Megan Thomas was a simple girl. She loved sports, particularly running, and in her opinion, she was darn good at it. She also loved music. And despite not having grown up in the South, Megan often felt as if she was of Southern blood. She chalked it up to how she'd been raised. With a more traditional mother, she'd been raised on the same kind of Christian values and polite manners one would find to be commonplace in the hotter southern states. Meg's deep appreciation and love for her mother had fostered an equally deep attachment to said values. So even though the redhead felt like she still had a lot to learn, she went to church every Sunday. It was to honor her now late mother's memory, but also to unravel the mystery of God that her mother had so artfully told her in her teenage years.
It was just after one of those Sundays when she'd been going to return home, that she met him, the love of her life. Unfortunately, he seemed rather oblivious to the fact that he'd met his obvious soulmate, unlike Meg, who had been captivated almost instantly. But that was okay, Megan didn't mind. Nearly everyone in their little town knew who he was. As far as the general populace was concerned he was an emotionless brute and enforcer, the stoic, unfeeling heir to a vast fortune. But to Megan Thomas, Evan Macmillan was so much more than that.
It was why Megan was currently setting up her plans for the night. Tonight would be the big night, and she couldn't be more excited for it! Evan's irritant of a father Archie Macmillan was one of her biggest gripes with life. His mining operation was the basis of their town due to the economic flow it generated. It was the reason people even lived here after the iron and coal veins had been discovered. However, while unknown to the outside world, it was common knowledge amongst the town folk that whatever went on within those mines was not legally or morally acceptable.
As such, Archie Macmillan and his only son Evan were treated warily and fearfully in the former case, and with mistrust in the latter. Megan had learned a lot about both of them with her time spent curiously investigating the Macmillan estate. Just a little of what she'd learned was that the modern-day robber baron was a proud, arrogant, and selfish man with a cruel heart and absolutely zero decency. His son Evan however...he wasn't a monster like his father. He was just broken. Megan had seen the deeply buried hurt deep in his soul.
How had she watched the mines and Evan? Well, let's just say Megan took a vicious, and petty satisfaction in having effortlessly snuck onto Archie's property. And if she was allowed to be a little vain, she'd done it quite gracefully too. It was so...ironic in the sweetest way how often she stalked the mines under the Macmillan patriarch's nose. He was so smug in his conceited nature, and yet she, someone he'd call a worthless street rat or bug, had so easily outsmarted him. The only thing that could be even more succulent would be to rub it in his face how easily she'd outstripped him.
Actually, she was wrong! How could she have been so wrong!? Tonight would be the sweetest night for so many reasons. Not only would she be hitting the town for some fun, but she was going to pull off her greatest stunt against Archie Macmillan yet. And that...that wasn't even mentioning how sweet tomorrow and every day after that would be. Such sweetness, greater than that of nectar or ambrosia from Greek mythology, was the only apt description.
Meg checked her watch, the hands reading 9:45 PM. It was a simple silver thing, it told time well, even gave her the date too. That was all she needed, effective, simple elegance that was cheap to maintain. Plus, it was sentimental, having previously been her mother's watch. Personally Megan couldn't help but think that it also complimented her creamy, pale skin. It was good that it did too, because tonight Megan wanted every part of her to shine.
She'd styled her beautiful, crimson-red hair in gentle waves, falling down her back like an alluring river of blood. She had light makeup on, wanting to rely on her natural pretty features and not overdo it. So all she had was a small amount of dark eyeliner to make her icy blue eyes really pop, and a little gloss to make her pink lips glimmer. She wanted to look as pretty and alluring as possible, but she didn't want to look like a prostitute either. No no no, she wanted to look like a model, like that of a woman so beautiful, men would fight each other to have her hand in marriage.
Megan had just finished getting ready at the perfect time too. Soon her love Evan would be going to a bar to drown his sorrows and frustrations in alcohol. She'd been waiting for a chance like this. She'd heard him leaving the mines with some other workers, and by a wonderful stroke of luck, he'd not only mentioned his plans for the night but also the time and place he was going! It was like the stars had aligned just to present her with the perfect chance to make a move! She wanted to giggle like a lovestruck schoolgirl at it all.
