Destiny

CHAPTER 17

"Tristan was my brother"

"What?"

The only thing which I ever wanted was that my past should never catch up to my future. Its silhouette should never fall upon the form of my future.

Anger, boiling rage and disbelief clouded my vision, finally tears of betrayal fell and boy! they fell hard. Gasping for breath I clutch my heart trying to lessen the pain inflicted by Evan's confession.

Through my blurred vision I saw Evan hovering above me, a concerned expression masking his features. Until then I hadn't realized I was on the floor with my knees bent, gasping for breath.

Evan knew about my past all along! Was he playing me ever since? Had he come to take revenge for his brother?

"Emily listen to me!" Evan sits cross-legged in front of me, and places his palms gently on my knees.

I flinch back involuntarily, "Don't, Did you knew about me all along?" I ask Evan, not waiting to beat around the bush. "Were you pretending to like me all along? Was any of this real?" I utter softly, gesturing between us.

"Jesus, Em don't do this. My feelings toward you were and are pure." Evan comes closer, gently taking my shaking hands in his. "You are brave, kind, and so damn beautiful and I am so lucky to have met you. Don't ever doubt my feelings for you. I really like you Emily Wilson"

"but..." I began to say

"Shh.. let me do the talking now." I nod. "Tristan was my cousin brother. He had lost his parents to accident in early stage of his life so my parents took him under their protection and since then we became inseparable, he was my partner in crime, we did everything together" Evan had a faraway look in his eyes, reminiscing. "But as we grew up he started hanging out with wrong crowd, got involved in drugs, gangs and whatnot. That's when my parents had enough and sent him packing to New York. I tried to remain in touch with him but we just kind of drifted apart. Few years back I was in New York for work and decided to meet him, and that was the last time I met him and I knew the brother I once saw in him was nowhere to be found. That was the last time I tried contacting him." Evan says, blowing out a deep breath. "Then last year I heard he died, and a brief information about what had happened. Emily, I did not know that it was you all along, but even if I had known it would not have made any difference. I knew what Tristan had done was wrong and even though I did not wish death upon him, I know he got what he deserved. And I am so sorry for what he did to you."

The heaviness around my heart dissipated a bit upon hearing Evan's confession. To say I was relieved was an understatement. The hazy cloud of anger, betrayal lifted and I could breathe freely once again.

Evan always knew what to say, what kind of words to use to make me feel better instantly. And I felt better. The heavy weight of the secret I carried had been lifted from my shoulders, giving me a renewed sense of freedom.

"So you don't hate me?" I ask, my voice sounding hoarse from all the crying I did moments ago.

Sighing Evan tugs on my hands, which are already in his large ones, and I stumble onto his lap, blushing profusely due to embarrassment and our close proximity.

"Look at me." Evan gently tilts my chin, until I am looking right into his chocolaty brown eyes that are intently staring into my own eyes. "I can never hate you, do you understand that?" Evan scolds, but the emotions swirling in his eyes were telling me a different story. I nod, too involved in staring into his eyes to utter a single word. "I like you immensely, the feelings I have for you are so intense which scares me. You mean so much to me Emily, don't doubt that ever. I know my action from past few days may prove otherwise but I promise you now that won't happen again."

I nod, feeling overwhelmed.

It's now or never. My subconscious urges me to share my feelings.

"I like you too Evan. I never thought I would have feeling for someone again. But I do now. Not just because you are my soulmate but you are a wonderful person, you make me feel protected and cared for." I say shyly, still sitting on his lap-my favourite place from now on- his gaze flickering over my face lovingly.

"That means a lot to me Em" Evan shifts, suddenly his face so close to mine that I could feel his hot breath fanning my face. Evan gently trails his finger onto the side of my face, all the while looking into my eyes, searching for some kind of assurance. Which he gets, and he starts to lean in. His lips brushes across mine, trailing feathery kisses on each corner of my mouth before claiming my lips into an intense kiss, as if trying to convey all his emotions and feelings through this one kiss. Butterflies erupt in my stomach as kiss goes from slow to intense. His lips were soft but firm against mine, moving at a slow but delicious pace. All thoughts leave my mind as I am wrapped in Evan's arms, tasting his lips, and getting lost in our own little bubble.

After few moments, that seemed like life time we part. Evan rest his forehead against mine, we both breathing heavily.

"I hope you don't have any doubts left now." Evan murmurs huskily in my ears.

I giggle like a school girl, feeling giddy.

"We should get off this floor now." I say smiling.

Evan stands offering me his hand.

"We will leave tomorrow morning." Evan says suddenly serious. "I don't trust that Greg and I would feel more comfortable if you are not anywhere near him."

I nod, not wanting to talk about it and slide under the blankets, snuggling closer to Evan.

"Goodnight Em" Evan mumbles sleepily, pressing a soft kiss on my forehead.

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