Chapter 55
The subway doors slid open at each station.
Evelyn became acutely aware of her body pressed flush against Dominic's. Something unfamiliar stirred within her.
Sunlight streamed through the carriage windows, casting reflections of passengers onto the glass.
At first, Evelyn couldn't bring herself to look. But as her blush gradually faded, she dared a glance at their reflection.
Dominic stood tall behind her, one hand gripping the overhead rail while the other encircled her waist protectively.
She was petite compared to his towering frame. Unless she craned her neck, his face remained out of view.
That disgusting older man had only brushed against her hand earlier. Yet Dominic's possessive reaction had him claiming her entire body instead.
Other passengers overheard him calling her "darling." The men nearby instinctively gave them wider berth, not wanting to provoke the apparent husband.
When they reached the downtown commercial district, the carriage emptied considerably.
Evelyn turned slightly. "Our stop," she whispered, unsure if the CEO even knew how public transportation worked.
Dominic simply nodded.
She exited first, walking briskly toward the station exit without looking back. Would he still follow?
Emerging above ground, T Corporation's headquarters loomed across the street - less than five minutes away.
Evelyn's pulse quickened. Though not walking side-by-side, her boss's imposing presence trailed close behind.
'This is company territory,' she panicked. 'What if someone sees us?'
Dominic taking the subway was conspicuous enough...
Her pace unconsciously quickened.
Dominic had arrived at Evelyn's apartment complex at 7:20am. He'd driven there, only to see her walk straight past his car toward the subway station.
So he followed.
Bought a ticket.
Boarded her train.
She remained oblivious the entire way.
Five years should have made her just another face in the crowd. Yet here he was, inexplicably drawn into her orbit once more.
Employees entering the T Corporation building did double-takes seeing their CEO approach from the subway station instead of his usual chauffeured car.
Evelyn kept her head down through the revolving doors, beelining for the elevators.
She watched the floor numbers descend, ready to dart inside. But fate had other plans.
The doors opened.
Her face paled as a familiar figure held them open and stepped in.
The elevator ascended in heavy silence.
At intermediate floors, startled employees apologized profusely upon seeing their boss, refusing to enter.
Evelyn might as well have been invisible - except for the confused glances darting between her and Dominic.
Finally at her floor, she moved to exit.
"Your medicine." Dominic's gravelly voice stopped her. A pharmacy bag appeared before her, his fingers brushing her wrist.
She'd stood him up last night.
Yet he'd still gotten her medication.
Only now did she properly look at him. No suit today - just a rolled-sleeve white shirt, somehow making him appear both more approachable yet no less commanding.
Her fingers closed around the bag...
Abigail arrived early, sleep eluding her. Rubbing her tired eyes, she headed to the breakroom for coffee.
A figure by the elevators caught her attention.
Evelyn?
Before Abigail could call out, a man pressed Evelyn against the elevator wall. The glint of an expensive wristwatch confirmed his identity.
Abigail retreated to the breakroom, sipping bitter coffee as she processed what she'd seen.
When Evelyn finally emerged, her flushed cheeks and swollen lips told their own story...
By noon, Evelyn's concentration shattered when her phone buzzed.
"Evelyn!" Cassandra's excited voice crackled through. "Remember that gorgeous upperclassman Crawford from the neighboring high school? The basketball star?"
Evelyn's breath hitched.
"He never attended our reunions! But this time he's coming! Mom said he's actually cutting short a U.S. business trip to bring back a renowned orthopedic specialist for her!"
Cassandra's voice turned teasing. "Funny how I suddenly recall you having the biggest crush on him back then..."