Dating My Wife, Pal?

“Yeah, I live with my Mom and Dad.”

Evelyn continued telling her family tree to Theodore who was busy staring at her with his cheek resting on his right fist. His eyes caressed her face, smiling at her very expression. The way she scrunches her nose, her lips forming a pout and the way she smiles while recalling some funny incidents, the man noticed each and every detail with keen interest. Theodore was entranced with her beauty. Evelyn chose a blue colored knee-length dress for the night and matched it with black sandals. She left her hair open and neatly pinned it with a beautiful hair tie. A silver chain dangling from her neck and pearl studs in her ears made her look more appealing and drop-dead gorgeous.

Theodore was scared but still, he mustered up the courage and asked Evelyn to go on a date. To his surprise, she agreed since apart from Dylan, she knew no one here so it was good to have company. Besides Evelyn considered him only a friend but it was more than a friendly hangout for Theodore.

The woman was a perfect combo for him. A beautiful, intelligent, and independent woman who owns a billion-dollar company. He can’t find anyone better than her.

Theodore had made up his mind. He was going to propose to her.

The ringing of her phone interrupted their conversation. Evelyn excused herself and checked it but her jaw instantly clenched watching Dylan’s name flashing on the screen.

Without giving it a second thought, she declined the call.

Theodore noticed her scowling, “Everything’s good?”

Evelyn was startled but immediately covered it up with a smile, “Yeah sure and see, the dinner is here.” She exclaimed as the waiter put down the delicious food on their table.

Theodore served her and then served himself. Evelyn thanked him and was about to dig in when she felt a heated gaze on her body.

The hair on her nape stood up as the air turned dark and spooky. Evelyn instantly lifted her head scanned the restaurant and stopped at a pair of dark eyes that were gleaming with rage.

Dylan.

She immediately looked away and shifted her chair closer to Theodore. Her move even surprised him.

“What’s wrong?” He asked while stifling his smile. His ears turned red as he could inhale her flowery scent and their proximity was only turning things worse.

Evelyn gave him a hesitant smile. She realized that she made him uncomfortable. “Nothing, I-I am sorry. If you want I can move back-” she said and was about to shift when Theodore grabbed her hand.

“No, it’s fine. I guess you must like the view from here. It’s good.” He chirped and pointed towards the colorful fountain. Evelyn smiled and nodded.

The duo soon started enjoying their meal while laughing with each other unaware of the smoldering gaze that was pinned on them.

Scorching red blood pounded in his veins watching that bastard making funny faces to amuse his wife. And what made it worse was that she was laughing at his joke.

“Bloody Joker.” Dylan snarled as he sipped the wine. His grip on the glass only tightened with every passing second as their closeness pierced his skin like needles. Unable to control it anymore, he slammed the wine with a thud and grabbed his phone. His fingers hurriedly punched one name that was stoking his demons to come out and put up a death show.

Evelyn pressed her lips into a thin line as her phone rang again. She swiped the red button and resumed her conversation.

Evelyn had decided that she would stick to her decision, no matter what happened. What does he think, that she has no self-control? She will prove him wrong. And the first step would be to erase him from his life. Evelyn knew she was risking it by rejecting his calling in front of him. That would surely stir great troubles but she needs to make him understand that she has moved on. And expected the same from him.

Her actions were only tempting the Mafia to start a bloodbath in the restaurant. He needs to make it clear to her that she is playing with fire. She was his and no power in the world can change it. He was ready to give her time but there was no way he would let her think for even a second that she could take solace in someone else’s arms. He would rip them apart and then pulverize every bone of their body.

Stabbing the fork deep in the meat, Evelyn twisted it before shoving the crumbled pieces in her mouth. Done with the phone calls, Dylan started sending her threatening messages. She didn’t check them but the constant vibration of her phone and nonstop flickering of the screen that displayed glimpses of his threats was giving her a headache.

Theodore on the other hand eyed her actions with a displeased look. He brought her out to make the night memorable, to spend some time with her, know each other, and then proceed to the next step. But her eyes were glued to her phone. Evelyn had by now lost interest in his talks and kept glancing at the screen now and then.

But was she to be blamed?

Theodore gave a last glance at her annoyed expression before shifting his eyes to the man who was responsible for irritating her date.

The man dressed in black from head to toe was watching them with a fiendish smile. Theodore knew it was Dylan as he had seen his reflection through the glass pane in front of him earlier. He gaped at his audacity as Dylan wasn’t a bit ashamed of his actions. He then shifted his eyes back to Evelyn who started wiping her lips with the napkin.

“If you’re uncomfortable, let’s go somewhere else.” He spoke softly and tried to grab her hand but before he could do that, Evelyn stood up.

