Dylan's POV
Now I'm interested in her.
My gaze lingered on her face, unwilling to look away. There was something about her, something quiet and unassuming, yet deeply magnetic.
Her hair was a rich, dark brown that shimmered subtly under the sunlight. It spilled down her shoulders in soft waves, a few loose strands falling across her forehead, curling delicately around her cheeks. I noticed how the breeze caught them, brushing them gently against her skin. It made her look... effortless.
Her features were delicate but impossible to ignore. High cheekbones, a small, straight nose, and a mouth that looked like it had been crafted for poetry—plump, naturally pink lips that tugged upward slightly, like she was always on the edge of a smile. Her skin looked impossibly smooth, glowing with a kind of softness that made you want to reach out and touch it, just to see if it felt as perfect as it looked.
I couldn't look away.
For a brief moment, time felt suspended—like the cars, the people, the sounds of the street had all faded into silence. It was just her, and me, and this strange pull I couldn't explain.
I've been around women. A lot of them. Heiresses with last names older than cities. Models who smiled for cameras with practiced ease. Socialites who floated through parties like they owned the air itself. Beautiful, all of them—but none of them made my chest tighten the way she just did by existing.
And I didn't even know her name.
I shouldn't be feeling this way. Hell, I didn't know a single thing about her except that she was beautiful and—unfortunately—just got fired. That should have been the end of it. I should've looked away, gotten into the car, moved on. But I didn't. I couldn't.
My ears tuned into the sound of her voice. She was standing just a few feet away, talking to Zachary.
"I'm sorry but I don't think I can follow you." She said softly, a little uncertaint.
Wait... what?
He already invited her?
My brows lifted slightly. Zach never wasted time, but still... that was fast.
I watched her closely. She wasn't being dramatic or playing coy like some women do. She genuinely looked unsure, like she didn't believe she belonged in our world, like the idea of dinner with Zachary was some outrageous offer. Any other woman would've jumped at the chance. Some would kill for it.
But she was saying no.
Zach chuckled, brushing it off the way only he could. "Oh come on, consider it a life-saving repayment. One dinner won't hurt. Besides, you need something to cheer you up. You can't walk around with that dull face all day—it doesn't suit your beautiful face."
I think I've had enough, am I invisible?
I watched her cheeks tint pink at his words. She looked down shyly, biting back a smile. Zach always knew how to get a reaction.
It annoyed me more than it should've.
I've had enough. Am I invisible here?
I pushed off the car and walked over to them.
"Zach, let's get going. I'm starving," I said, not bothering to hide the edge in my voice.
She turned to me then, her eyes meeting mine properly for the first time.
There it was again, that small, magnetic jolt. But then she looked away just as quickly, and something flickered across her face... hesitation?
"Uhmm, i..is he o..okay with it?" She pointed at me, almost cautiously.
She stammered.
Why did she stammer?
She wasn't stammering with Zachary just now. Was it because of me? Did I come off too harsh?
And why would I not be okay with it?
Zach grinned, clearly enjoying this.
"Yup. We already discussed it, right?" He nudged me with his elbow.
I forced a smile.
"You should smile more often. It suits you," she said suddenly, her voice softer now, but clear.My heart paused.
She was talking to me. Directly.
I blinked. Did I hear that right?
Zach burst out laughing, clapping me on the back.
"Heard that? Stop frowning, man. It scares people."
"Shut up," I muttered, glaring at him, but there was no real heat behind it. I turned back to her, but she'd already looked away again.
Fuck!
I wanna hear her voice again.
What's wrong with me?
She was different. Not just in the way she spoke or carried herself, but in the way she looked at me like she didn't care who I was. Like my name meant nothing.
And somehow, that made me want to know everything about her.
What's wrong with me?
Why did I suddenly want to hear her voice again?
Why was I wondering if she'd look at me like that again?
I didn't have answers. But one thing was certain, she had my full attention now.
Zachary opened the back door for Evelyn like the gentleman he always pretended not to be.
She gave him a shy smile as she stepped into the car, mumbling a soft "Thank you." I watched her from the front passenger seat, silent.
She didn't look at me once.
Zach slid into the driver's seat beside me and started the engine. The drive was quiet for the most part, filled only with the sound of the radio and the occasional sound of cars passing by.
She sat behind us, her posture stiff, hands resting tightly in her lap. Every now and then, I glanced at her through the side mirror.
Zach eventually pulled up in front of a different restaurant, a more private one we frequented. It had warm lighting, quiet service, and enough space between tables to keep conversations private.
As soon as he parked, Zachary hopped out and walked around the car. He opened the back door for Evelyn with a slight bow, and for the first time, I saw her smile properly. It was soft, genuine, but still touched by hesitation.