It hadn't been too late either, as Megan already had everything she wanted packed and moved out, with her old house already taken care of and sold just this day. All Megan had done since she'd heard of Evan's plans that night was arrange everything. She'd seen her stuff off a few days ago, and just this evening had closed a deal on a house where she wanted to live from now on. Now she just wanted one last night to have fun in her hometown and flirt with Evan a little before she left.
Evan wasn't going to be at the bar for a good few minutes, so Megan decided she wanted to make one last stop before she said goodbye to everything and everyone here in their sleepy little mining town. After all...she was going to miss her childhood home. So with that thought in mind, Megan headed to church. Now just why would she go to church at such a late time of night? Well, it was where her mother had taken her every Sunday, and it was full of good memories, like all the friends she'd made as a little girl, or helping with charity work as a teenager.
Megan walked from her small home, the one she'd once shared with her dear mother, in a pure yellow sundress. It was a warm night tonight, and Megan wanted to look as feminine as possible. Her dress had a slim waist with a wide skirt that fell to her knees. It was a modest dress, with only her calves and arms visible, and she had shorts on underneath for good measure. The dress had thick straps over her shoulders but allowed most of her collarbone and neck to be displayed. It was perfect...colorful, and modest, but feminine and eye-catching in a wholesome fashion. She topped it off with short, off-white flats.
Megan had her simple black purse strung over one shoulder, it wasn't tiny but it wasn't huge either. It had just enough space for everything she needed, especially tonight! Now some might think she was painting a big fat target on herself, walking in a pretty dress with her purse alone at night, in the dark. But Meg wasn't scared. Crime was very low in her town, but even if some thief tried to snatch her purse, Megan was...more than capable of defending herself. The redhead smirked to herself at the thought.
The runner didn't have to walk long at all to get to her childhood church. It was the most perfect convenience for her that it was on the way to the bar the love of her life would soon be going to. Not only did she have to pass it to get there, but Evan would too as he walked from the estate! Once Megan reached the church she opened the front door. The building wasn't huge, because neither was the town. It was an old-fashioned design, with the front door directly opening up to the sanctuary, the pews all facing the small stage for the band and preacher.
Megan left the door cracked open with a small smile on her face as she walked between the rows of pews. So many memories were had here, all of the music and fun she'd had, but also moments of heartfelt conviction and the desire to be a better person. Of course, not all the memories were pleasant. There were also memories of humiliation here as a kid, social ineptitude and folly, not to mention nervousness, and the occasional bad exchange with another churchgoer who didn't seem to understand what it meant to go there. Meg pushed the memories aside, tonight was going to be wonderful, and she was more than sure of it.
The redhead stepped up onto the stage, briefly looking at all the empty chairs before she turned her attention back to the piano on stage. Evan would be passing by any minute now, so she saw no reason to keep waiting. When it came to a man like Evan Macmillan, Megan understood that she would have to be the one to chase him. He probably had many women who batted their eyelashes at him and offered their bodies, desiring only his father's wealth. But Megan was not like those women, she didn't care about the money. She would stand out, and sometimes, a good song was just the way to do it.
Tonight, it was just her and Evan. Well technically not since she was in the house of God, so He'd be present too...you know, since it's His house? Meg chuckled to herself softly at the thought. Now then. Megan had sometimes played in the worship band at church because of her love for music. But she also certainly wanted God's help tonight, because who could possibly be better to have in her corner than Him? Megan flexed her fingers with a smirk, tiny pops being heard as she curled them to loosen her joints.
If this was to be the last time she was in the church she'd attended since childhood, then she'd play one last song. It wasn't a song the rest of the band played, it was one she and her mother had written together, and tonight, Megan would let it be heard. She splayed her fingers out over the keys. She tapped one foot like a drum beat, using it as a metronome. One, two, three.
