They all remain silence after her speech. Avoiding each other gaze. Eva in particular couldn't meet anyone eyes, ashamed of herself and her own doing. It was true, she was the one who hurt them but does it invalided her own feeling?
"Since when has Eva ever being fair?" Klaus words broke the silence.
The three pairs of eyes who didn't know where to rest was fast to stop on his face. His simple plain t shirt and a jean made him lose nothing of his imposing aura.
"I thought we already concluded that or was I the only one." One hand in his pocket. His eyes roamed around the three and lay a little longer on Eva.
"Of course, I was already wondering where the last member of the three musketeer were," Eva said. The glow in her eyes back, her signature smile on. She displayed with accuracy the perfect reflection of what she was feeling.
'Seriously they are always the three of them. It is starting to be irritating.' Eva thought.
Klaus ignored her comment and said to Melissa, "you don't have to put so much effort. Eva has always being egoist. Taking actions with no care of the people around her. That is how she is," he said, his hand on Melissa back, comforting her.
"I'm the epitome of egoism! It took you so long to find out,"
"Better later than never,"
Eva smiled, a real sad smile. It was amusing sad how they ended up in the way. The once upon best friend who couldn't be without the other, now wanted nothing to do with each other.
Klaus raised an eyebrow at her sudden smile. She shook her head and grew her smile wider.
"I should have stay home, cuddling in my bed waiting for my flight who would be in," she looked the time on her watch attached to her wrist, "two hours" she lamented, her smile not falling.
There were a long way to go before should could leave. She regret accepting to come it in the first place. Her bed was a far better option.
"Acting as if you were wanted here! It would have been a blessing for us all,"
"I pardon to say the contrary," she sent a swift look to Melissa,
"Not that I'm happy about it," she precise.
She was rather confused by Melissa decision. Why Melissa insisted so much about her coming to her party. What was she gaining in all this? Those was the question Eva had no answers for.
Melissa laughed, "It makes me think of the last time the four of us was at a party together in high school. With you guys still in bad terms makes it more real,"
"Do you remember?" she asked Eva smiling.
"Of course. How could I forget the humiliation?" Eva asked.
"Sorry Eva, I didn't mean to…" Melissa apologised.
"It's okay. You don't have to apologies, it is in the past now," it wasn't, "I have completely forget about that," she had not "it doesn't matter anymore," it still matters.
She manage to say the opposite of what she really thought with a smile on her face.
"Have you being able to found the person who did it?" Zach wondered. It has always bothered him but found nothing. It was better to say, he refused to see something.
"It's Melissa," she answered in a natural tone. Like it wasn't a big deal. It wasn't for her but for the rest, her affirmation did take them by surprise. She was certain about her claim and it didn't fail to add a layer of doubt in the mind of those already putting Melissa words as untrustworthy.
"Part of the reason of my animosity towards you is because I know you are the one who did it," she admitted.
"I didn't!" Melissa defended herself. The unsettle look on her friend face agitated her, "why would I?" she questioned, offended.
"The reason is what I'm still searching. Perhaps it's your way to come back on me for what I did but I dare say, there is a more profound reason,"
Eva was sure it was deeper than a simple revenge on what she did to her, on what she did to them. There were more to it and she already had her guess on what it could be but she decided against saying it out loud at the moment.
"Like what?" Melissa fired back.
"You illuminate us! Why have you done that?"
"Seriously, it wasn't me Eva,"
"If you say so," Eva nodded and turned to Melissa friends who was silent the whole time.
"And you guys? What do you think?"
They remained silent. No word leaving their lips. The ladies watched them, waiting for them to speak. One of them growing worrier at each passing second. Klaus broke the silence.
"I think I have no reason to be here in your presence," he declared.
"If you my excuse me," he said before leaving.
"I will be going as well. You may not belief me but I'm happy you came Eva," she smiled before following Klaus's path.
"That's also a way of avoiding the question that will hurt." She said and stared back at Zach, who was still standing in his place. A complicate emotion on his face.
"Leaving as well?" she asked.
Zach didn't answered for a moment. His gaze fixed on Eva. His lips lifted up slightly, barely visible,
"Happy you came Eva," and it was his turn to leave her.
The situation turned around. Unlike the last time, where she was the one to leave, she was the one being abandon. At least the other had their friend beside them but she was standing all by herself. She became hyper aware of her surrounding without them getting her mind on other thing. She felt the stares on her.
She turned and drank in a go the rest of the wine remaining in her glass. If she was being sincere with herself, she was hurt. She was hoping Zach would have stayed but he left as well.
'Why should he stay? He left like you left him' a little voice in her head said.
Eva laughed at that. She wanted to order for another glass but decided against it. Drinking wasn't the best coping mechanism to have and with their return in the country, she would be in stressful situation more often. She shouldn't relay on alcohol to go through it. She would be fast addicted.
She grabbed her bag on the bar counter. She had promise Noah to stay for at least thirty minutes before leaving which she did. She could go now, it was a better option. If she stay, she would end up drinking.
She turned and headed to the door. But her escaping was fast stopped by a man blocking her way. He was a tall man of the same age as hers.
"Move!" she ordered. The man didn't budge, was instead smiling at her commanding tone.
"Already leaving us Eva?" the man asked instead.
Eva frowned.
"It's a fun party for us ex classmate to reunite. You can't leave so early,"
"It would have be fun if I actually knew who you are," she lied. Of course she recognised him on spot. After all, they spent most of their young years together.
"Already forgot about me? I'm not even surprise about that. How can I, after what you did to those three who were your friends."
