Alistair's Pov

After picking up Christine from Charles's garage, I tried my best to not show myself as a nosy brother. She did answer my questions quite obediently. I didn't want to rush my overprotective behavior on her, but also I found his boyfriend's personality shady. Maybe, it could be my intuition. I just hoped that it was my intuition.

"So....?" I looked at her.

"So?" she repeated my word arching one of her brows.

"Did Dad call?" I questioned again.

"Yeah, he did. I mean, he literally called me after every hour. But, most of the time inquired that did you really dropped me or just set up an act"

I licked my lip, turned on the music, refocused my attention on the road, and replied "That's so very basic of him"

We laughed, lip-synced the songs which played on the radio, and joked around throughout the journey. When we reached our mansion, I let her enter the gates all alone. I trailed off to Chace and Zack's place after assuring myself that they were home.

I kicked the door open roughly and made myself home. "Dude you're paying for the carpenter's expense", Zack commented on my rough entry.

"Take it easy, man", I winked grabbing a bottle of scotch whiskey from their kitchen. Well, this was my house too. I even paid bills sometimes, not once bragged about it though.

After emptying my drink in a glass, I rested my ass on the bed. Zack sided himself a bit, and made space for me, as he laid opening his arms and legs open. "So, Chace, I met up with Chloe today"

"Chloe..!" Zack exclaimed.

"Oh, Chloe, What did she say?" Chace interrogated as he folded his legs on the couch and sat stiffly.

I drank a sip, chuckled, and answered "She was into me. Very much, to be honest, she even tried seducing me. Let me be honest, the situation got scorched up when she drew small circles through her pointer finger on my lap"

"Okay, and?" Zack interrogated, his brows furrowed.

"I ignored her and set up an excuse so that I could leave the place"

"I'm glad you remembered the bro-code. Remember how you got it hard on me?"

"I do", I smiled cunningly remembering the douche-bag I was in the past. Zack slept with my ex-girlfriend 30 days after our breakup. Well, the code included not sleeping with your friend's partners for at least a month. Unfortunately, it was October, which had 31 days. Zack had to repent and I got the pleasure of sleeping with his hot girlfriend.

"What makes you think that the code will ever slip off my mind?" I arched my brow whilst waiting for a reaction.

Zack shrugged "You never know. I lost Cheryl because of you. I'm waiting for you to make a mistake. Just one mistake", he winked.

"So what did Chloe say?" Chace cut us off and flipped the conversation so that we didn't get ourselves into a fight. He was the balance I and Zack needed. It was always very cold between me and Zack, just because he was extremely blunt. We fought with each other and also with anyone or everyone who tried creating any line among our friendship. Only we were allowed to fight, no third person except for Chace was allowed to come in between.

I threw the pillow on his face and replied "That you're dating her friend. Who is she?"

"She's really hot and I-Uh"

"Okay, I get it. As long as you're happy"

"Maybe, you should introduce us to Evelyn", Zack interrupted. Wait, how does he know about Evelyn? I never talked to him about her.

I fake smiled looking at Chace. I figured out that it was he who had a loose stomach and mouth when he gasped. "Oh, yeah"

"Look, brother, I need you to stay careful", Zack concluded his statement and I matched my fist with his. He did really care about me. He was scared of my father. He had a tough time with him in the past.

I, on the sudden realization of my urge to meet Evelyn, on the mention of her name rushed myself out of my friend's apartment after bidding them goodbye.

I don't really know whether it was infatuation or attraction. I don't care if the words have the same meaning. Evelyn had some control over my heart and mind, every time I distanced myself from her. I only ended up getting more attracted.

After fixing my hair and face through the rear-view mirror of my car, I drove at full speed and made my way towards Evelyn's building. On reaching my destination, I parked my car on the corner of the road.

I rushed in, took the empty chair to rest my ass on, and smiled looking at the woman who waved me. They were two, I didn't really notice them earlier but they stared looking towards me continuously, precisely, towards my muscles, my torso, and the parts I shouldn't mention about.

On sudden realization of the thought that Humpty Dumpty was far away, I waved to the woman who took her seat. "'Hey, I want to meet Evelyn"

"Don't mention it. I already booked her for you"', she smiled showing off the dimples. She was sweet, actually sweeter than Evelyn's mom. Rosaline was no less than a dictator.

"I-uh- Thank you..." I smirked and marched towards Evelyn's room. While strolling around the place, I realized that the atmosphere was no longer concealed with fear. People around, especially the women seemed happy. Maybe, Evelyn was right. They did deserve their chance of happiness.

But, first, I had to make sure that my father wasn't involved in this, and, if he was, I had to smartly plunge him out of the situation before freeing the place. He was my father after all, and I was willing to do whatever it takes, to shove him away from this illegal place.

"Look whose here", I pointed towards myself to grasp Evelyn's attraction. She rested her stomach on the bed, her head dug deep in the pillow.

"Arnold, Hey there" She smiled whilst contacting me.

