CHAPTER 28

"You kissed him." Adriana screamed when her sister told her what had happened with Jason.

"Technically, he kissed me." She corrected. They were both seated in the foyer munching on peanuts. She shifted a little away from her sister, who only pulled her closer for a deep hug.

"And you kissed him back."

She ignored her sister and tried not to smile. She had been telling herself the kiss meant nothing ever since it happened. They were both adults, and considering they've been together lately; emotions were bound to fly around. That must have been what spurn on the kiss. It had been awkward after that. Whatever pushed them into each other's arms separated them. He had excused himself and walked away, leaving her rooted to the spot, wondering what just happened. Since that night, she had been avoiding the man, not sure of what to make of their situation. Sure, the kiss made her long for more. True, she enjoyed it. But could it be more? Did she want it to be more? Would he?

And most importantly, what was his late wife's role in it. If she knew the man right, he loved his wife. He'll probably be somewhere now beating himself up for moving unto the next available woman shortly after her demise. What would happen now? She needed answers to those questions. If she couldn't answer them, then she sure as hell wasn't facing him. She dropped her sister off and drove back home. She had intentionally decided not to tell her about the car she had left behind. Her sister didn't even know she had been gifted a car.

What she also didn't tell Adriana was that she had rejected the gift right afterwards. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate it. She felt he kissed her because he bought her something and wanted some payment of some sort. It was silly thinking that way. But that was all she could come up with, seeing as he walked away right after. She needed an excuse to turn around that sweet feeling she felt at kissing him. Adriana suddenly had something to do. She excused herself and went inside.

Evangeline also went in to get changed into something lighter and went to sit back in the foyer. Then curled on the couch and settled to read a novel she had bought on the way. There was pretty nothing to do. Her PA seems bent on getting the award for the most hardworking secretary of the year. Since the Logan incident, she has been very careful of things she brought to her table. She was effectively managing the company well. Evangeline noted that down. She intended to give her a treat at the end of the year. But Audrey's efficiency meant she had nothing to do.

"I get to indulge in my favorites almost forgotten hobby." She chastised herself and opened the book. "Cold drinks at the foyer with a romantic book." She flipped through the first few pages and began to doze off. The book fell off her hand.

It was later that she felt someone moving her. She tried to wake up, but her eyes were so heavy she scooted closer to the person and slept off again. She noted his aftershave smelt nice. "Jason." she muttered. When she woke up later, she found herself in a strange room. This wasn't Adriana's place. Alarmed, she sat up.

"It's about time you wake up too." Jason said, walking into the room with a large food tray, "Hungry?"

"Why am I here again?" She asked, working up a fit of anger. His sexy smile only irritating her further.

He set the table and moved the table closer to her. He moved his chair towards the table too and began to eat, "Adriana called me. Said you were alone at home and I should check on you." He explained.

That annoying romantic fool! Little wonder she suddenly had something to do. She thought grudgingly. Her sister was pushing them both together now. She was beginning to regret telling her about that casual kiss. Adriana was reading more to it. "You don't have to babysit me." he replied

"I needed to see you too. You've been avoiding me. And you wouldn't take my gift."

He said it so casually she assumed that meant the kiss was nothing to him. Well, it meant nothing to her too. She ignored the avoidance part and simply told him. "I won't be bought with something as simple as a car that I can afford."

Jason laughed. His deep-throated laugh was infectious. She smirked too. "I specifically told the company to make that car." he bragged, "There's no other like it anywhere in the world."

"Boast on, Mr. Valdez." She teased.

"We aim to please." He said. "Please take the car."

His easy grin made her smile, "Okay, okay. I didn't thank you then."

"I can think of a better thank you."

She tried not to read meaning into that. Did he mean the kiss? "Don't push it."

He let it drop, "You're going with it this time. I'll see to it."

"Sure, boss."

"I'll be going to LA today. Do you want to come? Stop by your office?"

"That's good. I'll check-in. I've been bored. Lately, Audrey hardly calls now, except for really intricate issues that she can't handle. And, I'd like to see Zoe too. Thank you."

