Bitter Yet Sweet

Evelyn's cheeks flushed red, butterflies fluttering in her stomach as their eyes locked in the mirror. Zevian's familiar teasing smirk and his almost pitch-black eyes twinkling with a mixture of admiration and something deeper made her heart beat erratically. Memories of their shared passion and love flooded back, overwhelming her senses.

Quickly, Evelyn averted her gaze, cursing herself and her treacherous heart that still seemed to hold a corner for him. She had thought she had completely moved on, that he wouldn't affect her anymore, yet one glance from him stirred emotions in her that even her ex-fiancé hadn't managed to evoke in the past few years.

She rapidly applied the ointment with as much care as she could muster, trying to ignore the electric tension between them and his eyes that seemed to be constantly on her.

"It-it's done," Evelyn stammered, quickly placing the cream tube back into the box and closing it. Without daring to look back at him, she rushed toward the large front doors.

A chuckle escaped Zevian's lips as he watched her flee like a startled rabbit. He missed this, and it made him realize how much he had missed her, despite acting like he had moved on. If only he hadn't made that mistake six years ago, they wouldn't be here, feeling awkward like strangers. And, she would have been safe, away from these schemes and sacrifices.

Avery, who was having tea with the manager, smiled as she saw Evelyn emerge from the room. Her flustered expression was all Avery needed to know her mission was successful. Considering the devil her cousin was, he had probably melted Evelyn's walls a little.

Walking over to Evelyn, Avery spoke as if unaware of what might have happened inside. "What should we have for lunch? Let's go to my favorite sushi restaurant!" she added excitedly, having missed eating there for more than two weeks because of her business trip.

Evelyn nodded with a smile, thinking it would be the perfect way to escape and also to discuss Mr. Igor's future projects.

"Drop us off at Nexus Street," Avery instructed her cousin as he walked out of the room. Zevian nodded, but his sulking expression didn't go unnoticed by Avery. It seemed he was a little sad about not spending more time with Evelyn, and she sighed aloud.

"God, do you always have to make me their cupid?!" Avery grumbled inwardly, walking out of the boutique recalling the good old college days when she had pulled crazy stunts to send them on dates. 

"Oh shit! I had a very important meeting scheduled with Mr. Igor, and I forgot about it!" Avery murmured as they walked toward the gates. John, who had finished dealing with Nicholas and was waiting for his boss, quickly pulled the car in front of them seeing them exit the boutique.

"Let's go to the company then," Evelyn suggested, seeing it as a good opportunity to apologize to Mr. Igor for her absence during the trip.

"No, you can't!" Avery freaked, and when Evelyn frowned, she quickly added, "I mean, you must be tired from all the trials. You should rest up! Leave Mr. Igor to me, I'll take care of him."

"But—"

"I will use your car since it's urgent," Avery said to Zevian, cutting off her best friend. "Get another car and drop her off at my apartment. It's on the way to your company, anyway," she added, getting into his car.

Evelyn looked troubled, clearly not yet ready to be alone with him, but Avery didn't leave her a chance to even speak, demanding John to drive. John looked at his boss, and at Zevian's nod, he reluctantly started the engine.

"Make sure to have lunch together first," the cupid said, waving at them with a cheeky smile.

Zevian nodded in delight, making a mental note to give her a bonus later as the car rode away, leaving them alone on the street.

But his happiness was short-lived as Evelyn turned to him and said, "I'm going to take the subway. It's not far from here."

"Have a good day, Mr. Reign." Slightly bowing to him, Evelyn turned on her heels and walked in the opposite direction. As she took a curvy turn, she heaved a sigh of relief, thinking Zevian hadn't followed her.

But as if even the heavens were disappointed by her decision, they thundered loudly and it suddenly started to rain, the slow drizzle quickly turning into a heavy downpour.

"Shit!" Evelyn cursed under her breath for not bringing an umbrella, despite the weather forecast's warnings. Placing her hands over her head, she frantically looked around for some shelter, shivering as her white cotton shirt clung to her skin, offering little protection from the cold rain.

Suddenly, like a scene straight out of a romantic movie, a thick black coat appeared above her head. She turned to her right to see Zevian bending down to her height, covering both their heads with the coat, leaving just an inch of space between their faces.

He turned to her, their eyes locking once again, and it still had the same impact on her heart and mind, even though they had done it countless times today.

"There," Zevian pointed to a nearby building, pulling her back to reality. "Let's go." He ushered her forward, and they crossed the road to the other side of the street. Evelyn's cheeks almost turned red as their bodies brushed against each other, their faces so close she could hear his breathing.

Reaching the building, they stepped onto the tiles, sheltering under the small covered roofing. Zevian flicked his coat, shaking off the raindrops, and instead of taking it back, he placed it over her shoulders.

Evelyn's eyes widened, heat rising to her cheeks as he made sure she was properly covered. Once satisfied, he stood beside her and leaned against the wall, leaving her heart racing again.

But it didn't end just there. Zevian noticed that the roof wasn't big enough to completely shelter her, leaving half of her body exposed. He tentatively stepped in front of her, causing her breath to hitch again. She lowered her head and quickly moved back, her back pressing against the cold wall with only a few inches separating them.

Badam! Badam!

Evelyn could hear her heartbeat in her ears, the urge to run away intensifying. As she stood there, lost and troubled, her eyes noticed the raindrops soaking his white shirt, wetting the back she had just treated. Subconsciously, she clutched his shirt and pulled him closer, her action catching Zevian off guard. He placed his left hand on the wall for support, leaning into her gentle pull. A small smile spread across his lips as he saw her glancing at his back, concern evident in her eyes as she made sure it wasn't getting soaked.

Evelyn's gaze returned to his, her eyes slightly widened as she realized her own actions. She instantly let go of his shirt, her hands clenching into fists as they fell beside her. Her heartbeat only grew wilder as his gentle gaze remained fixed on her, their close proximity and that damn familiar intimacy flooding her with memories of their bittersweet past.

It was these little gestures that had brought them closer in the past, the very reasons they had madly liked each other, even though they had barely dated for over a year. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine reliving these moments, in the same rain that had witnessed both their joy and their heartbreak.

"Didn't you love playing in the rain?" Zevian broke the electric silence between them, glancing at the downpour that once brought out the inner child in her. Evelyn used to jump into the streets, pulling him along and forcing him to dance with her.

"I don't like it anymore," Evelyn replied, a small pout gracing her lips, but she didn't dare to look up at him. The rain reminded her too much of him, so she had given up on it completely.

A small smile tugged at Zevian's lips, and he bent down so they were face to face. "Aww, seems like you have finally grown up." He teased, ruffling her hair like he did in the past.

Evelyn felt her entire body heating up as she looked at him, their faces so close that if she leaned in any closer, they would almost kiss. But along with the embarrassment, a kind of rage mixed in her veins.

The urge to pull him closer and bite his cheek the way she did whenever he teased her overtook all the awkwardness she had felt around him until now. But she held herself back, making a mental note to deal with him after their marriage. She would get many such opportunities to pay back, wouldn't she?