Chapter 649
Evaline:
I was pacing again, back and forth across Oscar’s bedroom.
The thick carpet muffled my footsteps, but I had already walked the same path so many times that I could practically trace it with my eyes closed.
Seven steps forward. Turn. Seven steps back.
My mind refused to quiet down.
“Eva p>
I ignored him.
Another turn.
Another seven steps.
“Eva p>
I kept pacing because I just couldn’t calm down now that I no longer had Lioren with me to distract me from my overwhelming thoughts.
Then Oscar sighed loudly.
“You are going to create holes in my carpet if you keep doing that p>
I stopped mid-step, and let out a frustrated sigh before finally turning to look at him.
He was sitting on the edge of the bed, leaning back on his hands while watching me with mild amusement.
I immediately folded my arms across my chest and asked, “You are not curious p>
His eyebrow lifted.
“About what p>
I stared at him like he had just asked the most ridiculous question in the world.
“About Elder Penn’s unethical method p>
The words came out sharper than I intended.
Oscar chuckled quietly.
“Oh, I’m definitely curious p>
He shifted slightly on the bed, stretching his legs.
“But until River and Kieran come back,” he added calmly, “we should probably just relax and chill p>
I blinked at him.
“Relax p>
“Yes p>
“Chill p>
“Yes p>
I stared at him for another second. Then turned around and resumed pacing.
This made him groan out loud.
“Eva p>
“How am I supposed to relax?” I demanded, turning toward him again. My chest felt tight with restless energy.
“They left this morning,” I continued as I gestured toward the glass wall where the night had already settled outside. “And now it’s already past dinner p>
And there’s still no sign of River or Kieran, still no news from either of them.
“How am I supposed to just chill in this condition p>
Oscar opened his mouth to say something, but my phone suddenly started ringing from the bed beside him.
Both of us turned to stare at it.
Since Oscar was closer, he picked up the phone and looked at the caller ID.
“It’s River p>
My heart skipped.
“Put it on speaker p>
He picked up the call and put it on speaker just like I asked. And a moment later, River’s familiar voice filled the room.
“Evaline, are you with Oscar p>
Oscar grinned slightly.
“We are obviously together p>
River completely ignored the teasing tone.
“Eva?” he asked.
“I’m here,” I replied quickly before asking, “When are you and Kieran coming back p>
There was a brief pause on the other end before he answered, “We might not be back until quite late p>
I frowned.
“And I case the weather gets worse,” he continued calmly, “we might not return home tonight p>
“What p>
The word slipped out before I could stop it. Oscar also sat up straighter beside me.
“Why?” he asked. “What are you two up to at this hour p>
River answered before either of us could question further. “I have called for a council meeting p>
That surprised both of us.
“We are going to discuss Elder Penn’s suggestion,” he explained further.
My curiosity flared instantly.
“What suggestion is it exactly?” I asked.
River chuckled softly.
“I knew you would ask p>
Of course he did.
His voice softened slightly as he said, “I’ll explain everything once we return p>
I sighed quietly.
“Evaline,” he continued gently, “Don’t overthink and worry too much. Instead, get good rest tonight p>
It was easier said than done, but I knew he meant well. They all did. It was just my stupid brain that refused to calm down.
His tone shifted, turning even warmer.
“Good night brother p>
“Good night,” Oscar replied.
River added one last soft, “Good night, love,” before the call ended.
The room fell silent again.
I stared at the phone in Oscar’s hand, and another sigh escaped me. Now I had to wait even longer.
Oscar stood from the bed. And before I could start pacing again, his arms wrapped around me from behind. He rested his chin lightly on my shoulder.
“You are too on edge,” he murmured.
“I can’t help it p>
“I know p>
His arms tightened slightly around my waist. Then he spoke again. “Let’s go for a swim p>
I blinked.
“A swim p>
“Yeah p>
He tilted his head toward the door.
“Your brain is running a thousand miles an hour p>
He wasn’t wrong.
I thought about it for a moment. Sleep definitely wasn’t happening anytime soon, and Lioren was already asleep.
A swim might actually help.
“Okay,” I said finally.
Oscar’s face lit up with a bright smile. He immediately called Sera and told her to get the pool ready.
– – –
The indoor swimming pool was located in a quieter section of the mansion.
Oscar disappeared into one of the changing room while I stepped into the second one.
Warm light reflected softly against the tiled walls as I changed. I heard the door closing as Oscar left the changing area.
Walking out from behind the long, dark curtains, I looked at myself in the mirror and inhaled sharply instantly.
The swimsuit I had picked was… bold. Extremely bold. And I picked it on purpose. I just didn’t realize it would make my body stand out this much.
A satisfactory smile stretched on my lips. I wrapped a light robe around myself and finally stepped out.
The scent of the aromatic candles hit me first – soft, sweet, warm.
I stopped in the doorway.
Oscar had somehow managed to transform the entire poolside area in barely ten minutes.
Dozens of candles flickered gently around the room, their golden light dancing across the water’s surface.
Rose petals were scattered near the pool’s edge. And a small table stood nearby with a bottle of wine and two glasses.
The entire atmosphere felt… different, intimate, romantic, electric.
I stepped forward slowly, my bare feet brushing softly against the warm tiles.
Oscar was adjusting something near the table when he suddenly stilled.
He had sensed me.
He turned around, his lips parting as if he was about to say something. But the words died instantly.
Because his gaze had landed on me.
And the way his eyes darkened slowly told me everything.
I had his complete attention.