Chapter 5: You Wanted to Be Seen

Chapter 5: You Wanted to Be Seen

EVANGELINE

Speechless, I stare at the image, mouth slightly open. My eyes scan every detail, absorbing them, almost hypnotized.

It’s dark, but a dim light—probably from a lamp—allows me to see the contours of his muscular abdomen, partially covered by messy sheets that disappear at the bottom of the image, concealing his hips.

The angle, from above, also reveals part of his face, shadows outlining the square jaw and full, relaxed lips.

I swallow hard. I know it’s wrong, but it’s hard to look away from the screen.

Once again, he managed to surprise me. And also made me feel other things I can’t admit. Not just because they’re wrong, but because I’m almost certain that wasn’t his intention.

The photo seems spontaneous, as if he really just wanted to show what he was doing. But fuck… it’s sexy in a disarming way.

I shouldn’t be thinking this kind of thing. But it’s undeniable just how… hot he is.

I guess there’s no harm in admitting that, because it’s just a fact.

But dealing with the fact that he simply sent me a photo like this isn’t so simple. It feels inappropriate and, at the same time, just part of the game.

Because this is definitely no longer just an interview.

I don’t know how to interpret it. Let alone how to respond.

But I guess I shouldn’t take too long. Or he might start thinking I’m drooling.

Shit. Think, Evangeline.

Maybe something casual would work. Something that doesn’t show how much he got to me.

Evangeline:

Should I be recognizing some part of you?

Anyone could send a picture without showing their face, pretending to be someone, “Mr. Volkov.”

Satisfied with my teasing tone, I hit send. A minute later, his reply appears on the screen.

Aleksander:

You know you don’t need to see my face.

I was there.

I still remember how you recoiled…

And how you trembled when you shook my hand.

I liked that.

So he noticed. Seems I didn’t hide it as well as I thought. But admitting he enjoys making people uncomfortable feels a bit disturbing.

Evangeline:

Should I assume you enjoy intimidating people?

Aleksander:

I thought we had a deal.

I answered your question.

Now it’s your turn.

What are you doing right now?

Evangeline:

Talking to you?

Actually, I was about to go to sleep when a stranger decided to text me.

Aleksander:

Do you always let strangers in, Evangeline?

Evangeline:

I guess it was my turn.

Do you like intimidating people, Aleksander?

Aleksander:

Intimidation is just a reflex.

Fear. Desire. Control…

People only reveal who they truly are when they feel exposed.

That’s how I see beyond words.

My throat tightens, as if the intensity of his words could pierce my skin.

Evangeline:

And what did you see in me?

Aleksander:

My turn.

Let me rephrase the question…

Do you always react like that to strangers?

Or was it just with me?

He seems obsessed with how I reacted during the interview. Maybe he didn’t realize most of it was just discomfort, or maybe he interpreted it differently.

Yeah. He’s arrogant enough for something like that.

Evangeline:

You want to know if interacting with strangers intimidates me?

I guess only when they come off as cold and arrogant.

And think they can go around giving orders all the time.

Smiling, I hit send.

Aleksander:

You were the one who dared walk into my office with a list of generic questions that weren’t even yours.

He’s never going to let me forget that.

Evangeline:

I already told you—I was just doing my job.

Now answer: what did you see in me?

Aleksander:

Don’t worry…

I liked what I saw.

Evangeline:

I thought we had a deal.

No masks, only truth.

His reply takes a bit longer this time.

Aleksander:

You were scared… but you didn’t run.

Because part of you wanted exactly that.

You wanted to be seen.

I swallow hard, my pulse quickening as I read the message.

What is he insinuating? That I wanted his attention?

Evangeline:

It was just an interview.

Don’t you think you’re overestimating your importance?

Aleksander:

You like being seen.

Especially when you think no one’s watching.

Being exposed…

I wonder if it goes further than that, Evangeline.

If it turns you on.

If it’s some kind of fantasy.

And if you’ve ever acted on it.

By the time I finish reading the message, I’m not just speechless—I’m nearly breathless.

My heart races as flashbacks of that night flood my mind.

His words managed to unearth the memory of a night I’d tried to forget, buried deep in the corners of my mind, as if it had never happened.

And that memory alone is enough to make me shiver.

I think this game might end up being more dangerous than I thought. Things seem to be spiraling out of control too quickly.

Why does he think he can ask that kind of question?

Maybe it’s my fault for not setting a boundary earlier.

But it’s not too late for that.

Evangeline:

I don’t think that’s an appropriate topic.

Aleksander:

Don’t you think knowing someone’s fantasies is a good way to get to know them?

Evangeline:

I’ll be direct.

I have a boyfriend.

So I don’t think this is appropriate.

Minutes go by without a response. Maybe knowing I have a boyfriend was enough to make him lose interest—if he ever had any at all.

That also means I might have lost the chance at a full article. But honestly, I’m not even sure I want to continue with this.

Either way, I still have to work tomorrow, so…

Evangeline:

I need to sleep. I have to work tomorrow.

Good night, Mr. Volkov.

The moment I hit send, his message appears on the screen.

Aleksander:

How long?

He wants to know how long I’ve been with my boyfriend? Why does that matter?

Evangeline:

We’ve been together since college.

I hit send and wait, but no reply comes. Not even a “good night.”

So, I give up.

Leaving my phone on the nightstand, I lay my head on the pillow and pull the sheet over me.

I close my eyes, trying to force myself to sleep. Trying not to think about why he didn’t reply—or the memory his words unearthed.

But it’s useless.

And the darkness beneath my eyelids drags me back to that night in the cabin.