The opening was simple, a four-note rhythm that repeated itself until the chorus. Megan did not hide her voice as she sang the fast-paced lyrics. She almost closed her eyes, habitually losing herself to the joy and rhythm of the music. But she forced her eyes open as she approached the chorus, and her discipline was rewarded. Out of the corner of her eye, Megan saw someone appear in the doorway, ever so slightly pushing the door open further.
Megan didn't react to their presence, acting unaware and lost in the music. But internally her heart lept for joy as the love of her life Evan Macmillan peered in at her through the church door. Meg silently thanked God for the help in bringing him to her before she truly let her voice be heard. She suddenly let loose her full vocal talent and range as she reached the chorus.
"I've been saved!
Goodbye to the sinner, I'm held by the father above." The voice sang out.
Evan Macmillan stood in the doorway, dressed in old work jeans with a faded black long-sleeved shirt and a thin leather jacket around his shoulders, and work boots on. His eyes landed on the pretty redhead in a yellow dress who sat at the piano. The rest of the church was empty, and the only sound was her strong voice. He couldn't help himself but step all the way inside, his eyes widening slightly at the unexpected talent he heard from the woman.
Evan was a rather complicated man. He'd been physically abused for years by his father. The only reason he wasn't still abused was because Evan had eventually surpassed his father in stature. But it didn't stop Archie from hurling insults at his son, demeaning him, and trying to strip him of his dignity. The heir to the Macmillan estate couldn't say it had been good for his self-confidence, in fact, it was safe to say Evan's self-worth had been suicidal in his younger years.
Yet Evan persevered, partly from the knowledge that his father would only think even less of him if he committed suicide. That was the coward's way out. Evan was twenty-nine now, a fully grown and mature man. But it didn't mean he was free from his father's control. But that wasn't to say he wasn't fed up with the wretch that was Archie Macmillan either.
Evan didn't exactly consider himself a churchman. Sometimes he went out of curiosity, sometimes it was just because he leaped at the chance to be away from his father, and sometimes he didn't go out of bitterness with his life. He had planned to simply walk past the church on his way to the bar. He'd done it before plenty of times, yet tonight of all nights, he'd heard music through the unclosed door in the middle of the night!?
Evan couldn't help but investigate. He'd heard the piano notes and a woman's voice, but it hadn't been intelligible. Evan struggled with acts of charity. His father violently had beaten the tendency out of him as a child, and the scars that remained had always made acts of kindness hard for him to do. But somehow he found a way. It wasn't an obvious decision, but a big part of Evan's choice to investigate the voice was because it sounded like a woman who was all alone at night singing and unaware.
But then he'd stepped into the door and heard those two lines she'd sung for the chorus of her song. He didn't recognize the song, but then again he was never the most musically knowledgeable person. The sheer vocal range this girl had though! She'd hit low, throaty notes that made her voice vibrate from the sheer depth of it, yet her voice held strong. Then she effortlessly flew to a high pitch, singing the rest of the lines like an angel.
She looked to be unaware of his presence. He'd already observed her, but the more he watched, the more he became fully aware of how alluring her crimson hair was as it fell down her back. He thought it contrasted beautifully with her yellow sun dress. He'd never felt this much sudden attraction to a woman in his life. Suddenly he was very glad he'd defied his instincts and chose to do the opposite of what his father would've done, even if no one was there to see it.
"No more shame! For
I'm out of the desert and drowned in the power of love." He heard her sing. Good grief...it wasn't fair at all. Evan stepped further into the church and slowly walked down the center aisle, taking a few slow strides toward her. It wasn't fair in the slightest! He couldn't help himself, but how could you expect him to?
She was a siren. Like those from Greek myth, with voices so hauntingly beautiful that no sailor could resist their pull. He stared at her blatantly as she continued to play, her back to him and unaware of his presence. How was he supposed to resist when she sang with the voice of a siren? Because each time she opened her mouth and harmonized with her own piano melody, it felt like part of Evan's brain turned off from how enraptured she left him.
