“Raul, are you sure this is going to work?” Adam asked anxiously, turning to look at Raul who was in the front passenger seat beside him.

Raul let out a breath of exasperation. “Adam, I never promised you a rose garden. If this backfires, it's all on you.”

Adam nodded, grimacing as he parked the Subaru along the street. Ever since the episode in Eva's office, the woman had been avoiding him like the SARS. For a whole damn week.

She'd blocked his number on her phone. The first time he'd gone to her office again, her secretary had threatened to call security. Seeing that she was very serious and his charm wasn't working like it'd done the other day, he'd left resignedly.

He couldn't even see Eva during her breaks or after she'd closed because that bastard was always there; taking her out for lunch, then riding with her in her car after she'd closed.

When he'd gone to Victoria's cafe yesterday after Lucas had told him Eva was around, June and Victoria had ignored the people they were selling to just to kick his ass out. They hadn't even cared about making a scene.

Adam's only consolation was that she didn't seem as reserved in Xander's touch like she was in his. Still, the fact that he couldn't have her close was driving him crazy.

That was why he was here. Today was Christmas Eve and June was throwing a party. Adam was hoping this was the chance he'd been waiting for.

After getting out of the car, Adam and Raul made it inside June's house on foot. Quite some people had just arrived and were still trooping in. Everyone was in Christmas costumes. Adam himself had chosen a Santa outfit. The fake beard would help him disguise himself.

He spotted June standing by her door in a lady Santa dress, eyes scanning the entrants, something she'd never done at any of her parties. He didn't have to be told to know who she was looking out for.

Adam stalled, branching in another direction as Raul headed first to June. He hoisted her up by the bottom and kissed her passionately, providing just the distraction Adam needed to slip into the house undetected. A breath of relief unraveled out of him.

Upbeat music filled the large hall. Strangely, the room was dim with only several candles providing light. Was June going for a spiritual vibe theme or what? Not that he minded, the mysterious setting would help to conceal him.

There were no decorations at all, and he scoffed. Who threw a Christmas Eve party if they weren't prepared to celebrate Christmas?

A crate of beer had been placed in the centre of the room. Adam grabbed one and blended with the other people, eyes scanning everyone in searched of Eva. He smiled when he spotted her. She was in normal clothes but wore a Christmas hat with glowing lights.

Out of no where, that damn bastard slipped behind her and handed her a bottle of beer. Adam scowled. God, couldn't he leave her side for a night?

The party began after enough people had arrived. They played a series of games and pulled up some Christmas shenanigans Adam couldn't give a fuck about. Not that he could afford to participate without exposing himself.

Xander drank a lot, seeming to hold his alcohol well, but he seemed to be putting a restriction on Eva's drinking after she'd gone about three bottles which made Adam grunt with impatience. For his plan to work, he needed Eva to be as knocked out as possible.

Pulling his phone from the pocket of his Santa top, he contemplated calling Raul then snorted, seeing him sucking face with June like they weren't even part of the party.

He went through the people around until he reached Alfredo who seemed too immersed in watching a certain woman practically performing a striptease, basking in the shouts of appraisal from the others.

“Dude...” He said close to the man's ear. He didn't seem to hear, and so Adam nudged him in the ribs, gaining his attention instantly. “Bro, I need your help.”

“What is it?” Alfredo grunted in annoyance.

“That idiot isn't letting her be. He's sticking to her like a parasite. I need you to get rid of him.”

Alfredo looked at him funny. “Bro, as much as I love you, I'm not killing for you.”

Adam huffed. “I'm not talking about murder, stupid. I just need you to get him away from her. Do you think you can do that, buddy?”

Alfredo pursed his lips, making a show of not being too keen on helping. Then he smiled. “Count on me, buddy.”

Adam patted him on the shoulder in gratitude. He waited for Alfredo to make a move. Tn seconds later, the man wasn't even trying to move.