"Then let's eat and be on our way." He said, smiling at her.

It was so easy to talk to him, she noticed. He was in jeans and a shirt. The shirt was partly loosed at the cape and a few buttons down the chest. She watched him eat, noticed how his muscles flexed when he swallowed. Even without smiling, he was easily the most handsome man with blue eyes, set in a sexy way. He smiled at her. If he had caught her staring, he said nothing to that. He only asked her to eat.

The flight to LA, though, was almost 5hours. It was painfully short for Evan. They chatted back and forth. In between which she promised to go back to his place to get her car. When they landed, he excused himself and apologized that he had to hurry off to work. So he dropped her at her office.

"See you in a couple of hours?" He asked while entering his car.

"Can't we spend the night here?" She asked. It would be better than hurrying off to Miami again. She was feeling jet lag as it was. Another ride might make her sick.

"Okay? I'll see you when? Tomorrow?"

"Come to my apartment after your meeting." The moment she said it; she wished she could take it back. How did she casually say that?

"Okay." He said and closed the car door. He wound the glass.

"I'm seeing Zoe. Call me." She told him

"Sure." He replied, and the car zoomed off.

She went into her office and slum into the chair. She was so exhausted she decided a quick nap was what she needed right now. But first, she asked Audrey to get Zoe on the phone. When her friend picked, Audrey handed over the phone.

"Hey, bestie. Want to come over to my office?" She asked, "Please get me some fruits and something to snack on." She gave her PA the office phone and told her not to let anyone into her office except Zoe.

"Okay. You can leave now."

Audrey quietly closed the door and went about doing her work. It wasn't up to 30-minutes later that Zoe arrived. She was looking stunning in her white crop top and palazzo. She complimented her boss' friend and ushered her into the office. "Boss, she's here." She informed her sleeping boss.

"Leave us. I'll wake her up." Zoe said, closing the door as she walked in. Audrey nodded and took her to leave.

"Babe?" she called, lightly tapping her friend. When Evan sat up, she exclaimed. "Oh my God! You're so big already."

Evangeline stood up instantly and ran to her powder room which was behind her chair. She checked herself out, wondering if she looked fat. Not seeing anything, she turned to see her friend smiling wickedly. "You pranked me!" She observed, walking back to the office.

"You're barely three weeks gone. How can you believe that." she teased.

Settling down, she started to go through the fruit pack; Zoe came with, "Thank you for getting grapes. I've been craving it." She popped some into her mouth. "So, how are you? Anything I've missed?"

Zoe shook her head. "Nothing interesting about me." Then remembering her latest quest, she said, "Remember the cooking classes I told you about?"

"Yes. You finally registered?" Her friend had always been interested in cooking classes. She was the one who introduced her to a variety of dishes and how to savor them. Each restaurant they went to together, she sampled their dishes and compared which chef bested which. Eventually, she had started to pick interest in how the food was made. She would even ask the chef, if available, to tell her the secret ingredient.

Mary had once teased her to start her restaurant since she was the only one who doesn't work among them. She had laughed and said she preferred spending money to earning. As the only daughter of a multi-billionaire, she lived in luxury and had access to good cars, money and almost everything. She lacked nothing and wouldn't lack any even if she doesn't work till she dies. And Zoe didn't mind not working. She found every way to be busy. It was always from one party and clubbing to another. When she wasn't partying, she would be in yoga class. That or she could be at the spa, giving her body a good treat. She was always busy in an irritating way.

"With you starting a new life without me." Zoe teased Evan, who gave her a naughty look, "I think I'll need that job now. I'll attend classes and hope to be good at it. If I am not bored out of my hairs, I'll start my restaurant."

"Wow... I'm happy to hear that." She hugged her. Then remembering her opening sentence, she pulled away. "But you know I'm not leaving LA, right? I'll be back in a couple of months."

"Still, I want to do this. But would you still come here?"

"Why not?"

