CHAPTER SIX

‎For a moment, Evelyn's throat felt dry.

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‎"Alex?"

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‎A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Eve."

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‎His gaze fixed intently on her face, both staring into each others eyes before Evelyn finally cleared her throat.

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‎As if reminding herself to compose herself.

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‎She was almost carried away by his handsome face.

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‎His sudden presence wasn't a surprise to her, as she knew either her father or her older brother would have tipped him off about her return.

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‎"Can I come in?"

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‎Immediately those words left Alexander's mouth, that was when she realized she hadn't invited him in yet.

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‎She opened the door wider for him, and stepped aside.

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‎"Of course, please..."

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‎They both walked inside after Evelyn had closed the door, and took their seats on the sofa.

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‎Alex had showed up at their house using the excuse of seeing Evelyn to discuss business with his best friend, Ethan.

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‎Naturally, it's something they could both talk about on phone.

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‎As they chatted, Evelyn couldn't help but notice how handsome Alex looked.

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‎It had been four years since she had last seen him, and the photos on magazines, even his appearances on television hadn't done him justice.

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‎His features and piercing eyes seemed more captivating than she remembered.

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‎As they continued to talk, Evelyn found herself stealing glances at him, wondering why she hadn't noticed his good looks before.

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‎Or, maybe she was too carried away by her infatuation for Christopher.

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‎It all started when she went to a club that day, and was almost harassed by a group of boys who used to be her classmates back in school.

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‎Chris was there, and he came to her rescue.

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‎She regarded him as her knight in shinning armor, and was attracted to him ever since that incident .

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‎She couldn't get him out of her head.

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‎They both started out as friends before things got more intense between them.

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‎Alex slightly turned to face her, his voice calm and husky. "Eve, I got a call last night that the engagement dress I had custom-made for you, and our rings at Aurifex Company have arrived at their store here in New York City."

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‎Aurifex Company was one of the world's most prominent goldsmith jewelry brands, and their dresses were well-known for their elegant masterpiece and sumptuous embroidery.

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‎Evelyn had just agreed to the engagement a few days ago, yet both their rings and her dress were ready?

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‎Had he been planning for this for a while?

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‎Even though her mind whirred with questions, she just nodded.

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‎And replied with a simply, "Okay."

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‎With Alex eyes locked onto hers, he continued, "Let's schedule a time to pick up the ring and dress together."

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‎Evelyn nodded, locking gaze with him. "How about next weekend?"

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‎Alex smiled, nodding his head in agreement. "That would be great."

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‎The way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled at her, she felt a flutter in her chest.

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‎And, as if she wasn't meant to waver, she quickly suppressed herself.

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‎Just then, Ethan walked in on them.

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‎His eyes landed on the empty space beside Alex, and he slumped himself down beside him.

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‎"Hey guys," Ethan said, playfully tapping Alex's knee.

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‎Alex, in turn passed him a deadly glare.

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‎Indirectly telling Ethan he was disrupting his moment with Andrea, but Ethan pretended not to notice.

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‎Instead, he tilted his head to glance between the two, and asked, "Am I interrupting?"

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‎His eyebrows raised in a teasing manner toward his best friend.

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‎Alex was already thinking of how to strangle his friend for trying to ruin his moment with Evelyn.

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‎Evelyn stood up, and shook her head. "No. We were just catching up."

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‎She took the moment as her cue to leave. "I will leave you two to talk. I need to handle some things in my room."

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‎With a polite smile at Alex, Evelyn excused herself, leaving her brother and Alex alone to discuss.

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‎As she walked away, she headed straight to the kitchen to get something to eat and instructed the maids on duty to serve Alex a drink before heading back to her room.

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‎Later, she brought out the gifts she had brought for everyone from her bag.

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‎At the same time, she heard a knock on her door.

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‎"Come in."

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‎Evelyn said to whoever was at the door.

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‎The door slightly pushed open, and her mother walked in.

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‎Evelyn leaped up from her seat. "Mom?"

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‎Clara's face radiated a warm smile as she took her seat on the edge of the bed.

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‎She patted the space beside her for Evelyn to sit.

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‎"Mom, I was just about to come to your room." Evelyn said, taking a seat beside her mother.

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‎Clara smiled again, and began to caress her daughter's hair.

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‎She tucked a loose strand behind her ear, staring at her lovingly.

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‎"Your father and I came to check on you earlier in the morning, but you were soundly asleep. We didn't want to disturb your sleep, so we let you be."

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‎Evelyn nodded, smiling and embraced her Mom in a tight hug.

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‎Her voice laced with longing. "I missed you so much, Mom."

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‎"I missed you too, sweetie." Clara replied, and then pulled back from the hug a little, locking gaze with her daughter. "You had no idea how happy I was when your father told me you'd be returning back home."

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‎"I'm sorry, Mom. For all the time I was being childish."

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‎"It's fine, sweetie," Clara smiled, patting the back of her daughter's hand, softly. "let bygone be bygone. The most important part is that you're finally back to us. As from now on, let's live together as one big happy family, okay?"

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‎Evelyn nodded, and responded softly. "Alright, Mom."

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‎After that, Evelyn handed her mother the necklace she had bought for her.

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‎Clara's face lit up as she put it on, and they both admired it on her neck.

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‎"Janet and her daughter will be visiting tomorrow. I told them about your return and they were very thrilled." Clara announced.

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‎Janet was Clara's best friend, and her daughter, Joanna was also a friend to Evelyn.

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‎"Well, I missed them too. It will be fun to have them around." Evelyn said.

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‎"I knew you would want that too!" Clara exclaimed, her face blooming in happiness.

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‎It's been a while she was this happy and cheerful. Having her daughter back into their lives, was one of the best thing that has ever happened to her ever since Evelyn's return.

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‎She wished for nothing to ever separate her daughter from her again.

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‎She knew that having Chris in her life wasn't the best to choice— Clara was aware of that, but she felt powerless when Evelyn was determined to choose Chris over her own family.

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‎•

‎THE NEXT DAY

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‎At Alexander's Villa, he was preparing to leave for work when he heard the doorbell ring.

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‎Alex's eyebrows furrowed, confusedly.

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‎He wasn't expecting anyone.

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‎He sauntered towards the door, and opened.

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‎He was instantly stunned with the sight in front of him.

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‎The stunning lady dressed in a red silk gown that hugged her curves in all right places. Her diamond earrings dangling from her ears, matching her thinned silver necklace.

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‎She wore 5-inch heels, with a matching designer bag in her hand, adding a touch of sophistication and elegance.

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‎"Surprise!"

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‎The lady exclaimed, excitedly, throwing her arms around Alex and pulled him for a hug.

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‎Alex pulled away from the hug, a stern look on his face. "Katherine? What are you doing here?"

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