A Diamond In The Rough--Evian Chapter 5
by EvianForever
 

Chapter 5

Eve stared out the window of the limousine. She was acutely aware of Julian's presence across from her, but refused to give him the satisfaction of looking at him.

I must be crazy, she thought--going right back into the lion's den. He has to know that I've moved on with my life. Eve reflected on the time after she willed herself to walk away from Julian Crane....she had sang at several seedy clubs during the evening hours. By daylight she was back in school, studying to pass the classes that she'd let fall by the wayside when she first met Julian. A renewed sense of urgency had driven her; the determination to prove that she was so much more than Julian's former paramour.

She had felt very blessed when she finished college and graduate school with a pre-med major, and had managed to qualify for two different scholarships. A student loan completed her fianances, and Eve was able to pay for medical school. It was such a good feeling knowing that she hadn't had to ask her parents for help--not that Warren and Tanya would have anyway. They had disowned her after they had discovered she had dropped out of university earlier, and sadly she had realized that they considered her an embarassment to their good name.

Julian watched Eve as she stared out the window. Her head was turned completely way from him, but he could detect the the tension in her body language --her arms were folded, and her legs crossed tightly. She was so beautiful, he thought--I don't deserve to even be near her. I offered her a life as a kept woman...little wonder she left me and never looked back.

He rubbed his forehead, sighing to himself. I never realized how I loved her until she left me. Marrying Poison Ivy was the second worst mistake of my life--after losing Eve. I pray that she'll believe me when I tell her how much I adore her, he thought hopefully.

The limo pulled in front of the Crane mansion, and Julian got out without waiting for the chauffeur. Walking to Eve's door, he opened it and helped her out of the vehicle.

"Well, Julian, what a place," Eve remarked, a slight sarcasm affecting her tone. "Almost like a museum...or a memorial of some kind,"she continued as they entered the foyer.

"Meaning forbidding, cold, and full of dead people of the past," he returned, his voice sad. "As I told you before, besides the staff, I am the only one who lives here."

Eve shrugged her shoulders. "A parade of one night stands not making you happy?" Somehow, the thought of Julian with anyone else hurt her, but she did not even dare to dwell just why it did.

Julian flushed to a dark red." You always could read me better than anyone else." Not one of them were you, my darling, he thought regretfully. He led her to the living room, where he called for coffee and refreshments."Please sit down, my dear, I have a great deal to tell you."
He watched as Eve sat down on the edge of the couch, her brown eyes making a point of looking anywhere but at him. "I swear I am not out to hurt you, Eve. Please try to relax," he urged, as he sat down directly across from her on an ottoman, leaning forward earnestly.

In spite of herself, she couldn't help but think about how the dignified Julian Crane was sitting on a ottoman. Eve managed to control the smile before it escaped. The coffee arrived, and after thanking his valet--which surprised Eve--he turned to look at her with such feeling that she was confused. Julian looks like he really cares, but I know him too well. He only wants something, and I'm willing to bet what that something is, she thought angrily, mentally preparing herself for battle.

"I want you to know how terribly, terribly sorry I am, Eve. I had no right to treat you so abominably all those years ago. You were so right to leave me," he began, his eyes pleading with hers. "I was not man enough to stand up to my father and declare my feelings for you. That was when I still thought that money was more important than happiness," he whispered, shame in every line of his face. " I lost you--I hurt you--and I hurt myself."

"Julian, you don't realize how you made me feel worthless. Like I didn't mean anything to you," Eve sighed." It took me a long while to get my self esteem back, but I have it now--and I won't allow you to hurt me again." Oh no, she thought, he's going to realize that I still care for him, after all this. I can't give him that kind of power over me. Hurriedly she got up to pour herself a cup of coffee, anything to keep from looking at him. Seeing him was making her remember how much he meant to her.

He got up and placed his hand on hers. "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I ask it anyway--please realize how young and foolish I was." Julian looked down at Eve's lovely face, seeing her eyes become glassy." I was wrong, Eve--I was so wrong." Eve was becoming lost in his eyes, and Julian drew closer. " You have been the only woman I have ever loved, Eve," he told her, his hands framing her face.
 

"What a TOUCHING scene," came a voice, causing the two of them to turn towards the door.
Ivy Winthrop Crane stood smirking at her former husband.
 
 
 

Chapter 6
Chapter 4
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