A Shocking News

Xander smirked at her frozen state. Dipping his hands in the pockets of his black slacks, he stepped back and before Evelyn could understand, he gripped her palm and placed it on the scanner, unlocking the door.

“N-No,” she screamed in panic but it was useless as by then Xander had twisted the knob and rushed outside the secret bathroom. Evelyn tried holding him back but instead got dragged outside.

But she hadn’t expected the room to be empty.

“Thank God.”

Relief washed over her as she placed her palm on her chest and exhaled loudly with closed eyes. When she finally gained control over her senses, Evelyn opened her eyes only to find Xander staring at her with amusement.

“Well, if I wasn’t convinced earlier, I am completely assured now.” He mused while eyeing her from head to toe.

“Look Xander,” Evelyn said as she held his right hand softly, “I know you have any questions and I promise you that I will answer each one of them. But first, I need you to trust me.” She spoke earnestly.

“And that’s where the problem lies, Eve”, Xander replied in his deep voice and turned to face her.

“You can’t be trusted.”

Saying that he harshly snatched his hand away from her hold making her stumble forward. Her eyes widened as she looked at him in shock but her heart clenched watching unadulterated rage and sheer resentment marring his face.

“You’re misunderstanding, Xander. I...I was only trying to protect you-”

“Yeah, by hiding me and letting that man roam around freely. Wise decision,” he spat, rudely cutting her.

“And you know it didn’t look like you were protecting me. You were protecting him.”

“That’s not true,” Evelyn cried and shook her head vigorously.

“I don’t know how to make you believe me. But I swear to God Xander, the circumstances aren’t in my favor right now.”

Xander smirked and took a step closer. Evelyn was startled when he caressed her hair before cupping her small face in his huge palms. Her eyes fluttered when he pulled her closer to his lips making her gasp.

“Oh, is that so but then what if I tell you that I also know you were with him last night? Your hubby gave you a ride to the office also, isn’t it? That explains why I saw your car parked in the garage of your house when I went to pick you up today.” Xander spoke and smiled at her sweetly.

Her breath hitched. She was too scared to even move a muscle.

“So, you know what happened last night? You lied?” Evelyn grumbled but Xander could see her anger looming up. She felt betrayed.

He scoffed, “As if you didn’t.”

She clenched her fists. He had every right to stay angry at her but then it dawned on her.

Why would she take all the blame? If Dylan was too careless to barge inside her office knowing very well that he could get caught then why is she supposed to cover him up?

Why doesn’t she grab this opportunity and set herself free from his clutches?

Straightening her spine, she looked at Xander and decided to tell him everything.

It was for the best.

“You wanna know why I did that? Then listen, Dylan is a-”

“Evelyn!!”

They both were interrupted by Brandon who stormed inside the cabin. Evelyn jumped and narrowed her eyes at him.

Brandon opened his mouth when his eyes fell on Xander.

He nervously smiled, “Hey, Pooh! What’s up-”

“Why didn’t you tell me that Dylan is back?” Xander ignored the pleasantries and shot him a question. Brandon gulped before he dropped his gaze to the floor and sighed heavily.

“There’s sad news, Xander. Mr. Blck is no more.”

Xander and Evelyn: WHAT??

He nodded sadly.

Evelyn palmed her mouth in shock, tears rushing to her eyes, “O-Oh my God!”

Xander was also stunned by this news. He looked at Evelyn who was weeping badly.

Evelyn felt as if her world crashed. Her heart bled for that man because he was the only person in that hellhole who always defended her and tried to save her from his psycho son.

Xander’s eyes turned soft. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a hug. Evelyn was so grief-stricken at the moment that everything slipped her mind as she wrapped her arms around his torso and started crying on his chest hard.

“Sshh. It’s okay,” He spoke softly and rubbed circles on her back while his other hand patted her head gently. His heart also turned heavy remembering Mr. Black who always treated him and Brandon like his sons.

*****

Xander glanced at Brandon who was scowling at him. After consoling Evelyn who fortunately calmed down, he dragged Brandon to his cabin and decided to interrogate him further.

But the way Brandon was suppressing his rage and looking at him with scorn, it was clear that he didn’t like the closeness between him and Evelyn.

“What about Dylan’s Mom?”

“I don’t know. As soon as I heard the news, I came running to you when I met Dylan outside. He was surprised to see me but we both didn’t talk and parted our ways. I think he was here for Evelyn.” Brandon answered him but the scowl on his face never faltered.

Xander looked at him with askance, not at all convinced by his words, “Why did he come to meet Evelyn after all these years? There’s no way he just wanted to tell her about his father.”

Brandon clenched his jaw, “Maybe he has no one on his side right now and wants to reunite his family. We also left his side, Xander. Right now, he needs us the most.”

His pitch raised an octave. Brandon was furious at Xander’s impassivity.

Xander on the other hand shot him a glare, “Don’t forget what he has done. There’s no need to feel sorry for that man.”

Snarling, he plopped on the chair and picked up the file from the table, ignoring his existence.

Brandon remained silent and watched Xander as he busied himself with work. He could see the veins on his neck as he was trying his best to not lose his calm.

“I won’t, don’t worry,” he asserted.

Xander nodded while his eyes were busy skimming the document that he failed to notice the sly smile on his pal’s face.

‘But soon you will be sorry for messing with him, Pooh.’

Brandon spoke in his head and smirked while his eyes turned murky.

*****