if you're wondering I have told my cousin Ian, the boy with whom you saw me that day about everything then don't worry, I hadn't. And neither I have plans to do so shortly because I love him and I would never put his life in danger. My life is already ruined now I don't want to ruin the lives of my loved ones.”

She spoke coldly while Dylan turned rigid. His face blanched in shock. He understood that Evelyn knew that he was stalking her from the start.

Evelyn had seen Dylan that day when she turned her gaze away from Ian to blink her tears. She saw how furiously Dylan was glaring at Ian. She knew he will try to harm him if she tells him about her misery and the truth about Dylan and her own family.

Dylan was stunned to see Evelyn's changed​ self. After that Evelyn didn't say anything further. He moved away from her. She wiped her tears, bowed to him, and walked away from there while closing the door softly.

Dylan leaned against the wall and stared at the door with sad eyes as Evelyn's pained eyes flashed in front of his face which only reflected one thing…

'She had lost all her hopes in him.'

2 months later.

Dylan hadn't spoken a word to Evelyn after their last encounter. When Evelyn showed him the presentation for his approval, he just gave a subtle nod and approved it without even looking at it. Soon Dylan and his team made the deal and the project was passed. Everyone in the company celebrated the success happily and congratulated Dylan. He just gave everyone a fake smile but deep down he felt only emptiness.

At Black Estates

1:15 p.m.

Evelyn was sitting under the tree enjoying the serenity. Her eyes were glued on the red-eyed lilac loons diving in the lily pond. She slowly lifted her gaze and saw a flock of magpies flying in the sky.

All of a sudden, she felt a warm hand caressing her left hand. She turned to her left and saw Xander smiling at her.

“Why are you sitting here alone?”, he asked softly. Evelyn smiled and shook her head.

“Nothing, I was just watching the birds. Isn't it beautiful?” she spoke while staring at those mauve loons chilling out in the blue waters. Xander chuckled, “Yeah, it is.”

He then looked at her, “You know since childhood I always loved watching birds and admiring nature. My classmates used to call me an outlandish and a freak but I didn't care about it. I always felt exhilarated watching them.”

“But I feel jealous.”

Evelyn spoke in a sad tone. Xander's smile got dropped.

“Jealous?”

He asked her and looked at her with questioning eyes. She nodded.

“Yeah, you see how carefree they are. Free from all sorts of relations and unwanted attachments. They just live their life as they want. Can roam in every part of the world jauntily, no worries, no pain, nothing. Just live your life according to your own will. Eat what you want, sleep when you want. Sometimes I wish to be just like them. There's no point in living like a caged soul because a life without​ liberty is like a body without spirit.”

Evelyn spoke while staring at the white clouds scattered in the blue sky.

Xander was perplexed watching Evelyn's behavior. He was always doubtful about her. It always seemed to him that behind that sweet smile she is hiding a lot of pain. He could easily see the hurt and sadness in her voice. Her searching eyes and quivering lips were a clear indication that something was wrong with her. But this time he decided to get his answers.

“Yeah, no one likes being a caged bird.”

He spoke calmly while staring at her. But her next words were sufficient to give him his required answer.

"But what if someone forcefully cages her?"

“What if she gets the biggest betrayal of her life? What if she gets lost in a maze from which she can never get out? What if her all rights are snatched away forcefully and she couldn't rebel too? What if she always gets hurt and tears when there is not even her fault? What if her loved ones leave her side when she keeps calling them to save her? What if her one biggest mistake changes her entire life and destroys all the dreams she always wanted to achieve and tortures her so much leaving her as a shattered soul who is just breathing and not living.”

Tears started escaping from her orbs as Xander stared at her stunned. He immediately held her arms and pulled her to himself.

“What happened Eve?”

He spoke in a worried tone. Evelyn immediately regained her senses. Her eyes widened in realization and she quickly pushed him gently.

“N-No, I am fine,” she quickly wiped her tears and got up. Evelyn started running inside the building but Xander grabbed her left wrist and pulled her back.

“I know you're lying. I know you're hiding something. Trust me, Eve, you can tell me.”

His voice was soft but Evelyn quickly shook her head in denial.

“No, it's just I became emotional. You know I am sensitive. There's nothing wrong with me,” she tried to assure him but Xander's gaze started turning dark watching her stubbornness.

“Don't lie, Eve. I know there is something wrong with you. Tell me or else I will find it out myself.”

Her blood ran cold as he glared at her fiercely. There's no way she could let Xander find out about her real identity.

“X-Xander, I- there's nothing.” She yelped as he grabbed her shoulders tightly and yelled in anger.

