CHAPTER 91: PATRICIA AND LUCAS?

[Carter Mansion—Evelyn’s Room]

Evelyn sat cross-legged on her bed, staring at her phone as if it were a live bomb.

She reread Alexander’s message for the tenth time.

’As long as I get to marry you, I don’t care if the date is tomorrow or ten years from now.’

Her cheeks heated instantly and her stomach flipped.

And her heart, well, that thing hadn’t known peace since she met him.

Across the room, Patricia was sitting with a face mask on, scrolling through her phone until she noticed Evelyn hiding her face behind a pillow.

"What is that blush?" Patricia gasped dramatically. "Show me. NOW."

"No," Evelyn squeaked.

Patricia snatched the phone so fast Evelyn didn’t even get to blink.

The moment she saw the message, Patricia slapped a hand over her chest. "Oh my god. He is so whipped. This man is ready to marry you tomorrow. Tomorrow, Evelyn. If you sneeze, he will probably propose."

Evelyn groaned. "Patricia, please."

"No, YOU please," Patricia said, handing the phone back. "Marry him quickly. Tie that man down and lock him up. Do whatever you need to do. Hot men with functioning brains don’t stay single for long. Someone else might steal him—"

"Patricia—" Evelyn gasped, horrified. "Can you be a little soft? Mom will hear you."

Patricia shrugged. "What? I am just stating global truths. Handsome billionaire with shoulders like that? Girl, SECURE THE BAG."

Evelyn’s face turned even redder. "I hate you."

"No you don’t." Patricia flopped next to her. "Now tell me more. What else happened yesterday? How was Alexander after the hospital? Did he kiss you again? Did—"

"No," Evelyn cut her off quickly. "Nothing like that."

Patricia narrowed her eyes. "Suspicious pause noted."

Evelyn sighed and sank into her pillow. "Actually something else happened."

Patricia’s eyes widened. "Oh? More romance? Did Alexander send a photo? Wait—was it shirtless? Evelyn, if you hid a shirtless picture from me—"

"No!" Evelyn threw a pillow at her. "It’s about Jack."

Patricia froze mid-rant. "Jack? That assh*ole Jack who deserves to rot in hell?"

"Yes," Evelyn said quietly.

"Aboyt what him?" Patricia asked, curious.

Evelyn hesitated for a while before answering. "He is acting strange. He was being too polite and too nice. It feels fake. Even in the hospital today, he was smiling at everyone, using ’thank you’ and ’sorry’ like a completely different person."

Patricia narrowed her eyes. "Hmm."

"I don’t know what he is planning," Evelyn admitted. "But something is off."

Patricia leaned forward, voice firm and absolutely done with all Reids except Alexander.

"Well, whatever he is planning, Alexander should just break both his legs before he gets the chance."

Evelyn stared. "Patricia!"

"What? I am not saying kill him." Patricia held up her hands defensively. "Just medically discourage him from walking into trouble."

Evelyn couldn’t help laughing.

Patricia continued, "Good behaviour out of nowhere? That is not an improvement, babe that is a red flag dipped in glitter."

Evelyn nodded slowly. "I thought so too."

Patricia softened, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Don’t stress. You are marrying the good Reid and the one with the functioning brain cells. Whatever Jack is plotting, he won’t get far. Alexander won’t let anything touch you."

Evelyn felt warmth spread in her chest.

"Yeah," she whispered. "I know."

Patricia smirked. "Good. Now text your future husband back before he thinks you fainted."

Evelyn threw another pillow at her.

Patricia dodged it dramatically and struck a pose. "Violence? Already? Wow. The wedding stress has begun."

Evelyn rolled her eyes and was about to say something when Melissa entered the room.

"Evelyn, you father and I are going to see Madam Reid," Melissa informed. "Do you want to join us?"

"No, mom," Evelyn answered. "Alexander and I will go later."

"Okay." Melissa then turned towards Patricia. "Patricia, what about you? Do you want to visit Madam Reid with us?"

But Patricia didn’t answer. Her eyes were glued on her phone. She only looked up when Evelyn shook her shoulders.

"Huh? What?" She looked up.

"Mom is asking if you want to go to see Alexander’s grandma."

Patricia vigorously shook her head. "No, thank you."

"Alright then."

After Melissa left, Evelyn moved closer to Patricia.

"Who are you texting?" she asked, looking over her shoulder.

When she saw Lucas’ name on the screen, a grin slowly spread across Evelyn’s face.

Patricia froze. "Don’t."

Evelyn raised a brow. "Don’t what?"

"You are about to say something stupid," Patricia warned.

Evelyn leaned forward. "Why is Lucas messaging you?"

Patricia tossed her hair dramatically. "Because we talk sometimes."

Evelyn smirked. "Talk, huh?"

"Yes, talk!" Patricia crossed her arms. "Adults talk and friends talk."

Evelyn gave her a look, the kind that said ’I have caught you red-handed, ma’am’.

Patricia’s cheeks pinked. "Okay fine, maybe we talk a little too much. But that doesn’t mean anything."

"Oh really?" Evelyn teased. "So when did ’talking’ start?"

Patricia glared at her and then rolled her eyes. "None of your business."

"Hey, you want me to tell you everything related to Alexander but when it comes to you, it’s none of my business?" Evelyn puffed her cheeks and frowned.

She then snatched the pillow and threw it at her.

Patricia squealed dramatically. "OH MY GOD, VIOLENCE! Does Alexander know you have a violent side too?"

"Oh I will let him know, don’t worry about that." Evelyn smirked, "You should worry about Lucas."

"There is nothing to worry," Patricia remarked. "We just talk, no flirting."

"Oh please," Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Lucas is the type who would flirt with a tree if it complimented his shirt."

Patricia paused. "He does wear really good shirts."

"PATRICIA!"

Both of them burst into loud laughter, the room filling with warm, easy joy.

Patricia flopped back on the bed, smiling into her phone again and Evelyn sat beside her, leaning her head against her shoulder.

For a moment, everything felt normal and neither of them noticed how quickly life, love, danger and a wedding were lining up in front of them.

....