Eva face fell. This was the reason she didn't want to come. She was sure one of her classmate will bring up what happen. Something she want to forget forever but she can't. Her actions was bound to keep on coming in her face.
"If you know that you should also know what I'm capable of doing," she warned.
"Threatening me Eva?" he took a step closer to which Eva took a step backward.
"Charles, twenty eight years old. Engage but fool around with his employees and particularly the hundreds of secretary ho pass in his office all day. See? Don't provoke me,"
Charles face fell. How on earth was she able to have such information about his private actions?
"What are we having here Charles?" two other men of the same build as Charles came to them. Eva tensed up.
"A threatening Eva," Charles said to his friends. His confidence back.
"Is that so?" one of them said and walked to Eva side. He wrapped his arms around her waist.
Eva freeze in spot. The other man came to her other side and had his side touch hers. Eva anxiety increased. She knew she had to move but was incapable of. Unwanted memories resurfacing in her mind. Frozen her completely.
"You are beautiful. Why don't we forget all the threatening part and start from zero? I'm sure we can have so much fun together" he said, his eyes roaming over her body with lust. It last a bit longer on her chest, "though your small breast isn't my type, I can manage. What do you say?"
"You don't know with whom you are messing with," she managed to say in her panic state. She won't let them her panic state.
He chuckled "Don't forget my dear Eva, we are all from wealthy family here. You can't do anything to us with you current status, even more against me. Who is way out of your reach" Charles said lifting her chin for her eyes to meet his.
A hand hold his hand, pulling it away from Eva face, "what about me?" Zach said.
Zach presence surprise all of them. Charles pull his hand from Zach grip taking a step back.
"Get away from her" he ordered.
They didn't need to be told twice and left on spot. Leaving Charles on his own. Zach wasn't someone to mess with. He may just be the vice president in Klaus family company but he was still a member of the Anderson family. A family no one want to mess up with.
"Fuck off," and Charles ran for his dear life in the second.
His eyes return with concerned on Eva. He watched her in worries as she tried her best to appear unaffected but her trembling hands and shaking iris told him the truth. She had hard time maintaining eye contact with him and has her eyes roamed around. She was terrified. He wanted to hug her but held himself back. It was the best thing to do given their estrange relation.
"Are you okay?" He asked instead. His eyes never leaving her, his hand pull into a strong fist. Trying his best not to give.
Eva nodded. She took her time before adding, "Thanks" she breathed out, trying to appear not affected. She breathed out again slowly and her iris stopped shaking and was able to maintain contact with Zach's own.
"I will be going" she forced a smile.
"You want me to drive you back?" he asked. Not believing her mere attempt to look fine.
"It won't be necessary. I'm fine," she lied. He already saw her in this state, if he stay any longer, he would see her weak side, what she couldn't allow.
"Thanks for helping out," she said before heading out in long steps. She had to get out of there as soon as possible. Her heart beat was getting stronger.
"Take care," he said watching her walking away worried.
When she finally close the door behind her. She felt like breathing again but if only it was true. Her heart was beating fast in her ribcage and breathing became difficult. Her body was heavier at each step. She knew what was happening and wanted to get as for from the house as she could. She can't let them see her vulnerable and weak. When she couldn't take it anymore she squatted down and rapidly took her phone out of her bag and deal a number. The person answer at the first ring,
"I can't breathe," she said before the person say anything.
"Ok, calm down and concentrate on my voice and only on my voice," she nodded at his words.
"Breath in and out with me," he said and she went on breathing in and out with him. After a moment he begin to speak of nothing in particular because he knew all she wanted now was to feel at peace and his voice always does it for her.
Her breathe became shallower, her heart beat slow downed and her vision cleared. She breathed out, feeling like herself again. She stood back on her feet, feeling lighter.
Getting the feeling she was calmer he asked, "were are you? I will come and get you," he said.
It took a moment before she answered, "I went at Melissa birthday party. I'm out of her house right now," she said.
"Ok I will get to you."
"Don't be ridiculous. You are in another country. Just stay there I will get to you," it was where she was flying to.
"Ok. You come to me immediately after you land," he demanded.
Ever giggled, "It was what I was planning to do anyway. Thank you, hope I'm not disturbing,"
"You are never disturbing me" He said before ending the call.
She stared at her phone for a moment. Feeling graceful to have a friend like him after what she had done. For a rare time in her life, she felt lucky. She sent a last look to the house before she left, graceful to have made it outside. Unknown to her, someone saw the scene and wasn't sure how to interpret it.
.
.
.
Eva knocked the apartment door, her luggage standing beside her. She arrived an hour ago and it took her an hour to get to the hotel, now she was waiting for her friend to open the door.
"Hey love," said the man immediately he opened the door.
"Come here," he opened his arms.
Eva went straight into his embrace. He held her tight as if trying to mend back together her heart who has been broken. He stroke her head and place a soft kiss on her fore head.
"How are you feeling?" he asked still holding her tight.
"Better," she answered.
"Good," she pulled out of the hug, "What happen?" he asked grabbing her luggage on the floor and entered, closing the door behind him.
Ever slope on his sofa and told him everything. He sat down beside her and had her lay her head on his lap. As she spoke, he gently caressed her head.
"And who was that guy?" He asked went she finished.
"Charles, he was a classmate of mine. Having him so close and forcefully, made me remember and I couldn't move anymore,"
"I shouldn't have forced you to go." He lamented.
"You won't have to see them if you don't want to" he added.
She nodded, "what I want now is a good night of sleep," she closed her eyes, it has being a long day for her.