Chapter 54: Side Story 1.5 NOTE!
Side Stories will not affect the main story so you can just skip it. This is a filler Chapter that doesn’t advance the plot. I just have to write it or I won’t be at peace 🙏
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"Evelyn . . . ," Michael whispered. His voice was low, and Evelyn turned to face him, finding herself taken aback by his close proximity.
She could smell the faint scent of mint on his breath, but she quickly reminded herself that he was her boss and any feelings beyond admiration were inappropriate.
Michael’s half-closed eyes seemed to reveal a hidden emotion, hoping that Evelyn would sense what he was feeling.
But as always, the woman only regarded him with admiration as her boss, nothing more.
Breaking free from her thoughts, Evelyn smiled politely and said, "Mr. Fey, excuse me," as she proceeded to fix his tie. Her hands worked with practiced ease, adjusting the fabric until it lay perfectly in place.
With her task completed, she beamed at him and added, "Your tie was a little crooked."
Michael blinked, momentarily thrown off by the sudden gesture. He adjusted his tie with a forced nod.
"Thank you," he replied, his voice hard. "You’re always so attentive to details." He was being sarcastic here since Evelyn was always clueless to his advances.
Evelyn’s cheeks flushed slightly at the praise. "It’s my job, Mr. Fey," she said with a small chuckle. "I always make sure everything is in order."
As the elevator came to a halt, the doors opened. Evelyn wasted no time and swiftly stepped out, avoiding any further interaction with her boss.
"Well then, Mr. Fey. I’ll see you later," she said quickly, not daring to look back as she made her way down the corridor.
Inside the elevator, Michael sighed heavily and leaned against the wall, feeling drained and frustrated. Despite his position of power and authority, he found himself at a loss when it came to matters of the heart.
He decided to seek advice from Sebastian, his trusted confidant and love instructor.
Sebastian was not only his right-hand man and personal bodyguard, but he also attended to Michael’s everyday needs like a butler.
"Sebastian," Michael called, his voice tinged with a hint of defeat.
"Yes, Master Fey," came the throaty reply of an old man from the other end of the line.
"My attempts at getting closer to Evelyn didn’t work," Michael admitted, his frustration evident in his voice.
There was a moment of silence before Sebastian responded. "Miss Evelyn doesn’t seem like the type to notice your advances, Master Fey."
"Yes, we have established that for the past years."
Sebastian offered a possible explanation, "She probably thought that a person like you would never be interested in her."
Michael’s mind went back to their interactions, and he realized that he might have unintentionally projected an intimidating aura, making Evelyn believe that he wasn’t interested in her.
Was that always the case?
"But how can I change her perception of me?" Michael asked, feeling genuinely puzzled.
Sebastian’s voice held a touch of amusement. "Perhaps, Master Fey, it’s time to show Miss Evelyn a different side of you. One that is not solely focused on your role as the boss, but as a person who can be approachable and understanding."
Michael considered Sebastian’s words. He knew that he had to find a way to break down the barriers Evelyn had erected around him, but he wasn’t sure how to go about it.
"If power, money, and status won’t get Miss Evelyn to notice you, then we have to show her a side of you that she hasn’t seen before," Sebastian explained.
Michael’s curiosity was piqued, and he urged Sebastian to continue. "What do you mean?"
"We need to make her see that you’re not just the intimidating and successful boss she knows. You need to let her see your vulnerabilities, your passions, and your genuine self," Sebastian replied.
Michael considered Sebastian’s words, realizing that he had always kept his emotions and personal life guarded, even from his closest associates.
But if he wanted to win Evelyn’s heart, he had to take a different approach.
"Very well, Master Fey. I’ll start making the arrangements. Trust me, this will be the turning point," Sebastian assured him.
As they ended the call, Michael felt a renewed sense of hope. He knew that winning Evelyn’s heart wouldn’t be easy, but he was determined to give it his all.
"I guess this time . . . it could work."
Meanwhile, Evelyn settled into her cubicle, she felt a lingering warmth on her cheeks. Suddenly, the cleaning lady, approached her with a concerned expression.
"Are you okay, Miss Evelyn? Your face is so red. Do you have a fever?" she asked.
Evelyn was taken aback by the question and touched her cheeks with her palms. "Egh? They really are warm," she murmured, feeling a bit self-conscious.
Thinking quickly, Evelyn forced a laugh and said, "I guess the elevator was too hot."
She narrowed her eyes slightly, still looking concerned. "Hmm, if you say so. Just make sure to take care of yourself, dear."
Evelyn smiled gratefully, not wanting to delve into the real reason behind her flushed face. "Thank you. I’ll be fine, don’t worry."
The cleaning lady nodded, and continued with her cleaning duties.
Evelyn, on the other hand, let out a sigh of relief as Mrs. Ramirez moved away. She knew that her cheeks were red because of the encounter with her boss in the elevator. She didn’t want anyone else to notice her reaction, especially not her coworkers.
Trying to compose herself, Evelyn focused on her work and kept her mind occupied. However, throughout the day, she couldn’t help but recall the brief encounter with Michael and the strange warmth that his presence seemed to bring.
As the hours passed, Evelyn found herself becoming more conscious of her boss, wondering if he had noticed her strange behavior in the elevator. She tried to push those thoughts aside and concentrate on her tasks, but it proved to be a challenge.
The day went by slowly, and when it was finally time to leave the office, Evelyn gathered her belongings and made her way to the elevator. She hoped to avoid any further encounters with Michael, at least for the rest of the day.
As the elevator doors closed, Evelyn let out a sigh of relief, feeling the tension gradually leaving her body.
Little did she know that her interactions with Michael and the events of the day were just the beginning of a series of surprises and changes that would soon unfold in her life.