31

JONAS

I pant, content, as I pleasure myself with the mere memory of that bitch. I can't get her out of my head, and I don't want to either.

She's mine.

The memory of her body makes me throw my head back, remembering her slight whimper as I thrust into her with such force. I need her more than I admit. I don't know how Eva Miller became addicted to me, I still don't know what exactly drew me to her; perhaps everything. She has a beauty unlike any other. She's charming, pure, with a hint of innocence that would drive any man crazy. She will be mine, I refuse to give up.

She's been my fantasy since the first time I saw her.

Ecstasy takes over as I spill with the vivid memory of her body. I have to have her again. I can't let her slip away, not this time. I want to have her at my mercy, to have her kneel and beg me to let her go, while I delight in her suffering, her tears, and her pain. I want to ruin her. But I have to be patient and wait, no matter how much I want her, I must be calculated and meticulous.

I already scared her with the bullets. Unfortunately, Nicholas Hills was on her side to protect her.

"Hills." The surname remains intact in my mind. The Hills family and I have had dealings for decades. I never personally spoke to them, but my father did at one point. I know every member of that family.

I stand up and adjust my pants before going to pour myself a drink. I can't stop thinking about that woman, I never stopped thinking about her, especially since I tasted her. My body craves her.

"Plotting a new plan?"

Nick appears in the doorway and walks towards me to pour himself a drink. I don't pay much attention to him.

"I can tell you're a bit distracted. What are you thinking about?"

"Eva Miller," I reply.

"Again with that woman..." he mutters. "I thought you had forgotten about her. What's so special about the famous Eva? I can't wait to meet her."

"Patience, and you'll see."

"Are you planning to take her? I thought you were just going to have some fun."

I notice the surprise in his expression and lock my gaze with his.

"I plan to take what's mine and has belonged to me for a long time. No one and nothing will stop me."

"When?"

"It doesn't matter when, just be assured that I will."

No matter the cost. Anyone who gets in the way will be collateral damage because Eva Miller belongs to me.

EVA

When I enter the kitchen, I find Carol and Louis. The latter runs up to hug me, and I crouch down to receive his arms around me.

"How are you, sweetheart?" I kiss his forehead.

"Very well," he smiles. "I missed you a lot."

"I missed you too."

I approach Carol to greet her, and after talking a bit with Louis, who lingers in the kitchen, I help Carol prepare dinner and take the time to talk with her.

"I have a check-up for my pregnancy tomorrow," she says while swiftly chopping vegetables. "I got an appointment around noon. I'm telling you in case you want to call Harmony or... I don't know, look for someone, maybe."

Damn it. I forgot to talk to Harmony.

"I'll talk to Harmony after dinner," I assure her. "Do you... want me to come with you?"

She smiles at me.

"Don't worry, I know you're busy."

"But I can..."

"I'll be fine, don't worry. I promise I'll tell you everything."

"Alright."

I give her a small smile. I sense she will be a good mother. Suddenly, my mind reminds me of my brief encounter with Josh a few minutes ago, and before speaking, I inspect our surroundings. Louis went to the living room.

"There's something I need to tell you," I begin.

"What?"

I still hesitate whether I should do it or not.

There are things that, inevitably, no matter how much we don't want to say them, we must. I don't think I can bear such a lie. As much as anyone wants to cover it up, Carol and Josh have history; perhaps it's not the most romantic, healthy, or sweet, but it's history.

I always wondered what it would feel like to experience something so unhealthy, something that is not right. I can say that I never experienced it because Ethan was always by my side. He was a loyal, good, and charismatic man.

It's not a lie that loves can lift you to the highest heights and make you feel genuinely loved and fortunate, but it can also destroy you in a second, just like that. And what I don't want is for Carol to be destroyed again, just like she was in her previous conflicts with Josh. I want her to be well, and if she wants, to find someone who loves and respects her.

"I talked to Josh..." I admit.

