Chapter 31 Dinner
The dinner had been set in the highest suite of the King’s Tower, a place where only the powerful or the deeply in love dined.
The lights glowed soft gold, the air perfumed with roses and imported wine. Beyond the glass walls, the city laid beneath them like a thousand fallen stars.
Eva sat across from Maverick, her face radiant in the light. To her, this felt like a dream spending nearly the entire day with him. She was certain that if she kept trying, if she kept showing him how much she cared, his walls would eventually fall.
“Mother said you love the sea,” she began, excitement laced her voice. “So I thought… Maybe after the wedding, we could go on a cruise outside the country. There’s this spot near where I schooled you can see sea animals right from the glass deck. It’s so beautiful…”
Maverick set down his cutlery, cutting her rambling short.
His voice came low and even. “You have a choice, you know. You don’t have to go through with the alliance.”
Eva’s heart clenched. “I do have a choice,” she whispered, “but I want to be with you, Maverick.”
To her, this wasn’t about the alliance. It was about love, hers, pure and stubborn. She knew he didn’t want this marriage. She knew the alliance left him no room to refuse. But she told herself love could bloom after marriage, maybe after she births a child for him. She would make him see her.
“Even when I won’t reciprocate?” His eyes lifted to hers, cold and piercing, the glass of wine halfway to his lips. It wasn’t a question, it was a warning. A chance to run.
Eva’s chin lifted, courage strong beneath her words. “You will. Someday. I want to be your wife.”
He studied her in silence, that unreadable calmness wrapped around him like armor. Then finally he spoke.
“Pick a date.”
Her heart leapt. “Next week Saturday.”
Maverick nodded once. “Then it’s settled.” He stood, pulling his jacket from the chair. “We’re done here. The chauffeur will take you home.”
He didn’t wait for a response. His footsteps faded out of the space, leaving her staring at the half-finished meal, the empty seat across from her.
Her throat tightened. She blinked fast, refusing to let the tears win. He wasn’t cruel, she told herself. He’s just… guarded. He’ll warm up to her soon.
She reached for the champagne and poured herself a glass. Then another. Then another.
Memories blurred between the bubbles.
Back at military high school, when everyone bullied her for being quiet, naive. Until he came and defended her. Silent and terrifying Maverick had beaten her bullies senselessly without saying a word. That was the day her heart first skipped for him. Since then, no one dared touch her. He had always been her savior. Her hero.
He had warmth once. She would bring it back. She would make him love her and only her.
Her hand fumbled for her phone. The call connected on the first ring.
“Can you come pick me up?” she murmured, her words soft and slurred.
The line disconnected.
Eva exhaled shakily, dropping her phone beside the glass. Her head rested on the cool table. She didn’t need to wait for confirmation he would come.
Minutes later, a tall figure entered. Dark raven hair. Sharp eyes that softened when they found her.
Killian.
He approached quietly, hesitation flickered in his gaze as he attempted to brush a strand of hair from her face. She stirred, eyes fluttered open.
“Killian… you came.” She smiled faintly. “Guess what, I'm getting married next Saturday.” It was good news, one she wanted to share.
He cleared his throat. “Young Miss… You're drunk. I should take you home.”
“Hmm… you should,” she murmured, trying to stand. Her knees buckled. He caught her before she fell, his arm firm around her waist. Her perfume lingered, sweet and intoxicating.
They drove in silence. Eva’s head laid against the seat, her breathing soft. Killian’s grip tightened on the wheel every time her scent drifted his way.
When they neared the Edward estate, he didn’t stop. He kept driving, turning down a dim street lined with small pubs. He pulled over beside a roadside shop.
Eva’s brows furrowed. “Where’s this?”
“Your parents can’t see you like this,” he said, unbuckling his seatbelt. “You need a hangover drink first.”
“From there?” she asked, her nose scrunched up.
He gave a faint smile. “It’s affordable. And edible.”
Before she could argue, he had crossed the road. He returned moments later with a small plastic cup of a steaming drink. He handed it to her.
She hesitated. He caught her expression.
“I won’t poison you, young miss.”
“Eva,” she corrected softly. “Don’t make us sound so distant.”
She took a cautious sip, grimaced , then drank more.
He watched her quietly, jaw tight.
Killian had known her since childhood. His father had served Edwards faithfully until his death. Her father had given him this job as repayment. She had grown up around him, the chauffeur boy who never once called her young miss now did.
“Did you enjoy your dinner date?” he asked, though he already knew the answer.
“I did,” she replied simply.
He looked away, his hand flexed against the wheel. He had seen the truth in her eyes, the way her smile trembled. Maverick Richard had hurt her again, and she couldn’t even see it.
“Do you have to marry him?” His voice was low, almost like a whisper.
Eva turned to the window, her reflection faint in the glass.
“Yes,” she said softly. “I have to. I love him, Killian… so much.”
He said nothing more.
The silence between them was heavy, full of things he could never say and feelings she would never see.
He drove her home, his knuckles white around the steering wheel, while Eva whispered his name once more before sleep claimed her.
Maverick entered his car after leaving the restaurant. There was no need to stay any longer since the date for the wedding had been fixed.
His mind drifted back to Heaven’s reaction that morning at breakfast when she heard he had a fiancée.
The way she hid her hand wearing the bracelet, she had taken it off completely when he saw her later in the hallway.
He had studied her,he knew she was going to try to pull away from whatever they had.
Even though he couldn’t define it yet, he had no plans of ending anything with her.
He picked up his phone and dialed Heaven’s number. It rang, but there was no answer.
Was she ignoring his calls?
His eyes darkened, his jaw tightened.
Did she think that because of his wedding he was going to let her go?
Never.
He pressed his foot on the pedal and drove home fast, determination burning behind his calm exterior