"I mean with your pregnancy and all. I can picture the comments in the tabloid. Rich business tycoon pregnant for who?"

"And hiding it will be any better?" Evan asked.

Her face lit up in the realization that hiding the pregnancy would be bad press. Anybody could see it and exploit it. "I get it. It would be bad. I can imagine someone in the odds with you sending pictures to the press with juicy lies to back it up."

"Don't imagine it. Picture Mary and you'd get a clearer view." Evan said and laughed.

"She isn't going to do that." Zoe countered.

"I wouldn't bet on it."

They munched on the fruits. "Then again, I don't care what the press says. I'm just here for my business. No comments."

"That's a simple truth. How's Valdez, by the way?" When her friend's face lit up, she asked, "Did something happen?"

Evan shook her head, feigning ignorance. "What can happen?"

"You have this look." Her friend's face instantly went blank. "Okay, so how is he?"

"Jason is okay. He dropped me here, and he's picking me up later. Did I tell you he bought me a Rovers? He had it made just for me."

"Wow? That's something. Where is it?" When she replied it was in Miami, she asked, don't you have pictures?"

The two scooted closer while she showed her the brown Land Rovers. It was exquisite. The maroon color, a favorite. Zoe made her promise to let her drive the car around for a day. Evangeline laughed and promised she'd let her if she released her favorites ride too.

A sports car she had been given two months ago as a birthday present by her parents. "Deal." Zoe said without giving it any thought. Since she was given the car, nobody other than herself had stepped in the car. She treated the car specially.

"I can't believe he customized it for just you. Wow, did I sense something brewing?"

Well, this was as well a good time to say it, she thought but discarded the idea almost immediately. Suddenly, Evan voiced out, "And we kissed." She couldn't resist not telling her friend that.

Dropping the phone, she exclaimed, "What. Something is brewing after all."

"Oh, it was just a chaste kiss. Nothing serious." She said and blushed prettily.

"Nothing serious yet it's making you blush. You've caught the bug." She pulled her friend closer, "Oh, poor Logan."

Evangeline pulled away, "Why Logan? Did he put you up to anything again?"

"No." Zoe raised her hands in mock surrender when Evan wanted to mock punch her, she rushed to tell her. "He's planning another proposal. I ran into him yesterday. You should refuse any invitation from him. It's a surprise proposal, and it looks like he's going to get you corned and force you into accepting him."

Evan laughed so hard her eyes watered, "Corner me? Seriously! Like I could ever be."

"Not even if your mom agrees?"

"Especially if my mom agrees." Evan declared. "Wait, does mother know?"

"I think he's planning on inviting her over. She might be in on it."

Evangeline shook her head. Her mother must be too busy with the Noah incident and the theft case the company was having. Still, she wouldn't put it past her, especially since she didn't accept the surrogacy idea. Anyone who stands against that became her friend. Her enemy's friend, huh...

"I wish he would give up on this already. I don't see us getting back together this way."

CHAPTER 29

Somewhere in the downside of LA, Logan and his team were running around trying to organize a surprise party. His office was bubbling with activity. The team, comprising three ladies and two men, went about moving tables and knocking out chairs. They rearranged everywhere in such a little time. Then they went on to decorate the room. The petal flower was arranged in a very big love shape. From the entrance, roses were sparsely sprinkled on the floor. They formed a unique welcome on the red carpet. At the center where the petals were arranged to form love was another inscription: Will you marry me?

The tables were arranged in a semi-circle of four. It was meant to be a private affair. So only a few chairs were brought in, cleaned and set alongside the table. He planned on having only important people attending the event. And, of course, Swiss. Her presence was crucial. She didn't approve of the surrogacy of her daughter. Like him, she found the idea 'unthinkable'. He couldn't even imagine Evan going for such. Somehow though, he feels he pushed her into this. If he hadn't been caught with naked pictures of himself and Mary online, he doubted Evangeline would have resulted in this.

