His new side

Two weeks ago

Dylan was splayed on the swivel chair, his eyes staring at the ceiling deciphering the patterns of smoke rising high in the air. Hunter entered the room which reeked of alcohol and tobacco. His gaze raked over the empty bottles littered on the floor. A defeated sigh escaped his lips as he shifted his eyes to Dylan who was busy smoking the cigar languidly, he looked worn out as his face held a forlorn expression.

Hunter took small strides and finally halted before him. When Dylan still didn’t notice him, he cleared his throat, “Mr. Benedict Fraser accepted the proposal. He is ready to sell his company to us.”

Dylan nodded absentmindedly. He crushed the butt of the cigar before straightening his spine, “Bring me the documents.”

Hunter immediately handed him the file as Dylan leafed through them carelessly when his eyes stopped at a particular signature that was scribbled at the bottom. A sinister glint entered his eyes as he caressed his thumb over it. That act only creeped Hunter out.

“Fine. Invite him to finalize the deal, I want to be done with it by today itself.”

Hunter nodded and took his leave. Dylan leaned his head on the headrest and smirked.

“Desperate times call for desperate measures, wifey. If you can’t stay beside me then I will do the honors.”

*****

Present time

“Eve, work can wait. Eat or I will shove the sandwich in your mouth,” Xander berated Evelyn earning a death glare from her.

“What’s with the glaring huh? I will tell Aunt Maria that you don’t eat. Fraser wouldn’t run away if you don’t submit the report today. You have a week to prepare it then why are you burning the candles at both ends and neglecting your health? Come on finish the lunch or I will make your paper eat the food.” He growled and rushed to snatch the file.

“No!!”

Evelyn shrieked in panic and quickly got up. She placed her arms in the air to stop him but Xander tripped and ended up falling on the table, with Evelyn laying beneath him.

Her eyes bulged out in shock. She quickly placed her palms on his chest as he sprawled over her like a blanket. Evelyn blinked her eyes; she eyed the ball in his throat that moved visibly as he inhaled her scent. Their proximity and scandalous position increased her heartbeat.

While on the other hand, Xander marveled at her beauty. She was still the most beautiful woman in her eyes. A smile graced his lips watching her gaping at him with her big Bambi eyes. She looked adorable.

“Get off me,” Evelyn scowled when he made no attempt to move.

Xander smirked watching her button nose flaring as she glared at him with puffed-out cheeks. He purposely lowered her head making her flinch back.

“Why? This position is quite comfortable you know. At least you would listen to me,” he rasped near her lips. The hair on her nape raised as she could feel the rugged muscles of his hard chest on her palms that were plastered against him.

“I will eat.” She hurriedly spoke and tried to push him. Xander chuckled and pecked her cheek freezing her on the spot. He was enjoying her beetroot face as he stood up and helped her stand. Evelyn said nothing and plopped on the chair obediently.

“Here, say aa...” he crooned. Evelyn narrowed her eyes and ate from his hands. He patted her head.

“That my girl, ow!!”

He was busy feeding her when Evelyn bit his finger hard.

“What the hell Evie?” Xander cried and jerked his hand. Evelyn smirked mentally.

“What happened? Come on feed me, I am hungry.” She showed him her puppy eyes and opened her mouth.

“I don’t feed a cannibal. Eat it on your own”, Xander grumbled and placed the lunch box on the table with a thud. Evelyn burst into giggles watching him glaring at her.

“Think twice before messing with me.” She smirked and started munching on the sandwiches. Xander continued glaring at her while rubbing his injured finger.

A knock on the door interrupted their banter. Evelyn hurriedly gobbled up the rest of the sandwiches and wiped her mouth with the tissue.

“Come in.”

Sara entered the room. Her gaze instantly narrowed to the mess created on her desk with things strewn all over the place.

“What is it?” Xander spoke sternly, he didn’t like the woman a bit. Even Evelyn was aware of the invisible wall of hostility between them. Xander had many times told her that Sara would always shoot him a nasty glare as if their proximity irked her. The woman made no move to hide her dislike of watching him close to Evelyn. And that was enough to trigger him. Who was she to even judge him?

Sara as usual gave him a sharp glare before turning her full attention to Evelyn.

“Mr. Fraser is waiting for you in the hall, Ma’am.”

Evelyn immediately jumped in shock, “What? But why? The meeting was scheduled for next week. Did he reveal his purpose of arrival?“, she blabbered in fear.

Sara nodded, “Yes, he wanted you to meet with his new owner. Now, you will be working with him Ma’am as Mr. Fraser had sold his company to him.”

“What?” Xander chimed, “That’s weird. Fraser was highly capable of running the J&K Corporation, even his company was performing well then why in the world he suddenly decided to bid on it?” He spoke and looked at Evelyn who was also clueless.

“I don’t know. Joseph studied the matter and found out that it was initially published as a tie-up by the media but later it was revealed that the business tycoon demanded complete ownership. And Fraser sold it stating that his health was deteriorating and he was unable to run that Unicorn. It was consensual, he didn’t make this decision under any duress.” Sara stipulated.

Evelyn looked at her with a baffled expression.

“He was sick? Whatever let’s meet him.” She dropped the investigation and looked at Xander who also nodded in approval.

*****

Evelyn walked ahead with Xander following her trail. Her brows creased while her lips tugged downwards as sadness swamped over her.

‘What if the new owner is a jerk?’

Evelyn was happy working with Fraser as he was a very easygoing guy and readily passed her blueprints with no nit-picking. He was instead delighted with her work and appraised her openly. When everything was sorted, Fraser demanded the final copy of the blueprints, for which he gave Evelyn a week time to put the final stamp on the project.

