The morning had barely stretched to noon when a black sedan stopped in from the main entrance of the Carter mansion.
Before Patricia could step out, a couple of guards stopped her.
"Excuse me ma'am, you can't enter the mansion before you tell us your name and the purpose of your visit," A man dressed in black stopped her. He had a tablet in his hand and a slick earbud on his right ear through which he was communicating with the other guards who were scattered all over the mansion.
After the scandal, Mr. Gregory Carter, Evenlyn's father had tightened the security of the mansion. There were several guards stationed at the entrance and several more were scattered in the premises.
"My name is Patricia Wu, Evenlyn's friend."
Before the guard could question her further, a maid approached the guard. "Ms. Wu is family."
The guard nodded and stepped aside. "You may go in, ma'am."
A maid led her to the living room. "Should I call Ms. Carter or you would like to go up?"
"It's fine, I will go."
The maid nodded and retreated, resuming her household work while Patricia made her way to Evelyn's bedroom.
…..
[Evelyn's Room]
Patricia knocked twice on Evelyn's door before pushing it open.
Evelyn sat by the window with her hair tied in a loose bun. With her legs tucked beneath her, she stared out into the garden below — lost somewhere between thought and memory.
When she turned at the sound, a flicker of relief passed over her face. "Patricia."
"God, Eve," Patricia sighed as she walked in. "I had to convince three guards and a maid that I wasn't here to assassinate you."
Evelyn gave a small weak but genuine laugh. "Dad's gone overboard."
"Overboard?" Patricia raised a brow. "Sweetheart, he is running a private army outside. I thought I was walking into a presidential compound."
Evelyn smiled faintly, gesturing for her to sit. "You know how he gets when he is protective."
Patricia dropped onto the bed beside her and studied her closely. "That I know." After being friends with Evelyn for more than fifteen years now, she was aware of how protective Mr. Carter could be. "But you look like you haven't slept well."
"I am fine," Evelyn murmured, even though the dark circles under her eyes betrayed her.
"Fine?" Patricia crossed her arms. "The last time you said that you had food poisoning and still insisted it was a normal stomach pain."
That drew a small laugh from Evelyn. "I am really fine," she insisted.
Patricia leaned forward. "Talk to me, Eve. How are you really holding up?"
Evelyn exhaled, looking down at her hands. "It's been a lot. The headlines, the calls, people pretending to be 'concerned' just to get gossip. I thought coming home would help." She paused. "It did, a little but these relatives wouldn't shut up."
Since morning, her mother had received multiple phone calls from family and friends inquiring about the scandal and if it was true.
Her mother had managed to politely explain that everything was a huge misunderstanding but Evelyn doubted if anyone believed that.
Patricia scoffed. "Relatives are the worst, especially the nosy ones."
Evelyn couldn't help but agree. "I don't want to be mean but they should really get a life."
Patricia nodded as she reached over and took her hand. "You did the right thing, coming back here. You needed space."
Evelyn nodded. "Alexander made sure the headlines disappeared but people are still talking." The news had already spread and all major gossip sites had covered the news.
"Well, Alexander is a gentleman," Patricia commented. "I did not expect him to be so helpful."
"He is the best," Evelyn smiled.
Patricia raised her brows. "Oh, really?"
Evelyn frowned slightly, catching the teasing hint in her friend's tone. "Don't start."
"What?" Patricia blinked innocently. "I am just saying, the way you said 'He the is best' sounded suspiciously dreamy."
Evelyn rolled her eyes, trying to hide the faint blush that crept up her cheeks. "He just helped me out when I needed it. That's all."
Patricia leaned back on her palms with a smirk. "Helped you out? Eve, the man practically declared a war with all the top-tier entertainment channels by making their 'HOT NEWS' disappear." She sat up straight and added, " And let me remind you that Alexander Reid has never ever bothered to pay heed to any of his scandals. He has always ignored them but this one—he literally did everything in his power to make things under control."
"Patricia—" Evelyn warned, half-embarrassed.
"I am sure his PR team must be cursing you right now," she chuckled
Evelyn shook her head, her lips curving into a reluctant smile. "He didn't have to do any of it."
"That's exactly my point," Patricia replied, eyes glinting with mischief. "He wanted to. Big difference."
Evelyn sighed, her gaze falling to her lap. "You are reading too much into it. Alexander did it because it was the right thing to do. Anyone with a conscience would have."
Patricia tilted her head. "Eve, we both know that conscience and the Reids don't usually coexist in the same sentence."
That earned her another laugh from Evelyn. "You are impossible."
"And you," Patricia said, pointing at her dramatically, "are in denial."
"He is Jake's brother—" Evelyn shook her head. "I just—I can't even—"
"You can't what?" Patricia interrupted, raising an eyebrow. "Are you seriously thinking about that loser right now?"
Before Evelyn could respond, Patricia leaned in with a mischievous grin. "You know what I say? You should start dating Alexander. Imagine the look on his face—priceless."
Evelyn's cheeks warmed at Patricia's words. "Patricia—Don't even joke about that," she murmured. The mere thought of something like that happening made her feel weird but at the same time, it made her feel good.
Patricia leaned back, her smirk softening into a grin. "I am not joking, Eve. I see the way he looks at you. Remember last months charity gala?" When Evelyn nodded, she continued. "He was looking at you like he was captivated, like you had cast a spell on him and nothing else existed around him."
"It's nothing like that," Evelyn shook her head. "We did not even talk that day."
"I am telling you that man is obsessed and you are pretending like you don't notice."
Evelyn groaned, hiding her face in her hands. "I do not notice anything!"
"Sure," Patricia teased, nudging her shoulder. "Keep telling yourself that but mark my words, one day he will make you realize just how serious he is about you and I can't wait to see that moment."
Evelyn peeked at her through her fingers. "You are impossible."
Patricia laughed softly, letting her hand rest over Evelyn's. "Maybe. But someone has to tell you the truth when you are too stubborn to see it yourself."
...