CHAPTER 11: Coffee Bar

She exhaled, her patience wearing thin. "We need to do the project. Are you available this weekend?"

Nate could have shrugged and played this game longer, but he was already having too much fun watching her irritation grow. "Calm down. I'll do the whole project myself. You can sit back and enjoy your grade." His deep voice carried an effortless confidence, making it clear he wasn't interested in teamwork.

Zoey and Luna walked near to Eve; Zoey coughed to signal her.

Evangeline understood she was standing behind her. Shit! I don't know how to handle this situation; my friends are already here. Eve, be confident.... she thought. She raises a confident voice, and her tone becomes loud and sly too, "Dude, I can't stay in your apartment; how can I trust a stranger like you?"

Nate smirked at her sudden change; he stepped closer, and the playful smirk remained. "You have no choice, Baby."

Evangeline's words slurred, echoing her heartbeat in her ears, "Excuse me... I am not a baby?"

Nate chuckled and walked near her, looking down at her face. "What about wifey?" he said.

"Luna's jaw dropped in shock, eyes wide. They exchanged a silent eye contact, nodded at each other, and politely slipped away, leaving Evangeline to face Nate alone." 

Evangeline angrily glanced around. Nearby students were watching them while walking. "Huh!!!!... Have you lost your mind?"

Nate leaned closer than before, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "Okay, okay," he chuckled. "Just kidding. Don't flatter yourself," he added, a glint in his eyes, "I like it when you're angry. It suits you...."

"He is a total jerk," she murmured to herself.

 

While they were talking, Nate's phone buzzed continuously before he could answer. He nodded slightly to Evangeline and cast a glance at the screen, leaving her wondering what he was trying to say. "We can talk later, Evangeline," he said.

Upon hearing him say "later" and watching him walk away, frustration began to build in her chest. "Ssi-bal," she muttered purposefully, hoping he would hear her. What a waste of time! Why him out of all the others?

Nate heard her mutter. "Ssi-bal." He paused, a smirk at the corner of his lips.  Without turning back, he took another step and walked straight. 

Aaron stood against a locker, quietly observing the scene. His sharp eyes tracked Evangeline's every movement, a relaxed smile on his face. He noticed her cheeks flush and her shoulders tighten as Nate leaned in.  When Nate eventually left her alone, Aaron's smile faded. He saw the frustration in her tight jaw and the way her hand clenched into a fist at her side.

When she turned and exhaled with a deep breath and spotted him in the whole crowd, she forced a small smile and walked toward him.

Evangeline waved to Aaron from a distance. "Aaron, wait," but her mind was swirling with questions. Does he judge me? Should I explain? Or will he ask me? A lot of confusion but forced a smile to mask her unease; she brushed her doubts aside.

"You mentioned you have practice today," she asked, holding his hand tightly.

Aaron watched down her face. "I have, but I wanted to check on you. After last night, I assumed you were still terrified, so here I am."

Her stiff shoulders relaxed slightly, and a real smile appeared.

"Aaron........... Right now, I feel exhausted." She sighed before looking up at him with hopeful eyes. "Can we go... to a coffee bar?"

Aaron smirked; his amusement was evident. "If my queen commands it, how can I refuse?" he teased.

Evangeline let out an exaggerated sigh, rolled her eyes, and waved her hand dismissively. "I'm no queen—more like a prisoner," she ribbed, her tone dramatic.

His smirk faded slightly, his tone turning serious. "A prisoner? Why do you say that?"

She hesitated before sighing. "I can't even go outside alone. What does that tell you? It's like I'm under house arrest."

Aaron gently holds her palm. "You have all the freedom. He just cares about you too much. Don't worry about Uncle, okay? For now, let's enjoy the coffee."

She shook her head up and down, "You are the best," and she wrapped her arms around him in a quick hug," Come on, let's go..."

Evangeline walked to Aaron's car, holding his hands. Evangeline settled in; a fresh AC and rose car spray made her mind relax. She took out her phone from her bag and called her bodyguard. "Chris, you may return to the house. I'm with a friend, and I will be home by 7," she added softly.

.

"Understood, Miss Evangeline," Chris responded from the other end of the phone.

Nate and Kim watched them intently from the shadows of a nearby building.

"Are you jealous, my boy?" Kim teased.

Nate's lips curved into a smile, but he didn't take his eyes off them. "Jealous? My ass. I'm just trying to figure out who he is," he added. "He is a known one, but what is the connection between them?" 

Kim nodded, watching them leave. "Yeah, maybe." 

Nate's smirk widened, a hint of something darker in his eyes. "We need to separate them. He's going to be a problem for our mission."

"How? He's her friend?" Kim asked with curiosity.

Nate leaned near to Kim's ears, his voice dropping to a whisper, "Don't tell anyone." Kim nodded. "That's a secret; I don't like spoilers," he replied with a wink. 

Kim signed with disappointment, "Shit!!!! My fault for trusting you. You did the same thing every time." Then both left the place and got near the car.

Aaron glanced at Evangeline in the mirror as he drove. "Eve, do you want to change your dress?" he asked casually.

Evangeline leaned back in her seat, her voice with confidence. "Beauty doesn't need anything."

Aaron grinned quietly inside, shaking his head and clearing his throat. "Yeah, yeah… keep telling yourself, "he teased, keeping his eyes on the road and her.

They finally arrived at the coffee shop, which seemed luxurious outside but inside was simple and elegant with golden lightings. Soft music played, and couples filled most of the tables. Evangeline and Aaron selected a VIP seat and watched a breathtaking window view.

 They settled in and paused to take in the scenery. "This place is lovely. I love flowers," Evangeline said, closing her eyes to inhale the scent. "It feels like I'm in a garden," she added, smiling. "You have such great taste, Aaron," she said, clearly happy with his choice.

Aaron chuckled, leaning back in his chair and adjusting his shirt. "I know... how much you love flowers. I just wanted you to relax and be happy," he said, watching her face clearly and enjoying the moment.

Evangeline opened her eyes and smiled warmly. "You made my day. Honestly, you're like my little relief tablet for stress." 

Aaron smiled elegantly. "I don't like compliments."

"Can we take some photos? You look great in that outfit, and the background is amazing," she said as she took her phone and opened the camera.

She took a picture and then glanced at her photos. "It's not great; could you take one for me instead?" she suggested.

"Sure," he replied, adjusting the angle. "Please smile..." They both smiled warmly, and he clicked the shutter.

She moved closer to him, leaning in so her face was near his as she looked at her phone. He paused, his heart racing. He could smell her scent and felt her warmth, a wave of nervousness coursing through his body, making his hands tremble in shock, his thought racing, "What the hell are you doing, Eve?  Your scent, it's making me... control Aaron... control."

Just then, the waiter interrupted. "Good evening, sir, madam, may I take your order? please." 

She just clicked the picture perfectly. "Wow, it looks amazing. I am going to put this on wallpaper," she said, watching her photo moved to her seat.

Aaron turned to Evangeline. "What would you like to have, Eve?" 

She paused, replied, "Anything you choose. I like everything, so I don't mind."

Aaron laughed. "Alright, alright." He ordered two Kopi Luwak coffees.

A brief silence hung between them. After that, Evangeline spoke, her tone casual yet curious. "Aaron, you saw me with someone in the hall earlier, didn't you?"