Chapter 17: From a Secret to Date

"You will know it when you return back for the vacations. For now just tell about the compatibility to Anna and don't tell about anything I told you. Give phone back to your master."

"Understood" Zen and Anna knew that when Elizabeth was serious, don't talk back. She always had a reason. Zen just passed the phone to Shreya who just came out.

"Good evening Mrs Ashford" She greeted politely and they talked for a while.

At first Shreya was just nodding but then her face froze. Zen was baffled as it was impossible to imagine Shreya, who was called a demon, making a face like this. Shreya then speedily nodded her face and then cut the call with a sigh of relief. All this while Zen was standing with his eyes opened wide.

"...Umm Zen. Who in the seven hells is your mother?" 

"My mom is a simple house wife master. What happened?"

"....Nothing. She is a sweet women." 

'Sweet my ass. If she is simple housewife then I am an earthworm, no a fucking bacteria.' Shreya's mind was going insane. Elizabeth's words again reverberated in her mind,

|Spill this secret, and your life becomes a nightmare. No one can save you. You'll endure days of torture, begging for a quick end. What you thought was pain before will seem like child's play. So, be smart. Keep quiet. Got it?|

Shreya could feel the sky high killing intent even over the phone. She really wanted to curse herself for getting involved with Zen now. But honestly, she was intrigued.

'I completely investigated Zen's background and found nothing that stood out. His family was commoner and had nothing worthy of getting attention. There is no way they are simple. Just what is going on?' She thought while licking her lips.

Zen looked at Shreya making weird expressions but he really couldn't blame her. Life had just thrown Zen into a rollercoaster. His compatibility was unbelievable and it looked like his spartan of a mom had a secret that felt like a plot twist in a movie. As Zen was deep in his thoughts Shreya's eyes shone and she put the hands in front of her while a huge chunk of stone came out of nowhere.

"Who's there?" Shreya's hands blazed with fire, demanding an answer. Silence.

"I said, who the heck is there? Come out, or I'll turn everything to ashes."

"...Vice-director... please... it's me." A sweet voice resonated from the stone—Zen recognized it instantly.

Shreya hesitated but then stone chunks went back and the slender figure of Evelyn was visible. 

"Why are you here, Evelyn? I thought I sent you back." Shreya's anger was palpable, the situation inching towards a deadly confrontation. This was nothing short of eavesdropping and given the circumstances, she might have to kill Shreya.

Evelyn bowed, "I'm sorry. I forgot my watch inside so I came back to pick it up." The suspense hung in the air, leaving Zen and Shreya on the edge of a revelation.

Evelyn continued to bow, her apology hanging in the air.

"I heard everything Zen was talking about with his mom. I'm sorry, Zen. I shouldn't have listened, but I couldn't help myself. I promise, I won't breathe a word of it," she pleaded, her sincerity was evident.

Zen, caught off guard, chose to let his master, Shreya, handle the situation believing her experience. Shreya, in turn, faced a dilemma. She knew Evelyn well, but the gravity of the secret made her hesitate. After a moment of contemplation, she turned to Zen.

"Zen, I have faith in Evelyn's character, but this secret is enormous, and the potential consequences of it being exposed are extremely severe. I'll leave it to your judgment on what to do. I will agree to your decision since I was too surprised to notice anyone in my place," Shreya announced. It wasn't wrong to say that as vice-director, she should have noticed a rookie coming inside her office and eavesdropping. 

Zen started contemplating. This was not something he could decide on impulse.

'This isn't a choice to be made lightly,' he thought, his mind was a mess because of dilemma. 'Common sense dictates silencing her immediately. That's Commoner 101. Nobles are a risky bet. But then, she's Evelyn. Everyone speaks highly of her, emphasizing her empathy toward commoners. Is it possible that she might be an exception? What's the right move here?'

"Senior, I accept your apology and I hope you won't do anything stupid." 

After a thoughtful pause, Zen opted not to take immediate action. He didn't want to o act like nobles who killed whenever something doesn't go their way. Preferring a more measured approach, he decided to give Evelyn a chance, postponing a final decision. Listening to Zen, Shreya and Evelyn were relived. Shreya liked Evelyn so she really didn't want to harm her.

"But I have a condition!" Zen declared, "I'll give you a chance, but mind you, I've got conditions," he added with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Go on a date with me tonight, and we'll consider this a clean slate."

There were two fold reasons for this. First, Zen really liked her boo... no liked her temperament. Yes temperament. And second, he saw this as an opportunity to get the layers of Evelyn's true self out, beyond the surface.

The room filled with a mixture of surprise and laughter, even Shreya couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, Evelyn, looks like you've got a date tonight. Zen, you're playing a dangerous game," she teased. Zen simply grinned. He was handsome and smart. He was rather worried that he might have to fend off a line of ladies admiring him and trying to disturb his date with Evelyn. 

Well our Zen is a narcissist!

"Alright, my dear junior, I'll be all set in 2 hours. Catch you in front of my dorm. Here, take my number, and don't keep me waiting too long."

Zen stood there, a bit flustered. Evelyn's playful charm was just too dangerous. After exchanging contacts, she left with a mischievous grin, leaving Zen wondering if he accidentally reincarnated into a romantic sitcom episode.

"You really are a pervert." Shreya laughed. "But you made a good decision. She can be a good ally and help you progress in the society. Killing her would be a waste."

"... You're wrong, Master," Zen smiled back. "When I make friends or, in this case, if I like someone, I don't look for 'usefulness.' If I like her, that's all that matters. I don't care if she'll be useful in the future or about her family background. As long as someone is my friend and doesn't betray me, that's enough." With a teasing smile, he added, "If I wanted a useful partner, I would've hit on you, don't you think?"

Shreya immediately became flustered, "Get out of here, and I want you here at 5 PM sharp tomorrow, or else I will make you run around the campus naked. Don't think I forgot you came late today," Shreya declared furiously.

Zen was really embarrassed this time. He thought that his master forgot everything. But he wasn't the one to back down like this.

"Master, if you want to see me naked, you just have to ask, you know," he joked. With that cheeky remark, Zen swiftly ran out of the office, leaving a red-faced Shreya alone.

'She is really pure hearted for someone called demon.' Zen thought while running away.