CHAPTER-16: HIDDEN DESIRES

INNAH: ''Where do you think you are going after eavesdropping on our conversation'' 

EVELYN: ''I.. I didn't.. hear anything (staggering voice)

OTHER GIRL: Don't you dare to lie in front of us. We caught you red handed standing here.

Their voices were filled with malice and revenge. She stood there quietly like a culprit. 

She couldn't bring herself to say anything to them. They had outnumbered her but it wasn't like she was scared. It was her condition which forced her to stay quiet. 

Still, she was courageous enough to listen to the words filled with cruelty towards her when she had done nothing wrong. She was treated like she was the one at fault. 

But she decided to wrap the things silently and to walk away from there as soon as possible. 

EVELYN: (takes deep breath) I'm not in a position to speak right now... Let's talk later.

She tried to make her way out of there but got pinned against the wall by Innah. She grabbed her arm tightly and other girls circled her, their face twisted with hostility and bitterness.

INNAH: Do you take me for a fool? You have some guts to walk away when I'm still talking. 

EVELYN: (struggles to pull away her arm from Innah's grip) Innah, Let go of my arm. I don't get it.. why do I need to listen to you? It's not like you are my senior or something. 

INNAH: (laughs) I'm doing you a favour by disciplining you how to behave in front of your superiors as you need to serve Alan in future once that crappy game of yours hits the rock bottom. 

The girls jeered and taunted her, their words cutting deep into her already broken heart. She felt so small and helpless, a victim of their cruel intentions.

INNAH: ''So, what were you saying.. you didn't hear us. Don't worry, we could repeat all those things in front of you if you want. That doesn't make any difference whether we talk sh*t behind your back or on your face, isn't that right girls'' (laughs mockingly) 

OTHER GIRL: ''By the way, we all know Maxwell is the type of guy who could be easily seduced but how did you seduce Dayun Shin. Are you not going to share your lil secret with us'' (taunts her)

Evelyn tried to pull away from Innah's grip, but it only hurt her as she kept digging her nails deep into her flesh. 

INNAH: ''What! you wanna go already? But the fun has just started. Do you think you are so special that all the men keep on dancing at your fingertips? If you still think that you could take Alan from me, then you are absolutely wrong. He's mine now. I don't even want your shadows around my man. (intensively glares in her eyes.)

Innah had her eyes on Alan for a long time and now when she was able to seduce him, she was afraid that he would go back to Evelyn. 

That's why Innah was being over protective regarding Alan even though they had already concluded their relationship. 

After pausing for a brief moment, Evelyn calmed herself down and gathered up the courage to speak- 

EVELYN: ''We are not in a relationship. And don't worry, i won't go back to that jerk again even if he begs me. You can have him all to yourself. Now, cut the crap and leave me alone.'' (calm tone)

INNAH: (tightens the grip on her arm) ''you are lying, right? You might be having some ulterior motive on your hands otherwise why would he keep on mentioning you everywhere.'' 

Her words put Evelyn in a state of dilemma. She couldn't help but wonder- ''what? I'm still on his mind? Of course, i would be as he always keeps on thinking about my downfall.''

Suddenly, her eyes fell on the ring Innah was wearing in her finger. It was the same ring that she had thrown in Alan's face during their breakup. 

But before she could say anything, Innah noticed Evelyn's gaze on her ring finger. 

INNAH: ''Really! You have the audacity to stare at my ring like that. It's a diamond ring, a gift from Alan, just for me.'' 

She continued flaunting her ring in front of her unaware of the fact that only Evelyn could tell the real meaning of that ring because she was once its owner. 

That ring was a personification of bondage that might have gone through countless numbers of fingers. And it was not even a real diamond ring. But Innah seemed to be so obsessed with Alan that she failed to see the fakeness of the ring.

Evelyn was feeling pity on Innah's condition, as she was unaware about the true nature of Alan- 

EVELYN: ''Innah,.. have you ever seen.. Alan up close? Do you know what kind of person he is? 

Innah's grip on her arms loosened up a bit - 

INNAH: what.. do you mean by that? (Drawing her brows closer) 

EVELYN: He's very cautious with his personal belongings but If you ever get the chance to check his phone, open the photo album first. You'll realise what I'm trying to say. 

Innah's grip finally released but the other girls encouraged her not to fall victim to her sweet words which made her lose her temper. She again tightened the grip around her arm- 

INNAH: Stop pretending like you care about me. I know you are trying to ruin Alan's reputation. But this trick isn't going to work for me. 