"So seems like someone has come to your rescue", I made myself comfortable inside. She pushed her body upwards, as she settled herself decently on the bed.

"So, did you pack?" I questioned.

"I wasn't informed prior", she shrugged.

"Oh, so maybe you should. We're going on a vacation", I hadn't had it planned. The thought of the vacation naturally popped into my mind. It wasn't preplanned. But, I got an invitation to a birthday party away from the city. Maybe, it could be an amazing excuse for us to spend time there.

She crossed her legs, gathered her hair into a top knot, and looked at me, straight in my eyes. It felt like I could feel her, and also feel everything she was feeling. Oh, it wasn't just lust that pushed me closer to her every time.

Silence concealed the atmosphere once again like the usual times. Didn't she want to come with me? "Hey there again" I interrupted the silence.

"Oh I- I am sorry", she stammered and continued "I don't think so, I'll be allowed out"

"Why don't you leave that to me?" I winked. Her face was expressionless, like every time.

"Come with me", I exhaled. I laced my finger with hers and pulled her downstairs. "Stay here", I directed her to stay still. She did the same. I didn't want to control her, it felt really awkward when she listened to my orders and did what I told her to do.

When I reached closer to the lady's table, I cleared my throat "Hey Jane"

She pinched her nose, furrowed her brows as he looked at me. "How do you my name?"

"Just how the way I know that approximately 20 miles away from this place, in the city, you intend to buy an apartment. But, the real problem which is arising is, is that none of the banks are granting you any loan"

Her mouth hung agape at my unanticipated statement. I further continued "And maybe, this is supposed to be a secret. Especially hidden from Evelyn's mom"

"How do you know any of this and what do you want?" broke out from her mouth, I didn't really have to do anything. Zack was great at stalking and investigating, which is one of the reasons that he's under training for being a cop. The moment I got a call from Evelyn, I assigned Jane's case to Zack. I had the details of her life within hours which I knew was going to help me in amazing ways.

"Well, the first question is a subject to remain unanswered" I rested my elbow on the table and my chin on my clenched fist and continued "I want to help you. That's so simple. I'm going to give you the money you require on a no-return basis"

"What's the catch for such genuineness, what do you want in return"

"Evelyn for a week or more until her mom reappears."

She thought for a while, inhaled deeply, and inquired "How do I trust you?"

"You know you can"

"Okay," she smiled slightly "You have her". She called Evelyn from the distance "You're going out but the real reason has to stay hidden"

"Excuse me, Ma'am?" Evelyn seemed puzzled.

"You got an urgent call from Rosaline's lawyer. That's what you're going to say to people who inquire about you"

"I get it", Evelyn rushed to the common room to gather her stuff.

I stood there with my arms crossed around my stomach "You know you're playing with fire right?" Jane made eye contact with me.

"I know exactly how to deal with fire and ice", I answered. She came towards me, patted my shoulder, and murmured in a low tone "Don't fall for her. I don't think it's very safe for you, Alistair"

Alistair? Did she just say my real name? I still remember inscribing the signature of 'Arnold' in the record directory.

"Alistair Dickman", she whispered in my ears. Her lips touched my ear lobe.

"I-uh, I mean, how do you kn-know", I stammered.

"Aren't you supposed to be a celebrity? You're the politician's kid who is known by everyone in Skyford. Skyford's a small town, remember?" I closed my mouth which hung open.

"Okay, I get it but I go by the name of Arnold. Please don't tell anyone about it", I insisted "Plus, did you already tell anyone about it?"

"No, minus that thought. You're helping me to get away and start a new life. Why would I?" she pulled away "I don't think you can go by that name for a long time. Lies are meant to be converted into truth someday.

I was baffled. I didn't know what else to speak. I thought for a while and replied "It'll all end real soon. I hope so"

Should I question her about my father or will it be too much for our first meeting? Can I trust her? A series of questions raced in my mind, but above all, I decided to stay silent.

"Here she is", I took possession of the suitcase Evelyn carried. We decided to leave separately so that people didn't doubt us. I left the building first, after waving goodbye to Jane. She smiled cheerfully while she mouthed a bye.

I dumped her suitcase in my car's trunk and waited for her to take the passenger's seat. Should I trust Jane? Will she really keep silent about it? I knew I was caught red-handed, but, I wanted to enjoy the moment, and also the week.

As soon as Evelyn settled herself inside my car, I drove away. I turned the radio on and sang the song. She looked at me, gave an assuring smile, and then outsides, through the glass's window.

"I can't thank you enough", she broke the silence. I parked the car on the corner of the road, unlatched my seat belt, and leaned closer in her direction. She gasped at my unanticipated reaction. I didn't utter a word but pulled the seatbelt and surrounded her body with it.

"Safety measures", I smiled and comforted myself on my seat again. No, it wasn't just the safety measures. I wanted to break everything which corrupted our proximity but I also couldn't just force myself on her. It was wrong. I didn't want to own her, I wanted to be with her; if you can feel the difference.

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