When Daniel dropped me outside the building I went to my floor but before going to my apartment I headed towards the neighboring one and rang the doorbell.

Trish wrapped her arms around me as soon as she opened the door. "Finally, you're back. I'm pleased that you're okay."

"Where is he?" I whispered, pulling away from her.

"Getting ready for the gym. Come inside." I stepped inside and Trish led me to the kitchen where he was busy making his pre-workout drink. His back was towards me. He was well aware of my presence, I knew it. But he acted like he didn't sense my presence.

"Good morning, Evan." I chirped brightly as I walked towards him.

He gave a side glance in my direction then returned his gaze to what he was doing. He didn't reply to me nor he asked anything about last night. He completely ignored me.

"Hey, how much time will it take you to head to the gym? Can you wait for me? I'll just go and change my clothes." I asked him, tilting my head so that I could see his face.

Ignoring me he drank the pre-workout supplement.

"Evan... Sorry..."

"Trish, I'm heading to the gym, you make sure to come fast otherwise we'll be late for work." He cut me off in between and saying that he walked out of the kitchen. I knew his statement was directed to me but he could have at least said it to me directly.

I narrowed my eyes at the kitchen door and mentally practiced my kickboxing moves on Evan.

"Let's go to the gym and practice whatever going in your head there, but not on my boyfriend," Trish commented. I looked in her direction in disappointment.

"Don't worry, he can't be mad at you for long." She patted my back. Hope so.

I went to my apartment and after changing into workout clothes Trish and I headed to the gym together. There too, Evan didn't pay heed to me.

After the gym, we went to our work, and Trish was converted into a messenger by Evan as he avoided talking to me directly. All-day, he acted like a kid, sulking for nothing.

In the evening when we returned, I changed into casual clothes as Daniel asked me. I wore ripped denim jeans, a white crop top, and completed my outfit with white sneakers. I applied light makeup and let my hair down.

I was excited to go out with Daniel as it was going to be a new start of something unusual. Some of the things in my life were going to change. I don't know if it was going to be good or going to turn bad but I was willing to give it a chance.

And in this new start, I didn't want my best friend to ignore me. He's my protector and my support. He encourages me. I wanted him back to his usual self but he was ignoring me like I was a mushroom which he hates the most.

I was putting my belongings like hair ties, lipstick, compact other things in my handbag when the doorbell rang. I peeked at the wall clock which indicated 5 pm. I was sure it wasn't Daniel as he was going to pick me up at 5:30.

I opened the door only to find Evan standing there with a mobile phone in his hand.

"So, you have finally decided to talk to me?" I taunted, crossing my arms across my chest. With an expressionless face, he gazed at me from head to toe. I knew he wanted to ask where I was going but he chose to stay quiet.

He raised his phone in front of my face. Frowning, I looked at the screen to see a text typed on it. I took the phone from his hand and read the text.

Trish is busy on the phone and I have an important thing to discuss with you about work. So, let's communicate through text.

I scowled and grabbed his wrist and with one tug I harshly pulled him inside. I didn't care to shut the door and dragged him near the couch and pushed him which made him fall on the couch. "What the hell Eloise!"

"Oh, now you know how to speak?" I crossed my arms and glared at him.

For almost five minutes, we played the glare game. In the end, I gave up and sat beside him. I took his hands in mine.

"Evan, I'm sorry. I know what I did was not right. I should have told you where I was going but see, I'm back and I'm safe." I said softly. He pulled his hand away from my grip.

"Sorry? Why should I accept that, huh? You chose to run away instead of telling me what was going on with you. It means I'm nothing to you, you do not care about my feelings or Trish's feelings. Do you even know how worried we were? What if something had happened to you? You know, there are more predators out there than in the wild." He raised his voice in the end but his face was full of concern.

"I know everything, Evan. And trust me when I say I spent the night at the safest place." I assured him. I sighed and again took his hand in mine. He struggled to pull away but I gripped it tightly.

"I'm sorry. I won't do it again. Please forgive me." I tilted my head and gave him puppy dog eyes.

"Don't give me that face." He grumbled, looking at me. I grinned.

"I know it works on you that's why I'm doing it." I pulled the puppy face again.

"It won't work this time." He said and looked away. I dipped my head and looked up at him with the same puppy dog face.

"Ugh! Stop it and come here." He pulled me in a hug by wrapping one arm around my shoulder. I grinned and wrapped my arms around his waist.

"Oh! You two have reconciled again." We both looked at Trish who just came in. "Well, good for me. I was getting irritated by being a silent messenger." She jumped between us and we pulled her into a hug too.

"But El, why are you dressed like this. Going somewhere?" Trish asked, turning towards me.

"I wanted to ask the same," Evan asked.

"Umm...well, umm..." I stood up from the couch and faced them. "I'm going out with Daniel."

"You what?" Both of them stood up like the speed of a bullet. I bit my lower lip to hide my smile.

"When did this happen?" Evan asked in surprise.

"You're going on a date? Finally, Daniel asked you out!" Trish squealed.

"What? No! Trish. It's not a date. It's just... just.." I stuttered as I didn't know what to say. I ran my mind to think about an answer but nothing came out.

"It's just a friendly outing," I said but I was frowning as I was not satisfied with my own answer. Was it really the friendly outing I was going to?

"If you say so," Trish smirked evilly then she smiled sweetly. "But El, I'm happy that you're opening up. I'm happy that you're finally giving importance to yourself. And I am happy that it's Daniel with whom you're going out. He's so cute!"

"Shut up Trish." Evan scowled at her to which she rolled her eyes. "And El, I'm happy too. But be safe. Okay?" Evan said with concern. I smiled and hugged them.

