Love. Hate. Rage. I called it a triad of intense emotions. Each with potential to be equally toxic. Which is why I've always avoided these emotions as much as possible. Because I knew, indulging myself with any of these emotions would only mean that I would eventually lose myself into them.

Sure, I love some people. I love my sister Eva to death. I love my best friend Allie, Jake, and I love my granns. Similarly I hate some things which I've already given a good introduction earlier. Spiders and irresponsibility for instance.

But rage was an emotion I have always tried to stay away from. I do get angry at times, in fact, quite a lot of times with my employees, especially my assistant. But rage is something different. It's not just a mere anger at something that goes away after some minutes. I feel that rage is stronger than anger in so many levels. In fact, I've always thought it to be the most dangerous of the triad. So I wanted to avoid it at all costs. And I have been successful at that. Until now.

I don't know if it was because of his words, or because it was his words, that made by entire being overcome with rage so intense that I could hardly see anything other than red. I never paid attention to what people said about me, what the world thought of me. Only those close to me and their opinion mattered. And unbeknownst to me, Adrian mattered to me.

It was a mistake from my part. I did not let anyone close to me but unknowingly, even in such a short period of time, I let him. And that was the reason that, along with rage, I felt hurt. And betrayal. Although I never said it out aloud, I considered him a friend. A good friend.

I know he is said to be cold and ruthless but in all my interactions with him, not once did I get that impression from him. Until now. I finally experienced the ruthlessness of Adrian Stone and surprisingly or not, it hurt. A lot.

My office was dead silent apart from our harsh breathing. We were still stood in the same position; him with his hand nursing his left cheek and me with my fist clenched, trying to ignore the sting in my hand, although it was nothing compared to the one in my heart.

I shook my head and looked into his eyes filled with anger, defiance and remorse. "I see. I've finally got a glimpse of the real Adrian Stone. The Adrian Stone whom I considered a friend, whom I asked to stay with me last night because I needed his comfort the most was the imposter all along. The real Adrian Stone is this cold, ruthless man in front of me. The man who throws back my moment of vulnerability right on my face without thinking its consequences."

I ignored the look of regret in his eyes,  or that's what I thought it was. But in truth, I didn't know if he could feel regret at all. I continued, "Is that what you think of me? A two-timing bitch who is desperate for male attention? A cheater? I can't believe I thought of you as a friend. And one more thing, why would it matter to you? It's not like you are my boyfriend. Or anyone important to me. I asked you to stay because I needed someone with me at the time and you were already present. If you had denied, I would've called someone else. It was no big deal. So I don't see why you, of all people should be concerned that I have an affair with Dr. Keith Jenkins. Why do you even care?"

I thought his outflux of accusations was over, but I was wrong. Something shifted in his eyes, making his electric blue ones look dark, almost black and he yelled, or more like roared out. "That's the problem, Evelyn! I DON'T KNOW! AND I DON'T CARE, OKAY? I don't care if you love the doctor or if you're seeing dozens of men at once. But I will not be made a fool of. I will not have my name scrawled over the tabloids as the CEO who was played by some attention seeking woman like you!"

"Get out."

If it was even possible, Adrian's eye got darker than before till it was almost pitch black, his jaw clenched so tight I was worried his teeth would snap with the pressure. Wait! I was not worried. At all. In fact, I want all of his teeth to fall off so that he looks ugly to match his ego.

"My words are not over yet, Evelyn. You-"

"But my tolerance is over, Mr. Stone." I interrupted him. "Can you even hear yourself? You've turned a minuscule matter into an argument big enough to break whatever little friendship we had. But I've had enough of this. Just leave, Mr. Stone."

"Evelyn, you can't-"

"I can. And I am. Don't make me call security on you, Mr. Stone. You are on my office after all. And I don't tolerate the presence of such shallow people like you in my territory. So, it's for your better that you take your mighty self out of my building. We wouldn't want your name to be scrawled over the tabloids as the CEO who got kicked out of her office by this attention seeking woman now, would we?" I threw his words back at his face now.

He looked livid and turned to leave but I called him right when he was about to. He stopped but didn't turn around, his broad back stiff and a hand on the doorknob.

"It's Ms. White to you." I spoke and watched him freeze. However, he soon recovered himself and gave a stiff nod.

I heard a loud bang of the door and he was gone. 

Talk about dramatic entrance and exits. 

To think I felt something from his stupid note this morning. I had a good day today, alright. To think I had been obsessed with his stupid handwriting.

***

I had just freshened up after arriving my apartment and was browsing for more neurological health centers when my phone went off. After the angry devil left my office with a bang, I'd resumed my doctor hunt, determined not to spare a second to think about that vile creature. I absently picked up my phone and was immediately attacked by a huge ball of enthusiasm from the other side.

"I leave you alone for two weeks and you've managed to get your face plastered all over the world with two different hotties in two consecutive days. I must say, I'm quite impressed, dear best friend. I didn't know you had it in you."