Which was why he needed to do everything in his power to fix this mistake. Her mother would be thrilled to know he had something more, something better for her daughter. He instructed the team to place her chair right beside the seats decorated for himself and Evan. A bottle of champagne was set on each table. Glass cups, cutleries and snacks were placed on the table.

Logan looked around; satisfied with the arrangement, he proceeded to call the people to attend the small show. He called Zoe to help him get Evangeline to the location he had set up for the proposal. But Zoe apologized and bailed out. Her excuse wasn't even legit. Who picks up laundry at 5 pm and stay hours till it's done because she needed the clothes urgently? It was a lie. Zoe didn't want to be involved. But she had to be. He didn't let that stop him. He went on to invite Mrs. Swiss. "Oh, I'm sorry, Logan. I may not be able to get down to LA anytime soon. I have a couple of things going on here, and it calls for caution."

"Okay, ma'am. Another time then."

"Definitely." Mrs. Swiss said, "Again, I'm sorry to cancel. I know I promised to be there. Be sure to invite me another time."

"I will." He replied, his mind already thinking of what to do next. Frustrated, he ended the call and kicked the table. With his backed turned to the team, they looked at each other suspiciously. Logan took his car keys and stepped out. Did it mean he had wasted all these for nothing? He had been planning this occasion for a long while now. As he stepped out, he saw Jason dropping Zoe. He got angry. Zoe had just lied to him about her excuse for not coming. So she had been with Evan? And Jason too. Was she already switching sides? He thought she was one person she could count on to get his woman back to him. Evangeline stepped down to hug her friend briefly. From where he stood, he knew they both had something to whisper about. Both women said something in each other's ears, smiled, and Evan went back into the car. Zoe's car was parked somewhere there. She waved and went to get it. Curiosity made Logan follow the car. They were headed towards Evan's apartment.

******

"So, how did the meeting go?" Evangeline asked, stepping down from the car. Jason had come round to open the door and help her get down. When she got down, he brushed aside some hair that had escaped from the ponytail wrap she had her hair weaved into. Evan smiled her thanks, and they both went in.

Logan watched the two in fascination. They were so comfortable in each other's company. Something had changed between the two. They seemed friendlier. He brought out his phone and called his PI. "Did you say they visited the doctor?" He asked, shocked at what he was being told. "So she's pregnant?" wow! He didn't know she had gone ahead with the surrogacy. He sat down in the car before driving off. But even if Evan was pregnant, it didn't mean he couldn't have her. Could he? At least she wasn't going to be dating the man. It was simply going to be an arranged relationship. The surrogacy was intravenous, not sexually. He still had a chance.

Walking through the large corridor to the apartment, Jason replied. "The meeting went well. How's Zoe too?"

"She's okay. I should introduce you both." Evan said. "What are we having?" She asked, seeing opening a wrap he had with him. It was dinner packed in small plates: fried rice, roasted snail, salad, chicken wings, sauce and beef. He set the table and asked her to sit. "You're bent on fattening me upright."

"You finally got me." He smiled, "Plus, I've not eaten anything since breakfast. I'm famished." he admitted.

"Then let's dig in."

When they were done, he cleared the table and came round to sit with her, "I should head out now. It's getting late."

Evangeline lifted her head slightly to look at him, "You're not joking."

He started at her; a bit confused, "Joke about what exactly?"

Laying her head gently on the pillow he had helped adjusted, she nodded as if to bolster her words, "You are staying here tonight. I have more rooms than I can sleep in." She told him.

"Are you sure that's okay? I had James's book a hotel already."

"Cancel it. I want you to stay." She told him quite frankly. Then getting off the couch, she said, "I'll go check on the room. See if there's a need to change the sheets. I'll be right back."

Later, they settled down to watch a movie before turning in for the night. As they watch the movie, she realized she was very restless. The love couch wasn't comfortable any longer. She wished she could find something to rest on. Jason noticing her discomfort, passed her a pillow. When she smiled appreciatively, he switched the pillow and asked her to lean closer. She did, and he placed the pillow on her laps and gently laid her head on it. No one said anything about their kiss the other night, and it hung like an unspoken phrase in the air. 'Maybe it didn't mean anything to him after all,' was Evan's last thought as she drifted off to sleep.

