THE COMMOTION AT THE CAFE

After delivering the order to Aldrich and Brandon, Evelyn busied herself with other orders. It was the weekend, and the cafe was very busy, as there was a lack of staff. While preparing the next order, Evelyn heard Emily's voice outside the cafe. She mumbled softly, " Why is she here?" Leaving her order, she went towards the raising voice. As expected, it was Emily with her boyfriend Drake Collins.

As soon as Emily spotted Evelyn, she shouted at her, " Finally you're out, huh!" Evelyn took a deep breath and asked calmly, " What can I help you with?" Emily snaked her arms around Drake and said in her sultry voice, " The thing is, me and my babe need the forms filled asap." Evelyn shook her head and said, " I'm sorry, but I'm on duty right now."

As she said those words, a slap landed on her face. Evelyn moved back while trembling. Aldrich and Brandon witnessed all this. Maximilian was at the edge, seeing Evelyn trembling like that. Brandon wanted to strangle Emily for hurting his sister. Due to Evelyn's fair skin, the handprint of Emily was seen clearly. Aldrich's eyes turn red, indicating that Maximilian has surfaced. He asked coldly, " What's happening here?" With one glance, anyone can say he's about to burst. People there were trembling due to the change in the temperature.

Emily, who had just slapped Evelyn, stepped back, hearing his cold voice. Drake, who was beside Emily, also stepped back. Emily was smitten by the handsomeness of Brandon and Aldrich. She immediately left Drake and started sugar-coating them. " Gentlemen, she's my adopted sister. It's a common feud among sisters, right, Eve?" She glanced innocently at Evelyn. Getting the cue, Evelyn nodded slightly and handed the forms with trembling hands to Emily.

Getting the forms from Evelyn, she patted her softly saying, "See, it was as simple as this." She pinched her cheeks and was about to leave when Aldrich's cold voice made her freeze in her place. " Who allowed you to leave?" Brandon snatched the forms from Emily's hand and passed them to Aldrich. With his red eyes, indicating Maximilian, Aldrich tore the forms infront of them. Emily panicked and shouted " How dare you!"

Aldrich then gestured Evelyn to come forward. Evelyn, not knowing how to respond, stood still. Aldrich, sensing her hesitation, spoke with authority to the people watching the free show. " Let me ask you, "Is it justifiable to physically slap someone merely because they declined your request due to their busy schedule?" Everyone whispered among themselves, and their gaze turned unfriendly towards Emily and Drake.

Someone from the crowd said, " We too have siblings, yet we have never hurt them physically like you did. Serves you right." Hearing their response, Emily and Drake were red due to embarrassment. Aldrich once again asked, " Is it justified for me to have torn these forms and canceled their opportunity?" The crowd nodded in agreement, and consequently, the troublemakers who sought to cause trouble were ridiculed and compelled to flee in humiliation and anger.

The crowd dispersed, and the cafe's atmosphere turned back to normal. Brandon and Aldrich went back to their place and were surprised to see a new set of coffee mugs and cookies. A small note was attached saying, " Thanks for the help." Aldrich smiled and kept the note in his pocket. Brandon, who was busy savoring the cookies, suddenly choked, seeing Aldrich's smile. "Cough! Cough!" Aldrich glared at him as the cookie bits were spat on him.

A handkerchief was handed to Aldrich by Evelyn, who had witnessed the entire scene. Aldrich accepted the handkerchief and their hands touched slightly creating a spark between them. Maximilian surfaced feeling their bond but was hurt not getting the same reaction from Evelyn. " Something is restricting her from feeling our bond. Let me feel her once again, I need to know what is restricting our bond." Aldrich thanked Evelyn and gave back the handkerchief.

Brandon froze on his spot when he saw a pendant on Evelyn's neck. Aldrich sensed Brandon's reaction and followed his eyes. He understood Brandon's reaction and gently shook him. coming out of his shock, Brandon asked carefully, " If you don't mind, can I ask you something personal?" Evelyn nodded softly gesturing him to ask his question. Brandon taking a deep breath asked pointing towards the pendant on her neck " Who gave you this pendant?"