CHAPTER 7: Coffee Bar

Evangeline approached Aaron from a distance "Hey wait" but, her mind was swirling with questions. Does he think less of me after seeing me with Nate? Should I explain? Or he will ask me? a lot of confusion but forced a smile to mask her unease, she brushed her doubts aside.

"You mentioned you had to leave today," she said, holding his hand tightly.

Aaron watched down her face. "I did, but I wanted to check on you. After last night, I assumed you were still terrified, so here I am."

Her stiff shoulders eased somewhat. "Right now, I am exhausted. "Can we go to a coffee bar?" she inquired, her eyes sparkling to go outside with him.

Aaron smirked, noting how her expression brightened at the suggestion. "If my queen commands it, how can I refuse?" he teased.

Evangeline let out an exaggerated sigh, waving her hand dismissively. "I'm no queen—more like a prisoner," she quipped, her tone playful yet dramatic.

"A prisoner, huh? Why Eve? you have everything then, why?" asked worried

"I can't even go alone outside what does it mean? Is more like prisoner right "

"I give a all the freedom you want don't worry uncle don't mind me now we can go coffee bar, okay? " He said with a caring tone and watching her eyes.

She shook her head up and down," You are the best" and she hugged him.

They made their way to Aaron's car. As they settled in, Evangeline took out her phone and called her bodyguard. "You may return to the house. I'm with a friend and will be home by 7," she added softly.

.

"Understood, Miss Evangeline," Chris responded from the other end of the phone.

Nate and Kim watched them intently from the shadows of a nearby building.

"Are you jealous, Boss?" Kim teased, a playful grin on his face. 

Nate smirked but didn't take his eyes off them. "Jealous? my ass. I'm just trying to figure out who he is?" 

Kim nodded, watching them leave. "Yeah, it's suspicious." 

"We need to separate them, otherwise he disturbs our plan" Nate declared with a serious tone. 

"How?" Kim asked, her curiosity piqued. 

Nate smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief and he went near to Kim's ears. "Don't tell anyone." Kim nodded, "That's a secret" he replied with a wink. 

Kim signed with disappointment "My fault, trusting you" and then both left the place.

Aaron glanced at Evangeline in the mirror as he drove. "Eve, do you want to change your dress or something?" he asked casually.

Evangeline leaned back in her seat; her voice confident. "Nope. Whatever I'm wearing, I still look good."

Aaron chuckled, shaking his head and clearing his throat. "Yeah, yeah… keep telling yourself "He mocked, eyeing the road.

After arriving at the opulent coffee shop, Evangeline and Aaron sat in the VIP seat, looking around and savoring the spectacular window view. "It's lovely. I love flowers." She closed her eyes and absorbed the perfume. "It made me feel like I was in a garden. "You have such great taste, Aaron," she added, closing her eyes.

Aaron chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "I know how much you love flowers. I just wanted you to relax and be happy," he said watching her face clearly and enjoying the moment.

Evangeline opened her eyes and smiled warmly. "You're so sweet. Honestly, you're like my little relief tablet for stress." 

Just then, the waiter interrupted. "Sir, may I take your order?" 

Aaron turned to Evangeline. "What would you like, Eve?" 

"Anything you choose. I like everything, so I don't mind," she replied with a shrug. 

Aaron laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, alright," he said, ordering " Kopi Luwak" coffee.

A brief silence hung between them, After that Evangeline spoke, her tone casual yet curious. "Aaron, you saw me with someone in the hall earlier, didn't you?" 

Aaron sipped his coffee, his eyes meeting hers. "Um, yeah. Who is he? I haven't seen him in your class before." 

With a wide smile, Evangeline replied, "Oh, he's new. But that's not the issue." Her expression shifted, annoyance flashing across her face. 

"He's showing way too much attitude," she continued, her tone sharper. "It's like he thinks every girl is falling over him. I mean, I've seen them watching him, but I'm not like that, and so on..." She sipped her coffee, venting about Nate. 

Aaron listened, but the mention of Nate stirred a quiet frustration within him, and he squeezed his hand shut... He hid his frustration behind a polite smile, though the tightening grip on his coffee cup betrayed his emotions.

Aaron's gaze drifted to her lips, where a faint trace of coffee lingered. Before he could stop himself, he leaned forward, without thinking, leaned closer to her face, and gently lifted her chin upward with his hand. "You've got coffee here," he said softly, he murmured, his thumb brushing away the stain with a soft touch.

Evangeline froze, her breath caught in her throat as their eyes locked. The world seemed to blur around them, leaving only the intensity of their gaze. 

Realizing the moment, Aaron quickly stepped back, smiling to ease the tension. "You always drink coffee like children but it's okay it is also cute." 

After hearing cute Evangeline blinked, her cheeks warming and blushing. "Um, sorry," she muttered, unsure how to react.

Aaron chuckled softly and didn't show his inner true feelings."It's okay. Carry on." 

After a brief silence, "We're already late," Evangeline said, glancing at the clock. 

"Yeah, then we can leave now" Aaron replied, his voice calm. she nodded without looking at him and watching her phone because she felt shy.

They left the bar, and Aaron opened the car door for her. Evangeline slid into the passenger seat, and Aaron got in on the other side. A comfortable silence settled between them. 

OMG, what a day, Evangeline thought, exhaling a relieved breath as she leaned back in her seat. 

No one spoke in the car and Evangeline watched from outside view her mind racing with today's moments.

"We've arrived at your house if any problem call me okay? Don't put anything on mind" Aaron's voice broke the silence.

However, Evangeline remained submerged in her thoughts.

Aaron softly placed his hand on Eve's shoulder and called her "Eve... Eve...Evangeline"

She blinked, snapping back into reality.

"Is everything okay?" he said, his voice filled with anxiety.

Evangeline nodded immediately, her mind still a little foggy. "Yeah… yeah... I am fine."

She unlocked the door and stepped outside, turning to give him a quick smile. "Goodbye, Aaron. Go safe"

Aaron watched her leave, a smirk tugging at his lips. His eyes gleamed with something more, and his pleasant smile revealed a deeper satisfaction that he didn't need to express.

On the other side , in a dimly lit room, a phone buzzed constantly on a polished wooden table. A man wearing an orange shirt snatched it up and held it to his ear. "Yes?" he answered, his voice gravelly and harsh.

"Papa, everything is going as planned,I finally met him ." a young girl's voice said calmly but firmly.

The man's lips curved into a chilly smirk. "Good. I expected no less from you. "Keep it that way."

Before more words could be said, the conversation was abruptly ended, leaving the room with an air of uncertainty.