I observe her. She appears surprised at first, then confused, and then... a little disheartened.

"When?"

"A few minutes ago, he was outside the building."

"Did you tell him anything about my pregnancy? What happened? What did you talk about?"

"Of course not," I deny. "He... he said he wanted to see you, he seemed very sure of it, but I didn't let him. "I look at her again and run a hand through my hair. "I'm sorry, I know I should have told you as soon as I saw you, I just got distracted and... Are you upset because I stopped him from seeing you?"

"What? No, not at all. I'm glad you didn't let him because, if it had been the opposite, I don't know what would have happened," she sighs. "Thank you for telling me." She avoids my gaze. "Dinner is ready. Shall we set the table?"

"Sure," I mutter.

We set the table, call Louis, and proceed to have dinner. It's not tense at all. We talk until it gets late, and I decide to take my son to bed. He's very tired.

"Rest," I whisper.

“You too, Mommy.

I kiss her on the cheek and leave the room. I return to the kitchen where I see Carol taking care of the dishes.

"Go rest, I'll take care of it," I say.

"You go rest, you've been working," she replies.

"I'm not very sleepy. Let me help you."

I pick up the last remaining dish and assist her in washing them. I can't stop thinking about my boss, and it tortures me enough. I feel like I completely messed things up. They were already a bit uncomfortable, but now...

"What's bothering you?" she asks.

"Nothing. Just... thinking."

"About what?"

I look at her.

"I was thinking about... what happened with Mr. Hills, the 'shooting' I told you about... I still think it was Jonas."

"Nicholas Hills can have his enemies."

"I know," I whisper, "but something tells me it was him."

"Any news of Jonas? Did he call you?"

I shake my head.

"The last time I saw him was at Hills Corporation, and since then, I lost track of him."

"He might still be here in New York, or maybe he left. What if he just wanted to scare you? He must be aware that his presence terrifies you."

"He's still here. There's no chance he left," I rub my temple, "I don't want to keep talking about this."

It's a stressful situation. Every time I think about that man, I remember what he did to me, and it makes me want to vomit.

"Fine, then let's talk about Nicholas Hills."

"Carol..."

"I just want to know, okay? You didn't give me any details." She pauses, and I don't know what to say. "Did you enjoy it?"

"Do you want to avoid asking me those questions...?"

"Don't you think I deserve to know a little, at least? You never tell me anything about your love life. I've seen many men approach you, but it seems like you couldn't care less."

"It's because I don't care about men."

"You should allow yourself to enjoy, you can't shut yourself off from love forever. I'm sure thousands would die to go out with you. Have you ever thought about giving yourself a chance?"

"No. I'm not interested."

"But you are interested in your boss, right?" she raises an eyebrow.

"That was a mistake, a slip-up. It didn't mean anything, right?"

"Well, whatever you say. But did you enjoy it or not?"

I know she won't stop until I give her an answer.

"Yes."

I put my hand on my face, and she laughs.

"Don't be so closed off, it's normal. I tell you everything..."

"It's easier for you."

"And it's easier for you too. The difference is that you reject them all." She smiles. "If you wanted to, you could have any man, and I'm serious." I look at her again. "Don't look at me like that, you know it's true. Otherwise, why would Nicholas Hills be interested in you?"

I have no idea, and I keep asking myself the same question since he proposed sex in exchange for money.

"Because he just wanted to release his stress on someone. It's not like he cared, and it was just a slip-up."

"Well, a slip-up. I wish I had a slip-up like that..."

"Doesn't it bother you to know that you slept with your boss and have to continue working alongside him as if nothing happened?"

"Well... it depends on which boss if we're talking about Nicholas Hills... I wouldn't have any problem repeating that 'slip-up.'"

"Doesn't matter, I don't want to talk about it anymore. I'm going to sleep, are you staying?"

"I'll be in the living room. Rest well."

"Good night."