Evelyn had a quick meal, barely registering the flavors. When she finished she took a quick shower. True to her promise, she filled up the hot tub and folded up a towel to use as a pillow before stepping into the water. She slowly lowered herself, submerging under the hot water.
She let out a sigh as the water helped to loosen up her muscles. She leaned back on a towel. She closes her eyes as she enjoys her bath. She soaked in the tub with the jets on for half an hour before she got out and dried herself off. This was the first night she was going to spend by herself and she started to feel lonely.
She brushed her teeth and went through her nightly routine, in a daze.
It wasn't too late so she turned on the TV and tucked her ankles under her. She was so imsersed in the show that she lost all track of time. When it ended she blinked several times to get a sense of her surroundings again.
It was dark in the room the only light coming from the TV. She had gotten used to Jinhai's presence. Part of her thought that any moment he would knock on her door and show up again. In fact she kind of wished for it.
Even when she got tired she stayed on the couch in case he did. She lay her arms on the armrest and laid her head down on top of them.
As she was falling asleep she heard her phone chime with an alert. She quickly sat up thinking it was Jinhai.
Jinhai: Good night, Evelyn.
Was that the text said. She was elated and sad at the same time. Good night? Did that mean he wasn't going to come?
Evelyn: Good night, Jinhai.
She sent back. She went to the door and opened it .She peeked outside just in case he was there. She was disappointed that he wasn't.
Evelyn closed the door with a sigh. She didn't see the silhouette of the man around the corner just barely in sight. She didn't see the man smile as she poked her head out almost like she was looking for him.
Evelyn dragged herself into the bed and buried her face into the pillow. She wasn't used to sleeping alone anymore.
Jinhai traced her words on the screen. He hadn't intended to come here. But he wanted to know she was alright. Satisfied with seeing her he turned and silently left. She will never know that he's done this many times before, waiting just in the shadows for one glimpse of her.
Back inside Evelyn pulled the covers around her tightly. The room wasn't cold but she shivered. No matter how she tossed and turned or counted sheep, she couldn't fall asleep.
It wasn't until the wee hours of the morning when the moon shone bright that she finally fell asleep from exhaustion. As fitful as it was for her to sleep that night, sleep wasn't any easier.
She dreamed of Shawn the morning that he said he wanted a divorce. Only it was different. Amy was there but she wasn't the innocently smiling girl that she was that day. Instead she was vicious with glowering eyes. A twisted evil smile on her face.
Evelyn in the dream was frozen on the spot. But what had drew her eyes was Amy's stomach. Round as if she was pregnant.
"He's mine," she said. She placing a hand on her stomach.
"You can never give him what I can." She sneered. Dream Shawn was looking at her with loving eyes oblivious to the fowl creature of a woman.
"I'll give him the baby you couldn't," she said laughing manically.
Evelyn bolted upright in bed. A sheen of sweat causing her hair to stick to her forehead. She was breathing hard like she had run a marathon.
Evelyn felt hot tears burn her eyes and she pressed a palm against her heart like the gesture would reduce the sharp pain thrusting through it.
Tears streamed down her face. She tried to suck in air with great difficulty. She leaned back against the headboard, choking on her tears.
There were five stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Right now she experienced depression and bargaining.
'Is that really why he wanted a divorce? Is it because I couldn't have a baby? If I didn't lose it, would I still have him?' She thought to herself. It only served to make her cry harder.
Outside the sky was beginning to lighten. It wasn't until the sun popped out that she began to pull herself together. She took some final deep breathes to calm herself. She went to the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror.
Her hair was matted and frizzy. Her eyes were red and swollen and her face looked red and splotchy.
Shawn used to tell her that even when she cried she was beautiful. Now she scoffed at her reflection. Beautiful? She looked like a wreck. Beautiful? Is that why he looked somewhere else? Her hands tightened into fists as she thought angrily. She splashed cold water on her face. There it was a third stage, anger.
When she came back up, her angry reflection glared back at her. She closed her eyes tightly then rigidly turned from it. She took a shower and then got ready for the day. Because she was crying and didn't get much sleep, she needed to use more concealer and foundation to cover the evidence. Her eyes were red but that couldn't be helped.
