by Claire Angel
I sighed knowing this will only get more troubles than it already has. I gave a stiff nod and said “I’ll try my best but if he pushes me too far I might just snap.” Angel smiled gratefully as she informed Eric that she is leaving.
Now it just Eric and I am left in my hall. “This way please. Please have a seat, Mr. Anderson. Should I get you some water?” I asked him.
“No, I don’t need anything. Please take a seat, Eva and yes please call me Eric.” he said with a flirtatious grin on his face. I sat on the couch as he sat on the other couch in front of me. “And call me Ms. Pierce.” I deadpanned him. There was no way in hell that his flirty ways would get to me.
I straightened out the folders and envelopes I had prepared for his case, and was about to get right into it when he suddenly asked “Is Eva short for something?” His flirty grin still present.
“You don’t need to know that Mr. And… I mean Eric. It’s not important.” I told him. I was about to talk about his case when he interrupted me once more. “But names are important. Could it be Evany?” he asked.
“Eric, we should get down to business.” But it’s like my words were going through his one ear and out the other.
“No… maybe it’s Evangeline,” he guessed. I felt as if I was about to pop a vein on my head. Eric chuckled and said “I guessed it correctly, didn’t I? You reacted to the name Evangeline. So it’s Evangeline Pierce, huh?”
“Mr. Ander—” “Back to my last name again? I was just about to say that your name suits you,” he sure loves interrupting me. How truly troublesome. “Since we’re going to be working together we might as well get comfortable with each other,” he suggested.
I sighed knowing I was not going to have any say in this. I nodded as we started talking about his case. Suddenly Eric got down on one knee in front of me which surprised me. He unexpectedly grabbed my hand and said in a low voice “From now on, I’ll rely on you.” His grin still present on his face. God this man is a total flirt. I snatched my hand away from his and said, “I hope not too much though.” Something awkward ran through my spine when he touched my hand. Did he do this intentionally? He can do this. He is known for all wrong reasons when it comes to women, I talked to myself.
Mr. Anderson, you want to talk about the case today only? I have so much cases pending on my table. We can talk about it some other time, when you are in mood, I said sternly in a harsh tone same as I use in court sometimes. No no …. Ms. Pierce, I am sorry I was trying not to remind the whole episode which has happened to me. This has turned out be a nightmare for me,” he said looking at down floor. I could see sadness on his face now. I asked everything which I needed to know about his case. In this whole conversation expression of sadness kept reflecting from his face.
After an hour or two he finally left. It was weird to see him talk about his case since he seemed like a whole new person. He became more serious unlike his usual playful self. I blame myself being this rude to him. Next time I will keep this in mind. Suddenly I heard message tone of my mobile. I picked up my mobile to check it out.
“Eva, you look so hot when you are angry, love Eric!”
OMG this man is something else, huh… I murmured
It’s been a week since I got to personally meet Eric. We kept in contact through video chatting or calling. It’s better to be on phone. I can’t just bear him for a long time. Angel’s trip got extended saying that they ran into a few complications.
I was enjoying my evening sipping on Earl Grey tea as I read Eric’s case over. I lived for nights like these. My two younger sisters lived in the city while I lived in a quieter place. I enjoyed the quiet nights I get here. My long hair was wet from the warm bath I just took. I had my usual black rimmed glasses on knowing that I won’t be able to see much of anything without them. I also wore a large long-sleeved sweater, the sweater stopped at my mid-thighs.
I knew this night was too good to be true. There suddenly came an impatient knock at my door. It could be one of my sister’s either they’re crying their eyes out from a breakup or they suddenly ran out of money. I rather it be the first one rather than the latter.
I stomped towards the door, ready to give my sisters a good lecture. Instead of seeing my two sisters, I found a beaten up drunk Eric standing at my door. I couldn’t help but gasp at his appearance. He looked like he was beaten up. He had a black eye, bruises and scratches covered his arms, and his hair and clothes were disheveled.
