He took a deep breath and gathered up the courage to head back.
MAXWELL: I'm so sorry, Eve. I.. I really don't know how that happened but I swear, I didn't do it on purpose. Please forgive me.
EVELYN: It's okay.. Max. Don't worry, I'm not holding anything in my heart. You must have been stressed out. (Gives off a forced smile)
MAXWELL: Thanks, Eve. You have always been understanding. I promise to never cross the line again. I think you must take rest of the day off. Just go home and rest. And don't worry about the launch. I'll manage everything. You can count on me.
EVELYN: No, it's alright. I'm feeling better now. And we have been eagerly waiting for this day. I couldn't let you manage everything alone. The project belongs to both of us so it's a must for me to stay here. The launch is our priority right now.
MAXWELL: But so much happened today. It's not a good idea to push yourself. Your health comes first. I'll cover for you and will talk to the director for giving you permission to leave early.
EVELYN: Max, I'm really fine. We are already in the tight spot because of the week's deadline. The launch is not a problem but it's not the work of one person and we can't afford to delay it further.
MAXWELL: Jesus! Why are you so stubborn? Or is it because you doubt my abilities? (Looks at her with concerned and innocent eyes)
EVELYN: There's nothing like that. You are even more capable than me. You know that I wouldn't be like this if we don't have to deal with this mess right now. Please Max, try to understand. I have to be here today. Running away from this is just out of question.
MAXWELL: (sighs) Fine. But this is the last time I'm allowing you to compromise with your health. There's no way in the future I would let it happen again. Just stay here and do your job but remember to take care of yourself too, okay.
EVELYN: Yeah, I will. (Smiles softly)
As they worked together on the launch, she couldn't help but notice the tension between Maxwell and her.
But she pushed those thoughts aside to make it less awkward for them.
The rest of the day went in finalizing the project and eventually, it was the time of release.
Keeping all doubts aside, they crossed their fingers and launched the game together and decided to focus on promoting it, hoping that they could reach the desired numbers within the given time period.
Maxwell and Evelyn stayed late at night and left the office around 10:30 pm. She was so tired that forgot to see the message from Dayun and to call him back.
As they headed towards the parking lot, feeling exhausted but accomplished, Evelyn was lost in her own thoughts while Maxwell kept on talking to her.
She forced herself to smile and nod, trying to show him that she was listening. But he noticed that she was hardly paying any attention to his words.
Maxwell stopped talking, gently placing a hand on her shoulder to get her attention.
MAXWELL: I know that a lot happened today but don't take too much stress. You are gonna ruin your health like this. And regarding our game, my gut feeling says that it's gonna be a hit within a week.
EVELYN: Max.. I'm really trying to divert my mind to other thoughts.. but nothing's helping me out. (Tired and Depressed tone)
MAXWELL: Maybe we should go to some nice place to celebrate the launch? What do you think? (Excited)
EVELYN: No Max.. not right now. I'm really not in the mood. And it's still too early to celebrate.
MAXWELL: It's okay, Evelyn. We don't have to celebrate now, but we will when the time comes. And don't worry, everything will be okay. It's too late.. lemme drive you home.
She sat in the passenger seat, watching the streetlights flashed by as Maxwell drove her home.
As Maxwell's car left, a black genesis entered the area. The moment that car stopped in front of the residential building, Evelyn could tell that it was none other than Dayun's car.
She immediately felt her heart race and her body tensed up as she watched Dayun step out of his car.
With the intention of asking him about the condition of his hand, she slowly began to approach him but stopped just after taking 2 steps as she saw Cassy, Dayun's friend, coming out of his car.
She watched as Cassy stood beside Dayun, her arms wrapped around his waist.
Cassy pulled Dayun towards him and gave a gentle peck on his lips. She came close and whispered softly in his ears- ''you managed to please me today but what about our night plans?'' (grins)
''Don't worry sweetheart, I've prepared everything for tonight, all according to your taste. Let's not waste more time, you know that I'm an impatient person'' (smirks)- Dayun whispered in her ears.
As Dayun turned towards the building, he saw Evelyn standing there.
She watched in shock as Dayun and Cassy stood in front of the building, arm in arm.
She didn't even have time to process what was happening and thought of walking away from there but Dayun's voice calling for her made her still at her place.
DAYUN: Eve-chan, (pauses and quickly draws back his hand from Cassy's grasp) w.. when did you come back? (Staggering voice)
Evelyn couldn't deny that her heart felt tight after seeing Dayun with Cassy but she had a conscience that she didn't have any right to meddle in his life. So, she tried to give them some space and pretended to be fine.
EVELYN: (forces to smile) I just came back... I..I think I should go first. Good night to both of you. (Bows and to leave)
DAYUN: Eve-chan, wait." (grabs her wrist) "Let's talk. I...have something to tell you. (Turns to Cassy) You go up. I'll be there in a minute or two.
Evelyn could feel Cassy's intense gaze on her. She was already suspicious and Dayun's sudden change in behaviour on seeing her only added fuel to the fire.
His whole attention had been shifted towards Evelyn which made her lose her temper.
Evelyn tried to procrastinate their conversation but Dayun was persistent.
EVELYN: ''Dayun-sshi, I'm tired right now. Let's talk tomorrow.
DAYUN: ''I can't wait till tomorrow.