He almost didn't hear the lyrics themselves, too focused on the singer. But he refocused on them. It was a song of salvation, fitting for a church like this. Evan silently thanked God, if He was real and listening, for allowing the blessing of this woman's voice to surround him in these moments. He certainly didn't mind the message. Despite how awful his upbringing had been, Evan craved love and affection and he knew it too. The idea of an all-loving God caring about him as an individual understandably had its appeal.
This song...it was just so full of life...she was so full of life. He could see the faint smile on the side of her face as she lost herself to the music. Her eyes were closed as she let her rich voice be heard. She was celebrating freedom, love, and life. Evan could respect that, he could even wish those things for himself too. His mother probably would've loved this song, since she'd been a churchgoer who'd liked to sing. In fact, this woman even almost reminded him of his mother. She didn't look like his mother, but her hair...Evan stared blatantly at her scarlet mane, almost zoning out again before forcing himself to pay attention.
"Amazing grace, my soul set free!" She sang, singing loudly, powerfully. Evan felt like he was almost being hypnotized. Her fingers deftly played supporting keys, keeping a relatively low volume so as to let her voice shine. The heir to the Macmillan estate didn't understand what was happening to him...what was she doing to him? Evan had hardly noticed that he'd taken yet more steps closer to her, now halfway down the center aisle.
She really was a siren.
He wanted to be free, like the song she played. He didn't want to be the subservient and broken son to Archie Macmillan anymore. He wanted to be free of his childhood burdens, of the misery that constantly plagued him. This song...it made him feel lighter like the rest of the world didn't exist right now. He wondered if she felt the same way and if she used this song as an escape from reality. Unfortunately, Evan knew very little about the other townsfolk or even his own miners. As his father would say, he wasn't to associate with maggots.
What was this girl's story? With her beautiful hair and angelic musical capabilities, what looked to be a fair and pretty complexion from what little he could gleam of her face, what had she gone through? It wasn't the first time he'd asked such a question to himself. But usually, he asked himself that in regard to the miners, or even his father. He wondered how evil his grandfather had to have been to make his father into such a cruel savage. Or had his grandfather been a good man? And his father had been the truly evil one, chasing money like it was a god and doing every and any immoral act to secure his power and wealth? Evan was suspiciously worried it was the latter.
Was he going to one day turn into a monster like his father? He didn't want to. He may not know the stories of the miners that he worked with, but he knew enough. They were victims, preyed upon specifically by a power-hungry monster looking for those most desperate for work that he could abuse and manipulate without consequences. Evan didn't want to become that. He didn't want to lose himself...
"Ain't no grave got a hold on me!" He heard her sing, once again hitting a lower note that made her diaphragm vibrate, and that subtle vibration could be heard in her voice. His eyes lit up. It had been mere seconds since he'd arrived here, but he'd already been through a rollercoaster of emotions. And now, just as quickly as he had come to feel trapped like he couldn't escape his fate of turning into his father, he was reminded of hope. Maybe he didn't have to become his father, maybe his fate lay in doing right instead of wrong.
"I'm born again! Born again!
Washed by the water, I'm clean." He heard her sing, voice triumphant. She sounded like she'd won a great victory, and in a way it was like she had. This song was of salvation and redemption, a declaration that her soul, as well as his, were not condemned to rot and decay. Evan wanted to cling to that hope. He wanted to live, to be happy, to be better than his father. It actually caught Evan off guard how much his attention had shifted onto the song and away from the woman singing it.
But of course, now that he'd thought of it his mind was immediately recentered entirely upon the redhead who sang with a voice of pure melodiousness. As soon as she'd sang the last line she'd abruptly stopped pressing the keys, letting the energy swiftly die out all at once as the last piano notes and her voice faded away. Evan then soon realized that he'd been staring at her for a solid ten to fifteen seconds while watching her alone in an empty church. So when she turned around and saw him there. He really couldn't blame her for her reaction.
