Chapter 11 You Will Pay Dearly for Running Away from Me
Evelyn
Adrian and Marcus finally left the house, so the door closed behind them while my back rested against it, slow breaths leaving my lungs... as if I had been running the entire time.
What did he mean by that...? And how did he say it that comfortably in the first place?
Oh God... my heart is still beating painfully fast.
Every time he gets close to me, strange chaos fills my chest... butterflies... tension... heat slipping into my face without permission.
None of this makes sense to me. Adrian is just a university student. And I am a mature woman... a university professor, with a son almost his age.
No Evelyn... Do not let your mind go there even.
Dishes gathered from the marble table one after another, yet my thoughts stayed trapped around a single word.
"Mami."
Fuck... Why did I love the way he pronounced it that much? And why do I keep imagining him whispering it near my ear?
A nervous sigh escaped me while washing the dishes, then my phone rang out of nowhere and completely cut through my thoughts.
Unknown number. Wet hands wiped against the small towel before I picked up the phone.
"Hello... who is this?"
Silence was the only answer.. annoyance immediately pulled my brows together.
"Is this some stupid joke? It is still morning, for God's sake."
Silence again... Then that voice came.
Deep. Cold. Familiar in a way that made my stomach tighten instantly.
"Hello... hello, Mrs. Carter!"
Blood froze inside my veins. That voice... impossible to forget.
Fear pounded violently through my chest while my eyes locked onto the number, only for his voice to return sharper this time: "Do not you dare hang up on me, Evelyn."
Difficulty settled in my throat as I swallowed and brought the phone back to my ear. "What do you want?"
Several long seconds passed in silence before obvious anger finally reached me: "Unfortunately, I am only calling because of Marcus... my son you took away from me, Evelyn."
Light dizziness swept through my head, forcing me to pull the chair closer and sit before losing my balance.
Always the same thing. He disappears... then comes back as if the years never passed.
My number changed countless times, yet somehow he always manages to reach me.
Trembling fingers pressed against my forehead while a tired sigh left my lips. "What do you want from me? Do you never get tired?"
An irritated exhale came through the phone before terrifying coldness filled his voice: "I know you returned to New York now... and I will find you, Evelyn. And you will pay dearly for running away from me."
My eyes shut tightly while my hand trembled around the phone.
"Kai... I did not mean it that way. And you had your own life back then... then why are you looking for me now? We have been divorced for years, did you forget?"
Mocking laughter sent goosebumps crawling over my skin.
"Do not raise your voice at me, Evelyn... you know very well that I have eyes everywhere."
Anger burst inside me without warning. Who does he think he is to threaten me like this?
"You know what? I am not afraid of you anymore. You cannot do anything to me. Marcus is with me... and he will not let you hurt me. He is not a child anymore."
Another laugh came from him... Disgustingly terrifying.
"Really? Do you think I care about Marcus? I finally found you... and the consequences will be very bad."
Then he hung up. My stare stayed fixed on the screen while my heart dropped heavily inside my chest.
How did he find my number...? Oh God, what do I do now?
One hand rested over my head after another wave of dizziness hit me, but I ignored it quickly.
I will talk to Marcus. Need to convince him to meet his father before things get even worse.
Marcus does not know the truth about his father in the first place... he has no idea how dangerous that man can be, nor that he is capable of taking him away from me in the blink of an eye.
Tension tightened around my lips while a heavy sigh escaped me. Nervousness followed me outside the house, completely certain my first workday at the university would turn catastrophic.
A taxi was stopped immediately. Walking through crowded streets was the last thing I could tolerate right now.
Inside the car, silence surrounded me until the driver finally dropped me off at the university campus. Straight toward the principal's office after one of the students guided me there.
As usual... Every gaze turned toward me. Something I got used to a long time ago.
Warmly, the principal welcomed me before explaining my lecture schedules. Work papers and contracts came next, followed by introductions to the rest of the professors.
Some of them were genuinely kind. Obvious interest appeared on others' faces. And the rest... stared at me with open jealousy.
Being an Italian language professor made today's schedule relatively light, and that was the only good thing so far.
Students from two different sections listened while I introduced myself, then everything finally ended. Only the third lecture after break remained.
More introductions happened inside the professors' room before I headed toward my assigned office.
Eyes followed me everywhere. Men filled with obvious admiration. Women carrying sharp looks drenched in jealousy.
Several cups of coffee sat on top of my desk. A faint sarcastic smile touched my lips.. clearly they were trying to get close to me.
Fingers slid through my hair before I pushed it behind my shoulder, then my gaze lifted toward the man sitting directly in front of me.
Complete fascination covered his expression while staring at me. Nothing more than a polite smile was given in return.
Right away, he approached my desk and leaned slightly forward.
"Welcome with us."
A small nod accompanied my smile. "Thank you, that is kind of you."
Confidence practically dripped from him while his hair was pushed back dramatically, as if he truly believed himself attractive.
Probably somewhere in his fifties... with an obvious belly too. Barely managed to hold back my laughter.
Closer now, his tone turned soft and oily. "If you need anything, I am at your service. My office is directly in front of yours."
"Thank you, I will."
Pride flashed toward his friend because he was talking to me, then another smile spread across his face. "Alright, I do not want to bother you more. You must be busy."
Only a light smile left me before he finally walked away. Mocking laughter escaped my lips the second he disappeared.
My belongings were placed over the desk before I started cleaning it properly. Mess and dirt are things I absolutely cannot tolerate.
Out came my favorite little plant next, carefully placed in the corner with a calm smile. Papers, files, and everything else I needed followed afterward.
Glasses settled over my eyes before I started finishing some work so it would not pile up later. Everyone's eyes stayed on me the entire time.
Men and women alike.. but none of it mattered to me.
Pain throbbed through my feet because of the high heels, forcing me to remove them for a moment and rub my ankle tiredly before putting them back on again.
I wonder what Marcus and Adrian are doing now...