In 2015, he often got close to many women, but it was always just fleeting—no commitment, no drama.
But in 2018, somehow, he ended up entangled in relationships with multiple girlfriends at once.
"How did it come to this?" he muttered quietly.
Evan took a deep breath. He wanted to understand how his life had taken such a turn. But for now, the most important thing was rest. Today's drama had been more than enough.
Evan knew this pattern all too well. The way Fara pretended to bump into him, that faint, casual smile—but with eyes that watched his every reaction—this wasn't new to him.
But this year, he'd made a decision: No more drama. Just work. Rebuilding everything he had achieved, even if he had to start from zero.
He grabbed a drink from the vending machine, then looked at Fara.
"You got work this morning?" he asked flatly.
Fara raised her eyebrows, a little surprised by the sudden shift in tone. "Yeah, I do. Why?"
Evan took a sip. "Good. Don't be late."
Then he turned and walked casually out of the lobby, giving no room for further conversation.
Fara watched his retreating back, a small smile forming on her lips.
"Interesting," she murmured.
When Evan arrived at the office, he went straight to his room. But before he could enter, his father's secretary approached him with a slightly hesitant look.
"Evan, Michelle came by earlier. She's in Mr. William's office."
Evan paused, frowning. "Michelle?"
"Yes, Michelle," the secretary nodded.
Evan didn't respond right away, but in his mind, he started piecing the puzzle together. Just like with Celline, he had never met Michelle before—not as the real Evan, at least.
But if Michelle was in Mr. William's office, that meant their relationship wasn't just some casual dating. There was something bigger going on here.
Without asking further, Evan walked toward his father's office. He had to see for himself what was really going on.
As soon as Evan entered the room, Michelle stood up and walked over to him without hesitation. In mere seconds, her arms were around his neck and she kissed his cheek gently.
"Morning, babe," she said softly, as if this kind of greeting was completely normal.
Evan was surprised, but he restrained himself from reacting too strongly. He simply gave a faint smile, even though his mind was filled with questions. Michelle was clearly different from Celline or Vanessa. There was no sense that she was using him or seeking benefits. On the contrary—her gaze seemed genuine.
Mr. William watched them with a pleased expression.
"You two have been together for quite a while. I hope this relationship continues to go well."
Evan almost wanted to laugh bitterly. Goes well? He was literally meeting Michelle in person for the first time today.
But for now, he chose to stay quiet and see where this was going.
Michelle smiled sweetly as she handed Evan a lunchbox.
"Just dropping by for a bit. Here, something from Mom," she said casually.
Evan took the lunchbox, still a bit puzzled. He glanced at Mr. William, who looked completely unbothered, as if this was all totally normal.
But to Evan, this was anything but. Since when was Michelle this close to his family?
He wanted to ask, but Michelle had already turned to Mr. William.
"Well then, Uncle, I'll be going. I've got morning class."
Evan almost choked on air. What? Class?
His gaze shifted instantly to Michelle. Her face looked calm, as if the fact that she was still a college student wasn't strange at all in the context of their relationship.
Meanwhile, Mr. William simply nodded with a slight smile.
"Take care, Michelle. Say hi to your parents for me."
Michelle nodded politely, then turned back to Evan.
"See you later, okay?" she said before walking out.
Evan stood frozen, his mind racing with questions.
So, this wasn't just dating—they were being set up for an arranged marriage? And Michelle was still in college?
2018 was getting harder to understand by the day.
Mr. William looked at Evan sharply, his eyes full of warning.
"Listen, Van! No more rumors about schoolgirls or celebrities! Don't embarrass me in front of Michelle's family."
His tone was firm, non-negotiable. Evan knew this wasn't just an ordinary warning—his father was dead serious.
Evan exhaled, leaning back in the chair.
"You really believe what people say?" he asked flatly.
Mr. William scoffed.
"It's not about believing. It's about reputation. You've caused enough drama with your lifestyle. Don't drag Michelle's family into it."
