The Rogue

six - greatest achievement.

As on edge as I was, I was surprised when Adam woke me a few hours later. I didn’t admit it, but he was right I had needed the sleep. Thankfully, I hadn’t had a nightmare, I wasn’t sure if I had even dreamt at all. Still, I was more refreshed, and just that slightest bit more confident that I would cope tonight.

It wasn’t that I didn’t feel capable of attending a dinner that Evan would most likely entertain me for the majority, I wasn’t even that concerned about if he got handsy with me again. It just felt different now, knowing that the nightmares I had suffered for years were actual reality, not anxiety. I just hoped I could keep it together when I saw my father again.

For confidence, I decided to keep Megan’s clothes on, I just brushed my hair back into a low ponytail and slipped on some Chelsea boots.

“It suits you,” Adam said, peering up from my copy of wuthering heights. He had kept himself entertained while I napped. It seemed strange to see him reading a classic; he didn’t strike me as the type of guy to read, let alone a classic.

I triple-checked what I had packed in my backpack Adam tossed in my copy of wuthering heights and zipped it up, slinging it over his shoulder.

“Here,” he said, dropping a small black SD card into my jeans pocket.

“What’s it's for?”

“Plug it into your father's computer, and it will do the rest.” I nod. At least that part of the night should be easy. We don’t see Jess as we leave the apartment. I’m thankful for that. We pass a few other residents of my floor, who seem just as surprised as Jess to see me walking with a guy. Adam seems unaware or unbothered by the subtle glances.

The nerves kick in when we reach the front entrance.

“I will find you later, you’ve got this Ivy” He pats my shoulder, it's strangely soothing before he disappears into the bustling street.

When Evan pulls up just a short time later the reality of what I am doing fully sinks in, I realize I have no idea how I’m going to pull it off but Adams's words linger in my mind “Life’s a big game of make-believe”.

I put on my best smile as I slip into Evans white Subaru.

“Hello Ivy, You look stunning as usual” he smiled, eying me up and down.

“Thank you” I beam back, as I clip myself in. As we drive off, I catch just a glimpse of Adam leaning against a street sign on the corner, If I hadn’t had been aware, he would have been just another face in the crowd.

It doesn’t take too long to get to my father's home with the quiet Sunday traffic. My father lives in a renovated Victorian home in East Melbourne. It’s a stunning home but the price when I looked up the sales results made me sick. My mother had worked multiple jobs to keep a roof over our heads after we left; meanwhile, my father had more money than one person could truly need.

Evan's mother Claire greeted us at the door; inside I could hear soft jazz music and loud joyous chatting. I took a deep breath before I crossed the thresh hold.  

“Lovely to see you again Ivy” Evans's mum wrapped me in a hug. She had been so welcoming when I first saw her after I moved back. When I was little, she was like a second mum to me. Time didn’t seem to change that for her.

Claire showed us both in through the grand entry and then through into the main lounge that opened up with bi-fold doors into a huge internal terrace; both of which were filled with people mingling. I should have known a simple dinner for my father was in fact a large affluent party. I spot my father, champagne glass in hand, chatting vigorously to a small group of people, a few of which I recognize from various events he’s bought me to. I suddenly feel sick and my heart races. I’m not ready to face him so I turn to Evan.

“Let's get a drink” I wrap my arm around his and go to lead him to the kitchen when I realize I don’t actually know where it is. “You lead the way” I blush and Evan laughs as he spins me taking me in the opposite direction I had been heading.

The kitchen is just as busy as elsewhere, but Evan finds us both a glass of champagne. I drink mine little fast and Evan eyes me curiously.

“Sorry, I’m just nervous about being… here,” I say, gazing around at my father's grand house. It isn’t a lie; I don’t have to make-believe this.

“You really haven’t been here before?”

“First time.”

“In that case” Evan took my empty glass and replaced it with another. “To liquid courage” he smiles, clinking our glasses together. 

I link my arm back in his. “Maybe you can show me around?” Evan's eyes light up at the suggestion.

We walk, slowly through the crowds, Evan points out people of interest, scientists, local politicians, doctors, university lecturers even an artist. People, he assumes I should know but don’t. Still, I feign interest, all a while aware that at any moment, we will cross paths with my father.

We cross paths with Claire, who smiles as she sees me wrapped around her son's arm. Claire tells me all about her and Evan's father's recent trip to Greece. Something about the warmth and reassuring familiarity of Claire makes me relax, that is until I hear my father's voice pulls me from Claire’s tales making my blood run cold.

“And here is my stunning daughter Ivy!” My father smiles, as he greets me, pulling me in for a hug and kissing me on the cheek. Claire gives me a knowing smile before excusing herself.

“Happy Birthday Dad” I smile holding back nausea burning the back of my throat.

“Thank you darling” his eyes sparkling but I attribute that to the wine. He gives Evan a firm handshake, and I notice him looking at my arm, wrapped in Evans once more.

“Come both of you” he ushers us into the group he was entertaining. People shuffle around the bench seats, allowing us the room. Evan sits; half wrapped around me, his hand resting casually on my thigh, my father next to me. Looking around the group I recognize Evan's father but the rest are strangers.

“I have accomplished a lot, but Ivy here is my greatest accomplishment.” My cheeks flush. Evan gives me a little squeeze of reassurance. Besides Jess, he really had been my only friend here, and the only one to know how awkward being around my father was. He had figured that out the night we were first reintroduced.

“Ivy achieved an ATAR score of 98.9, took a gap year whilst she decided which university to attend, obviously with a score like hers she had a few options” the crowd had a laugh and a few people congratulated me on my university entrance score.

