I am the Queen

Side Story 4

When Evangeline was young, everyone was avoiding her, and the only one who stuck with her was Jennifer.

One time, Jennifer asked her why everyone was avoiding her as a joke since she already knew the answer.

To her surprised, Evangeline answered, stunned her.

"I'm gloomy and scary, so everyone is avoiding me."

Nobody was avoiding her. She was too beautiful and otherworldly, so others were hesitant to approach her. Everyone thought her expression was frosty. But she knew Evangeline was actually a conservative and timid person who wanted to be good friends with everyone.

She burst out laughing, and from then on, she had been the link connecting Evangeline to their classmates.

The years they were friends, everything went smoothly until shit happened when they started to develop the thing called emotion and mind.

As a child, all they wanted was to play and be merry and be friends with everyone. But as they grew, everything became complicated.

Jennifer didn't know when it started. Bit by bit, she felt jealous of Evangeline. It started small when everyone talked to Evangeline, mainly because of her doing.

No, it started way before that.

Calvin Devondale, he was a guy who everyone loves. He was outgoing and always the center of attention. He was the life in any room. Everyone wanted to be friends with him. But for some reason, he liked to bully Evangeline. He would always make fun of her hair and hide her shoes whenever they play. In fact, everybody could attest that the only girl Calvin was interested in teasing was Evangeline though it was the form of bullying.

And that was when the start of her notice of Evangeline Krisnov. She wanted to get close to her . . . to learn more about her. Understand why Calvin would bully her.

It wasn't hard to befriend her. No, not really. Evangeline was a good girl that made her big sister side came forth and protected her. She was always this little girl who cried, and she would be there always to rescue her. To comfort her. To protect her against Calvin.

And before long, the three of them formed a weird relationship. Calvin bullied Evangeline, and she would protect her against him.

As the years went by, Evangeline blossomed into a beautiful girl and attracted a lot of attention. Guys desired her, and girls courted her friendship.

Bit by bit, watching everyone surround her, she was jealous and threatened. One dark emotion at a time. She was the reason why Evangeline was today, surrounded by everyone.

What's so good about her?

Without her, she's nothing.

Without her, she wouldn't be surrounded by everyone.

It was all because of her.

Until one time, she received something like a letter in her closet. She remembered how happy she was. Ecstatic to find the one who wrote it was Calvin.

Calvin was every girl's dream. Even when he was still a kid, he was handsome and popular. Even attracting the higher years.

With great enthusiasm, she strode towards the back of the grade school building under the large cherry blossom trees after the school ended, waiting for him to arrive. And not long, Calvin came as handsome as ever with his youthful face and striking intimidating amber eyes and golden hair.

Her enthusiasm and excitement only turned to sorrow when the only reason why he asked for her was that he wanted her help with Evangeline. It turned out, he had a crush on Evangeline since the first time he laid eyes upon her. And since he didn't know how to attract her attention, he started to bully her, so Evangeline would notice him. And here she was, protecting Evangeline from him hoping to get his attention.

Something shattered on that day. Her heart, her friendship with Evangeline. Everything was replaced by dark, venomous emotions she couldn't control.

And nothing was the same ever again.

She was immature and was only thinking about herself at that time. Jealous about Evangeline when she gave her friendship to others and jealous about her for attracting everyone around her. So jealous about her attracting Calvin's attention.

Thinking back, she was so stupid for letting her crush with Calvin ruined what he had with Evangeline. Calvin didn't even like her, nor was she in love with him. By high school, she was over him.

How silly she was to choose a stupid fleeting crush over a friendship that could have lasted a lifetime.

But it was already too late to fix things. What was broken between them could no longer be fixed with the words, 'I'm sorry.'

She could only be enemies with her. Her rival in everything. The one woman who she didn't want to lose.

Jennifer opened the reunion group chat and added Evangeline.

Jennifer: Guys, Evangeline Krisnov is here in Everland.

Not long after, a series of dings resounded, and the group chat was flooded with messages.

Alice: OMG! The Evangeline? Our Evangeline?

Amanda: She's here?

Christine: Hello, Evangeline. Remember me?

Claudia: Are you going to the reunion?

Joseph: Hey Evangeline, long time no see

Paul: You have to come to the reunion

Jennifer didn't reply and let the notification ringed. Her eyes, however, stayed glued to one particular name.

Calvin Devondale is online.

----

Chapter 4

Diiiinnggg~!

Eric halted at washing the dishes when he heard the sound of the bell. He wiped his wet hands clean before he answered the door. But to his amazement, Evangeline was already zooming towards the door, lightning-fast.

The moment the door opened, there was a group of people outside, which held luggage in each hand. They were all smiles, and the one leading them was a professional-looking woman prepped in red carpet makeup.

"Hello, miss Heart. We are his highness royal stylist, and as per his command, we are to render you our services for today," the woman said. Based on her demeanor and clothes, she was the leader among the pack.

Evangeline beamed. "You're right on time. Come in, and let's get started. The party starts at seven, and we only have less than eight hours to prepare."

"Of course, please show the way."

Evangeline sauntered to her room, and the group of women marched behind her, not one bit looking at Eric. All were thinking he was a servant with his get-up of a simple shirt, pants wrapped in an apron.

After they entered the room, the group didn't waste any second and started to prepare everything. Their luggage transformed to high-end furniture with all kinds of makeup, perfumes, body wash, down to hair blowers, scissors, and the likes.

In seconds, Evangeline's room turned into a luxurious spa and salon.

While the groups ready their things, Evangeline repressed a grin and walked to Eric, who was still standing at the side, didn't know what happened.

