It's not easy to turn a new leaf

Evelyn pressed her head against the mahogany door, her lips were tugged downwards as she tapped her feet nervously, still debating whether to go inside or not for the umpteenth time. The crux of the deal was that Dylan demanded his own office in Maria Estates which Evelyn fulfilled despite Xander’s resistance. She had made the deal with the devil and had made her point clear to him.

“Though we are working together, we will strictly adhere to a professional relationship. The one who breaks the rule would have to pay the consequences.”

That was the condition she had added to the contract and surprisingly, Dylan also consented to it. The consequences included that the other party would break the deal while the perpetrator had to pay the compensation.

So, clearly, she had no reason to back out. She needed to simply cooperate but it wasn’t as easy as it sounded.

Just like now, Evelyn was dawdling the hours away while standing in the lobby like a fool as she couldn’t muster up the courage to face the man behind the door. It was not like she didn’t use the option to use someone to send the report to him but Dylan had guessed her moves beforehand. He sent Sara back much to her shock by saying that he wanted Evelyn to show up.

“Need me to drag you inside, Ms. Clarke?”

Her heart slammed against her ribcage when his sonorous voice came from behind. Releasing a shaky breath, Evelyn turned around only to find Dylan eyeing her with a solemn look. He was dressed in a navy-blue three-piece suit and was looking extremely handsome. Evelyn was aware of his double-timing, as the man was adeptly handling his businessman image while running his Mafia business, parallelly and secretly. Dylan was drowned in work pressure yet nothing could deplete his sexy charm. The man could bring any girl to her knees.

Evelyn had seen his dedication and she would be lying if said that she wasn’t impressed. The man was flat out like a lizard drinking, checking the drafts, making the deals, and instructing the employees. He was working very hard on her project and she couldn’t help but feel grateful to him. But along with it came a slew of stress and workload yet the man never complained.

Her brows shot up in confusion. The last time she checked he was inside.

“Yes, I was but since you were guarding the door and I needed to head out so I used the other door. I guess you must be aware of the structure of your office.” Dylan taunted her as he read her thoughts.

Evelyn narrowed her eyes at him. Jerk.

Averting her gaze, she stepped forward and extended her hand. Dylan’s eyes dropped down to her hands that were holding the file.

“Here’s the project report.” She said and expected him to take it but he gave no response and whisked past her.

“I think I made my point clear that I needed to discuss a few points with you.” Dylan clipped while twisting the knob. He then entered his cabin and left the door open for her.

“But why? I have doubled checked the report. There are no errors,” Evelyn whined as she followed him inside while storming her feet on the ground like a child.

“It’s not for you to decide, Ms. Clarke. I am not Fraser that I would approve any trash you submit,” Dylan stated crisply as he scraped the chair and plopped on it.

Evelyn broke out in blisters when he openly humiliated her. She slammed the file on the table.

Her actions triggered him. His jaw ticked as he took a deep breath and lifted his dark eyes only to see her fuming.

“You are doing it purposely, aren’t you?”

Dylan didn’t like her accusatory tone a bit. Crossing his arms on his chest, he leaned back on the chair before bestowing her his whole attention.

“What do you mean?”

“You exactly know what I mean, Dylan,” Evelyn sneered, her veins popping out, “Buying Fraser just like you bought my parents to stay close to me. You think I can’t catch your games.” Venom dripped from her mouth.

Dylan stared at her but soon let out a chuckle leaving her confused.

“How mighty you think of yourself? My whole world doesn’t revoke around you. Besides you don’t have any right to pry into my matters. Whom I buy, what I buy, that has nothing to do with you. You made your point clear earlier that you have nothing to do with me and I respect that. We both agreed to the part of your deal but there haven’t been two days and it looks like you’re ready to lose. You suck Evelyn Clarke. When you can’t control your emotions then why did you put a sham earlier in front of everyone that I don’t affect you.”

His words were like a tight slap on her face. Evelyn was dumbfounded, her cheeks reddened in embarrassment.

“I just asked for a file and I have no intention of cornering you in private and doing nasty things with you. I expected better from you Evelyn Clarke but seems like you are just like those delusional businesswomen who don’t have their feet on the ground and live in their fantasy world that every man wants them.” He continued disgracing her.

Tears prick at the corner of her eyes. Dylan emphasized the last line that stung her heart like a barbed wire. It was a direct shot at her self-esteem.

Evelyn clenched her fists and shot him a teary glare, “I did no such thing. How can I trust the man who molested me in front of so many people? You can’t turn saint in a day.” She argued.

Yes, she had decided to stay professional but it was hard to trust a man who was impossible to read. Deep down, she was also afraid that Dylan definitely have some motive hidden behind. He didn’t chase her all the way from New York to San Francisco for fun.

But she also can’t deny that Dylan did stick to his words. Evelyn earlier wasn’t convinced but her beliefs turned stronger as she lost her cool in two days while he was still cool as a cucumber. The man who used to raise Hell by seeing her getting close to any other male didn’t give a damn when Xander lingers around her and joked with her. He witnessed them together multiple times but ignored them as if he didn’t give a fuck about them. And that only grew seeds of suspicion in her mind.

Dylan’s expression immediately turned dour. Evelyn was taken aback as his eyes grew grim. She moved back when he abruptly stood up and stalked towards her like a demon drunk in rage.

“And I did tell you the very first day that I am ready to blur our old relationship and start a new leaf.” He rumbled out loud, his eyes never leaving hers.

Evelyn gasped when her back met with the wall. She hurriedly tried escaping but it was too late as the man towered over her small frame and even reduced the sliver of space between them.

“Now don’t tell me that it slipped from your mind. It was your idea to sweep the matter under the rug to avoid unwanted attention.” His voice was harsh and laced with anger.

Evelyn was scared but she needed to remove his mask. She had full faith that he wouldn’t be able to stick with this newborn change for long. Curbing her fear, she squared her shoulders and shot him a defiant look, “Because it’s difficult for me to forget everything. You have hurt me in the past multiple times and I-”

“Don’t fuck with me!!” Dylan hollered and leveled his sharp gaze at her, “You came up with this bloody deal to nip the past in the bud so that it doesn’t meddle with our professional relationship then why the hell are you creating a ruckus now?” his pitch rose by the end.

“BECAUSE IT’S NOT THAT EASY!!” Evelyn finally burst out and screamed in his face.

“Every time I see your face, I am reminded of the horrible deeds you have done with me. And even after so many years, you didn’t stop your torment. I can’t help but fear you.” A sob erupted from her throat and soon tears ensued.

Dylan gazed at the stream of tears leaving her eyes. Evelyn couldn’t hold any longer and cried in front of him but to her dismay, not even a single scar of remorse graced his face instead he remained impassive.

Stepping back from her, Dylan spoke coldly, “If that’s the problem then let’s end the project. I didn’t force you to work with me that I will tolerate your drivel. It was your own free will, so stop throwing mudsling at me. You had a choice to choose Xander for the project but you struck off his name stating that we both don’t see eye to eye. I agreed to each and every fucking word you said but I am not your pet. I didn’t accept your slavery by signing the deal. There is only one solution to end this rivalry- I am calling off the deal.”

He broached leaving no space for argument.