Chapter 4
“So, Eve Lopez, huh?” Natalie’s voice is stern, and I flinch from the living room couch of the penthouse she shares with my brother.
She’s sitting across from me holding a glass of cinnamon milk in her hand. Changed into comfortable pajamas, she’s looking more relaxed, her baby bump evident under the pink blouse.
“I read her name when you sent me the brief. I just didn’t register it,” I defend myself as I watch her sip the milk, the smell of the cinnamon reaching me.
I never knew what it was like to have an older sister till I met her.
She will scold me and spoil me in the same heartbeat.
And she’s always feeding me. Life is good with Natalie around.
Not to mention, Ethan sure has changed since he met her.
His domineering attitude has softened considerably over these past few months.
But only around Natalie.
The whole Jekyll and Hyde Ethan has going on with us brothers versus Natalie doesn’t make it any less fascinating to see him dote over her.
But then, she also keeps him in line. If he’s harsh with any of us, she gives him an earful.
She balances him out, sweet and welcoming to his cold and disapproving.
I like her. I’ve liked her since I met her. She’s good for Ethan. Plus, I’m her favorite sibling of the lot. Megan doesn’t count.
Which is why disappointing her sucks.
“We’re lucky she decided not to blab,” Natalie sighs. “Ethan would not be happy.”
“You’ve not told him?” I sit up, relieved. He’d kick my ass if he knew about my screw-up.
“Of course not.” Natalie rolls her eyes. “I wasn’t born yesterday. But I am curious. Why doesn’t she like you? I sensed a lot of hostility from her aimed at you.”
“You’re imagining things—”
“Caleb.” There is a warning edge to her voice. “I need to know. In case things go south.”
Sighing, I lean back on the couch. “It’s nothing. We weren’t exactly friends in college. We competed for first place, and we never got along.”
“That’s it?” Natalie asks, suspiciously. “That doesn’t warrant that level of dislike. What are you not telling me?”
I run my tongue over my teeth. “She used to have a nickname in college. I might have been the one who gave it to her.”
“What kind of nickname?”
“Ice Princess.”
Natalie goes still. “Excuse me?”
“You didn’t know her then, Nat!” I protest, immediately defending myself. “She was so stuck up. She always thought she was better than everybody else. She was a bitc—”
“I would not finish that sentence if I were you.” Natalie’s eyes turn icy, and I clamp my lips together. “Whatever your problem with her is, calling her by that word is unacceptable. And I know your mother would be very angry if she heard you use that word for any woman.”
Guiltily, I look away. “Sorry.” She’s right. I was raised to respect women, not use derogatory terms for them. If my mother was here, she’d have things to say to me over my choice of words.
Fortunately, Natalie’s temper burns hot and bright, and it diffuses just as fast.
“So you don’t like her. Why?”
“I just told you—”
Natalie eyes me. “You expect me to believe something so surface-level? What is it? Did you ask her out, and she turned you down?”
I scoff. “No. She’s just arrogant. She’s always been like this. I’ve not been here a week and a half, and she’s already told me she doesn’t like me.”
My future sister-in-law shrugs. “So? Not everybody is going to like you, Caleb.”
“That’s not what I mean,” I groan, sliding down the couch. “She’s rude, Natalie. And she’s got this stick up her ass that’s just lodged in.”
Natalie arches her brows. “She’s an excellent employee. Maybe that works for her.”
“Well, she makes life hell for everybody,” I grouse as she finishes the milk and sets the glass down on the table.
“Really?” That surprises Natalie. “I heard she’s quite well-liked.”
I open my mouth to refute her words, but nothing comes out. Sullen, I take the small cushion under my chin, glaring at the coffee table. “They just don’t know her as well as I do.”
“What’s really going on with you and Eve?” Natalie tucks her legs under her, watching me intently. “And don’t give me that competition nonsense. I’ve seen competitive colleagues before. This feels personal.”
I run a hand through my hair, debating how much to admit. “Fine. She’s... She’s hot, okay? And smart. Annoyingly smart. But she’s also the most arrogant person I’ve ever met. I told you, she thinks she’s better than everyone else.”
“That’s interesting.” Natalie’s tone is thoughtful. “Because from what I’ve observed, she’s quite humble actually. She deflects praise, credits her team for successes, and I’ve never heard her boast about her achievements.”
“Are we talking about the same person?” I stare at her. “Eve Lopez? Dark hair, red lipstick, attitude that could cut glass?”
“The same one who works overtime to help her colleagues meet deadlines? Who turned down a promotion last year because she thought Steven deserved it more?”
I blink. “She did what?”
