Chapter 5 A Sudden Encounter

• Marco stood at the mansion’s entrance, nerves tangled with thoughts of the evening ahead. His boss had gone to the party, leaving him behind with Eve. How had his boss allowed him to escort the woman who had humiliated him earlier that day? The thought of facing her now made his stomach twist. He had wanted to avoid Eve for the rest of his life, but his boss had insisted. Now, here he was, stuck with her for the night.
• Meanwhile, Eve was preparing herself for the evening in her room, a scene of controlled elegance. She had just emerged from her closet in a crimson dress that clung to her curves, an effortless beauty in every move. Sitting before her vanity, she applied makeup with delicate precision, her fingers working to enhance her natural features. Her black hair, inherited from her mother, cascaded in waves down her back, a stark contrast to the coolness of her demeanor.
• Nik, standing by the door with two glasses of wine in his hand, was watching her. His eyes were glued to her as she moved, seemingly unable to look away. As she fastened her earrings, Eve looked up, catching his gaze, and noticed he hadn’t moved. “I’ll be done in a few minutes, Nik,” she said, trying to break the silence. “Let’s...” She trailed off, then raised her voice slightly. “Nik?”
• Nik snapped back to reality, blinking as if waking from a trance. “What? Did you say something?” he asked, his voice still thick with confusion.
• Eve smirked, amused. “Are you even listening? I said I’m almost ready.”
• Nik, his gaze still fixed on her, handed her a glass. “Since you might disappear after this,” he said with a mischievous glint, “let’s make a toast to your freedom.” He smiled, but Eve’s expression remained unreadable.
• “It's too early to drink,” she said, but took the glass from him, her eyes narrowing as she stirred the wine. Nik studied her closely, but she didn’t drink.
• The silence between them stretched, thick and heavy. Then, with a suddenness that shattered the stillness, Eve flung the glass against the wall. The sound of shattering glass echoed through the room, and Nik froze, his heart pounding.
• Eve’s face was a mask of indifference, and her eyes held a chilling intensity as she took a step toward him. Nik stumbled back, barely managing to stay on his feet.
• “Why… did you…” he stammered, his voice shaky with fear.
• Her voice was low and deadly. “You spiked my drink?”
• Nik’s eyes widened in horror. “Answer me truthfully,” Eve demanded. “Yes or no.”
• Nik’s throat constricted, and he whispered, “Yes.”
• “Why?” Eve’s voice was icy, devoid of any compassion.
• “I’m trying to save you,” he said, his voice faltering.
• Eve’s eyes flashed with anger. “Save me?” she hissed. “What gave you the right to think you could help me? Who do you think you are?”
• “I’m your best friend,” Nik protested, his voice softening.
• Her response was a knife to his heart. “You aren’t my best friend, Nik. You’re just a friend.”
• The words stung, and Nik felt his chest tighten. His voice cracked as he responded, “Just a friend?”
• “Exactly,” Eve said coldly. “We barely made it to that.”
• Nik’s world shifted as his emotions flared into a sharp pain. “And here, I thought you knew I was in love with you.”
• For a moment, Eve’s gaze softened, but only for a second before she hardened again. “Love? Don’t talk about it. It makes me sick. Let go of your feelings for me. There’s nothing here but revenge.”
• The words landed like a blow, and without another word, Eve grabbed her purse and walked out of the room, leaving Nik behind, his heart shattering.
• ---
• Outside, Marco’s fingers hovered over the dial button on his phone, but his attention was caught by Eve as she appeared from the mansion’s entrance. The sight of her stunned him—her crimson dress transformed her into someone entirely different, someone striking. He’d never seen her like this before.
• For the first time, Marco understood why his boss had insisted she be a part of the evening. Eve would have the mafia king’s attention in an instant.
• Marco opened the car door for her, his mind still racing as she slid in. He joined her inside, and the driver sped off, the hum of the tires a soft backdrop to the tension between them.
• Eve, her eyes fixed on her phone, didn’t seem to notice Marco’s gaze lingering on her. Marco couldn’t tear his eyes away from her, even as his thoughts churned with the unknown dangers ahead.
• As they approached the venue, Eve surveyed the surroundings. She had never been in this part of town before—never had any business with the Russian mob. Now, her life might depend on the choices she made tonight.
• The car stopped, and the scene before her was unsettling. Lorenzo and his brother waited, impatience radiating from Francesco. Stacia stood beside him, her eyes sharp with malice.
• Francisco muttered, “Why are we waiting for Eve?” Lorenzo, unfazed, shot back, “Drop your ego, brother. Eve is the most important person in this mission.”
• And just as he said it, Eve emerged, her steps confident, her eyes meeting Lorenzo’s as if no one else existed. The air between them crackled with unspoken tension. Francesco’s breath caught as he saw Eve—he couldn’t hide his surprise. “Is that really Eve?” he asked, voice barely a whisper.
• Stacia was the first to approach her, her jealousy palpable. “You can’t keep us waiting like that. We demand an apology.”
• Eve didn’t flinch. Her voice was calm, even soothing. “I’m sorry, everyone. I had things to take care of.”
• Stacia’s eyes narrowed, but before she could speak again, Eve turned to Francesco, extending her hand. “I’m Eve,” she said, her smile brilliant, disarming.
• Francisco grinned, his voice smooth. “Eve what?” he asked, intrigued.
• “Just Eve,” she replied, her gaze flickering over him briefly before shifting to Lorenzo. Her smile widened.
• Francesco raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained. “A girl with no surname? How intriguing.” He leaned closer, his tone playful, but the tension around Eve grew thicker by the second.
• Lorenzo cleared his throat, casting a warning glance at Francesco. But Francesco, unfazed, introduced himself with charm. “Francesco Armando, second-in-command of the Italian royal mob. A pleasure.”
• As the group moved toward the door, Eve held back, her eyes scanning the surroundings. She pressed her phone to her ear, speaking in a whisper, “What’s the situation around the house?”
• Her words were soft, but the intention was clear. Security was tight, but Eve wasn’t worried. She had a plan.
• “Not many guards in the back. It might be an escape route,” came the reply.
• Eve’s eyes hardened. “Stay in position. I’ll signal when it’s time.”
• Just as she was about to end the call, a voice from behind stopped her in her tracks. “Hello, Eve.”
• She spun around, heart racing. She hadn’t expected this. Standing before her was someone she never thought she’d see again.