CHAPTER-3: A TOXIC BOND

Evelyn wasn't ready to go... but she had no other choice. She was already on the edge because of her demotion and.. the other reason was her unwillingness to face her ex, whose cabin was just beside hers.

Eve was working for a gaming company as an editor since last 6 years. She had a stable job and a stable life.. until she met Alan, her ex Bf, not so long after she joined the company. 

Alan and Eve met at a coffee shop, where he used to work as a part time employee. At that time, she was newly hired to the most famous gaming company of city.. NEON Corp.. which had an internationally renowned image.

It was her dream to work there. As a newbie, Eve was determined to work hard in order to lead a successful life. 

Alan also seemed to be interested in gaming software and was studying animation and graphics programming.

The common interest in gaming became the source of communication between them. 

After completing his shifts, they both used to have long discussions on various gaming topics. Initially, the topics just revolved around gaming but gradually, they began to show interest in each other's lives... and that friendship changed to love. 

In the initial years of relationship, Alan was so clingy that he wanted to accompany her the whole day. He even wanted to work in the same company as hers. So, he decided to apply at her company as an applicant.

Clearing the interview at the NEON Corp was not an easy task. But Eve tried her best to get him a job there. She prepared his resume and also gave a recommendation letter for him to her head in-charge. 

It was tough for her to get him a considerable position as she herself had been there only for one or half year. 

Alan got the job under her recommendation.. and responsibility. He was hired as a member of an editing team... which was working under Evelyn's supervision.

She was happy for him but his reactions were contradictory.. might be the idea of working under his girlfriend as a junior.. had hurt his pride. 

After getting Alan a job at the gaming company, Eve thought everything would be perfect. But things started turning sour between both of them.

Alan became increasingly distant and his true personality began to show. She started noticing that he was only being kind and caring towards her in front of others. But when alone, he would often belittle and criticize her.

Coming back to the present, Eve stepped out of her apartment and was about to lock the door.. meanwhile, the security guard came there and complemented her.. ''you are lucky to have such a nice and caring boyfriend.''

But then she wondered that how could he possibly knew Alan as she had never invited him over to her house when they were dating. 

She asked him ''how do you know.. my boyfriend?'' He replied.. ''last night, a person was accompanying you and bought you here.. he left soon after dropping you since it was too late. He also requested me to keep a check on you in case you need anything and gave me his phone number. So, i assumed they he might be your boyfriend.''

He handed over the number and went back to his duties. Her curiosity was at its peak.. she wanted to dial the number ASAP.. but then she was getting late for the work, so she saved the digits in her call logs as 'Dayun Shin' and rushed to her workplace. 

As she drove to work, her mind couldn't help but wander to the mysterious stranger who had dropped her off last night. She couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't right. 

When Evelyn arrived at the office, she saw Alan sitting at his desk with a serious expression. She knew that something was definitely off. 

He gave her a distasteful look when she reached her cubicle. Trying to avoid the uneasy feeling in her stomach, Eve sat on her desk and fixed her focus at work, hoping for a peaceful day. 

Usually, she was happy sitting beside Alan every single day but that day, it was very uncomfortable. She could feel his piercing gaze on her.. which made it difficult for her to focus at her work. But she refused to look in his direction and tried to ignore him. 

''This new year started with more drama than I had expected.'' she thought to herself. 

It was already lunch break. Eve was getting up to go to cafeteria but suddenly Alan passed her desk.. dropping a note. That startled her.

Eve picked up the note to read it's content. It read.. ''Meet me at the office terrace in 10 mins.'' She was hesitant to go but she knew she had to face Alan now or then. So, she decided to meet him. 

As she walked up to the terrace, her heart was racing with anxiety. She saw Alan leaning against the railing, with his usual cocky demenour. He had a serious look on his face and her mind started rushing with different possibilities of what this meeting could be about. 

EVELYN: What you need to talk about? 

ALAN: (smirks and approaches her slowly) ''how can someone be so shameless! I had never thought that you would be such a slicker. 

Evelyn couldn't relate what he was trying to say but his words were so harsh to listen that it caused a lump in her throat. She stood there, frozen with shock and confusion. Tears welled up in her eyes. 

EVELYN: Wh.. what.. have i done wrong? 

ALAN: (grabs her wrist and pushes her against the railings)''Don't act like you don't know. I saw you with a man last night. You really think I didn't know? You're nothing but a dirty cheater.'' (Looks at her angrily)

EVELYN: Alan... Let go of my hand.. you are hurting me. I don't know what you are talking about (tries to calm herself)

ALAN: (shouts angrily) You really think I'm foolish? Stop pretending. I saw you with some other guy last night. Don't ever...show your face to me again! (Walks away furiously)

Eve was not ready to face Alan's raged reaction. She didn't know how he knew about Dayun but he might have misunderstood them to be having an affair. 

She was blaming herself for that too. 

Then for one second, she thought that the reason for her bumping into Dayun was, Alan himself. And he had already ended up things between them so with what right he was blaming her. It was none of his concern whether she date another guy or not. 

EVELYN: (stops him) ''you are saying that I'm shameless but.. you are not better than me. You are a double crossing b*stard.'' 

ALAN: (turns around and scoffs) I'm not the one who cheated, you are. Don't even try to deny it. I have proof in the form of pictures. You are nothing but a worthless slut, just like all the other girls I have dated.

EVELYN: That means.. i was not the only one in your life. All that things I have done for you, the promise you made of being by my side... was that all a lie. 

ALAN: Of course it was a lie. I only dated you for your money and position. You were nothing but a fool to believe me. Now, stay out of my life and don't bother me again.

He told the already known truth so blatantly and didn't even had a second thought about her. 

EVELYN: (hic)'' if.. you want to end .. things like this .. then fine. From now on... don't meddle in my life.. and..whether I date anyone.. it's none of your business. ''(Stares him with teary eyes)

ALAN: (smirks) You are right, it's none of my business. But just remember, I know how to play dirty too. And you'll regret ever crossing me. 

With tears streaming down her face, Evelyn took out the ring he gave her on the day, he confessed his love to her and threw it in his face. 

As she watched the ring hit Alan in the face, a sense of freedom and empowerment washed over her. It was a symbol of her escape from a toxic relationship and the start of a new chapter in her life. 

EVELYN: (Scoffs) Someone.. better than me.. deserves this ring of yours.

ALAN: (angrily) You think you can just throw the ring I gave you in my face? You'll pay for this, Pie. I'll make sure everyone knows what a selfish and manipulative person you are.

She wiped her tears and walked away ignoring him, determined to never let anyone like Alan back into her life.