Assigned to You (Completed)

Chapter Seven: Evangeline

It turned out that Everett and I were the first ones to arrive. Even when Curtis’ car was parked up front, he wasn’t here yet. Maybe he took another car. But I guess it was a good thing. Louisa had filled me in about every family member that was coming and about Everett that I felt like I knew him pretty well by now. There were also a few embarrassing things that Louisa told me about that cracked me up and it was precisely in that moment that Everett and Victor decided to join us.

“She’s telling you about the time I pretended to be a girl to make my friends believe that I was dating someone, isn’t she?” Everett asked, his eyes narrowing playfully at his grandmother.

I burst out laughing and nodded. “I thought you told me you landed girls pretty easily.”

“Yea, in like, high school,” he said with a sigh, sitting beside Louisa and looking at her with a pout, “You’re supposed to push me up, not drag me down.”

I watched as he wrapped an arm around her and kissed her on the cheek, regardless of her embarrassing him. My heart warmed at the sight. He was so close to his grandmother that it was so hard to believe that he was a part of the brothel business. He was sweetest grandson.

“What were you two up to?” Louisa asked, eyeing Victor, “You didn’t upset our grandson again to the point that he won’t come see us for a whole year, did you?”

Victor rolled his eyes and took a seat on a separate chair, across from the three of us. “I did no such thing. Actually, I gave him a proposition.”

The smile on Victor’s face made Everett uneasy; I could see him fidget on his side. He turned away from his grandfather, and flashed Louisa a reassuring smile. “It’s actually a good one, Nan.”

But Louisa seemed unfazed by Everett’s reassurance as her gaze focused on her husband. “What did you offer him?”

“His own company,” Victor said with a smile, “I can get the game he wants developed, Lou. You know I could do that. He can skip another round of rejections.”

“There’s a catch,” Louisa said, her voice suddenly showing the tone of fear, “There’s always a catch with you, Victor.”

“It’s simple. He gives us a hand in the family business. It wouldn’t take too much of his time. App companies or software companies or whatever the hell you call that, their CEO’s have all the time in the world. He won’t be too busy once his app is developed. I’ll get him a good development team," Victor’s eyes glimmered with delight, “Or better yet, I could buy the company you’re working in. Make you CEO.”

My head was suddenly spinning. Everything that he offered Everett would be too hard to turn down and as I looked at Everett, I could see the flashes of want in his eyes. The temptation. But he simply pinched the bridge of his nose and offered his grandfather a small smile. “I told him I’ll think about it, Nan.”

Louisa exhaled a breath of relief. Subtly, I did too. Everett wasn’t my target yet and if he does dive in with his grandfather’s proposition, he might become it and I don’t think I’d want to kill someone who I know a lot about. Especially someone I was starting to like.

There was suddenly some noise outside and Louisa stood up. “Oh, I think everyone’s here.”

She practically dragged me to the door to meet everyone and when I glanced back at Everett, he just simply looked amused. He followed us with Victor by his side and neither of them seemed to talking. Meanwhile, Louise seemed to be talking a mile a minute, reminding me of who was and who is.

“Oh, you’re all finally here!” Louisa exclaimed as everyone suddenly entered. I had to say, everyone in Everett’s family was good-looking. Not a person was out of place when it came to those genes. But then, with Victor’s regal looks and Louisa’s charms, it was enough to note that they were undeniably blessed with good genes.

“Evangeline.”

I perked up when I heard my name and then came face to face with Curtis. He had the same smile on his face as he did earlier today. He gently grabbed my hand and kissed it, winking. I suddenly felt someone come to my side and I knew that it was Everett, “It’s good to see you again.”

“Such a ladies man, Curtis,” Everett growled, removing my hand from his and interlacing ours together.

“Ah, I didn’t believe Curtis when he said you were bringing a date but I guess for once, the scumbag speaks the truth,” The lady beside Curtis, the one with her hair tied in a high ponytail, her eyes an icy blue, moved toward me with arms wide. She pulled me in a hug and I could smell the expensive perfume that she wore, “I’m Francesca, Everett’s auntie and this douche’s oldest sister.”

“And I’m Denise,” Another lady came forward, giving me a kiss on both my cheeks. She was shorter and thinner than Francesca, her hair short and styled professionally. Both of them were beautiful and breathtaking and I could feel myself shrinking with how they looked, “Her younger sister.”

I felt Everett remove his hand from me and kiss both of her aunts, giving a firm nod to who must be their husbands who lurked behind them. Five kids rushed inside, briefly greeting their grandparents before heading inside the house. They ranged from 2 teens to three younger kids and Everett called at them as a greeting but was ignored.

“I’m Evangeline,” I said, finding my voice to speak, “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Oh, she’s cute,” Denise commented, her eyes glinting as I stood rooted under her gaze. She turned to Everett, “So be careful, my sweet, your uncle’s predatory and she looks like the kind of prey your uncle loves to prowl.”

