Shane noticed the confused look on Evie’s face, her furrowed brows signaling her lack of understanding. "Ezra sotis just goes quiet," he explained, "doesn’t talk, doesn’t engage, and you might think you did sothing wrong, but that isn’t the case at all. It’s just how he processes things. He has a lot on his mind and needs to clear it out. He’ll co around eventually."
Evie rolled her eyes. "I really don’t care," she thought aloud.
"I see," Shane replied, a hint of amusent tugging at his lips.
"Does he think he’s the only one facing challenges?" Evie shot back, still annoyed by Ezra’s brutal rejection and the cutting words he had thrown her way. She clenched her fists, fed up with this new behavior.
Shane chuckled, closing the distance between them. "I know exactly how to bring Ezra back to his senses," he said confidently.
Evie hissed, "Like I care—" but before she could finish, Shane cupped her cheeks, startling her. Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Just trust , alright?" he asked, holding her gaze.
Evie’s eyes narrowed, What exactly was Shane planning? She couldn’t tell, and honestly, she was exhausted. First, it was Ezra shutting her out with hurtful words, and now Shane, with that mischievous smirk, seed to have his own agenda. All Evie wanted was a mont of peace. She had to go to sleep.
The following morning, Evie prepared to head to work for a private client session.
Dressed in a grey skirt and pink shirt, her hair cascading in waves, she descended the stairs. Halfway down, she spotted Ezra at the dining table, completely absorbed in peace, typing away on his laptop. She halted, her heart racing for so unknown reason.
They hadn’t talked since their last encounter, and perhaps that was for the best. She had nothing to apologize for; it was Ezra who chose to shut himself off and lash out.
Determined to respond in kind, she decided to ignore him, to act as if his words did not affect her. With her head held high, she walked down the stairs in her clinking heels, prepared to make her coffee and grab so snacks. As she placed her cup and plate directly in front of Ezra, she intended to show him just how unbothered she was.
She began to eat without hesitation, softly munching and sipping her drink. She sensed his hands had paused on the laptop, his gaze now fixed on her, but she remained indifferent. She could match his aloofness.
Just then, Shane strolled in, yawning, hands in his pockets, his hair tousled. "Good morning, people of God," he said with a chuckle, passing by Evie and Ezra at the table.
"Good morning," Evie replied cheerfully, while Ezra stayed silent. Shane headed toward the kitchen for water, then turned his attention back to them. His eyes darted from Ezra to Evie, who was focused on her al, and a smirk broke across his face.
"Evie," he called, approaching the dining table. Evie turned her head, her mouth full and eyes wide with surprise; she looked cute in that mont, which only fueled Shane’s amusent. "I wanted to give this to you but forgot," he said, pulling out a dangling silver chain with a ruby pendant that perfectly matched her hair.
Before she could respond, he took his place behind her, his hand shifting her hair forward, fingers grazing her neck, sending unexpected shivers down her spine.
The coolness of the silver chain wrapped around her neck as he clasped it. "That’s your birthday gift," Shane said, leaning in closely. Evie remained wide-eyed, questioning his motives, wondering how he could do this right in front of Ezra.
Ezra glanced up from his laptop, noticing the proximity between Shane and Evie. A slight twitch crossed his brow, then vanished just as quickly.
"B-but you already gave gifts?" Evie stamred, turning to the side to gauge Shane’s reaction as his lips stretched into a grin.
"This one is special. It suits your hair perfectly," he asserted, winking at her.
Evie swallowed, feeling flustered. "Thanks," she finally muttered.
"Anyti, gorgeous," he replied with a confident smirk. Leaning even closer to whisper in her ear, his arms resting on the back of her chair intensified Ezra’s irritation and discomfort.
"You’re doing fine," Shane whispered.
Evie fixed her curious gaze on him, and he t her stare with raised eyebrows. Her eyes narrowed, as if assessing the situation. Was this Shane’s strategy? To deliberately get closer to her in order to unsettle Ezra? Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Ezra observing them intently.
Shane leaned in again, his voice smooth as he said, "If Ezra sses up, there are plenty of other n out there, including ." He smirked, and Evie couldn’t help but chuckle at his boldness.
"I have to go now," Evie announced assertively, and Shane nodded, excusing himself. She cleared her dishes and made her way away from the dining area.
"Bye Evie," Shane called out, waving his hand.
"Bye Shane," she responded, pausing to turn back. "Take care of yourself."
"I will, sweetheart," he replied, and Evie grinned before stepping out of the house, leaving behind an air of tension that filled the mansion. Shane scratched the back of his head, turning to find Ezra glaring at him with unmistakable intensity.
"What?" Shane asked innocently, fully aware of the simring emotions beneath the surface.
Ezra remained silent, closing the laptop with a decisive snap. These two had beco too close for comfort. Shane had even given Evie a necklace. It was difficult to accept what he’d just witnessed. Why was Shane pursuing Evie so openly and right in front of him? What had they whispered about that prompted her to laugh like that? He suddenly wanted to know, even though he could have just ignored them.
Ezra turned on his heel, ready to leave, but Shane stepped closer, wrapping his arms around him. Ezra shot him a glare that could cut glass. "You’re getting annoying," he said flatly.
"What do you an?" Shane replied with a grin. "I’ve always been annoying."
Ezra averted his gaze, irritation bubbling just beneath the surface as they climbed the stairs with Shane’s arm still draped around his neck. He had a sudden urge to grab that hand and knock him to the ground. "How’s work been lately?" Shane asked as they reached Ezra’s room.
"Fine," Ezra replied through clenched teeth, forcefully shrugging off Shane’s hands before slamming the door shut behind him.
Shane stood there, clearly entertained. It seed he had found the key to pushing Ezra’s buttons and was committed to staying annoying until he got his result.
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