“No need. I am getting late. See you later. And yes, thanks for the dinner.”

She spoke hurriedly and stormed out of the cafe not giving him the chance to speak. She was done for tonight.

Theodore clenched his fists and stood up. He was furious with Evelyn’s behavior. She had been hanging out with him for so long, couldn’t she confide in him that Dylan was bothering her?

Theodore had a hunch that Dylan was bad news. The way he used to intervene whenever they were together and drag her away as if she was his property, he knew that Dylan was harassing Evelyn. Maybe he was blackmailing her with something that she was forced to obey him. Because of the hatred Theodore has witnessed in her eyes, it was clear that she didn’t like Dylan.

Pushing the chair back with a thud, Theodore stormed towards the man who was watching him with an evil smirk.

“Dylan Black. Who do you think you are? How dare you harass my girl?” He growled and lunged to hold his collar but a painful grunt left his mouth when Dylan kicked him in his shin making him fall flat on the floor.

Theodore tried to get up when Elijah grabbed his collar and dragged him out.

“WHAT THE HELL!! LEAVE ME!!”

His screams were cut off when he was pushed on the ground harshly. Theodore hissed in pain and looked up but his eyes widened as he was in the basement. He was busy scanning his surroundings when the scraping of a chair grabbed his attention. He turned his head to the front only to see Dylan sitting on the chair, looking at him with a bored face.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING? HUH!!” He roared and again tried to get up when Elijah kicked him from the back making him kiss the floor.

Exhaling a loud sigh, Dylan then uncrossed his legs before placing his elbows on his knees. He steepled his fingers and leaned forward, tsking at Theodore’s disoriented state. Theodore on the other hand shot daggers his way.

“You love to learn things the hard way, pal.” Dylan mused as he gripped his collar and with a jerk pulled him to himself. Theodore was taken aback but all the color got drained off his face when his eyes met with his blazing psychotic ones. The humor was long gone in them and was now replaced with sheer rage. A tinge of craziness was also visible in them.

“First of all, she isn’t your fucking bastard. She’s mine, my wife, my Evelyn. Secondly, you made a grave mistake by asking her hand for marriage. And thirdly, you’re going to pay for that. Right now.” Growling he pushed him aside and shot him a feral grin.

Theodore was no doubt scared but he continued glaring at him. But the moment his eyes fell on the shining metallic gun that Dylan removed from his pants, he staggered back in shock.

“W-WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? YOU FUCKING RETARD, PUT THAT THING DOWN, THIS INSTANT!!“, He screamed in fright and tried to move back but was held back by his men.

Removing the safety, Dylan aimed the gun straight at his forehead making him cry for his dear life.

“Any last words, pal?”

“N-NO, PLEASE!!” Theodore screamed while shaking his head vigorously; he wasn’t ready to die.

“No?” Dylan questioned, liking the dread shining in his blue eyes.

“No, I would do anything. Please don’t kill me.” Theodore broke down as tears rolled down his eyes. The man was scared to the bone.

Dylan chuckled. He had no intention of killing him but he liked his fear. The way he was pleading with him to spare his life was a blissful sight. His muscles buzzed with sadistic pleasure and didn’t want to give him any respite, at least for now.

“But you call me a retard, oh wait, a fucking retard. You cussed.” He muttered with a smirk hanging on his lips.

“I am sorry. I would do anything but please don’t kill me.”

Dylan finally decided to drop the act. He put his gun back and sat straight on the chair.

“Okay, but you won’t go back on your words.”

Theodore hurriedly nodded; his fear slowly dissipated. But the smile on his face instantly dropped when Dylan stood up and bent down on his knees.

He gulped and tried to crawl back but Dylan didn’t let him as he gripped his collar and hurled him closer. Theodore gaped at him with a bated breath.

“I spared your worthless life but that should be paid off in spades. From now on you’ll do as I say and fucking stay away from my wife. That’s the last warning twit or I swear to God, I wouldn’t back down this time and drag you painfully to the gates of Hell.”

*****

The next morning when Evelyn reached the office, she was welcomed with the most depressing news that someone had shot Dominique.

Evelyn wasted no time and rushed to the hospital. There she was met with a heart-wrenching sight, Mrs. Blanchett was sobbing loudly in Theodore’s embrace while he tried his best to console her, trying hard not to break down.

“What happened, Theo?” Evelyn asked Theodore who immediately turned stiff as a board. Fear crept in his eyes but he pushed it back and turned to her.

“I-I don’t know. Someone shot him last night. Dylan was the one who took him to the hospital.”

Evelyn furrowed her brows. She was confused.

“Was that’s why he was calling me yes-”

“Yeah,” Theodore answered her query. Evelyn looked at him.

