^^^EVIE'S OUTFIT ❤️

It's comical how he saw me step out of the car, but then he looked away, only to whip his head back in my direction. I won't lie and say I don't enjoy getting that kind of reaction from people. His eyes had even widened a little, and by the time I was in front of him, he was speechless.

"Good evening Mr Bingham," I greeted, sounding slightly sultry.

Well then!

"You look even more beautiful than you did earlier," he responded when he'd gathered his wits.

"Thank you. You look handsome yourself," I replied.

He shot out his elbow to me. "I guess we should head in. I'm going to be the envy of many men tonight, that's for sure."

"You flatter me Cain, but it's not necessary," I commented as we headed in.

"Someone either doesn't take compliments well, or they haven't received them as much as they should've," he analysed.

I was uncomfortable with how right he was both ways, but I was saved by our arrival at the front desk. He gave them our reservation, and it was funny watching how panicked the waitress became when she heard his last name.

We were made a top priority as we were led to what I learnt is the best table in the whole restaurant. He opened my chair for me, and when I was seated, he took his seat in front of me before he was presented with the list for the best wines in the place. He asked for my selection and we settled on a very expensive bottle of red wine.

"I apologize if this is overwhelming. I go to restaurants mainly to dine with clients and business people, so money is never a thing to them. I know it makes some people uncomfortable though," he quickly said.

So he still had no idea who I was.

I sent him a warm smile. "That's fine. Thank you for being thoughtful."

"It's my pleasure. I'm actually very nervous right now," he confessed.

"Why? You're a good looking man. I'm sure you've done this many times before," I argued.

"That's what people generally assume, but it's the furthest thing from the truth. I've only ever loved one woman in my life, and things like going on actual dates was never her thing. She was, weird to say the least," he replied.

"But you still loved her," I pointed out.

He nodded. "That I did, but tonight's not about her. Tell me about yourself."

"What do you want to know?" I asked.

And that's how our night kicked off. Conversation between us flowed so easily that it took me by surprise. We carried on like two people who have known each other for years. Besides our differences in careers, we're basically the same person.

"How were you able to do so much? Some of those things cost an arm and a leg," he pointed out as we had dessert.

"I guess it helps to be the daughter of the richest black man in the country," I hinted.

His eyes widened for the second time that night. "You're Melanie Blandel?"

"I hate that name completely, but yes, I'm Melanie Blandel," I replied.

"I like the name Evie better anyway. I've never actually seen pictures of you though. How come?" he questioned.

"My father paid a lot of money to keep my pictures out of the press because that's what I wanted. A lot of people know who I am by name, but they have no idea what I look like. Only a handful of people know what I look like," I explained.

"What about your husband?" he asked.

It was my turn to be wide eyed. "How do you know about Zayn?"

Again, my marriage isn't one that's widely known.

"I doubt that many people paid attention to it, but you stopped being referred to as Melanie Payton around the same time Zayn started wearing a wedding ring. I guess I just put two and two together for myself. I didn't think I was right, but you just confirmed it. What I'm curious about is why you would agree to this date as a married woman," he said, curiosity and a hint of contempt in his tone.

"I'm not that kind of person, so you can stop judging me. Nine months ago, I was one hundred and twelve pounds heavier than I am right now, and I happened to overhear a conversation between my husband and his friends. He was telling them that I'm basically a whale that he's afraid to sleep with because he feared I would crush him to death in his sleep. He proceeded to tell them about how he only married me for my father's money. He's in love with and has been sleeping with my little sister, but because she isn't my father's biological child, his way in was through me. His plan was that as soon as my father died, he would take everything my father left to me, leave me and marry my sister like he's always wanted to. Does that change your opinion of me?"

I wasn't even aware that my emotions had charged up until I found myself wiping away angry tears. The man before me was looking at me with a look I couldn't decipher, and I was even more confused when he asked for the bill.

He didn't say anything but instead waited for the bill to arrive. When it did, he paid cash, adding money for the tip before reaching his hand out to me. I asked no questions and took it before he led me out of the restaurant and to his sleek sports car. He opened the passenger door for me and I entered before he joined me.

"Where are we going?" I finally asked when he'd been driving for a while.