Evelyn couldn't believe the depth of Innah's blind love for Alan, so oblivious to his deceit. 

EVELYN: ''Ahh, stop it...What's wrong with you? I'm not lying.''- 

Evelyn tried to persuade her but Innah wasn't ready to listen to a single word and kept on tightening her grip over her arm until it started bleeding.

Evelyn was left with no choice but to shove her away. She reflexively pushed her due to which she lost her balance and hardly hit the ground. 

Watching Innah like that, her friends grimly came forward with an intention of taking revenge. 

FIRST GIRL: How dare you push Innah like that.. You b*tch... let me teach you a lesson 

She hotfooted towards Evelyn but before she could do anything, Evelyn turned towards the exit and got bumped in Maxwell who came there looking for her.

After seeing her injured arm, he got enraged and began to defend Evelyn-

MAXWELL: What do you think you are doing? Who gave you the right to hurt her like that. She's not saying anything that doesn't mean that you'll go ahead of yourself. (loud tone)

Evelyn was grateful to Maxwell for stepping in but she didn't want to stir any further trouble. 

EVELYN: Max...I'm fine. Let's move from here. (Low and tired tone)

MAXWELL: Do you think this is fine? Your palms are as cold as that of a corpse. You are literally shaking and there's so much blood on your arm. Let me take you to the nurse office. (Holds her hand and turns back to Innah) And don't you think that we are gonna leave you after this. 

Evelyn was shocked to see Maxwell talking with a girl like that. She had always seen the calm and cheerful side of him but he seemed to be rattled that day. 

His loud tone even made Innah to flinch a bit. She got pale and couldn't dare to utter a single word in front of him but suddenly, Alan entered the scene. 

ALAN: What's all the commotion about? 

Upon seeing Alan, tears started rolling down on Innah's face as she quickly dashed towards him and cuddled in his arms. 

Alan held Innah in his arms, comforting her as she cried. 

ALAN: ''Did someone said something to you? Tell me what happened?''- (concerned tone)

She pointed towards Evelyn like a victim and began to accuse her falsely- 

INNAH: ''Alan...she...(hic) She.. threatened me... to leave you. But when I said that.. I love you and can't live.. without you th.. then she.. tried to slap me.. (hic) and reflexively.. I gripped.. her arms. Please.. Alan..save me'' (continues to show her crocodile tears)

ALAN: Evelyn, how dare you lay a hand on Innah. Don't you know that you could be thrown out of the company if you physically harm others employees. You can't even control your own emotions? 

Things were getting out of control as Evelyn didn't have any energy left to speak for herself. But Maxwell continued to defend her. 

MAXWELL: I have seen people going blind in love but not up to this extent. Can't you see the difference between their conditions. Anyone could tell who would be the victim here. And besides this, Evelyn wouldn't hurt anyone, especially not a coworker. There must be more to this story. Stop jumping to conclusions without knowing the whole truth. 

ALAN: Stay out of this Maxwell. You have no idea what goes on behind closed doors. You think you know her, but you don't.

MAXWELL: Stay aside and calmly let you hurt her as much as you like, is it? I may not know her whole story, but I know she's not capable of hurting anyone intentionally.

ALAN: So you are saying that Innah is lying. You always defend her, Maxwell. I don't know what kind of hold she has on you, but don't forget what happened between us. She's a toxic person, just like our relationship was. 

MAXWELL: Why are you bringing up the past, Alan? What does your failed relationship have to do with this situation?

ALAN: You don't want to believe me? Fine, let's see how long until she shows her true colors.

Innah pulled away from Alan, glaring at Evelyn with hurt and anger. 

INNAH: "If you don't believe me then.. You could ask these girls who were present here at the time" 

She glared at the girls before turning back to Alan. 

''y.. yes.. we saw.. Evelyn slapping Innah in her face. Said the one girl with a staggering voice. 

''we even listened to all the malicious words she said to Innah'' another girl defended Innah. 

Evelyn stood there in shock, not knowing what to say. She had always been a victim, and now she was accused of being the bully. 

Besides those girls'continuous blaming, Maxwell stood by her side, without a speck of doubt in his eyes. 

