Chapter 81 - New Best Friend

Evelyn sits cross-legged onto the big bed of her room, thinking something. It's been a week since she moved here to her own house. She was planning to stay in Shanghai for a few weeks and then fly off to States again but her mother is nagging her to stay here with her for a while. She agreed to her request and plan on staying here for a bit more. Her interviews will all get canceled but it's fine, she has many options. 

After she left the Mo Mansion, she hasn't seen Shi Lian. She knows how busy she is, and being a Chairman of such a huge company is no easy job. She tried calling her yesterday but her phone was switched off. She was angry and she put her phone in silence in case if Shi Lian calls her back she won't have to know about it. But she hasn't called her yet. Instead, she dials Atian number and in the third ring he picks up. "Hey."

"Hey" Evelyn chirps. She and Atian became friends after they talk things out. Evelyn asked for his number and since then they are in touch. Sometimes, it would be hours they keep on talking on the phone that they did not realize for how long they are conversing. Evelyn is usually the one who talks and Atian mostly listens. 

"Unusual for you to call at this hour" he teases. 

"I was trying to call Shi Lian but she is not answering my calls. Do you know what is she has been up to these days?"

"Um…No idea" he answers, "I haven't talked to her after the weekend. She is too busy now and I barely see her around."

Yes, Evelyn knows what situation Shi Lian is in but at least she could have given her a ring or the least leave her a damn message. Sighing, she falls back on the back, her head resting on the red pillow, her one hand on her stomach and the other holding the phone. "Damn her. Anyway, what are doing?" 

She hears the closing of the door and the footsteps of him walking around. "Sorting some documents" he replies. 

"Since I am bored and you are free, why not have a coffee and take a roam around of the city?" she suggests, looking up to the round lights that are fixated to the ceiling. 

"Hey, I didn't say I was free" he retorts playfully and she hears him chuckle. She smiles to herself knowing that she is not bothering him. Atian is a reserved guy. He doesn't really say until you ask for it and Evelyn has to press sometimes to get the word out of his mouth. Talking to her, he has been more open and he jokes sometimes which he never did before. Atian is a mystery and Evelyn wants to solve it. 

"So you are busy? Am I disturbing you? Oh sorry, if I did. Well then, I'll hand up" she says without pausing for a minute just to et his reaction. 

"Wait!" he says, "I was joking earlier. Let's meet at the Osmanthus, alright?" 

Evelyn agrees and hangs the call. She got up and get inside the walk-in closet to find something to wear. Although she brought clothes with her which are enough to last, her mother filled the closet before she can argue with tons of clothes all of her favorite colors and styles. Eveyln was surprised that her mother knew what kind of dresses she wears but she didn't ask about it. 

"I am going out!" she informs the butler as she steps down from the stairs. Her sneakers squeak on the floor as she walks towards the front door. 

"Yes, Miss. Shall I ask the driver to make the car ready?" the butler asks politely. The butler is a middle-aged man who passes every single detail about Evelyn to her mother and that pisses her off. But it's not his fault, he is doing his job so she cannot really say anything to him. 

"No, thank you. I'll be going alone" she informs, I'll be back by evening."

The butler says nothing and nods at her reply. Evelyn is stubborn and can act like a brat sometimes which the butler is completely aware of so he steps back when he knows the argument will go worse. "Be safe then. And do call us in case" he smiles, her eyes hiding between the wrinkled skin on his face. Evelyn nods and heads out, gripping on her handbag. 

**

Atian is the first to reach the Osmanthus. It is a café and sometimes it is a diner too. it's a popular place in Shanghai and people of all classes come here to relax. He gazes outside the window, watching people passing the road, vehicles moving and everything outside the place is so noisy but inside it's serene. The outside noise does not enter in here and that's a plus point to the place for being popular. He grabs her phone to call her but his eyes darts to the figure approaching him. He smiles and keeps the phone back on the rectangular table. "I was about to give you a call," he says and smiles. 

"I am just six minutes late" she rolls her eyes and slides into the comfy seat opposite Atian. She put down her handbag near the seat and looks at him. "When did you come? An hour ago?"