“THERE'S NOTHING WRONG, HUH? I AM NOT BLIND EVE; I HAVE SEEN HOW CLEVERLY YOU ALWAYS HIDE YOUR PAIN BEHIND YOUR SMILE. HOW ALWAYS YOU SUDDENLY BECOME LOST AND YOUR EYES TURN TEARY. I CAN SEE IT EVE; YOU'RE HIDING AN UNBEARABLE PAIN BEHIND YOUR CHEERFUL FACE. I CAN SEE THE HURT AND PAIN IN YOUR EYES, YOUR SORROWS, YOUR MISERY. THERE'S SOMETHING YOU'RE HIDING FROM ALL OF US. YOU CAN FOOL BRANDON BUT NOT ME. TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG?”

Evelyn became shocked by his sudden outburst. This was the first time she saw his furious self. And indeed, it was scary. She thought that no one will be able to find out about her pain and her poor fate but looks like she had failed to deceive everyone. Evelyn enveloped his hands in her soft ones and squeezed them gently.

“Please Xander, just listen to me once,” she begged him to explain everything but it seems as if Xander was not in a mood to pay any heed to her pleads.

“No, now you listen to me and answer my questions.”

Xander shot her a glare but his next words snatched the land beneath her feet.

"What's your relationship with Dylan?"

Evelyn froze. Xander saw how all the blood got drained off her face as soon as she heard those words. His blood boiled in anger as he was now fully convinced that his suspicion about them was right.

Her throat turned parched as she couldn't find words. Her pale face was enough to give him his answer when all of a sudden, she flinched hearing Brandon's chirping voice from behind.

“Cutiepie? Pooh? What's going on guys?”

She turned back only to see Brandon watching them with a frown. He folded her arms crossed over his chest as he glared at them like a kid.

“Conspiring behind me?”

Evelyn chuckled but Xander's eyes were dead set on her face as he kept analyzing her behavior with his scrutinizing eyes.

“Uh, nothing. We were just talking.” Evelyn smiled nervously and looked back at Xander only to see him watching her with a fierce gaze.

“Oh okay. Well, I came to tell you that we both are leaving tomorrow.”

Brandon said as his voice turned hoarse at last. Evelyn gasped. Tears pooled in her eyes after hearing that but in an instant, Xander's words rang inside her head like danger bells. She slowly heaved a deep sigh of relief.

“Aww, don't cry love. You're making me weak,” Brandon whined and pulled her in his arms. Evelyn smiled. She also wrapped her hands around his torso and hugged him back.

“I will miss you both. Do visit me whenever you get time.” He nodded and broke the hug while smiling at her softly.

“Yeah sure, now come with me and help me in packing.”

"We aren't leaving."

Her heart stopped as she heard a raspy voice from behind. She turned to her left only to see Xander staring at her intensely. She gulped in fear. Brandon frowned.

“Listen, Pooh, if you're here to play games then let me make it clear to you that I didn't spend millions so that you can cancel the program at the last minute. I dare you. If you do that, you have to pay my money back.” He scowled at him but Xander smirked at him while Evelyn looked at Brandon in shock.

“Why do you have to spend millions for buying a ticket?” She asked him innocently. Brandon chuckled and ruffled her hair.

“Cutiepie, I travel the world in my jet. You see your Bear is super-rich. Since we are business partners sometimes​ I allow Pooh to travel in my jet.” He spoke in an arrogant tone. Xander scoffed.

“Don't worry you sick rodomontade, I will pay you off. But we can't leave now.” He spoke while ogling at Evelyn who was shivering like a leaf.

“Well, may I ask your Highness, why the sudden change?” Brandon spoke dramatically and bowed to him. Xander looked at Evelyn and then uttered the word which slipped the ground beneath her feet.

“It's Eve's birthday next week.”

As soon as those words left his mouth Evelyn's jaw dropped to the ground. Brandon looked at her in surprise while she was in a daze as to how Xander knew about her birthday.

“BLOODY HELL!! WHY DIDN'T YOU TOLD ME CUTIE PIE? OH GOD, I HAVE TO DO SO MANY ARRANGEMENTS NOW!!!”

Brandon shouted at her in anger. Evelyn flinched but before she could react Brandon ran away hurriedly inside the building. Evelyn was about to chase him but Xander quickly came in front of her. She looked at him irritatingly and tried to walk past him but he again blocked her way. He was slowly getting on her nerves.

“Please Xander, don't make it hard for me.” Evelyn pushed him a little and started walking away.

“Why? For long are you planning to fool us?”

She halted in her steps after hearing his words but didn't turn around.

Evelyn clenched her fists in anger, “I am not fooling anyone Xander.” She murmured getting pissed by his questions.

Suddenly Evelyn heard footsteps behind her. Xander tugged his hands in the pocket of his pants and came closer to her. She closed her eyes shut in anger but all of a sudden, her eyes shot open in shock as a thunderbolt struck her making her soul leave her body.

"Oh, yes you are… EVELYN BLACK"

*****