CHAPTER FOUR

‎With a fake smile playing at the corner of her lips, Evelyn shook her head lightly.

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‎"It's nothing to be worked about," she uttered in a casual tone. "It was just a spam message."

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‎After a cold stare, he sauntered toward the closet and picked out a shirt and trouser to wear.

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‎Once he was done, he glanced at Evelyn still packing and said casually, "If I'm not too busy when you return back to Los Angeles, I will come pick you up. And, let me know when you get back home."

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‎Without raising her head to look at him, Evelyn replied softly, "Okay."

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‎In her head— she wouldn't be coming back.

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‎Silence grew between the two again, and then his phone rang.

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‎After answering it, he turned to face Evelyn. "I have to head out now, I have something to tend to. Don't wait up for me because I might not return until morning."

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‎Unbothered, Evelyn replied nonchalantly,  "Alright."

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‎Chris didn't waste time. He turned around and left the room.

‎•

‎The next day, Evelyn went to the mall to get a gift for each of her family members.

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‎At the jewelry store, she picked out two sets of wristwatches and a necklace.

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‎Once the sales attendant was done packing them, Evelyn paid and headed out.

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‎She abruptly stopped walking as she watched Chris hopped down from his car, followed by Andrea Wilford.

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‎Both fingers locked, with a happy smile on their faces.

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‎As their eyes met.

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‎Chris froze.

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‎He instinctively glossed over Andrea's hand from his.

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‎Andrea's eyes darkened in a flashing second, but feigned a shock expression and masked a fake smile on her face.

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‎Before Chris could utter a word, she spoke. "Evelyn, what a surprise! What are you doing here?" 

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‎Evelyn snorted, and met Chris's gaze instead, a quirky grin playing on her lips.

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‎Of course, Evelyn wasn't surprised to see the two.

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‎She already knew they'd be out to get a ring. Just that, she never imagined to run into them at a place like this.

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‎"Isn't it strange that you two are always together now." Evelyn said, coldly. "If I weren't your girlfriend, I would have believed you two are dating."

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‎Chris stiffened, and clenched his fist in anger. "Stop spewing nonsense, Evelyn. I've told you many times, Andrea and I are nothing but business associates."

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‎His tone was cold and detached.

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‎Clearly angry but unwilling to show it, Andrea forced a smile and rushed towards Evelyn's side, clutching onto her left arm. "Don't be ridiculous, Evelyn. You're my friend. How could I dare take what's yours?"

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‎In a calm composure, Evelyn gently shoved her hand away, passing her a brief, amused glance. "Right?"

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‎She continued, tilting her head, her voice sweet yet mockingly. "I mean, you two won't be shameless enough to do that."

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‎Immediately those words left Evelyn's mouth, Chris's expression darkened.

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‎He clenched his jaw, clearly displeased.

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‎"We're here for something else, and stop imagining silly things," he muttered. "And you, what are you doing here?"

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‎"To get a few things." Evelyn replied, raising the bags in her hand.

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‎"Wait, isn't that a collection for men?" Andrea stepped in. "Evelyn, you didn't come here to get a gift for Chris, did you?"

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‎Evelyn didn't answer, she just tilted her head and passed her an amused glance.

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She wanted to see where exactly Andrea is heading to.

‎"You shouldn't have bothered, you know. You've already spent your fortune on my grandmother's homecoming gift, it wouldn't be nice to get Chris a cheap gift. You know how he detests cheap things."

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‎Every sentence she spoke sounded like a mock, which didn't go unnoticed by Evelyn.

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‎Evelyn let out a cold laugh, and slightly shook her head. "And who says the gift were meant for him?"

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‎Andrea's eyes widened in feigned shock. "If the gift isn't for Chris. Then, who is it for? Oh my God, you're not—"

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‎She stopped midway, gasping and pointing an accusing finger at Evelyn.

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‎Evelyn chuckled dryly and asked, "You're implying, I'm secretly seeing another man, right?"

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‎This made Chris's expression turned even darker.

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‎He took a few steps forward, and grabbed her arm firmly. "Evelyn, do you think this is funny?"

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‎Evelyn frown slightly and coldly met his gaze. "Yes," she replied, casually.

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‎Frustrated and angered by her calm attitude, he roughly let go of her again.

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‎He believed the reason she was still acting this way was because of what had happened at Mrs. Wilford's party.

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‎She was still angry at him.

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‎She had gotten him a gift to apologize, but was pretending it wasn't meant for him.

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‎Since she has realized her mistake, he would also forgive her this time if she genuinely apologized to him.

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‎He would also say a few words to pacify her and put an end to her suspicion about his relationship with Andrea.

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‎He wouldn't loose her now.

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‎When he married Andrea, he would still keep Evelyn as his mistress.

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‎After all, she was a fool who always listened to everything he said.

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‎It would be a win-win for him— having a sophisticated woman like Andrea by his side to proudly show to the world. And Evelyn, the obedient one who will keep warming his bed.

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‎Andrea, wanting to fuel the situation even more, spoke.

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‎"Evelyn, I don't know why you're doing this, but could you stop trying to provoke Chris?" She asked, her tone laced with fake concern.

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‎"If you're upset at Chris and I, because you're misunderstanding us then you shouldn't. We're only here to pick up a ring at Chris's mother's request."

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‎Those words were meant to provoke Evelyn and made her flared up.

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‎Andrea deliberately said that.

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‎But she portrayed the opposite of what Andrea was expecting.

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‎A small smile played at the corner of Evelyn's lips, as she nodded lightly, completely unfazed. "Oh, is that so?"

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‎"Yes. We were just-"

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‎"Then, carry on."

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‎Evelyn didn't let her finish as she cut her off.

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‎"I wouldn't disturb you two."

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Andrea clenched her fist tightly, internally fuming in anger.

‎Evelyn, on the other hand, planned to walk away, but Chris grabbed her arm and dragged her back.

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‎He shot her a furious glare.

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‎He's clearly angry at her sudden change of attitude.

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‎He wanted her to be vulnerable and beg him for things that were his fault— like she used to.

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‎But she wouldn't.

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‎And it was making him lose his temper more.

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‎"What exactly is your problem? Just apologize already and I will forgive you."

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‎At that, Evelyn burst out laughing.

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‎Chris furrowed his eyebrows, a confused expression etched on his face. "What's funny?"

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‎"You," she said, looking at him with a bemused expression. "You're funny, Chris."

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‎She met his gaze, her tone cold and accusing. "As far as I remember, we're still in a relationship, but you are always seen with my friend, acting all lovey-dovey everywhere. Now tell me, who truly deserve an apology between you and I?"

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‎"You're really going to continue this way, right?" Chris asked, his tone cold and detached.

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‎"Then don't blame me for acting indifferent to this childish attitude of yours."

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‎He threatened.

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‎But Evelyn looked unfazed and just shrugged.

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After all, this is not his first time acting indifferent towards her.

She no longer cares.

‎He gave her one last glaring look and then stormed into the mall building.

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‎"Evelyn, I think you're really doing too much. Chris doesn't deserve this treatment from you." Andrea scolded her.

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‎After giving Evelyn one last annoyed look, she also ran after Chris, calling out his name.

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‎As they walked off, Evelyn rolled her eyes and pulled out her phone.

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‎Then, she dialed her Dad's number.

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‎"Dad, I will be leaving Los Angeles in an hour."

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