Dear Eva,
Even when I tried to make Stan see the depth of my love, he still wouldn't accept me. He pushed me away and warned me to stay away.
"I know you have feelings for me too!" I shouted after him, but Stan didn't look back. Instead, he wiped his mouth, which I had just kissed, and continued on his way.
I was angry and frustrated, but I wasn't the type to give up that easily.
On my way out, I met Kingsley, who wrapped an arm around my shoulder and led me to my desk, where I picked up the dress he had bought for me.
In silent defeat, I followed him to meet the lady who had been arranged to prepare me for the party that night.
When I was done getting ready, Kingsley couldn't take his eyes off me. He said I was the "most beautiful thing" he had ever seen—again.
I couldn't bear it anymore, so I told him, "I'm not a thing, I'm a human being."
"Oh, my bad, my dear Eva. You're not a thing, of course," he said, then linked our hands and led me to his car, where Stan was already waiting for us.
Throughout the drive, I couldn't keep my eyes off Stan, who was behind the wheel. Our eyes met several times through the mirror, while Kingsley kept talking relentlessly, trying to woo me.
I was too distracted, thinking of how to stop Stan from leaving the party. Every plan I thought of seemed like it would fail.
Nothing came together—until we arrived at the HQ where the party was already in full swing. Just as I reached for my bag, an idea clicked—I intentionally left it in the car.
As soon as we stepped into the hotel, I gasped and hit my head lightly as I told Kingsley I had forgotten my bag. "Please call Stan to bring it for me. I really need to use the wipes in the bag," I said, telling him I wanted to use the restroom but needed the wipes in my handbag. A perfect plan.
As expected, Kingsley decided to call Stan to bring the bag, since we assumed he hadn't gone far.
While we waited, I told Kingsley to grab a few drinks and find us a seat. He smiled and told me not to take too long, then walked off.
I stayed standing in front of the building, waiting excitedly for Stan to return from the garage with my bag. Now, I had the chance to be with him again.
He finally arrived, though he didn't look happy. "I know you intentionally left your bag in the car," he said, smiling slightly. "That's sneaky."
Yet again, I tried to convince him that he was the air I breathe, the sun I see, and that I couldn't sleep at night without thinking of him and seeing him in my dreams.
"Then you really need to get a checkup because you are truly sick," he replied.
"It's called being lovesick," I said, and laughed. He couldn't help but laugh too. "Tell me, Stan. Don't you like me?"
He smiled. "I said it before—I do like you. But date you behind the boss's back? No."
"I'll tell him. I'll tell him we can't be together if you agree to date me now. I promise."
He sighed and turned to leave, like I was just talking to myself. But I quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him into a hug. He tried to push me away, as usual, but I didn't let him. "Let's stay like this for a while," I pleaded.
"And when the boss finds us, you'll say what?" he asked.
"I'll take all the blame," I replied, resting in his embrace. I felt safe, wrapped in his arms. And then—finally—he wrapped his hand around me in return, giving in.
I took a deep breath, relieved. Finally.
But just as I held him tighter, Kingsley pulled us apart. I didn't even see him coming. "What are you doing?!" he shouted at Stan. "How dare you touch my woman?!"
Stan was about to speak, but I quickly cut in. "I hugged him," I said.
"You did? Why?" His voice lowered. "Why would you hug him? If I'm not around, that means you'll do other things with him too? Don't you understand you belong to me?"
"I don't belong to you, Kingsley!" I snapped, finally losing control. "Haven't I given you enough signs that I don't want you? What more do you want me to do to make it clear that I don't love you?!"
At that moment, I didn't care that I might lose my job for speaking to my employer that way. I just didn't care anymore.
"After everything I've done for you, Eva?" he asked, then turned to Stan, who was still standing quietly beside us. "After all the crimes I've covered up for you, Stan?!"
Crimes? What did he mean by crimes?
Kingsley folded his arms, his expression now one of authority. "I didn't spend all that money on you just so you could leave me for a criminal!" he snapped, clearly trying to discredit Stan.
Then he explained Stan's past—how he had once been involved in armed robbery that nearly claimed his life and how he—Kingsley saved him. Then Stan chose to leave that life behind after meeting Kingsley.
"Do you still want a criminal?" Kingsley asked.
I stood there, torn and uncertain, unable to speak. I couldn't believe Stan had such a rough past. What assurance did I have that he wouldn't return to that life?
"You don't need to think about it, dear Eva. You'll always be my woman," Kingsley said, grabbing my hand. Then he turned to Stan, who looked hurt and betrayed. "You better stay away from her, or I'll make your life miserable," he threatened.
"Dear Eva, we have a party to rock," Kingsley said and led me into the party even when I looked conflicted, losing my appetite for ge party.
To be continued.
Dear Eva,
Episode 4
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