The next day, Evelyn didn't crawl out from under the duvet until the alarm shrieked at 12:30 PM. Her room was quiet, but her body felt like it had been through a car wreck, blue and purple marks bloomed across her skin like watercolor bruises.
How am I supposed to go to work like this? she groaned. Fortunately, her shift at the Island Mall didn't start until 3:00 PM. She had a few hours to bury the evidence under a high-coverage foundation. Then, a lightning bolt of a memory struck. She sat bolt upright, sleep vanishing instantly. Yesterday, at the bar, she remembered holding a man. A very handsome man. And that man was definitely not Michael Thorn.
Oh, my god! Who was he? She clutched her head. That's it. I'm retiring from drinking. I am officially a nun of the sobriety order!
Her panic was interrupted by her phone. "Hello, this is the Arise City People's Court. Please come to collect a court summons."
The Watsons had moved faster than she expected.
"The plaintiff, Ms. Tanya Banks, is suing Ms. Evelyn Meyers for intentional wounding, attempted murder, and aggravated assault," the cold voice on the other end informed her.
Evelyn hung up, her heart hammering against her ribs. She hesitated for a long time before dialing the only person who could dismantle a legal mountain: Michael. Besides, after the "repayment" he took last night, he owed her a favor.
Thorn International
Michael was in the middle of a briefing with his top legal counsel, when his personal phone buzzed. Seeing Evelyn's ID, a ghost of a smirk touched his lips.
"Speak," he answered, his voice a cool, arrogant drawl.
Evelyn's head went blank. Hearing that tone, she forgot all her rehearsed lines and blurted out, "Boss... please help."
Michael glanced at his lawyer, who coughed and immediately developed a fascination with the documents on the desk. "I know. Consider it handled."
"You know? I haven't even said what happened yet!" Evelyn exclaims, nervously plucking the leaves of a potted plant in her room.
"Is there anyone else suing you besides Tail Watson?" Michael asked. Does she hate him so much because she loved him, or because he's a pest? "Wow, Mr. Thorn, you really are omniscient. Thank you! Bye!"
"Wait," Michael's voice sharpened. "What's my reward?"
Evelyn bit her lip. "Just... tell me later. I'll agree to it."
"I'll pick you up after work tonight." He hung up before she could argue.
The Island Mall Complex
Evelyn rushed into the boutique, feeling guilty for being nearly late. She didn't notice two women watching her from across the floor: Those two were Tanya's high-society best friends.
"Is that Evelyn Meyers in a shop girl uniform?" One of them sneered, snapping a photo. "Reduced to a common guide. I'll call Tanya, she'll love this."
They watched Evelyn work with disdain. "Let's come back tomorrow when the mall is busy," "It'll be much more fun to humiliate her when there's a crowd."
At 9:00 PM, Evelyn finished her shift and headed to the locker room to change. Jade followed her in.
"Jade, take my Scooter tonight," Evelyn said, handing over the keys. "My husband is picking me up."
"Is it okay? You just bought that bike," Jade worried.
"It's fine! Just drive slow. I trust your skills more than the bus schedule."
As they swapped their uniforms for street clothes, another coworker, looked at Evelyn in shock. Evelyn had pulled her shirt off, revealing the dark marks on her chest and neck.
"Evelyn... are you married?" She questioned, her eyes wide.
"Yes," Evelyn sighed, thinking of the "Iceberg" waiting outside. "Though sometimes I think I'm just an intern in a madman's life."
Jade's jaw had dropped so far, she had to cover her mouth with both hands to keep from gasping out loud.
Evelyn caught her reflection in the mirror, saw what Jade was staring at, and quickly threw her dress over her head with a flustered, embarrassed laugh. "Goodnight, Jade! You didn't see anything, right?"
Damn you, Michael Thorn, she cursed internally. She'd completely forgotten the "souvenirs" he'd left on her skin during their standoff in the Car last night. Jade just rolled her eyes, shaking her head as she adjusted her bag. "I saw plenty. Just be careful, okay? That 'Iceberg' of yours is a high-voltage zone."
They walked out to the mall entrance just as the last of the evening shoppers were trickling away. Michael's Car was idling at the curb, its sleek black paint reflecting the streetlights like polished obsidian.
Watching through the tinted glass, Michael saw Evelyn joking and play-fighting with Jade. She didn't look like a married woman at all; she looked like a carefree teenager. A rare, genuine thought crossed his mind: I hope she can keep that simple smile for a long time.
Evelyn waved goodbye to Jade and slid into the passenger seat. The car was filled with soft music and the scent of fresh trees.
Michael leaned over, brushing a stray hair from her face, and kissed her cheek. "Tired?"
Evelyn beamed, her heart fluttering despite herself. "I was exhausted... but seeing you makes me feel better."
Michael's lips curved into a smirk. "Since you aren't tired, shall we do 'something else'?"
Evelyn immediately scrambled toward the door, clutching her bag like a shield. Michael's deep, melodic laughter filled the cabin as he shifted into gear. "Relax. I was only teasing."
Tease me, will you? Evelyn thought, narrowing her eyes. A lady always gets her revenge.
They drove in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Evelyn watched his sharp profile as he focused on the road. "Actually, Mr. Thorn... let's do 'something else.' I've changed my mind."
Michael didn't hesitate. Within seconds, he pulled to the curb, unbuckled his seatbelt, and was at her door, pulling it open. "Get out, Evelyn. I'm happy to grant your wish."
