34

EVA

I let out a heavy sigh as I focus my gaze on the computer. I'm tired and overwhelmed with work, and I just want to go home to see Louis. This past week went by so fast, and now it's Friday, which means one thing: an event. Today, a charity gala is taking place, and as part of the company staff, I'm obligated to attend. I wouldn't go if it weren't for the fact that Mr. Hills would get angry, or at least that's what I believe.

Suddenly, the office door opens abruptly, and I look up like a scared little child. My first thought is that it's my boss, but it's not; it's Camille. As always, she has her blonde hair down and is wearing a gorgeous dress that probably costs more than my monthly rent.

"Good morning, secretary," she says in a calm voice, but her expressions hint that she's looking for something. Lately, she's been acting a bit strange. I've noticed her constantly watching me when I leave the building, and sometimes I see her standing at Mr. Hills' office door, observing. It's as if she's searching for something.

"Good morning. Tell me," I simply say, focusing my gaze back on the computer. She takes a seat in one of the available chairs and crosses her legs.

"I want us to talk, and I want you to look me in the eyes when I address you," she says. Immediately, I fix my eyes on her.

"What do you need?" I inquire.

"That's how I like it," she murmurs, smugly. "I need us to talk, Eva. Do you know what about?" I shake my head. "About your boss, Nicholas Hills."

I have a bad feeling about this.

"I think whatever you have to discuss with Mr. Hills, you should do it with him, not with me."

She smiles.

"I like your character. You could exploit it in many ways." She pauses. "I need you to find out if Nicholas is seeing another woman. Lately, he's been acting like a loner."

Isn't he always like that? I don't think he's a loving man. And what does she think I am? I could get into trouble.

"Excuse me, but I won't do that," I say, refocusing my gaze on the computer.

"I know you're interested."

"You're mistaken. Mr. Hills' personal life is not of my interest."

"It's of interest to everyone, and you're part of that list." She crosses her arms. "I need to know if he's sleeping with someone else to get that bitch out of the way."

I won't do it.

"How much money do you want?" She reaches into her purse and pulls out a checkbook.

"I don't want your money," I say before she speaks again. "I'm doing my job, and I won't meddle in my boss' personal life. If you need to talk or discuss any pending matters, you should do it with him. I'm just a secretary, and I don't want to get involved in trouble."

I wonder why she's so interested. Camille seemed ambitious from the first time I saw her.

Ambition to achieve certain things sometimes makes us lose our minds.

"I hope it's not you he's fucking, because nobody stands in my way, got it? My goal is to marry Nicholas, and I will. If you sleep with him, let me tell you that you're nothing more than a mere toy. Nobody can understand William as I do. I'm the only woman in his life and the owner of his thoughts."

"I'm not interested in having a relationship beyond work with my boss."

"I hope it stays that way. You don't mess with me," she smiles again. "Have a good day."

With that, she says the last words and leaves the office.

"Carol, it's not necessary," I tell her when she finishes applying my lip gloss.

"What do you mean? Are we not living in the same world? You're going to a gala, Eva, and not just any gala. Besides, your boss will be there," she says the last part with a hint of mischief.

"Don't insinuate anything. It was just sex, that's all, and it won't happen again. Our professional relationship is not relevant to mix with that."

She rolls her eyes.

"What if he wants you back?"

How could he want me when he has the power to get any woman he wants? Why would he waste his time with someone like me? It's ridiculous.

"No," I shake my head. "Besides, it seems like he's serious with another woman. Maybe he'll marry her..."

She raises an eyebrow and opens her eyes, surprised.

"Marry? Please! Who told you that? It's the best joke I've ever heard. Eva, that man wouldn't marry even by coincidence."

"Camille told me that today. She showed up in my office and asked me to investigate Mr. Hills to find out if he was seeing someone else. She even offered me money and said her goal is to marry him."

"And you believed her? That man doesn't even seem to have feelings. There are even rumors that he..."

"Honestly, I don't care about his rumors," I interrupt her.

