Eva

Not only is he from the rich-class society but he’s also a womanizer. Men like him only gives me a headache. I snapped my head towards my two younger sisters and asked them strictly “Don’t you guys have somewhere to be?” Both were startled as they both nodded and quickly murmured a goodbye and then left.

Eric was spouting flirtatious words as my sisters started leaving. I only had one word to describe the situation, troublesome.

If it wasn’t for Angel then I wouldn’t have taken this case. Angel faced me and said “Sorry to trouble you Eva. I might have to leave you with Eric here. Asher and I have to go on a short business trip. Eric has keys to my house but can you please keep an eye on him? Eric is simply hopeless.”

I sighed knowing this will only get more troubles than it already has. I gave a stiff nod and said “I’ll try my best but if he pushes me too far I might just snap.” Angel smiled gratefully as she informed Eric that she is leaving.

Now it just Eric and I am left in my hall. “This way please. Please have a seat, Mr. Anderson. Should I get you some water?” I asked him.

“No, I don’t need anything. Please take a seat, Eva and yes please call me Eric.” he said with a flirtatious grin on his face.  I sat on the couch as he sat on the other couch in front of me. “And call me Ms. Pierce.” I deadpanned him. There was no way in hell that his flirty ways would get to me.

I straightened out the folders and envelopes I had prepared for his case, and was about to get right into it when he suddenly asked “Is Eva short for something?” His flirty grin still present.

“You don’t need to know that Mr. And… I mean Eric. It’s not important.” I told him. I was about to talk about his case when he interrupted me once more. “But names are important. Could it be Evany?” he asked.

“Eric, we should get down to business.” But it’s like my words were going through his one ear and out the other.

“No… maybe it’s Evangeline,” he guessed. I felt as if I was about to pop a vein on my head. Eric chuckled and said “I guessed it correctly, didn’t I? You reacted to the name Evangeline. So it’s Evangeline Pierce, huh?”

“Mr. Ander—” “Back to my last name again? I was just about to say that your name suits you,” he sure loves interrupting me. How truly troublesome.  “Since we’re going to be working together we might as well get comfortable with each other,” he suggested.

I sighed knowing I was not going to have any say in this. I nodded as we started talking about his case. Suddenly Eric got down on one knee in front of me which surprised me. He unexpectedly grabbed my hand and said in a low voice “From now on, I’ll rely on you.” His grin still present on his face. God this man is a total flirt. I snatched my hand away from his and said, “I hope not too much though.” Something awkward ran through my spine when he touched my hand. Did he do this intentionally? He can do this. He is known for all wrong reasons when it comes to women, I talked to myself.

Mr. Anderson, you want to talk about the case today only? I have so much cases pending on my table. We can talk about it some other time, when you are in mood, I said sternly in a harsh tone same as I use in court sometimes. No no …. Ms. Pierce, I am sorry I was trying not to remind the whole episode which has happened to me. This has turned out be a nightmare for me,” he said looking at down floor. I could see sadness on his face now. I asked everything which I needed to know about his case. In this whole conversation expression of sadness kept reflecting from his face.

After an hour or two he finally left. It was weird to see him talk about his case since he seemed like a whole new person. He became more serious unlike his usual playful self. I blame myself being this rude to him. Next time I will keep this in mind. Suddenly I heard message tone of my mobile. I picked up my mobile to check it out.

“Eva, you look so hot when you are angry, love Eric!”

OMG this man is something else, huh… I murmured

It’s been a week since I got to personally meet Eric. We kept in contact through video chatting or calling. It’s better to be on phone. I can’t just bear him for a long time. Angel’s trip got extended saying that they ran into a few complications.

I was enjoying my evening sipping on Earl Grey tea as I read Eric’s case over. I lived for nights like these. My two younger sisters lived in the city while I lived in a quieter place. I enjoyed the quiet nights I get here. My long hair was wet from the warm bath I just took. I had my usual black rimmed glasses on knowing that I won’t be able to see much of anything without them. I also wore a large long-sleeved sweater, the sweater stopped at my mid-thighs.