"I knew there was a reason I didn't want to do business with that man. I picked up bad vibes from him the day that I met him," he instead replied.

"Who? Zayn?" I asked.

He nodded. "I was still based in LA at the time, and he wanted me to be his official lawyer, but I refused. He's obviously a big deal in his industry, and my father wasn't impressed with me at all for not taking on such a big client, but there was just something that unsettled me about him. I was surprised when I realized that he's married since I couldn't fathom what kind of woman would be with him, and that's no offence to you since you were clearly deceived. If anything, it says a lot about your sister, once again, no offence."

What he had told me connected with a memory I had. I could remember how angry Zayn was that he didn't get the lawyer, who I now know is Cain, on board with him. He stayed out partying for two days straight, saying there was nothing I could do to help him so he didn't need to be around me.

How drunk and high people helped him is beyond me.

"None taken. He was so angry that you didn't want to be his lawyer," I commented.

"And I'm glad I stood my ground on that decision. Men like him don't deserve to be called men," he said strongly.

"No argument here," I agreed.

"So what's happened since your father passed on?" he asked.

"I hid in Greece, shed some weight and now I'm back. Bernard has been handling my inheritance issues so that Zayn can't touch it," I informed.

"Good! You don't deserve to be cheated out of it by that scumbag. I'm sorry about your father by the way," he said sincerely.

I think I surprised us both when I reached out to hold his free hand. "Thank you, and I'm sorry about yours too."

We didn't say anything else after that. Instead we rode in silence, headed to a destination I still had no clue about. Despite the turn the night had taken, I was still feeling good. Being with Cain was unexpectedly a mood lifter. I was confused when we pulled up to the ice-cream parlour across the road from my apartment building.

"You're probably confused, but they serve the best ice-cream here and what's a better way to end a night right?" he commented as he helped me out of the car.

I laughed at how adorable he was being. "I'm not complaining since it's ice-cream."

I was taken aback to find that it was close to midnight. We went in and they were close to closing up, but they took our orders anyway. The only thing was that we had to take our ice-creams to go, which we didn't mind. I got vanilla and he got chocolate.

"Look at us swirling," he joked as we stood outside.

"We're cool like that," I said, laughing.

"Well, I live in the building across, but I can drive you to your place and come back. Is that ok?" he asked.

"It's going to be a short drive, but sure," I replied.

We got into the car and I made him turn into the underground parking, causing confusion. "You live here?"

I laughed. "I own the building Cain."

"Well I'll be damned," he joined in my laughing.

He parked the car in his spot before we both headed into the building. The receptionists were changing shifts as we headed to the elevator, and I could see the curious glances they sent us since we were both still eating ice-cream and laughing like goofy kids.

We finished our ice-cream and threw the containers in the bin before we entered the elevator. It was a little past midnight now. He had my heels in his hands since he insisted that I'd had them on for too long and my feet needed to breathe.

"Which floor are you on?" I asked him.

"I'm right at the top, which I assume is where you also are," he replied.

"Right you are Mr Bingham," I giggled as we headed up.

"Then I guess I have to properly welcome my neighbour. Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?" he offered once we'd reached the floor.

"From ice-cream to coffee? If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were trying to get me to stay in your company longer," I taunted.

"I happen to enjoy your company, so I won't deny that much. Besides, I happen to have a batch of chocolate chip cookies to die for," he said cheekily as he unlocked the door.

I walked in, turning slightly to give him a seductive smile. "I guess it's your lucky day since I enjoy your company too."

I don't know why I ran, but I squealed when I realized that he was chasing me. Running around an unfamiliar space is confusing, but I realized that I actually knew this place since it was structured in the same way as the other apartments.

I somehow found myself giggling and out of breath on his bed as he tickled me. He'd caught me and he wasn't about to let me have it easy. He eventually stopped tickling me and settled for staring at me as I laughed. When my laugh died down, he was looking at me with so much adoration.

And then I kissed him.

I don't think surprised is the word for me to use anymore. I just keep shocking myself at every turn, but I was glad to have taken the chance because the kiss was amazing. I didn't want to compare it to any other kiss I've had because it was already special in its own right.