“But I don’t blame you, Evelyn. It’s fine-”

“It’s not fucking fine.” Both of them were startled when Mrs. Blanchett screamed out of nowhere. Evelyn looked at her with guilty eyes when suddenly Mrs. Blanchett pounced on her and gripped her shoulders tightly. Evelyn hissed in pain as she dug her nails into her skin.

“You. Dylan was calling you nonstop but you kept dodging his calls and kept my son engaged. Don’t you realize what you have done?” Her cries had now dried and her heart only yearned for justice. She had no idea that the man who saved her husband was the one who shoved the bullet in his chest.

The man owned the title for a good reason. Dylan knew that Theodore would only take it because the moment he would escape his clutches, he would rat out everything to Evelyn. That’s why Dylan told Hunter to give him a good reason to stay scared of him. Hunter shot Dominique but made sure it wasn’t fatal. Because they were just the pawns there was no need to get blood on their hands.

“Leave it her Mom. Evelyn is innocent.” Theodore tried to pull her back but his mother had lost her sanity.

Evelyn let out a choked cry when she gripped her throat.

“It’s your fault and YOU NEED TO DIE!!”

“Mrs. Blanchett”

Suddenly a raging growl echoed in the hallway. Evelyn looked up with teary eyes only to find Dylan. He harshly peeled the crazy woman and pulled Evelyn into his arms.

“You okay?” He asked her softly while his thumb rubbed her neck. His jaw clenched watching the red imprints of fingers on her skin.

Evelyn was horrified but still she nodded at Dylan.

Dylan sighed. Her chin was wobbling and her whole body was trembling like a leaf. He immediately pulled her in a tight hug.

Evelyn was too scared to react but he cooed soft words in her ears which let her damn break. She also broke into hysterical cries and hugged him tightly. The woman was terrified. She was also having a hard time digesting the fact that Dominique was shot. It was a huge loss for not only his family but for her too.

*****

“I am so sorry Evelyn. Dad is in the hospital and without him, it will be difficult for us to proceed.” Theodore said to Evelyn who had her eyes cast down. She was still on a guilt trip.

A week passed and now it was time for Dylan and Evelyn to return home. But this devastating news put them in a quandary.

“You don’t have to explain yourself, Theo. I am your friend and there’s nothing more important than your father.”

Theodore nervously smiled but flinched when she stepped forward and grabbed her hands. Giving them a gentle squeeze, she exhaled a deep sigh.

“Your priority should be your Dad right now not the project. It can wait. Don’t worry about it.” Saying that she smiled but a crease formed on her forehead when Theodore gently pulled out his hands and stepped back.

“Thank you for understanding but Evelyn, the project can’t wait. We have a slew of popular businessmen and media personnel waiting for us in the office. I can’t cancel the conference no matter what happens. With Dad not at my side and you and Dylan leaving, I will be left all alone. People would hound me for getting the answers and I am not in the state to look after my business. I have to handle my mother Evelyn. I don’t know what to do.” He said and grabbed his forehead.

Evelyn felt a pang in her chest. His disconsolate state brought tears to her eyes.

“Theo, please. You need to stay strong.” She said and rubbed his back. But Theodore kept shying away from her touch. Evelyn couldn’t handle his fishy behavior anymore and decided to confront him.

“What’s the matter, Theo? Are you also holding me responsible for Mr. Blanchett’s state?”

Theodore instantly whipped his head toward her, “No, not at all. But I want your help, Evelyn.”

“I told you I am ready to do anything. Just say it.”

“Cancel your flight.” He spoke in a grave tone.

Evelyn stared at him. But it was the only solution. The project needed her or Dylan’s presence. It was too important and required continuous guidance. But then what about her company? She can’t rely on Xander to take care of her business for this long? It wasn’t right but she couldn’t also leave everything on Theodore who was already grief-stricken.

“Don’t worry.”

Evelyn flinched hearing Dylan’s voice. She turned around only to see him walking towards them.

“I will take care of everything. You can head back home.” Dylan spoke in his deep voice. Evelyn instantly denied it.

“No, I will stay.”

“But Evelyn, you also have a company to run. I can handle the project.” Dylan tried to coax her but her resolve didn’t budge.

“No, this was our project. We all are going through a rough phase. Mr. Blanchett is injured and Dylan, you would also be requiring my help. Moreover, I started this project for my company only. And no need to worry about Maria Estates, my trustworthy people will handle the company on my behalf.” She said and turned to Theodore.

Dylan’s jaw ticked as he knew to whom she was referring. Her credibility with Xander was commendable and frustrating but still, her answer brought him immense satisfaction.

‘Mission- Part 1 completed.’