As Daymian got closer, he pulled out a chair at the table next to Evelyn and George's, his eyes fixed intently on Evelyn's face. The soft glow of the restaurant's lighting danced across his features, highlighting the sharp angles of his jawline and the piercing intensity of his gaze.
The waiter, noticing the new arrival, approached him with a warm smile. "Welcome to our restaurant, sir."
"Thanks." he said, his eyes never leaving Evelyn's face.
The waiter smile at him, "Are you expecting someone to join you?" she asked.
Daymian's gaze remained fixed on Evelyn, his expression unreadable. "I was expecting someone to join me for dinner," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm, "but it seems she's decided to spend her evening with some...nobody."
As he spoke, his eyes locked onto Evelyn's, the implication clear. Evelyn felt a flush rise to her cheeks, and she looked away, trying to break the intense connection between them. George, oblivious to the underlying tension, continued to chat, unaware of the subtle drama unfolding beside them.
The waiter, sensing the tension, nodded hastily and took a step back. "I'll, uh, get you a menu, sir," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can I start you off with something to drink?"
Daymian's gaze finally shifted, his eyes meeting the waiter's. "I'll have a whiskey, neat," he said, his voice low and commanding. The waiter nodded and hurried away, leaving an awkward silence in her wake.
As the waiter departed, Daymian's attention returned to Evelyn, his eyes burning with an intensity that left her feeling both fascinated and intimidated. The air seemed to vibrate with tension, and Evelyn wondered what would happen next.
As the waiter walked away to fetch Daymian's whiskey, Evelyn felt a sense of unease settle over her. She tried to focus on George's conversation, but her attention kept drifting back to Daymian, who was now sipping his drink with an air of quiet satisfaction.
George, still oblivious to the tension, continued to chat about his latest project, and Evelyn forced herself to respond and engage, trying to appear normal. But her mind was racing with questions. What was Daymian doing here? Why was he sitting so close to them? And what did he mean by his comment about her dining with a "nobody"?
As the minutes ticked by, the atmosphere at the table grew increasingly strained. Evelyn's responses to George's questions became shorter and more monosyllabic, and she found herself glancing over at Daymian more and more often.
Daymian, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease, his eyes never leaving Evelyn's face as he sipped his whiskey and watched her with an unnerving intensity. Evelyn felt like she was under a microscope, with Daymian studying her every move and reaction.
Suddenly, George reached out and covered Evelyn's hand with his, his touch warm and gentle. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked, his eyes concerned. "You seem a little distracted."
Evelyn hesitated, unsure of how to respond. She didn't want to worry George or draw attention to the strange situation, but at the same time, she couldn't shake off the feeling that Daymian's presence was somehow threatening.
Moments later, when the pressure became too much, Evelyn excused herself, stood up, and headed to the bathroom. She entered the shared bathroom, a calm oasis in the midst of the bustling restaurant, and approached the mirror. Her reflection stared back, eyes wide and flushed, and she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.
"Get a grip, Evelyn," she whispered to herself, smoothing out her dress and running her fingers through her hair. She closed her eyes, letting the quiet calmness of the bathroom wash over her.
Just as she was starting to relax, the door to the bathroom swung open, and Evelyn's eyes snapped open to meet Daymian's gaze in the mirror. He walked in, his movements fluid and confident, his eyes locked onto hers with an unnerving intensity.
The sound of the door closing behind him seemed to amplify the tension, and Evelyn's heart skipped a beat as she realized she was alone with Daymian in the bathroom.
Daymian strolled over to the mirror, his eyes scanning his reflection before settling on Evelyn's gaze through the glass. "Did your date tell you how lovely you look tonight?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.
Evelyn hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah...he did."
Daymian's gaze lingered on hers, his expression unreadable. "And did you enjoy the compliment?" he asked, his tone dripping with subtle sarcasm.
Evelyn's anxiety spiked, and she tried to step back, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot. "What are you doing here, Daymian?" she asked, trying to sound firm.
Daymian's eyes never left hers as he replied, "You could have just told me you had plans. I wouldn't have bothered you if I knew you were busy."
Evelyn's voice was laced with a mix of fear and defiance. "I didn't think I owed you an explanation."
Daymian's gaze intensified, his eyes burning with an inner fire. "Perhaps not," he said, "but it would have been polite to mention you were dining with...someone."
The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Evelyn replied, her voice firm, "He's not my boyfriend."
Daymian's expression didn't change, but his eyes seemed to gleam with interest. "Oh?" he said, his tone inviting further explanation.
Daymian's eyes seemed to bore into Evelyn's soul, as if daring her to elaborate. But Evelyn stood her ground, her chin lifted in defiance. "We're just friends," she said, her voice steady.
Daymian's gaze lingered on hers, and for a moment, Evelyn wondered if she'd said too much. Then, without breaking eye contact, Daymian said, "I see. Well, in that case, I hope your 'friend' appreciates how beautiful you look tonight."
The way he emphasized "friend" sent a shiver down Evelyn's spine. She felt like she was trapped in a game, with Daymian holding all the cards. "I think it's time for me to go back," she said, trying to sidestep him.
But Daymian didn't move, his body blocking her path. "Not just yet," he said, his voice low and husky. "I think we need to finish our conversation."
Evelyn's heart racing, she tried to think of a way to extricate herself from the situation. But before she could come up with a plan, Daymian spoke again. "Tell me, Evelyn...do you often wear dresses like that for your 'friends'?"
Evelyn's face grew hot with indignation. "Excuse me?" she said, her voice icy.
Daymian's gaze roamed over her, his eyes lingering on the curves of her dress. "I'm just curious," he said, his tone dripping with innocence. "You look...stunning. I'm sure your friend appreciates the effort you put into your appearance."
Evelyn's anger simmered just below the surface. "I dress how I want," she said, her voice firm. "And it's none of your business."
Daymian's smile was subtle, but it sent a shiver down Evelyn's spine. "Oh, but it is my business," he said, his voice low and menacing. "You see, I have a certain...interest in you, Evelyn. And I don't like the idea of you dressing up for other men."
Evelyn's heart racing, she tried to push past him, but Daymian's arm shot out, blocking her way. "Let me go," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Daymian's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze burning with intensity. "Not until we're done here," he said, his voice dripping with possessiveness.
Evelyn's eyes flashed with defiance. "We're done," she said, her voice firm.
Daymian's gaze held hers for a moment longer, then he stepped aside, his movements fluid and controlled. "Very well," he said, his voice low and smooth. "But this isn't over, Evelyn."
Evelyn pushed past him, her heart racing as she hurried out of the bathroom. She didn't dare look back, fearing what she might see in Daymian's eyes. She made her way back to her table, her mind reeling with questions. What did Daymian want from her? And why did she feel like she was in grave danger?
As Evelyn returned to her table, she tried to compose herself, her eyes scanning the restaurant for George. When she spotted him, he was still sitting at the table, oblivious to the drama that had just unfolded in the bathroom.
Evelyn took a deep breath and forced a smile onto her face as she sat down. "Hey, sorry about that," she said, trying to sound casual. "I just needed a minute."
George looked up from his phone, concern etched on his face. "Everything okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.
Evelyn nodded, trying to reassure him. "Yeah, everything's fine. Let's just enjoy our dinner, okay?"
But as she glanced over at Daymian's, she saw him watching her, his eyes piercing and intense. She felt a shiver run down her spine, and she knew that this was far from over.