“What a wonderful score Ivy, What is it that you are studying?” A tall blond woman, in a deep burgundy body-hugging dress, asked me, her smile soft.

“I’m studying nursing.” She looks at me puzzled.

“Don’t be so modest darling, tell them” my father beamed.

“I’m studying to be a nurse, I want to get my full endorsement and then volunteer to provide medical care in third world nations.” I elaborated.

“Wonderful Ivy, just wonderful.” The woman smiled. A few other members of the group smiled back.

“Of course I hope, when she has finished her charitable works, she will come back here, and help change the world in other ways with me.” My father beamed patting me on the back, before a man in a dark brown suit, asked him a question grabbing his attention.

“That man is planning on running for the next prime minister election,” Evan whispered in my ear.

“What is he doing here?” I whispered back.

“Your father is a very popular, and influential man Ivy.” I nod. Perhaps this was why the order was interested in him. My father excused himself then left with the man, leaving me alone with Evan and the small group of strangers.

“I hear you were promoted Evan, Congratulations” An older man, with silver hair, and tangled silver beard spoke.

“That I did professor, thank you.” Evan straightened his shoulders. “Excellent news, From what I’ve heard you’ll be the one to take over your fathers' research and crack what they haven’t been able to.”

“Whoever you heard that from speaks far to highly of me, but I will try” Evan was raised in this world. He knew how to speak, how to charm. He could keep up with the scientific debates. Despite my high ATAR, I struggled. My strengths were always more aligned with literature and philosophy as opposed to science and mathematics.

The blond woman who had been speaking to me before caught the grey-haired man's attention.

“Who are they?” I whispered to Evan.

“The blond is Katherine Mason. She’s a biochemist, she’s based at Sydney University but your father has been liaising with her on some projects. There’s talk of her coming on board at Hale labs. The elderly gent is Professor Seamus, he’s retired now, but he is one of the country's top molecular biologists, he taught our fathers everything they know.” I make a mental note of both of these people to tell Adam.

“So what is it exactly you’ll be doing with your promotion?” I ask, turning all my attention to Evan. Professor Seamus's comment had caught my attention.

“It's long and complicated.” He laughed.

“And I have an ATAR of 98.9” I smirk back at him.

Evan smiles and sighs, his blond curls hang loose. He always looks so young despite being older than me.

“Must you remind me that you scored higher than me”

“Yes, I must” I laugh. Taking a sip of wine. It definitely helps with the nerves.

“I am stepping into some microbiology projects. Looking at reshaping DNA”

“Sounds… complicated.”

“I warned you.” I bite my lip and I notice Evan looking at it and I release it.

“But no really Ivy, come to the lab some time, and ill show you, its actually really cool. I promise”

“I wouldn’t think id be allowed to just walk into a specialized lab?”

“Well, when your last names on the building, id assume you can walk into any room you want” Realization dawns on me. This is how I get Adam what he wants. 

“Will you excuse me a minute?” Adam excuses me, and I scan the party for my father. I leave the courtyard and find him in the lounge. I make my way through the crowd and slip in next to my father, placing my hand on his arm. He smiles down at me.

“Ivy darling” He’s never been so doting on me, it’s strange but I know I can use this to my advantage.

“Could I use your computer, I’m expecting some end of semester results”

“Of course, down the hall to the right.”

I nod and set off down the hall. Thankfully the party hasn’t spread this far down, and I am able to slip into my father’s office undisturbed. His office is grand, with a sleek black wood desk in the middle. This thick hardwood door muffles the sound of the party. Glancing around I see no sign of any cameras. I step quietly, approaching the desk with caution. As Evan said, my name allows me access, but being here feels so forbidden.

To my surprise, his laptop is not guarded with a passcode. I assume everything is stored securely remotely, so barring access to the computer alone isn't necessary I pull the SD card from my pocket and hesitate. So much relies on such a small thing. What if it doesn’t get any information? What if it does? The video was confronting, what else could my father be hiding. With trembling fingers, I put the SD card in the slot.

The screen turned black, numbers and codes start scrolling on the screen. A small loading bar showed the progress on the bottom. I bit my lip nervously, watching the bar slowly rise.

I jump as the door opens and Evan enters shutting it behind him. I pull the SD out, returning the screen to the desktop, and shove it into my pocket shutting my father’s laptop. The bar hadn’t finished loading, I curse under my breath.

“Your Dad said I could find you here”

“Yeah, I was just checking my final results. Jess text me that they were in” it was getting easier to make believe as Adam said.

“How’d you go?”

“Two high distinctions and two distinctions.” I could only hope this was true.

“Congratulations.” He moved closer, grabbing my hand, linking his fingers in mine.

“Thank you.”

“Ivy, I should apologize for the other night." He’s hovering just in front of me; his hand is warm in mine.

"It's fine"

"No Ivy it isn't. I forget that you're new to all this, I scared you, I came on too strong I’m sorry." I smile as Adams's words come to mind ‘use the guy that hurt you. Evan likes me; maybe, just maybe he could be my escape.

“I forgive you” I move in closer, pressing myself up against him. His lips crash down against mine, soft at first, then hungrier, his tongue pushes for entry and I allow it. Our hand's release and I wrap my fingers in his hair. He pulls back then leaves soft kisses down my jaw, he pulls the collar of my sweater down, kissing and nipping at my neck. My head falls back and a small moan escapes me. He drops down to his knees between my legs but I grab his soft blond curls. 

"Not here" I pant.

"My place?" I nod, bolting to the door grabbing a fist full of Evans shirt pulling him up after me.