He looked at me and swayed a bit. “I’m sorry… But I have nowhere else to go’” he slurred. His breath strongly smelt of alcohol. I looked over to see that he didn’t drive here nor was there any sign of taxi. How did he get here?
He swayed even more and before he could fall I managed to catch him. “What happened to you?” I asked him as I started dragging him towards my living room. “I went out drinking with some women I used to hang out with. I told them I had no money to pay for the drinks they suddenly got mad and left me.” he explained. That doesn’t explain why he’s all beaten up.
“Then who made you look like this?” I asked as I huffed and dropped him on my couch. “The bartender wasn’t too happy that I couldn’t pay.” he said with a drunken smile on his face.
“Why didn’t you return to Asher’s place?” I asked him.
“I lost the spare key they had given me.” he slurred as he lounged comfortably on the couch. I sighed as I stood above him staring at him.
“Then how come you didn’t call your girlfriend or some girl you hung out with?” I asked.
“First of all, I don’t have the contacts on my old phone. Second,” Hiccup. “Even if I did none of them want anything do with me since I lost everything.” he said.
Angel was right, he’s completely hopeless.
I sighed as I went to the kitchen to get him a glass of water and aspirin. I returned to the living room and told him to drink it. I sat where his feet were but when he suddenly sat up I couldn’t help but jump at how close he was. His lazy blue eyes stared seriously into mine. I was too shocked to move.
He unexpectedly removed my glasses and even if I relied too much on my glasses I finally got a closer look at Eric. I could see Eric clearly, but only Eric, everything else around him was a blur. Despite his blue eyes Eric were quite good-looking.
Though I’ve just met Eric, I’ve known about him for a while. His black hair looked slight unkempt probably due from the fight. He also had ungroomed eyebrows, long elegant eyelashes, and even when he’s drunk his marine blue eyes that were filled with strength and power. I marveled at how soft looking his lips were, they weren’t plumped but they were luscious. Now that I was close to his body I realized just how big he was compared to my tiny body. Not only was he tall but he was also ripped with muscles.
Eric suddenly chuckled and said, “You know… you’re beautiful, Evangeline.” I couldn’t help but instantly turn red. No man has ever complimented me. My heart even gave a gentle twinge by the way he said my name. Only a few people called me by that name.
“Liar.” I blurted out even if I knew he was telling the truth since he looked at me like I was the most interesting thing in the world and also because he’s drunk. But he could also be lying because he’s drunk.
I refuse to fall under the spell of a womanizer.
Eric chuckled again. His voice was so smooth it felt like melting snow when he talked. He suddenly caressed my cheek as his face was just inches away from mine. I could tell that I was bright as a tomato. I’ve never been this close with a man. My skin where his hand was touching felt like it was burning. His hand was so warm against my skin.
“It’s no lie,” he slurred. “You just don’t know it, and you hide this beautiful face of yours by wearing glasses.”
“I look completely the same with my glasses on,” I argued.
“No, you don’t…” he trailed off as he started leaning in towards me. My heart was racing, it felt like it was about to leap right out of my chest. This is not what I pictured
as a peaceful night. I quickly put my hands on his chest and gently pushed him away, but Eric’s body suddenly went limp. His head fell on my lap. Still burning bright red. I looked down to see a snoring Eric on my lap.
What was that?
My heart pounded like crazy and it still is. I could either be nervous from being near a guy or I might have a serious case of heartburn. I shook the nervous off as I stared at the snoring Eric. I have an itchy feeling that the more he stays here the more troublesome he’ll be. It will be a piece of cake avoiding his advances towards me. After all, I’m a woman with a steady head on my shoulders while he’s some obnoxious womanizer.
Chapter 3
Eric
My head felt like it was about to split right open. I’ve been drinking for a long time now and you’d expect that I would get used to it or become immune but last night I drank way too much. I expected to wake up in some alleyway or possibly even in jail but I suddenly felt something soft beneath me.
