Bitter Love

Chapter 6:Karaoke

Liam pulled up in front of the lively karaoke bar, the neon lights casting a colorful glow on the bustling street. He turned to Evie with a wide grin.

"You look really pretty tonight, Evie," he said sincerely.

Evie rolled her eyes playfully. "Liam, you compliment me too much. It's starting to lose its effect."

He chuckled, leaning in closer. "I mean it every time."

With a gentle hand, he removed the hairband from her head, letting her hair fall freely over her shoulders.

"I like it better when your hair is down," he said softly, tucking a strand behind her ear.

Evie felt a flutter in her stomach, momentarily distracted by his touch.

"Thanks, Liam," she murmured, feeling her cheeks warm.

"Come on," he said, taking her hand and guiding her toward the entrance of the karaoke bar.

"Tonight's going to be a blast."

As they walked, Evie couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation and relief. The warm evening air and the promise of a fun night began to lift her spirits.

“Hey, you two! About time you got here!” one of their friends called out, raising a glass in their direction.

Evie smiled, feeling the warmth of the welcome. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she replied, sliding into the booth beside Liam.As they settled in, Liam nudged Evie playfully.

“So, what’s your song of choice tonight?”Evie pondered for a moment, glancing at the songbook on the table.

“How about something fun and upbeat? I could use a good dance.”Liam grinned. “Perfect. Let’s go with ‘Dancing Queen’ then. It’s a classic.”

Unknowingly to them, a figure sat in a sleek black car parked a short distance away, his gaze fixed on them. Adrien clenched his fist, a surge of uncharacteristic emotion rushing through him at the sight of Liam touching Evie’s hair. His mind raced, struggling to comprehend why this simple gesture stirred such a reaction.

Adrien had been in the area for a last-minute meeting with a potential business partner who owned the high-end restaurant next door. The meeting had been rescheduled last minute, leaving Adrien with some unexpected free time. He had intended to use it productively, reviewing reports in the car, but fate had other plans.

As he watched Evie and Liam disappear into the bar, Adrien felt an unsettling mix of frustration and curiosity. He hadn’t recognized Liam’s face, only seeing his back, but the familiarity of Evie’s presence was unmistakable.

He leaned back in his seat, trying to shake off the odd feeling gnawing at him.

“She’s just a distraction,” he muttered to himself, echoing his earlier thoughts.

But as the echo grew louder, he found it increasingly difficult to convince himself.Inside the karaoke bar, Evie and Liam were greeted by a cheerful crowd of friends. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with laughter and the occasional off-key singing.

When it was Evie’s turn to take the stage, Liam gave her an encouraging nudge. “You’ve got this, Evie.”She stepped up to the microphone, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. As the familiar tune of ‘Dancing Queen’ filled the room, she found her groove, singing with all her heart. The crowd cheered and clapped along, adding to the infectious energy.

Even as she sang her heart out on stage, a pair of piercing blue eyes lingered in the back of her mind, refusing to be ignored.After her performance, Evie returned to the booth, flushed with exhilaration. Liam handed her some apple juice,his eyes sparkling with pride.

“You were amazing up there.”

“Thanks, Liam. I needed that,” she said, taking a sip and feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Outside, Adrien sat in his car, the lingering image of Evie on stage etched in his mind. He couldn’t quite put his finger on why she affected him so much, but he knew one thing for certain: Evie was not someone he could easily ignore.