<h4>Chapter 186: Her Trust Issues</h4>


    <strong>Evaline:</strong>


    There was a certain kind of joy that bloomed in your chest when your life, even if just for a fleeting moment, felt perfectly stitched together.


    That’s what I felt as I walked through the entrance of the Council Headquarters that morning.


    Sunday morning was always quieter than most days, but I was feeling anything but quiet. My heart had a rhythm of its own - light and buoyant, echoing every step I took.


    I was bundled in my newest winter coat - a long white one that made me look extremely elegant. It was making me feel like I actually belonged here among all the powerful shifters who showed up at the headquarters.


    My ck woolen turtleneck was hugging me with gentle warmth. It was paired neatly with loose-fit ck trousers and boots. My outfit was practical yet confident. Sophisticated yet simple.


    I had taken care of myself this morning more than usual. Not because I wanted to impress anyone, but because... I was feeling good. This was the happiest I had felt in years.


    As usual, I didn’t put on any makeup, save for a sweep of mascara and a tint of lip oil. My lips had begun to chap from the increasing cold, so protection was necessary. I also pampered my skin with moisturizer and sunscreen, and my usual high bun was reced with a low ponytail that rested neatly between my shoulder des. Simple. Comfortable. And somehow... elegant.


    I was even wearing the medium-sized golden hoop earrings Draven bought me, as well as his charm bracelet which was nestled on my wrist like a secret touch from him I could carry into my day.


    The charms were jingling gently with each step. And apparently, my happiness was on full disy.


    Rowan was the first to notice. He was the only one awake when I got ready. I was slipping on my boots when he walked into themon room, rubbing sleep from his eyes.


    "You look... glowing," he mumbled, still half-asleep. "Good night?"


    I didn’t need to answer. The smile I shot him had been enough.


    "Tell them to keep spoiling you. It’s working."


    Iughed, whispering a soft, "Get some more sleep," before slipping out the door.


    Mr. Wood was the next. As I made my way to the car, he gave me his usual reserved nod, but this time, there was a gentle smile on his lips.


    "Good morning, Miss Evaline. Lovely day, isn’t it?"


    "It really is," I replied with a grin.


    And now as I walked in the headquarters building, the front deskdy - Theresa Albright - peeked up from her monitor and let out a soft, startled chuckle.


    "Well, if it isn’t sunshine itself walking through these doors," she teased. "What did you eat this morning, Miss Evaline? Happiness cereal?"


    "Just sandwiches and yogurt with fruits," I replied with a smile


    She winked. "You should stick to that breakfast more often. It suits you."


    By the time I reached the lift, I was unable to keep the grin off my face.


    I hummed as I rode it up, brushing my fingers over the metal buttons as if the elevator itself shared my mood. The hallway to River’s office was still dimly lit as most of the other staff hadn’t yet clocked in.


    <fn3430> Find the newest release on f?ndnovel</fn3430>


    I slipped my ess card through the scanner and stepped in, my voice rising in a gentle hum - something melodic I didn’t realize I was doing until I twirled once, just to feel the weight of my coat swirl around my legs.


    And that’s when I saw him.


    River.


    He was perched on the far couch like some cold, ruthless fashion ad, with a file in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.


    My song died mid-note, and I froze mid-twirl. If I had been holding something, I would have dropped it.


    He was looking... perfectly poised. Dressed in a navy blue luxury suit, his long ck coat was tossed casually over the couch arm. He was looking just asposed as he always had... except for one particr drunken night that I was forbidden from ever mentioning.


    He raised an eyebrow. There was no smile. Just that unreadable expression and a slow rise from the couch as he ced his coffee on the table and began walking toward me.


    "Good morning," I finally muttered, trying to sound natural, though my voice betrayed me with a crack at the end.


    "What are you doing here?" I blurted next, and regretted it instantly.


    He tilted his head, and I noticed a flicker of amusement in his eyes... or was it offense? "I’m a Council member... and your boss. Remember?"


    I wanted the floor to swallow me whole.


    "I meant... I thought you wouldn’t be in today," I tried to recover. "You weren’t here yesterday."


    "I hadpany meetings to attend yesterday," he replied coolly.


    I nodded slowly, trying not to look like I wanted to sprint back to the elevator. My confidence from earlier had evaporated like steam on frosted ss.


    "You are... in a good mood," hemented, folding his arms across his chest.


    "I am," I admitted, lifting my chin slightly.


    "What happened?"


    His tone was neutral, but his eyes glinted with curiosity. Since I couldn’t answer that question withouting up with a lie, I was considering dodging the question, but before I could evene up with a witty deflection, he shrugged.


    "Never mind. Whatever the reason, it’s working. You look... stable."


    "Stable?" I echoed with confusion.


    He walked back to the couch and picked up the folder he had been reading. "Your revised documentation fromst week. I read through all of them this morning. You caught almost every mistake, corrected them clearly, and even optimized the format."


    I blinked. "Oh. That."


    "You have done good work over the past few months, but this-" he tapped the folder "-this is the best so far."


    I straightened under thepliment. "Thank you."


    Then he surprised me with his next words.


    "I’m starting a new project this week," he said, looking right at me. "I want you to assist me."


    I blinked again. "Me?"


    "Don’t sound so horrified," he quipped. "You are capable. I wouldn’t ask if you weren’t."


    It wasn’t horror, exactly... it was dread. I liked my current workflow. It was... manageable. Safe. Predictable.


    A project? With him? That sounded like twelve-hour days and unbreathable pressure.


    "I... appreciate the offer," I began carefully, "but I don’t think I’ll be able to take on any sort of project considering I only work during weekends and I still have my studies. I think Senior Analyst will be a great choice-"


    "I want someone who’ll question the system, not follow it blindly," he cut in smoothly. "You do that. You observe. You push back when needed. Andtely... you are improving. Rapidly."


    I didn’t know whether to be ttered or terrified.


    "I-"


    "I will double your bonus," he added before I could say anything, "And you will only need to work your usual hours during weekends. No overtime."


    I just stared at him. The more pleasant he was trying to make this project sound, the more skeptical I was feeling. There’s no hiding my trust issues when it came to this man.


    "How about triple of your bonus?"