10 years ago....

Evangeline stared at the moon in the night sky as she hummed her favourite song, Let It Go- the one which mom always sang to her. The sky was beautiful as always. Wispy clouds drifted peacefully and the moon looked beautiful... too beautiful.

She was getting worried. Mom was always home by 8 no matter how much work she had to do. It was already 10 p.m and the food she had prepared by collecting scraps was already cold.

'Mom must have a lot of work to do,' thought Eva and quickly dismissed the thoughts from her mind. She quickly ate the food, which as always, could not satisfy her hunger and went back to worrying about Mom. That was better than doing nothing because when she did nothing, her mind took her back to that horrible night two years ago when her father walked out on her mother and her.

Eva, now 10 years old, did most of the household chores while her mother earned money by doing odd jobs, which would help them afford their rundown house in the less respectable part of New York and eat some food.

Another hour passed. It was 11 now and her mother was still not home. Eva grew extremely anxious. Not even the gorgeous moon or the disturbing stillness of the night could distract her now.

All of a sudden, she heard banging on the door. Releasing her breath, which she didn't realise she had been holding, she ran to the door.

"Mom, why are you so..." her words died in her throat when she saw that it was not her mother but two policemen standing there.

Her heart started beating furiously in her chest and she felt goosebumps on her arm. Everything was seeming ominous to her now but surely she was imagining. Nothing could have happened to ber mother!

One of the officers, who was bulky in stature, stepped forward and asked, "Are you the daughter of Marilyn Campbell?"

Unable to answer, Eva merely nodded her head.

"We're sorry for your loss," was all they said.

Eva felt numb all over. The sensation was as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water on her. She could faintly make out the words- alone... dark alley... drunk men... rape... knife... stabbed... dead. Her mother was dead. The everything went black.

When she woke up, she was in a small white room. Everything there was white. She pushed off the thin sheets from her frail little body, got down from the bed, swayed for a moment and sat back down.

Suddenly the events from the previous night came flooding back. Surely it was all a terrible nightmare. She would call out for her mother and she would appear with her beautiful and kind smile.

Eva began calling out to her Mom hysterically but when the door opened, it was not her mother but an old nun with wrinkled face who stepped inside.

"My child, this is an orphanage. Didn't the police tell you what happened?" the nun said. Eva refused to believe her and asked, "Where is my mother?"

The nun smiled sympathetically and said, "You can call me mother."

There was deafening silence when the nun left the room.

Eva began crying hysterically and some time during the process, she fell asleep. When she woke up, she cried again. This process continued for a week and Eva barely ate any food.

One week later, the nun finally entered the room and said, glaring at Eva, "You've been crying non-stop for a week already. We won't tolerate this attitude anymore. Stop behaving like a spoilt brat and help around in the orphanage."

Then the nun stormed out.

Eva stared after the nun vacantly. Her words vaguely registered in her head but Eva didn't want to be weak anymore.

Eva opened the door with a bang and ran outside. The night sky was eerily similar to the night on which she received the news of her mother's death. As she stared up at the night sky, she declared loudly, "You can't mess with me anymore. I will be strong!"

Then, more softly, she pleaded to the God she didn't believe in, to the moon in the sky and the vast expanse of the night sky , "Please give me love."

Suddenly bright light flashed in front of her eyes and she wondered at the back of her head if the moon was granting her wish. Then everything went black.

When she woke up, she was told that she fainted due to less intake of food. As she stared glumly at the spotless white wall in front of her, her 10 year old self could only come up with her reason for fainting and it was not lack of food.

She thought that even the heavens and the moon, who had been her best friends for so long, were saying that there was no love for her. A few treacherous tears escaped her eyes and she furiously wiped them away. That was the last time she would cry.

PRESENT TIME....

I awoke with a start and sighed, "At least this time, the nightmare was not as bad as the usual ones which involve scenes of my mother getting killed or raped," I mumbled.

With that, I returned to the restless world of nightmares.

My last fleeting thought was- That was the naive, innocent Eva....

This is the new, strong Eva.

............

