Rebirth: Love me Again-Chapter 314: Unwelcome Guests

[EVE]

I was in the middle of reviewing the final design adjustments when the door to the studio slammed open.

The sudden noise startled everyone. Georgina nearly dropped her clipboard, Hyun snapped his head up in irritation, and even Dean, who had been lounging in his chair like he owned the place, raised an eyebrow.

But my stomach dropped.

Because striding into the studio, completely unannounced and without a shred of shame, were Haley and Helen.

I clenched my jaw so hard it hurt.

The staff hesitated, looking between me and the two women who had just barged in like they owned the place. And I knew exactly why no one dared to stop them.

They were family.

At least, that's what everyone thought.

Haley, with her perfectly styled hair and smug smile, sauntered in as if she belonged here. Helen followed close behind, her eyes already scanning the studio with a knowing, calculating look.

I shot up from my chair, my pulse pounding. "What are you doing here?"

Haley beamed, as if I had just greeted her with open arms. "Oh, come on, Eve. Is that any way to talk to your dear family?"

My patience snapped like a thread. "Yes, it is, actually. This is a restricted area. You can't just barge in here!" I waved at the security staff, who looked helplessly between me and the intruders. "How did you even get in?"

Helen placed a hand over her chest, looking offended. "Eve, dear, we are family. We simply told them who we were, and they let us in. Besides, we only came to visit."

"Visit?" I repeated in disbelief. "This isn't a tea party, mother. This is my studio. My workplace. We have strict security for a reason!"

She sighed dramatically. "Oh, Eve, must you always be so cold?"

"Cold?" I nearly laughed. "Cold is barging into my workplace when I never invited you here!"

But before I could shove them back out the door, Haley turned to the one person she had clearly come for.

Dean.

Her eyes practically sparkled with excitement.

"There he is!" she gushed, clasping her hands together like some love-struck teenager. "Dean!"

Dean, to his credit, just looked mildly amused and curious. He leaned back in his chair, clearly waiting to see how this disaster would unfold.

I, on the other hand, was ready to grab Haley by the arm and drag her out myself.

"Haley, no." My voice was firm, but she ignored me completely.

She marched forward, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "It's so nice to finally meet you, Dean! I've heard so much about you. My name is Haley."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Haley. Go home."

Helen let out a tinkling laugh, as if I were the one being unreasonable. "Now, now, Eve, don't be so hostile. We only came to say hello! I wanted to see how things were going with your work, and Haley, well . . ."

Haley giggled. Actually giggled.

"Well, I had to meet Dean in person! I'm a great fan of his. You wouldn't introduce us, so I took the initiative."

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She turned back to him with an exaggerated pout. "Eve is so secretive sometimes."

I swear, I saw Dean's lips twitch, like he was fighting a frown. He simply ignored Haley and looked at me like he was waiting for me to say something.

"You had to meet him?" I repeated, my patience hanging on by a thread. "For what, exactly?"

Haley giggled again. "Oh, Eve, you know!" She gave me an all-too-obvious wink, like we were sharing some grand sisterly secret.

I did not want to know.

"Actually, I don't know," I said, crossing my arms. "Enlighten me."

She sighed as if I was so slow to understand. "Eve, we already talked about this! You said he was single, right? So there's nothing stopping us from getting to know each other better!"

I could feel my sanity crumbling.

Dean was frowning now, his expression tense, as if he was holding something back. He was clearly displeased, and the last thing I wanted was to push him further—not when so much of this show depended on him.

I had to get them out of here.

"You think you can just waltz in here and throw yourself at him?" I snapped, my voice rising.

"Eve!" Helen scolded, as if I was the one being unreasonable. "Don't be so rude! Haley is simply trying to make a connection."

I stared at her. "A connection?"

"Yes!" Haley nodded enthusiastically. "It's only fair, Eve! You've had your chance to spend time with him, now it's my turn!"

I almost choked on my own frustration. "My chance? Haley, I am working with Dean. This isn't some kind of speed-dating event!"

Haley scoffed. "You say that, but you have been spending an awful lot of time together. It wouldn't be fair if you kept him all to yourself."

I had never wanted to scream so badly in my life.

Haley took the opportunity to slide closer. "Dean," she purred, placing a hand on his arm, "how about we get some coffee together sometime? Just the two of us?"

I almost saw Dean's face crumpled in disgust.

It was the fastest I had ever seen him move—he smoothly slipped his arm away, offering a polite yet impenetrable smile.

"Ah, that's very kind of you, Miss Haley," he said smoothly, "but I'm afraid my schedule is quite packed."

Haley pouted. "Oh, come on! Just one date!"

"I'm afraid not," he repeated, still smiling, but his eyes flickered with something unreadable. "And besides . . ." His gaze slid toward me. "I don't think Eve would approve."

I whipped around to glare at him again. "Why am I involved in this?"

Dean grinned. "Because you're the sister right? And whatever you say, I will follow. I'm your to command."

I swear to God—

"Eve!" Helen huffed, turning back to me. "You won't even introduce your sister, and now you're ruining her chances? You're being selfish!"

I ran a hand down my face, inhaling deeply through my nose.

"Get. Out."

"Eve—"

"OUT."