Old Wounds

Alexander followed after Evangeline, leaving Eric behind to deal with his guest. She stood under the canopy to shield herself from the sun, the arm that the man had grabbed caused the sleeve to pull up exposing what seems to be a burn scar on her arm. Alex was stunned by the scar, it seemed much larger that what he was currently see.

Almost as if she felt his gaze, Eva spun around to face the man standing 5 feet from her, following his gaze, she noticed him staring at her arm, the burn exposed. She quickly adjusted the sleeve before greeting him.

"Hello Mr. Blackthorne."

"Ms. Beaumont, good to see you too."

Eva chuckled, "You saw what happened didn't you?"

"I did." he answered honestly

"Do you also think I reacted harshly?"

Alex shook his head before replying, "The way you handle the situation was appropriate."

Alex walked closer to Eva until he was next to her under the canopy, they stood in silence keeping each other company. 

"I always believed you were a busy man Mr. Blackthorne." Eva said looking up at the man.

Eva is quite tall especially in heels and for the man next to her to be towering over her like this was not something she came across often.

"Rest is also very crucial, Ms. Beaumont." Alex said while looking out at the vehicles passing by.

"Did you already call for a taxi?"

She shook her head in response, "I'm clearing my head before dealing with anything else, as you said, rest is crucial."

"Let me give you a ride then." Alex offered

Eva didn't find his presence overbearing or stifling and he was easy to talk to. She accepted.

"Can I stop somewhere first?"

"Of course, and call me Alex."

"Eva." a soft smile took over her face

Alex stared at her, he couldn't find the strength to look away

'It's no secret that Evangeline is a beautiful woman, but her smile is simply breathtaking.Now I'm curious about her laugh.'

Eric drove up to the entrance of the tea house, on closer inspection he noticed his boss and Ms. Beaumont under the canopy. His boss looked frozen, staring at the woman next to him.

'Sir, where is your dignity? You can't openly stare at someone like that!'

Eric exited the vehicle and approached the pair.

"Hello Ms. Beaumont." he greeted, to which she nodded in acknowledgement

"Ready when you are, sir." 

Alex gestured for Eva to walk ahead of him, he even opened the door for her then entered the vehicle after her. Eric looked at them, taken aback. With furrowed eyebrows, he entered the driver's seat.

"Where did you want to stop?"

"The Fairy Teacup cafe."

Alex instructed the even more confused Eric.

'Who is this? Who am I? Is this real? Where did my cold employer disappear to?'

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When they got to the cafe, Eva went to open her door but Eric beat her to it. Alexander followed her into the building. Jenny spotted her favourite customer greeting her with a smile.

"Hey Eva, I'll go prepare your order, please take a seat." the cafe wasn't as busy which gave Jenny the chance to personally handle Eva's order.

"Thanks Jenny." Eva walked over to her usual seat.

All the while still being observed by the man walking behind her. He took notice of the fact that the owner was quite familiar with Evangeline. The cafe's employees all greeted her with a smile that she returned. It shows how often she visits the cafe because she didn't need to say her order out loud.

"I worked here during my highschool and university years." Eva took the chance to explain when she looked at Alex, she could see the wheels turning in his head trying to figure everything out.

"You had a job while in high school?" this caused unease to spread across his chest.

'Why would she need a job when she was just a high school student?'

Thinking back to the event between Eva and her father, he couldn't help but wonder what her day to day life was like. He started thinking about the burn on her arm.

'Is he the cause of that scar on her arm?'

Alex furrowed his brows lost in thought, he didn't even notice that Eva had gone to collect her dessert or that she was back. Eva had to gently pat him on the shoulder to get his attention.

"Mr. Blackthorne, we can go now."

Rising from his seat, he corrected her way of addressing him, "I thought we agreed on being less formal Eva, I told you to call me Alex."

He led her back to the car, carrying her dessert. Eric opened the door for them.

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After taking Eva home, Alex sat in the back of the car, pondering on the day's events. On one hand he was happy that he was closer to Eva but he couldn't help but be sorry for her. Eric noticed Alex's discomfort but didn't bring it up in case it was something he couldn't speak about freely.

"Eric."

"Yes sir?"

"Aren't daughters usually very attached to their fathers?

'Ah, so it's about Ms. Beaumont.'

"Everyone's situation is different sir, in most cases they are quite attached to their fathers but then there is the minority that don't have a good relationship with each other."

Alex looked out the window for the rest of the drive, the unfamiliar feeling still at the forefront of his mind.