"Is he coming to pick you up?" Trish asked.

"Yes. He'll be here any moment." The doorbell rang as I said that.

"He's here." Trish dashed to open the door and I laughed at Evan's scowling face.

"I might find him good for you but he's bad news for my girlfriend. I don't know why she's fangirling over him." Evan grumbled.

________________________________________

Never in my life, I thought that after growing up I would again become a kid who waits for school to get over.

I was looking at the clock after almost every minute to check the time. I was getting impatient, I wanted to be out of my office.

When the clock stuck at 4:30 pm, I impatiently signed the documents in front of me. After finishing my work I was preparing to leave my office when Xavier barged in.

"Hey! I'm heading home. I just came to ask if you're free. Ariana asked me to invite you over dinner."

"Damn!" I ran hands through my hair. "Listen, man, I have some work today. Tell Princess that I'll come some other time." I said.

"What is that work for which you're refusing to eat the food cooked by Ariana?" He frowned.

"I'm not refusing." I retorted. "And I have to be somewhere. So just inform her, okay?"

He scrutinized me for a few seconds then spoke, "Inform her by yourself otherwise she would think that I didn't inform you because she won't accept the fact that you turned down the dinner offer."

"Okay, I'll call her. Now I have to leave. Bye." I walked past him but came to a sudden halt when he tugged my wrist.

"Who are you meeting?" He faced me and raised his eyebrows. I could see amusement in his eyes.

"Why are you thinking that? Can't I have some work? If I'm going somewhere that means I'm meeting with someone?" I grimaced.

"Yes!" Came his blunt reply.

"Think whatever you want. I'm leaving." I removed my hand from his grip and dashed out of my office but didn't miss his teasing statement.

"You can't hide her for long. And I'll tell Ariana that you ditched because of a girl."

I mentally cursed for being so transparent in front of my best friends.

I went to my penthouse and changed into ripped jeans and a white t-shirt. Then I drove to Eloise's place. I parked my car in front of the apartment building and after asking the receptionist about the floor on which Eloise's apartment is, I headed up to the floor.

I rang the doorbell and waited for Eloise to open the door but instead of her someone else opened the door. I recognized the lady who opened the door, she was with Eloise during the magazine photo shoot she did for XDS.

"Hello, Mr. Adams." She squealed.

"Hello, I'm here to see Eloi...ahem... Eloise." I said a little awkwardly as the lady in front of me was gaping at me.

"Oh, you can call her Eloi in front of me. I love the name you gave her." She waved her hand. She was still gaping at me.

"Okay, Is she inside?" I asked.

"Oh, yes, she is. Come in." She stepped aside to give me space to enter.

When I stepped inside, my eyes landed on Eloise and her manager standing way too close. I don't know why but my mood instantly turned sour. He's her manager but they seem to be too close. I wonder if they share a personal relationship too.

"Hi, Daniel." Eloise smiled sweetly.

"Hello, Eloi. You ready?" I smiled at her.

"Yes. Let me bring my bag." She said and went to her room.

"Hello, Mr. Adams, nice to meet you again." Evan, Eloise's manager extended his hand for a handshake.

"Nice to meet you too." I shook his hand and forced a smile. He then glanced behind me and frowned a little.

"Trish, come here." He said, still frowning. The woman who opened the door approached him.

"Mr. Adams, meet my girlfriend, Trish." He said which made me look at them in surprise.

Did he call her his girlfriend? Goodness, he has a girlfriend that means he isn't that close to Eloise. That eased my heart. I was acting like a fool. I was getting jealous for nothing.

Wait? Did I say Jealous?

No! Why would I be jealous? I have no reason to be jealous.

I gulped hard. I need to see a doctor. Something is not right with me.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Adams." Trish smiled brightly, pulling me out of my weird thoughts. I smiled and shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Trish. And please call me Daniel."

"Okay, Daniel." She grinned. I let ho her hand and faced Evan who had displeasure engraved all over his face. What happened to him?

"Evan, you too, call me Daniel from now on. Mr. Adams sounds too professional."

"Sure, Daniel." He forced a smile and then faced his girlfriend. "Trish, I think we should leave. I need to talk to you."

Eloise chose the moment to come back. "Let's go." She said.

"Yeah, sure. Let's go." I said.

"Daniel, take care of her," Evan said to me.

"Evan, you're overreacting." Eloise scoffed.

I faced Evan and sincerely replied, "You don't have to worry about it. She'll be safe with me." He nodded his head and Eloise rolled her eyes.

Then we left her apartment and headed downstairs and then to my car.

"Can you tell me now where are you taking me?" Eloise asked as soon as I pulled the car to the road.

"Patience, Eloi." I chuckled.

"I don't have that." She muttered, crossing her arms.

"Well, then I have to teach you that too." I chuckled deeply, my eyes still focused on the road.

"Why don't you give me the list of things you want to teach me so that I can prepare myself for the classes?" She said sarcastically.

I laughed it off and drove to the place I wanted to take her. Hope she likes it.

I drove the car to the countryside and stopped in the deserted area.

"Where are we?" She asked, inspecting the surrounding from the window. I got out of the car and opened the door for her.

"Come out, my student." She rolled her eyes at my remark and stepped out of the car. I grabbed her wrist and led her to the area I wanted her to see.

"Don't tell me you brought me here to show me the scenery. There is nothing new in this view, I have seen all of this many times." She said in utmost displeasure when she scanned the area I brought her to.

"I know you must have seen this kind of view a lot and I haven't brought you here to show the scenery. Don't ever come to the conclusion before knowing anything," I reprimanded.

"Wait here. I'll be back."

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