Husband With Benefits
Chapter 396: Hush Hush

Chapter 396: Hush Hush

As the group dispersed after the fitting and lunch, Evana was intrigued by a cryptic message from Nora, urging her to return to the lunch venue. With a raised eyebrow and curiosity in her eyes, she slipped back into her chair and questioned, "What’s up?"

Nora, with a secretive smile, replied, "Wait for a few minutes."

The doorbell jingled, signaling Olivia’s entrance. Her surprise at seeing Evana still there was evident, and she directed a quizzical look at Nora, "I thought you said something about a surprise proposal. What’s Evana doing here?"

"A surprise proposal?" Evana’s heart fluttered momentarily at Olivia’s words. Could Lucien have been acting strangely because he was planning to propose? The excitement was short-lived, though, as Nora clarified, "Isabella is the one being proposed to."

"Bella baby is dating someone?" Olivia’s surprise was palpable, while Evana maintained a subtle smile. Lucien had shared Ian and Isabella’s dating news with her, but the sudden leap to marriage caught her off guard.

Nora leaned forward with a conspiratorial air, "Oh, yes. And she’s getting proposed to at the wedding, by a Frost."

Olivia’s eager smile faded, and she paled. Isabella was dating a Frost? Demetri, Gabe, and Lucien were ruled out. Erasmi was absent so there was no way she was dating him. And Isabella was working with Ian who had a strict rule about not dating employees. She couldn’t help but entertain the thought – was it Seb? Her heart clenched at the idea, but before she could voice her concerns, Evana spoke up, diverting the attention, "Ian Frost, huh? Seems a bit rushed. Why propose at the wedding and put her in such a situation?"

Olivia was caught off guard, feeling a mixture of shock and relief at the revelation. Ian. Isabella was dating Ian. But she quickly chastised herself. What did Seb have to do with any of this? She had no reason to be concerned about him. Seb just needed to be happy, wherever he was.

"He’s not proposing marriage at the wedding. That’s a separate affair, just in case Isabella decides to turn him down. His words, not mine. He wants me to toss the bouquet at her." Nora added mysteriously.

Olivia grinned at that," WHat? Should we leap aside when you toss the bouquet, lest it land with us."

Nora nodded at that," Uh huh, something like that.. Here’s the plan..."

As Nora outlined the plan that Ian had made, Olivia and Evana could only grin and nod their heads. They had to agree that it was an awesome plan and someone like Isabella who loved grand gestures would be thrilled. While the planned everything forward, Nora couldn’t help but send a worried glance at Evana. Once they were alone, Nora clicked her fingers in front of Evana," You seem a bit lost. You okay?"

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Evana replied, "Yeah, just got caught up in my own head. I’m happy for Isabella, but it’s all just so... unexpected, you know? Isn’t it too soon for everything?"

But Nora shook her head," Come on. You know these brothers. They are all the same, once they have decided on something they won’t be hesitating or wasting time. Ian knows he wants Isabella forever, he is going to leave no stone uncovered to make her his. Even if that includes bribing me and Demetri for the bouquet toss."

Evana laughed at that," So, you’ve been bribed? Tell me more." Evana knew that she was changing the subject, but the truth was that she felt a bit hurt. Though she accepted that as her own foolishness. Lucien had indeed broached the subject of marriage with her when he’d been planning for Demon’s proposal but she’d told him that they should wait for a while until she was settled. And now that she knew that Ian was going to propose, she felt sad. Why did her and Lucien have to stay engaged only. She could marry him. She needed to tell him that she wanted marriage... Maybe she would do it after Nora and Demetri’s wedding.

***

At the hotel, she entered the room, closing the door behind her, she was caught off guard by the sight of Lucien sitting on the couch, seemingly lost in thought.

A surprised gasp escaped Evana’s lips, "Lucien! You’re here." Without a second thought, she rushed towards him, her heart racing. Lucien looked up, a soft smile on his acef, as if he had been waiting for her.

"Hey, you," he greeted, standing up as Evana closed the distance between them. Without any hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace, finding comfort and solace in his presence. He’d come even though he’d said he wouldn’t be able to.

"I missed you last night," Evana admitted, her voice muffled against his chest. " You’d come back. You should have woken me up."

Lucien sighed and explained, "I got in pretty late. Didn’t want to disturb your sleep," his warm breath sending shivers down her spine. "But I’m here now. Let’s talk."

Evana nodded and sent him a surprised glance," What do you want to talk about?"

Evana could not help but feel butterflies in her stomach. Was Lucien going to propose to her right away? Was that why she’d been stopped midway?

As he gently nudged her to sit on the couch, and knelt on the floor in front of her, Evena’s excitement jumped through the roof, with only one thought in her mind- Was he going to propose to her? And if he did would she say yes immediately or need time like last time? But she knew, she’d say yes, definitely. She wanted to say, yes to him. So that they would be together without anything between them.

Unexpectedly, as she was cheering herself to say yes, the words that reached her ears shocked her to the core," Evana, lets part ways for now."

Her ears seemed to fill with a strange ringing as she heard the words," Wh.. what did you say?"

And then she saw him, looking into her eyes as if he were talking to a stranger, and repeat," Evana, we should step back and take a break from each other."

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