MAXWELL: Your story didn't seem to match. Innah is saying that Evelyn was about to hit her but they are saying that they saw her slapping Innah. And let's just assume for a second that Evelyn even did that, then why didn't you come to rescue your friend and watch her suffering alone. (Raises his eyebrows and glares at the girls)

W...we were afraid to meddle in case Evelyn would harm us too..ohh I..I forgot that I have to prepare important documents regarding today's meeting, please excuse me'', the girl replied in an unsure voice and dwelled from there. And just like that all other girls behind her excused themselves one by one. 

ALAN: Stop doubting everyone else just to defend her. She's a manipulative woman who could harm anyone. But don't worry Evelyn, I'll be finding the truth and will ensure that you'll be punished accordingly. 

Innah stormed out of there in anger and Alan followed her outside. 

Evelyn stood there, alone and surrounded by people who believed Innah's lies. Her heart raced with anger and betrayal. 

She didn't know who to trust anymore, but she was determined to find the truth and prove her innocence. Maxwell's unwavering support gave her a glimmer of hope in that chaotic situation.

MAXWELL: Evelyn, don't let their accusations get to you. I believe in you and I know you'd never do something like that. We'll find the truth and clear your name. But now, let's treat your injury first. 

She winced as Maxwell gently cleaned her wound and applied a bandage. Despite everything going on, she couldn't help but feel grateful for his care and support.

While doing the dressing, Maxwell calmly asked her about the whole situation. He was curious to know what made her condition so worse. 

Evelyn wasn't sure whether to tell him about her dating rumours with him and Dayun. 

So, she skipped that part and just told him about the panic which was created because of her continuous negative thoughts regarding the launch of their project. 

Maxwell ensured her that everything would go smoothly perfect and encouraged her to focus on their work.

Meanwhile, he realised that there weren't enough bandages for dressing so he stood up and went inside to get some. 

Evelyn was tired so she thought of lying down over the bed until he came back. 

He was on his way back but suddenly got tripped over the railing of the bed and landed right over her. 

Her heart raced as Maxwell fell on top of her, their faces were just inches apart. She could feel herself blushing and her heart beating faster at the close proximity.

Her cheeks turned red as Maxwell's gaze locked with hers. 

EVELYN: A.. are you alright? (In a Soft tone)

MAXWELL: I.. I'm so sorry for falling on you like that. I lost my balance. Are you hurt? (Staggers)

EVELYN: No.. I'm fine

She noticed the way Maxwell's breathing quickened as he leaned over her. While answering him, She realised that his gaze was intensely fixed on her lips.

EVELYN: Max, why do you keep staring at my lips... Is..Is there something on them? (Looks in his eyes in oblivion)

MAXWELL: No, there's nothing on them. I just.. couldn't help but notice that your lips smell like strawberries... Might be because of the popsicles I gave you earlier. (In an intoxicated tone)

Maxwell's words caught her off guard, she couldn't help but feel her heart flutter at his words. 

She couldn't deny the butterflies in her stomach as he leaned more closer, his lips inches away from hers.

He closed his eyes and kept on narrowing the distance between them with a gradual pace... 

..But before his lips could touch her, she gently put her trembling hands on his chest to stop him from going any further. 

Due to her reaction, he hastily pulled himself away from her and desperately began to apologize. 

She could feel her heart racing as Maxwell backed away, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

MAXWELL: I'm... I'm sorry. I don't know what i was thinking. Please forget what i just said. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I'm truly sorry, Eve. I...I'm going to wash my hands. 

She couldn't believe what just happened with Maxwell. Her eyes followed him as he apologized and rushed towards the restroom. 

Things happened too suddenly that she didn't even get the time to react. Her mind wasn't able to progress what kind of reaction she should give to him when he returns. 

She kept on wondering, ''Do Maxwell.. likes me?'' 

While his hands were still beneath the running water of the tap, Maxwell put some splashes of cold water on his face and cursed himself for making her uncomfortable with his actions. 

''Are you out of your mind? What the hell were you doing? Keep it together otherwise you are going to lose even the status as her friend. Don't act like some sick pervert. (Pauses and stares in the mirror)

But my mind can't resist those large eyes who are filled with innocence and purity. And my heart flutters on seeing her red plump lips and at the idea of how they would feel against mine. 

I.. I know this is wrong but i feel helpless in front of her.''-He thought to himself. 

Maxwell stared at his reflection in the mirror, still feeling guilty for his actions. But his heart couldn't help but yearn for Evelyn. He knew he needed to keep his distance, but it was becoming harder and harder with each passing day.

''You managed to hide your feelings so far, now don't ruin it like this, you idiot (brushes his hair).''-He promised himself not to force her again into something until she would accept his feelings.