Eva had been living a dream.

The next few days , she had the same routine. Done with her duties, she would slip out quietly and knock on suite 103.

The great door would open.

And Dougmous would usher her in. He certainly had warmed up to her for the frown on his face had turned upside down into a smile.

They were always seated at the bedroom, laughter twinkling and glass chinking .

Indeed it was strange how she had opened up to him like no one else.

She had laughed openly which she never did.

She had wondered out loud.

And Elias had watched her with amusement, encouraging her to spill , to reveal a shade of her she had kept under locks.

He wanted her to unload everything on him and she did. .

Strangely enough, Dougmous would melt away into oblivion. The both of them would be so engrossed in each other that no one would notice his shady departure.

Vicious whispers had broke out among the girls but Eva, reckless Eva, didn't pay heed to them. She had felt the subtle changes in herself.

She was no more the girl who cared.

And one day a frustrated Mr Redcliff had barged into the kitchens, his bald head shining under the light and his moustache quivering with inner turmoil.

Eva had been waiting for her turn to take the dishes in when he strutted towards her and hovered over her head like a dark shadow.

"What is this nonsense i'm hearing?" He asked in a low voice so only she could hear him.

She knew what he was on about but she refused to acknowledge it.

"What nonsense?" She asked , her blue eyes filled up with innocence.

He let out a harsh breath, grappling with whatever was going on in him.

"According to Marge you have been entertaining the guests in suite 103 in the middle of the night." He said the last words through gritted teeth.

"I see no problem in my personal choice, Mr Redcliff." She shrugged , igniting his anger further.

"Not under my watch!" He snapped , getting the curious eyes of the cooks. Quickly, he put on a poker face . . eyeing Eva with disdain.

Eva's eyebrow went up at his sudden display of rage.

He was still breathing hard.

"You'll not talk to me in that tone again ,Mr Redcliff. I appreciate your concern but it shouldn't cross my personal space." Eva said in a strong voice which did surprise the old man.

Eva could see the spark of surprise in his black beady eyes.

She too had been shocked.

Where was this new Eva emerging from?

×××××××××××××

It was the sixth day of their not so secretive meetings.

Every night time arrive, Eva could feel an exhilaration . .a pinprick feeling and she had never felt like that in her life. All she had dated were two men and that had been enough for she had discovered quite early, they were in for her looks. Their destination was not her heart but what lay under her clothes.

Disgusted, she had vowed to never allow another man unless she was deadly sure about him.

And now, within six days. . She had felt a change. A yearning. .a want.

Did she fancy him?

She had no idea or maybe she did but she didn't want to admit it out loud. Eva loved seeing him talk and laugh. .

His features would light up with a simple smile and Eva's heart would flip.

Where have you been all my life, Elias?

They had talked nonstop and strangely, he had never made an advance at her or tried to touch her. Not even accidentally. Infact he made sure they stayed on separate couch.

"Tell me about your life?" She had asked today , sipping on a cup of hot chocolate he had ordered.

Elias had a turtleneck black sweater and black pants, his dark hair messed up and his eyes. . .his eyes wouldn't look away from her.

She loved it!

He leaned forward. "What do you want to know?"

"Your family." She said slowly , trying to decipher his reaction. She knew family could be a touchy subject for people.

But to her relief, he didn't seem to mind.

"My father died in an. . accident when I was in the womb. And it's always been my mother and me. I wish I could tell you more but really that's it." He laughed slightly making her smile. " And what about you , Evangeline?"

Every time he said her name, she wanted to melt.

She cupped the cup of hot chocolate, greatful for its warmth.

"I too don't have much to tell ,Elias. I'm a foster run away kid." She gave a weak smile.

"Run away?" He repeated, wanting her to elaborate.

"Yes. My step parents were crack addicts. I had to run away for my own sanity."

Elias nodded thoughtfully.

And then she said ," I love it when you talk about your mother , Elias. I see the love in your eyes ,in your voice and. . . I want that-i wish i had it. All of it . To experience such unconditional love . . .one has to be lucky." She sighed wistfully.

Elias couldn't help but want to touch her in someway but-

He clenched his fists.

"Evangeline , Luck has nothing to do with love. It comes to you when the stars aligns. It comes to you when you least expect it. "

Eva suddenly felt bold as she looked straight into his eyes.

Elias felt a strange sensation all over his being. She was looking at him with such-

"Are you speaking from experience?" She inquired directly.

Elias didn't break the eye contact.

"I do."

And she broke the contact first! As soon as he said the words, she rose from the couch-the hot chocolate nearly spilling on her uniform but Elias didn't react .

Or said anything.

Simply watched her over the rim of the cup as he sipped on his coffee.

"I-i have to go." Eva looked and sounded like a hot mess as she literally flew towards the door.

She couldn't explain her reaction to his open admission.

Her trembling hands tried to unlatch the lock and two words ran in her head.

I do.

"Where do you think you're going?"

The deep voice asked right from behind ! Her spine chilled at his breath falling across her nape, her hands stilled-how the heck did he move?! She didn't hear any steps!

She didn't dare turn around.

And he didn't step back.

There was a breath of space between them and no one held the courage to cross it.

"Evangeline, I'm not a man who beats around the bush. I believe on nipping in the bud. This one week has transformed me as a man and I should have been at home by now-but I chose not to. Someone forced me to stay back and. . .I like you but I have a condition and . .I can't keep you in dark."

The sorrow in his voice forced her to turn around, her anger dissipating at the grief in his voice. As she turned, her hand would have touched him if he hadn't step back at the last second.

Him stepping back burned at her heart.

"You like me but?" Tears glossed her eyes , the one sentence flipping her world upside down. Should she be happy that he liked her or mourn at his but?

Elias smiled at her , feeling torn for not able to wipe away her tears or kiss them away. .

"I-i can't touch you." His broad shoulders sagged. "Even if I want to , I can't . Believe me , Evangeline. I can't. This is why I'm asking you to go back to you world. I have nothing to give you-,"

She cut him off.

"How dare you , Elias. .," She whispered softly , " how dare you take decision for me? How dare you think for what I should and shouldn't do." Her voice turned grave.

Filled with gut wrenching hurt.

Elias pushed his hand in his dark hair, messing them up.

"What would a man like me give you? Someone you can't touch? Someone. . ," He sighed , " to choose me is to self destruct , my love. "

Eva smiled and tears slipped down her face. .she looked like a rose with dew drops.

"Look at me Elias and tell me if I care." She challenged him with a mad glint in her eyes.

"You don't but I do. I won't be able to live knowing you suffer because of me." Elias tried to gently break it off to her.

Eva wiped away her tears.

"We will suffer , Elias. There's no one-," she bit her lower lip, " no one who gets me . Who sees me as I'm. Not because of ," she made a circle of her face with her finger , " this. I see a friend in you. A lover in you. Myself in you. I asked God not to break my heart for the third time and . .what is between us has never been physical, Elias. I have felt for you without you touching me. I have laughed with you without you touching me. Rumi said Love always finds the secret ways and our love shall too."

××××××××××××