CHAPTER 30

Robert Swiss parked a safe distance from the house. He got out of the car and looked around the city. Breathing in the fresh air seemed like something Evangeline, his youngest daughter, would do. He inhaled and exhaled, eyes closed and just let the Miami air sink in again. It was refreshing to be back here. He had grown up in the suburbs. Miami always had and would always be home. As he made his way into his home, he prepared himself for what he would meet. His wife, he was sure, wouldn't welcome him with open arms. Though she had called and invited him down here, he knew she was only fulfilling the obligation. Their parting hadn't exactly gone right. She had made it clear their terms on parting. It wasn't legal yet, but it was a written agreement.

He walked briskly towards the compound. Everything was exactly as he had left it. Even the gate's passcode hadn't been changed. The walls looked shinier, though, an indication at some point after he left, it had been repainted. Breathing heavy, he stepped to the door and turned the knob. As he opened the door, a cold fruit salad was thrown in his face. Shocked, he stood staring at the mess. If he had expected a warm welcome, this was far from it. This was a very cold welcome splashed all over his face.

The objects of his plight were his two grandchildren, Ethan and Elizabeth. They were having a food battle as they kept throwing things. He stood watching the drama. The twins paused to see the intruder. He didn't look harmful. If he did, mother said to run from such people. He didn't look familiar either. Mother said not to hang around strangers. So, they ignored the older man and went about throwing their fruits. Every fruit each twin dodged landed on the man. "Sorry." they'd yell and continue their game. He stood rooted to the same spot, bags in hands, looking from one twin to the other as they ran around the living quarters.

The kids reminded him of his own. Evangeline was always one to throw a tantrum. Her fighting instinct being to throw things first. He remembered the day he had come home to a messy apartment. The kids had been throwing things at each other. He hated that! Being the first home, he had been so sick at the sight he came home to meet. He didn't step a foot inside. He just closed the door and went to sit it out in the car. His wife came in hours later to meet him asleep in the .early

"What are you doing in the car?" Mrs Swiss asked, tapping the car glasses to wake him up.

"You should go in first." He urged. Mrs. Swiss laughed as she opened the door. "Here we go again." She sighed and entered the house to clean up. It was after she was done that he went inside. The following day, he sat the kids down and warned them never to throw things and mess up the home like yesterday.

Finally, with the weight of the bag weighing heavily on his hand, Robert Swiss was brought back to the present. "So good to be home!" He groaned and dropped his bag. Recognition finally dawned! The twins ran towards the man screaming, "Grandpa." Though they've never met him before, they had seen his pictures. Even now, they both stared at the man then at a huge portrait of him on the wall.

"Yes, that's me." the man said, smiling even as his wife walked into the room.

"Hello, husband." Seeing the mess the kids had made of the living room, she taunted, "Want to sit this one out too?" His wife asked, clearly remembering the incidence too.

He shook his head, "They didn't listen to me then, did they?" He groaned, "If they had, these little minions wouldn't have picked up on it."

The twins grinned at their grandfather, and he forgot he had been a little put off by the welcome greeting he got. "Welcome home, grandpa." They both chorused. Well, it's been a long time here.

Though it was late hours of the morning, Evangeline was just waking up. She was surprised to see that Jason, too, was still around and sleeping too. They had both slept in the living room while watching the movies. As she stirred, he moved too. "Hey." She greeted.

"Good morning." He replied, helping her up. "Did you have a good night?"

"I did, which is very funny. I didn't even wake up in the night."

"We did sleep late." He told her. He was still holding her hand. Evangeline looked at the hand and then pulled away. "What's your day like today?"

"Got some couple things to do at the office. But that can wait. I can have it done on the laptop too if it becomes a matter of urgency" looking closely at her, he asked, "Why are you asking?"

"Just to know when to get the breakfast started." She looked at the time, "Maybe even brunch. What would you like to eat?"

