Lust or Love

Chapter 4

Unsure how, Evie had opened the car door and had fallen off the seat onto the ground and without thinking she ran towards the hotel, tears streaming down her sore and red face. She pressed the button to call the lifts whilst checking behind her to see if Ben was coming. She decided that the lifts were taking too long and Ben would catch up to her, so she took the stairs. Reaching her room after a few minutes, regretting not staying active and being out of breath from running up the 8 flights of stairs, she tumbled into her room, locked the door before falling to the floor and let out loud sobs!

This week had been, by far, the worst week of her entire life! Lady Luck was not on her side and Evie was not religious but if she was, she knew the man upstairs was not happy with her for some reason.

After spending some time on the floor, Evie recalled Ben saying he wasn’t starting his shift for another few hours, so she checked the time and it had hit 7:45. Luckily Evie had not unplanned her suitcase, except her hygiene essentials, so she bagged them up and left the room.

By the time she had gotten to the front desk, the red haired lady was still on duty. “I need to check out please, it’s urgent!” She pleaded as she fiddled around with her nails.

“Oh ok, is everything ok? I saw you earlier looking a bit upset!” Said the receptionist.

Nodding teary eyed and consistently checking behind her, Evie placed her Amex card down “please can you be quicker, I need to go” said Evie.

Nodding and quickly going through the process of checking out, after a couple of minutes It was done. Evie asked if she could get directions towards central London, it didn’t matter to her if that took all night, she just couldn’t stay here any longer knowing that Ben would be arriving soon. Within a few minutes a taxi had arrived to take Evie to the city centre.

After breathing out a sigh of relief, Evie dozed off in the back of the taxi.

“Excuse me miss, we are here. Is there anywhere in particular you need to go?” Asked the taxi driver, who was gently waking Evie up.

“Could you please go to a hotel? Any one that has room will be fine.” She said, rubbing her eyes and looking out the window. She smiled at the sight, it was still relatively early in the night, as the journey from the Hilton to central London took about an hour, but the streets were filled with tourists and lights, people laughing and eating street food, some girls were dressed up for clubbing and couples were walking hand in hand across London Bridge.

The driver had pulled up to a premier inn, which looked cosy and a little more to Evie’s taste. Evie paid and tipped the taxi driver, checked in and made her way to her room. This time instead of just flopping onto the bed, she immediately changed and brushed her teeth. Whilst examined at her face, she winced at her bruised cheek and cut lip when she gently brushed over them before getting into bed.

Evie struggled to sleep as her mind replayed the events of the previous few days. But the one thought she kept coming back to was the piercing blue eyes that were Charlie Dunn’s and with that, she drifted off into a pleasant sleep.

When Evie woke the next morning, it was early, the sun had just started to rise and she could hear the birds singing. She opened her window and there was a chilly breeze which made her wrap her dressing gown around her a little tighter. There was a small kettle in the room with some coffee and tea, so Evie made herself a black coffee before proceeding her morning routine.

She wore her golden hair straight today with minimal make up consisting of some mascara and nude lipstick, she wore dark blue jeans and a white wool jumper, as it was colder in London than what she was used to in Chicago. Plus with it being September, the weather was a bit hit and miss. It was still very early in the morning so Evie decided to heck her emails again. Another ‘important’ email flagged up, from her lawyer, asking her to contact them immediately to discuss the divorce proceedings as David was attempting to take her house and half of her assets. Her blood starting to boil, she viciously typed away on her phone stating that it was him that had the affair and he would not be getting a penny from her.

They did have a prenup in place, but that was originally more for David’s sake as when they married Evie had no money to speak of, no business, no career in place as she’d not long finished college and he didn’t want to risk her taking it all. After sending that email on, her phone pinged and another email had come through, this time it was from David.

‘Evie,

I’m sure you are aware that I have started divorce proceedings. As you have decided to vanish into thin air, it is clear that you no longer wish to work on our marriage. It is clear that you need help and maybe need to check into a psych ward.

You made me feel like half a man and a failure as a husband. It is you that is meant to stay at home and I the bread winner. You trapped me and Darla allowed me to see clearly.

None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for you and your fantasies.

You are aware, I’m sure, that I have asked for the house and half of the assets you receive plus half of the business, since it was I that allowed you to work and eventually start this up. IF you decline this, I will fight you and I will win.

David.’

Wide eyed and even more furious than she already was, Evie slammed her phone down. Is he being serious?! I need help?! He allowed me to work?! I should have stayed home and been a house wife?! He wouldn’t have cheated on me and filed for divorce after 1 day if I didn’t have a fantasy?! Growled Evie.

Feeling herself getting overly worked up, she breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth a few times. Once calm, she picked her phone up and sent David’s email on to her lawyers.

She needed a distraction today, so she decided to head out to see all the tourist spots for the day and with that she headed out.