Chapter 36 Permisssion
Eva didn’t argue more with Stephen. And quietly got settled in his car. She was sure that it was only a matter of a few days after she would leave with her father, and she promised herself that she would never return to LA in her life.
Stephen kept staring at her expression. She was looking adorable in the white shirt and pink skirt. The shirt was full-sleeved, and the skirt was reaching her knees. He continuously observed how she seemed lost in deep thoughts, as if talking to herself in her mind.
It engrossed Eva in her thoughts when she realized Stephen was staring at her.
His instant gaze made her conscious of her appearance and cursed herself for choosing this outfit for the day.
She slowly tried to pull her skirt a little down when she heard a chuckle.
She looked at Stephen, who was giving a smile at her. Eva gave a puzzled look at him.
Stephen noticed how she was stretching her skirt, and he knew the reason for her actions very well.
Of course, after knowing about his interest in her, it’s natural for her to feel uncomfortable around him.
But what she doesn’t know is that Stephen is more interested in winning her heart first rather than claiming her body.
Somehow he found her every action cute and na?ve, so he couldn’t hold more and chuckled the moment Eva heard the sound; she gave a confused look at him.
And Stephen loved the adorable puzzled look of hers.
Still, he doesn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable, so he just diverted his gaze to the other side.
Soon the ride ended, and the moment the car stopped, Eva almost jumped from the car. But the next moment she heard Stephen’s impersonal voice
“Take care, and remember someone will pick you up, ok?"
Eva just gave a nod at him and left from there.
Soon she reached inside the classroom, and her bodyguard got settled outside the class. Soon Eva got settled beside Jacey and started chatting about the topics that she missed in those days.
Soon the class got started, and Jacey helped Eva with the missed points. in the lunchtime, Eva noticed Harry was not present in the class, so she asked Jacey about him
“Well, we have not seen him for many days. I think I last saw him attending the class on your birthday. And yes, one more thing he asked me about you so I told him about your birthday party invitation. “
Eva felt bad as she must have invited him too, but she has to drop the idea of inviting him because of the business rivalry between Hudson and Smith
"Ooh, ok, but why is he absent today?”
“Well, I heard the others talking that Harry left these courses.” “
‘What? why? “
"Nobody knows, but we hear a rumor that he will soon move to Austria. Anyway, it doesn't matter much because he is already very fortunate as the only prince of the Hudson family.”
“Hmm, but I like the down-to-earth nature he never showed off as other rich people do."
“Yes, you are right. Well, Eva, I have to tell you something. You know I shifted to an apartment. It’s a small place, but enough for me. So tomorrow is my birthday, and I just arranged for a small birthday party, so I will love it if you attend it.”
Eva took some moments to notice her words, so Jacey again continued.
“I know it’s not like some lavish party like your birthday was, you know what? Forget it. I mean, forget this invitation. I can understand your situation.”
“What? No! I was just zoned out. It’s been a while since I attended a proper party.
And you know I am also not rich like the Smith family.
I am just a guest for them, and about that party, what should I say?
It was their wish, so I didn’t refuse. Now tell me, how could you assume I am only interested in some high society parties?
“So you are coming right?"
“ Yes, definitely. “ But suddenly some thought troubled Eva, so she again looked troubled. Jacey noticed her troubled expression and inquired,
“Now what? any problem?
“No, actually, you must have invited others too."
Jacey understood her dilemma. She knew how some classmates troubled Eva some days before.
So she smiled and replied,
“I know what you are thinking; don’t worry, as I am only inviting you from this class, but I will call harry and invite him too
And my other friends who were coming to my party are my buddies from school time. That’s all.".
Eva gave a wide smile at her. "Wow! Then we will have so much fun, and I hope Harry also joins us. You know I have to apologize to him as I couldn’t invite him to my birthday party. He will come, right?
“I don’t know. I will invite him though, then let’s see. It will be good if he makes it to the party. Eva, I will message you my new address, OK? “
The rest of the day, both friends keep discussing that party. Eva was getting excited, like a child who got her favorite candy
That day, William arrived to pick her up as Stephen was busy. When William arrived, Eva felt delighted and relieved that she didn't have to bear the devil's presence again.
Wiliam noticed Eva was gleaming in happiness. He was happy to see her like this, as Eva was still upset by Michael’s unexpected departure
On the way back home, Eva told William excitedly about Jacey’s party invitation. Eva politely asked his permission to attend this party
William thought for a second and then allowed her to attend that party. Eva thanked William wholeheartedly, but William knew that his overprotective son, Stephen, did not appreciate this party invitation.
That night at dinner, only William and Rose joined Eva for dinner as Steve and Stephen were busy with some business party.
Eva thanked her stars for not facing Stephen all day.
She did a silent prayer in her mind to make Stephen busier in his work for the rest of the days, at least until she was here.
She happily finished dinner and went to sleep
The next morning, Eva rushed to the dining room for her breakfast, as she was late for her classes. First, she had a long talk with her friends about the
Party. Her friends were fortunate to see her happy. So in all these discussions, she slept late and as a result; she was late for her classes
The moment Eva settled for breakfast, she started munching the food in a hurry
“Take it easy, dear; it’s ok if you are late; nobody is going to scold you."