Her eyes, he noticed, were an icy blue color. And good Lord they were intimidating, he could only imagine how piercing her glare was because they already seemed to go right through him. They widened in shock at the sight of him, and she gasped in surprise, jumping up from her seat at the piano suddenly and almost knocking it over as she took a step back from him, her posture defensive.
Evan flinched in response to her violent reaction, taking a step back himself and holding his hands up placatingly, not wanting to scare her. "I am so sorry for scaring you." He said, his natural voice deep and rumbling but not aggressive. "I just heard the noise and wanted to investigate." He explained, hoping she wouldn't run for it or call the cops on him. But thankfully, it seemed luck was on his side as the beautiful woman placed her hand over her chest as she breathed deeply to calm herself.
"N-no. It's okay..." She said, her voice was strong, but not rough or too soft either. It wasn't deep or throaty, nor squeaky. It was just...musical. Evan loved it and thought it made her even more attractive. "I should've known better than to get so zoned out while playing music all alone." She said with an awkward smile, laughing a little as she finished her sentence.
Evan slowly lowered his hands, his expression not showing much emotion. He didn't want her to think that he was being hostile, but he also was scared of vulnerability, not that he'd admit that aloud. "Well, I thought your voice was beautiful." He said, a hint of praise in his tone. The girl beamed at him, clasping her hands together in front of her waist. "Really? You think so?" She asked, sounding flattered and excited.
Evan couldn't help but feel endeared by how giddy she was, and smiled softly, nodding politely to her. "Indeed. In fact, I could say you have a voice that could captivate the whole world." He added, hoping she'd find him charming. He saw her eyebrow raise up in surprise at his words and a blush appeared on her pale, lightly freckled cheeks. She looked away shyly. "Thank you." She said, managing to look up at him. "You were a wonderful audience." She joked lightly.
Evan smirked just a touch wider at her humor. "I'm honored. I'm just sorry I scared you. I promise I mean you no harm." He added, apologizing once more. Megan looked a little embarrassed, her movements rather animated as she talked, her knees bending a little, displaying her bashfulness. "Oh. N-no need to apologize." She said, a hint of nervousness in her tone as she looked at him like she wanted to say something. "B-but I suppose you could...take me out for the night to make it up to me?" She asked shyly, looking away a little demurely, likely afraid of him saying no.
Evan had to hold himself back from blurting out the most eager yes he'd ever wanted to say in his life. She was gorgeous, with the voice of a siren, and the cute, but seemingly sweet attitude that just had him enthralled by her. He wanted her badly, and he was more than happy to take her to dinner for the night if that's what she wanted. "It would be a privilege." He said earnestly, sounding a little too quick to speak in his opinion, somewhat betraying the sheer level of zeal he felt.
She smiled at him widely, it was a stunning smile, one that left him staring like a love-struck fool. He didn't seem to be making any stupid faces based on her lack of giggling, so thankfully he could play it off. He held out one arm for her chivalrously. "May I have your name?" He asked respectfully as if she was a goddess on earth. He wanted to treat her like the absolute rare gem he knew her to be.
She quickly and gracefully hopped off the stage before reaching out her much smaller and delicate hand to slide into his arm, beaming at him all the way. Once they were both walking towards the door she answered him.
"My name is Megan Thomas. What's yours handsome?" She asked, letting a small, low-pitched, flirtatious giggle escape her lips as she looked up at him with a sweet but coy expression. Gosh, this was too good! It had gone even better than she'd hoped! She'd come to the church intent on playing her song regardless of whether or not Evan heard her. But she certainly had hoped he'd hear and take notice of it.
Now not only had he heard her singing but he'd looked so starstruck as she'd played it! She could still feel the giddiness in her heart left over as she'd subtly watched him from the corner of her eye while she sang. She'd never felt merrier as he'd slowly walked closer, bewitched by her voice. Megan had continued pretending she hadn't seen him, silently encouraging each step closer within her mind, wanting to dazzle him further.