"Eric, you should get ready too. The reunion will start at seven, but since the venue had changed, we should leave at five if we don't want to be late."

There were a lot of things Eric wanted to say, but above it all was the most important thing. "How much are those stylists?"

". . ." Evangeline was taken aback. Eric wasn't questioning her before with things like this. But come to think of it, after she became his girlfriend, she couldn't remember when was the last time she spent her money. All were shouldered by Eric even he didn't have much, to begin with.

"You don't have to worry about it. Daniel has it covered." As usual, she said her perfect excuse whenever she wanted something she knew Eric couldn't afford. She could use her money, but Eric insisted he should pay, so she used her Daniel card.

Eric's blank face lost its smile. "Daniel . . ."

His hands briefly clenched. The reality of his situation was sinking in. He was painfully aware that he couldn't afford Evangeline's lavish lifestyle, and he would be dammed if he would constrict her of the things that would make her happy. If he could, he used his money during their dates and whenever they were going out.

But when it came to expenses out of his pocket, she would use Daniel's name to save his pride. Saying it was free since she knew he would insist on paying whatever it cost.

However, she forgot it would still hurt his pride and confidence if she relied on another man.

But what could he do? He didn't have the means to support her yet fully. For now, he had to suck it in and make sure to repay Daniel in the future –– with interest.

Comforting himself with this thought, his sullen expression softened. He then looked at Evangeline's eager, glowing face.

"Alright . . . ," he said, voice lacked enthusiasm as he added, ". . . but why did the venue change?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Evangeline answered without care, "I don't know. The moment I joined in the group chat, that guy change the venue to his yacht." Sneering, she snorted rather disdainfully. "Talk about showing off."

". . ."

There were a lot of things running in Eric's mind, and his soft expression turned solemn once more the more he thought about it.

"That guy?" he asked.

"Yeah, Calvin Devondale. The son of an old generation family controlling the south. Apparently was cruising the seas and happen to pass by Everland in his yacht. Anyway, I have to get ready." She wrapped her hands around his neck and tiptoed, giving him a wet smack on the lips.

"I'll be going on and prepare ahead," she said in a sultry voice, skittishly acting before she released him and sauntered in a sexy strut into the group of waiting stylist. And before she entered, she smiled. "I won't be eating lunch today. I don't want to appear bloated in the time of the event."

She then winked and closed the door.

". . ."

Eric released a heavy sigh. Sometimes, Evangeline could be dense. She might not find it odd the moment she appeared in the group chat, and Calvin Devondale changed the venue to his yacht? Why now that the party was nearing and not in the first place? That Calvin guy was clearly showing off to her.

Eric released another long sigh. For a moment, he was insecure about himself. Questions like why Evangeline chose him from all among the top quality men that were vying for her attention resurface in his mind. And thoughts like because she was entertained and challenge that was why she was with him.

But once she was bored and had lost her interest, would she leave him then?

She won't be leaving me if I get her pregnant.

He shook his head almost the same time the thought surfaced in his head.

It wouldn't be like that forever. Two years if he was diligent enough. He could take care of her and afford all the things she wanted after that.

But . . . is that enough . . . ?

Sighing, Eric shook his head once more, erasing the dark, negative thoughts in his head. This was not the time to doubt her feelings for him. They were still at the early stage of their relationship. All he had to do was do his best to make her stay and fall in love with him more.

He turned to the wall clock and mused to himself. It was still early, and he bet Evangeline wouldn't come out of her room, not until seven hours later.

He still had time to wash Winter and the others and clean the whole room with that amount of time.

Raising his sleeve onto his elbow, he pumped himself up. "Yosh, let's get started."

11:00 am: Eric finished bathing Winter and the others.

12:00 pm: Eric ordered take-outs lunch for the crew of women. But when he entered Evangeline's room, he didn't find her anywhere. One of the team said she was having her spa in the bathroom for two hours already and had no sign of coming out whatsoever.

2:00 pm: Eric finished cleaning the living room. He sometimes heard Evangeline's voice inside her room.

"I don't think that color suits me."

"No, that kind of style doesn't match my dress."

"I think the smell doesn't suit my overall theme."

"Argh, I don't want that kind of jewelry! It would totally ruin my whole look."

She was becoming self-critical with every little detail, and the desire for perfection was evident in her voice. She even had a long list prepared to ensure that she would look her best during the reunion.

Glancing at the clock, Eric still has enough time to take a short nap. He sauntered towards his room and stretched her limbs before he slumped against the comfy mattress after he set his alarm to four in the afternoon.

4:00 pm: Eric woke up with the alarm's ringing. He shut it off with half-closed eyes. He pushed himself up and stretched his neck before he groggily sauntered towards his bathroom. After thirty minutes, Eric came out with a towel wrapped around his waist, refreshed, and revitalized.

He picked his already prepared clothes in the walked in closet and casually put it on. After which he arranged his hair and wore his contact lenses.

At precisely five, he went out of his room and found Winter and the others asleep in their respective bed with no sign of Evangeline.

Plopping himself against the sofa, he waited for her to come out of her room while glancing at the clock.

He had to admit, he was feeling rather nervous about meeting Evangeline's classmates. Adding to that, it would be his first time to attend a big event with his girlfriend. So it wasn't out of the ordinary to say he also wanted everything to be perfect.

His fingers unconsciously flexed towards his tie, flickering his cuffs, arranging every little thing to calm his nerves.

And, the door in Evangeline's room opened, and his head snapped in her direction as he stood to his feet when he looked at her.