"Not sure. What do you have?"

She went towards her refrigerator. "I've got enough to last us many weeks." She told him, "Considering they could spoil, we better make good use of them now." Withdrawing some items from the fridge, she went towards the kitchen.

"You can take some with you on the trip back."

"I always come here too. I'm sure it will be okay." She was already moving plates and getting ready to get the cooking started.

Jason got off the couch and started to arrange the living room. Done with the chore, he went to join her in the kitchen. She was reaching for some container in the upper cabinet. Since he was very much taller than her, he helped her to retrieve it and set it down on the table.

"You're making ..." He was saying before he notices her swooning. He quickly held her. Holding her in place, they stayed that way for a while.

Evangeline had been about turning to thank him when she misplaced her foot and started to fall. The shock of almost tripping made her still, so still Jason asked what was wrong. She nodded stiffly. He lifted her and carried her back to the living room. Then he went to get a cup of water. She drank gratefully, passed him the empty cup and laid down on the love couch.

"Are you okay?" He asked again, sitting beside her.

A tear dropped down her face. She was still in shock, and though she didn't understand the tears, she was only too relieved he had been there to prevent the fall. What could have happened to the baby? She shivered. He gently brushed off the tear and pulled her closer. As he did, his hands encircled her in a hug. It suddenly becomes hot in the room. Evan shifted uncomfortably under his hug. He pulled her back and looked at her. Evan noticed his eyes had gone dark. The look in his dark blue eyes drew her in. She reached for his face, tracing the taut line of his jaw. He captured the hand, turned the palm to his mouth and kissed it. She felt her stomach fluttered. It was just a kiss to the hands, yet he made her feel so alive.

He lifted her face to his. Their unspoken kiss hung in the air again. They both remembered, and both wanted it. Yet, he did nothing but look into her face. It appears like he was seeking her consent before kissing her, or was that him giving himself a million and one reasons why he shouldn't. She pulled away, not sure she could give him the go-ahead he desperately needed from her. He had to figure it out himself. But he didn't let her stand. He reached for her hand and pulled her back to him. When his head came down to hers, and his mouth parted hers, she opened up to him without any resistance. That was as far an answer she was ever going to give him.

The kiss was light at first. Like he had been testing out a theory, trying to know what was it about their kids that made him so excited. She was as curious as he was, wanting to know if he felt this current between them. The kiss was a gentle one, with both savoring the other. He lightly held her in place while his tongue invaded her crevices. She drank him in, pulling him in, demanding more.

Jason was all too happy to oblige her. There was no thought. No way to think about what he was doing or what she was making him do to her. All that matters were the way he felt this very minute. The kiss changed from a mere sampling to something more. Evan was demanding more, and he wanted more too. His hands drew her closer, pressing her to him. Then her hands unbuttoned his shirt, and she was in his naked skin. He sucked in a breath when she lightly brushed his nipple. He was so hard it hurt. He returned the favor by releasing her mouth and kissing her neck. Her moan was all the invite he needed to pull her clothing down. He started to kiss her again then bent to kiss her nape. She gasped, throwing caution to the air. She opened his shirt.

He reached for her too. Her boldness turned him on. He liked a woman who knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to demand it. He let his hands slide down her boobs. She wasn't wearing any bra underneath her nightwear, so it was easy to get her breast out. He looked at her in pure lust before letting his hand cup each breast. As he let their heavy weight get used to his palm, he returned to kissing her. Evangeline moaned when he kneaded both breasts. And just as they were in deep throes of passion, her phone began to ring. The ringing phone made them pull apart. Evangeline's breath was uneven, and so was his. She was happy she had that effect on him as he did hers.

"I'm sorry." He said

He looked almost sorry. Her mood plummeted, just like that. She checked her phone to see that her caller was her sister, "Not a good time." She whispered, gritted teeth and all. Then sitting up straighter, she asked, "Dad is where?" She said, staring into Jason's. "He's back in Miami. Wow"