Chapter Two.

E V E L Y N

"What!?" I blurt unbelievably. Alice never ceases to amaze me. The level of her procrastination is irking.

It's a month to the wedding yet she still hasn't finalized with her designer on her wedding gown. She's more into her career than the wedding, I noticed.

Alice didn't seem as ready and excited as she should have been. I've known Alice all my life and I know enough to sense that she's not into the alignment.

Something was bothering her, I just hope it does come between her relationship with Lucas.

The thought of him sends shudders crawling up my spine. I bit on my lower lip gulping down a numb.

I was over him, or so I think. It's always been Alice, he wants her and it's a sad truth I have to live with for the rest of my life.

They both deserve each other, after all, they are the image of Moore and Jones Corp, and I will forever be hidden behind the shadows of my sister.

It's always been, Alice. Our parents have always been focused on her, making her flawless by letting her have all the attention.

"Eve, are you there?" She cut through my train of thought.

I clear my throat settling on the kitchen counter. "Y-yes. So when are you meeting with Mr. Martinez?"

She puffs in annoyance, "Were you even listening to me?"

"Huh?"

"I want you to fill in for me. I was supposed to go with Lucas next week and I can't, my schedule is so tight." She spoke in one breath, my lips growing agape.

Is she insane?

"--What!?"

"I know, I know... I'm sorry Eve, but please--"

I shake my head as though she is standing right in front of me. "Ali no, listen to yourself" I try to reason.

"Please...I gotta go now, I have a shot in a few minutes I'll text you the time and day...I owe you one, love you, bye!"

She cut the call leaving me tongue-tied and infuriated. I blink back the shocker staring at the phone in a stupor.

I didn't even say yes.

I can't be with Lucas. The last time I saw him was for a very long time, I lost count but it sure has been years.

And now suddenly Alice wants me to go fitting with her soon-to-be husband? What was I? A replacement?

I blink back the set of tears that accumulated at the brim of my eyes letting out a groan.

I can see him. I don't even want to. He's the last person I want to cross paths with.

After all these years of effacing my feelings for him, not that it was going any less but I was trying cause no matter how much I try or what I do, my heart will always find its way back.

A bitter fact.

"Eve!" A yell screech.

I suck in some breath getting a bottle of water from the fridge before exiting.

"Busy day?" I asked as my eyes beheld her exhausted figure.

She nods, narrowing her stare at me as though she was trying to sort something out.

I shrug brushing past her to the couch.

"O-kay. Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for the gala event?"

My eyes widened. Shit! How could I have forgotten? My stare skipped to the wall clock and a brief sigh exhaled out.

Great, I still have two hours to prepare.

Thanks a lot, Katie, reasons why she's my fav person on Earth, she's a lifesaver.

"Do you have to go?"

I chuckle, "He's my boss, remember?"

She sneers, "I still don't see why you work that asshole!"

Katie despises Jason; my boss. She couldn't stand him. She's been trying to get me to quit yet to no avail.

It's not like I have a choice.

If I did, I would have been long gone, far away from Jason but I knew better.

After all, I belong to him, owned in every way. It was something I had to deal with for the rest of my life.

"I heard Lucas is in town" She announced, making my blood run ice cold.

I told you, he still has that much effect on me, the sooner I accept that the better, yet he is beyond my reach.

"Katie, please"

She waved her hands in defeat, sending me a glare. "Do you have anything I could munch on, I'm hungry"

"There's pizza in the fridge"

She got up heading for the kitchen yelling 'Do you want some' to which I replied yes.

One hour more and I still haven't decided on what to wear. I didn't want to go, I wasn't a fan of public events if only I could call in sick but I knew better.

The last thing I want is Jason being on my neck. Surprised he didn't order me to spend the night with him, I hope he doesn't though.

The doorbell blinks me out of my thoughts as I make my way to check up, not that I was expecting anyone.

And to my utmost surprise, it was Jason. My heart skipped in angst forcing a tight-lipped smile, I welcomed him in.

He is dressed formally in his usual customized tux. The smicker on his lips made my nose cringe.

Jason Rodriguez, my worst nightmare. The man I resent so much yet the man to most girls' dreams.

He held a bouquet of white and red roses neatly wrapped, handing them over to me with a quick peck on the lip or so I expected but he bit on my lower lip seeking entrance.

My lips part as he slipped in devouring every inch of my mouth. The taste of vodka is freshly vibrant.

He drew me closer, deepening the kiss.

"Get a room!" Katie blurts in disgust.

He pulled away with a chuckle.

"Miss Williams, pleasure seeing you here." His lips spread into a smirk.

If looks could kill, Jason will be five inches under the ground.

