310 Unexpected
After Oliver left the room for his piano ss, her office finally fe
The call with Oscar was still connected, his familiar voice filling the room..
“Eve, are you still there?”
“Yeah… Are you seriously going to fly here?” she asked, still half doubtful.
“I always fulfill my promises, Eve,” Oscar replied, followed by his light, confidentugh. “Of course I will. But probably in December. I still have a pending job here that I can’t escape yet.”
“December is still fine,” Evelyn said. “Do you want me to arrange a hotel? You can stay at Axel’s hotel if you want.”
Oscar chuckled. “No need, my friend. I already bought a house not far from your area.” Evelyn straightened in her seat. “You did? When?”
“A while ago,” Oscar replied casually. “When I visit the city, I look around. I figured I should have a ce near you and Oliver.”
She blinked, surprised and slightly touched. “That sounds… very prepared of you.” “Well, I am a very thoughtful uncle.”
Evelyn smiled, then narrowed her eyes yfully. “Wait a minute. Did you buy a house because you finally found a woman to settle down with?”
“What?” Oscar nearly shouted.
Evelyn could hear him coughing on the other end. Or even the sounds he fell from his chair, she stifled a smile.
“Are you trying to kill me?” he said.
Sheughed. “So that’s a no?”
“Of course it’s a no,” he protested. “Where would I even find a woman? I barely go out. My circle is ny percent men, and the rest areputers.”
“That’s tragic,” Evelyn teased. “Maybe I should help you find a nice woman here…
“No,” Oscar replied immediately. “Absolutely not.”
14.31
310 Unexpected
“Oh,e on,” she continued mischievously. “I know many good women. Smart, kind, beautiful…”
“I’m not interested,” Oscar cut in firmly. “I’m enjoying my life now.” “I’m not interested,” Oscar cut hobbies, and my best friends. We already agreed that when I get o.
of me. And, you’re one of them!”
Evelyn burst intoughter.
v work, my
will take care
“I remember that conversation. You said you would live in our house when you are old.”
“Exactly,” Oscar replied proudly. “That’s my retirement n.”
She shook her head, still smiling. “You are funny, my friend.”
“And happy,” he added calmly.
?
Before she could reply, Oscar suddenly paused. “Eve, wait a second. Someone is trying to call you… It’s Axel.”
Evelyn was surprised; she didn’t even realize it was almost five, and she had spoken to him for too long.
“Ugh, Oscar, we’ll talkter,” she said hurriedly.
“Alright, I also need to sleep now.”
They ended the call, and almost immediately, Evelyn’s phone rang again.
Axel’s name appeared on the screen.
Her yful smile faded a little as she answered, sensing something in the timing.
“Axel?” she said gently.
His voice came through steady and calm, but she knew him well
tension beneath it.
sh to hear the
“Eve, are you busy?” he asked. “I’ve called you many times, but your phone was busy.”
“I’m not busy,” she replied quickly. “Oliver and I were just talking to Oscar.” There was a faint trace of apology in her tone. “Are you heading home now?”
There was a short pause before Axel answered.
“No. I won’t be able toe home for dinner. I have a sudden meeting, and it might continue over dinner. I’m sorry, Eve.”
14:31
310 Unexpected
“I see.” Disappointment flickered in her eyes, but she kept her voice light. “It’s fine. No need to feel sorry.”
“Thank you,” Axel said, sounding relieved. “I’lle back before v
you w
“No need to rush,” she replied yfully. “I’ll wait for you while wate have so many episodes to finish.”
He chuckled softly. “Alright. Have fun, but don’t tire yourself.”
“I know,” she said with a smile.
“I love you, Eve.” (2)
“Love you too.”
g drama. I still
After ending the call, Evelyn set her phone down and decided not to return to her book.
She left her home office and walked down to the first floor to search for her son.
Soft piano notes drifted through the air from the piano room.
Hurriedly, she walked there and carefully opened the door.
Evelyn found Oliver still in the piano room, his small fingers pressing the keys with serious concentration and effort.
She smiled but quietly closed the door again, not wanting to distract him.
As she turned, she spotted Laura approaching from the corridor.
“Laura,” Evelyn softly called, gesturing for her to follow into the living room.
“Please tell Jimmy that my husband won’t be joining us for dini
d while you’re at
it, please ask Danny to cook something special tonight. I want you all to have dinner with Oliver and me,” Evelyn added casually.
Laura’s eyes widened, clearly caught off guard. She was not surprised that Axel would miss dinner, but being invited again was another matter.
“Huh?” Evelynughed. “Why do you look so shocked?”
“Ma’am… are you sure?” Laura hesitated. “I mean, we are the staff…”
“Did you forget?” Evelyn said lightly. “This isn’t the first time we’ve eaten together. Or did you secretly hate to have me as your dinnerpany?”
14:31
<b>< </b>
310 Unexpected
Laura panicked immediately.
“No, ma’am. Absolutely not. I love to have you and Oliver forpany!”
You go.
“Great,” Evelyn said with a grin. “Then I’m already hung
“Yes, ma’am,” Laura replied quickly, bowing slightly before hurrying toward the staff
room.
Evelyn shook her head, amused, and headed back to her bedroom. The house felt warm and alive despite Axel’s absence, filled with music,ughter, and theforting rhythm of an ordinary evening.
The night slipped by quietly. The lively and warm dinner with the senior staff finally came to an end, leaving the house wrapped in afortable calm. Laughter still seemed to linger in the air, mixed with the faint scent of home–cooked food.
Oliver had already settled into his bedroom, tucked beneath his nket, and drifted into sleep after a long day.
Evelyn returned to the watchroom next to her bedroom, telling herself she would only watch one episode of her drama before heading to bed.
Somehow, two episodes passed without her noticing.
She waspletely immersed in the plot, her attention fixed on the screen, her mind far away from reality. She did not realize Axel hade home until a shadow fell across the room.
Evelyn startled slightly when he stopped beside the sofa.
A faint smell of smoke and cigarettes reached her senses, unfai Axel rarely carried that scent when he returned from meetings.
and unexpected.
475
Sara Lili
<strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.