"Time for breakfast!" Alexander said, wrapping an arm around Evie's shoulder as they headed downstairs.
They ate together.
After the meal, Alexander left for work first.
Evie lingered around the house for a bit before combing her hair, changing her clothes, and getting ready to head out.
She saw a text message on her phone from Charlie saying she was home.
Evie had just realized that after Alexander's scene last night, she had completely forgotten to call Charlie back like she promised.
So she dialed Charlie's number.
On the other end of the line, Charlie protested, "Honey, do you even let people sleep in? It's seven or eight in the morning!"
"It's almost eight now. You've been back for nearly a month, and you still haven't adjusted to the time difference?" Evie replied with a laugh.
"What time difference? I didn't go to bed until two in the morning last night!"
"Why so late? Did you sneak around with Noah?"
"Yeah, yeah, we chatted all night. I was too excited to sleep!" Charlie answered, half-joking.
"You flatter yourself! I have nothing going on. I just saw your text and decided to call you back!"
"Evie, are you even a good friend? You're just now seeing the message I sent you last night. If something had happened to me, where would you be to save me now?"
"Spit, spit, don't say that! My driver took you home, and Noah was with you. What was I supposed to worry about?" Evie laughed and scolded.
"See, once a man comes into the picture, sisters are forgotten! I'm going to cut ties with you!" Charlie laughed too.
"Did you make any progress with Noah last night?" Evie asked, fishing for gossip.
"Too much progress. We went straight from classmates to friends. You call that no progress?" Charlie sighed on the other end.
"What kind of man is that? I told you to chase him, not just become friends with him!"
"If I can't catch the man, at least I gained one more friend!"
"I give up on you!"
"Let me tell you, with a gentleman like Noah, you have to make the first move. Once the rice is cooked, he'll have to take responsibility for me!"
"And if you actually do that, what then?" Evie asked, her eyes wide.
"I'm joking with you. Even if I have the heart of a thief, I don't have the courage! Besides, if I really stooped to that level, it would be pretty pathetic. Who am I? Charlotte Moore? Do I need to go that far?"
"Of course. Our Charlie is the best. Most men like you!"
"Damn it, 'most men like you'—that's what they say about brothel women, okay!"
"Haha, I didn't mean it that way. A lot of men like a 'goddess of the masses' too!"
"Forget it, 'goddess of the masses'—I only meet a quarter of the criteria!"
"Which quarter?"
"Female!"
"Haha!" Evie was once again amused by Charlie. "It's a beautiful day today. It's good to get up early, do some exercise, and spend time with family!"
"I know, you should get to work soon."
"Yeah, I'm heading off too. When you go back to school, let me know, and I'll see you off."
"How can you send me off when you have work?"
"I'll take a day off."
"It's the thought that counts. Besides, I'll be going back home after I graduate. We'll see each other so often we'll get sick of each other. You don't need to see me off like this."
"Alright, call me when you get back to school."
"I will. Take care of yourself, and don't let anyone bully you."
"I will. Don't worry about me."
After hanging up with Charlie, Evie let out a sigh of relief.
She and Charlie were close enough to share the same dress. They even had the same taste in guys and once liked the same boy.
But even so, it never affected their friendship.
That kind of bond was rare, and she always treasured it.
Evie went to work as usual.
Unexpectedly, she ran into Caleb Hayes in the downstairs lobby.
When she saw Caleb, Evie froze for a moment, her eyes widening.
The next second, every cell in her body was on high alert.
"Well, well, if it isn't Mrs. Sterling?" Caleb asked, looking at Evie with a smile.
Evie was initially aggressive, but when she heard Caleb's greeting, she deflated. She looked around warily, making sure no one nearby had heard them. Only then did she relax. She looked up at Caleb and said, "Mr. Hayes, please don't shout like that. I have a relationship with someone, so please keep it to yourself!" Evie paused for a moment, touched her nose, and gave an awkward warning.
"Haven't you made your relationship public in the company?" Caleb asked with great interest.
"Of course not. This has nothing to do with you! Mr. Hayes, you must be busy. I won't disturb you any longer!" With that, Evie tried to walk around Caleb and head to work.
"I'll come by your office for tea later!"
Evie stumbled, almost falling. She turned her head and asked angrily, "Mr. Hayes, is there something you need from me?"
"Nothing special. Just for what happened last time, I wanted to apologize to you properly."
"No, no, you don't owe me anything. We're square. Goodbye!" Evie said, quickly walking toward the elevator.
It was as if something terrifying was chasing her.
Caleb could only shake his head, amused.
Later, Caleb didn't actually come to the secretarial office to find her for tea. Instead, he sent a gift by courier along with an apology note.
Evie held the gift like it was a hot potato. She couldn't throw it away, but she couldn't keep it either.
She had to take it home and report everything to Alexander truthfully.
"He gave it to you. Just keep it." Alexander replied calmly.
"It's from Caleb Hayes!" Evie thought Alexander hadn't heard her clearly, so she emphasized it again.
"I know. Didn't you just say that?" Alexander looked at Evie with a smile.
"I thought you didn't hear me clearly!" Evie pouted.
"This brooch is nice. Caleb still has good taste." Alexander opened the box and looked at the jade brooch, the size of an egg, lying on the smoky velvet.
Setting aside her prejudice, Evie also thought the brooch was beautiful.
But the nature of Caleb's gift had changed things.
"If you don't like it, just put it away. Since he sincerely apologized, we have to give him some face." Alexander continued.
"I know. You don't mind, do you?" Evie asked, putting the brooch away in the drawer of the leisure room.
Later, while Alexander was reading the newspaper, he heard Evie, who was sitting beside him, muttering to herself, "Am I really that beautiful? Why do so many people like me?"
Alexander almost choked on his own saliva. "Evie—"
"Huh?" Evie suddenly snapped out of it and looked at Alexander with a silly grin.
"Silly girl." Alexander followed the corner of his mouth, showing a smile full of affection.