Chapter 10: For long

Enzo's POV

“Drive.” I ordered with Eva breathing soundly in my arms.

I thought back at what must have happened back there. Was he really trying to abduct her? How did she fall unconscious? Is it really the alcohol?

She shifted slightly in my arms. I adjusted my arm to make her comfortable, staring down at her face.

“How did you love a man like Damien?” I mumbled underneath my breath, as I brushed the hair off her face.

The ringtone of my phone interrupted my thoughts. I answered.

“Uncle.”

“Where are you?”

“I'm on my way to the house.” I replied.

The call ended shortly after. It was difficult to force my uncle to face the Hales. I've always wondered why he hesitated each time.

He was the one person I trusted the most in this world, even though he wasn't by my side all through, he always looked after me and even catered for me when he wasn't this wealthy.

I turned my thoughts back to the beautiful woman in my arms. My past life is too bleak to think of. Eva made my teenage years one of the best memories of my life.

Soon, the car screeched to a halt in front of the mansion. Dana and Caleb were already waiting in front of the entrance.

Caleb looked worried. “I thought they'd done something to her seeing that you both were yet to return.”

Dana gasped as she stared at Eva in my arms. “What happened to her?”

“She had too much to drink.” I explained and walked into the house and up to her room. Dana and Caleb were behind me.

I laid Eva carefully on the bed and said to Dana, “Help her take a bath. You can sleep here tonight incase she needs anything.”

Dana nodded and rushed to her friend's side. I met with Caleb's gaze and ushered him outside.

We stood on the balcony of the first floor, staring at New York City with the wind in our hairs.

Caleb was smoking aggressively.

“I told you to quit this habit of yours.” I said.

Caleb sighed. “I have already changed my entire personality. I can't stop this. This is me.”

I warned him. “I don't care about your addiction, just don't do it front of Eva or her friend.”

Caleb nodded and said after a moment of silence. “Dana is highly suspicious of you.”

“She can be easily subdued.” I dismissed. “She's less a threat than Damien actually is.”

Caleb turned to him. “Why?”

“He seemed to know something about me that no one else does and I found him alone with Eva.” I paused and continued. “I'm guessing he would have told her that thing if she hadn't lost consciousness.”

“To be honest, I don't think there's anything to be worried about.” Caleb spoke as he drew out another cigarette stick. “You have Eva's weakness in your hands. Me.”

Something clicked in my mind just then.

“That's right. You.”

Caleb looked confused. “What?”

“Could Damien possibly know that you aren't actually Eva's brother?”

“How would he know?” Caleb laughed. “After we accidentally killed her real brother, I've been wearing this face mask for two long years.”

He continued. “I had to learn some of his behaviors and even try to speak like he does. There's no way Damien can be aware of that.”

I remained silent.

“Or should we kill him too?”

I did not reply, wandering in a world of my own.

“I know for sure that Damien knows something. Something he's planning to reveal to Eva. Before he does, we must find out. I can't lose Eva again.”

Caleb nodded and pulled out another cigarette. A Rolls Royce stopped in front of the gate shortly after.

I recognized the car.

“Stay inside.” I said to Caleb who did as he was told.

I walked out of the house and into the Rolls Royce.

“Uncle, I thought you had left.”

Michael was still in his tuxedo. “Eva will become a major stakeholder of the Hale Group.”

My eyes lit up. “Really? How did you do it?”

“It doesn't matter. You have used one out of your five golden requests which I promised you.”

“Yes. Thank you, Uncle.”

Michael leaned back and asked. “What's your plan now?”

“To crash the Hale Group.”

“The plan for your mother.” Michael said specifically.

I looked away. “She will also bear the brunt of what I'm about to do. I also don't care anymore about winning her love, now that I have a woman who once loved me by my side.”

Michael grew quiet and spoke after a while. “She doesn't remember you, does she?”

“No. I will find an excuse to take her to the hospital to have her brain checked.”

“Enzo, you must be careful not to let that woman become your weakness.” Michael turned to look at him.

I have never heard my uncle speak this way before. His voice was full of pain and regret.

“Loving someone too much has its own disadvantage.”

I stared at him, trying to read his expression but he was too good at masking it.

“You should take some rest.” He said to me and when I stepped out of the car, the vehicle sped off.

…..

Meanwhile, back at the Hales’ residence, Maya could not stop pacing.

She stopped and turned to Margaret. “I don't understand why you're sitting so calmly, mother. You need to do something! Make phone calls to your connections. Eva must return to jail!”

Margaret remained as calm as the sea before a storm.

“She stole the spotlight from our own party! Damien, do you now see that all she does is steal?!” Maya shrieked.

“They kept talking about the truth.” Damien's words stopped Maya's pacing. “Is there really a truth?”

Margaret was forced to talk. “Don't tell me you're about to label your mother a liar, Damien.”

Damien sighed as he pinched the skin between his brows, reliving the experience of the night.

Maya laughed. “Why does it seem like you're trying so hard for find an excuse to be with her, Damien?”

Damien rose. “It's not that.”

“It seems pretty much like that to me. You grabbed the railings so hard when Enzo kissed her on the dance floor.” She paused and added. “You clearly still have feelings for her.”

“Believe whatever you want.” Damien said firmly. “One thing is sure, Eva better have committed that crime. If that is contrary to the truth and you both are responsible, I will make sure you suffer more than she did.”

“Damien!” Margaret Hale rose to her feet but Damien was not ready. He quickly walked out of the room.

“You must do something, mother! We have to act fast. I must get married to Damien!” Maya cried.

“I'm afraid things won't be in our favour this time, Maya.”

“What?”

“Tomorrow, Eva will become a major stakeholder of the Hale Group.”

Maya's mouth hung open. She wanted to speak but nothing seemed to come out. She felt dizzy and even fell to the ground.

“Mother, that's not possible!”

“Think of it as a way of keeping our enemies close.” Margaret explained. “She won't hold that position for long.”