HI GUYS!!DID YOU LIKE MY STORY? IF YOU WANT TO READ FURTHER, THE STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED TO CHAPTER 7 ON WATTPAD. CHECK IT OUT THERE. HOWEVER, I WILL UPDATE REGULARLY HERE AS WELL.

BYE MY LOVELY READERS!!!

LOTS OF LOVE,

DELINA.

I woke up to the sound of loud banging on my door. I looked at the clock and saw that it was only five in the morning. Disgruntled and annoyed, I went to open the door for whoever didn't want to live anymore.

Scowling, I swung the door of my room, in the apartment in which I was living, open. I was prepared to wring the neck of whoever had dared to disturbed my precious sleep. However, when I saw the tiny frame of a girl standing with her fist in the air, about to knock on the door again, my anger turned into curiosity.

She was short- very short- about 5'2" and my 5'6" frame towered over her. She was pretty, I observed, with hair a mix of dark brown and black and striking grey eyes. She was extremely fair and my first thought when I saw her was that she was Snow White.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" I asked, going into full on interrogation mode.

She stared at me with wide eyes full of excitement and as soon she heard my question, she started smiling broadly. I stood there with a nonchalant expression on face, waiting for her to respond.

"Hi! I'm Evelyn! Your new roommate. I mean I'm not that new because I was supposed to start sharing this room with you from the beginning of my college term two years ago but my family lives in the same city. I wanted to stay with them but they want me to become independent and some shit, so I was forced to come live in this apartment room. So, here I am, your new but not so new roommate. We're sort of rich, so we paid for this room along with you even though I didn't occupy half of it as I was supposed to. But now I'm here and I hope you'll accommodate me."

She took a deep breath and started once again, without letting me answer, " Oh! And I do hope we can be good friends. I mean you're so pretty, so you can be my barbie doll and I'll dress you up and everything. Oh!!! It's going to be so fun!"

She looked up at me expectantly.

I just sighed and said, "If you're done with your rambling, let me tell you that I kept to my half of the room these two years, so you can move in immediately. Also, you should not disturb people at such ungodly hours."

Then I turned my back and walked away.

"Wait, wait, wait," the chipmunk called behind me. "You're so cold. You didn't even tell me your name. Doesn't matter. I'll break down your high walls," she did a weird motion with her hands," and we'll become best friends. You know I've never had genuine friends because all of them were after my wealth but you seem nice. I know we'll be besties!!"

My guard immediately went up and alarm bells started ringing in my mind when I heard her say that she'll break down my high walls.

"I'm Evangeline." I replied coldly and went inside my room within the apartment room, slamming the door shut behind me.

I heard her comment, "This entire apartment room with 2 rooms is smaller than my bathroom at my house. But I'll have to endure it because my parents want me to experience the hardships of life." I heard her huff and move around.

As I tried in vain to go back to sleep, I realised that I had to be wary of her. The little chipmunk was too carefree and happy and detrimental to my resolve of protecting my heart.

She could not be let in. But she was too determined....... With that thought I fell into a restless sleep.

When I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock, there was the aroma of hot chocolate in my room. I brushed my teeth and followed the smell to the kitchen and saw that Evelyn had prepared two cups of steaming hot chocolate.

"Good morning. Sorry for my abrupt intrusion earlier. Here, have hot chocolate," she said, smiling jovially.

'How is this girl always so cheerful?' I wondered.

"I will make coffee and hot chocolate for us occasionally but I'm afraid that is the extent of my culinary skills," She said sheepishly.

I just rolled my eyes and said curtly, "I'll take care of the food. I can cook."

She smiled brightly and said, "So I was wondering, can I call you Eva?"

I looked up sharply at her and barked out a No, quite harshly. That was the name my mother used to call me. No one else was allowed to use it.

As soon as I used my harsh tone, her eyes welled up with tears. My heart immediately softened and fell for her innocent act. I sighed and said, "Sorry. I just don't like that name. Personal reasons."

No sooner did I say that than she went back to her chirpy self and said, "Then I'll call you Lina. Evangeline is a mouthful. You can call me Evie."

"No thanks. I'll stick to Evelyn." I said, sipping my hot chocolate.

She pouted and gave me puppy dog eyes. For the second time within the same hour, I found myself giving in. "Fine. Evie. Happy?" I grumbled.