I tried opening my eyes but the light of the sun was too bright for me. Once my eyes were able to adjust I noticed that I was in somebody’s bedroom. Did one of the girls I called changed their mind? I didn’t recognize the room at all. I looked down to see that I was still in the clothes I wore last night except my jacket laid perfectly on the nightstand, it also means that I didn’t sleep with anyone. Drat!
Before I could get out of bed somebody walked through the door, to say I was shock was an understatement. It was none other than Evangeline. Seeing Evangeline’s soft hazel eyes made me remember last night’s events.
I remember removing her glasses to clearly see her hazel eyes. Even when I’m intoxicated I could see a fire brewing within those eyes of hers. A desire hidden deep within. Her eyes stared into mine fiercely but her cheeks were painted red. In an instant I felt my body was on fire and I knew it had nothing to do with the alcohol. It was her eyes that lured me into an unfamiliar territory in my heart.
I went to a bar with a few women and when they realized that I had no money they suddenly left leaving me in a foul mood. When the bartender found out I had no money to pay the drinks he had a few of his men take care of me, and afterwards they threw me in the alleyway where the garbage cans were. I remember trying to find my key to Asher’s home but couldn’t find it on me. I then remembered walking to Evangeline’s place.
I remembered being close to Evangeline’s face and seeing her without her glasses and her brown hair down, my pulse started racing as I remembered how truly beautiful she was. Even looking at Evangeline now who had her hair up in her tight neat bun still looked amazingly beautiful. It’s a shame that she doesn’t realize it.
“Good morning Mr. Anderson, I believe you enjoyed your sleep?” I knew it was too good to be true. She’s back to her serious strict self unlike last night when she was a blushing maiden. I couldn’t help but grin at her and said “It would’ve been more enjoyable if you were in bed too.”
She immediately scowled and said “Nothing about that seems enjoyable to me, Mr. Anderson, I’m your lawyer it would be inappropriate if I keep finding you drunk and beaten up at my doorstep. Not to mention it’s also scandalous. It’s a great thing that the paparazzi didn’t follow you.”
This woman is strongly immune to my charm. Just thinking about that suddenly filled me with determination. I have to win Evangeline over. A thought interrupted my determination as I asked her “Did you carry me up here?” I was talking about her room. She rolled her eyes and replied “More like I dragged you up here then took care of your drunken ass...” Her voice seemed pissed off and once she realized that she was raising her voice she went quiet and cleared her throat.
“I meant yes, I carried you to my room. I also made that you were taken care of. I made you drink aspirins and water, and I also wiped the sweat off your upper body.” she explained. My heart was beating fast as I stared at my beautiful lawyer. I wanted nothing more than to make her mine at the moment. It only added fuel to my fire of determination.
“How about we go out for dinner tonight as my way of thanking you?” I asked smoothly as I gave her my most charming grin. As expected my charm didn’t work on her. My heart started racing almost as if I was nervous. I didn’t want to panic or freak out in front of Eva so I just took in a deep breath and acted normally.
“And may I ask how are you going to be paying for this dinner, Mr. Anderson?” she asked.
I suddenly realized that I absolutely have no money. Smooth Eric, just totally smooth.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to let the chef or the owner beat you up as well?” she asked as she put her hands on her hips like a mother scolding her child. I scratched the back of my head as I smiled at her saying “I completely forgot that I’m broke.” She sighed as she grabbed a towel and held it out towards me.
“You can take a shower while I make more coffee then you can go home and change. Tonight, we can have dinner here at my house, I can cook. But we’ll only be talking about your case and nothing more.” she offered.
How can I refuse a beautiful woman to cook me dinner?
I smirked and said “Remember? I can’t find the spare to key to Asher’s home.” I reminded her. She sighed heavily this time and said, “We’ll figure this out after we had our coffee.” Almost as if she can’t deal with me without her coffee.