"No, Rose, I am late today." While talking, she coughed hard, and the couple panicked. Rose passed water to her and patted her back
At the same moment, Steve and Stephen arrived in the dining room. They were also late, as last night they were late for the party.
Stephen was terrified to witness the scene as era was coughing hard, trying to catch her normal breathing back
“Steve, call the doctor now; wait, we should take her to the hospital.”
Steve nodded, and Stephen also started rubbing her back.
He asked his mom, “How the hell did this happen?
Nothing. She was getting late for her classes, and in a hurry, she started gulping the food
Stephen glared at Eva, who was already in tears from constant coughing. Stephen commented little as he was more scared of her condition, but to his relief soon Eva got her normal breathing back.
“Steve I am fine now and I don’t need a doctor.
Steve nodded at her, and both brothers settled for breakfast. Stephen stated to Eva in his impersonal voice
“There is no need to eat in such a hurry. Just have your breakfast peacefully. Ok “
Eva gave a nod at him and stuck to the juice
While she was having her juice, Rose asked, “So dear, what are you wearing tonight? We can go shopping."
William shook his head at the passion of shopping with his wife, whereas Eva gave a smile at rose
“No need for that, as I have many new dresses that I never have time to wear. But I will need your help in choosing one."
“ok ‘
“What special tonight?” Stephen inquired as he and Steve were oblivious to this party invite
Before Eva could reply, rose answered
“It’s Eva’s friend Jacey’s birthday party today. Remember the girl who attended Eva’s birthday party? Right, the same girl.”
“Where is the party?”
“At her place, she shifted to a new house recently. “
“She is not going to any party, and that’s final.” “
Stephen declared in a blasting voice. Others got startled by his reaction, whereas Eva was terrified by his outburst. Tears welled up in her eyes. She left the breakfast table and excused herself for her classes.
William ordered Steve, “You drop her, and you young man, meet me in the study, as I must have a few words with you."
Stephen just glared at his dad, as anyway he would not change his decision.
Steve rushed towards the parking lot of their house, where he found Eva settling in the car. Steve rushed to the other side and entered the car.
He noticed tears flowing from her eyes. He was anxious about Stephen for making Eva upset about such a silly thing.
Steve tried to talk to Eva, but he didn’t want to create a scene in front of the driver, so he told the driver to stop the car on the side and leave them alone for some time and soon followed as instructed
‘Eva, dear, listen to me. Stephen is just scared for your safety. He is always overprotective of his family and friends.”
Eva stated while sobbing, “My dad never stopped me from doing anything.
He was the one who used to send me on an outing with my friends.
, as I am a little introverted type of person.
But look at him. He scolded me like this.
I already took permission from your dad, and who is he to shout at me like this?
Steve was the first time noticing Eva in so much anger he understood Stephen was messed up big this time. But for now it was important to handle Eva and cheer her up, so he tried to console her
“Correct, you are right; I support you in this. He cannot run his dictatorship by ordering us like this: “
Eva wiped her tears and glared at Steve
“Us? But what about us? He shouted at me, only me. “
Eva, you are wrong here. He is like this from our childhood days. You know how much he bullied me as an elder brother?”
“Really? “ Na?ve Eva thought he was stating the truth.
“Yes, you can ask mom and dad too. And even now he uses to do that now and then he is just jealous of my personality, you know. How girls throw up themselves on me and look at him. He is all alone in his life—no girlfriends, not even a single female friend."
Eva gave a puzzled look at Steve. She couldn’t trust his words, but one thing was the fact that Stephen was never in news of his affairs or flings, and the only girl whose name was associated with him was only hers. So she wiped her tears and asked Steve,
“Are you stating that I cannot attend the birthday party now?”
"No, dear, you attend that party and will enjoy it too. After all, you already asked dad, isn’t it? “
Eva nodded at Steve.
“So now no more crying, ok, do you still want to attend the classes? I mean, you are very late now.
"Hmm, yes, you are right; I think we should return home."
Steve smiled at her. At last she stopped crying.
The Smith mansion
William was glaring at Stephen
“Why did you shout at her like that? You know I already permitted her to attend that party."
“Dad, you did what? And why did you do that? Don’t you know how dangerous it could be for her? “
“Stephen, first calm down and listen to me carefully. We will arrange the best security team around her, and you cannot stop her like this from enjoying her life.
Listen to me clearly. Stephen Eva is like a daughter to me and I don’t like the way you behaved with her today.
You cannot cage her in the name of love. She has all the right to make her own decisions. And trust me, if you keep behaving like this, then Eva will only hate you, love you, or get married to you, which will be like a nightmare to her.”.
Stephen took a deep breath to calm his nerves and thought about his dad’s words. He realized that, in anger, he just got overboard, but he is worried for her safety.
When they returned to the living room, they spotted Eva arriving with Steve. Stephen then noticed her appearance. Her eyes were swollen, and her nose was red, obviously showing excessive crying.
Stephen cursed himself for her condition, but now he has to apologize to her
When Eva noticed Stephen in front of her, she thought more scoldings were coming her way, but she didn’t show the fear on her face and started moving towards the stairs when Stephen called her name.
She stopped in her tracks and looked around at him. She was relieved that at least other family members were present in the living room, as their presence gave her some moral support
But his next words surprised her: "I am sorry, Eva; I shouldn’t have shouted at you. I came to know later that dad already gave you permission for this party. So you can carry out your plan.”