"You're so beautiful Evie, so I want to take this slow," he said, breathless after we'd pulled apart.

Bless him.

"I can definitely appreciate slow right now. I think I'd actually prefer those cookies to kissing you right now," I teased.

"Oh, funny," he said before kissing me one more time.

After the dinner we had, I didn't think we had any more to talk about, but boy was I wrong. We talked well into the early morning, eventually falling asleep on the couch. When I woke up, it was eight in the morning, and I was meeting my best friends for lunch in five hours.

"Good morning beautiful," he murmured beside me.

"Good morning handsome," I replied, getting up to stretch.

"Who looks so beautiful after they wake up?" he asked.

I smacked him with a cushion. "Flattery will get you nowhere Mr Bingham."

He trapped me, a devious smile on his face. "Will it get you to stay for breakfast?"

I was about to reply when my phone rang. He let me go so that I could find it, and I had to follow the sound to find it. It was in my clutch bag, which I found in his room. I must've dropped it here when he chased me. I took it out and was confused to see that it was Aramis calling. "Hello?"

"I'm at your apartment. Where are you?" he demanded.

"Well, I'm good thanks for asking. I'll be there in two minutes," I said before hanging up the phone.

Well there goes my mood.

"Why do you look like you've just been called into the principal's office?" Cain asked as I walked back to the lounge.

I sighed. "That may as well be the case. I would stay for breakfast, but there's an important issue awaiting me at my apartment."

"That's understandable. I have to head in to the office for a meeting with a cranky client anyway. Are you free for lunch?" he asked.

"Nope! I've got lunch with the gang," I replied.

"Don't wound me here, but what about dinner?" he questioned.

I walked up to kiss him. "I'm all yours then."

"Good," he smiled, his dimple deepening.

He walked me to the door, my shoes in his hands once more, and we could see Aramis standing at my door from where we were. The brute looked stoic, until I think recognition dawned on him because his eyes narrowed into very thin slits. He couldn't hear us, but he clearly wasn't impressed with what he was seeing.

Not that I cared.

"Aramis Van de Woodsen is your important issue?" Cain asked, perplexed.

"Not quite. The information he has for me is my important issue. I'm sensing something here," I commented.

"Let's just say I'm not one of his favourite people and vice versa," he informed.

I cupped his cheek, making him look down at me. "He's not one of my favourite people either, so I guess we're on the same team."

"I knew there was a reason I let you use my favourite teaspoon," he said with a cheeky smile.

I laughed, poking his dimple. "You're a dork Cain."

"You happen to like this dork, so you're one who needs to re-evaluate their life," he teased.

Before I could respond, Aramis coughed really loudly. "Let me go before he truly becomes a pain in the ass."

"I know a handful of good lawyers," he randomly stated.

"Good for you?" I said unsurely.

I squeaked when he pulled me into him by my waist, leaning down to my ear. "I'm just saying that you could kill him and I'd get you free."

I laughed and smacked his chest. "Play nice."

"Yeah yeah, I can't promise anything. See you tonight?" he asked.

I leaned in to kiss him. "See you tonight."

I walked towards my apartment, dreading every step I took towards the obviously pissed off man before me. Why he was so pissed off was beyond me, because if it was about my making him wait, then he needed to chill because I wasn't even warned about his arrival.

"What are you doing with Cain Bingham of all people?" he asked as we walked into my apartment. His tone was cold and angry.

"Unless if that has anything to do with why you're here, then I don't see how it's any of your business," I replied, heading to the kitchen. I needed to have a glass of water.

"It actually does have everything to do with why I'm here," he replied.

Fear settled in my stomach as I turned to face his stormy orbs. "What do you mean?"

"I don't think your little boyfriend is going to be ok with you being married to another man," he stated.

"He already knows about Zayn," I countered.

"I thought I already told you that you're not married to that idiot," he said, looking genuinely confused by my comeback.

I rubbed my temples. "Maybe if you stopped talking in fucking riddles, I'd have a clue what you're saying for once in my life."

He looked stunned by my choice of words, but he was irritating me enough to not care.

"Blandel is not the one Bingham has to worry about because I'm the one you're getting married to," he informed.

