Lunch with Walker sister

“To hurt is as human as to breathe.” – J.K. Rowling

Engrossed in our previous memories, I haven't heard Mr. Walker entering my office.

"What are you doing inside your office during lunch time?" Mr. Walker's voice reached my ears and I immediately turned towards him.

"Mr. Walker actually-"

"Didn't I tell you to call me Chris?" She asked, smiling as I nodded yes.

"Yes Chris, I just finished reading our new project." I told him and he sighed, leaning in front of my desk as he placed his hands on it.

"We don't work like that here, Evelyn. Besides, lunch hours are prohibited to our workers, using it for work. Now, come on." He motioned her to follow him.

"But Mr. Walker… sorry…Chris… wait..." before I could say anything further, he had already gone into Xavier's office through the joined door.

Sighing, I dragged myself up from the desk and trudged towards Chris' office. The sight of two people greeted me who were sitting in front of his desk, one of them was Xavier. The other one, a lady, had a friendly smile on her face and somehow, it felt like I had seen her somewhere before.

"Evelyn, this is my sister Carolina Walker and Lia, this is Evelyn, my new colleague and Xavier's secretary." He introduced us as I put on a feeble smile on my face so that I wouldn't look rude.

"It's nice meeting you, Evelyn." She said, standing up and pulling out her hand for a shake. I shook her perfectly manicured hand as she smiled in a friendly way and her baby blues crinkled.

"You too, Carolina." I smiled. She scooted away and offered the seat to me. My eyes shifted between Chris and her, when he motioned me to sit, I muttered a thanks and sat down.

"Well guys, let's not waste time. I'm starving." Carolina whined and started eating her sandwiches.

Chris chuckled, and said, "Of course Monkey, let's eat." To which Carolina's grin widened.

Diverting his eyes to me, he said, "Here, she brought lunch for us. Have some." Chris pointed towards the box and swallowed the saliva in my throat, I picked up the sandwich and ate it. My eyes closed on their own at the heavenly taste as I fought the urge to moan.

"What did they put it in? It feels like heaven." I said as my eyes widened at the thought that I said it aloud.

"Some tomatoes, garlic and mishmash from their secret recipe." Carolina chuckled as my mouth formed an 'o' shape.

They both started bickering like usual siblings, looking at them made me miss my elder brother Marc even more. I haven't made any contact with him in years and didn't know how he was doing after everything. It was nothing like I did not try, but I couldn't face him after everything I did. Xavier who was sitting on my side, observing everything in silence. When he found me staring at him, he immediately turned his face towards me and leaned sidewards to whisper, "He was your life and yet you left him behind."

His words struck a nerve and my face flushed in guilt and grief. He was indeed talking about Marcus as his lips turned into a small smirk when he noticed my face losing all its color, a hint of satisfaction appeared in his gorgeous eyes.

The eyes I fell in love with.

A string of ringing broke our eye contact and Carolina answered her caller, "Yea babe… I'll be home soon…yea… you don't worry, I'll take care of everything…. Okay… Love you."

Whoever it was, Carolina surely loved him as I saw the warmth and twinkle in her eyes when she was conversing with her boyfriend or maybe fiancé.

"And you're leaving?" Chris inquired as if he knew what they were talking about.

"Yea, I had to. You know how much I missed him." She pouted.

"When did he come?" Chris asked.

Carolina stood up, and said, "Well, Marc landed here in NY this morning." When those words left her mouth, my whole body froze.

Which Marc is she talking about? I thought.

No, it couldn't be my Marc, there are thousands of people named Marcus, I continually started repeating those words in my mind, I know, I’m not ready to face him, not now.

"Hey, Evelyn… Evelyn you, okay?" Carolina waved her hand in front of me as all the pair of three eyes fixated on me.

"Yea… yea… I'm fine, just in deep thought." I answered and stood up as everyone was standing.

"Well, you seemed like it. Anyway, it was nice meeting you." She stepped a little closer to me and engulfed me in a bear-hug.

It lasted for maybe ten seconds and slowly she moved away, but her hands were still holding my arms, her eyes were fixed on my face as if they were studying me, and then she shook her head, saying, "You know, I think we've met before or maybe not." Then she added, "Well, I think I'm being delusional."

Giving a quick hug to both Chris and Xavier, she walked out of the office as my eyes were fixed on her retreating figure.

Maybe I was delusional too.

I was about to leave the office, but Chris called my name, "Wait, Evelyn."

Turning around to face him, I said, "Yes?"

"You're attending today's event with us." He announced.

"What?"

Chris glanced at Xavier before answering me, "Looking at your reaction, I know you haven't got the information. But, yes, you're attending today's charity event with us."

"Well, do I have a choice?"

Please say yes, please.

"No, you didn't and you've two hours to get ready." He motioned at his watch, signaling me to get ready.

I don't know how long it's been since I got irritated and came into my office. Xavier could have informed me about the event, but because of his hate he didn't.

Ugh! I don't even have a dress.

After much thinking, I called Kat and asked for her help and Kat, being herself, usually threw another curse at Xavier, "That bloody son of bachelor, douche!"

"Well, I've got an hour to get ready, Kat." I panicked.

"Babe, I'm your savior. And call it a coincidence or fate but you have my blue chiffon dress in your carry-bag. Remember?"

Instantly, I remembered a week ago she had asked me to buy that dress for her and in the midst of the weekend party, Mason, and of course my misery, I totally forgot to give it to her.

"Oh my god! Yes! Yes! I have it with me!" I beamed in excitement to which she chuckled, "God, thanks Kat, I love you, you're my savior."

She laughed, saying, "Always at your service madam and now get ready, send me your pictures and if you want a ride ask me or Mason. Okay?"

"Yes, Mom" I rolled my eyes, but smiled for an obvious reason.

"Yea, yea… and don't enjoy too much, you know when-"

"Bye…" I sang as I knew she would give me a lecture on having too much fun at parties.

She chuckled, "Bye, sweetie. Love you."

"Love you, Katie." And with that she hung up.

Turning around to lock the door, so that I could get ready, I saw Xavier standing at the entrance, with an annoyed look on his face.

"Hurry up and get ready. I'm not going to be wasting my time and waiting for you." Xavier started coldly and left.

Locking the door behind me, I took a while to get ready. The dress had actually fit me perfectly, I left my hair flowing down my back in loose curls, little make-up: eyeliner and mascara with nude color cherry color lipstick.

As I stepped out of my office, I saw him already in his royal blue suit waiting impatiently, "If you were going to have me wait this long, I'd expect something prettier." Looking at him, I realized we were actually matching.

Without waiting for my reply, he walked out of the door without a care. I sighed reluctantly as I followed behind him.

This was going to be the longest party I've ever been to, I thought.