Evelia ᯓᡣ𐭩
I griped the steering wheel, a wave of familiarity washed over me. The roads are lined with memories-some distant, others vivid. I rolled down the window, allowing the breeze to tousle my hair as I navigateed through the streets.
I inhaleed deeply, feeling the weight of the past mingling with the promise of the future. This drive, these roads-they form the bridge between who I was and who I've become.
After cruising through the familiar roads, I stoped the car and stared ahead at the towering structure before me. Allis Corporation-the building stands tall and imposing, a testament to time and ambition. For a moment, I sat in the car, fixated on the company logo emblazoned on the facade. Then, with purpose, I parked and step out, making my way into the company. I passed by familiar faces, now interspersed with new ones.
The elevator doors parted on the top floor, and I strided directly to Hades office. Without a moment's hesitation, I pushed the door open, the sound echoing in the vacant room.
"He's not here." I muttered to myself.
I walked to the expensive glass window, gazing out at the city below. After a few moments, I turned and settled into Hades chair, spinning it slightly as I fixed my eyes on the view outside.
"Hades, I was thinking we should go-"
A woman's voice broke the silence as the door swings open, but she faltered when she saw me. "Evelia"
Hades uttered, his eyes widening in surprise. My gaze shifted from Hades to the woman standing beside him."Hello Father," I greeted him, my expression inscrutable. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Clearing his throat, he forced a slight smile. "Of course not, I just wasn't expecting you here."
"Why not? Can't I visit my own office?" I retorted, raising an eyebrow.
"I never said you couldn't. After all, in a few years, this office-this company-will be yours."
"Why do you sound so defensive? It's not as if you're hiding something from me, is it, Dad?" The color drained from his face. "Huh? Can't I even joke with my own father?" I say , barely suppressing a smirk.
He forced a laugh and stepped forward. "You could have told me, I'm surprised you didn't inform your mother or me before coming. I would have sent the driver to pick you up."
"I just wanted to surprise you. I guess you didn't like it," I said, rising from the chair.
"It's not like that." He placed his hands on my shoulders, and I resisted the urge to punch him in the face.
"Hmm, I just suddenly decided-"
I was speaking when his secretary interrupted. "It's great to have you here."
"Did I give you permission to speak?" I snapped, shifting my gaze to Hades. "Don't your employees know better than to interrupt me when I'm talking?"
"My apologies, Evelia," she began with a nervous laugh.
"It's Miss Allis to you," I corrected, noting the tension in her clenched jaw. "Sarah, leave." Hades ordered. She casted a glance at Hades before exiting the office. Hades turned to me, his expression curious.
"So, you're planning on staying here now?" he asked.
"For the time being, yes." I retrieved my purse from the table. "I'll wait for you at dinner," I added, earning a hum of acknowledgment from him.
"Heading home?" he inquired.
"Yes, see you later." I gave him a final glance before making my exit.
As I walked towards the exit, I could hear the whispers begin.
"Hey, isn't that Evelia Allis?"
"Yes, that's her."
"She's so beautiful."
"You're right. Wasn't she abroad?"
"She's even more stunning in person."
The murmurs and greetings from the crowd followed me until I reached my car.
The gates of the villa swung open as I drove in. The sight of the place where I spent my entire childhood stirred up a flood of memories. I found myself missing it, despite everything.
After parking, I instructed the guard to take my luggage inside. A maid greeted me as I entered.
"Miss Allis, it's wonderful to have you back."
"Where's my mother?" I asked, glancing around.
"Mrs. Allis is in the garden," she replied. As I turned to leave, she added, "Miss, would you like something for lunch?"
"No, thank you."
I made my way to the garden, where I found my mother seated on a chair, lost in thought as she held a rose. I approached her from behind and hugged her. "Guess who's here."
Startled, she turned towards me, her face lighting up with a smile. "Evelia! my baby." She embraced me tightly. No matter how many times I hug her, it always feels like we've been apart for years. In her arms, I finally feel at home. My mother is the only person in this world whom I truly love.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" she asked as we broke the hug. I sat down in the chair beside her.
"Then it wouldn't have been a surprise," I replied with a smile. She laughed and took my hand.
"I don't think you're planning on leaving anytime soon," she observed.
"No, I'm here to stay," I assured her with a smile.
"Good. I can't believe you finally decided to come back after all these years," she said, though my smile was starting to feel forced. "Anyway, let's not dwell on that. I'm starving."
"Let me tell someone to prepare something for you," she began, but I quickly interrupted her.
"Wait, Mom. I want to eat something made by you. It's been so long." I rested my head on her shoulder.
"Tired?" she asked, gently patting my head.
"Not really."
She smiled. "Go freshen up. I'll cook something for you."
I stood up to leave. "Did you tell your father that you're here?" she asked, making me pause in my tracks.
"Yes, Mom. I visited the company before coming here," I replied, biting my tongue at the mention of the word father.
"Oh, okay." I nodded with a faint smile before heading to my room. Upon opening the door, I looked around. The room was exactly as I had left it years ago.
Day 1. Here I am. Let's play the game you started. Your game, my rules. You can't hide forever. You'll suffer thousand times more. I can't wait to witness your downfall.
꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦
The university hallways buzzed with life as I made my way through, the familiar hum of conversations and footsteps filling the air. I saw the curious looks that followed me along with whispers.
I kept my expression neutral, a practiced coolness in my demeanor as I walked. I wasn't here to make friends or catch up on lost time. My focus was elsewhere- One thing: I wasn't interested in being pulled into the social games that dominated this campus. After all I gotta maintain the good reputation I had.
As I turned a corner, a scene caught my attention. A guy was leaning over a girl, his posture dominating, his voice low but with an edge that sent warning signals through my mind. The girl looked cornered, glancing around for an escape but finding none. The tension wasn't explosive, not yet, but it was simmering, and it didn't take much to see where it could go.
I didn't hesitate. My steps slowed as I approached them, my face a careful mask of indifference. The guy noticed me immediately, his bravado faltering as he recognized who I was. His eyes widened slightly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. There was a flicker of something in his gaze-apprehension, maybe, or calculation.
"What's going on here?" I asked, my voice steady, carrying just enough authority to make him pause.
The guy straightened up, his bravado faltering for a split second. "Just talking," he replied, trying to sound casual, but there was an edge of defensiveness in his tone.
"What's going on here?" I asked, my voice steady, carrying just enough authority to make him pause.
I glanced at the girl, who was still looking for a way out. "Doesn't look like she wants to talk."
She shook her head quickly, relief and nervousness written all over her face. "I don't."
The guy's eyes flicked between us, weighing his options. Then, as if making a decision, he smirked, his confidence returning. "You should mind your own business," he said, his voice dripping with false bravado. "But I guess that's hard for someone like you."
"Someone like me?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow.
"You know exactly what I mean," he sneered. But then, his gaze shifted, sliding past me to someone standing a little farther down the hall. There was a moment of silent communication between them, something that made the hairs on the back of my neck prickle.
I turned my head slightly, following his gaze, and felt my stomach twisted into a cold knot. when I saw who he was looking at.
Eryx DeVille
His name alone was enough to make the air around me feel heavier. Tall, with sharp features and a confidence that bordered on arrogance, Eryx had a way of commanding attention. I hadn't seen him in years, I mean in person.
Memories flashed through my mind-memories I'd rather forget, of moments that had left scars deeper than I liked to admit.
He was leaning against the wall, watching us with an expression that was almost bored, but there was something in his eyes, something calculating. He had changed and I know why.
The guy in front of me seemed to gain some confidence from Eryx's silent presence. "See, it's not just me. Maybe you should think twice before sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."
I turned back to him, my eyes narrowing. "Or maybe you should think twice before trying to impress someone who doesn't care if you get crushed underfoot."
His smirk faltered, but he didn't back down. Not completely. "Big talk," he muttered, but there was less conviction in his voice now.
I took a step closer, lowering my voice so only he could hear. "Walk away. Now. And pray that your friend over there doesn't find you as disposable as I do."
He glanced at Eryx again, as if seeking approval or direction. Eryx's expression was unreadable, but he didn't move, didn't intervene. He was watching, waiting.
The tension between us was suffocating, but I refused to be the first to break. Finally, the guy in front of me let out a frustrated sigh and backed off.
For a moment, he hesitated, his bravado slipping as he weighed his options. Then, with a final glare, he turned and walked straight to Eryx.
I could still feel Eryx's eyes on me. The guy stood infront of Eryx and said something that didn't reach my ears. Eryx paused for a moment and then walked away with the guy.
I exhaled slowly, the knot in my stomach loosening slightly as I turned my attention back to the girl. She looked at me with a mix of relief and gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling.
I gave her a curt nod. "Just be careful next time."
"I'm Rhea by the way" she stated and extended her hand for a handshake. I didn't like physical touch. Before I could react she nervously withdrew her hand. "Um...thank you again, I really appreciate it" With this she hurried away.
I continued down the hallway, my heart pounding in my chest, my mind racing with memories I had long tried to bury.
Eryx DeVille. Of all the people to cross paths with again, it had to be him. I could feel the unresolved tension between us like a storm brewing on the horizon, but I wasn't ready to face it-not here, not now.
But something told me that this wasn't the last time our paths crossed.
Our paths are bound to cross. One way or another.
Eryx DeVille was not the kind of man who let things go easily. The moment our eyes met in that hallway, I knew that our brief encounter was only the beginning of something far more dangerous. The air between us had been charged with a tension that spoke of unfinished business, of a past that neither of us had truly left behind. I could see it in his eyes-the cold, calculating gaze that promised retribution. And I knew, deep down, that now that I was back, he would undoubtedly strike.
Eryx had always been patient in his pursuit of revenge. He was the kind of person who could wait years, biding his time until the perfect opportunity presented itself. And now that I was back, I had given him exactly what he needed: a target.
But I wasn't the same person he remembered. Just like he's not the one I remember.
As the day passed I got to know, As if it wasn't enough that our paths had crossed in the hallway, now I had to face the reality that he would be a constant presence in my life, lurking in the same rooms, sitting a few seats away, watching my every move.