“You heard me. She’s one of the most team-oriented employees we have. Maybe you’re seeing what you want to see instead of what’s actually there.”
“That’s impossible. In college, she was—”
“College was six years ago, Caleb,” Natalie interrupts. “People change. Maybe you should consider that the problem isn’t her attitude, but your perception of it. Don’t get me wrong. She’s ambitious, but she’s not unfair.”
I want to argue, but the sound of keys jingling in the lock cuts through our conversation. Natalie looks towards the door, and the smile that blooms over her face is filled with warmth and love.
The door opens, and Ethan walks in, looking every inch the intimidating CEO in his charcoal suit and perfectly styled hair. But the moment he sees his fiancée, his entire demeanor shifts. His shoulders ease up, and his face softens.
“The meeting ran later than I expected. Have you eaten?” His fingers brush against Natalie’s cheek, and she shakes her head. “I was waiting for you.” He smiles down at her.
I just gape at him.
“Don’t look so shocked,” my brother says dryly, catching my expression. “I’m capable of basic human emotion.”
“Could have fooled me,” I shoot back. “You smile so rarely that I didn’t think you knew how.”
“I told you to drop Natalie home, not stay for dinner.” Ethan settles besides his fiancée.
After everything she’s been through, my brother doesn’t trust her taking a taxi.
He’s become quite overprotective. But I don’t mind.
Natalie pays in food. “How was your day?” he asks Natalie, his voice gentling completely.
“Productive. Your brother and I were just discussing his new partner,” Natalie says meaningfully.
Ethan’s attention sharpens, his CEO mask sliding back into place even as he plays with a strand of Natalie’s hair. “Speaking of which, how’s the investigation going? Any leads on our mole?”
“It’s not even been two weeks yet, Ethan,” I glower at him. “I’ve been assigned to the Serastra 70 project and partnered with Eve Lopez.”
Ethan looks thoughtfully. “Interesting. She’s been there the longest on that team. What’s your read on her?” I’m not surprised he knows about her. Ethan has a habit of knowing the names of every employee under him.
“She’s...” I struggle for the right words, aware of Natalie’s pointed stare. “Difficult. But I don’t think she’s the leak. She’s too invested in the company’s success.”
“Don’t let personal feelings cloud your judgment,” Ethan warns, his voice taking on that familiar edge. “The best spies are the ones who appear most loyal. They build trust, integrate themselves into the team, then strike when everyone least expects it.”
“It’s not personal,” I lie, ignoring Natalie’s chuckle. “I just think we’re looking at the wrong person.”
“Keep digging. And Caleb?” Ethan fixes me with the stare that’s made grown men wet themselves. “Don’t blow your cover. We can’t afford any mistakes. The Serastra launch is critical. If we lose another campaign, the company will face a major financial hit.”
“I’ve got it under control.”
“You’d better. Because if you don’t, I’ll be having a very different conversation with you.”
I roll my eyes. “I should get going. Early day tomorrow.”
“Wait.” Natalie struggles to her feet. “Sarah sent over lasagna. Take some home. You look like you’re living on takeout.”
“I’m fine, Nat—” I give her a wounded look, but lasagna is tempting. “My brother doesn’t even want me here for dinner. It’s fine. I’ll just buy something from the grocery store on the way back.”
“Should I hand you a tissue, Caleb?” Ethan asks scathingly. “To wipe your eyes with?”
“Ethan!” Natalie frowns at him before turning her gaze back to me. “That wasn’t a request, Caleb.” She’s already heading to the kitchen, but she continues speaking to me, raising her voice slightly to bridge the distance. “Ethan doesn’t mean that. Just stay for dinner. You’re always welcome here.”
I smile at her. “Thanks, Natalie. You know, I think I will. But only because you asked me.” As I follow her to the kitchen, I make sure to look over my shoulder at my brother and waggle my brows at him.
Victory is mine, and it’s going to taste good.
* * *
I should’ve known that she was not going to let go of my harmless prank.
It’s a few days later, and I’m in the kitchenette making my usual hot chocolate when the first sip nearly makes me gag. The drink is bitter as hell, like someone mixed cocoa powder with liquid disappointment.
“What the hell?” I mutter, checking the ingredients. Everything looks normal—same cocoa powder, same sugar, same everything. I dump the cup and start over, measuring more carefully this time.
The second attempt is equally terrible. If anything, it’s worse.
“Having problems?”
I turn to find Eve leaning against the doorframe, looking absolutely innocent with her hands clasped behind her back. She’s wearing a black blazer today that hugs her curves in all the right ways, paired with those fitted pants that should be illegal.