CHAPTER 2
The drive to the place was so long. Evangeline wondered if the building was this far from the mall. In the few months since they started dating, she had built a routine around them. They were both so busy. It seemed fair to find a way to keep their relationship afloat. She was left to find a balance as Logan always wanted her around despite his own insane schedule.
So, she would drive down here to get the groceries from this particular mall, as it seemed closer to his place. Today, however, she wondered if she had misjudged the distance like she had misjudged the man, apparently. She ignored her sister who kept calling repeatedly. "I can handle this sis." She sighed. The driver turned to ask if he was being spoken to.
"Oh, ignore that. Can you please step on it though? Thank you."
"Okay ma'am."
The driver wade in and out of the traffic and was soon at Logan's. She tipped him extra and stepped out. The security man recognizing her as his boss' woman smiled and immediately opened the gate. Evangeline smiled and walked through the insanely huge barricade. She had often teased Logan about the huge doors.
The sight that greeted her left her stomach whirling. "Mary?" She called her friend who was shamelessly clinging to her man.
"Mary?" The two quickly let go of each other's hands. "What's going on here?" She asked perplexed. The image of the two on the internet and the sight she had just met were flashing through her mind in a slow mo. She stilled herself as Logan walked towards her. Something in her expression made him stop mid stride. Good!
"Evan, it's not what you think." Logan said. He stood a few feet away, gauging her mood. He realized what this must have looked like: caught red handed. Just yesterday his picture had surfaced the internet and they were not good ones. Now, the lady with whom the pictures concerned was wrapped in his arms. He took another step, "It was...."
"Fine." Evangeline said and turned to leave. What had she come here to do anyway? There was nothing left to be done. If proof was what she needed, she had it. She blamed herself for being so gullible. How had she let this happen? And right under her nose!
Sad and disappointed, she hailed a cab and left home with both betrayals helplessly looking on.
"Take me to the airport please." She suddenly told the man.
The driver stopped the car. "I'm heading to the airport, please take me there." She repeated. There wasn't any point going home. It was the last place she wanted to be right now. She will probably need a few clothes as she wasn't sure she was coming back soon. But she could shop for those later. Right now, all she needed was a distance from this city and the memory it holds. She dialled her PA's number.
"Hey, Audrey. Please come to the airport now with my passport and wallet. It should be in the lower cabinet."
Once at the airport, she waited impatiently for Audrey to arrive. She picked her phone and dialled her number. A phone ringing beside her made her raise her head. Audrey was a few feet away. The young lady hurried to meet her.
"Did you get everything?" Evangeline asked her PA who handed her the passport and wallet.
"I did ma'am." Audrey replied calmly even though she was worried about this sudden journey. Her boss had packed nothing. She was travelling without a single clothe other than the lovely red gown she had on. She would probably shop for some anyway.
"Here's my car keys. I left it on Madison-Square Park. Please take it home for me. I'll be gone awhile. You must be available whenever I need you."
"Okay boss."
"Anything happens, call me immediately, alright?"
"Yes ma'am."
"And if any of my friends. Well, maybe just Zoe. If she comes over, tell her to call. I should be back soon." She handed him the car keys and walked towards the bookings counter.
"What about the Harrisons? You were supposed to meet today and finalize the matching glow deal over lunch." Audrey said calling after her boss.
Evangeline sighed and turned back to face her. "You are my freaking PA. Do your job. Reschedule the meeting with one excuse or anything. I've got to go." She stormed off and the look on her face didn't decimate even as she spoke with the flight attendant who kept glancing at her nervously. She handed over her passport and booked her flight.
The attendant smiled uneasily. Evangeline Nelson wasn't a strange face here. She uses her their plane every time she travels. She already have a spot too. He checked to be sure she could have her privacy considering she was in no mood for petty talks. And he got her booked on the next flight. Handling her the passport and other documents, he told her to enjoy her trip.
Wordlessly, Evangeline collected her documents and started to walk away. Her phone vibrated again. It was her sister again. She picked the call.
"Oh, thank God. I've been worried." Adriana said breathlessly.