"If you're not going to explain yourself, I'm going to kick you out," I told him seriously.

"I was getting frustrated with the dead ends I was getting, so Artemis told me to look outside of your father's dealings, and that's exactly what I did. I remembered you telling me that Zayn wanted in on your father's money, so I looked into him instead. It turns out that he falsified your marriage documents, so everyone believes that you're married, but you're actually not. The papers actually look legit, but my people confirmed that they aren't. With this new information, it only means that you're vulnerable. Granted Zayn doesn't know that you know this information, it would be better to shock him before you confront him. By getting married to me, your inheritance is safe until we finalize everything," he elaborated.

I blinked.

And then I blinked again.

And then I laughed.

I laughed so hard that I started crying, until my crying actually turned into full on crying. I was laughing at the incredulity of the whole thing, until I realized just what a fool I had been made. This man never loved me. Hell, he never even cared about me.

I was just a pawn in his plan the whole time.

I slid down the fridge and onto the floor, before bringing my legs into my chest to cry into them. When I felt Aramis' presence beside me, I moved away. I didn't want him anywhere near me either. What he was telling me wasn't something I wanted to hear, accept or go through with.

Fate was just playing with me.

"I'll call my sister over," he eventually said after a heavy sigh.

I wasn't even sure which sister he was calling. All I knew was that I wasn't feeling ok and it felt like my whole world was spinning. When I heard the door open minutes later, I looked up to be met by the cerulean orbs of the older Van de Woodsen daughter.

"Sweetie, what's wrong?" she asked, joining me on the floor.

"She's not going to be able to tell you," Aramis told her. I wasn't even mad because it was true.

She turned to me. "Can he tell me?"

I nodded and she turned to her brother to do the honours. He didn't waste any time explaining to her what he had just told me. Hearing it again didn't make it any easier to hear, and before I knew it, I was a crying mess once more. I faintly registered the knock at the door, which Aramis went to get.

"What are you doing here?" I heard him ask.

"I want to see Evie before I go to work, not that that's any of your business," I heard Cain respond.

"She doesn't want to see you right now," Aramis told him.

"I think I'd like for her to tell me that to my face," Cain replied before I heard footsteps come into the apartment.

"Evie?" Cain called out.

"I'm here," I barely managed to say. His footsteps headed my way and it's safe to say that he panicked when he saw me.

"Evie, what's wrong?" he asked, rushing over to me.

"Come on sweetie, let's stand so that you can have a glass of water," Gigi suggested. She helped me up and gave me a glass of water.

"What did you do to her?" Cain asked Aramis angrily.

Aramis wasn't even the least bit affected. "I did nothing to her."

"Bullshit! When she left my place, she was fine," Cain shouted.

I knew I had to diffuse the situation so I took his hand and took him with me to my room, closing the door behind me. "He really didn't do anything to me. He's just the bearer of bad news."

"What's going on Evie? You were ok when you left me," he asked softly, caressing my cheek.

I leaned into his touch. "I wish I could say it's nothing, but it's nothing you should be bothered with right now. You need to go to the office and handle your cranky client."

"They can wait," he stated.

"No, they cannot. I'm the one who can wait. I'll see you tonight," I reminded.

"I'm not going to be in the right space of mind, but I guess I'll have to wait until then. I have a late meeting, so I'll only get here at eight. Promise me that you're going to tell me what's wrong then," he said.

I took his hand and kissed the inside of his palm. "I promise."

You know how you just feel safe with certain people, despite how long you've known them. You feel close to them, on a mental, emotional and physical level. You just know that you were meant to meet them, and they were meant to mean something to you.

That's how I felt when Cain wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead.

It's crazy, and I don't need anyone to tell me that much, but it also felt right. My soul just feels like I've known Cain forever and that I am safe with him. I already care about him so much, and I guess he was my small bit of comfort through this madness.

Holding hands, we walked to the door together. Gigi sent me a small smile, while her brother downright glared at Cain. Cain paid him no attention whatsoever, and I was grateful for that. After one last kiss, Cain left for work, promising to call me during the day.

"Was that Cain Bingham?" Gigi asked when I returned to the lounge.

