Drunken Evelyn

Dinner with Evelyn wasn’t something I’d planned lightly. When she accepted my invitation, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction, though I made sure to keep my excitement buried beneath a cool exterior.

We sat across from each other in the softly lit restaurant, the warm glow of candles spreading an almost ethereal light on her face. She looked nervous, her hands fidgeting slightly with the edge of her napkin. I couldn’t blame her. This wasn’t exactly her element.

“Thank you for coming,” I said, my voice steady. “I wanted to clear a few things up.”

Evelyn gave me a small nod, her eyes searching mine. “Clear what up?”

I leaned back in my chair, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. “Jessica.” Her name alone was enough to make Evelyn stiffen slightly. I noticed it and softened my tone. “I’ve seen how she’s treated you, and I don’t approve of it.”

Evelyn’s brow furrowed. “Then why tolerate her?”

“It’s complicated,” I admitted. “Her father was my father’s driver. They both died in the same car accident years ago. Jessica’s... difficult, but she’s also talented. Her bad temper is infamous, but I’ve tried to let it slide as long as she doesn’t cross too many lines.”

Her expression shifted. Sympathy? Guilt? I wasn’t sure, but she seemed to process my words in silence. Finally, she spoke. “I didn’t know that.” Her voice was soft, almost apologetic. “I... I’m sorry for judging the situation.”

“No need,” I said quickly. “I just thought you deserved to know.”

The rest of the dinner went by smoothly. Evelyn seemed to relax, though I could tell something was still on her mind. By the time we parted ways, I couldn’t help but feel like something had shifted between us. She wasn’t just the assistant I’d hired anymore. There was more to her, layers I wanted to unravel.

That evening, as I returned home, my phone buzzed. Ethan’s name flashed on the screen.

“Sean,” he began the moment I picked up, “we’ve hit a snag in the investigation. We need more clues.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “What do you need from me?”

“You’re close to her,” he said. “See if you can find anything out. Her past might hold the answers.”

Conflicts didn’t even begin to describe how I felt. On one hand, I wanted to bring Evelyn closer. On the other, my family came first, and if finding out more about her could help my grandfather, then I had no choice. Finally, I made up my mind. I would test her.

The next morning, I arranged a business trip. “We’ll be leaving tomorrow,” Evelyn handed me the flight and hotel details.

“There’s only one room left at your hotel,” she said, her voice steady. “I’ve booked another room at a nearby hotel for myself.”

Disappointment flickered through me. I’d hoped the circumstances might bring us closer, but clearly, she was determined to maintain her boundaries. I nodded curtly. “That works.”

The trip itself went as planned. We secured the contract, and as a celebration or maybe as an excuse to spend more time with her I suggested we go shopping.

“Consider it a perk of being the lucky charm,” I joked as we stepped into an upscale boutique.

Evelyn rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. She browsed the racks cautiously, clearly out of her comfort zone. I found myself watching her more than I intended, fascinated by the little ways she hesitated, the way her lips pressed together in concentration.

Later that evening, I took her to my favorite local bar. It was a quiet place, intimate enough for conversation. As we settled into a booth, I asked casually, “So, tell me about your family.”

Her smile faltered. “There’s not much to tell,” she said quickly, reaching for her drink.

“I’m curious,” I pressed, trying to keep my tone light. “What about your dad?”

Her eyes darkened, and she went silent. The tension between us grew thick, and I regretted pushing her. Before I could change the subject, she downed her drink in one go. “Let’s not talk about that,” she said, her voice tight.

The rest of the night was a blur of drinks and forced laughter. By the time we left, Evelyn was drunk, her steps unsteady.

“Come on,” I said, wrapping an arm around her to steady her. “You’re staying in my room tonight.”

She didn’t argue, too far gone to care. As I helped her into bed, I found myself lingering for a moment, watching her as she slept. Her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, her hair spilling across the pillow. She looked... different. Vulnerable. Beautiful. Sexy, even. I’d never seen her like this, and for a moment, I couldn’t look away.

But I shook my head, forcing myself to step back. This wasn’t right. Taking a deep breath, I left the room and settled on the couch. No matter how much I was drawn to her, I wouldn’t cross that line.

The next morning, I woke to the sound of her stirring. She sat up slowly, her eyes wide as she took in her surroundings.

“Did we...” she began, her voice filled with panic.

I smirked, leaning against the doorframe. “Relax. Nothing happened.”

Her relief was seen on her face, but I couldn’t help but wonder what she’d thought of me at that moment. Maybe it was better not to know. Either way, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something between us had changed.

I headed to the bathroom, hoping a hot shower would clear my head. But as the water poured over me, all I could think about was Evelyn.

She wasn’t like anyone I’d ever known. Most women in my life only cared about money, bold and calculating, always wanting something. But Evelyn was different. She had no hidden agenda, no ulterior motives. She kept her guard up, not because she was scheming, but because she didn’t trust the world.

As much as I wanted to know her, to break through her walls, I had to stay focused. She wasn’t a gold-digger, but her innocence made her all the more dangerous.

I turned off the shower and looked in the mirror. I couldn’t let her pull me off course. For now, my priority was clear my family came first.