"Adriana, I'm on my way to you. I'll be there by evening."
"Alright. Have a safe trip." She said.
Evangeline disconnected the call as she made her way to the private room she had reserved. It wasn't empty. She didn't like that. Dropping her bag on the couch, she turned around to get the hostess just as she heard the pilot announce over the speaker that due to an emergency their flight would be leaving now.
At a loss, she sat back down hoping that whoever would be sharing the space with her for the couple hours would be kind enough to let her be. Sighing in irritation, she laid on the couch and soon dozed off totally exhausted.
The nap all but lasted an hour. An annoyingly loud sound woke her up. Evangeline stretched and yawned wondering what had awaken. She looked at her strange surrounding. It took a while before she could pick out that she was still on the plane. The place reeked of drugs. Not one for drug smell, she flared her nostrils in irritation. What's going on here? A few steps across from her were a couple all curled up in an awkward position. She sat right to have a good view. The man, probably the husband was bent across the wife, kissing her. Were they? As she was about changing position, the man stood up. He had obviously not being kissing her. He held her head up then went to sit on the spot so she could rest her head in her lap.
The obvious display of affection only pissed her off. Not that she could say anything about it. But she was about to sigh loudly so they could feel her presence when she noticed the machines.
They beeped loudly, obviously timed. The sound that woke her must have been from those. They were about six, each connected to a main, and bigger one that runs through the woman's stomach. She instantly felt bad for her. She must have been glaring for ages before realizing the woman was saying something to her.
"What?" She asked, quickly composing herself.
"Don't look at me so guiltily." Her eyes pleaded but her thin lips smiled at the younger blonde woman.
Evangeline was at a loss. The words were spoken so weakly she had to strain her ears to catch each word. "I'm sorry." She answered while looking at the husband apologetically. He was glaring at her. She didn't understand the sour look. Had she done anything to annoy the man? She frowned and turned away.
"It's okay." The woman said and beaconed her closer. Evangeline reluctantly walked towards them fully aware the man's eyes were digging holes into her. She perched on the corner of the bed that the woman patted, implying she should sit there and then held the woman's outstretched hand.
"Such a beauty." She smiled at her. "I'm sure Jason would be glaring at you right now." Ellen Valdez said knowing her husband so well.
Oh! So he's Jason. The name sounded awfully familiar. Smiling at the woman, she said nothing.
"Ignore him. He's been tensed all day." The woman said and started rubbing Evan's hand. "You were muttering in your sleep." She continued. "It wasn't a good sound. Betrayal?"
Evan tried to withdraw her hand but the woman held her tightly. She didn't like this line of conversation. For a couple minutes since she woke up, she had not remembered Logan and her friend tangled in bed on the internet and the sore sight that had greeted her at his home this afternoon. But this woman was making her remember every horrid detail.
"Long story." She replied hoping she would drop it. The words had barely been out of her mouth that the woman went into a rigorous convulsion. The man stood up instantly and pressed a button. Doctors started to troop in. She stood up and walked some few feet away to make room for them and watched as they struggled to keep the woman alive.
As the doctors worked on the woman, Jason started pacing back and forth. His anger filled the room. Evangeline stepped away from his path into her side of the room. She slumped into the little bed she had been lying on earlier.
"Why the hell are we still on air?" Jason bellowed at a man who could only be his PA. "Find out, now." The man scurried away. "And you..." He glared at Evans.
"Next time you feel sorry for someone, make sure to wipe the smug look off your face. You don't have to show it."
So that was why he had been mad at her. Normally, she would have ignored him and excused it has been under duress. But not today. She had gotten enough of shits today to last a lifetime.
"It's my freaking face. My face, my freaking expression. What you gonna do about it?" She yelled back at him. The two glared at each other.
They were still glaring at each other when the PA came back in. He watched the two, perplexed. They were oblivious of the scene they were creating. Some of the doctors were looking at them with interest already. Coughing loudly, he announced that they would be landing soon.
Jason ignored Evan and was at his wife's bedside immediately. The doctors had stabilized her and she was in a deep sleep. Some of the staff finished packing all their instruments and two men wheeled the woman out. At the door, Evangeline held the woman's hand. It was so cold. Scared, she prayed that the woman be okay. The men wheeled her out then. Jason walked right out the door without a glance at her.
