Betrothed To An Alpha? I Don't Think So!
Chapter 29: Change It!

Chapter 29: Change It!

Evelyn blinked at him. "What do you mean?"

"Didn’t you ask? I’m more than glad to satisfy your curiosity," Zayne hummed as he began to pop off every button of his nightshirt.

Evelyn dropped her arms akimbo. She watched him, following every movement he was making, all the way down to his pants.

Her throat bobbed in a swallow, but she didn’t move an inch, still watching.

Zayne popped open the button and grabbed the zipper. But he hadn’t even unzipped it when all of a sudden, she slipped her eyes shut.

"What are you doing?" he asked, humored. "Didn’t you want to see? Where’d all that toughness gone?"

She shrugged. "Don’t rush me. I’m just not ready."

He broke out into laughter, beyond amused.

"What’s so funny?"

"Step out. You’re wasting my time," he said to her, turning to have his back on her.

"Maybe if you explain what’s ticking you this morning, I’d stop wasting your—"

He snapped around at her. "Maybe the next time you stay out so late, Evelyn, you’d at least have the courtesy to answer your calls."

Evelyn blinked frantically, taken aback.

"What...?"

He dragged a palm down his face. "Have you forgotten that there is a hit on you and that I have to keep you safe? Would you like to guess how many times I called your phone and you never answered?"

Her throat bobbed in a swallow.

"That’s...wait, no, I didn’t get your—oh crap. No, wait, it’s not that I didn’t answer your calls. I never received them. Why would I ever ignore them? That makes no sense! I would never do that!"

Zayne peered intently at her for a few moments. Then he suddenly grabbed her arm, walked her out of the closet, and slammed the door in her face, locking it.

Evelyn stood, gazing at the hardwood. She abruptly rushed over to the phone tossed on the sofa and picked it up.

Fifty...missed calls.

She gulped thickly.

Her phone wasn’t on DND when she’d left yesterday. She was sure of it. How did it—

Wait.

She quickly dialed Amber’s phone. The call went through.

[Evelyn? Good mor—]

"Amber, did you put my phone on Do Not Disturb?"

[Huh]

"My phone. You used it at some point yesterday. Did you put it on DND?"

[Oh! Yes, I did. Why?]

"Why? Why would you do that?"

[Well, this weirdo was calling you over and over again. Someone named Peacock or some—]

"Amber! The person you just called a weirdo is Zayne!"

[Wait, what?]

"He was calling because he was worried. I told you I have a hit on me. Have you forgotten?" Evelyn sighed, defeated.

[Let me understand this. You saved his name...as Peacock?]

"Yes, I did. And don’t judge me. You don’t get it. He personally wouldn’t have found it weird."

[Wow... Well, I’m sorry]

"Now, he’s mad at me. And somehow, I hate that he is angry with me. Strange, isn’t it?" she asked. "I mean, who cares if he’s pissed, right? But I do. I care."

[Uh...yeah. See, I’m going to let you two settle this. I don’t really understand the relationship between the both of you and I don’t want to get involved]

The call ended.

Evelyn stared at the screen. She muttered, "What’s that supposed to mean?"

The door clicked open. She turned.

Zayne was of course swathed in an ash-colored suit, hand adjusting the tie that he’d knotted. He had on a rather knee-length coat which she’d figured he preferred to the jacket.

She stepped up to him.

He rolled his hair into a low man bun, banding it as he lowered his gaze to her frame. He didn’t say a word, but the question was in his eyes.

"I’m sorry," Evelyn said.

He furrowed his brows at her as he walked past. "For?"

"I know you’re mad. But I’d like to clarify that I didn’t miss your calls on purpose. Actually, Amber was the one who put my phone on Do Not Disturb. She thought you were some weirdo bombarding my phone."

That brought him to a pause and he turned with a frown. "What?"

"Well..." Evelyn darted her eyes around, cracking a crooked smile at him. "I uh...ahem, saved your name as uh...peacock."

He sped back towards her, figure towering. "Change it."

"Never."

"Evelyn."

"I like it like that" She tried to bite down the smile on her lip.

Zayne leaned in, until his face was dangerously close, eyes narrowed into slits.

"You realize you play a bit too much, don’t you?"

She shrugged. "I was a, buy one get one free package. It’s not my fault you’re hell-bent on making me your wife."

His jaw ticked and he rubbed the back of his neck, drawing a deep breath with a dry smile on his lips.

"You..." He turned away, grabbing his briefcase to leave.

Evelyn walked over in front of him, halting him momentarily.

"Now what?" He looked like he was on his last nerve.

She didn’t respond. Instead moved closer until she wrapped her arms around him, hugging him.

Zayne froze.

He couldn’t think, couldn’t speak as this was the least of his expectations. Why...?

"Evelyn, what are you doing?"

"Hugging you. What else?" Her smile stretched from ear to ear. "Besides this is also a sincere apology for what happened yesterday. Although, I’m never changing your name."

She pulled back, craning her head to look at his face. "Now, go to work and think about me all day. I know you will. And when you’re done, come right back to me. Or I’ll chop this off."

Her gaze dropped, finger pointing at his pants.

"You’re a bit crazy," he muttered, rubbing his temple.

"I know, I know."

Evelyn grabbed the collar of his coat and pulled him down, giving him a quick peck on the cheek, before patting his chest.

"Have a great day."

Zayne rapidly blinked. A nod was all he gave, at a strange loss for words. He stepped past her, making his way out, but he halted, asking, "Will you be ok—"

"I’ll be fine," she answered like she already expected the question. Her smile was soft. "Don’t worry about me, Zayne. I’ll be okay."

"Call me." And then he turned, hand coming up to touch his cheek as he left.

The door slammed shut.

Evelyn breathed out.

The house had gone quiet.

And everywhere suddenly felt too lonely.