Evan stared at his father expressionlessly. He knew the rumors about him weren't great. But no one knew the truth. No one knew what happened in 2015.
He didn't bother explaining. It was pointless. What mattered now was being more careful, so his name wouldn't keep getting tied to new scandals.
At his desk, Evan opened the lunchbox with mild curiosity.
As the lid came off, a familiar aroma greeted him.
Medium-rare steak with roasted potatoes and a simple salad.
In the other container, there was gyudon—a bowl of rice topped with soy-sauce simmered beef and onions.
Evan raised an eyebrow. These were definitely his favorite foods.
He picked up a small note tucked inside. Michelle's handwriting was neat and tidy:
"Don't skip meals. I know you like these. :)"
Evan paused.
Michelle might have been a match made through an arrangement. But among everyone currently in his life, she seemed to be the only one who truly understood his tastes and habits.
Evan typed a short message on his phone:
"Thanks for the food."
No fluff, no emojis—straight to the point, just like him.
A few seconds later, the double check marks appeared. Read.
But no reply.
Evan stared at the screen for a moment, then let out a small sigh.
Michelle might seem caring, but maybe she wasn't the type to respond to every little thing.
Without giving it more thought, Evan put down his phone and started eating. At least the food was good.
That night, Evan walked into the apartment lobby after a long day at work.
The cool night air helped clear his mind a little, but his steps froze when his eyes caught a familiar figure in the corner of the room.
Fara.
Sitting on one of the couches, looking relaxed, but clearly waiting for him.
Evan didn't react right away, but deep down, he'd been expecting this. That encounter this morning wasn't a coincidence. And now, Fara was here—trying to stage another "casual" meeting.
His eyes briefly caught something in the upper corner of the room—a security camera.
Instantly, his instincts kicked in.
If he stopped and spoke to Fara now, who knows who might be watching—or even recording? Rumors would spread in no time.
Without hesitation, Evan pulled out his phone and dialed Michelle.
"Hey," he said casually as the call connected, making it sound natural.
Still on the phone, he walked past the lobby without glancing in Fara's direction.
She glanced his way, maybe hoping for interaction—but Evan kept walking.
Once he stepped into the elevator and the doors closed, he exhaled deeply.
Dodged one trap tonight. But he knew it wasn't over yet.
As the elevator doors shut, Michelle's voice came through the phone.
"Hello?"
Evan leaned against the wall of the lift, feeling a bit more at ease.
"Am I bothering you?" he asked, though he didn't really care about the answer. What mattered was that he'd avoided the lobby situation.
Michelle sounded slightly surprised.
"No, not at all. What's up?"
Evan thought for a moment.
He couldn't tell her she'd just been his excuse to dodge someone, so he simply said,
"Nothing. Just felt like calling."
Michelle was silent for a few seconds, then gave a small laugh.
"That's new. You're usually short and straight to the point when texting."
Evan gave a faint smile. That was true. But tonight, this call felt more useful than just avoiding Fara.
"Where are you?" Michelle asked.
"Just got in the elevator. Heading home," Evan replied.
Michelle made a soft sound, maybe flipping papers. She was probably studying or working on something.
"Tired?"
Evan glanced at his reflection in the lift's wall. His eyes looked a bit weary, but that wasn't what was bothering him.
"A little. But it's fine."
Then, without thinking much, he added,
"Oh yeah—your mom's cooking was good."
Michelle chuckled.
"You say that like it's your first time eating her food."
Evan raised an eyebrow. Was it? He didn't remember ever having her mom's cooking before.
Maybe the 2018 version of him had. But he had no memories of it.
"Maybe it was my first time," he replied at last.
Michelle didn't respond right away. Then, softly, she said,
"Well then, maybe next time Mom can cook for you again."
Evan paused, then replied simply,
"Okay."
Michelle's tone was light, but there was no fakeness in it.
Evan ended the call just as the elevator doors opened.
Tonight, at least, he could sleep without interruptions.
For now.