On her path, Evangeline smirked and turned away. She heard nothing about the couple when she highlighted from the plane. She would have loved to bid the woman she had known all for five minutes a farewell before leaving. The woman was induced and might still be. Probably wouldn't even know she had been there.
A private jet had been waiting standby to fly the couple to their final destination. She stepped down from the plane only to see the twins running towards her. All thought of the couple was forgotten as she hopped the distance half way to her niece and nephew. "Hey you!" She beamed as she was being swept into a tight hug. She rubbed their chestnut hair happily.
"How are you Linne?" Elizabeth asked pulling away from the threesome hug. It was only Elizabeth who called her Linne. She smiled at the little girl with wide eyes. Before she could reply, her brother; Ethan asked, "How is Audrey? Did you bring her?"
"I'm fine, Liz," She replied the first twin and turned to the other. "And why would I bring Audrey? Aren't you happy to have me by your side?"
Last summer, she had forced Audrey to spend Christmas with her family in Miami. Audrey had no family herself and spends most holidays doing nothing. Out of pity and a sense of responsibility, she had asked the PA to come with. Ethan had bonded with her the moment he saw her. Their friendship had gone on even after their two weeks break. He had insisted Audrey call to check on him every now and then. Sometimes, he cries until his mom calls Audrey and have him speak with her. Lately, he had stopped bothering with the calls but that didn't mean he has forgotten the pretty Lady.
Elizabeth was another story. While Ethan had clicked with Audrey instantly, she had avoided the lady all through the holiday. She made sure Audrey's and her path didn't cross. She cried when left alone with her and wouldn't even collect anything from her. This must have endeared Ethan more to her PA. Like they say, though twins, they had nothing in common. Their connection ended the moment both were delivered. Ethan loved his toys as well as meeting people while Elizabeth prefers playing by herself and hated being left alone with strangers. It wasn't a surprise she had no friends while her twin had tones both kids and adults. Surprisingly, Elizabeth was the chatter box. She was inquisitive.
"It's the scores she bought for him." Elizabeth tongues out at him.
"Don't you dare!" Ethan threatened and they were both going to stop arguing and running around when Evan cautioned them.
"Well." Ethan shrugged and started to pull her towards the exit. "Mom's waiting there," He explained.
"Where's your bag?" Elizabeth asked looking around.
Realizing now that she had forgotten to get her seven-year-old relatives something along the way, she started to think of something they'd love to have.
"Oh, it's just me and my wallet this time."
"It's a short visit then." The little girl replied, disappointment written all over her face.
Evangeline knew that look, "I miss you too, Liz. I'm staying awhile. The visit was impromptu. We can both just go shop for some." That seem to brighten up her niece's face.
Ethan suddenly stopped and stood across her path, "And did you even buy anything for me? Us?" He corrected as his sister glared at him.
"Wait and see, baby." Evangeline replied smartly. They got to Adriana who looked at her with poppy eyes. She suddenly remembered Jason accusing her of wearing her heart on her face. She must have had this look on when she looked at his wife.
"Please don't look at me that way." She accused and opened the car.
"No hugs?" Adriana said as she settled in. the twins scooted into the car too and closed the door.
"Not when you have that look?" Evangeline replied, bringing out her phone. She went online and made a quick order for the twins. She paid extra to have the delivery ready before they were home. Satisfied, she smiled at her sister proudly. Adriana shook her head. She had expected to see a distraught sister walking out the plane. Whoever this was, wasn't distraught. She had a smile plastered on her face. Perhaps she was taking it so hard and this was some sort of psychological breakdown. Whatever it was, she hopes Evan was alright. Her sister had been through series of heartbreaks. And this time her best friend?
"I'm okay, really." Evangeline said cutting into her sister's worried thoughts. She turned towards the window as an ambulance sped past them. Her heart reached out to the woman from the plane. Suddenly feeling overwhelmed, she let her head rest on the car seat and sighed heavily.