Adam groaned when he realized Alfredo was waiting for the girl simulating the strip tease to finish. After what seemed like forever, the girl seemed to get tired of her strip tease imitation.

“Guys! Guys!” Alfredo shouted through the noises of approval. “Yo guys, who's up for a drinking brawl. Who thinks he can beat me with more drinks in a minute?”

He spoke like he was quite confident of his drinking. Cheers of approval filled the room as mostly guys and some girls stepped forward.

“Me! Me! Me!” Eva suddenly begun squealing. “I can beat you!”

An involuntary smile tipped Adam's lips as he arched his brow. It seemed the amount of booze Eva had drunk had hit her hard.

“Oh really?” Alfredo pretended to assess Eva with his gaze. “Okay, let's see what you've got.”

Adam frowned, wondering what the heck his friend was up to.

“Absolutely not.” Xander suddenly held Eva back when she made to step forward. “You can't do it, Eva.”

“Oh come on, party pooper.” Eva groaned in protest.

“Yeah, let her have some fun, man.” Someone said.

“No. She's drank too much already.”

“If you won't let her do it, why don't you take her place then?” Alfredo mused, his gaze challenging. Adam finally realized what he was up to. Risky, but it seemed to be working.

“Yes!” Eva shouted, voice drawling. “Xander is going to beat you, right Xander? Show him you're tougher than he is!”

Adam gritted his teeth at how enthusiastic she sounded about Xander in that moment, even if it was just about some stupid drinking brawl. Xander conceded, probably at Eva's excitement.

“Okay, where's the booze?” He asked.

June stepped forward eagerly. “Let's do this in the kitchen.”

The partiers headed into the kitchen. Realizing the lights there were on, he didn't dare follow. Only one couple didn't follow the others to the kitchen. Adam glared at them as they practically spit-roasted each other.

He knew there was no way Eva was going to leave with him without resistance. These two's presence was a hurdle he wasn't prepared for.

Realizing they weren't going away any time soon, Adam decided to go wait in the car on the streets. Hopefully, Raul would take the hint and bring Eva there.

It was probably just a few minutes but it felt like forever before Raul stumbled down the road, supporting Eva to walk without crashing. The man glared hard at him when Adam got out of his car and got to them.

“Dude, what the fuck?” He sounded duly annoyed. “It's one thing to agree to help you do illegal stuff but it's absolutely different for you to leave me to do all the work. I nearly sent her back to the kitchen when I realized you were gone.”

“Sorry, man. Two people were...”

“Yeah, cut it. Just take her. She feels like a dead weight.” Raul grumbled, indicating with his chin at Eva who was leaning against his chest.

Adam pulled her to him, and that was when her eyes fluttered open. She looked at him for a while, then blinked as if wondering whether it was really him.

“Adam?”

“Yes, spitfire.” He smiled at her.

She scowled. “What. . . are you. . . doing here? Go away. You hurt me. I. . . hate you.” Her voice slurred.

In other circumstances, Adam would've found her drunken voice amusing. But he couldn't now. Not when he found himself wondering whether she meant those words.

Her eyes began to droop much too quickly. Adam looked at Raul in alarm. “Raul, what did you give her.”

“Uh...” Raul bit his lip guiltily. “I might have added a sleeping pill to a drink I gave to her.”

“What?”

Raul raised his hands defensively. “Come on, Adam. Getting her simply drunk wouldn't have been enough. If you keep looking at me that way, I swear I'll never help you again”

Adam sighed. “Fine. Just open the door for me.”

Adam swept Eva off her feet and deposited her in the backseat after Raul had opened the door for her, stroking her cheek gently as she moaned softly.

“Good luck, man.” Raul said. “But I swear if June breaks up with me because of this, I'm breaking up with you too.”

That made them both of them chuckle. Adam hugged Raul briefly before rounding the car and getting into the driver's seat. He needed to get away before Eva's absence was noticed. As he started the car, he glanced at her now sleeping form and sighed.

I'm sorry Eva. I just had to.