Braelyn's POV

"Do we have a deal?" I looked back at Victoria's face.

"No. I'm not leaving him." She looked taken aback by my answer like she was sure I would jump at the chance. It took her a few seconds to respond.

"Why? Because he has now got more money than all of your previous conquests?" She spat the question out harshly.

"You don't know the whole thing. Let me tell you-" I was cut off again.

"Whatever I know is enough to understand what kind of a person you are. I don't need to hear anything from you." I could feel my jaws getting tense. Yes, I accept that the situation we were in was partly my fault but everyone has a patience limit.

"Fine."

"So you agree to it." I could hear the sense of relief in her voice.

"I agreed to not saying anything about that day but I didn't agree to leaving Evan." I wasn't doing it again, if the first time taught me anything.

"Why are you doing this? Why won't you leave him alone?" She semi-yelled, frustration dripping from her tone.

"Because I love him. I won't make the same mistake of leaving him alone again. I can't lose him again." She scoffed loudly at my words.

"I know you are only after his money and nothing else." I blinked the tears back and maintained a straight face till she had left me alone in the cafeteria.

……………………..

"For getting the hell out of my son's life."

"He was much happier when you weren't in his life."

I was brought out of my thoughts by a muscular hand that came in and turned the burner off.

"And you can thank me later for preventing your food from burning." I pulled my eyes away from the pasta in the pan to Evan's face.

"I just got a little distracted." I made up an excuse while plating the pastas. His hands wrapped around my waist while he rested his head on my shoulder.

"What's on your mind?" He asked as I finished sprinkling some more of the herbs on it. I couldn't resist the urge to move my head slightly around and kiss his cheek.

"You." I felt him smile against my neck.

"Is it?" He spun me around and put his hands on either side of me. I was perfectly caged between him and the kitchen counter.

"Hmm-mm." My eyes flicked down to his lips before I remembered something more important. My birthday, duh!

"So are we going out for dinner tomorrow?" I circled my hands around his neck and leaned more into him. He furrowed his brows in a confused expression.

"Why? Is there something special tomorrow or do you just want to get dinner outside?" I tilted my head to the side and gave him a sarcastic, impressed look.

"Yeah, I am convinced. Great act you put up there." Evan stared down at my face before chuckling.

"We are going out but not for dinner." I had my cheeks pressed against his chest while he had arms wrapped around me as he slowly rocked us both.

"Then?" He put his head on top of mine.

"I have a little something in mind." I immediately pulled away to look at his face but before I could ask anything he cut me off.

"And I'm not telling you what it is." My lips curved down in disapproval.

"Evan, you know I hate this. Tell me, come on." I poked his hard chest with my fingers a few times before he caught it with his hand.

"Nope." Huffing, I turned around. Not even seconds had passed before I felt his hands wrap around my waist. I was pulled back against his lean muscular front.

"You know, I'm really happy that you aren't leaving your job at Lewis Industries." He nuzzled my hair.

"For the time being." I reminded him.

"For the time being." He agreed.

……………….

Evan's POV

I poured ourselves some champagne and placed the bottle on the table beside the now cut cake.

"Yes, I'll call you tomorrow." She hung up and put the phone down.

"Who was it?" I passed her the glass of champagne.

"Bri." Pursuing my lips I observed her face to find something.

"What did she say?" I hesitantly asked, totally skeptical that Bri might have let it all out.

"That she adopted a baby elephant." She blankly stared at me while I gave her an unimpressed look.

"Obviously she called to wish me." She said it like I was stupid to ask. Well it did sound stupid though.

"Yeah." I muttered, relieved that she hadn't spilled it yet. Brae was about to take another sip before her face lit up in realization.

"She knows?" I mentally facepalmed myself.

"What?" I pretended to be unsure of what she meant.

"About tomorrow's surprise. She knows it, right? That's why you're asking if she had spilled something." I sighed and leaned back against the couch.

"And I'm now worried that you could really convince her into telling you and ruin my surprise." She made a thoughtful face before shifting closer.

"Don't worry. I won't." She whispered against my lips. I captured them with mine in a sweet kiss.

"I can taste the chocolate in your mouth." She smiled after breaking the kiss, her hand still in my hair. I tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.

"What about some hot birthday sex?" I asked, caressing her lower lip with my thumb.

"Sounds exciting." She playfully smiled at me while I smirked. Standing up, I tugged at her hand. She downed the remaining of the drink before letting me pull her to the bedroom.

…………………….

"Evan." I pushed open the door at Brae's call. Her long brown hair was pulled in a high ponytail, a few loose strands falling on her face. She was wearing a short dress which gave way to her long tan legs.

"Is this okay or should I go for something more casual?" She did a twirl, giving me a look of her complete attire. I realized how a small gesture like this could do something to my heart. I held her face between my hands and pressed my lips against hers.

"It's perfect." I said once we broke away.

"No, it isn't." I slightly furrowed my brows as she turned towards the mirror.

"Because you ate my lipstick away." She reapplied it on her lips before dropping it into her purse.

"Couldn't help it. Tastes good." We both chuckled.