"Well, that's what happens when you leave me alone in this cruel world to fend off those male species." I said dryly. Allie had gone to France two weeks ago with the excuse of something related to her work and to get some space for herself as she'd stated. She'd been too quiet following her breakup with that cheating scum and I tried to refrain myself from trying to check up on her at times.

"Right. I think I need to leave you on your own more often. You're finally living, girl! I'm so happy for you! I bet the doctor is doing his best medico-move right now with his steth thingy, looking at your photos together." She snickered. "And I bet the hotshot CEO is thinking of ways to murder him without having to deal with his dead body." She added slyly. I could literally imagine her wiggling her eyebrows at me.

So much for not thinking about the devil. I thought with a sigh.

"Okay, what's with that sigh?" Allie asked from the other side.

"What sigh?" I tried to act dumb.

"Don't even try to play that confused or I-don't-know-what-you-mean card on me, young woman! You're sighing more than a man with asthma so something is wrong for sure. Tell me what it is or I'll publicly post that video of you dancing in that horrible pink tutu and looking like the unicorns puked all over your face and hair."

I cringed at the reminder of the one party I'd gone in my college days that ended up with me making a comedy movie out of myself with that stupid dare. "You'll never let me live that down, will you?"

"Of course not! You're a millionaire now, a popular, sexy millionaire at that! Think about how rich I'll be once I hand it over to the paps. In fact, that's my alternative source of income if the gallery goes down."

I shook my head at that. "I have a feeling you're not joking right now." I mumbled. "And besides, people with asthma do not sigh. They wheeze. At least that's what I think they do. But they definitely do not sigh."

Allie snorted. "Of course. Look at you talking all smart. Has the doctor finally gotten to you? I must say, I'm quite disappointed at your choice. I think the CEO would have been more suitable to you."

God! Seems like I can't live a day without being forced to think about him. I sighed again.

"Okay, that's it! I'm coming over. Be there in twenty. Prepare a nice dinner for me. See ya soon!"

I was met with silence. What's up with people bossing around with me? I am the boss for heaven's sake! I resisted the urge to stomp my foot and pulled out a card from a Chinese restaurant to order. There's no way that I'm cooking tonight. Not that I can cook anything edible apart from half burnt deformed pancakes and eggs. Boiled eggs.

***

The doorbell rang just as I finished the call with Dr. Phillips with the same conclusion. I was having this sinking feeling of disappointment as every attempts turned futile. I kept telling myself I wouldn't give up but I could only stay positive for so long.

Allie's incessant rapping at my door pulled me out of my thoughts and I rolled my eyes. The girl knows the passcode of my apartment but still prefers fist fighting with my door.

I put down Eva's reports and opened the door to reveal Allie standing there with Chinese takeaway box in her hands.

"Did you know that Chinese delivery guy was so cute?" She barged into the apartment as soon as I opened the door. "He had this big glasses and such a cute smile with dimples! It's such a shame that he has a girlfriend. But she is studying in Washington so they're not gonna work and he'll be calling me soon. I know." She let out a wistful sigh as she plopped down on the couch.

How Allie found out about the CV of the delivery guy's girlfriend in the span of two minutes they met is a mystery to me.

I rolled my eyes again and walked up to the couch, sitting next to her. I was about to open the takeout box when she swatted my hands and suddenly stood in front of me, glaring in a deadly manner.

"Don't even think about delaying the conversation, Ms. Evelyn White! Here I am, your best friend, who just returned from her trip and still is here without getting her much needed rest just to talk to you and there you are, acting like this Chinese food is more important than me!" She put her hands in her hips and narrowed her eyes at me.

"But food is important!" I tried to defend my actions but her eyes narrowed further.

"You're not hungry. And neither am I. So it can wait." She stated smugly

"I am hungry and I can't wait!" I lied and received a thousand megawatts' glare.

Allie snorted. "I am aware of the broken truck sound your stomach makes when you're hungry, Eves. And it's quiet right now so you can sustain for an hour or two. Besides, your hunger meter isn't going to be broken anytime soon so don't try to change the topic and start talking."

That shut me up. But I was thoroughly offended. "My stomach does not sound like broken truck!" I defended my stomach but she just raised an eyebrow. I'm surrounded by single eyebrow raising people. I think it's time to change my circle.

"What's with your living room looking like the walls puked out papers? What are these?" Before I could say anything, Allie picked out Eva's reports from the floor and started reading them.

I watched her face turn from confused to horrified as she skimmed through the pages. She looked at me with pained eyes that doubled over my own pain, all the humor forgotten.

"What are these, Eves? Please tell me it's not what I think? Eves? I'm sorry I haven't been around you for all these days but I'm here now. Please tell me everything, E!" She pleaded kneeling in front of me and grabbing both of my hands in her.

I looked at her eyes and remembered that day all those years ago when we were in the similar position. The day I let someone in for the first time and told her everything. And looking at her now, I saw the same trust, love and care shining in her eyes like I'd seen that day.

So just like the last time, I told her everything. From Adrian's friendship, our lunch together, my visit to Eva, Keith's words, Adrian's rescue, the tabloids, his accusations, everything. I emptied out my heart while Allie sat there, listening patiently and hugging me tight when I broke down. Just like that day.