She wasn't hungry, her heart feeling pained. She chose an outfit that was warmer than necessary. Jeans with long sleeve shirt and a jacket. She zipped herself up and waited for her sister and Driver Chung.
"Hey Jie Jie, why do you look so tired?" Chloe greeted her while handing her a cup of iced coffee. Evelyn took it gratefully and took a long steady gulp before she answered.
"Good morning Chloe, good morning, Mr. Chung." Evelyn greeted pulling the straw from her mouth.
"I haven't had my daily dose of caffiene," she answered. She knew her make-up covered the remnents of her exhaustion.
"You are such a coffee addict, don't you know it's not good for you," Chloe commented.
"And yet you still supply my addiction," Evelyn retorted, taking another sip of her drink. Chloe laughed.
"Cause I know you'll find a way to get your fix," Chloe said. Evelyn smirked. Chloe was absolutely correct.
They got to the apartment and Evelyn unlocked the door. It was still early, so the workers weren't here yet.
Not long after they arrived, Mingxi entered the apartment with a large bag of breakfast. She brought 3 iced coffees as well as an assortment of croissants, pastries, bagel's and spreads. There were some fresh cut fruits as well.
Evelyn grabbed a napkin, bagel, cream cheese, and a knife from the pile. Chloe grabbed a pastry and took a bite of the sweet confectionary. Mingxi grabbed a croissant and spread some butter on it.
Since Evelyn lived abroad her favorite breakfast came to be cream cheese bagel with iced coffee.
When the girls finished breakfast the bell rang and Mingxi went to open it. It was the workers rolling in furniture. They got to work as the girls sat around the table drinking their coffee.
Chloe pulled out her final portfolio and asked Evelyn to take a look at it. The drawings were really good. She used colors that you would normally think didn't compliment each other but did. But she was right, she needed something to tie the look together.
Evelyn suggested a gold colored belt of chains for one, a black hat for another, and a scarf for the other one that Chloe wasn't satisfied with.
She immediately began to pour over her drawings. Mingxi and Evelyn smiled and remained quiet to let her focus.
Sometime later she got a phone call from an unknown number.
"Hello, this is Evelyn Wei," she answered.
"Hello, Ms. Wei. It's John. John Ru." The smooth voice came through. There he is, Evelyn wondered when he was going to call.
"Hello John. How are you?" She answered.
"I'm good, I hope you are as well. I was wondering if your offer was still open." He jumped right to it. A quality that she appreciated. He was direct, yet tactful. He observed and always worked with a hell-bent attitude.
"It is." She answered not giving anything away.
"Great, do you think we can meet up sometime soon to discuss it?" He asked. Evelyn smiled.
"Of course. I'm a little busy now but would I'm available later perhaps around 5." She said. She knew it was late but she already knew what position she wanted to offer him. If he took it many doors would be open for him. It was up to him to work for it.
"Yes, that sounds great." He answered quickly.
"I'll text you the address," Evelyn said before she hung up.
"Who was that?" Chloe asked.
"He was a male servant at my manor," Evelyn answered.
"Why is he calling you?" Chloe asked looking up at her sister.
"I offered the staff there a job with me of they wanted it." Evelyn answered.
"I see, you're going to have him work here?" She asked. Evelyn shook her head.
John was the newest employee that she had hired almost two years ago. He had some back from studies abroad just like her. He also had a degree in business.
The only reason why he didn't pursue a career in that field was because he had to take care of his mom. She was sick with cancer and he needed the money to pay for her medical expenses. The job at the manor paid so much more that he took it.
Evelyn understood that it was a waste of his skills but Evelyn had heard his story and his earnest request. The background check supported his story so she hired him. I'm those two years he was a loyal employee.
Evelyn intended time take him under her wing at WWO. She wanted to help him excel. He reminded her of her mother. They were both fighting spirits, talented, but had lacked all the opportunities based on birthright. Her mother received that opportunity from someone who saw something in her. Her mom always told her to take a chance, people may surprise you. So Evelyn was going to take a chance on this John Ru.