Chapter 7 In The Devil's Warmth.

Evelyn's POV:

"Miss Evelyn," Thomas' voice and a knock on the door woke me from my sleep. "It's almost time for you to have breakfast with your grandfather," he said again.

I sighed and sat up on the bed. "I'll be there in a minute," I said. "Yes, miss," he said before he left.

I immediately went to the bathroom. My grandpa would scold me if I made him wait for me.

I rushed out of my room after taking a shower. I breathed a sigh of relief as I walked into the dining room when I saw that there was only Thomas, Mia, and Layla in the room. The girls work as our maids.

"Good morning, miss," the girls greeted me with a warm smile on their faces. "Good morning," I replied as I set my breath before I sat in the dining chair.

I immediately straightened my back and put my hands on my lap as I saw my grandpa walking into the room and sat in a chair opposite my chair.

"Good morning, grandpa," I greeted him politely. "Hm," only the word came out of his mouth.

Thomas and the girls then served us breakfast. They do it carefully and politely. I could tell by their faces they were afraid of making mistakes.

"How about your studies?" my grandpa asked as we ate our breakfast. "I did well with my studies," I replied.

"Good," he said and looked deep into my eyes. "You must go to Harvard. Don't disappoint us."

I nod at him with a burden on my shoulders.

There was a moment of silence before he spoke again. "Your mom told me you have met Valentino."

I responded with a nod to his eyes.

"He is the perfect man for your mom. He's even better than your dad. He's brilliant, rich, and a great lawyer. Your mom marrying him will bring benefits to us. He will help us if our company is in trouble with the law," he said with a sly look.

I moved my gaze from his eyes to my plate as I sighed inside and continued eating my breakfast. There was no smile and no warmth, only silence and coldness between us.

*******

It's been almost an hour since my grandpa and I finished breakfast. He is currently playing golf with his friends.

I was standing by the window in the study room, staring at the lawn covered with snow. I'm waiting for Mrs. Anna, my Finance tutor. We didn't study yesterday so she will come today.

I looked at the door when I heard someone's footsteps. My eyes opened wide with my heart beating fast when I saw Valentino walking into the room and standing before me.

"Why are you here?" I asked in nervous.

"I'm here to steal you," he replied. He then chuckled, seeing my confused face. He cleared his throat. "You don't have to study today. I called your mom and told her I wanted to spend the day with you, and she agreed to that."

"Why you want to spend the day with me?" I asked, curious.

"I really want to get to know you better," he said with a gentle look in his eyes. "We'll be a family soon. I want to be a good father to you."

I paused, staring at him. I really don't know what to say to him.

"Please, Evelyn. I really want to spend the day with you," he said with a pleading look.

I bit my lip in hesitation. I told myself that what he said was right. We will be family and he will be my dad. Besides, I'm fed up with studying. I have to get out of this place.

He smiled with relief when he saw me nod in agreement. I could see the happiness in his eyes. "Thank you. You make me so happy," he said as he put his right hand on his chest.

He took my hand. "Let's go now! I'm taking you somewhere," he said in an excited tone. "Wait! Where are you taking me?" I asked, as he led me out of the room to his car.

I smiled with happiness filling my eyes, seeing people ice skating in front of me. It had been a long time since I was last in Central Park. Now I feel like a bird that has just escaped from a golden cage.

"Your mom told me you like ice skating so I brought you here," Valentino, who was standing next to me, said in a soft voice.

I stared into his eyes gratefully. I furrowed my brows in worry as I remembered something. "But you can't stand the cold," I said.

"Don't worry. I feel warm with you," he said and smiled. He grabbed my hand before I could open my mouth to speak. "Let's play now!" he said in an excited tone and took me with him.

We then put on the ice skating shoes we rented and we skated on the ice. I love the feeling of the fresh air on my face and the wind blowing through my hair. Valentino on my left. We smiled at each other every time our eyes met.

I felt awkward when we caught a couple hugging and kissing each other. I moved my gaze away from them, looking ahead. Valentino laughed softly at my embarrassed face.

I suddenly lost my balance. Valentino grabbed my waist and pulled me to him. "Be careful," he said into my eyes. We are so close. Our bodies are facing each other. I could feel his warm breath on my face. I could smell his sweet cologne on my nose.

I quickly pulled myself from his arms. I could hear my rapid heartbeat in my ears. He smiled casually at me as if nothing had happened. I tried to smile back at him and we were back on the ice. My cold cheeks now felt like they were on fire.

We sat on the bench after we had played for more than an hour. I feel happy and excited now. I could see in his face that he felt what I felt.

"Are you hungry? Do you want to eat hot dogs?" he asked. I nodded my head with a smile. "I love to," I replied.

"Wait here. I'll be right back," he said as he stood up from the bench and walked over to the hot dog stand not far from us. He then walked over to me with two hot dogs in his hands and sat next to me.

"For you," he said with a smile as he handed me a hot dog. I smiled back at him."Thank you," I said as I took it from his hand.

"Hm! It tastes so good!" I said, as I kept chewing. He chuckled, seeing my face. I must look like someone who hasn't eaten in days.

I suddenly stopped chewing as I felt his fingers caress the corner of my lips. "You've got sauce on your lips," he said.

"Thank you," I said nervously as I distanced myself a bit from him. He smiled casually and ate his hot dog while I struggled to calm my rapid heartbeat.