I knew this night was too good to be true. There suddenly came an impatient knock at my door. It could be one of my sister’s either they’re crying their eyes out from a breakup or they suddenly ran out of money. I rather it be the first one rather than the latter.

I stomped towards the door, ready to give my sisters a good lecture. Instead of seeing my two sisters, I found a beaten up drunk Eric standing at my door. I couldn’t help but gasp at his appearance. He looked like he was beaten up. He had a black eye, bruises and scratches covered his arms, and his hair and clothes were disheveled. 

He looked at me and swayed a bit. “I’m sorry… But I have nowhere else to go’” he slurred. His breath strongly smelt of alcohol. I looked over to see that he didn’t drive here nor was there any sign of taxi. How did he get here?

He swayed even more and before he could fall I managed to catch him. “What happened to you?” I asked him as I started dragging him towards my living room. “I went out drinking with some women I used to hang out with. I told them I had no money to pay for the drinks they suddenly got mad and left me.” he explained. That doesn’t explain why he’s all beaten up.

“Then who made you look like this?” I asked as I huffed and dropped him on my couch. “The bartender wasn’t too happy that I couldn’t pay.” he said with a drunken smile on his face.

“Why didn’t you return to Asher’s place?” I asked him.

“I lost the spare key they had given me.” he slurred as he lounged comfortably on the couch. I sighed as I stood above him staring at him.

“Then how come you didn’t call your girlfriend or some girl you hung out with?” I asked.

“First of all, I don’t have the contacts on my old phone. Second,” Hiccup. “Even if I did none of them want anything do with me since I lost everything.” he said.

Angel was right, he’s completely hopeless.

I sighed as I went to the kitchen to get him a glass of water and aspirin. I returned to the living room and told him to drink it. I sat where his feet were but when he suddenly sat up I couldn’t help but jump at how close he was. His lazy blue eyes stared seriously into mine. I was too shocked to move.

He unexpectedly removed my glasses and even if I relied too much on my glasses I finally got a closer look at Eric. I could see Eric clearly, but only Eric, everything else around him was a blur. Despite his blue eyes Eric were quite good-looking.

Though I’ve just met Eric, I’ve known about him for a while. His black hair looked slight unkempt probably due from the fight. He also had ungroomed eyebrows, long elegant eyelashes, and even when he’s drunk his marine blue eyes that were filled with strength and power.  I marveled at how soft looking his lips were, they weren’t plumped but they were luscious. Now that I was close to his body I realized just how big he was compared to my tiny body. Not only was he tall but he was also ripped with muscles.

Eric suddenly chuckled and said, “You know… you’re beautiful, Evangeline.” I couldn’t help but instantly turn red. No man has ever complimented me. My heart even gave a gentle twinge by the way he said my name. Only a few people called me by that name.

“Liar.” I blurted out even if I knew he was telling the truth since he looked at me like I was the most interesting thing in the world and also because he’s drunk. But he could also be lying because he’s drunk.

I refuse to fall under the spell of a womanizer.

Eric chuckled again. His voice was so smooth it felt like melting snow when he talked. He suddenly caressed my cheek as his face was just inches away from mine. I could tell that I was bright as a tomato. I’ve never been this close with a man. My skin where his hand was touching felt like it was burning. His hand was so warm against my skin.

“It’s no lie,” he slurred. “You just don’t know it, and you hide this beautiful face of yours by wearing glasses.”

“I look completely the same with my glasses on,” I argued.

“No, you don’t…” he trailed off as he started leaning in towards me. My heart was racing, it felt like it was about to leap right out of my chest. This is not what I pictured as a peaceful night. I quickly put my hands on his chest and gently pushed him away, but Eric’s body suddenly went limp. His head fell on my lap. Still burning bright red. I looked down to see a snoring Eric on my lap.

What was that?

My heart pounded like crazy and it still is. I could either be nervous from being near a guy or I might have a serious case of heartburn. I shook the nervous off as I stared at the snoring Eric. I have an itchy feeling that the more he stays here the more troublesome he’ll be. It will be a piece of cake avoiding his advances towards me. After all, I’m a woman with a steady head on my shoulders while he’s some obnoxious womanizer.