Chapter 5 Webs of emotions

Drake's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through the windowpane as he reminisced about the night he met Evelyn. The way her smile captivated him, her laughter enchanting him, and her eyes sparkling like diamonds in the dim light of the bar. He recalled the way his heart raced, his pulse pounding in his ears, as he was drawn to her like a magnet.

As he delved deeper into his memories, his eyes glazed over, lost in the intensity of their encounter. The sound of Evelyn's heels clicking on the marble floor snapped him back to reality. He composed himself, his expression transforming into a mask of indifference.

Evelyn stormed into his office, her face flushed, her eyes flashing with determination. "Drake, we need to talk," she said, her voice firm but laced with a hint of vulnerability.

Drake raised an eyebrow, his eyes never leaving hers. "What is it, Evelyn? Can't you see I'm busy?"

The air was thick with tension as Evelyn approached his desk, her hands trembling slightly. "I need to see my family, Drake. They're driving me crazy with all their calls and messages. They want to meet you, to know that I'm okay."

Drake leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers. "And why should I care about your family's concerns, Evelyn?"

Evelyn's face fell, but she quickly recovered. "Because, despite what you think, I'm still a human being with feelings and relationships outside of this... arrangement. And my family is important to me."

The room was silent, the only sound the creaking of the old wooden chairs as they shifted uncomfortably. Drake's eyes sparkled with amusement, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm not stopping you from seeing your family, Evelyn. But I need something in return."

Evelyn's eyes narrowed, her voice laced with frustration. "What do you want, Drake?"

Drake's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with mischief. "I want a written statement, signed and dated, requesting my permission to visit your family. And I want it to be properly formatted, with all the necessary clauses and stipulations."

Evelyn's face turned red with indignation, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "You can't be serious! What, are you a lawyer now?"

Drake chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Just want to make sure everything is in order, my love."

Evelyn's eyes rolled, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, how sweet. You're so concerned about my well-being."

Drake's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Of course, my dear. I'm always looking out for your best interests."

The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Evelyn's hands trembled slightly as she pulled out a piece of paper and began to write. Drake's eyes scanned the paper, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Not bad, Evelyn. But I think you can do better than that."

Evelyn's eyes flashed with annoyance, her voice laced with frustration. "What do you want me to add? A declaration of undying love? A promise to obey your every command?"

Drake chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, that would be nice. But for now, just add a clause stating that you'll behave yourself and not embarrass me in front of your family."

Evelyn's face went red with indignation, but she added the clause, her handwriting growing more illegible with each passing moment. Finally, she signed the paper with a flourish and handed it to Drake.

He took it from her, his eyes scanning the paper with a hint of amusement. "Very good, Evelyn. I think this will do nicely."

Evelyn's eyes narrowed, her voice laced with frustration. "Can I go now?"

Drake nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Yes, my love. You may go. But don't forget to pack your bags. We're leaving for the weekend, remember?"

Evelyn's face fell, her eyes flashing with disappointment. But she quickly recovered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, joy. I can't wait to spend the weekend with you."

Drake chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'm glad you're excited, Evelyn. I promise you, it will be a weekend to remember."

The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Evelyn's heart raced, her pulse pounding in her ears, as she turned to leave. But Drake's voice stopped her, his words dripping with menace.

"And Evelyn?"

She turned back to him, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "What is it, Drake?"

Drake's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Don't forget to wear something nice. I want to show you off to your family."

Evelyn's face went red with indignation, her eyes flashing with anger. But she bit back her retort, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Of course, Drake. I'll wear something suitable for a prisoner."

Drake's eyes narrowed, his face darkening with anger. But he quickly recovered, his smile growing wider. "Good girl, Evelyn. I knew you'd understand."

Evelyn's heart raced as she left Drake's office, her mind reeling with emotions. She couldn't believe she was trapped in this arrangement, forced to obey Drake's every command. But she knew she had to play along, at least for now.

*** *** ***

As she packed her bags for the weekend, Evelyn's thoughts turned to her family. She hadn't seen them in months, and she couldn't wait to reunite with them. But she knew Drake would be watching her every move, waiting for her to slip up so he could pounce.

The drive to her family's ancestral home was tense, Evelyn's nerves on edge as Drake's eyes watched her every move.

As they pulled up to her family's ancestral home, Evelyn's anxiety melted away, replaced by a sense of warmth and love.

The grand Victorian mansion loomed before her, its turrets and gargoyles reaching towards the sky like giant stone sentinels. The sound of gravel crunching beneath the tires echoed through the stillness, and the sweet scent of blooming roses wafted through the air. The familiar creak of the old wooden porch beneath her feet was like a warm embrace, welcoming her home. Evelyn felt a lump form in her throat as she gazed at the home she missed, her heart overflowing with joy.