He chuckles a little, "Not really. Just waiting for ten minutes or so." Evelyn's eyes cannot help but notice how good he looks. Long hair that reaches to the back of his neck, which is styled like some celebrity. The white shirt underneath his lazy jacket hangs a little giving her access to seeing his slightly golden skin. The sleeves are rolled up to the elbow and the nerves on his arm are visible. 

"Evelyn?" Atian asks, getting her out of her thoughts and she realizes she was drooling over him. Shit. "Why are you staring?"

She shrugs, hiding her embarrassment, "Oh nothing, you have a poor taste in fashion." He shoots him a look, crossing his arms over his chest and the muscle in his body flexes which is visible enough to look. She breaks into a smile and he too joins her. "I was kidding. You look good."

"Thanks but don't expect me to say the same to you too" he teases and Evelyn raises her eyebrows in surprise. Evelyn is the one teasing him and making fun and he usually doesn't join but the rare time he does, it's full-on fire. He gives her a self-satisfied smile as he locks his eyes with her. 

"Anyway, so have you ordered anything else?" she asks looking at the menu card that lays on the table just beside where her elbow rests. He shakes his head and tells her to order and he too orders something. 

The waiter notes their orders and asks them to wait as he brings the orders. "Can I ask you a question?" Evelyn asks, sipping the cold coffee. He gives her a nod and watches her as she drinks her coffee looking cute as the white foam makes a pattern above her upper lips. He laughs under his breath but says nothing. 

"Well, do you still have feelings for Shi Lian?" she asks, her eyes hesitant as she searches his. His body immediately goes rigid and the smile on his face falls. 

Exhaling out, he speaks, "It's been a while since anyone asked this question or I am comprehending over it…..but the truth is I still do. She is my first love, I have shared everything with her and I am very attached to her" his voice is serious, "We have been friends since childhood and there never went a day when I didn't go to her house or haven't played with her. She is my best friend, well, was, I don't know now. We loved each other so much, we even….even planned about where our wedding should hold" he smiles sadly, looking down at his own coffee that rests untouched, "But one storm and it destroyed everything, everything we had. It was destroyed. I know she has moved on, she is right to do so and I am glad she is happy. I, on the other hand, tried but I couldn't. she is all I ever see. The thought of getting back with her, win her heart again….it's just seems….I…I don't have any chance, do I?"

Evelyn listens to him intently, her heart somehow aches for him. From all the talks they had, she never asked about it because she was afraid she will know she doesn't want to know. He should move on but his heart is still stuck with Shi Lian. "Yes, you don't stand any chance," Evelyn says, searching for his eyes as he looks up slowly to meet her gaze. "She was like you, for three years she has been stuck. I told her countless times to move on but there she was sitting in a corner of her bed and still hoping that everything will be alright, she still hoped to get back together with you." She continues further, "Over the years, she appeared cold and aloof and always shoved herself into her studies but I know why. She wanted something that will drift her mind from thinking about you and I was okay that she was at least not crying. She became strong and her heart was frozen. Countless men approached but she rejected all, she thought hiding her emotions and freezing her heart will make her life easy and it was right, who knows. Now looking at her, I am happy for her. she is happy. She glows, which I never saw when I stayed with her in States, and yes she has moved on."

Atian sighs and drops his gaze again on the untouched coffee. "So I don't have any chances, yes?" she nods and he smiles bitterly. "I see."

"You know you should too find someone and move on. I know it isn't easy for you but you cannot sit in your room all day and think about Shi Lian. Do you have any friends?"

"They are busy with their work," he says. 

"I am your friend as well. You should hang out with me more often. You will feel lightheaded for sure" she teases, playfully winking at him making him laugh. "For the time I am here, I will sure to give you company. I can't even go out with the butler following me around and I am foreign to this place so" 

"I'll accept your offer" he smiles, the resentment he felt resentment he as feeling earlier now gone. The waiter brings their orders and without wasting any second, Evelyn digs in her food. She groans taking the first bite of her food. 

"God, I was hungry I didn't realize." She digs in more not caring about the manners. Atian cannot help chuckling as she keeps on stuffing the food. She looks cute and he has an urge to tease her but he keeps his mouth shut. He hasn't felt this comfortable over the months and how easy it is to talk to her without feeling any awkwardness. Guess he found his new best friend.