Chapter 21
Olive bustled in, cake in hand, just as Hugo slammed the phone down. His face was a storm, anger swirling in his eyes like he was ready to take on the world. He snatched up his jacket, ready to bolt.
“Hugo, what’s the rush? Trouble?” Olive asked, her voice a mix of worry and confusion.
“Just gotta run,” Hugo said, already halfway out the door.
Olive’s eyes filled with tears. She grabbed his sleeve, pleading, “But I made this cake for you. It’s fresh out of the oven and you’re dashing off?”
Hugo’s tough exterior cracked a bit. “Sorry, Olive. I’ll make it up to you. Promise.”
After a sigh, he forced a taste of the cake. The sweetness hit him like a ton of bricks, not quite hitting the spot.
Olive’s face brightened a tad, but she still looked at him with those big, hopeful eyes. “So, what’s the verdict?” she asked.
“Bit too sweet for my taste,” Hugo said, keeping it real.
Olive frowned, “No way. It’s the usual recipe. You always dug it before.”
Hugo hesitated, feeling at a loss for words. This is how it used to taste? It just doesn’t sit right with me, not like Evalina’s cooking. Wait, why am I even going there, comparing Olive to Evalina?”
He shook off the thought. “Maybe I’m not in the mood. You get some rest. I gotta handle some stuff.” He dropped the spoon, grabbed his jacket, and was out the door.
“Hey, Hugo…” Olive called out, but he was long gone. She thought for sure he’d stick around for a bit, but nope. Just a quick bite and he was off.
What could be so important? Is that damned Evalina involved again?‘ she couldn’t help but wonder.
On the other end, Evalina hung up, feeling a bit queasy. Trying to act like Olive? Not happening in a million years.
Lydia and the crew were left wide–eyed after Evalina’s tale. They’d heard that Evalina had tied the knot with some older guy and then dropped off the face of the earth for three years, not reaching out to anyone.
Nobody even knew about the wedding–like it was a secret mission. They agreed that Evalina was too ashamed to let her friends in on it. But now, she seemed still with the guy. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have the guts to make that call.
Before anyone could get a word in, Vanessa leaned in, her voice low and shocked, “Evalina, are you outta your mind?”
Evalina gave her a reassuring nod and pulled Vanessa back. “Relax, I know what I’m doing.”
“But…” Vanessa trailed off. Even if Evalina’s husband showed up, she didn’t think that man could do anything–he was just a regular guy.
After waiting with her legs crossed for over ten minutes, Lydia started tapping her foot. “Evalina, are you just blowing smoke? Is there even a guy? Did you just call some random number and say it was your husband to weasel outta this?”
Evalina quietly clenched her fists. ‘Hugo’s office isn’t far. So why hasn’t he shown up yet? Is he really not coming? Even with me making such a fuss, is he just gonna ignore me?‘
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