Tending to each other's wounds

“Hey!!”

Evelyn glared at Dylan who gently pushed her inside the elevator and before she could object and pressed the buttons.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Dylan turned to her; his jaw twitched.

“Going with you. I came here to attend the meeting together. Moreover, those jerks were giving me a headache.” He sneered and fished out his phone. Evelyn scoffed. She crossed her arms and leaned on the metallic wall.

“Don’t lie. You were enjoying the attention of those bees perving on you.”

Dylan smirked. He got the tenor of her sarcastic comment.

She was jealous.

And he fucking loved it.

“Who chases bees when I have a gorgeous butterfly with iridescent wings?” He husked in a deep voice. Evelyn looked away; her cheeks turned scarlet.

Suddenly it dawned on her. This was the perfect time to apologize to him.

Evelyn was in a bind. It was because even though she decided to ask for his forgiveness since she was ashamed of her previous action yet she didn’t want to do it in the open. It may sound wrong but she was hesitant because somewhere deep down, the fact that it was Dylan to whom she owed an apology disgusted her.

Suddenly the past incident flashed in her mind. The way she lost her cool and ended up smacking him in public but that ended up badly, especially for her.

But now they were alone, away from people’s eyes. The time was ripe to get the work done.

Clearing her throat, Evelyn looked at Dylan who was busy scrolling through his phone.

That irked her.

Why was he being like this? She was now being a bitch but she can’t help it. He used to chase her day and night but when she is standing beside him, then he is not paying attention to her.

What was he trying to prove? That he has really moved on and wanted them to remain as business partners. But doesn’t his behavior conflict with his actions? She really can’t understand him.

“Take a picture. It would last long.”

Dylan suddenly snipped her thoughts leaving her shocked. Evelyn averted her gaze, the tip of her ears tinted red in embarrassment.

“I wasn’t staring at you.”

“Sure, you were.” Dylan continued teasing her while his gaze was still glued on the phone.

Evelyn clenched her fists. She looked at him and was about to retaliate when an idea popped into her mind.

What if she turns her dream into a reality?

It entailed a lot of risks but was worth enough to give it a shot. Although the case was solved yet her heart wasn’t willing to believe it.

Evelyn had a strong feeling that she wasn’t being paranoid. The fear was real, she still could replay the entire scenario in her head without missing out on any details. She doesn’t want to back out just because Hunter who was Dylan’s man told her to do so. He can lie too. The only soul whom she can hinge on was herself so what was wrong in checking herself?

Mustering up her courage, Evelyn inhaled a deep breath and turned to face him.

“Where were you last night?”

Her breath came out shaky.

Evelyn expected a response but cold dread glided down her spine when Dylan stiffened like a rock. He tore his gaze and glanced at her who had turned pale as a sheet.

Dylan understood her innuendo. A veil of despair hung over his shoulders realizing that she still doubted his intentions.

But that soon morphed into scorching rage.

Evelyn immediately moved back, her eyes widening in horror as he stalked towards her with a menacing look in his eyes.

“W-What are you doing? Move back.” Broken incoherent words slipped through her trembling lips but Dylan didn’t reply and cornered her. He placed his palms on either side of her head and leaned closer to her making her shrivel.

“What’s the matter?” The man gritted, showcasing his frustration. Evelyn quickly bobbed her head in negative.

“Nothing. I was just asking. It’s okay if you don’t want to answer me-”

“Don’t fuck with me, Eve.” He raised his voice.

Evelyn was aghast as he squinted his red-rimmed eyes at her in a warning. It was clear that he caught her lies and was in no mood to bear another one.

“What got you scared? Tell me. And don’t you dare consider it a request! It’s a fucking order.” He blared.

Her fear surfaced. Tears pricked in her eyes.

His eyes fell on her wobbling chin. She was trembling and that stabbed him. But he needed to know what got her so frightened.

