Chapter 6 An unlikely friendship blooms

Inside the restaurant, the sound of heavy raindrops hitting the glass walls created a somber ambiance, a stark contrast to the emotional storm brewing within Eve. She spoke, her voice laced with pain, as Auston listened intently, his eyes locked onto hers.

"I lost my mom in a fire when I was nine," Eve said, her voice cracking. "She saved me, but...she didn't make it out herself." Tears welled up in her eyes. "My dad remarried, but my stepmom...she was cruel, still is though, Always taunting me, making me feel worthless. I turned to drugs, to men, to sex...anything to escape the pain."

Auston's gaze never wavered, his expression softening with empathy. He felt a pang of guilt, knowing he had judged her harshly earlier.

"My brother's sick, Auston," Eve continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "Cancer, the doctor confirmed he has two more years on his clock. And I...I was with that guy, the one you saw me with, because my stepmom pushed us together. But I don't love him. I don't love anyone. I don't know how to love anymore."

The rain intensified, drumming against the glass, as Auston's silence hung heavy in the air. He felt the weight of Eve's story, the burden of her secrets, and his own judgmental behavior earlier now filled him with regret.

"Eve, I..." Auston started, his voice barely audible, but she raised a hand, stopping him.

"Don't, Auston. Just listen. Please." Her eyes pleaded with him, and he nodded, his guilt and sorrow evident on his face.

As she tries to muster another word, tears rolled down her painted face, her eyes turned red with pain and Auston just sat there, helpless as guilt washed him over, even as a man, Auston was quick to sentimenta.

His eyes widened, his face pale, as if the weight of Eve's words had crushed him somehow. He suddenly felt the need to do something, anything, to make up for his earlier judgment. He tried to sit up straight, his body tense, as if preparing to take action.

"Oh God, Eve...I...I had no idea," he stuttered, his voice laced with guilt.

He reached for his fork, trying to eat, but his hand trembled, and he dropped it, the utensil clattering against the plate. He attempted to speak again, but his words came out in a jumbled mess.

"Eve, I'm so...so sorry. I was such a...such a jerk. Please...please forgive me." This was all in his head, he wasn't saying it.

He pushed his chair back, as if to leave, but his legs seemed to buckle, and he collapsed back into his seat. His eyes darted around the room, as if searching for an escape from the overwhelming emotions.

Eve's story had hit him like a tidal wave, and Auston felt like he was drowning in his own guilt and regret. He struggled to find a lifeline, to do something, anything, to make it right.

After the rain stopped, Eve paid up and the two went outside, " I kinda feel useless at this point though, shouldn't have been quick to judge or come to conclusions...

" No it's fine " she chuckled, " I would have felt the same if I was in a similar position but I guess we're cool now? " She asked, just to be sure.

Auston shrugged, " Well, I mean I have to let everything slide yuuno, but then again, I've learnt my lesson ".

She smiled, " Get in, I'll drop you off at your place ", Auston nodded and went in.

Once inside, she opened the center console of her car and brought out a bundle of cash, dropped two on Austin's lap without making eye contact then closed the console.

" What do you say we do some another time? " She asked, starting the car and pulling out of the packing space.

Auston took the money, guilt still boiling inside of him. He held it tight and leaned back " I wouldn't mind, " he replied after a while " but it should be by my own free volition though, I don't like skipping nighshits, it's always more work in the morning ".

Eve belly-laughed, " Sounds like a deal then, " she pulled back completely then rolled out.

Eve didn't take him straight home but stopped a few blocks away from his apartment to get some food stuff from Chris's mini market but to his disappointment, Chris wasn't around but his salesman was there. After assembling his collectables, he walked out of the door only to be nudged back by the same thugs that beat him senseless the last time.

They weren't here for trouble, at least that was what it seemed like, Auston simply moved aside and watched as eight of them matched into the store, he froze on a spot, his thought went wild with suspection as he thought that they might have seen him with Eve.

Once the thugs flocked in, he went outside and sprinted home without looking back.

" Good evening sir " said Timmy, he's been waiting sleeplessly for Auston to get back.

Auston locked at eyes with him in shock, he thought the old man was sleeping but he was not.

Auston walked up close, exhausted, and found his garagaman, " Hey man, thought you've slept tho ".

" I hardly do that nowadays " replied the man, " Can I talk to you for a minute ".

Auston obliged, taking a seat next to him. The man put a hand on his knee, "I'm not one to nag, but you're coming home late a lot lately. Everything okay?"

Auston nodded, "Yeah. Just work stuff."

The man's eyes filled with understanding, "I know how that is. But remember, work is important, but so is your well-being. Don't let it consume you, okay?"

Auston nodded, feeling a surge of appreciation for the old man's wisdom.

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

He handed the man the food he had bought for him, "I got your favorite, chicken adobo."

The man's face lit up, "Ah, my favorite! Thanks, sir ".

Auston smiled, stood up, and headed upstairs, feeling grateful.:

A day passed, then a week, then a whole month, and Auston and Eve were on more solid speaking terms. They were still casual friends, with Auston maintaining a safe distance. Their friendship was somewhat odd, as they would often pretend not to recognize each other in public or at events. Auston believed that prevention was better than cure, and Eve still hung out with her rascal friends - some habits never died. However, each time Auston saw her, she wore guilt on her face, and he would see her getting "tossed around like a quote-unquote slut" every night when he came back from work.

One evening, as the bank had close, Auston came outside to find Eve waiting for him at the opposite end of the road. She waved and gestured for him to come over. Auston had been showing his team some graphs and handed Aliyah some files before crossing the road,

Aliyah Pat him on the back and both laughed like siblings gossiping with signs.

"Who's the new friend?" Eve asked as Auston approached.

Auston chuckled. "New?" He smiled. "She's not new, actually. We work in the same place and have been pals for a long while." He emphasized the word "long."

Eve scowled and got into the car, unlocking the passenger seat for Auston. They both leaned back, and Auston asked, "So, where are you taking me tonight?"

Eve sighed. "I was kinda hoping we went somewhere out of town. I've got a place in mind, though - a new place with the best service..."

Auston raised an eyebrow. "Out of town? You know I can't go out of town. I've got digits to analyze this evening, and besides, why not just find somewhere within town rather than outside?"

Auston pleaded, "Please, okay, for my sake at least?"

Eve nodded, " okay, let's play by your standards then" she starts the car and left

" So where are we going?" Auston asked again, his tone laced with concern as Eve had said nothing after seeing the thug, she had an ambiance of concern.

Eve smiled mischievously. "You'll see. Trust me, it'll be worth it."

Auston's gut told him otherwise, but he remained silent, unsure of what lay ahead.

Once they drove away, one of Eve's thug friends spotted them and nodded in recognition. Eve felt uneasy, sensing the man from her side mirror but kept that knowledge to herself as she didn't want Auston to start panicking, she sped up and left before Auston would see