CHAPTER 15: THE FLASHBACK

[Silver Leaf Bar]

The city outside was asleep but the quiet hum of the lounge carried a different kind of energy with low lights, soft jazz and the faint scent of whiskey lingering in the air.

Alexander sat in one of the private booths of the club he and Lucas often visited after long, exhausting days. It was the kind of place where silence spoke louder than words.

Across from him lounged Lucas Hart, his best friend since school.

Lucas was the only person who had ever managed to get past Alexander’s sharp walls. He was everything Alexander wasn’t—loud, easygoing and shamelessly blunt. He was a self-made investor with an infuriating knack for reading people and someone who had always claimed he had learned psychology just to win arguments against Alexander.

Lucas raised his glass with a lazy grin. "I leave town for a week and suddenly the city’s most boring man becomes the headline everyone is talking about."

Alexander gave him a dry look from across the table. "Glad to know I kept you entertained even while you were gone."

Lucas chuckled. "Entertained? I nearly spit my drink when I saw those photos of you and Evelyn Carter walking out of a restaurant looking like a scene from a romance drama."

"Don’t start— Alexander muttered as he rested his forearms on the table. "You make it sound like I planned it."

"Didn’t you?" Lucas teased. "A scandal, a damsel in distress, a conveniently flattering photo." He patted Alexander’s back. "I must say, you have outdone yourself."

Alexander shot him a flat look but Lucas only laughed.

The two had known each other long enough for Alexander to tolerate that kind of mockery. Lucas was the only one who could get away with it.

"Come on, Alex. You can’t expect me to stay quiet when the woman you have been hung up on for years is suddenly in a scandal with you."

Alexander stiffened and that small reaction was all Lucas needed.

"I knew it," Lucas said as his grin widened. "Three years and you still can’t hide it."

Alexander took a slow sip of his drink, avoiding his friend’s gaze. "It doesn’t matter. It’s in the past."

"Sure it is," Lucas said lightly. "Just like your gym membership."

Alexander shot him a glare but the teasing grin didn’t fade.

"So two scandals in two days— Lucas began as he swirled the liquid in his glass, "Your father must be losing his mind."

Alexander sighed and leaned back. "More than I can explain in one sentence."

Lucas smirked. "Try me. I have got whiskey and patience." He winked at him taking a sip of his drink.

Alexander hesitated for a second and then said quietly, "It was my father."

Lucas blinked. "Your father?"

"He leaked the photos," Alexander said flatly. "He arranged the dinner with Gregory Carter, invited Evelyn and made sure the press showed up. It was orchestrated."

For a moment, Lucas just stared at him, stunned. Then a faint, disbelieving laugh escaped him. "Of course it was him—" he said finally, shaking his head. "I should be surprised but I am not."

When Alexander looked at him, he added. "Well, that is definitely twisted but not a bad strategy."

Alexander’s eyes snapped to him. "Not a bad strategy?"

Lucas held up a hand. "Hey, don’t look at me like that. I am not saying it’s right, I am saying it’s effective. Your father’s playing his usual game about reputation management through perception." He added, "All I am saying is that you could actually benefit from this if you stop fighting it."

Alexander’s voice dropped low. "You sound just like him."

"Relax, I am not Benjamin Reid." Lucas said with a faint grin. " All I am saying is that maybe the old man accidentally handed you an opportunity you have been running from for three years."

Alexander’s hand stilled around his glass and his jaw tightened.

Lucas caught the change immediately. "Still not over her, huh?"

Alexander exhaled slowly, leaning back against the leather seat. "It’s been three years, Lucas."

"Yeah and you have spent every one of those years pretending you didn’t care while watching her with your brother."

Alexander didn’t answer. His fingers tapped the rim of the glass. It felt like yesterday when he had seen her at the bar for the first time.

Lucas tilted his head. "You are thinking about that night, aren’t you?"

Alexander didn’t deny it.

.....

[Flashback—Three Years Ago]

The night had been meant for celebration. His cousin’s bachelorette party was in full swing with laughter, music and glittering lights.

Alexander had shown up out of obligation more than interest and he was already half wishing he could leave.

He had taken a quiet corner at the bar, nursing a drink and scrolling absently through his phone when a soft voice broke his solitude.

"You look like you are here against your will."

He looked up and that was the first time he saw her.

Evelyn.

She wasn’t dressed to stand out and yet she did it so effortlessly. There was something about the way she carried herself that drew him in instantly.

"Family event," Alexander replied, setting his glass down. "They wouldn’t let me escape."

She smiled. "Ah so you are one of those men who looks too serious for parties."

"Do I?"

"You do," she teased lightly. "Let me guess—you are responsible, restrained and probably here to make sure no one does anything too stupid."

He chuckled. "Guilty. Though I can’t promise I will succeed," he answered, glancing at his group who were now drunk enough to throw up.

She smiled and shifted slightly, resting her elbow on the counter. "Well, maybe you need someone to show you how to loosen up."

"Are you volunteering?"

"Maybe," she said, tilting her head, "if you tell me your name first."

"Alexander."

"Evelyn."

Her name lingered on his tongue longer than it should have.

They talked for nearly an hour about books, travel and life philosophies.

She was sharp but kind, playful yet thoughtful and with every minute, Alexander found himself slipping deeper into something he couldn’t quite name.

When his phone rang, he almost ignored it but one glance at the caller ID, Benjamin Reid, was enough to make him curse under his breath.

"Give me five minutes," he told her, reluctant to leave.

She nodded. "I will be right here."

He stepped out to take the call which was just a quick conversation about an urgent meeting. But it took longer than he had hoped.

He tried to end the conversation multiple times but his father kept adding new things to discuss and before he knew it, the quick call ended up being an hour long.

When he returned, the bar seemed louder and the crowd was a little denser.

When he looked around, Evelyn was still at the counter but she was no longer alone.

Jack stood beside her with the charming and effortless smile of his.

Evelyn was laughing and the sound hit Alexander like a punch.

He froze and stayed there just long enough to etch the image in his mind before quietly turning away.

And just like that, he never approached her again.

.....