Fifty-seven

Fifty-seven
Eve

It's been nearly two weeks since Charles’ death, and there have been no public announcements or news regarding it or his funeral.

So, I'm guessing his funeral was done in silence, scratched from the records.

I haven't gotten any threat calls nor threat texts from Finn or any of the sort, and I gotta say, these past few days have been like a blessing.

I'm quite aware that it might sound terrible, but I'm glad things are over now and I won't have to worry about my safety any longer. Believe you me, I was extremely devastated about Charles' death… more devastated than I had been when Cameron toyed with me… but I can't keep being devastated forever.

I've mourned Charles in my own way, now the only thing I gotta do is to move on.

So, that's what I'm trying to do here.

“Eve!” A masculine hand gripped me by the arm and jolted me out of my thoughts.

“Yes?! Yes!” I screamed, startled out of my wits.

“I've been talking all this while only to find out you haven't been listening.” Steve said.

Oh, right.

“I'm sorry,” I apologized as I rubbed my forehead. “I'm sorry.”

Steve had asked me to meet him. Obviously, he has exciting news to share, but he has no idea that the man who funded his little company is now six feet under.

And I can't even bring myself to tell him.

“Is something going on?” He enquired, his eyes suddenly turning suspicious.

“What? No, no. Of course not.” I lied through my teeth, taking a sip of my drink, “Nothing's going on. Everything is fine.”

“You know you're a terrible liar, don't you?”

Right. He got me.

“What's really going on?” He leaned forward, “Is it Mom and Dad? Are they having problems?”

“What? No! Of course not.”

“Then what is it?”

I pursed my lips, not knowing what to say.

“Eve?”

“Steve. Just… let it be, okay? While I do appreciate your concern, this is a little personal.” I stated, giving him a faint smile, “So, let me deal with it.”

He nodded, giving up, “Okay.”

“Alright, what do you want to talk about?” I asked, folding my arms.

He shifted in his seat, clearly nervous.

“What is it?” I questioned.

“Yes, something is wrong.”

“Then what is…”

The words died in my throat as the waiter walked over to our table and placed a cake on our table.

“Steve, what is going on?”

Steve sheepishly grinned from ear to ear, his eyes sparkling with excitement, unlike a few seconds ago.

“Steve.”

“Go on, blow the candles out.” He said.

“Whose birthday is it?” I enquired, “My birthday isn't until next month.”

“I know. Just go ahead and blow it out.”

I leaned forward and blew the candle, “Okay, are you going to tell me now, or are you going to just let the suspense kill me?”

“Eve, you won't believe it!” He exclaimed, “I just started my company two months ago, but you're not gonna believe it. In just last month, which is the second month, my start-up earned 2.5 million in profit.”

My jaw dropped in surprise, “Really?”

“Yes! I expected it to be hard.” He stated, “You know, it normally takes time before startups begin seeing big profits.”

“Yes, I know that.”

“Right. And I was ready to grit my teeth and bear any difficulties if they came, but guess what? None came! My company is really doing wonderfully well, Eve!”

I squealed in excitement, “Aw, Steve, that's so amazing. I mean, how is that even possible?”

“Charles.” He said, “That guy made it all possible! He's… he's like a.. ow, I don't even know what to describe him as, but he's been a real blessing to me, Eve. He kept telling me to do this, do that, don't do this, don't do that and surprisingly, things went well! Words can't even express how much gratitude I feel toward him!”

Yeah… but he's gone.

I wonder how you'll feel if you discover his death, Steve. That is… if you ever discover his death.

His grin widened, and he squealed, “Oh, Eve, I love him so much! I would marry him if I were gay! He's polite, charming, calculated, perfect in every way… if you are not together with Cameron, I'd suggest you date him. I'm sure you'd love him once you start to know him.”

God, if Steve keeps talking about Charles, I'm gonna cry.

“Okay, are we gonna eat the cake now or not?” I asked, trying to get him to stop talking about Charles.

“Yeah, of course.”

“Great.

I grabbed the knife and began to cut the cake. Just then, two men appeared from nowhere, one of them snatched me up and hoisted me on his shoulder.

A scream escaped my lips as I tried to break away from the grasp, but it was just so strong.

“Hey, what the fuck? Let her go!” Steve yelled and charged at us, but the other guy blocked him.

Steve threw a punch at him, but the guy dodged it with swift precision and landed his own punch on Steve's face.

Steve grabbed his face, which had now begun to bleed. He was still recovering from the first punch when the guy threw another one.

Steve was knocked down.

“Let me go!” I kicked, screamed and flailed as the guy carried me to the exit. “Let me go!”

The customers in the diner just stared, no one making any attempt to save me from my predicament.

“Let me go! Let me go, you bastard!” I kept screaming at the top of my lungs, kicking and flailing to break free from the Man's grasp, but his grip was too strong. “Let me go! I said let me go!”

A dark, sleek car appeared out of nowhere, its does opening, and the guy threw me in and shut the door. The car started up immediately and began to drive.

I noticed another presence and hurriedly glanced up.

“Hello, Eve.”

I caught my breath in my throat, hurriedly cowering back in horror.

Great! Just great! Just when I thought my life was finally getting back to normal!

Charles, even in your death, your creepy brother won't let me be!

“What’s this? Abducting me? You said you would let me go and won't approach me!” I said through gritted teeth. “That's what you promised me!”

“Well, you never stuck to your fucking end of the bargain,” He spoke, his voice still as creepy as ever.

God knows I didn't miss him! Hell, not even one bit!

“What do you mean by that? I told you everything I know!”

“Yeah, but you never told me fucking pussy of an uncle.”

“Telling your uncle was never part of the bargain!” I screamed at him. God, I want to gouge his eyes out! “You brought in that part after I told you everything I know. And besides, I waited, I was waiting for your text or call, but I received none! So, this is on you! Now let me go, you asshole!”

He whipped his head at me. I back away, catching my breath in my throat.

I never should have said that.

“Where's Charles?” He asked, his creepy eyes glaring down into mine.

I blinked, not sure of what to think of the question.

Um… shouldn't Charles be dead?

“Are you fucking dumb, bitch?!” He snarled, and I flinched.

“I don't know!”

He leaned forward and grabbed me by the hair.

“Ahh!” I screamed in pain.

“I'm gonna ask you one more time… Eve.” He warned, his voice slow and steady, “Where is Charles?”

“Please, I swear to God,” I begged, tears streaming down my cheeks, “I don't know.”

He regarded me for a while, nodded, let go of my hair and then backed away.

“Your phone.” He held out his hand.

“What for?”

“Don't make me ask again.”

Without hesitation, I handed him my phone, which had been ringing since I was snatched.

He went through the phone, face dark and terrifying. When he was done, he handed it over to me.

“Where is that fucking bastard hiding?”

Hiding?

He tapped the back of the driver's seat, and the car was pulled to a halt.

“Get the fuck out.”

He didn't need to tell me twice.

As I stood by the roadside and watched the car disappear between the rows of cars, I couldn't help but wonder what all that was about.

Isn't Charles supposed to be dead? Did he miraculously survive and go into hiding? Oh, this fills me with so much excitement and hope!

Charles, you better be alive, you manipulative, conniving devil!