I took a bath in her shower but it took me a while since I was basically checking everything out. I absolutely love her fruity orange scented shampoo and wondered if her hair smelled the same. It also took me a while since I was thinking of the moment my heart started beating nervously when I asked Eva out. It wasn’t like that with other women.
I clutched my chest as I remembered asking her out, not too long my heart started nervously beating again. This absolutely never happened before. I bet all my money, that’s if I had any, that it had something to do with my sexy lawyer.
After taking a “relaxing” shower I went downstairs wearing the same clothes I wore last night. When I got to her living room I immediately frowned at the living room.
Papers were strewn across the floor and coffee table. Folders and envelopes as well littered the place. She was sitting on the floor as she sipped her cup of coffee while she read a piece of paper. She was so engrossed with her paper that she didn’t notice my presence. She was wearing sweat pants and a fluffy sweater that left me only imagining what could lie underneath.
Did she even sleep at all?
I then noticed the bags underneath her eyes. She must be working on many cases to be this busy. She’s hardworking, fierce, and determined which only made me want her more.
Chapter 4
Eva
I didn’t get a wink of sleep that night when Eric slept in my bed. It was complete torture to drag that man up the stairs, and when we finally made it to my bedroom as if out of instinct he started taking off his clothes as he walked towards my bed.
I felt my cheeks burned up but I was able to stop Eric before he corrupts my eyes. Even if there was a small nagging in the back of my head wondering what a shirtless Eric would look like.
Instead of sleeping I found myself reading cases from different people and comparing them to Eric’s case. Anything to get my mind off of my imagination of what if Eric had really kissed me rather than falling asleep. But I’m not imagining what it would feel like to kiss him, more like what rumors would spread if word got around that I was playing tonsil hockey with my client. Not to mention it bothered me that a man was sleeping in my bed.
While Eric was taking a shower, I was able to call Angel and tell him the situation that Eric’s in. Angel sent someone to give Eric another spare key for the house but it won’t arrive till tonight which meant Eric will be staying with me. Apparently, this famous rich man has no one else.
“You know you could’ve slept perfectly if you lied down beside me last night.” Eric startled me making me drop the papers. He stood right outside my messy circle wearing the same clothes he wore last night, his hair was wet w
hich gave him a whole new look, and his eye was still a dark color.
I sighed and said calmly “That would be inappropriate Mr. Anderson.” Even when my heart was beating fast.
For the afternoon we talked about his situation of not being able to get into Angel and Asher’s home. Angel told me that all the maids including the butler were given a vacation while Angel and Asher were gone. I felt exhausted from my heart beating abnormally around Eric.
When dinner finally came around I was able to make spaghetti and garlic bread. While I was making them, Eric couldn’t help himself but bug me.
“Do you need any help?” he asked. I knew he was being polite but somehow, I think he was also using that as an excuse to be near me. I sighed frustratingly but before I could decline his offer he said “You sure do sigh a lot. Is that a normal thing or is it just around me?” I noticed that small grin on his face.
“I sigh when I find things troublesome. I don’t need your help Mr. Anderson. Besides, I doubt you have any cooking skills.” I told him as I continued to put the pasta into the boiling water. He leaned against the counter and replied “I might not have any cooking skills but I am a fast learner.” He then started rolling up the sleeves of his shirt.
My eyes instantly eyed how strong his forearms were, and they wonder how strong his biceps would look. I mentally shook my head. I’m becoming what I’ve always avoided… what’s the word again? Oh, right.
Pervert.
I felt like a pervert just thinking about those muscles that rippled across his skin. Just him being in the same room as me made me nervous. I knew accepting this case was going to be troublesome. I suddenly jumped when Eric stood next to me making his bare skin on his forearm touch my arm. Even when I’m wearing a thick sweater I could feel a tingling sensation on my arm where his skin brushed mine.
