C31: Evangeline

The warm glow of the hanging lights blends into the red sunset as I walk out onto the restaurant's rooftop. I closed my eyes to feel the wind's gentle breeze, but the buzzing sound of my phone from my pocket ruined the relaxing mood.

I immediately picked up the call, not even looking at who the caller is.

"Hello?"

"Eve, can you come with me to a wedding?" it's clearly Victor's voice.

"Can't you just go by yourself? Sorry, I'm not in the mood," I replied lazily, feeling disturbed with my relaxation earlier.

Silence fell between the two of us, until he decided to continue, his voice filling the silence.

"I'm not taking 'no' for an answer. You haven't seen a wedding where it's only the groom and there's no bride, is there?" this time, he sounded more serious.

"What's the connection? It's not like the wedding won't happen if I'm not there," ugh, why is he being too pushy about this? He doesn't seem to be the kind of person who'll go crazy about events unless required.

"Eve, I'm the groom and you're the bride. How can you forget? And you're not going to attend the wedding?"

"WAIT, WHAT?!" I gasped as my whole body was suffused with happiness, confusion, and at the same time … panic, almost screaming in shock. The feelings are almost too much to bear, and I turned back when I sense a presence getting closer to me.

It was Victor, his phone still leaned on his ear just like I do, and we were staring at each other from a distance as if hoping to see who'll close the distance between us.

His face slightly became grim, having a disappointed 'how can you forget about something this important?' expression.

"What, are you coming or coming?" he asked, and I blinked, as if clueless on how to respond even if there's no other option.

Part of me felt hesitant, and yet, part of me wants to follow. Deep inside, however, are doubts, for none of these feel real.

… and I woke up.

My phone is ringing, and I took the phone away from the table and answer, not bothering to look at who the caller is.

"Is this Hana Evangeline Perez?" an unfamiliar voice spoke, and I groggily responded,

"Yeah. Who is this?"

"I'm Mayor Richard's assistant, and you can call me Fred. He's inviting you to his house for dinner. We'll be willing to pick you up after if that works for you," as soon as I heard his explanation, my mind was filled with questions.

"Wait. How did you know my number? I don't remember telling anyone that," I reacted, my eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Do ask that to him later. Should we pick you up at 5 pm at your house?"

"Do you even know where my house is? If so, how?"

"He's your uncle. Of course, he knows where you live. Ask him everything later." I gulped as my chest tightens in disturbance. That guy. Something isn't right here.

"I'll go there myself," I cleared my throat as I replied.

"Very well, it's set then." And with that, he hung up. It can't be. I bought a local sim card only when I arrived here, and aside from Victor, Megan, and some restaurant staff, nobody else is aware of my number. Also, how did they know that I'm already here? I want to believe that dad wouldn't bother to inform uncle about us switching places. What else do they know?

At first, I thought I will be reflecting on my weird dream, but the disturbing call changed it all.

Maybe I dreamt of that because he invited me to a wedding yesterday, and not necessarily us being married. Because who am I kidding? We are just friends. We only played the dating game because I suggested it, but I was only being friendly.

Three hours later, I dropped by the restaurant to start working, and since I was quite late, Victor looked at me intently, as if reading me from the outside to my very soul.

"You don't look so good. Did something happen? You don't have the typical energy that you have with you every morning." He commented, which is 100% right. My mind keeps on stopping me from telling him so that he won't get involved, or to avoid causing dramas, but my heart is overflowing with fear that I can't even imagine. If I'll try to keep everything to myself, I'll be alone in facing uncle. If I'll tell him, he'll surely get involved.

"You're definitely not fine. You can't even speak. C'mon," he held my wrist and led me out of the kitchen, to the spot where it's only us that can talk. "Now, spill."

I looked down in hesitation, trying to articulate my thoughts. I grit my teeth and curled my hands into a fist. "You do know that it was uncle Richard who ordered someone to assassinate me when I was a kid, right?"

"Yes, your dad mentioned. What about it?"

"This morning when I woke up, an unknown number called me, and it was uncle's assistant, inviting me for a dinner with uncle himself … in his house. That's the only thing that he said. I asked how he knew my number, but didn't tell me how. Of course, that alone is questionable." He averted his gaze and went silent as if analyzing the situation according to his own understanding.

