Perfect Imperfections

Chapter 2 - Tornado Meets A Volcano

CHAPTER TWO

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
But that's alright, because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry
But that's alright, because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie

×××

"Flora Edwards," Evan said coldly, his voice sharp. I used to yearn to hear my name from his mouth, but I never imagined it would be laced with so much hatred like it was today. Everything between us, including my name, was now tainted and served as a cruel reminder of the lies, betrayal and pain in our relationship. "What a surprise."

"What are you doing here?" I ask firmly.

"I could ask you the same." his eyes bored deep into mine and all the emotions I had kept suppressed started surfing back. "But I probably wouldn't get a true answer so what's the point, right?"

I gritted my teeth and sneered. "You're Emily's fiance."

He raised his eyebrows and a malicious smile settled on his face. "You've never truly understood me, have you?"

"People aren't always what they seem."

"That's rich." he chuckled cruelly. "Especially coming from someone like y-"

"Evan!" Emily called, rushing towards us from inside the office building. "You're here. I'm sorry I really needed to use the bathroom, but I guess you've already met my new wedding planner, Flora."

His eyes didn't leave mine. "I think you've chosen the perfect planner, Em."

I broke eye contact with Evan to look at Emily who smiled at me. "Flora, this is Evan, my cousin."

My eyes widened for a fraction of second and I looked at Evan, our eyes meeting for a brief second before I looked away. "Wait, didn't you say you're fiance was coming to pick you up?"

"I thought he was." Emily clarified. "But he is still stuck in that meeting so Evan came instead. I got off the phone with him after I left your office, sorry for the confusion."

I cursed myself inwardly, although I couldn't deny the relief I felt inside. It was only now that I realized that Emily was the same girl I saw in Evan's office back when we worked together. I didn't see her face that day, but their closeness made me assume that she was some sort of a booty call.
How could I be so stupid and make the same mistake again?

I remembered Evan telling me that she was his cousin who had just gotten engaged. It all added up now and as much as I hated myself for making assumptions so quickly, just like before, this time too I felt a little happy on being proved wrong.

"It's...alright." I managed to say.

"Emily, why don't you take my car and go home?" Evan said, offering Emily the car keys. "I have some business to take care of."

"I thought you were done for the day?" Emily questioned in confusion.

"I thought I was." he said, his eyes meeting mine again. "But something unexpected came up and needs to be dealt with right away."

I gulped, trying not to fidget under his sharp, penetrating gaze and seem bothered. We both knew what 'business' he was talking about.

"Um, okay." I could hear the uncertainty in Emily's voice as she grabbed the keys from Evan. He was not subtle in his hate towards me which was quite obvious judging by his cold demeanor. I wouldn't be surprised if Emily had noticed that something was off and had become suspicious. I wondered if Evan had ever mentioned Scarlett Stone to her.

Once Emily disappeared from the view, I quickly turned around and started walking towards the office building before Evan could say something. I just wanted to be away from him even though I knew he wasn't going to allow that.

He grabbed my arm from behind and my jaw clenched in annoyance. I turned around and tried to yank my arm free, but his grip only tightened.

"What do you want?" I exclaimed, struggling. "Let go!"

"I think you know very well what I want." his voice was dangerously low and the seething anger in it made my stomach drop.

He turned and started walking, dragging me along. His steps were long and fast, making me struggle to keep up.

"Let go, you jerk!"

He simply ignored me, leading me to a secluded area at the back of the building.

"What the hell is your problem?" I gritted my teeth in anger when he suddenly released me, backing me against a wall roughly.

"Why are you here?" he demanded.

"What?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Flora." he spat. "You don't expect me to believe that you're an actual wedding planner who just happened to take up my cousin as your client."

"Your cousin's wedding planning was assigned to me. If I knew who she was I would have never agreed." I snapped. "And I don't need to explain myself to you anyway. You're not my boss anymore."

I tried to leave, but he grabbed my wrist, pulling me back to him. "I'm not done speaking."

"Well, I am!"

"I'm asking you one last time." his face was too close to mine as he spoke, his voice laced with threat and fury. "What are you doing here?"

"I told you I'm a wedding planner!" I exclaimed, my patience reaching its limit. "If you want information about my work then you should visit our website instead of harassing me. I don't have anything to say to you. You're not going to believe a word I say anyways."

"Yes, I don't believe a con who claims to have turned from a manipulative, sickening thief to a legit wedding planner in not even a year."

I felt my chest tighten with hurt on hearing his sharp words, but I managed to keep a straight face.

"Don't be surprised, Evan." I said slowly, my gaze piercing. "I've seen someone change into a completely different person within seconds."

A silence silhouetted us as we stared at each other for seconds, minutes or maybe even hours.

"Me too, Flora." he breathed and I saw hurt flash through his eyes for a fraction of second before it disappeared.

"I'm done here." I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

I tried to turn away, but he grabbed my arm once again. I huffed in annoyance. "I swear to God I-"

"If I find out you're lying about who you are again," he started. "I wouldn't hesitate to show you where you belong again."

"Cross me and you'll end back where you should be, Flora. I know who you are. All I need is to make one phone call and it's all over for you."

"I didn't hesitate before. Don't compel me to do it again." he warned. "Prison isn't a lovely place to be in after all."

My mouth dried up and his cold threat made a shiver run down my spine. The ruthlessness in his voice made me see him for the monster he truly was. My throat tightened as I struggled to register that the person standing in front of me was the same man I fell madly in love with. I wanted to cry, but that wouldn't give me the satisfaction that I craved.

So I slapped him instead.

His face whipped to the side, shock and anger evident on it. My pulse was thrashing wildly. His words had stirred anger, pain and horror inside of me and all I wanted was to hurt him back.

"I wish I never met you, Evan." I spat before rushing out of there so he couldn't notice the tears spilling from my eyes.

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Faith