Chapter 32 Just Childhood Friends
Evelyn's POV
What was he going to say? Everyone went silent and I knew this was the kind of situation they liked.
Having something to talk about and gossip. The cameras didn't stop clicking and I knew the media would be buzzing with my name by morning.
“She's my childhood friend,” He finally said, laughing afterward.
A sigh of relief escaped my lips when he said that but the look in his face made me stiffen.
I remember that look clearly. It was one of the ways he used to look at me when we were together.
“Is there something on my face?” I used to ask.
He'd say no.
“Then why are you staring like that?” I'll ask again.
One day, while reading a book and resting on his lap, I caught him staring again.
“You’re just too beautiful,” he had said. “And I know I'd never get tired of staring at you like this.”
My cheeks were flushed when he said that. I had to cover my face with the book and laugh while stomping my feet on the couch.
I was so in love with Nathaniel Quinn.
I snapped out of my thoughts, I chuckled nervously and moved out of his embrace.
That was all they wanted to hear. They dispersed again and Adrian got Cassandra's hand off his shoulder.
Nathaniel was dragged away by some businessmen who needed him to join their circle.
I could feel Adrian's eyes piercing into me from the sides. Slowly, I turned and I was right.
He was intently staring at me but I couldn't read his face, as usual. I didn't know if he was annoyed that Nathaniel held me like that or not.
I scoffed at my own words. Why would he be annoyed? I know he doesn't care about me but still, he cares about his reputation.
He placed a hand in his pocket and turned away from me, heading to another circle of men who laughed and talked about business not far away from where we stood.
I didn't know why my eyes followed him but I needed to confirm whether he was angry or not. I've had enough drama for the month already.
I didn't know Cassandra was still around me until she spoke.
“Childhood friend? Seriously?” She groaned. “Duh. I don't believe that.”
She had her arms crossed on her chest when I turned to look at her and her eyes were fixed on Nate.
“I don't need you to believe it,” I said calmly. “Your opinion doesn't matter.”
She didn't look angry, instead she laughed. “And that's not because I'm right?”
I didn't have the energy to banter with Cassandra. I moved closer to her until there was no space left between us.
“Just so you know, Cassandra,” I said. “I won't fall for your tricks to lure me out ever again.”
I looked into her eyes and she looked back into mine with the same energy before she smirked.
“And you think Adrian doesn't have secrets you really wish to know?” She said,
The way she spoke made it sound like she really knew something and that was tempting as fuck, but I wasn't going to ask. I wasn't going to set myself up for another trap of hers.
“To hell with you and the secrets you know,” I spat and walked away immediately.
I walked over to a table after grabbing a glass of champagne from one of the waiters.
I didn't know the table I had rested my shoulder on was the one next to where Nathaniel was standing until I turned.
He was looking at me and he still had that smile on his face that was beginning to creep me out.
He had moved away from the table where I had first seen him.
I turned my face away from him and tried to walk away but it was either he was too fast or I was too slow because he appeared in front of me almost immediately.
“Hey, sweetheart,” he said, sounding flirty and he twirled the glass in his hand.
My eyes were fixed on the ground, especially at his shoes but I forced my eyes to go to his face.
“My husband will be offended if he hears that,” I said calmly.
He didn't reply, he only continued like he hadn't heard what I had said.
“How have you been?” He asked. “I see you got married.”
I scoffed and rolled my eyes at the same time.
“You weren't expecting me to continue crying myself to sleep every fucking night for three years after you disappeared.”
“I miss us,” he said immediately after I finished.
He took a step closer but I didn't waste a single moment before taking a step backwards.
“There stopped being an ‘us’ the moment you left,” I said with so much venom in my voice.
My chest began to burn with fury. I searched and searched.
Bars, charity centers, karaoke bars, parks, every damn place I knew we had visited together.
“I know,” he laughed softly. “We should meet up somewhere quiet some other time.”
“Why?” I asked sharply.
Nate pressed his lips into a thin line. “To catch up on what we missed.”
I stared at him in disbelief. He fucking left me without a word! He made me search for him for days! I got blamed for dating someone like him!!
I cried myself to sleep for nights and couldn't get him out of my head for a single second!
“What are we supposed to catch up on?” I asked, my eyebrows raised.
“The reason why I left,” he said, his voice low. “You want to hear it, don't you?”
I stared at him but didn't give a response. That was three years ago, I moved on.
I shouldn't be curious about what happened, I shouldn't let his sudden appearance take me back into the past, but….
“Set the time and venue,” I said. “I'll be there.”
A part of want to know if...
Maybe I should have waited longer.