8

When her turn finally comes, Evie begins the introduction of Paganini’s God Save The King. Everyone was extremely surprised by that choice, as this song was considered one of the most difficult to play. Only someone with great skill, was able to do it with mastery. 

And Evangeline was that person. When she started playing, there was not one person in that theater who wasn’t hooked with the performance. Even Felippa, who hated classical music and had spent the entire recital facing Alec. Evie played that song with her eyes closed the whole time. It was her way of feeling it. And the moment she finished her presentation, all the people who were there stood up and applauded her fervently. She couldn’t hide her happiness. Alec subtly applauded her as she carried a beautiful smile. Felippa screamed hallucinately.

The five people destined to judge those individual presentations already had their verdict. Marylin walked sensually before them and took the envelope from the last person in that row. She climbs to the stage smiling, making her heels echo through the wooden floor. 

"Here in this envelope, we have the name of the winner tonight." Jude says, getting the envelope from her secretary. "So without further ado... " he made a suspense, leading some people to roll their eyes. "Evangeline Atkins.”

Evie almost sat down, as she was sure it was not her name that would be announced. As soon as the words came out of Jude’s mouth, Evangeline widened her eyes and looked directly at her best friend. Felippa screamed twice as much as before and applauded hard. Alec also applauded her, with a proud smile on his face.

Jude approached her and handed her a small trophy, along with a check worth $1,000. Evangeline could not contain her smile, which grew even more, with the phrase that Jude released next.

"In addition to this award, you won one year of free tuition. In this case, another year of your scholarship. Congratulations, Evie.”

Evangeline held the cry she wanted to leave and just shook her head, whispering a thank you. The curtains close and all the students prepare to leave. After the congratulations she received, Evie goes to meet Felippa.

"You were amazing, friend!" she says, still smiling. Felippa spared no praise for Evangeline. "The one who made the whole theater stay awake. Wow... perfect.”

"Oh, Felps... not so much.”

"Of course it is. Even that monument was impacted by his presentation. I swear, friend. He was hooked!”

Before answering that, Evie notes that the matter at hand is heading her way. 

"He’s coming." she murmurs.

Felippa holds her friend’s hand and turns, just as Alec stops in front of them. He puts his hands in his pockets and smiles at Evangeline.

“You can’t imagine the size of the surprise I had, seeing you on that stage." he says, trying to look subtle. "You were brilliant, Evangeline. You earned first place.”

"Thank you, Alec.” 

"Do you want to go celebrate?" Alec notices the strange look Felippa gave. "You mean, go out to eat something. I imagine you’re hungry.”

"I did not...”

"We are!" Felippa replies, pulling Evangeline’s hand. She never refused a free mouth. Even less when it was offered by a handsome man full of money. "Where will you take us?”

Evangeline was ready to deny that request, when her friend accepted it. Alec stared at them both and let out a low laugh. 

"It has a restaurant in...”

"Oh, no!" Felippa interrupts him, already pulling Evangeline. "Come with us. I know where we will go.”

Alec disliked the idea of having an intruder in his attempt at seduction, but had already realized how Felippa protected his friend. And if he really was willing to conquer Evangeline, he would have to do the same with Felippa.

"Are you leaving?" Marylin enters in front of Alec, preventing him from leaving the theater. "The party for investors will start upstairs. I can escort you there.”

Evangeline and Felippa had stopped walking when they saw that Alec was not accompanying her. They stared at Alec’s conversation with Marylin, quite curious.

"I don’t think it will be possible." he replies, looking in the direction of the friends. "I have an appointment now. But...”

Alec takes his wallet out of his pocket and from there the checkbook. He puts the checkbook against the wall, writes quickly and hands it to Marylin.

"I hope that this contribution will be more than enough. Good evening.”

He then turns his back on the astonished woman, who faced the check in the amount of three hundred thousand dollars. It was obvious that soon someone would ask questions because Alec had spent so much money and so quickly, but he would think of something.

"All right?" Evangeline asks, when he approaches them.

"Sure. So what? Come on? I’m starving, too.”

[...]

Felippa devoured a huge burger and ketchup dripped down her fingers. She was comically watched by Evangeline and Alec, who occupied another table.

"She’s fun." Alec murmurs, turning to Evangeline. 

"Yeah. Felippa is the best thing in my life.”

"And from the way she stared at me all through the recital, you talked about me.”

Evangeline’s cheeks burned with that phrase. Maybe she used the word beautiful several times while telling about her meeting with Alec. 

"I spoke." she confesses, biting a potato. "It’s not every day that I come home with five hundred dollars in my hand.”

"You didn’t tell her about that room. Did you?”

"No. No. I promised I wouldn’t tell and I didn’t.” 

"Thank you." Alec smiles and picks up the plastic cup, filled with soda. "Hmm... I don’t mean to sound snobbish, but I haven’t had soda since childhood.”

"I imagine. I also imagine that this should be the last place you thought of putting your feet.”

Alec lets out a genuine laugh, which surprises Evangeline. She didn’t expect that reaction.

"Place doesn’t matter. Just the company.”

"Oh... I... I...”

"Do not be embarrassed." he asks, even if this has already happened. "Can I confess something?”