She cheered and clapped her hands. Why this girl had to behave like a child was beyond my understanding.

I glanced at the clock and jolted with surprise. It was almost 7 and I had to get ready for work. I got up and started walking to my room to change but Evie had to say something.

"Where are you going?" she asked. "Work," I replied.

"Where do you work?" she asked.

I turned around and crossed my arms. "I work at Knight Corporation. Any more questions? You might as well ask them at once."

"Knight Corporation?" she asked, surprised. "My father is its owner and CEO."

Now it was my turn to be surprised. "Your Dad is Callaghan Knight?"

"Yes!" she exclaimed and then started babbling, "Oh, this is so exciting. Let me come with you. I'll introduce you to my Dad personally. We might even meet my twin brother Adrian there. He's a sophomore at MIT. Since college session will start in a week, he's helping Dad out till then. After that he'll be busy. Oh! You also seem to be a college student. Where do you study? In which year of college are you? How did you get work at Knight Corp. even though you're in college?" What..." I cut her off by raising my hand and motioning her to be silent.

Then I asked, "Adrian Knight is your brother?"

"Yes. You know him?" she asked.

I ignored her. I was in deep shit. Adrian Knight, the Golden Boy of our college was the most popular guy there. The ultimate lady's man, heart breaker and the most popular boy in MIT. There were not many girls in MIT because it was a science college but the girls from colleges in the vicinity always flocked near the college gates in order to get a glimpse of the God. I had heard that his sister studied in a college near MIT, so that meant Evie didn't study in MIT. At least that was a relief.

If he was the son of my boss and the sister of my roommate, I was bound to meet him. This would bring me unwanted attention. Exactly what I needed. Note the sarcasm.

"Answer me," the chipmunk whined.

I looked at her in annoyance and spoke through gritted teeth,"I'm also a sophomore at MIT. Your brother is very... popular there. I got a job in Knight Corp. because I'm good at research and can handle college and office simultaneously. Before you ask, I work from 8 a.m to 5 p.m during holidays. However, for the days when I have college, allowances have been made for me to work from 6 p.m to 10 p.m because of my..... performance in the company."

I always felt very awkward, talking about my job because it felt like self-praise.

"Wow," Evie said in fascination, "so you're pretty and intelligent."

"I'll come to the office with you," she declared again and skipped off to her room.

I face-palmed. It was going to be a long day.

I was one hour late for work. I sighed as I massaged my temples while sitting in a cab with Evie. We were heading to Knight Corp., my work hadn't even started and yet I was feeling tired. It was all Evie's fault.

As soon as I changed into my work clothes and Evie saw them, she looked aghast. She said, "I knew your fashion sense was terrible when I saw you in that horrible over-sized t-shirt yesterday but I thought you would dress better while going to work. What's with these striped pants and black blouse? Doesn't go together at all!"

I just ignored her comment and went outside the house. She kept nagging me to change my clothes but I didn't feel like taking the pains so I refused. I didn't realise how much time we wasted while arguing but when I came to my senses, it was already late!

I dashed to the road and got into a cab with Evie at my heels.

Even now, in the cab, Evie would not stop her blabbering.

"I'm going to take you shopping first thing after you get off from work. Your wardrobe is preposterous. I feel insulted..."

I tuned her out after that. Finally, we reached our destination and I speed-walked to the reception. I didn't waste time on marveling at the massive building in front of me, which had huge glass panes which reflected the sunlight.

My heart fell as I registered the scene in front of me. Mr. Knight was standing with his back to me, facing the reception. Another man was with him. His back also faced me. He was taller than Mr. Kinght, which was saying a lot (about 6'2") and well-built. Even though he was clad in a black suit, the way it fit his body said a lot about his toned body.

I blushed as I snapped out of my shameful thoughts and shook my head.

'Focus on the problem at hand.' I chanted in my head.

"You walk fast," said Evie, panting and out of breath, as she finally caught up with me.

As she looked ahead, her face brightened. "Dad! Adrian!" she called out.

My face went pale. So, that was Adrian. I had heard a lot about him in college but since I liked to avoid attention, I had never really seen him.

