Mr. CEO Helps Me

The second interaction between them happened when Evelyn was carrying a large of notebooks to the teacher's office all by herself. As she walked through the staircase, she had a hard time looking at her path and balancing the notebook.

She knew that she would be done for if one of the notebooks fell and incurred damage. Regardless of how careful she remained, the books wobbled, and her steps were unsteady.

However, before any damage was inflicted, a hand was placed on her waist to stabilize her before someone grabbed more than half the books from her hand, lessening the burden.

"Where to?"

Surprised at Landon's presence, she stared at the teen with widened eyes. He raised one of his eyebrows, waiting for her response.

"Ah, uhm, the teacher's office on second floor," she stuttered out before turning her head the other way. Her cheeks heated up while her heart went out of control.

By the time she snapped into her senses, she realized that Landon had gone few steps ahead of her, and she hurried after him.

Later on, in order to express her thankfulness towards him, she brought a bottle of chocolate milk. Upon spotting the teenager leaning against the tree trunk while going through the book in his hand, her steps halted for a second.

The wind blew past him, swaying his black hair along. His blue eyes concentrated on the book in his hand while his long fingers supported the book by the spine. He looked elegant and exquisite— a truly pleasing sight for the eyes.

Evelyn was reluctant to destroy the scene.

But when he noticed Evelyn's presence, she gave him a shy smile before rushing over to him. Nervously, she extended her hand holding on to the bottle of chocolate milk.

She then said, "Thank you for your help earlier. I don't know what you like, but here, this is really good. It's my favorite."

Landon's eyes fell on the drink before lifting them to look at her. Without making a move towards the drink, he said, "Simply words would have sufficed."

Feeling embarrassed, she scratched the back of her head and expressed, "Did I go overboard? I am sorry. You helped me a lot, and yeah, I wanted to properly express my thankfulness. It really meant a lot to me."

After all, it was a first for her.

"It shouldn't," he voiced out, startling Evelyn.

She tilted her head in confusion.

"Huh?"

"Why should you be so thankful for some basic manners? I only did something that was morally right and normal to do, nothing out of ordinary."

Evelyn was out of words. Was it normal for others to help? Maybe when it came to someone else, it was, but Evelyn set the standards too low for herself that something like this was a wonder to her.

"I will accept it this time," he said, grabbing the chocolate milk and leaving Evelyn to her own thoughts.

When Evelyn returned to her apartment that day, she frowned at the car parked in front of the place. The black high-end car stood out in this shabby place. Evelyn stopped in front of the car.

The door opened, and a man stepped out, dressed in a black suit. He bowed at Evelyn courteously before saying, "Get in, Young Lady."

There was no explanation provided. However, Evelyn knew the only person who would so ostentatiously ask for her presence at this run down part of the city.

Although bothersome, left with no choice, Evelyn could only nod and obediently get into the vehicle before it started driving away. The ride went on for half an hour before it stopped in front of a boutique.

From the sight of it, Evelyn understood the purpose behind her existence being suddenly acknowledged and entered the boutique. After being critiqued by those professional eyes inside the boutique, she underwent makeover to fix herself.

The end product always managed to surprise her.

No longer was there a weary Evelyn with dull skin and dark eye circles in front of the mirror. She had been replaced with a girl having glowing skin and exquisite features. Over all, it have Evelyn an air of elegance, making her feel as though she was a nobility.

And like each time, regardless of the purpose behind dressing her up or what she had to face later on, Evelyn felt happy to see such a neat and lovely appearance of herself.

It was one of those rare moments she had the feeling, 'Ah! Even I can be pretty!'

All the years of bullying made her self-confidence dim down considerably.

There was no time to waste in admiring herself. After she hurriedly clicked a photo of herself to keep as memory— because she had no idea when she would get the next chance to be beautified— she got on to the car, and this time, it stopped in front of a large mansion.

Getting out of the car, she stood there for few seconds in admiration. The mansion before her was grand and beautiful. Golden and blue lights twinkled around the area. Reporters and paparazzi stood outside, clicking photos of the attendees.

"Sister, you are here! About time!"

At that, Evelyn's hand was grabbed, and that familiar voice made her shudder. She pressed down the fear that spread through her entire being and forced out a smile on her face.

The person holding on to her was Annalise Stone— her nominal sister. The two of them were only half-sisters, but to the outside world, they have been introduced as twins.

Of course, Evelyn was the unremarkable twin while Annalise had all the attention.

None of it made Evelyn feel envious. All she desperately wished for was to get Annalise to leave her alone— the chance of which happening remained close to zero even after all these years.

From ever since she could recall, Annalise had always been mean to her. Back when she was a child, Annalise had a habit of snatching away anything Evelyn owned.

She did try to fight against Annalise in the beginning, but it only ended up in her getting reprimanded and her meal being taken away. In worst cases, she was slapped once or twice.

Although indignant, Evelyn was smart enough to grasp the idea that she had to give in without complaints if she didn't want to get hurt.

However, soon after that, it appeared that Annalise was no longer satisfied with taking her things. She turned to pushing Evelyn, and her violence towards Evelyn only worsened with age.

At one time, Evelyn thought that being mean was part of Annalise's personality. However, she soon learned that it was only against Evelyn did Annalise show her rotten side while she went along amiably with everyone.

Understanding Annalise's mentality, she knew the girl found it shameful and deigned to harass others yet it was opposite when it came to Evelyn. Evelyn gave up trying to understand the contradictory image of Annalise.

Feeling the pinch on her arm got Evelyn to understand that her cooperation was unsatisfactory. Although Evelyn's acting skills were severely lacking in comparison to Annalise, her survival instincts were strong.

Therefore, wearing a wide grin on her face, she played the role of loving sister with Annalise. As they walked into the mansion, they had their pictures clicked. Although Evelyn was almost unknown, Annalise had a high popularity amongst the upper class.

Therefore, she deemed it a necessity to maintain a flawless image.

Upon entering the mansion, Evelyn took a moment to appreciate her surroundings. It was funny she had no clue about the event she attended. Her mind was too distracted to ask the driver about the occasion back in the car.

However, judging from the settings, she could guess it was a birthday party— sixty-eighth one that is— of a very influential man. She doubted she would recognize the man.

Despite having attended countless of these banquets, she was hardly introduced to people, and no one approached her. The time went by with her standing or sitting at one corner and occasionally choosing few snacks to feast upon.

Despite being known by very few people, Evelyn had an idea on how she was scorned at and mocked by the high society. Honestly, it was upsetting in the beginning. She didn't know what she had done to be hated.

But as time passed by, it became bearable.

It was one of those things she forced herself to accept.

Annalise was quick to find her friends and mingle while feeling out of place, Evelyn stood at one corner awkwardly. As much as she didn't want to attend these events, she knew that they didn't wish for her presence either.

But because of being named as Annalise's twin, the legitimate daughter, her absence would be frowned upon. In order to promote the image of equality, Evelyn had to be obedient and be present.