The CEO's Seductive Doll-Chapter 160: The End

Against better judgment, the trio followed the Maestra to the lake.

The trek, while uneventful, was a relief for Evan—it wasn’t as taxing as the climb up the mountain. Still, Eternity insisted on carrying him the entire way after the Maestra’s warning.

Evan only had a matter of hours left before he dies.

Eternity didn’t want to worsen his condition and lessen the remaining life span he had by forcing Evan to hike down the mountain.

"We’re here," the mysterious Maestra announced as she stopped walking.

The comforting clicking sound of her wooden sandals every time they collided with the ground no longer comforted Evan’s ears. Freiheit and Eternity halted as well, and they looked around to observe their surroundings.

Calling the lake beautiful would be an understatement.

"Wow," Evan breathed, wide-eyed.

"This is the clearest, cleanest body of water I’ve ever seen!" Eternity marveled.

"So do I," Freiheit nodded in agreement.

Everyone knew that it meant a great deal since Freiheit was a traveler who’d seen more sceneries than anyone in this group could ever do.

"Eternity," Evan whispered. "You can let me down now."

"Oh!" she exclaimed, lowering him gently until his feet met the earth.

Once Evan stood steady on his feet, Eternity turned her gaze to the Maestra, who remained motionless in front of the lake.

"Maestra," she called out. "Now that we’re here, may I ask what’s the plan?"

Without turning fully, the Maestra cast a slight glance over her shoulder.

"I told you," she said in a slightly irritated voice. "You just need to dip in the waters, and let the gods do their magic."

Evan, now standing with some dignity, frowned.

"That’s a conveniently vague explanation for something magical."

The Maestra shrugged. "Isn’t all deus ex machina like that? Makes things simpler."

Evan’s frown deepened but for a different reason.

"Now," she finally turned around to completely face them, showing her gleeful expression. "Isn’t this the alternative you were looking for? Just dip into the waters and let’s see the consequences of your actions."

"Wait!" Eternity interrupted hastily. "You don’t know the consequences of your own wish?"

The Maestra grinned wider, like a child eager to open a gift. "That’s the fun part! It’s a surprise for all of us."

Freiheit muttered under his breath. "The more she talks, the more I feel this is a terrible idea."

Evan couldn’t help but agree.

"Time is ticking," the Maestra said impatiently. "Will you do it or not?"

"Fine, fine," Evan groaned, stepping toward the water. He turned back to Eternity, extending his hand. She hesitated, but eventually took it.

"Are you sure about this?" She spoke in a hushed voice. "She didn’t exactly explain to us what will happen after this."

Evan gave her a soft smile, gently pulling her closer.

"What choice do we have?" he whispered back. "But before this ’bond’ of ours is taken, there’s something I want you to know."

Eternity raised her eyebrows in confusion.

"What is it?"

"I love you."

Eternity’s green eyes, her mesmerizing green eyes, softened. She cupped his cheek before tiptoeing to kiss him on the lips.

It was chaste.

It lacked the usual intensity that they shared whenever they kissed but maybe it was because it wasn’t needed at this moment.

It was innocent. It was beautiful.

"I love you, too," Eternity grinned before running to the deeper part of the lake, pulling along Evan with her. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," Evan nodded, squeezing her hand albeit gently.

They exchanged one final smile before diving beneath the surface, their hands still entwined.

It was love.

***

Evan blinked.

"What...?"

He glanced around and realized he was in his office, seated comfortably in his chair with his tablet in hand. It seemed like he had been reading the morning news, but something felt off.

"Why am I here?" he muttered to himself. "The last thing I remember, I was—"

He stopped, his brow furrowing.

What did he remember?

No matter how hard he tried, his mind was completely blank. He couldn’t recall anything specific, and the more he thought about it, the more anxious it made him feel.

Scowling, Evan set the tablet down on his desk and pushed himself up from the chair.

He walked over to the large glass wall on the far side of the room, gazing out at the busy city below. His reflection faintly appeared on the surface, causing him to squint as if trying to see himself more clearly.

He looked the same as always—handsome, youthful, with brown hair neatly styled, and a posture that could rival a soldier’s.

Yet, something felt off.

A nagging sensation told him he hadn’t looked like this in quite some time.

"I wonder why..." He whispered to himself.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The sound of someone knocking at the door pulled him from his thoughts. He turned toward the glass door, wondering who it might be.

"Come in," he replied as he went back to his chair.

The door slowly opened, revealing a woman he didn’t recognize, though she felt strangely familiar.

Her hair was a bright shade of red that looked soft, silky, and comparable to those of women in a shampoo commercial. Her cheeks resembled more of a child’s than a woman’s, they wasn’t sharp like some certain famous women in Hollywood.

But it was her eyes--oh her beautiful eyes--that caught his attention. They were green, the most beautiful shade of green that he had ever laid his eyes upon. It seemed like it was sucking him in, forcing him to completely keep his attention on this beautiful woman.

"Good morning, Sir Holz." the woman greeted with a meek bow, her voice soft and sweet. In her hands, she held a cup of coffee.

"Good morning," he greeted back, a weird feeling rumbling in his chest. "Are you new here?"

"Yes, Sir!" She beamed in reply, flashing a bright smile that mesmerized him to the core.

He shook his head slightly, mentally chastising himself for the distraction, and leaned back in his chair. As she approached, the quiet murmurs of his office workers drifted in from outside.

"Did she bring him coffee?" One said. "Poor girl."

"Let’s bet, she’s going to get fired today." Another laughed.

He wasn’t sure if it was a joke or not.

"Sir Holz?"

Evan’s attention finally snapped back to the girl, who was now setting the coffee cup on top of a coaster on his table.

He picked up the coffee through its handle and positioned the cup in front of his mouth. He inhaled the rich aroma of coffee and exhaled loudly.

"Smells nice," Evan murmured as he inhaled the scent of the coffee, though he still wasn’t sure if she did it right.

After a moment of deliberation, praying to god or whoever entity it was that governed the art of coffee making, he took a sip on his cup, and his eyes immediately widened.

This was perfection!

The girl smiled at him expectantly.

"How was it?" She asked, her cheeks slightly red from embarrassment.

"It’s... exactly how I like it," Evan admitted, surprised at how pleased he was.

"Sweet enough to cause diabetes?" She teased with a chuckle.

He nodded in confirmation. "Sweet enough to cause diabetes."

"I’m glad," she whispered, looking quite pleased with herself.

"You did your research before you entered the company," Evan noted as he continued to sip his coffee. "What’s your name?"

"Doll, Sir," she replied with a warm smile. "Eternity Doll."