Evelyn had never got such a cooperative and generous business partner so the thought of him quitting burdened her heart with sorrow.

Her feet halted as she eyed Joseph and Fraser who were sitting on the couch and seemed deeply immersed in a heated discussion. She sighed and blinked her eyes when suddenly she caught a man who was sitting on the chair like a king in front of her. A slick black coat hung over his broad shoulders while his jet-black hair and tanned nape came into her view. Evelyn suddenly was intimated by his hot back view as the man was exceptionally tall and well-built.

A dawning realization gnawed her insides. She found him familiar.

Xander furrowed his brows and looked at Evelyn who was gazing at the mysterious man with utmost interest, “What happened?”

“Who is he?” Evelyn spoke in a daze; her brown hues were still riveted on him.

“For that, we need to meet him.” Xander mused and grabbed her hands. Evelyn was startled when he intertwined their hands and before she could reject, dragged her along.

Sensing a presence, Fraser lifted his head, his eyes sparkled watching Evelyn. Joseph also stood up but his brows puckered in confusion noticing their linked fingers.

“Good day, Ms. Clarke. Firstly, I would like to introduce you to the new chairman of J&K Corp.,”

Evelyn quickly pulled her hand out of his grip and walked forward to greet the new owner with a beautiful smile. But for her consternation, it was a hasty move.

“Mr. Dylan Black.” Fraser completed his sentence leaving her thunderstruck.

Evelyn stilled; her legs glued to the ground as that name echoed in her ears on a loop. With a palpitating heart, she shifted her eyes to Dylan only to find him already staring at her.

The man was dressed in an Armani suit, his appearance dapper as usual. His jet-black hair was perfectly coiffed to the back revealing his broad forehead. His obsidian eyes stared deep into her soul while his pink lips were pressed together.

Evelyn was confounded to see his frigid expressions. His aura exuded confidence, dominance, and danger but was completely deprived of warmth. His icy glare oscillated between her and Xander as he studied their ashen faces.

“You, what are you doing here?” Xander raged, he didn’t bite back his resentment and marched towards him when Evelyn quickly held his hand, pulling him back.

Dylan’s gaze instantly dropped to their hands. A strong urge to break Xander’s hands overpowered him but it was not the right time to act recklessly. Smoldering lava surged through his veins but he concealed his fury and stood up. Dipping his left hand in the pocket of his black tailored pants, he took a threatening step in her direction and extended his palm for Evelyn.

Evelyn was visibly shaking. Even Fraser was surprised to see the nervousness dripping from her eyes. Her gaze flitted to his extended palm and back to his blank, soulless eyes.

‘Why is he here? Why out of so many people, Fraser had to sell his company to him?’

Swallowing her dread, she inhaled a deep breath and pulled out her clammy hand to shake with his rigid one.

“Evelyn Clarke.”

“Dylan Black.”

*****

Benedict discussed his reasons for resigning to Xander and Evelyn without skipping any detail. Rather he knew that his friends had lost their interest in him since they got a bigger reason to worry.

Evelyn was on pins and needles the whole time. Her eyes never left Dylan for once but what came as a shock was that he never looked at her for once. Evelyn was gobsmacked by his nascent indifference, the man who used to yearn for her one glance was ignoring her when he had her whole attention. This change was surprising, confusing, and unsettling.

Brandon’s words had already left her conflicted. Evelyn pondered a lot that night and finally decided to apologize. He was right, she has no right to interfere in his family matter and insult him when he was emotionally torn. What she said was beyond cruel and inhumane. No one deserves this, not even her enemies.

But Dylan’s unexpected visit blew all her courage. Her eyes were trained on him the moment she took her chair but deep down she prayed silently that Dylan continue ignoring her, at least she will get an easy escape.

“I hope I didn’t disappoint you, Ms. Clarke.”

The mention of her name pulled her out of reverie. Evelyn looked at Mr. Fraser but jumped when her eyes collided with Dylan whose gaze was still the same- cold and distant. Gulping, she tore her gaze away from him and turned to the man who was eagerly waiting for her answer.

“No, not at all. Yes, it’s disheartening to see you go but we respect your decision. We expect the same cooperation from Mr. Black and hope to work together with the same energy and enthusiasm to accomplish the dream which we saw together.” She spoke with a jovial smile.

Mr. Fraser nodded and smiled brightly revealing his pearly teeth, “Oh, don’t worry. I can assure you that.” He then looked at Dylan whose eyes were fixed on Evelyn.

Dylan who was sitting with his arms stretched on the armrest breathed out a loud sigh before speaking, “Definitely. I have heard a lot about Maria Estates’ competency and desire to achieve the targets. Mr. Fraser told me a lot about your flair but I’ll be satisfied once I see it on my own.” His thick, masculine tone made her heart shudder.

Xander on the other hand was bristling with rage. Dylan blatantly ignored him the whole time, he knew he was doing it deliberately.

Handing Mafia the baton, Fraser decided to take his leave. Evelyn and Xander escorted him outside with due respect. Dylan also accompanied them, he also took his leave and walked past Evelyn when she called him from behind.

“Dylan.”

Xander turned furious but Evelyn didn’t glance his way and padded to Dylan who also stopped dead in his tracks but didn’t turn around.

Evelyn licked her lips, hesitation evident on her face, “I-I need to talk to you.”

“Whatever was required has already been discussed. There’s nothing left to talk about now, Ms. Clarke.” He spoke in a terse tone and wore his shades before stepping outside the building.

Evelyn gaped at him stunned while Hunter opened the door for Dylan as he climbed in his Mercedes. Shutting the door, Hunter gave a once over at Evelyn. She didn’t miss the spite in his blue eyes as he slipped into the driver’s seat and drove away.