T H R E E

EVA. 

Being in the same room with Emerson Ford is never a good option. We can't stay around each other without having a clash, and this... I saw this coming the moment I walked through the door and sighted him with his friends. 

I haven't been in the same room with Emerson since we graduated high school. And that's right; I went to the same high school with the guy I hate so much. With the ever-flowing rage between us, being miles apart from each other is the best thing that could ever happen, but somehow someway– we always end up in the same area. 

The office. School... My house. 

This is a scenario that's occurred over too many times. Emerson staring down at me with that annoying smirk on his face, and me fuming in anger, wishing I could throw my fist in his face and restructure the sight I hate so damn much– not that I haven't tried several times. 

"What did you just say?" I lift my brows and Emerson rolls his eyes, "So you've turned dumb along with being daft, Carson?" I hate it. I hate the sound of my name rolling off his tongue, but even more... I hate him so much. 

"I do not have your time tonight. " I tell him and he hums, nodding his head. "Too busy looking for someone to fuck?"

"I wouldn't see how that's of your concern. "

"Did you enjoy it, Carson?" He abruptly says and I lift my brows in confusion. Emerson chuckles and shuffles closer. "Did you enjoy the show from last night? I could sense you did judging by the way you stood there. "

At the mention of the previous night, I take a step away and Emerson's eyes fall to the move before he meets my eyes again; a taunting smirk on his face. 

"Did you want me to enjoy it?" I retort. 

"We both know what I want is far from that, Carson. Does your daddy know? That you loved watching his rival's son fuck?"

"I'm starting to think you're obsessed with my father, Ford. " I fold my arms against my chest and I ignore the way his eyes not so subtle falls to my chest before he meets my gaze again. 

He shrugs. "We both know that's far from the truth, Carson. "

"As I said; Fuck. Off. " It's the only response I give before I turn to walk again, but once again... He stops me. 

"What are you doing here? I bet your father would have never let you out, considering how you're a daddy's little girl—" I hate hearing those words, and Emerson knows it, which is why he uses it at every chance he gets. "Matt would never let his little pet come out to a place like this. "

Turning around, I give the words that I know would hit him as twice as he just did to me. 

"At least my father cares about me because I'm not a huge disappointment like you are to your big man. " 

It's my turn to smirk as I watch his face drops, and his hands curl into a ball. The taunts in his eyes have germinates from seed and grown to a goddamn tree of rage and fury, and I feed on it like a hungry woman. 

This is what we do to each other. We use our troubles against each other till the anger that surges between them turns into something neither of us can handle. The wickedness that neither of us has any control over and the strong urge of wanting to hurt the other person. 

"Stay out of my business, Emerson. " It's the last thing I tell him before finally moving down the hallway, and leaving a damaged Ford behind. 

"Wow, girl! What happened? You looked pissed. " Aliya shouts over the loud music as I take my seat next to her, and empty the content in my glass. 

"Emerson happened. " I seethe and she sighs, "Did you guys have a run in again?"

"He showed up while I was in the middle of getting fucked. I swear, that guy pisses me off so much. "

Aliya chuckles and places a hand on my shoulder. "I know, babe. You tell me that every time, but that's not the only thing he did, is it?"

I meet her eyes and soften my gaze. "He called me a daddy's girl. You know how much I hate being called that. " I hiss and Aliya nods, giving small pats to my shoulder. 

"Well... Judging by the way he's glaring at you; I can tell you aren't the only one who left pissed. " She says, looking behind me and I turn back to meet Emerson's eyes. He has a cup in hand, a girl between his thighs and his eyes on me. 

"I can feel the tension, Evie. Calm the fuck down. " Aliya whispers and I nod, breaking the contact with him. 

With a deep breath, I move off my feet and Aliya's eyes follow me. "Where are you going?"

"To make sure Emerson Ford doesn't get the chance to ruin my night. Not this time. "

She grins widely, "That's the spirit, girl! Go off! Damn, I'm so proud of you. "

I roll my eyes and make my way to the dancing floor. 

That asshole has ruined enough of my night. 

Aliya gives me a thumb up from her seat, and I look back to Emerson again. His eyes don't leave me as I turn my body along with the sound. Mine doesn't leave his as he grabs the girl's hair and yanks her down. His doesn't leave mine as unfamiliar arms wrap around my waist and I move along with the beat. 

My eyes don't leave Emerson's as the girl begins to give him a lap dance, and his doesn't leave mine as the stranger yanks me forward and claim my mouth. 

All the while; the visibility of how much we hate the other person reflects in those eyes. 

~

I place gentle knocks against the door and twist the doorknob at the sound of Matt. 

I shut the door behind me and walk towards my father, placing the bag before him. 

"Mom said you needed this. " I tell him and he looks up from his computer to smile at me. 

"Yes, Princess. Thank you for bringing this to me. "

"You're welcome. " I respond. "Will you be coming late tonight?"

Dad raises his head and gives me a tiny nod. "You'll have to take dinner without me, but I'll be back before you know it, yeah?" 

I nod with a smile. "I should be on my way. "

"Be careful. " He says and I hum in response before walking out of his office. I take the hallway that leads to the elevator, and stop in front of Mason Ford's office. 

The office seems open which makes me wonder if they are competing again. 

It would be a surprise to know my father and his rival who hates each other so much happens to work in the same company with my dad owning a higher percent and Mason doing everything in his power to send him out. 

I flinch at the loud sound that comes from his office and makes my way towards the elevator. 

I fish my phone out of my pocket at the vibration of the device and shake my head as I read my best friend's text. 

ALIYA: Red or Green, bitch?

I type back a reply as the elevator doors open and a figure slides in. 

ME: You're not changing your hair again, Aliya! 

I sigh and keep my phone away, jumping back at the sight of Emerson Ford beside me. An angry-looking Emerson Ford. 

His jaw is clenched and he's staring straight ahead. The fact that he hasn't said a word to me speaks volumes, knowing that Emerson Ford would miss a chance to piss me off and I shouldn't irritate him any further than he already seems, but I live to torture the guy. 

"You're unusually quiet. " I raise my brows and he stares down at me before lifting his head again. 

"Daddy issues, isn't it?" I smirk, crossing my arms against my chest. 

"Trust me, Carson. You do not want to anger me right now. " His voice is cold and his tone drips of anger. 

I should stop, but we both know I never stop when it comes to Emerson Ford. 

"Or what will you do?" I challenge him. 

"Don't piss me off, Carson!" He snaps, now turning his body to me and I pout. "That's funny. I thought you love it when I piss you off?"

He parts his lips to speak, but shuts it and turns to the other side. 

"Being a coward, aren't we?" I push. 

"Shut your mouth, Carson. " He says and I chuckle. "Your comebacks are getting drier, Ford. Daddy issues getting to your head, or something?"

"I swear to God, Carson. If you don't close that wild mouth of yours; I'll pin you against this elevator, and teach you how to shut it. " His voice turns dark. They are words I wasn't expecting. Words that evaporates every insult I had planned for Emerson Ford and words that keep me in silence with heat I'd rather ignore in my lower belly. 

"You won't dare. " I breathe with my heart racing and Emerson chuckles, closing the space between us now and I can feel each of his ragged breath. I know better than to challenge Emerson Ford when I'm stuck in an elevator with him, but I'm too high to care about what he'll do. 

"That was a wrong thing to say, Carson, " he whispers. "Because I love myself a good dare. " He turns back and presses the emergency stop button. And it happens so fast I didn't have a chance to take another breath before his lips crush against mine.