"Really? That's very interesting."

"Do you know about his life?" I smile ironically.

Carol has always been well-informed about the lives of famous people. She loves reading magazines that talk about gossip and everything related to it.

"Eva, Nicholas Hills' mother was an internationally renowned supermodel in the '90s. His father, on the other hand, is Edward Hills, the main founder of Hills Corporation and the first person to rebel against his father, Abraham Hills." I look at her, confused. She seems to know a lot. "If only you could see Leanne..."

"Leanne?"

I furrow my brow. I've lost track of everything she's been talking about.

"His mother."

"Do you know his mother?"

"Do you live under a rock, Evie? Everyone talks about Leanne Vitali. Despite having had her moment, she's an extremely charismatic woman."

"I'm not very interested, that's all."

"Let me at least tell you about that rumor about Nicholas Hills..."

"No, thank you.

"Don't be boring.

"I'm not interested. Besides, you said it, he's a man who lacks feelings and his life is the last thing I care about. I don't want anything to do with him in my life.

My words are filled with unrecognizable venom.

"You don't want anyone in your life. Ever since Erick died, you've shut yourself off. A long line of men approached you and you always rejected them." She falls silent. "You rejected everyone except Will...

That's the problem.

"I just want to have time for Louis," I interrupt her.

"That doesn't mean you can't give yourself a chance. At some point, Louis will grow up, and you'll have to put yourself first too.

"Love won't make me happy.

"You're the female version of Nicholas Hills," she taunts, in a mocking tone.

"No, I don't use people, and unlike him, I have empathy and feelings.

"I assure you that someday you'll meet someone who will blow your mind, and you won't want to let go of him.

"No.

"Yes.

"See you later," I greet her and give her a brief smile.

"Afterward, you'll give me all the details, right?" She kisses me on the cheek. "And be careful.

"I will, goodbye.

"Goodbye.

I leave the room and make my way through the hallways. Before leaving, I decided to stop by Louis' room. He is already asleep, so I give him a gentle kiss on the forehead and quietly leave the room to avoid waking him up. Finally, I finish exiting the building and set off on my journey to my destination in my car. As the minutes pass, I find myself in the coveted place. I park the car on a street near the venue, turn off the engine, and step out of the vehicle. I take a few steps until I reach the elegant venue, tell my name to a uniformed man, and am allowed to enter.

Just as I imagined, elegance prevails; people have dressed appropriately for the occasion, the buffet is perfect, the soft melody playing in the background is also quite fitting, and the decoration is splendid. There is an uncountable number of people, all engaged in conversations, some drinking, and others walking around the buffet.

"Miss," a woman holding a tray offers me a glass of champagne, which I accept.

"Thank you."

She gives me a glance before disappearing into the crowd. I bring the glass to my lips and grimace as I taste the original flavor of champagne. I don't usually drink much, although it does taste quite good.

I stroll through the hall, not knowing what to do. I don't know anyone, and I feel a bit lost. I glance at the guests again; most of them are talking to others while I'm here, standing like an idiot, drinking alone, and wandering around without really knowing my purpose here.

I approach the buffet and decide to leave my glass on the table. I observe the food they offer, and it's not bad, but I'm not very hungry. Suddenly, I catch a whiff of a rich feminine perfume, and that's when I glimpse a woman next to me from the corner of my eye. However, I look away when she stares back at me. Damn. That's what I get for being curious.

"Excuse me, do I know you?" she asks.

Her accent is somewhat distinctive; it sounds like she's a foreigner but at the same time... it's as if she's from here. I fix my gaze on her and swallow as I realize how stunning she is. It's evident that she's not young, but...

She's so perfect that it makes me doubt my existence, and I immediately wonder how such a captivating gaze can exist. It's like getting lost in a pair of beautiful almond-shaped eyes.

She's wearing a tight red dress that accentuates her curvaceous figure, and anyone would think she went under the knife, but she looks completely natural, and I highly doubt that hypothesis.