Betrayal by love-Chapter 20 - : New deal

Evangeline glances at Chris and Michael, signaling them with her eyes. Micheal shook his head slowly, a silent "no" etched on his mouth, Chris giving a cross-hand signal.

"I've been calling you for like two hours. "Serena yelled, her voice echoing through the silent hallway. She glared at Ethan, who remained silent, pretending to be reading the book that was upside down.

Thank God, you saved my ass this time! I thought she came yesterday, Evangeline thought. Turning to her mom, she said, "I went jogging early, Mom. Exercises make body healthy, right?" She paused, watching her unsatisfied face. "I accidentally left my phone in my room."

Mom raised an eyebrow again. "Why didn't Chris and Michael say anything about you being gone?"

Evangeline's eyes glared at their tired and sleepy faces. "Um! I didn't tell them, Mom. I didn't want to disturb their sleep because they were working too hard to keep me safe," she answered with a smooth lie and winked at her bodyguards.

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Chris and Michael exchange glances.

Serena noticed Ethan, who was sitting casually, scanning the upside-down book. "This is all your dad's fault!" She shouted angrily.

Ethan gently closed his book, setting it aside. "Honey, take it easy. Why are you so frustrated this morning? She went jogging. Exercise is good for her health," he replied, trying to calm her down.

"UH! Whatever you say." Serena then stormed off to her room, leaving an air of tension behind.

Evangeline aimed at her father. "I've missed you so much, Dad," she said warmly, her hand spread around him.

Ethan smirked, his tone playful. "Oh? I can see how much my daughter missed me."

Evangeline kissed his cheeks forcefully and hugged him tightly. He chuckled, giving in and wrapping his arms around her. "Alright, alright," he said with a grin, "but you owe me a pancake."

From the stove, Serena glanced over with an understanding smile. "Don't let him fool you, Evangeline. He already polished off the last one!"

Evangeline walked to the kitchen and said, "Mom...." She paused and turned to her dad. "Where did you find her? Why is she always noisy to me? "

Ethan smiled. "Sometimes, people make mistakes. My mistake is your mom."

Serena shouted from the kitchen, cutting cabbage with a forceful cut, "I didn't hear you, Ethan. What did you say?" she asked.

"I mean, my sweet mistake," he shouted from the hall.

Evangeline shrugged and turned back to her room. She fell into her with a let-out breath, watching the ceiling, smelling Nate's hoodie as a smile crossed her lips. Her mind replayed their car conversation.

Eve had looked at him with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "Nate, can I have a question?"

Nate nodded, his eyes on the road.

"What happened yesterday? Why did I end up at your place instead of Zoey or Luna's house?" she asked.

Nate chuckled, glancing at her in the mirror. "You begged to come with me. How could I say no when you were so stubborn?" he teased, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

Evangeline narrowed her eyes at him. "Nate... I'm serious. Is everything just a joke to you?"

"Alright, alright," he replied. "But you know what? You look cute when you get angry. " His tone was playful, only adding oil to her frustration.

Her face heated, eyes went upwards to down. "Fuck off, I don't want to hear another word. Just drive me home. "She said, but she wondered by playful words, Shit! he is good at speaking with girls, I don't blame practice make him perfect.

Nate couldn't help but smile across his lips, watching her reaction from the mirror. "Okay, fine. Your friend, I think Luna asked me to drop you off at your place, but... she forgot to give me your address. I left no choice, so I took you back to my apartment." 

Evangeline blinked, her anger quickly giving way to guilt. "Oh," she whispered, her voice softer now. "Sorry for yelling at you. And... thanks for taking care of me." Her expression shifted, and Nate could see what was going on in her mind as she whispered, Luna, you're so dead tomorrow.

Nate nodded with a small smile. The rest of the drive was spent in comfortable silence, the hum of the car engine filling the air.

Max dressed in a tailored suit and sat perfectly on a VIP seat, checking his platinum coating with a gold watch. It's nearly 7.00 pm, and sat on dark-wood decor, silently watching the whole city view from the glass, a mild melody piano playing.

After a brief wait, the door opened. Max is watching the entrance. Selena walked towards his seat, the click of her heels on the polished floor, drew Max's gaze like a magnet, her perfect curvy body hugging a black dress with minimal makeup, her red lipstick enhancing her Beauty. OMG, she looks more than enough. I like her confident walk. Every girl needs one, his thoughts break down by her rose scent.

"Max," she said, extending a hand, her smile perfect. "Thank you for this meeting arrangements."

"Selena," he replied, taking her hand, a subtle spark of admiration in his eyes. "The pleasure's all mine. You look...stunning."

"Thank you " she said with a smile, her eyes sweeping the empty restaurant. "Quite the private affair. I was wondering why no one here"

"I thought it made us feel safe and peaceful conversations," Max said, giving a sign to the plush seating. "And, frankly, this view is best enjoyed without a crowd." He gestured towards the large windows showing the city lights.

She placed a silver, glitter-embellished clutch on the table. "It is breathtaking." She then pulled out her phone and sent a quick text. "Just letting my assistant know they can come if needed."

A waiter approached, offering them chilled glasses of a sparkling elderflower drink.

"To new beginnings," Max said, raising his glass.

"To new beginnings," Selena echoed, her eyes meeting his.

After a moment of sipping their drinks, Selena's assistant quietly entered, standing respectfully to the side. Selena handed over a folder of documents.

Max placed his drink down, focusing on the contents. After a brief reading, "So, a new cosmetics brand, you want to a tie up with my company" he asked.

"Yes, I want to start New brand of cosmetics, I estimate our project will be a 3 billion investment. " She said confidently pointing the main points.

Max analyzed her statements carefully and nodded." Okay, that's great. How many branches do you plan? "he asked, watching her.

"I think now, 10 branch all over the country, and I listed those countries on that document. "

"Um!!! Okay, I am okay with that. I send you further process to your mail as soon as possible," he asked, his eyes scanning the business plan. "What about infrastructure?"

"Yeah.... I have thought a lot about that; we can discuss it further in the future. Because we'll need to establish a central hub, right?"

After a brief moment, the staff took their glass and placed the main drinks.

Just then, Max's phone on the table popped up a message, screen blinked by message. The screen displayed a picture of a girl hugging him from behind.

Serena watched his phone, and her expression changed, her eyes narrowed, and a glabellar line appeared.