Eva sat at the table with Callum. She was hesitant in saying a word. Her head was spinning.
The maid brought her dinner and placed two glasses on the table with a bottle of wine. Eva recognised the label but said nothing.
"Would you like some?" Callum offered as he poured himself a glassful. Eva shook her head. The last thing she needed was alcohol. If she were fine, if she was back her old self, she would have agreed. Her old self divined in finery, in exquisites of well aged wine.
Eva poked at the steak that was just freshly made by the cook for her with her fork. Nothing tastes good when you're ill.
Callum leaned back in a chair as he sipped on the wine. He watched Eva with studious curiosity and well concealed worry.
The doctor's words rung in his head. Eva wasn't taking care of herself and wasn't eating well.
It bothered him as he realised that he hasn't seen her finish her meal even once whilst around him. He was yet to secrete my interrogate Emmi and Suzie on that matter without making it blatantly obvious.
"Simon went to fetch the uniforms and spare sets of clothes for tomorrow."
"Thank you." Eva tried to smile but it was almost impossible. All her muscles seemed somehow weaker.
"You should rest after dinner."
"I will." Eva nodded. "It seems that girls settled well."
"Yes, they did. They were rather concerned about you but they've settled once the doctor came to see you."
"The doctor?" Eva sounded surprised. "Gosh, I must've been well out of sorts."
"Maybe a little." Callum nodded. He wasn't going to admit that she frightened him immensely with her state a few hours earlier.
"Seeing that the girls warmed up to you so quickly, would you like to take them on their own next weekend? I don't want to impose on you much longer." Eva asked, feeling awkward in the large villa, in Callum's home.
Callum fidgeted uncomfortably. Part of him hoped to have Evelyn by his side along with the girls. It suited him perfectly. Evelyn put girls at ease and made his day.
It stung to think that she didn't share the same sentiments. It stung to think that she might've detest him.
"We can certainly try."
"I'll come running in pyjamas if Suzie calls me again. I'll be on standby." Eva added with the faintest smile.
"I wouldn't expect any less of you." Callum smiled too as he finished the wine in his glass. Noticing that Eva hasn't touched much more of the food, he led her back to her room. A room which he hoped over time will transform to show him more of her. He wanted to learn more. He wanted to know her likes and dislikes, what made her laugh and what made her cry.
"Thank you, Cal." Eva said shyly. Callum's eyes fixated on her, piercing right through her.
"The medicine was left on the bedside table. If you feel unwell through the night ring for the maid or knock on my door. Do you hear me?" Eva nodded at him still looking away. "Good night, Eva."
"Good night, Cal."
She disappeared in the room, keen to lay down to stop the world from spinning.
Callum stood there for a few seconds before turning around and going to his own room. 'Cal' still echoed in his ears. The sweetest sound he ever heard. Without a single thought he leaned against the wall, only then realising how close he was to her. A mere wall apart.
He couldn't stop the thoughts. The thoughts of her beautiful large almond shaped eyes the colour of hazel and green. The brown orbs around her iris changing to that deep shade of blue. They were hypnotising.
Eva laid down in bed and called Donna.
"What the heck happened, Evie? Where have you been?"
"Sorry, Donna." Eva said quickly in a rather hoarse voice.
"You sound as hoarse as a crow."
"Thanks." Eva replied sarcastically. "Sorry for silence. I fell ill whilst at Cal's."
"Cal's?" Donna repeated. "You mean Callum Anderson."
"That's the one."
"You're on nickname basis already?"
"I suppose." Eva was tired. She didn't have quite the energy to deal with Donna's suggestive tone. "May we speak about it next weekend? I just called to apologise for missing our coffee today. I was on the deathbed, as you might expect."
"And did he dot on you?"
"I don't know. I don't think so." Eva furrowed her brows.
"I hope that you wore something else than your cartoon pyjamas."
"I've packed my nice pyjamas. Don't you worry."
"Your nice pyjamas is not good enough. We need to go shopping and get you some sexy lingerie."
"What?" Eva said. "No, Donna. It ain't like that. It won't be like that. He is looking after the girls himself from next week. It was a one off. I've told you."
"Why are you always like this? You're in your twenties. You should be dating."
"I can ask you the same." Eva grumbled.
"True."
"I'll talk to you later."
Eva soon fell asleep. She didn't think she would after spending entire day pretty much unconscious, but her body needed the rest.