Her mother, Karen, flung open the door, her bright smile and sparkling eyes radiating joy. "Evelyn, darling! It's so wonderful to finally have you home!" She enveloped Evelyn in a tight hug, her perfume filling the air with a familiar scent.

Evelyn's twin sisters, Ava and Lily, hovered nearby, their identical faces lit up with excitement. "Evie, we've missed you so much!" they chimed in unison, their voices like a harmonious echo.

Finn, her childhood sweetheart, stood by the doorway, his piercing blue eyes fixed on hers with a mix of longing and nostalgia. His rugged good looks and chiseled features seemed chiseled by the fading light of day, and his deep voice sent shivers down her spine. "Hey, Evelyn. It's great to see you again."

Drake's eyes narrowed, his gaze flicking between Finn and Evelyn with a hint of curiosity. "And who might you be?" he asked, his voice firm but polite.

"This is Finn, my childhood friend," Evelyn replied, her voice hesitant. "We grew up together."

Finn's eyes never left hers, his gaze burning with an intensity that made her skin flush. "We've got a lot of history, Evelyn," he said, his voice low and husky. "More than you might remember."

As they sat down to dinner, Evelyn's eyes met Finn's, and her heart skipped a beat. Finn, her childhood sweetheart, stood by the doorway, his piercing blue eyes fixed on hers with a mix of longing and nostalgia. His chiseled features and rugged good looks made her pulse race, and she felt a flutter in her chest. She hadn't seen him in years, but the connection between them still crackled like a live wire.

The dinner table was set with fine china and crystal glasses, and the aroma of roasted vegetables and herbs filled the air. Karen, Evelyn's mother, beamed with pride as she introduced Finn to Drake. "Finn, dear, you remember my daughter Evelyn, don't you?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Finn's gaze never left Evelyn's face, his eyes burning with an intensity that made her skin flush. "Of course, I remember," he said, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine. "Evelyn and I go way back."

Drake's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in discomfort. "Finn, good to meet you, I'm Drake, Evelyn's husband" he said curtly, his voice dripping with possessiveness.

As they say down to eat, Evelyn felt like she was trapped in a web of emotions, torn between her past and present. Finn's presence stirred up old feelings, and she couldn't help but wonder what could have been if they had stayed together. Drake's grip on her knee tightened, a subtle reminder of his claim on her. The tension between the three of them was palpable, like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

Evelyn's eyes met Finn's, and her heart skipped a beat. Finn's gaze was piercing, his eyes burning with an intensity that made her skin flush. She felt a flutter in her chest, a familiar sensation that she had tried to bury long ago.

"Evelyn, dear, it's so great to have you home!" her mother, Karen, exclaimed, hugging her tight.

"Thanks, Mom," Evelyn replied, trying to sound cheerful. "It's great to be home."

"And Drake, welcome to the family!" Karen added, turning to him with a warm smile.

"Thanks, mum," Drake replied, his eyes never leaving Evelyn's face. "It's great to finally meet you all."

Evelyn's twin sisters, Ava and Lily, chimed in, asking her about her life and her marriage to Drake. Evelyn tried to answer their questions, but her mind was elsewhere, her heart still reeling from Finn's presence.

As the dinner conversation flowed, Evelyn's tension grew. She felt like she was living a lie, a facade of happiness and contentment. But deep down, she was dying inside, suffocating under the weight of her secrets.

Finn's eyes never left hers, his gaze piercing through the mask she wore. He knew her, knew her heart, knew her soul. And in that moment, Evelyn felt like she was drowning, drowning in the sea of her emotions.

** ** **

As the night wore on, Evelyn's anxiety grew. She couldn't keep her eyes off Finn, and she could feel Drake's gaze on her, watching her every move. She knew she had to be careful, but she couldn't help the way she felt.

After dinner, they all moved to the living room, and Evelyn's sisters started asking her about her life with Drake again. Evelyn tried to brush it off, but Ava and Lily were persistent.

"Come on, Evie, tell us the truth," Ava said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What's it like being married to a billionaire?"

Evelyn hesitated, unsure of what to say. She didn't want to lie to her sisters, but she couldn't tell them the truth either.

"It's...fine," she said finally, trying to sound convincing. "We have our ups and downs like any couple."

Finn's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through hers. He knew she was lying, and she could feel his disapproval.

Drake's hand on her knee tightened, a subtle reminder of his presence. Evelyn's heart raced, her pulse pounding in her ears.

Just then, Karen stood up, a smile on her face. "I think it's time for dessert," she said, breaking the tension.

The rest of the evening was a blur, Evelyn's mind reeling with emotions. She knew she had to get out of there, get away from Finn and Drake and the suffocating tension.

As Finn said his goodbyes and left the house, Evelyn felt a sense of relief wash over her. She knew she had to confront her feelings, face the truth about her marriage and her past. But for now, she just wanted to escape.