Evelyn gripped the steering wheel and stayed firmly planted. "I was kidding! Don't be so serious!"
Michael stood in the open doorway, his face a mask of mock irritation. He realized he'd been played at his own game. "Fine. You win. I'll remember this."
Instead of a standard restaurant, Michael took her to a private club called Paradise. It was less of an eatery and more of a gallery, filled with rare calligraphy, ancient stones, and antiques of various ages: in fact, it was a hidden gem. The atmosphere was refined, quiet, and steeped in history.
The general manager greeted Michael like royalty, ushering them into a private room named "Royal."
"The chef is ready for you, Mr. Thorn," the manager said.
While others had to book months in advance, Michael's presence was the only reservation needed. The food was a sophisticated take on local comfort: and Evelyn ate until she was nearly breathless. "I'm so full," she groaned, rubbing her stomach. "I'll have to sleep standing up."
"I don't mind helping you with some 'exercise' to burn it off," Michael said, his eyes glinting.
"I'll stick to a walk, thanks!"
They spent an hour wandering the two floors of the gallery as a senior curator explained the history of the various Items displayed. Before leaving, Michael bought a pair of stone-themed hangings for the villa, simply because Evelyn had lingered in front of them for an extra minute.
Back at home, Evelyn took a long bath and got ready for bed. When she stepped out, she saw the light still on in the study. Michael was framed by the glow of his computer, his fingers flying across the keys.
He works so hard, she thought. The CEO of a global empire never really clocks out. She crept downstairs, warmed a glass of milk, and brought it up to him. When she appeared in the doorway in her silk pajamas, Michael stopped typing.
"You should drink this and get some rest," she said softly, her usual naughtiness replaced by a rare tenderness. "Don't work yourself to exhaustion."
Michael looked at the milk, then at her, seemingly stunned by the gesture. He didn't take the glass immediately, and Evelyn, feeling a bit awkward, turned to leave.
"Wait."
Michael stood up, took the glass from her hand, and finished it in one go. As Evelyn took the empty cup, ready to head back to bed, a strong hand caught her waist and pulled her back against him.
Evelyn gripped the milk cup tightly, her knuckles white as she tried to maintain her composure. Before she could utter a single word of protest or explanation, Michael leaned down, capturing her lips in a deep, authoritative kiss.
His other hand smoothly took the cup from her and set it on the desk without breaking the connection. His powerful arms wrapped around her, pulling her flush against him. As he pressed her back against the cool surface of the desk, Evelyn's mind went fuzzy, drowning in his scent. Later, she would wonder: I went in there to be a caring wife, so how did I end up being the one consumed?
The next morning, the alarm shrieked at 8:00 AM for the early shift. Evelyn groaned, burying her face in the pillow. Suddenly, the heavy curtains were yanked open, and the morning sun flooded the room.
A warm weight settled beside her. Evelyn bolted upright, the duvet sliding down to her lap. She was startled to find Michael still there, lounging with a rare, lazy smile playing on his lips.
"Why are you still here?" she asked, rubbing her eyes. Usually, he was gone before the sun was even up.
"The office isn't going anywhere today. I decided to start with a late meeting," Michael replied. It was one of the few times in his life he'd actually slept in. If his "little thorn" didn't have a job to get to, he would have gladly pulled her back under the covers to "chat" for a few more hours.
Evelyn checked the clock. "I'm going to be late! I need my attendance bonus!" She scrambled toward the bathroom, but as she moved, she caught a glimpse of Michael's relaxed, shirtless form.
"Ah! You rascal!" she screamed, shielding her eyes and disappearing into the bathroom.
Michael looked down at himself, feeling entirely innocent. Ungrateful woman. After everything last night, she still calls me a rasal?
Michael insisted on driving her to the Island Mall. To hide her blushing face, Evelyn kept her eyes glued to her phone, scrolling through social media.
Suddenly, the car pulled to a halt. Michael snatched the phone from her hand. "Is the screen really more attractive than me? You've been staring at it all morning."
"I'm just reading!"
Evelyn had been looking at a blog post featuring a rather "colorful" adult joke. She'd intended to skip it, but Michael saw the text. In his rich, magnetic baritone, he began to read the scandalous joke aloud, slowly and deliberately.
"Michael Thorn! You stinking hooligan!" Evelyn finally managed to wrestle the phone back.
He spread his hands, looking genuinely aggrieved. "Well, my wife was the one reading it. I was just narrating."
"I didn't read it! I was scrolling past!" She glared at him, then hopped out of the car and trotted toward the mall entrance. Michael watched her retreat, a soft look entering his eyes. She deserves the best. Evelyn, I will make you happy.
The morning at the Island boutique was spent trying on the new season's stock. The manager had Evelyn wear a White off-shoulder top and a navy flare skirt to act as a live model. Her figure was perfect, not too thin, not too soft, making every outfit look like a million dollars.
By noon, the store was quiet. But the peaceful atmosphere was shattered when a group of four walked in: Tail Watson, Tanya Banks, and her two 'friends' Marcy Bun and Juliet Steve.
Evelyn didn't look up, she was focussed on straightening a rack of dresses. But she knew they hadn't come to shop.
"I want Evelyn Meyers to serve us," a sharp voice rang out.
The senior staff, sensing trouble, backed away and looked at Evelyn helplessly. Evelyn sighed. She didn't want a scene; she just wanted to keep her Job,"