Page 209

Eva reached near her room. Before she could open the door, Steve’s voice from behind halted her. The moment she saw Steve, she gasped in horror and asked in worry,
“Ooh my God, what happened to you?”
“Trust me, I deserve more than this, but anyway..
Eva.. I just came to say sorry for last night. I created this mess, and only me. Stephen was just following my words. Don’t be frustrated with him. My brother is a decent man, much better than me. All these years, we all saw him focused only on work and business. He was never interested in flings or love affairs like me.
Even at once, I also felt that something was wrong with him. I always saw him carrying a tough exterior for the business world
Yet, his demeanor shifted from the moment you became part of his life. The extent to which he fell in love with you was apparent to all of us. He harbors pure sentiments for you, with no deviation. If we are to hold someone responsible for last night, it is me and myself alone.”
Eva kept listening to Steve with a calm expression. After Steve completed his words, she told him
“So you mean, you are up for punishment, right?"
“Hmm yes, “Steve replied with no hesitation.
“Ok then.. Do as I say, “
Stephen was in his office reading some files. He couldn’t concentrate on a word of those files. He was just trying to distract himself. It scattered Stephen to notice the way Eva was behaving. She was engaging in self-punishment, consequently imposing a more cruel form of punishment on him through self-infliction, not to mention the silent treatment.
He was so lost in his misery, but a sudden message took his attention. Stephen just looked at the message and felt shocked to see that Eva had sent him a message. Stephen dropped the files and opened the message with trembling hands.
Stephen was stunned to see an address written on the message, and at the end there was a mention of a time. Along with a single line
“Better be on time."
“What is this, an invitation or a threat? “ Stephen whispers to himself and grabs his car keys to reach the mentioned place.
Chapter 73: Some confessions
Stephen arrived at the destination within an hour, despite driving recklessly, which did not concern him. He felt a sense of unease upon receiving this unexpected message.
Stephen observed the surroundings, and it looked like a familiar big lawn. Then he realized this place belonged to Richard; it was his organic farm along with this lawn.
But what is Eva doing here?
Suddenly, some bright light replaced the dim one, and he was astonished to see a magnificent decoration ahead. There was a dinner table surrounded by candles and flowers
Stephen was busy observing the view when he felt someone hold his arm. He looked at his side and found Eva standing beside him, intervening in their arms, flashing a smile at him
‘So do you like it, Mr. Smith?”
Stephen chuckled and pulled her close. “I loved it. I am so sorry, Eva. I am… Just forgive that foolish act of mine.”
“Enough of sorry. But I like you to admit you also behave foolishly sometimes, not every time like me but still. “
Eva took him by surprise by pecking on his lips. Stephen smiled more, and Eva pulled him near the dinner table. Stephen noticed they set the table up with his favorite dishes and his favorite wine.
Stephen pulled a chair for her, and Eva got settled while muttering thank you.
“Eva… I..”
“No talking for now. We will talk later. For now, it will be only food. Try this. I hope you will like this too.”
Stephen nodded at her, and they started having their dinner. Stephen complimented her for the food and the arrangements too, while having dinner.
Following the completion of their dinner, Eva proposed a barefoot stroll on the verdant lawn. Initially, Stephen displayed hesitance but eventually consented.