"It sounds like you have no escape, is there?" he asked and continued. "I don't know what he's planning, but I don't think he'll do the same just like that. He wouldn't do that in his own house. I'm going to drop you there and wait until the dinner ends. If something strange happens, text or call me immediately. Got it?" his eyes are filled with worry and desire to protect me, making me feel like I'm his responsibility. Hearing those words calmed my heart, feeling the sense of security in his own little way.

"I wouldn't say no," I replied, forcing a smile. "Thank you."

"Now, check your phone and save its battery. I'll do the same. We can't take chances in case there's an emergency. I suggest be sensitive to everything that he's saying, and be observant. You might find something intriguing."

"I'll keep that in mind. Why are you doing this? I mean, I don't want to put meaning on everything but you'll be too patient if you'll wait for me for that long outside. You even want me to tell you whatever I can gather." The corner of his mouth twitches as he looks away, his worried facial expression changing to its typical unreadable one, the worried eyes that gave warmth turning cold.

"You are too slow," he said as he turned around and left me alone, heading back to the kitchen.

What's that supposed to mean? I thought he was being nice and I'm convinced! Then he took it back just like that? What is wrong with him?!

----------------------------------------

Victor stopped the car in front of my uncle's villa, and I held my bag tighter. I drew a breath and rubbed my emerald ring with my thumb. The longer it takes me to stay, the better I feel. Is this really the right thing to do? What if this is a trap and I won't make it out? His words may have given me the assurance that he'll be there to back me up, but I simply couldn't stop my heart that beats like a drum.

"Remember what I told you earlier?" he asked, trying to get my attention. "I know you're nervous, but try not to stress yourself too much. Remember two things – that this is your chance to know more about your beloved cousin, and that I'll be here waiting. I'm going to back you up, so just tell me if I should. I don't care if I'll have to break in, it won't be that hard."

"You're speaking like you're a professional in trespassing and knocking out guards," I chuckled, my nervousness lessening. "I agree, though. I need to take all the information that I can get from Giovanni. That's it, I'm leaving. I'll see you later," I unlocked the door and stepped out, without him saying anything. The gate immediately opened the moment I stepped a few meters near the gate as if I'm expecting to come.

"That was fast," I commented, trying to be friendly with the guard. He didn't bother to react but simply said that the mayor is inside, waiting.

"Evangeline!" my uncle walked towards my direction with a wide, triumphant smile written on his face, his arms open as if he wants to hug me.

And he did.

I didn't move an inch, but he secured me in his arms. When he let go, he looked at me, his smile fading, turning to a neutral facial expression.

I looked up to him and asked, "I hope you wouldn't mind, but I'm really curious. How did you know I was here?"

"Because I know you so well?" his smirked was enough to communicate the response, 'Got you, didn't I?"

"Huh," I averted my gaze to the design of his house – as expected from a man who's a black cardholder, the indoor part of the villa was in a completely luxurious setting – French windows where the garden can be seen from the inside, a mural displayed behind the sofa, a crystal chandelier from above, some sculptures – but what caught my eye was the painting of a sunny day that I gave them displayed in the living room. My jaw mentally dropped, but I decided not to show my awe. After all, I've seen better back in the States. "Where's aunt?"

"She had her vacation in several European countries with her friends. I wanted to come, but I have responsibilities as a mayor,"

I don't buy it.

"Is that so?" I shrugged. "Uncle, I'm dying to ask you this – what happened to Giovanni?"

"Let's discuss it as we eat dinner. Come, it's already prepared." I followed him to the dining room, and we sat across each other. The maids served the meals – roasted lamb, mashed potatoes, and vegetable salad.