Everett ignored the statement and Louisa ushered all of us inside. We headed to a spacious dining room where the smell of dinner wafted around. I inhaled the aroma of the different food prepared. My mouth almost watered and I had to subtly wipe my lips to make sure I didn’t drool.

I heard someone chuckle beside me and glared at Everett. He leaned to whisper to me, “Don’t squirm under my aunts and avoid Curtis at all cost. Denise’s right. He’s a predator when it comes to girls like you.”

I halted and grabbed his hand, making him stop next to me. “Do you honestly think I’d just allow Curtis to whisk me away from you? I came here with you and they’re all assuming I’m your date. It’d be rude if I went home with someone else.”

“Curtis has a knack for stealing my dates,” he murmured and I watched as his eyes turned a shade darker, “But I’m not allowing him to steal you. You aren’t even mine yet.”

He pulled me closer to him as we moved further in the room. Everyone was already seated and the only seats that remained were the two across from Curtis. Everett pulled out a chair from her and occupied the one across from his uncle. I saw the narrowed look that Curtis gave him but Everett simply feigned innocence, as if he didn’t take the seat on purpose.

The dinner was going remarkably well and there weren’t any information that seemed juicy for the FBI. “So Evangeline…”

I turned to who called my name and looked at Francesca. “Yes?”

“How did you meet my nephew?” Francesca asked.

Everett spoke before I could. “We actually met last year. At LA. We saw each other at the beach and talked and hit it off right away but it was just a one-time thing.”

I couldn’t help but smile when he mentioned that it was all supposed to be a one-time thing. “And then we saw each other again.”

I didn’t want to say we bumped into each other at the club because, well, I think it would be something frowned upon by his family even if clubs were like, normal for people our age. I glanced at Everett who noticed my discomfort and then went on to continue our story. “I found out today that she just happened to live in the unit across from mine.”

His grandmother and aunts practically squealed in delight. But one look at Curtis and I saw how his eyes narrowed at the ‘coincidence’. “Must be fate, right?”

Everett leaned back on his chair and draped an arm over the back of my chair. “Fate sure is a funny thing. I honestly thought I wouldn’t see her ever again.”

“Lucky you,” Curtis muttered and focused on his food.

“Anyway, who else is thrilled that Everett is here to join us again?” Victor asked and everyone simply nodded, not bothering to voice out their answer. “I’d like to enlighten you all of the proposition I had made with him.”

“Pa-,” Everett began but Victor held out a hand to shut him up.

“I’m thinking of buying the company he’s working at,” Victor started to say.

“And make him the boss of it?” Curtis spoke, interjecting.

Victor took a sip of his wine, looking at Curtis through darkening blue eyes. It was enough to note that he wasn’t thrilled of his interjection. “Yes. That is the plan.”

Curtis scoffed. “That’s making him take the easy way.”

“And have you not?” Victor asked, looking at his youngest child pointedly. Then he looked around the table, eyeing each of his children and her daughter’s partners. “Haven’t you all?”

I expected Curtis to shut up after that but he moved forward on his seat, looking at his father directly in the eyes. “We work for the company that you built. You are going to give him his own. There is a difference.”

Victor edged on his seat, his eyes grown darker by the second. I could feel the tension in the room, the unspoken rivalry between Everett and Curtis surfacing. “He will work for the company too, for the family business. That is, if he accepts.”

All eyes were suddenly on Everett and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. I could see the tension filling his body and I reached for his hand under the table, wrapping his right hand in mine. He looked at me for a moment and flashed me the smallest of smiles and the sight of it melted my heart. He turned to his family and cleared his throat.

“It’s something I have to think about. I left the house claiming that I want to pursue my dream to develop a game and I’ve only been getting rejected,” Everett started to say, squeezing my hand as he spoke, “As for joining in on the family business, I’ve always been taught how to be a part of real-estate. Maybe I can be a part of it, part-time.”

My heart sank at his answer and I was scared that my hand had grown cold under his. I think the family business that Victor meant wasn’t just real estate. I watched as Victor smiled triumphantly and clapped his hands, thrilled of Everett’s decision. I glanced at everyone around the table, Louisa looked a little bit bothered but their children looked unfazed.

Except Curtis. He looked like he was plotting to kill Everett.

The rest of the dinner went by smoothly as Louisa asked everyone what was going on in their lives and all I had to do was listen. I wasn’t asked questions anymore and I was thankful for that. By the time that dinner was officially over and everyone was back in the living room, sipping on more wine and tea, in Louisa’s case. It was then that Everett leaned closer to me and told me it was time for us to go.

“Oh, you’re welcome to come back here anytime soon, Evangeline,” Louisa said, wrapping me in a huge hug.

