CHAPTER 49: EXPOSED!
They got back to the hotel, later on, to prepare for the event. Raphael was in a jolly mood and would not stop boasting to his friends on their group chat about Evelyn’s response to his proposal. He was over the moon. Now that she had given him positive feedback, the rest was in his hands to deal with in ensuring that she and Tom were comfortable.
Evelyn on the other hand was chatting with Kira who wouldn’t stop sending her different love emojis as a way of congratulating her on taking a new step. She asked after Tom and was told that he was still in his friend’s house and Kira was on her way to pick him up. Their conversation ended briefly.
She turned around only to collide with his shirtless body. Raphael stared into her eyes, their body was filled with excitement and they looked like two teenagers who had finally been able to love each other more than just a petty crush.
“Hey there.” Raphael greeted her and did a little nose kiss with her. She fluttered her eyes open because she had earlier shut them when he nose-kissed her. She smiled shyly and hid her face in his chest.
She was indeed flustered when these things were done for her or maybe it was because Raphael was the doer. She was in a relationship with that cheater years ago but it didn’t feel this way for even a second.
“Hi.” She replied meekly.
“A package will arrive soon, I need you to pick it up. It is for you, okay? I will be in the bathroom or do you want to join me?” He winked and Evelyn slapped his chest.
“Pervert.” She mumbled. Raphael was amused and later on kissed her forehead before heading to the bathroom.
Evelyn went to sit on the bed and went online once more. She scrolled through the usernames on Facebook and then remembered Ralph’s ghost. It’s been a while since they talked and he was online so she texted him a ‘hi’ but did not get an immediate response.
She waited for a while and opted to call as she was yet to hear his voice. She was in between her thoughts to call or not, he could be busy or not…anyway, she was gonna call. She pressed his username and went for the call details when the doorbell rang.
“Oh, that must be the package.” She whispered and went out of the room to answer the door.
“Hello, this package is meant for Miss Evelyn…”
“That is me, thank you.” The man bowed and left while she closed the door.
She wondered what could be in there. Nevertheless, she dialed Ralph’s ghost through audio, and on getting to the room, she heard Raphael’s phone ringing. She did not put much focus on it.
“Raphael, your phone is ringing.” She informed him and climbed on the bed.
“I will check it later, thanks.” He replied.
Evelyn did not say a word. She was focused on her call but he did not pick up.
“Maybe he is busy, let me try once more.” She encouraged herself and tried the call again but Raphael’s phone started ringing.
Being a bit curious about the caller, she crawled to where it was on the bed only for her eyes to get electrocuted by the caller’s name. It was written as LOML with an emoji of love and sparkle. She felt a sudden wave of curiosity, jealousy, and a bit of anger. Who was this? Before the call could drop, she answered it by swiping the green button.
What happened next shocked her to her core. Her call was also answered and she blinked her eyes numerous times, trying to understand the situation. She ended her call and so did Raphael’s phone call.
With her heart beating faster in a negative way, she tried it again for the third time and Raphael’s phone rang. It was now that she was sure of what she had seen. They were the same person.
“Raphael…Ralph’s ghost? Ralph’s ghost…Raphael? Why didn’t I figure this out sooner?” She whispered. Then something struck her but she shook her head.
“What if…no, no, definitely not. It won’t make any sense.” She kept reassuring herself.
The bathroom door opened and Raphael came out with one of the towels wrapped around his waist while the other was on his shoulder. He saw the state in which Evelyn was and seemed a bit confused. His phone was also in her hands, what was going on? Who called that could have scared her like this?
“Evie, what’s wrong?” He asked with worry.
Evelyn’s eyes were wide open, she was kneeling on the bed with her phone and his phone in her hands.
“You were the man I slept with three years ago and you are Tom’s biological father, right?” She asked with a quivering voice, she was internally praying that he would somehow deny that allegation. Raphael’s mouth parted slightly and he turned dumb as he stared at her.
_*_*_*_*_*_*_
Back in Johnson’s office, he was staring at the revenue report on his table when someone knocked on his door. He rubbed his face with his palms and breathed into his palms.
“Come in.” He permitted and Jacob entered with a smile. Johnson sat up and looked at him eagerly.
“Any good news?” He asked Jacob.
“Yes, Mr. Johnson. I have been successful in finding the hive of your daughter, Evelyn.” He announced and Johnson broke into a smile.
“Do you mean it?”
“Yes, Mr. Johnson. I had to make sure that it’s the right place and my doubts were cleared.”
“Won-der-ful,” Johnson pronounced one after the other. He felt so relieved. Now he was sure that his work wouldn’t be in vain.
“You can run, Evelyn, my dear but you can never hide.”
_*_*_*_*_*_*_
“Are you trying to tell me that you knew who I was the first time you saw me?” Evelyn asked and Raphael relented and nodded.
“But I swear it wasn’t…”
“Don’t make any excuses, Raphael. You knew who I was and what had happened but why didn’t you tell me? You hid it from me! Was this why you accepted me into the company, gave me a job, took care of me when I was sick, increased my payment, and tried being close to Tom because you somehow figured out that he is your son?! How could you!?
Just when I thought I could trust someone, you had to ruin it. Was that your major aim? Why didn’t I realize this sooner? I had the obvious signs but I kept ignoring them because I thought it could be…it could be pure coincidence.” She cried out.
Raphael tried to hold her but she threw his hand away and stepped back.
“Don’t touch me.” She warned him.
“I am sorry, Evie but I swear upon my life that none of the things you listed earlier were my intentions. Three years ago, I was so drunk that night. If only I was conscious, I would not have done it and I had to leave that morning because somehow, something catastrophic had to happen. I am sorry if I hurt you in any way, I didn’t mean to keep the secret from you. I was just scared that you would get angry and leave if I told you.” He tried explaining but Evelyn was having none of it and this scared him. She was an overthinker and sensitive as well.
Evelyn turned her back against him, “I don’t want to talk with you.”
“But the event…”
“How can you talk about a useless event at this critical part?” She shouted at him with her body shaking but then she calmed herself down and turned around again.
“I am sorry.”
“I don’t want to speak with you nor do I want to attend this event with you.” She whispered, grabbed her phone, and headed toward the bathroom. She slammed the door shut and leaned against it before sliding her back on it until you sat on the floor.
It finally happened. What she was scared of finally happened. Her dream was finally manifesting. What if he wanted Tom and then came close to her to achieve that mission before getting engaged to Erica? She folded her legs up and rested her head on them. How was she supposed to take this? Tears gently slipped down her eyes but she wiped them off.
Raphael wore his suit with a solemn look and would glance at the bathroom’s door each second with the hope that it might open at any moment but till he was done dressing up. He walked to the bathroom and knocked softly on the door.
“Evie, can you please open the door and let’s talk?” He asked her genuinely.
“Go away, I am not interested in talking with you.” Her response came in.
Raphael sighed dejectedly and placed his two hands on the door while trying to look for words in his brain to say.
“I am sorry, Evelyn, for the deceit but please, I hope you will consider us talking this through. Please. I will be back soon.” He spoke and Evelyn could hear the fading sounds of his shoes.
Fifteen minutes later, she came out of the bathroom and started packing up. She was as fast as lightning and took a look at the whole room for the last time, especially the bed as she had a clear flashback of yesternight before exiting the room and slamming the door shut.