"Where are we? Ah, Giovanni," he took a piece of the lamb onto his plate and sliced it. "You must've heard that he was murdered in his house. As a father, I want to believe that he's still alive, that somehow since his body wasn't found, there can be the slightest possibility that he's still alive and is only hiding somewhere. But when the bloodshed on the floor was tested, it matched my DNA. The amount of blood there was too much to think that he still made it out alive. Drugs were found in his house which disappointed me a lot. The investigators can't find any other evidence aside from those. The murder must be too good as if it's all planned," he sounded as if he cared, and I hope that I'm wrong that I can't sense the sincerity in his words. It feels like he's telling me the truth, but him 'caring' about him doesn't feel right. Admittedly, I depend a lot on my heart instead of my head, but my guts feel right.

"How about a drug test? Was his blood also tested if it's positive? How was he like when you last met or talked to him?"

"Why are you sounding like you're interrogating me?" a crease forms between his thick, dark brows, his eyes narrowed, while the corner of his lips turning down to a frown. "We didn't do any drug tests at all. The last time I talked to him was two days before that, and it didn't end well. He's a rebellious kid, and I was angry at him. However, not to the point where I'll want him gone."

Is it really? Why am I having this feeling that he's not regretful or upset about anything? Do I really see uncle this cold-hearted? Or it's all because of my fear of what he did back then in my younger years?

Probably both.

For some unknown reason, my other hand under the table looked for my phone, and I secretly dialed Victor's number so that he'll hear my conversation with my uncle. Thankfully, my uncle never noticed that my hands are busy doing something else below the table.

"I've heard that your mother is still in a coma. How is she doing? Elliot went there in the US to take care of her, didn't he? That's why you two switched places?"

Did that tell all of these things to him? I can't stand the idea that he will.

"Yes. There's no progress so far, but I'm looking forward to her recovery."

"Since we were talking about Giovanni, I'd like to ask. What will you do if you happen to know who the murderer is? What if he's been watching you all this time?"

I let out a nervous laugh as my stomach lurched, unsure of what he's talking about. "That's impossible. I just started settling here, and I hardly have contacts aside from my staff in the restaurant," which is true. I want to create more contacts, but at this point, my life recently has been all about the restaurant and Lance.

Or rather, Victor.

Uncle smirked once again as if he's enjoying seeing me tormented from a question that made me uncomfortable. "It's a what-if scenario, and it doesn't mean that's exactly the case."

"I don't know how to react since I can't imagine it. If that's the case, I want to have faith and believe that he's not plotting to kill me too. I still have many things to accomplish in life, I'm too young to die," I clenched my shaking fist below the table, and eventually rubbed my thighs with my cold hands, trying to calm myself down. There's no need to worry, right? Because how come that person's watching me? Is he even aware that Giovanni and I are related? And if he does, what does he want from me? I can't think of any reason why someone would plan to kill me.

"Interesting," he replied, taking another bite of the roasted lamb. "There's no need to be scared, is there?"

"I believe so, yes," I let out a sigh, trying to let the nervousness out of my chest. My heart feeling partly calm, but still avoiding to be caught off guard.

This is the worst dinner I had in my entire life. I could hardly eat the food, even if it's supposed to taste great. Thanks to how uncle treated me, I now see the reason why I should stay away from him and perhaps avoid getting involved with whatever his businesses are … if I still have the willingness to live. Everything about him feels wrong.

When the dinner ended, he offered to give me a lift, but I refused. I took out my phone where the call was still ongoing with Victor, and I put it in my ear so that I can talk to him clearly.

"Please pick me up, we're done here," I looked back and saw my uncle standing, his arms crossed. Victor didn't bother to confirm that he'll pick me up, but after around three minutes, a car arrived outside the villa's gate. I waved uncle goodbye and walked out of his house, feeling calmer with each step away from him.

As soon as I stepped outside his residence, I opened the door of Victor's car, and as I do, I leaned my head on my bag, trying to catch my breath.

Victor put a hand on my back and his gentle hand lessened the fear that I've been holding back from expressing. He didn't say anything, but his warm caress gave me the assurance that everything's going to be fine, because he's already there, and it's over.

"I heard some of what you talked about, although it's not loud enough for me to understand everything. Which among what he said threatened you?" his voice was softer than I expected.

"Everything caused me to feel this," he offered a bottle of water for me to drink, and I drank it, helping me feel a little more relieved. "He was suspicious all along, but him telling me the 'what if' situation that he made up that the killer might be watching me too was the scariest."