She stepped out and whispered, "Thank you," her cheeks slightly pink.
I got out of the car and followed them into the restaurant.
A hostess recognized us immediately and showed us to one of the VIP booths tucked into the far end of the room. We slid into the plush seats. Zach on one side, Evelyn between us, me on the end.
Almost instantly, a waitress arrived with a notepad in hand, ready to take our orders.
I turned slightly to face Evelyn. "So, what would you like to order?" I asked her, trying to keep my voice neutral, calm.
She looked up at me, then down at the menu she hadn't even touched.
"Uhmm... anything is fine," she said with a small shrug.
I raised an eyebrow. "Anything?"
She nodded. "Anything." This time, there was a smile.
Zach leaned back, grinning. "Same as yours," he said casually, not even bothering to open the menu. I sighed a little and turned to the waitress. "We'll have the house steak, medium rare. Add two plates of your roasted vegetables and a bottle of your best non-alcoholic white. For dessert, bring the tiramisu."
The waitress nodded and disappeared with a polite smile.
Zach turned to Evelyn and said, "I haven't formally introduced you two."
He gestured toward me. "Evelyn, this is Dylan, my best friend and business partner."
She turned to face me properly then, her voice soft. "Nice to meet you. I'm Evelyn."
"Nice to meet you too," I replied, extending a hand toward her.
She hesitated.
I saw it, the slight pause, the second of uncertainty, but then she took it.
Her hand was smaller than mine, soft and warm. I held on a little longer than necessary, not tightly, just enough to see her cheeks flush again. A flicker of surprise crossed her face, then she lowered her gaze.
I smirked, amused by her reaction, and released her hand.
But then I saw it, her left cheek. It was slightly red and a bit swollen.
My jaw tensed.
That bastard.
The memory of Mr. Morris lashing out at her flashed in my mind. The sound of the slap. Her stunned face. It hadn't hit me fully until now, seeing the mark he left behind.
Zach was still talking, probably saying something lighthearted to ease the tension, but I wasn't listening anymore. My fingers slipped into my jacket pocket, pulling out my phone.
I typed out a quick message to my personal assistant and I hit send without second thought.
Just as I slipped my phone away, the waitress returned with our food, placing the plates in front of us. The smell of grilled steak and rosemary hit the air, drawing my attention back.
Zach was already cutting into his meal, his appetite undisturbed. Evelyn thanked the waitress politely and picked up her fork, but she moved slowly, like her mind was elsewhere.
I dug in, but I couldn't help the occasional glance in her direction.
She was quiet.
Too quiet.
And for the first time in a long while, I found myself wanting to ask someone if they were okay—not out of obligation, but because I genuinely cared to know the answer.
And that... was unsettling.
But I knew the reason, and I was going to put that smile back on her face.
------------------
Some Minutes Later
We'd finished our meals, though most of Evelyn's food remained untouched. She picked at it with her fork, clearly not used to this kind of setting. Her eyes wandered around the restaurant, like she was still unsure if she really belonged here with us.
I leaned back slightly, watching her. Then I spoke.
*"So, what do you think… if we offered you a job?"*
Her head snapped up. "M..m..me?" she stammered, her voice almost a whisper.
I nodded. "Yes. You just got fired, and I happen to be looking for a personal assistant. Seems like perfect timing, doesn't it?"
She blinked, stunned. Her gaze darted between Zachary and me like she wasn't sure if this was some kind of joke.
"Personal assistant? But you have-" I glared at Zach making him shut up immediately, his lips pressing into a thin line.
What a loose mouth.
I turned back to her. "So, what do you say?"
She bit her bottom lip nervously. "I… I would love to, but... I don't have the experience. I mean, I didn't even go to college. I only have a high school diploma."
High school diploma?
That's when it hit me. She does look young.
I leaned forward slightly, curiosity growing. "Evelyn, how old are you?"
She hesitated. "Ah... 18."
"18?!" Zach practically yelled.
Evelyn flinched a little, startled by his reaction.
"Why?" she asked, trying to laugh it off. "Don't I look young?"
"Of course, you do. I just didn't notice before," Zachary replied, still clearly shocked. "Seriously, how did I miss that?"
"What about your parents?"* I asked gently.
The shift in her expression was immediate.
Her gaze dropped to her lap, her hands tightening around her napkin. "Ah... y-yes. I mean... I don't know them."
My brows drew together.
"You don't? Then who do you live with?"
She lifted her chin slowly, and for a moment, there was something unbreakable in her eyes. "Alone. I take care of myself."
I stared at her, trying to process it.
Zach leaned forward, clearly as stunned as I was. "No family members?"
She shook her head lightly. "None. Except for my babies."
I blinked. "Wait a minute. You have babies?!" The words came out louder than I intended.