When my eyes fell on the blooming lemon plant that we plant I smile in satisfaction. I grin touching them and taking a whiff of the leaves, It always amazed me how the leaves smelled so citrusy.
"Seems like we'll get some lemons soon" I look back at Sofia and nodded. "Hey, are you okay?" She asked putting her hand behind my back.
"I'm good," I say getting back to planting and she joined in.
"Hunter told us you heard about -" I cut her off. "No, I- I am not, like mad, I understand that I might be just a big intrusion" She shook her head.
"It wasn't about you, Tyler was acting out because he saw you with hunter the entire week. Olivia is always looking out for him, so she got a bit angry. You shouldn't think much of it" I nodded.
"No, I don't, But I really didn't wanna cause a fight" She agreed.
"Olivia is really protective of her friends, She treats us like her family. I am not in the position to tell you why she is so angry over you. But I know Hunter can tell you if you ask." I nodded.
We finished planting and I changed and joined Sofia for her work since she had loads of work cut out for her.
When we came back from doing half the work of a client's backyard it was already seven in the evening. I offered to help her with Dinner but Frank had brought a lot of fast food.
"Hey" I turn to see Olivia with Ace behind her. "Hey" I said softly and she fidgeted around but finally spoke up, "I am, so so sorry Eve. I didn't mean what I said. I was really rude. Hunter told us how you are struggling and I- acted out" I frown.
"Hunter told you?" She bites her lips nodding. I blinked and looked on the floor. "I am so sorry." I smiled looking up. "I was never angry at you. Or Tyler" I said as I see him standing near the staircase.
He gave a visible sigh. "I am sorry for whatever that happened," He said walking towards us. "It's okay. I am sorry if I made you guys feel uncomfortable" Olivia immediately shook her head.
"You did not, really. I shouldn't have judged you like that. I was just looking out for my friend." I nodded understanding.
We enjoyed the food with some drinks and I was feeling buzzed already on my second bottle. With my full stomach, I excused myself because I was super sleepy.
"I'll come with you," Hunter said and walked out with me.
"Sofia said Olivia had a reason why she acted out." Hunter chuckle. "Olivia is stupid. My first girlfriend, well Fiancee did a great job of sending me in depression for a year. She was just- acting like an idiot and didn't want me getting hurt again" I frown.
"I am sorry. Did she leave you without breaking it off?" I ask. "Kinda, left me at the altar standing." I bite my lip taking his hand.
"I am sorry to hear that" I whisper. "You don't need to, I realized it wasn't worth sulking over someone who doesn't care about me," He said looking at me and stoping. I stopped beside him and suddenly his lips kissed mine. I smiled wrapping my hands around his neck.
&
Back in town, the tension reached its high peak. With Aaron gun pointing directly at Ruth's head. "Are you trying to save her? Fancy her?" He asked as Ruth gulped. "I did not do anything" Aaron nodded smiling cynically. "You didn't? You didn't avoid informing me about finding out where she was last seen? You didn't erase the footage you found weeks ago?"
"I- Aaron relax. I just don't think it's fair. She trusted you"
"So now you are trying to take her side in front of YOUR boss? I am sorry buddy, But I don't keep traitors near me" Aaron said pulling the trigger and killing Ruth.
He fell to his knees and Aaron watched him bleed through his head. "I trusted you, I'm glad you betrayed me. I no longer have an enemy watching my moves"
Aaron had found her. The gas station leading to a remote town. He had found the car that she sat in and he knew where he could find her, He wasn't waiting another minute to grab her and make sure her father suffers.
&
"Hello Eve" I looked up and give Tyler a slight smile. "Morning," I said. He nodded walking closer. "I am really sorry, I was just kinda angry and being childish" I look down. "It's okay. Things happen. Let's not make this a big deal and move on. I hope you still wanna be my friend" I said standing up and taking my gloves off.
He chuckled. "Of course," He said and I smiled hugging him. "Good, we good" He grinned nodding, "I gotta go," He said. I didn't catch his stare moving behind me. "Oh, I hope you'll come to say Hi now. I expect you to" He chuckles rubbing his head.
"Hunter is a jealous man. I better get going" I frown and watch him walk towards the back door of the kitchen. "What were you two talking about ?" Startled I look behind to see Hunter right behind me.
"Hi, He was just apologizing for what happened. Wait, I thought you already left for work or something". "Will now" He said taking a bite of an apple and walking inside, I watch his butt moving away and he suddenly turned around making me look the other away.
"You coming for breakfast," He asked walking in as I nodded.
I helped Sofia build a greenhouse at the corner of the house that afternoon. The cold temperature helps us not die of sweating like before. Frank helped us build the exterior, It was just the first day but we did good progress, "We should get it done before next week. So we can start planting right away" I nodded giving a tired sigh.
As I helped Sofia clear the mess up I see Hunter walk in the backyard. A sudden smiled graced my lips and I blush as he smiled at me.
"Sofia" He called, " Do you need Eve this week?" She looked at me. "Well ya-" I spoke but she cut me off. "I mean, not necessarily" I started at her in confusion.
"But we just started doing the-" She laughed. "Finished the planting, Why did you ask?" I blink in utter confusion.
"I am going back to my home town this week, mind if I take Eve with me?"
She smirked. "Well, of course, Why would you ask me. She is yours after all" He turned his head and gave a nervous smile.
"Why?" I asked as Sofia left us alone, he shrugged. "Because I thought we can have some alone time" I bite my lip as he stepped closer pulling my waist. "Really?" I asked and he kissed my cheeks.
"When are we going then?" I ask. "Are you okay with us leaving tomorrow night? I have a small business there the next day, Have to reach in time" I hesitated but agreed.
Getting back in the kitchen to help Sofia with dinner I looked at her, "Are you really sure you don't need me here? Because Hunter said he needs to leave tomorrow night" She nodded.
"But the greenhouse?" I ask, "Hey, you don't have to help me all the time. You have been working more than me to maintain my back yard and the plants, I can't thank you enough, I have lots of help here, Don't worry about it"
I smiled and kissed her cheek. "Thanks, Sofia"
"You should go pack up Eve," Sofia said as I help her paint the wood. "I am done packing, Plus we leave at night, I have the whole day to help you," I said, "Where are you going?" Frank asked and I almost dropped my jaw when he walked over, bare chest, holding a wood plank over his shoulders.
"Thank you," Sofia said walking over to him. My eyes blink down at the ground at his buff figure and I chuckle at myself. "Hunter is taking Eve with him" Frank looked at me and I nod.
"Well, good he has someone with him for a long ride" I sigh going back to painting as they both discussed the rest of the work.
I took a long bath after three hours of working. And laid on the bed browsing through youtube for sometime when I felt like calling Max. After all, I did hang up on his last time, He hates it.
One thing I like about Max. He didn't ask too many questions. He knew I was fine, He understood my problems better than anyone else. Even if we had a bad history together, I trusted him. He did not ask any questions about my whereabouts this time. Just asked me if I was safe.
I did ask him to let my mother know that was doing good, I wished to go back, but continue my life differently, Unlike how I use to live, I wanted to study more and work to become better.