I couldn’t help but hug her back. She was incredibly sweet. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“And I’m hoping that the two of you are together by then,” she said, winking.

Everett cut in between Louisa and I and wrapped her arms around his grandmother, kissing her on the cheek. “I’ve missed you, Nan.”

He loved his grandmother so much that it made my heart burst. They looked absolutely adorable. “I love you, Ev. Make sure you drive safe and keep Evangeline safe.”

Everett stood by my side, glanced at me and grinned at Louisa. “Oh she’ll get home safely, I’ll even walk her inside her apartment.”

Louisa swatted him. “Don’t do anything inappropriate. Be respectful!”

“I know, Nan, chivalry isn’t dead,” he said, rolling his eyes. We bid the rest of his family farewell and got back into his car.

Throughout the car ride, both of us were quiet. I didn’t exactly know what to say and Everett seemed to be drowning in his thoughts. I leaned my head on the window, closing my eyes as I could feel the day’s events taking its toll on me. Last night, I wasn’t even sure what I was supposed to do to get Everett’s attention but I had successfully gone through the day and even managed to join a family dinner.

I felt warm hand wrapped around mine and I glanced at Everett. He still didn’t look like he had anything to say but I let our hands be. I did like the warmth he radiated. It was comforting and I knew that allowing it meant that it drew him to me more.

But it also meant that I was drawing myself to him too.

By the time we reached our apartment, neither of us has spoken. Everett still held my hand as we headed to our floor. He walked me over to my door and let go of my hand so I could unlock it.

“Evangeline.”

When I turned back to look at him, his face was inches from mine and I honestly thought that he was leaning in to kiss me. Instead, he kissed my forehead. “Thank you for agreeing to come with me. If you weren’t there, I would’ve reacted with what Curtis said.”

“And it would’ve ruined the evening and upset Louisa,” I said, wanting to wrap my arms around his waist but refrained from doing so. I was getting too comfortable with touching him and we’ve only spent a day together.

“Yes. I wouldn’t want to upset Nana,” he murmured and then smiled shyly, “She likes you. I could tell.”

I chuckled. “What can I say; I’m a grandmother’s dream.”

He laughed. “I’m just not sure if she would still think that had she known how bold you are.”

I rolled my eyes and pushed him away lightly. “I should go. I guess, it’s goodnight.”

Everett looked like he wanted to say something. Or do something but he didn’t. He stuffed his hands in his pocket and rolled on the balls of his feet. “So…”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You said that last time too.”

He smiled. “I know. I actually don’t know what I’m supposed to say to make you stand in front of me a little while longer.”

“Why do you want me to stand in front you?”

“Because you’re like the best view I’ve ever had,” he said, grinning and wiggling his eyebrows.

I couldn’t help but laugh and push him away. “We’ve spent the entire day together, Everett. We both need a goodnight’s sleep.”

“When I wake up tomorrow, you’ll be in this unit right?” he asked, his pale blue eyes clouding with worry for a moment.

I nibbled on my bottom lip and then took a step closer to him. “I like the time I spent with you, Everett, so I guess I won’t be packing my bags tonight and moving out.”

His smile grew wider and he reached to touch my face. I never liked intimate touches but when I felt the warmth that his hand radiated, I felt like my heart was going to explode. I waited for him to lean closer, to press his lips on mine. My heart was beating erratically beneath my chest as I anticipated but as he slowly leaned in, my eyes flew closed.

And then I felt his lips on my forehead, leaving a tender kiss.

I opened my eyes and met the pale blue eyes that glimmered beneath the harsh fluorescent light. “You told me you were a commitment kind of girl. I’m not used to waiting for a woman’s yes. I could simply choose to forget about you and find an easy girl.”

His thumb gently pried my bottom lip from my teeth. I wasn’t even aware I was biting my bottom lip. I looked at him, meeting his eyes. “What are you going to do then?”

“I’ve let you walk away twice, Evangeline,” he whispered, “If I strike a third, then I’m out. I’m not making the same mistake again. I like you too much to let you slip away from my fingers.”

“You’ve only spent a day with me.”

“And I’m looking forward to spend more with you,” he said, his words ricocheting from my brain and to my heart, and caressed my cheek, “Sweet dreams, Evangeline.”

It took everything in me not to crumple on the floor the moment he walked away and entered his unit. I’ve never been this affected by what a guy said to me before. I closed my eyes and sank down on the floor, my back on the door. I leaned my head on the hardwood before opening my eyes and staring at the ceiling.

The reason I was good at my job was because I didn’t wear my heart on my sleeve, I didn’t know my targets, and I never looked them in the eye. I was a merciless assassin, always following the order to shoot to kill; making sure that one bullet would be all it would take to remove a person’s existence in this world.

But I feel like Everett Saunders was changing the game.