Both of the said people turned around and looked at Evie, surprised. She took my hand and dragged me to where they stood.

"Dad! Adrian! This is my roommate, Evangeline. Don't call her Eva, she doesn't like it," she said as she introduced me.

I was feeling extremely embarrassed and it took everything in me not to blush.

I was deliberately avoiding looking at Adrian, though I could feel his piercing gaze on me. Instead, I focused on Mr. Knight's face with his dark brown hair, which were slowly graying, and his gray eyes, the same as Evie's.

"Good morning, Mr. Knight. I'm sorry for being late-" I began but was cut off by Evie, who said, "I'm afraid I'll have to take the blame for that, Dad. I really caused her a lot of trouble."

I just stared at her incredulously. I thought that she was a spoiled girl and would never accept her fault. Guess I should not judge people by their appearance.

"Don't worry Evie. I know Ms. Campbell. She's a hard-working girl. I won't blame her. I am glad that you got her for your roommate." Then turning to me, he said, "You can call me Callaghan outside of work, after all you are my daughter's first friend."

He smiled kindly at me and I realised how handsome he was even at his age.

"Nice to meet you." I heard Adrian say with his velvety voice. Wait... velvety? Why was I quoting Bella Swan? I mentally face-palmed.

I mustered the courage to look at him and said by putting on my fakest smile, "The pleasure is mine."

I felt my breath whoosh out of my lungs as I took in his appearance. How was it even possible to be this handsome? With his dark brown hair, perfect lips, high cheekbones and chiseled jaw, he was the definition of Greek God and let me not even start on his body. As I looked closely, I saw that he was the spitting image of his father. Only his eyes were hazel and not gray.

 His eyes were so beautiful that I could stare at them all day.

Suddenly, for a moment, I wished that I had listened to Evie and changed my clothes. But I removed that thought the very next moment because I didn't need or want to change myself for anyone much less a guy.

I hadn't realised that I was staring at him and that he was staring back until Evie cleared her throat. I jolted back to the real world and avoided his captivating eyes. I could not let myself become weak. I could not be like those girls he leaves heartbroken.

Evie and Mr. Knight were darting their eyes from Adrian to me, looking highly amused and Evie had a weird glint in her eyes that I didn't like.

"You seem to be my age and in college. How do you work here? And... you are a girl. I've not seen many at Knight Corp. because it is a research based company," said Adrian.

My temper immediately flared up. So, he was a sexist pig and clearly didn't appreciate people's hard work. That ungrateful, spoilt bastard.

I turned my blazing eyes to him and he looked at me with a mixture of confusion and amusement.

"Now you listen to me," I began," I study in MIT, so I was selected based on merit. I am capable enough and so are other girls to work at a research company. As for my work, I would like to believe that I can handle both college and work simultaneously."

Adrian looked all the more intrigued at the end of my little outburst. This was bad. If he takes an interest in me, it will be merely because he thinks I'm different from other girls, and his interest might just spoil my peaceful college life.

"Ms. Campbell, please don't take it the wrong way. My son was just surprised. He's not sexist. I can assure you. We didn't bring him up like that." Mr. Knight intervened. I had completely forgotten that he was there. Was it even possible to die of mortification?

"As for you Adrian, show some respect to her. She's highly qualified and one of our best employees."

I crossed my arms and looked at Adrian smugly. I had the sudden urge to stick my tongue out at him. Adrian smirked back at me. Suddenly, I realised how childishly I was behaving. I had never done that- not for a long time.

I dropped my arms back at my side and looked at Mr. Knight, "Sir, I should return to work. There's lots to do." He nodded in approval and I immediately took off, not sparing another glance to Adrian or Evie, who I could hear shouting behind me, "You can't escape from me, Lina. We will go shopping after you finish work."

I stopped in my tracks as I registered her words and groaned loudly. I heard Adrian chuckle behind me but I ignored him and continued on my way.

It was not that I hated shopping. I just didn't think it was very entertaining or productive.

Nevertheless, there was nothing I could do about it except put on my big girl pants and accept it.

These siblings were not good news. I have to strengthen my guard because they spell trouble.

............................

You can check out this story on Wattpad as well where it has been updated to 11 chapters