I Am The Queen

"Thank you, Eric. That was the best birthday ever since I can remember." Evangeline beamed, stopping just in front of her door, but Eric remained silent as ever.

".…."

"….."

Evangeline felt something was odd with the silence. The light, romantic atmosphere moments ago entirely vanished, replaced by something heavy. Like someone just died or something. Throughout the journey home, Eric did not say a single word which made her apprehensive.

She looked up and found him already staring at her with a complicated gaze while his face returned to its usual stoic look.

"What is it?" She asked.

Eric remained pensive, his eyes gradually turning dull and lifeless.

"Angel Lin… about what she said…"

At the mention of Angel"s name, Evangeline"s soft pupils turned fierce and her mellow countenance froze, emitting freezing fog.

She smirked, the questions got stuck in her mind like a piece of sharp bone plunging her throat was plucked and she asked threateningly.

"What did she mean by being her personal a.s.sistant this weekend?"

She was now back to her arrogant and haughty self. Crossing her arms in front of her chest, her eyebrow rose in a condescending manner, waiting impatiently for Eric"s explanation.

On the contrary to his emotionless face, Eric"s head was in a tangled mess of emotions which he couldn"t smooth out. He had conflicting feelings throughout the journey, silently contemplating whether to tell Evangeline or not. But then again, she would eventually found out about it. It was best if the news came from his very mouth.

Rather, he was in extremely lousy mood. He didn"t plan of saying anything because it was her special day. He honestly didn"t want to ruin it. But thanks to Angel Lin bursting out those words, he had no choice but to say it now before Evangeline could have more time to investigate about it.

Silently sighing, he looked at her who was scrutinizing him up and down. Steeling himself, he said with a hardened tone.

"I won"t accompany you anymore before and after school as well as lunch break. I"ll be very busy with a new job. And, I won"t be able to cut some of my time during weekends unlike before for I applied as an a.s.sistant at Sparkle Entertainment. My contract requires me to be present at all times whenever the company needs me. However, rest a.s.sured, I"ll still do all your school related stuff for you."

".…."

"….."

Evangeline"s fierce eyes gradually turned weak. Her countenance that was ready to do battle withdraw progressively in defeat.

"So you mean to say… you applied to be Angel Lin"s a.s.sistant?"

From all the words Eric said, this was the only truth registered in her mind. She couldn"t believe his words that her brain suddenly turned blank, didn"t know what feelings to let out.

Eric immediately defended himself. "No. I just pa.s.sed my resume there since the pay is good. I didn"t know I"d be under her."

He didn"t have any bad blood with Angel Lin, but since Evangeline seemed to detest the woman, he didn"t dare antagonize her more.

"….."

"….."

Remaining quiet, the shadows blocking some angle on Evangeline"s face didn"t give a hint on what was going on with her. Her arms lazily crossing in front of her chest gripped each other, holding whatever that was trying to burst out from her.

After a while, her voice resonated in a low whisper.

"How much...?"

Eric"s brows furrowed, yet he remained tight lip.

"How much is your day there?! I"ll double, triple it! Even Quadruple! Name your price!" Her voice was screeching. Though low, they were grating.

Remaining still like a statue, Eric didn"t respond.

Feeling helpless he didn"t even react at her outburst, Evangeline"s furry was instantly replaced by signs of loss. She saw he didn"t have the slightest intention of backing out from this job of his no matter how much she would try to persuade him.

She was at a lost on what to do nor say since she felt like—no… From the start, she never understood him. She never understood why he was working so hard for money and yet when she gave him an alternative which would instantly make him live in luxury — he refused!

Her once proud and arrogant face turned helpless and her voice felt weak. "Why are you doing this, Eric? I… I don"t understand… Please tell me the truth… Why are you doing this?"

There must be a reason why he always refused her offer.

But as usual, Eric didn"t say anything. He just stood there, unmoving and unfeeling, which made her blood boil.

She barked out a low commanding hiss. "Don"t. Take. That. Job. Eric."

The more she thought that b.i.t.c.h was together with him instead of her made her inwardly scream in frustration that she didn"t know what to do with her rampaging emotions. She was afraid for the first time that Eric would be stolen from her by that conniving ugly witch dress in angel"s garbs.

What more does she want to take away from me?!

Looking at him, her lilac orbs threateningly burned. If begging doesn"t work, she will resort to threats.

"I"m warning you, Eric. You are either on my side, by my side, or in my f.u.c.king way. Choose wisely."

Turning, she opened the door and shut it tight with a loud bang!

….

….

It was already a moment Evangeline went inside her unit, slamming the door on his face, yet Eric still hadn"t the slightest intention of leaving.

After which, he let out a helpless sigh. That went horribly wrong than I expected.

He brushed his two hands against his face, feeling defeated. It would have been a lot easier if she figured it out herself.

They were strictly forbidden to tell nor show any hints they came from the Frizkiel family. But if she discovered it on her own, then…

However, the idea of her knowing about his origins scared him the most. Once she knew, he was sure they would never be the same again.

Tipping his head back, he sighed once more.

If he were to choose, he would go to Evangeline and work for her even for free. However, their quota could only be filled with money from working under their family"s company or any subsidiary of the Frizkiel"s many businesses. As long as the Frizkiel had a share of that company he works, his salary would be counted.

He sighed once more, more ma.s.sive than the last. Helplessly placing his hands inside his pocket, he turned around, ready to leave.

Only, he was stopped from taking a single step when he saw that man leaning against a wall, looking at him, amus.e.m.e.nt in his ashen blue eyes.

"I"m glad you still remember to take Evangeline home." Álvaro chuckled.

Remaining unresponsive, Eric resumed walking forward, not a hint of feeling on his face as he walked pa.s.s Alvaro who continued to talk to him.

"I know you know Evangeline is an arrogant and prideful woman. It"s only a matter of time she will have enough and leave you."

Eric, who was walking ahead, instantly stopped and the calm on his face dispersed.

Álvaro straightened his stance, walking towards Evangeline"s unit. And before he swiped the card he was holding, he grinned and added.

"Choose wisely, Eric. Evangeline will never wait for you."

Swiping his card, Alvaro went inside his cousin"s unit, leaving Eric alone in the corridor, feeling disturbed at the increasing anxiety inside his heart.

It was like, the man could see right through him and his every actions which made him slightly afraid of the easy-going guy under the pretense of his gentlemanly façade.

When his resolve wavered, he shook his head.

Finish everything… and you can do whatever you want after.