"It was," I responded, actually blushing.

"You two look adorable together, even though I need details," she commented.

Aramis got up, seemingly having reached the highest level of annoyance. "Think over what I've said. I'll be back tomorrow."

"Ok," I said blankly.

Cue even more exasperation.

He left, banging the door behind him. "What bit him in the ass?"

"I'm going to go with Cain," I replied, heading back to the kitchen.

She followed after me. "Oh yeah, his greatest enemy."

"Do I even want to know how that came to be?" I asked.

"You will find out eventually," she responded.

I turned to face her. "I'm sorry Gigi."

"I know you are sweetie and I forgive you. My brother is an asshole, that much I know, but I can't imagine what you're going through right now, and I don't think there's a soul in the world that can," she said.

I'm glad she didn't bother lying to me about it.

She was right in saying that no one knew what I was feeling because this isn't something normal people go through. Normal people don't get so royally screwed over, so really, no one could even relate to what I was going through, and I was glad that she didn't try to.

"There's no food here, so can we go out for breakfast?" I requested.

"I'll be waiting for you," she said with a smile.

I nodded before going to take a shower. I didn't want to take a long shower because I knew that it would just result in me crying in the shower, so I kept it relatively short. I wasn't really in the mood for dressing up, but it was hot out and I was trying to change my image.

I settled for a light blue dress with flowers on it and a pair of matching blue and white wedge heels. I left my hair to dry itself into curls. My eyes were puffy and red, so sunglasses would have to be my friend for the day.

"When are you going grocery shopping anyway?" Gigi asked once I joined her in the lounge.

"I guess I'll have to go tomorrow. I won't have time today," I replied.

"Good enough! Are you ready?" she asked.

I nodded. "Let's go."

We left the apartment and headed out. We passed by one of the receptionists that I'd passed by with Cain earlier. She gave me a questioning look again, one that I gladly ignored. She was looking at me like I owed her some kind of explanation.

"So, I know you're not really familiar with New York, so should I pick a place to eat?" Gigi offered.

"By all means," I accepted.

We were heading out with the driver. She told him where to take us, and the entire ride there, we sat in silence as she held my hand. I was glad she wasn't saying anything because I wasn't ready to speak.

We reached the restaurant and she asked for us to be seated on the deck. That way, I wouldn't have to take off my sunglasses. The sun was shining beautifully out and it offered me a little comfort as a cool breeze passed by.

"I know you're not ready to talk, but I'm here for you ok?" she said after a while of silence. We'd already places our orders.

"I just, I don't know what to make of this. I don't know how to feel," I replied.

"Angry and betrayed," she said.

I nodded. "I feel that, but I'm also so hurt Gigi. Of all the things, what did I do to deserve this?"

"Oh sweetie, you didn't do anything wrong. Please don't think that this is in any way your fault. Zayn is just a spineless vulture who took advantage of you. You are not to blame just because he's an evil bastard," she said as the lump in my throat returned.

"It's going to take me a while to believe that this isn't somehow my fault. Maybe if I was-"

"I'm stopping you right there. Anyone who doesn't love you for who you are doesn't deserve you. He's a despicable excuse for a human being, and it would've been worse if you were exactly what he wanted because he wouldn't value you. People like him do not value people. They only care about money and themselves. Now, let's change the topic. Tell me about you and Cain. When did that even happen?"

The heat returned to my cheeks as I thought about Mr Bingham. "Last night; it was very unexpected, and it's probably crazy to feel this way so early, but he makes me giddy and excited about the future."

"And does he feel the same?" she asked.

I was about to reply when we were joined by a new presence. "Well, if it isn't the black bitch and the white trash."

Of all the restaurants in New York...

***

Elo Smurflettes

So, before anyone says anything, I'm well aware of the fact that Cain and Evie's relationship is moving quickly, but relationships like this aren't impossible. Just because you've never experienced it, doesn't mean it's impossible. I've seen a number of relationships that started out like this and are still going strong today, so hold off on the criticism.

Otherwise, thank you for your support. We've dropped a little but not significantly. Let's get this book to the top. Please continue to vote, share and comment. I love you guys.

Katee (^^,)