#Chapter 22 WarrenUnbuttoning the top two buttons I breathe in air to not die from asphyxiation. "You're a bastard," Connor whispers to me and I only smirk in reply."What were you saying, Evelyn?" For a moment she's trapped in a haze and it takes her a second to break away from it. Now I'm certain I still affect her and the knowledge does something to me."That I'm doing well and don't need you to step in at all." Evelyn has always been too proud to ask for help. Even back in the day, it would take a lot for her to ask for assistance in matters she couldn't solve herself. With me things were different. She wouldn't think twice before pestering me. But now she's keen on dodging my every attempt to help her. No wonder time has changed us."Your annual sales say otherwise." That ticks a nerve because she's glowering."I'll survive. Most certainly without you." Yasmine clasps her hand over the table and gives her a look. "If I may ask, what can you offer

#Chapter 24 EvelynThroughout the meeting, I struck out each one of his demands and he gladly let them slide, and rewrote them as to how I wanted things to be. Not for once, he seemed to oppose any of my suggestions or decisions. Calm as a saint he listened to whatever I had to say and let me take control of the deal and shape it the way I wanted.A part of me is dancing in glee because it's the perfect contract. No other company or businessman would have let me talk let alone have a say in what I wanted. But Warren didn't only let me voice my thoughts, he let me keep more than half of the revenue that we'll make. My mind and heart are at a war as to how I'm supposed to deal with matters now that Warren's doing stuff like this. Yes, I would have survived without him. I've made sufficient money from the last two orders we got. And everyone is in good spirits As much as Warren is a part of my past, I can't let him influence either my present or my future."Evel

#Chapter 26 EvelynA lump of guilt swims into one of the chambers of my heart and slows down its pounding. The guilt of not telling him about Warren. I've always told everything to Michael except the Chapter titled Warren Archer. I only told him how he was my good friend who broke my heart. I didn't mention love and feelings. And Michael didn't ask. The best way to stop thinking is to distract yourself and that's exactly what I do for the next hour until ten o'clock hits. I read the documents and make a list of points I know I'll object to in the meeting. I know Warren is doing me a huge favor by executing this whole plan of his, but I won't become his puppet. This is my company and I'm the boss of it. It will run on my rules.Yasmine comes to accompany me to the meeting room where two women and a man are sitting dressed to nines. Just one glance at them and I can pinpoint that they indeed work for a successful enterprise. They certainly nailed the first impression.

#Chapter 28 EvelynWhen I said Beth wouldn't be any trouble, I was wrong. The woman gets on my nerves more than Warren does. And that's something.It's not like she isn't competent at her job; she is. It's the other things that drive me wild. She drills clients for details with a passive-aggressive attitude, which isn't how we operate. She rejects any clients who try to bargain—Beth may go for the wealthy ones but there is no leniency in the deadlines. And she calls her boss Warren—which shouldn't bother me in the least bit, but it does. Of course, I am under a wonderful contract so I don't want to cause any more changes to it. Beth is no one that I can't deal with. Tinsely and Justin on the other hand are perfect. Within a week they befriended everyone at the office and fell into the good graces of Miles who now spends his time with them. I guess he loves new people, even though he's wary of them at the start. So far only a week has passed and the new members of t

#Chapter 30 EvelynWhat happened ten years ago appears in front of my eyes and a lump gathers in the column of my throat."Oh, Evelyn. Come here, girl." Throwing my arms around his neck I seek comfort in his embrace and let myself savor his warmth."I hate him so much, Van." Ivan rubs my back and it evokes a soothing wave that overtakes my sadness. "I know. I can't believe he did that to you. Especially to someone like you. You're a good person Evelyn." "Good people get hurt the most." Ivan curses in my neck."That makes me want to go on a killing spree for revenge. Starting with Mr. Walter." I laugh loudly."Butchering his name now huh?" I pull away and dab my eyes. "Of course. You shouldn't have expected any less from me." "He told me that night that he won't give up on me." Ivan scowls at my words. "He should because you aren't taking him back ever."Now that I think of it, I know Warren won't give up. Maybe it was the twinge of promise gli