Forty-one

Forty-one
Eve

Drawing has always been a talent of mine. It's what I do when there are things on my mind or when I'm just bored.

But I never thought it would be something that I would get to do online and get paid for it.

Katy was the one who told me that I could actually earn from drawing.

But lately, I haven't been drawing.

I'm always studying or out pretending to be a cute couple with Charles Herman. I've even lost some of my clients because of this.

Today is Saturday, so right now, I'm sitting at my desk, drawing like never before, with my headphones turned on.

I was so engrossed that I didn't hear Nathan come in. It was only when he touched me by the shoulder that I became aware, of course, after jumping out of my skin like the scaredy cat I was.

“Jesus! Nathan, you scared the hell out of me!” I shouted breathlessly, clutching my chest.

“Sorry.” He apologized without hesitation, “I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to sneak up on you. I knocked but you didn't answer, so I let myself in.”

“What do you want?” I asked, taking off my headphones.

“I just wanted to borrow your charger.” He responded. “Mine isn't around at the moment.”

“It's over there in the socket.” I pointed at the socket beside my bed.

“Thanks,” He was about to leave when something… probably something on my desk… caught his eyes. A smirk slipped from his lips, making me furrow my brows.

“What?”

“You really like him that much, huh?” He asked.

“What are you talking about…” I whipped my head to my desk, and my eyes widened.

Oh, God!

I have been drawing pictures of Charles, all this time!

My cheeks went red with embarrassment.

I have been thinking a lot about him that I didn't realize I was drawing him all this time.

“Can you… can you go now?”

Nathan chuckled, clearly amused, “Hey, there's nothing to be embarrassed about liking someone, cuz.” He paused, then added, “And drawing them, of course.”

“You're not helping, Nathan. Out.”

“Alright.” He chuckled again before walking away.

After hiding my feelings for Cameron for over seven years, I never thought a day would come when I would have to hide my feelings for someone else.

Oh, Charles, what have you done to me?

I shut my laptop and threw myself on the bed.

I'm so bored out of my mind. I don't think I can study right now, and if I tried to draw again, I'm sure I'll only end up drawing Charles.

Maybe when Katy is done meeting Finn Herman, she can come by so we can hang out. We don't hang out that much lately.

Now come to think of it, she hasn't been coming into the house after that day I had to leave and told Nathan to watch over her.

It's almost like she's avoiding coming in here.

Did something happen?

Just in the middle of my thoughts, my phone's ringing tone suddenly began to echo in the room, slightly startling me.

It was Katy calling.

Is the meeting with Charles's brother over already?

“Hey, babes…”

“Oh, my God, Eve, what in God's name have you gotten yourself into?!” Her voice scared me to the bone marrow. She sounded terrified.

Alarmed, I hurriedly sat up.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, a little breathlessly. “What happened?”

“You never told me your boyfriend's brother was so scary!”

Because I have never met him. Okay, once, during the blind date, when I threw those shoes at me. But we've never crossed paths ever since, which is why I'm kinda terrified about the dinner with Charles's family this week.

“Hello? Eve, are you still there?” Katy's voice jolted me out of my thoughts.

“Yes. Yes, I am.”

“Are you really sure that Charles loves you?”

The question surprised me.

“Because I'm actually convinced he's using you to get at his brother.”

I blinked.

Okay, this one surprised me too.

“What do you…”

“His brother is looking for you!”

My heart skipped multiple beats without knowing why.

“Looking for me? What do you…”

“He has hundreds of your photographs like a creepy stalker and called you an obstacle and said that he would get rid of you if you're still by Charles's side.” From the way Katy spoke, it appears that she was extremely scared. “And believe me when I say, Eve, I think he meant it. That guy is so fucking creepy! He knew I was lying. So I'm just gonna tell you to break up with Charles if you still like yourself.”

No, I can't do that. We signed a contract.

“Eve, are you there?”

“Yes. Yes, I am.”

So, the reason Charles is doing all this is to get at his brother? Why? Is this about who is going to be the heir of the company? Like we normally see in dramas.

Now, I'm in danger?

I clearly asked him about this!

“So, break up with him. Transfer schools if you have to. You still have a big life ahead of you for it to be tangled up with whatever that is going on with those two insane brothers.”

“O… okay.”

“Oh, hold on.” A pause. “Oh, my God! This restaurant car has been following me ever since I drove out of that restaurant. Eve… Eve, I think he's having me trailed! I don't think it's safe to meet up for the time being. He might recognize you and… oh, my God, Eve! I got us into this mess! I made you go to that blind date. If you hadn't gone to the blind date… This is all my fault. I'm gonna call you back later, let me see if I can lose the car.”

The line went dead.

I stared into space, my heart pounding as I stared into space.

The room was silent.

Too silent that I could hear my heartbeat.

Charles said that signing that contract would be the best choice I've ever made in my lifetime. Now looking back, I'm not so sure, considering he has a brother who wants to get rid of me.

Am I really in danger like Katy had said? Or was she just overreacting?

What do I do?

Charles. I need to call Charles.

Scrolling through the list of my contacts, I dialed Charles's number.