The ding of the elevator brought her immense relief. Evelyn thanked the Lord and without giving him time to react, gave a hard push on his chest and made a blind dash to the door. But her effort was useless as Dylan grabbed her arm. He pulled her back and punched the buttons, closing the door.

“W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Evelyn screamed, scared out of her wits.

“Don’t you have something else to say?” Dylan hissed, his hands cincturing her waist. Evelyn grabbed his biceps; a moan escaped her mouth as his taut muscles were squeezing her petite figure.

“Let me go,” she flailed her arms and screamed like a mad woman but Dylan didn’t budge. Instead, he pressed the button for the topmost floor and cupped her chin.

Evelyn froze as he forced her to look into his blazing orbs.

“Answer me.”

“I won’t.” she snapped and dug her nails into his hands but to her bad, it didn’t work out as her nails were so small. They barely scratched her skin.

“Keep acting like a brat but let me assure you, I don’t have any objection to treating like you one either,” Dylan growled as he was done with her keeping secrets.

Evelyn glared at him, her eyes turned red due to unshed tears. She was trying her best to stay strong but the fear was insurmountable. She was all alone, at his mercy, and completely defenseless.

“You love muscling your way into my life and compelling me to be your slave at gunpoint. You love seeing people wallowing in misery and striking at their weakness so that they can’t object.” She argued making sure to display her resentment for him.

“And you love dodging my questions when I confront you,” Dylan spoke gruffly and pushed her back before hovering over her small frame.

Evelyn punched his chest, rage overpowered her, “I just asked you where were you last night. Was that such a tough question?”

“And you know the answer to it but you don’t want to believe it.” Dylan snapped back, fed up with her skepticism. He always runs out of choices as she doesn’t even trust him a bit.

“Because I can’t. I just can’t Dylan.”

Evelyn finally gave in, her shoulders slouched in defeat.

“I am so afraid. I can’t describe it but can only feel it. I am suffering alone and even if I want to, I can’t tell you because I am so scared of you. I still am. I can’t get rid of those thoughts. I also hate this, hate for disgracing myself again and again but it’s just like something snaps inside me. Your presence triggers my feelings which I have buried deep down, which I don’t want to feel anymore. And no matter how hard I fight, I end up losing.”

She spoke and broke out into tears. Her pain emanated through every pore of her skin which only increased his guilt hundred times.

Dylan closed his eyes while Evelyn rested her forehead against his chest, her body shaking with every sob.

“Something is wrong but I can’t get my hands on it. And apart from you, I have no one to doubt. I hate you so much but trust me I don’t want to. I want to get past those bitter feelings, but those haunted memories don’t unfetter me. I so badly wanted to move on but the past doesn’t let me. No matter how hard I try, it never pan out and I hate myself for it.” She choked on her tears but managed to confess.

Dylan patiently listened to her and by the end, he was drowned in grief and regret. Whenever she mentioned that she hates him, it twists his heart, brutally strangles his soul but he can’t help but bear it. He has to, he was the reason behind it. She despises him to the core. Evelyn wasn’t willing to give him a chance and remove the veil of resentment and hatred. And no matter how much he hates it, he has to bear that bitter truth.

Sighing, Dylan wrapped his arms around her shoulders and hugged her tightly. Evelyn let him. She needed comfort and didn’t mind using her tormentor for it.

“It’s okay.” He cooed in her ears and massaged her scalp with his fingers. Evelyn continued crying but eventually, her tears ceased. Dylan let her put her entire weight on him. His lips twisted into a smile.

She was an emotional wreck at the moment but at least he managed to earn her trust. Even though it was ephemeral, it was no less than heaven for him.

The doors opened again but no one stepped out as the couple was engrossed in mending their wounded hearts.

Dylan noticed the lift was halted so he turned around and pressed the right button this time as they were already running late. Evelyn was still clutching his coat, hugging him like a koala. His warmth served as a remedy to soothe her throbbing nerves and helped her simmer down. She didn’t want to let it go.

The doors got closed but at the same time, there was a flash that succeeded in capturing their picture.

*****