Taking in the cold air, Daniel approached Sisley and gently held her hand. Raising her head, Sisley stared at him with her misty eyes. He reassured her with a smile, stroking her hand which made Sisley felt a little better.

Daniel then led Sisley towards Evangeline's direction. His eyes flicked to Eric before he stared at the stunning cold woman. "Evangeline, we have something to tell you. Can we talk . . . in private?"

"Why not talk here?" Evangeline said with a fake smile.

Frowning, Daniel urged. "It's not something to be discussed outside." And he smiled, drawing his dimple. "Let Sisley and I treat you to dinner."

Daniel didn't know why he didn't include Eric. Being a gentleman that he was, it was not like him. But he couldn't help himself. Towards Eric, he felt complicated. Like he was inferior or something for the reason that Evangeline treated the guy so differently than him.

Remaining tight lip, Sisley didn't say anything. Even if she didn't want to, she knew that this day would come.

Observing the two, Evangeline skimmed her fingers against her jawline. One was looking at her with pleading, sincere eyes while the other was lowering her head in anger or shame or disapproval.

She smiled in triumph, satisfied with Sisley's reaction.

"What do you think, Eric? Should we go and indulged ourselves to dinner from Mr. Richardson's offer?"

Eric's lips twitched. He knew that Evangeline was trying to implicate him as punishment. Amidst her innocent smile and soothing voice laid hidden mischievousness and mirth.

Eric met Daniel's bright blue eyes. It was faint, but it was there, a feeling he always gotten every time someone stared at him –– superiority.

Instead of cowering, playfulness glint in Eric's pupils. "Since Daniel asked nicely, I think we should go."

Eric emphasized the 'we' part which made Daniel's eye twitched. Nevertheless, Daniel managed a smile.

"Then, should we go?" Looking at Evangeline, Daniel asked, "Did you bring your car? If not, you can ride with us."

"No need." Evangeline said and playfully grabbed Eric's arm. "I'll be riding with Eric. Just tell us where the restaurant is."

Daniel's smile dropped as he stared at Evangeline's arms intertwined with the nerdy man.

"You have a car?"  he asked, irritation in his voice.

"I have a bike," Eric answered simply.

Daniel rarely boasted his wealth and upbringing. But this time, he was smug and didn't care to hide it from his voice. "I see. Isn't it a bit unsafe? It's best if Evangeline ride with me. In that way, she'll be comfortable and safer."

Sisley's face darkened when she heard Daniel's 'ride with me' part and not 'ride with us.' She didn't know if it was deliberate and intentional or Daniel simply forgot that she too was riding with him.

There appear to be another underlying meaning to Daniel's words, but only Sisley took it to heart while Evangeline and Eric didn't even bat an eyelid.

Instead of feeling embarrassed and angry at Daniel's blatant words, subtly hiding the intention to compare their statuses, Eric glanced at Evangeline who was still clinging to his arm. Her soft ample breasts felt heavenly against his skin that he had to give his all to concentrate on her face, not peeking at her cleavage.

"Eve . . . ," Eric cleared his throat when his voice sounded strained, "what do you think? Do you want to ride with Daniel . . . or me . . .?"

Daniel's face contorted upon hearing Eric called Evangeline with an intimate and affectionate nickname. During their time together, he didn't even dare to give her nicknames because she didn't want to.

On the other hand, Evangeline was stunned and couldn't react. Not because Eric was playing along with her, but because of his alluring, grutal voice.

But the real reason as to why Eric's voice turned that way, he was fighting his rampaging lust and the heat and pain caused by Evangeline's breasts pressing against his arm, affecting his voice.

When Evangeline still didn't answer, Eric softly nudged her.

Blinking, Evangeline smiled. "I'll go with Eric."

Eric smirk in triumph and shot Daniel a gaze which the latter reciprocated with a frown before he pulled Sisley away.

"Then, meet us at Blue Lake restaurant," Daniel said, and left.

Sisley was silent throughout, following Daniel in the parking lot without as much as a squeak. She was unsure what to feel when Daniel suggested the restaurant. It was the restaurant that Daniel and Evangeline frequented to when they were still an item. Sisley knew that much since she stalked them a lot in the past.

She didn't know if she was merely paranoid because what little actions Daniel took, she couldn't help but overthink something out of it.

When Daniel and Sisley were out of sight, Evangeline released Eric's arm and went to his locker to get their things.

"You still owe me that dinner," Evangeline said after a long silence.

Eric stifled a laugh. "Then, I'll treat you tomorrow."

When they got in front of his locker, Eric took his backpack before grabbing Evangeline's bag and things.

"What's wrong?" Evangeline asked when they stopped in front of Eric's bike.

Eric didn't say anything as he eyed her outfit.

Ever since yesterday, Evangeline worn pants and slacks rather than skirts and dresses. He knew it was because she wanted to ride his bike more comfortably.

Smiling, he shook his head. "Nothing." And added, "Aren't you cold? You didn't bring with you your coat?"

It was nearing winter, and the wind was turning chilly. Not to mention it occasionally rained at times.

"I'm fine," Evangeline dismissed.

Sighing softly, Eric removed his jacket after he placed their things in the front basket of his bike.

"Wear this," he urged, handing his jacket to her.

With a pout of her lips, Evangeline didn't accept it. "You wear it. You're still recovering from your cold."

Eric's lips curved inwardly, restraining his smile. "How about this, you wear it and we'll pass by my apartment to get another jacket for me."

". . ." Evangeline felt her cheeks were heating. She hesitantly accepted the jacket, muttering a low, "Thank you."

Maybe because Eric was different from most men she knew that was why she was pleased. If it were another, they would buy a new branded coat for her at a nearby mall. Solving everything with money without real effort.

With Eric, everything was a new experience.

A poor man yet upright. Silent yet intelligent. Indifferent yet thoughtful.

He knew he was poor yet he was not insecure nor ashamed of it. He remained diligent and work hard for every penny he earned, yet he was untainted by the blindness of wealth and power compared to snotty, arrogant second generation boys who rely on their family's wealth.

It was because he knew that he was poor and couldn't easily solve his situation with money that he put extra effort into everything he did so she could be a bit comfortable and contented.

And it was precisely what she admired about him, and possibly –– love.