103 Chapter 12 (1/2)

Warm light peered through the window and shot directly towards Eric's eyes, disturbing his peaceful slumber. A low grunt rumbled in his throat in annoyance. It had been days that he had a good night's sleep, one which he dreamed a wonderful dream.

He opened his eyes, a little blurry and uneven before it focused on the most beautiful woman he ever saw, and he thought he was still dreaming. Bits of memories rushed in his head, realizing everything was real.

His fingers skimmed his lips, fighting a grin. They did kiss! He really did kiss her! And he even professed his love for her!

He smiled at himself, a little embarra.s.sed for what he did. He then watched her sleep, a tranquil smile on her face that brought something like contentment in his heart. She was so close to him, snuggling in his chest. His nose perked, smelling her scent. That familiar milky scent mixed with powder and honey, and his eyes briefly closed to savor it.

When she groaned, he softly laughed at the incoherent mumbles escaping from her mouth. He gently tucked some of her hair behind her ears before his fingers gradually moved to her lips. Those l.u.s.trous, moist lips that he wanted nothing but nibble all day.

His eyelids dropped, pupils narrowing as he traced the soft curves of her mouth. Unknowingly, his face inched closer to hers.

Bzt!

The vibration of his phone snapped him out of his trance. He clicked his tongue and quickly yet quietly scrambled to his feet, being careful not to wake her up.

He scurried to his backpack and search for his phone. Hurry and a little panic in his movement, for he was afraid the constant vibration and sound would wake the sleeping beauty.

He fished his phone and breathed a sigh of relief when it no longer made vibrating noises against the wooden floor.

Walking towards the window, he opened it lightly, allowing the cold breeze to slip through the small gap. Throughout, he didn't glance at his phone. He already knew who it was.

No one had his number except for Angel Lin and her personal a.s.sistant, Fey. They must be calling since he was absent yesterday and now. Judging by the sun's position, it must be nearing noon, and he was still not in the set.

For a time, he stared at the familiar name flashing on the phone screen, his face unreadable like it used to.

A gush of chilly wind blew on his face from the opened window, and the vibrating sounds were no more when he threw the phone to oblivion. He didn't have any remorse nor any emotion on his face as he closed the window and turned to Evangeline's direction.

However, he was stunned in place when Evangeline was already awake and was sitting on the floor, looking at him with her usual haughty self.

”I'm sorry, did I wake you up?” he asked.

Instead of answering, Evangeline's smirk stretched into a grin.

”You don't need that phone from now on. I'll buy a new one for you since you're going to be my personal a.s.sistant anyway.”

Eric's face harbored a small smile as he walked towards his bag.

”Eve, I might be poor, but I still have enough money to buy me a phone. Don't worry about it.”

Actually, he had the money from his savings, but it was only enough at the moment. Ninety percent of his salary went to his inheritance or, more precisely, to the Frizkiel family to fill his quota while the remaining ten percent were for him to spent for his daily necessities and payment for his bills, which was hardly enough. That was why he had to work at shops that were not affiliated with his family to add to his living expenses.

And over time, he did manage to sc.r.a.pe some money for his savings. But it wasn't much. The ticket alone going to Everland was enough to put a tear on his eyes and not to mention he had to buy his and Evangeline's return ticket. He barely had enough spare to buy an expensive phone.

A cheap one will do.

Though he came from a family who owned an entire country, he was, in all sense of the word, broke. He had been living like any ordinary person struggling to stay afloat from his twenty-one years of existence.

He ransacked his things and pulled out a tote bag before he sat next to Evangeline, who was eyeing him curiously.

”Are you hungry? Sorry, I only have this at the moment.”

Upon laying eyes on what Eric handed to her, Evangeline's face brightened.

Cottage cheese! It was her favorite snack. Snow café made these little cups of mouthwatering delicacies so irresistibly delicious that she almost ate it every day. If not for her maintaining her figure, she would eat hundreds of it in a day.

”Thank you! I miss this. One day without this, and I'm already dying to return to Burberry!”

Chuckling, Eric opened one for him to eat when Evangeline lost herself in eating the snacks. It wasn't much to be called a meal, but it would suffice for now.

”When do you plan on going back to Burberry?” he asked so that he could buy their return ticket.

Evangeline stopped munching, and Eric took in her stone-like expression. His face turned serious, followed by the creased of his brows. ”Don't tell me . . . you plan to––”

”Eric, Everland has many tourist spots. Since we're here, we might as well indulge ourselves. You don't have to worry about work. I'll talk to the president of Sparkle entertainment. You have nothing to worry about. We can enjoy ourselves here without worries!” Now that she had him away from his work, there was no way she would let this opportunity slip.

”. . .”

Eric didn't care for any of that. He didn't care about work. Instead, he was worried about spending his entire two-month vacation here. He didn't have enough money for hotels or even a cheap one at that for two months! Besides, he didn't even bring that many clothes with him!

Sensing something was not right with Eric, Evangeline cleared her throat. She could almost tell Eric's dilemma with the changes in his expressions.

”If you're concerned about where to stay, don't worry! Daniel has it all covered! In fact, I'm actually staying with him!” she said out of impulse.

Eric's face darkened. His eyes narrowed at her, and she quickly explained, ”It's his penthouse! He's not actually living there per se. And besides, you and I are his guests. He should be responsible for us. In fact, I'll call him right now.”

Evangeline fished Daniel's phone from her bag and dialed his number.

----

On the other side of Everland City, Daniel was busy arguing and debating on important matters about Everland inside the palace. And when his phone vibrated on the table and saw it was his other number, he knew that it was Evangeline.

Thinking she was doing something crazy again, he picked his phone and excused himself.

The line of important people in the room was baffled for Prince Daniel never let anything disturb him when he was in important discussions for Everland's future.

That person must be really important.

”Evangeline? Please tell me you're not in any trouble,” Daniel answered the moment he was out of the room.

”How rude!” Evangeline snarled on the other line. ”Since when did I ever caused you trouble? In fact, you're the only person who causes trouble for me. I'll let it slide this time since I have more pressing matters to tell you.”

”. . .” Daniel restrained rolling his eyes as he urged, ”What is it?”

”Eric is here, so I expect you––”

”Eve . . . let me talk to him.”