Lust or Love

Chapter 7

As Evie woke from her deep sleep, her room was dark, she realised she had slept the entire day. Smiling at the thought of the night before, she blushed and traced her fingers over her lips. She felt the bruises over her hips and thighs and the soreness of her flower, but it gave her the feeling of excitement and relief knowing how they came.

After showering, Evie dressed herself in some comfy pjs and made herself a coffee. With a long sigh, she checked her emails; another from her lawyer, David, some spam and then one that really caught her attention.. her shop had been the victim of arson. There was nothing left. Everything she worked for; gone. Chicago fire department was investigating but that could take months before finding out who did it and why plus the insurance company wouldn’t do anything until the CFD findings. With so much sadness Evie let a single salty tear roll down her cheek, she had no more tears left to shed.

Over the last five days, so much had happened and Evie wasn’t sure she could take anymore of it. The only thing that gave her a break from the sadness, anger, guilt, stress, anxiety and heartbreak, was Charlie. He made her feel sexy, pleasured, satisfied, made her feels things she had never felt before. She gulped as she felt her temperature rising, the hunger brewing inside her, the aching of his touch on her skin. But she shook her head and rolled her eyes at herself “don’t be stupid Evie! You are just another notch on his belt. As if someone like him would actually like someone like you, it was just s*x!” She said to herself, attempting to convince herself that it wouldn’t happen again.

Noticing the time, Evie decided to call her lawyer. She knew the time difference was about 6 hours and with any luck, there would still be someone in the office.

After a long conversation, consisting of the divorce and fire at Evie’s shop, her lawyer agreed to send some documents over for Evie to review and sign. She agreed that David could have the house but would not get a penny of her business, as Evie started it just before they were married so the prenup protected it, thankfully! It was decided that she wouldn’t be returning to Chicago anytime soon so wanted everything to go as smoothly as possible. She informed her lawyer that she was not going to have anymore communications with David or Darla and that if they wanted to speak to Evie, they must go through their lawyers.

A sigh of relief escaped Evie’s lips as she thought to herself, that’s one job done. It was getting late now, but Evie was in no mood to sleep. So she rummaged through her suitcase and found her drawing pad and pencils.

Out of boredom she started sketching ideas for suits, hotels and business lobby’s. It was around 2am before Evie decided that she needed sleep so she could be fresh for her day ahead.

Meanwhile, Charlie’s driver, Alex, had called letting him know that he’d found out that Evie’s surname was Evans, Evie Evans. Charlie smiled and thought to himself that her name was something out of a comic book. Alex also told Charlie that Evie came to London from Chicago a few days ago and seemed very spontaneous, which made Charlie think that Evie was running from something or someone, and he was half right.

“I need to know where she is staying and how long before she heads back!” Ordered Charlie to Alex “Yes Sir, I will do my best.” He replied. And with that Charlie grunted with frustration as he hung up, grabbing his glass of near whisky and drinking it in one gulp.

Heading towards windows, Charlie looked down to the street as he sighed “where are you Evie?”

Morning came and Evie woke to the pitter patter of rain drops hitting her window. Today, regardless of the weather, she had a plan. As there was literally no reason to head back to Chicago anytime soon, Evie decided that she needed to find some work. She showered and dressed herself in some comfy clothes today; black leggings, a white crop top and a long wool cardigan, paired with her white trainers. She tied he golden hair up into a high ponytail and applied only lip balm today.

Todays plan was to buy a laptop and graphics tablet so she can make her ideas look realistic. She knew this would be a tad costly so also started job hunting.

After a while, Evie came across an ad for an assistant to a creative design lead at Benchmark Designs, which according to Google, was one of the most sought after design companies. Evie decided she had nothing to lose, so called the number on the ad.

“Benchmark Designs, how can I help?” Answered a lady that sounded relatively old.

“Hi, yes, I’m just calling about the assistant vacancy you have advertised. Would you be able to tell me more of what the job entails?” Asked Evie

“I’m afraid you are too late. Interviews are being held today. In fact, they have already started.”

Checking the interview date in the ad, it was indeed today “ah well you see, I am in need of a job quickly as my company was burnt to the ground yesterday. Is there anyway I can be added to the list of interviewees?” Pleaded Evie

“hmm, well I’m sorry to hear that about your business..” after a long pause “I can slot you in within the next 15 minutes. Will you make it?” The lady asked.

“Yes, oh thank you, I will be there!!” Exclaimed

Evie, as she headed out the door she grabbed her portfolio she was working on last night. Running was going to be quicker than calling a taxi she thought before she started running at her full speed. Upon arriving, Evie checked her watch, she had 3 minutes to spare. Catching her reflection in a mirror as her passed, embarrassment hit her. She was soaking wet and in the most unprofessional clothing possible.

“Next!” Called a man, whilst holding a binder, dressed in a smart suit. As Evie checked the room, she realised no one else was attempting to move, so took that as it was her he was calling too.

As she walked towards the man, she noted his disapproval in her appearance. She smiled awkwardly before he turned around and led the way to the interview room. Entering, there was a panel of 3 members, two women and a male. They all frowned as Evie came in and sat down.

“Hi, apologies for my appearance, I had to run in the rain to get here. This was a rather spontaneous interview decision!” Smiled Evie, doing her best to not face palm her forehead.

“What’s your name, age and current or previous occupation?” Asked one of the women.

“My name is Evie Evans, I am 26 years old, I currently own an interior design business in Chicago called Infinite Interiors” smiled Evie.

“And why are you applying here if you have your own interior design business Miss Evans?” Asked the male interviewer.

“Uh, so I came to London for a vacation, but I recently received news that my shop had been burned down. The CFD are investigating but it’s going to be a long time before they reach any conclusion and my insurance won’t pay out for me to redecorate until they do, so I decided to stay here for a while, but to do that I need a small income to sustain my time here.” Explained Evie

“I created these yesterday in my hotel room. I know the position of for an assistant to the lead but I can be of some help in other ways than just fetching coffee and tea!“

A scoff left one of the interviews mouths, and with a raised brow, the other female said “and what do you think an assistant is to a creative design lead? No, you won’t be fetching coffee, but helping plan the designs and assisting with input.”

She said, whilst looking at Evie’s work. “I’m glad you brought a portfolio. You are very talented. But I’m not sure that is good enough” she said as she slid Evie’s portfolio back to her. “You may leave now.”

“But, if you just let—“ Evie started to say before being interrupted.

“Goodbye Miss Evans.” Stated the male interviewer.