Chapter eight

We both agreed to meet at that hotel. I'd refused to ride in his car because the last thing I wanted was unnecessary attention. Evan Zeeler is a big shot and paparazzis are lingering around, snooping for a scrap of gossip about him

I buckled my seat belt and wanted to drive off when a sharp knock on my window startled me

I turned and saw a worried Harley. Her brows were pulled together and her lips were pursed in a thin line

Shit! How could I forget about Harley

I have myself a mental facepalm

“Get in” I said to her as I nudged my head towards the passenger seat

“Alright, spill” She dropped her bag on the back seat “What did that woman say to make you so upset?”

My mind drifted to what Isla said moments ago

She has no sister. She's an only child

“She's my sister, Isla”

That much was enough information for Harley. I had told her everything about my past. I barely kept any secret from her. She knew me inside-out. With her, I didn't need to put up any walls or fake strength. I could drop my shoulders and let myself be.

I thank the heavens I met her that day. I would have been a complete mess if I didn't have anyone like her around. She was the closest person to family to me

Harley’s eyes softened but her voice remained firm “Listen to me, whatever comes out of her mouth is meaningless. Don't let it get to you. It's her loss for letting someone like you slip away in the first place”

“She… She didn't recognize me” I muttered in reply

She gave an exaggerated scoff “Hell yeah, she didn't. I mean look at you. Radiant, beautiful, not to mention you now kick ass. You own five businesses worldwide, some take a lifetime to do that. But you did it in less than five years. Plus, you were invited to the Red Gala. She probably would never have imagined someone she belittled to be capable of that. If anything, that just shows she is stupid and dumb”

Harley placed her hand on my arm, trying to make me relax “You never needed them to succeed”

She was right. I did all these without their help. I recalled how shamelessly desperate Isla was, trying to get in my good books.

She was trying to cosy up to me. I shouldn't shed my tears for her or anything she says.

I sniffed and nodded “You're right. I don't need her”

Right that moment, my phone beeped with a message notification from Ethan

{ Hello beautiful. I can't make it tonight. Something urgent came up. Let's meet tomorrow night as earlier scheduled. A dinner this time. I'll pick you up by 8. Please don't hate me}

I heaved a sigh before typing a reply to him.

Third person’s POV

Elliot stepped into Evan's house, still in his navy suit. The car key in his hand jingled as he walked in. There was a bitter look on his face. He hated more than ever that his night with Rhea was once again, canceled

“First, you ditched the gala so early. I had questions from people who'd seen you around earlier. Next, you called and demanded I should hurry over. I have somewhere important to be, I had to cancel because of you, this better be worth it” Elliot lifted the corner of his lips in annoyance as he stood next to the sofa Evan was seated on

“I wasn't in the mood for the gala” Evan replied flatly

The mention of the gala dragged his mind back to that lady

He wasn't a man people would deem approachable. Everything about him screamed distance, warning everyone not to cross him. Nevertheless, that didn't stop people from trying. Some desperate for partnership, some wanting the privilege to be among those that have spoken with Evan Zeeler and some, wanting to get in his bed

However, when they approached him, they always did with a bit of fear and caution. Like their words had to be chosen carefully and their steps had to be revised before execution

But that lady marched up to him. She didn't ask for anything, but she acted and spoke like she was demanding something from him

He had never heard of her. She was not among the elites in the country, that's for sure. He knew everyone at the top. Where had she come from?

She intrigued him. And he was not someone who got intrigued easily

Elliot was getting more frustrated by the second. If he could wrap up his conversation in a couple of minutes, he might still be able to make it to the hotel with Rhea

“Whatever. Just get on with it dude”

Evan replied after a few seconds of silence. He tossed a stack of paper to him “Xander was able to pull this. Turns out those people were not after money”