On seeing Dayun being so obsessed with her, Cassy couldn't control her emotions and burst out in anger.
CASSIE: ''You listened to her.. right? She said she's tired, but if you are so desperate then don't mind me, go ahead. Why do you need privacy to talk to her. (Comes closer to Dayun) I'm not leaving without you.. and that's final. (Glares at him)''
Evelyn could see the tension building between Cassie and Dayun. Dayun's facial expressions became cold and his eyes grew darker as he started at Cassie.
Cassy noticed his fierce eyes. She wasn't letting her fear to show on her face but took a step back for caution.
Evelyn flicked as Dayun tightened his grip on her arm and stared at Cassie- ''I think I made myself clear.. didn't I? Just go up and wait for me there.'' He said in a serious tone.
Evelyn was shocked to see the coldness in his behaviour. As she watched Cassie disappear from sight, a shiver ran down her spine.
I couldn't believe that Dayun, the person I had grown to care for, could turn into such a cold and menacing figure in an instant.
Cassie walked away with heavy steps from there, her eyes still locked with Dayun's, up to the entrance of the building.
Once she was gone, Dayun calmed himself and came back to his normal form. As Evelyn hastily pulled her wrist from his grip, Dayun noticed her bandaged arm.
DAYUN: What happened to your arm? (Frowns) Was the day rough for you?
Lemme see... Do it hurt a lot? (concerned eyes)
He went for her arm but Evelyn backed up and tried to avoid the physical contact from him.
EVELYN: (avoids eye contact with him) It's nothing serious.. I..I just got tripped and fell. It'll get better in no time. Dayun-sshi..It's really late now. Your friend must be waiting for you.
DAYUN: "I don't care about that. You are my priority right now. I know it's a bit awkward to say but please don't misunderstand me.
Actually.. Cassie and I just recently happened to know each other. Last week, she came to an exhibition organised by my company where my art pieces were displayed and one of my paintings had captivated her eyes.
She desperately wanted to meet the artist of that painting. If she would be a normal customer then it wouldn't be a problem but... after meeting me, she had taken a liking to me and now, she's threatening me to date her. The deal is so big that I couldn't afford to say no to her offer.
Once the deal is done and the painting is being sold... I'm going to break up with her. I know it's a bit difficult to believe but that's the whole story.
Evelyn attentively listened to his tale. She didn't know what to believe. But as she looked at his sincere expression and heard his explanation, she couldn't help but feel a sense of understanding towards him.
EVELYN: I see.. but.. why are you telling me all this. I don't think.. I'm anyone important to whom you need to explain your personal relationships. (Cold tone)
DAYUN: (chuckles) You look even more adorable when you act so rough and tough like that. Who said to you that you're a no-one. As my friend, you have the right to know what's going on in my life. So I told you just in case you wouldn't make false impressions about me.
His words caught her off guard but she wasn't sure whether he was telling the truth or just comforting her.
DAYUN: You know what! Dating for years with expectations that the other person would confess first, is just a waste of time. I don't like the idea of dragging the things in the name of love. I believe in sudden confession. What's the problem if one's vibe matches with the other.
Evelyn didn't like the idea of sudden confession but at one point, he was right as the reason for her failed relationship was because she had dragged it for too long in the hope of getting a proper confession from Alan.
Their relationship was materialistic and because of their poor understanding of each other's feelings, it got snapped easily despite stretching it up to 5 years.
Though she wasn't in the mood to debate with him but his words forced her to put forward her thoughts.
EVELYN: I think it's essential to understand what the other person feels about you. That's true that the number of years you spent together all goes to waste if they fail to understand each other. But... Love is the purest emotion. A decision taken so hastily could ruin the life of other person.
DAYUN: (Looks at Evelyn's determined face and Chuckles) Gosh! You think I'm a villain who goes on ruining the lives of other girls but believe me Eve-Chan.. that's all just a part of business. It's not like I love to hang out with those girls. And them... do you think they don't know that I'll leave them after the deal is done but despite of this, they still enjoy playing dirty. That's the problem with the rich girls. They are spoiled to such an extent that they don't know when to stop. I'm not the only one who's at the advantageous side. Consider it as a give and take phenomenon.
Dayun had his own explanations regarding the concept of love. She couldn't bring herself to say anything more.
But still, she didn't like the idea of him playing with the heart of other girls. With the fear of getting hurt again, she decided to suppress her feelings towards him.
After the steamy debate, Dayun walked Evelyn to her apartment.
After he left, she entered her house and lay down on couch. She was so tired that didn't even cared to change her clothes.
She was so busy that didn't even had time to check her phone.
She thought of scrolling through her phone before hitting the bed. As she unlocked it, the screen flashed the messages which she got throughout the day.
As she opened her messenger, she saw some messages from Dayun. They read, ''Eve-Chan.. I apologise for Cassie's behaviour earlier. And best of luck for your launch today. I'm sure everything will go perfectly. I hope you remember your promise of treating me to a meal after the successful launch of your project... so..how about a dinner date tonight??''
Evelyn was feeling guilty to judge Dayun so early. There's not a doubt that he was the one who helped her in the release of her dream project without even expecting anything in return.
She prayed for the success of her game so that she could treat him to a nice meal.
She took a long sigh and began to page the events of that day in her diary.
On the other hand, after entering his apartment, Dayun locked it behind him and went straight to the bedroom where Cassie was waiting for him.