Chapter 5 Eve's Attempt to Clear Her Name

Once the day's work was complete, everyone else got busy with arranging their desks and leaving, meanwhile Auston wasn't bothered, he relaxed his back and observed as everyone left the building one at a time until only him, Aliyah and two other workers remained.

After about a minute or more, two pauch-belly security personnels came to scrutinize the place and make sure nothing was off, they turned off the switches and lights of major offices and locked up some place.

Auston really wasn't bothered, he brought out his pen and jotted something while one of the security guards walked past him, he kept the paper aside and adjusted his optical mouse.

For those like him that stayed back after the working-hours, they were supposed to work throughout the night to handle certain schematics and him and his team had the nightshift even after working tirelessly all morning.

Once everyone else was gone aside the remnants, Auston backed up his chair, he stood up and goes to get a cup of water, he looked out the window and saw flashlights pointing off and on across all directions, they were more securities outside, he smirked but turns to leave only to catch a further glance of something which made his heart sink.

It was Eve's car, " She's here already? ", he groaned quietly then stomped his feet on the ground like a pesty child. The car pulled over and stopped at the gate where security personnels went to address her. Auston immediately pulled the curtains close as Eve highlighted from the car.

" Hey! " A voice came at him as he peeped through the blinds as he nearly jumped out of his skin– he startled rather madly, banging his head on the window.

Aliyah looked at him with such surprise, " What's with you? " she asked, her voice laced with anxiety, " you've been acting all strange and unmacho since you went outside with the manager " she drew closer and sniffed the air around him, " Are you drunk? ".

" What?!" Auston exclaimed, " Of course not, that's not the case, okay ".

" Come closer, take a look at the window and see what I have to deal with. '' He slightly opens the curtains again, and points to where Eve was packed. She was now resting on the car, gracefully talking and laughing with the security personnels.

" Oh that's a really nice car though, " Said Aliyah, she withdrew her head " Did you scratch it? She asked, " Because if you did then you're in serious trouble ".

" No yahnie, look at the owner...

" the girl? "She replied and turned to peep again, " She's kinda cute, but a bit too sexy with fishnet stockings. What about her? ".

" Her dad owns the bank ".

Aliyah turned, her mouth wide open, her expression teeming with shock, " Are you serious! ".

" In my life, " Auston sweared, " but she's being a coercer ".

Aliyah's facial expression went from bewilderment to total blankness, " Speak english would you ".

" Have a seat! " Said Auston and both went to sit down.

Auston took his time and went over how Eve was in a situation, how he helped her and how she's now trying to flex her way into his life, he went further into details on all the things he liked about a friend and Eve was the opposite of it all.

" But she's freaking rich though, she can legit dust you up and give you a better life, look man, I don't see the wrong she's done by the way, she's only trying to reciprocate a favor and tryna hush her up aren't gonna work, trust me ".

" Are you serious, like You are totally missing the point ". Replied Auston as he scratched his chin, relieving the itch inside his beards.

" Would mind if you stayed on topic and listen to my argument, rather than getting sidetracked by irrelevant details " He continued, " Having anything to deal with such a person will only get me in more trouble...

" Auston! Auston! The boss is on the phone! He wants to speak to you NOW! " Sam yells across the room, his voice echoing off the walls as they try to get Auston's attention from afar.

Auston looks up, responds with a nod, and quickly makes his way to the phone. He picks up the receiver and steps aside, his expression focused as he listens to the manager's instructions.

Meanwhile, the person who made the announcement turns to the rest of the group and declares, " Alright everyone, pack it up! The boss says we can call it a day. We'll pick up where we left off later. Time to head home, folks! "

Auston came back to Aliyah with a straight-face, " What's wrong this time? " She asked, her eyes narrowing towards him.

Auston scowled, "She's now the owner of me, right! Calling the manager to relieve us of our work so I can grovel at her feet is unacceptable." His face twisted in disgust.

Aliyah shrugged, packing up her things, "Well, at least we get to skip the night shift. That's a win-win if you ask me." She smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

Auston started to protest, "But-"

Aliyah held up a hand, silencing him. "You can't judge someone before you get to know them, Auston. Go hear her out. Maybe she's not as bad as you think." With that, she grabbed her bag and headed out, leaving Auston to reluctantly follow.

Aliyah was the first to leave the gate with Auston right on her tail, he came out with a rather displeasing visage and his hands stuck in his pockets.

Eve looked at him, she drew a snigger seeing how apathetic Auston was looking, " C'mon now, not even a hey or hi ".

Auston's face remained expressionless as he asked Eve, "What do you want?"

Eve got straight to the point. "I'm the one who told the manager to cancel the work. The least you could do is be happy for once."

Auston grunted, like a child reluctantly accepting a treat.

Eve smiled and gestured to the car. "Hop in, I've made a reservation and they're waiting."

Auston sighed and got in, Eve following suit. As they drove off, Aliyah watched from a distance, her face a mix of emotions - a tinge of sadness in her eyes, a faint smile on her lips. She whispered to herself, "Good for him, I guess..." The words trailed off as she turned to continue her trek home, a hint of wistfulness in her step.

They arrived at a very expensive restaurant, Auston could tell by the kind of cars packed outside and the courtesy of everyone he saw around the place. This was his first time eating at a restaurant this fancy in a long time.

Once inside they sat at a cozy table in the restaurant, the silence between them palpable. Auston's face still simmered with somewhat of anger but his stomach growling with hunger.

The mouthwatering mix of succulent food and drinks made his tongue wet seamlessly, and he'd swallow almost every time someone passed him with a plate of food and hoped that Eve didn't notice.

A waiter approached, asking, "What can I get for you, sir?"

Auston's response was a curt, "Nothing." Deep down he wanted everything if possible.

Eve intervened, her voice calm and collected. "Bring him the roasted vegetables with a side of chicken Parmesan, and a glass of Pinot Noir." Auston had no idea what she just said but wanted to have that.

The waiter nodded and scurried off. Auston's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Eve. When the food arrived, he hesitated, his hunger pangs protesting. Finally, he began to eat, slowly at first, then with increasing pace as his appetite took over. He stopped abruptly, realizing his surrender to his hunger.

With a hint of irritation, he asked Eve, "Why did you bring me here? What do you want from me?" His eyes searched hers, seeking answers.

" I came here to render an explanation, so maybe you would stop seeing me as a cheap slattern ". She replied, taking a sip from her own glass of Pinot noir.

" My name is uhm, Eve Rodriguez, not that you care or anything but I want to tell you my story ".