"Not so sure, I was just leaving" She placed the plate of pizza on the center table assembling her items.

She shared a disappointing look at me, brushing past us. The sound bang on the door was clear that she was miffed.

I hated that I had to hide my pain away from her. She's the one person that knows me in and out. Katie has always been there for me.

We've been best friends since college. Unlike me that is devious, Katie is upfront. She solely believes in kicking asses and is in full control of her life.

Sometimes I can't help but be envious of her.

"So. Why aren't you dressed?"

I gulp down a numb, "I was just about to" I stutter averting my stare from his.

He get a hold of my chin turning my head to look him in the eye, he leaned in as though he was about to steal a kiss yet again but rather, he mumbled, "Then make it quick" letting me go.

I nod, turning on my shoe and marching to the room.

I made it very snappy knowing very well how Jason deserted waiting and I knew better than to infuriate him.

We left for the gala not shortly after.

As expected we had to go through dozens of paparazzi with tons of questions.

Jason answered a few before we walked into the Hall.

"Stay close" He whispered to my ear while I nodded. He grips firmly on my waist and we walk further in, Jason stopping to attend to some people and all I do is smile and look pretty.

As ordered.

"Lucas" Jason calls out my eyes drawing to meet his broad figure stiffly standing a few steps ahead of us.

My heart rate escalated and my lips suddenly turned dry. How is he here?

And when he turned his eyes to mine, I lost it. A wave of nostalgia washed over me, getting lost in his metal-gray eye.

My stare Sprint to his perfectly made hair that I dream to run my hands through and feel the silk and softness of him.

Lucas oozes superiority. His solid sculptured muscles complement his demeanor.

A Greek god he is.

"It's Mr. Moore for you" He corrects, his tune harsh and clean.

Jason laughed. "Apologizes. So I heard your wedding is in a month" his lips twitching to a smicker.

The firm gaze Lucas had on me had a panic clog. He is scrutinizing me as though I was a lab rat dying to be tested.

"Oh, pardon me. Meet Evelyn, my secretary" he introduced.

He extends his hand forward for a shake. I thought about whether to run off and escape from his captivating stare or just take it. I was going with the first choice but Jason clutched harder urging me to slip my hands into his manly ones.

Our hands fit perfectly, not that I am exaggerating it but it felt so damn right he thought Alice's hand slipped away yet surprisingly he didn't let go.

"Pleasure" he says, finally letting go.

The air was becoming suffocating. I had to get away before things took the wrong turn which is the last thing I want.

"Excuse me"

I didn't wait for a sec. I walk away, out in search of a more private area with fewer people.

I ran out through the back door fresh air hitting my nostrils. I stop to admonish the feeling. The cold air flowed through my skin urging a shiver.

My eyes begin to sting, fear absorbing most of me.

Why did I have to be here? Why did he have to take over and control me even after all these years? The effect he has on me is still fresh and clean.

In a few days, he'll be wedded to Alice. It still stings cause no matter how hard I deny myself from wanting him.

Was I selfish?

A lone tear slipped as I broke into sobs. I'm lost and confused.

I want out of all of this. Jason, my parents, and Lucas. I wish to run away to where I wasn't known and tagged as a Jones blood.

A fresh start.

"Hazel"

My heart dropped. It's him, Lucas. Wasn't he discussing it with Jason?

I hurriedly wiped off my tear-stained face, forcing a tight-lipped smile as I turn to face him.

"Mr. Moore"

"Is everything okay?"

I nod avoiding his protruding eyes, "Y-yes."

He moved an inch closer, compelling me to take a step back, he took another step and so did I till there was no more space to move.

He leans his face towards me, getting a hold of my chin, lifting my stare to meet his.

My emotions were haywire. I'm starting to regret coming to this gala. Why was he everywhere?

"What did he do?"

"Huh?"

"Jason. Did he hurt you?"

"—I, well—" I couldn't form a coherent sentence.

It was clear that he despised Jason's guts just as much as I did or even more.

What has Jason not done? A lot more than he could ever think of. It took every nerve in me not to fall into his warmth and cry my misery out.

But only if wishes were horses.

"Don't lie to me" is stern and intimidating.

The devouring gaze he had on me made me shift uncomfortably as different thoughts on how to get as far as I can, away from him.

"Speak"

I quiver at his tune, placing a hand on his abs trying to get him off but who was I kidding?

"Please" New set of tears began to compile.

That at least got him back to his senses. He recovered back, clearing his throat.

I made a move to Sprint off but he is fast enough to get a hold of my wrist "Do I know you?"

A bead of sweat formed on my forehead. I chew on my lower lip trying to wiggle off his hold.

"—No. I must leave

now" With that, I strolled away pacing as fast as I could.