The Day Our Promise Breaks

Rosa was right on time, catching the end of the workday to check in on things. It took Evelyn a moment to piece together what Rosa meant when she mentioned Mr. Robinson-oh right, her blind date.

"Is he downstairs at my office?" Evelyn asked, a bit surprised.

"Yep! You were supposed to meet at a restaurant, but he figured since he was in the area, he'd pick you up. Eve, don't keep him waiting and head down."

Rosa was enthusiastic and clearly pleased with the setup she'd arranged.

"Alright, I'm going now," Evelyn replied. She didn't want to keep anyone waiting, quickly grabbed her things and made her way downstairs.

Stepping out of the office, the first thing that caught her eye was a sleek black Rolls-Royce. It was unmistakably Charles' car. He was inside, making no move to get out. As the window lowered a fraction, Evelyn's gaze locked with Charles'.

Dahlia noticed Charles' arrival, a flicker of surprise flickering in her eyes. She noticed his attention was on Evelyn, so she seized the chance to greet him, effectively blocking his view.

"Charles is picking me up, so I'm off. Bye!" she announced to her colleagues, waving with a sweet smile before quickly slipping into the car. As the door closed, she leaned over to give Charles a quick kiss. The tinted windows kept their colleagues from seeing in, but it didn't stop them from drawing their own conclusions.

"Mr. Jenkins and Dahlia are such a perfect pair. Dahlia mentioned they've been together for years, and it's amazing how close they still are. Mr. Jenkins must be really smitten to come get her from work."

The door of a sleek, expensive car swung open, revealing a handsome,

he

matching his politeness. Rosa had recommended him, and Michael naturally made a good impression with

preference for Italian or French?" Michael asked, holding the passenger door open

choose is fine," Evelyn said, not

on her back. It came from the Rolls-Royce. Charles had lowered the window again, his eyes boring into her with a fiery intensity as if trying to pierce through her resolve. He sat there, gaze fixed on Michael's profile, with a

hop into any car that came

Dahlia asked, following his gaze toward Michael, her lips curling ever so slightly into a knowing smile. She

didn't answer, choosing instead to pull out his phone. His fingers

a message. It was from Charles.

Charles: [Get out]

no

usual commanding tonez Evelyn's

He was