But Megan was more than ecstatic with what she'd gotten and practically felt like skipping as she walked arm-in-arm with the love of her life to dinner. It was just such a shame she had to move after tonight, that she had to leave her hometown. It would be the last time she would see him like this. She was a little saddened at the thought, but she focused instead on making tonight the best night possible, to go out with a bang and make it one final send-off to this chapter of her life.
She was going to be walking off into a world of new things, change, and uncertainty, but she had hope. She certainly hoped Evan would be happier in the future, and that he would find happiness in his life. She knew his father would make it difficult for him, but she had faith in him. But right now, it was gonna be their night, where she could flirt and have all the fun she'd wanted to share with Evan ever since she met him before she said goodbye.
"My name is Evan..." He said, sounding like he wanted to say his last name, before pausing. Meg frowned ever so slightly. Why didn't he mention his last name? He must have thought she didn't know who he was since she'd asked his name. Was he ashamed of his name? She couldn't let that continue. "Evan who?" She asked softly, her voice compassionate. "You don't need to be ashamed of who you are." She added, placing her free hand on his forearm that was intertwined with his, pausing their walk.
Evan looked down to meet her gaze, something akin to vulnerability in his eyes. Megan met his gaze softly, a small smile on her face. She knew she only understood part of how guarded he was, how much vulnerability and the display of emotion was punished in his house. She didn't know how sensitive he was, how strongly he felt his emotions, and by extension, his pain. But she felt she knew enough and she was more than willing to offer even just a little comfort to him tonight.
"...Macmillan." He said somewhat flat, looking a little disappointed or downcast. Megan smiled at him appreciatively. "Well, it's wonderful to meet you, Evan Macmillan." She said suavely, gently pulling his arm to continue their walk. "Now where would a gentleman like you wish to take a girl like me tonight?" She asked him with a playful, coquettish smile.
Evan still seemed a little uncomfortable but also looked to be immensely relieved at her unbothered attitude. "Well...I certainly had no plans for a date tonight with a lady such as yourself." He prefaced, to which Megan interjected. "A lady such as myself?" She asked with a hand over her chest and a flattered smile. Evan smiled, looking down at his feet nervously, something Megan thought was unbearably cute, before looking back up at her.
"Yes. To put it bluntly, you're the most stunning woman I've ever seen." He said, maintaining eye contact with her. Meg's eyebrows raised high on her forehead, and a smile slowly crept across her face until her cheeks could stretch no more. A small, hot blush appeared on her face. She giggled, her voice low and giddy, probably sounding extremely flattered or flirtatious to Evan. "And you, Evan Macmillan, are the most charming, and handsome man I have ever seen," Meg said, deepening her voice slightly to emphasize the word handsome. The redhead was even so bold as to gently but swiftly run her hand along his jaw once.
Evan seemed a little stunned at her proclamation, twitching at her touch. But soon he exhaled into a smile, seemingly shaken out of his stupor. "T-thank you." He said, stuttering slightly as he mentally recovered. Internally Meg practically squealed at how adorable he was to her! Gosh, she was way too in love with him. She smiled back at him smoothly. "You're welcome, but this lady would like to inquire where you intend to whisk her away for the evening." She said playfully, her voice lighthearted as she asked the overly elegant question.
Evan smiled at her. "Well as previously mentioned, I had no plans for a date, and I unfortunately do not know where a good place for a romantic evening would be." He said, sounding slightly upset with how he didn't know what to do. "I had just been planning to head to a small bar a little ways down this road." He explained. But Megan needed no further convincing. "Perfect." She said, leaning a little into him to show her enthusiasm. "Please lead the way, sir." She said eloquently, a flirtatious smirk on her face.
Gosh, she had to calm down soon before she scared him! She just couldn't help it! She was a fool in love and she didn't care, all she wanted was to enjoy her last night in her old home. She wanted to meet Evan before she left, and this had all been so wonderfully fun so far! She let Evan lead the way down the street towards the small bar. Evan's face was a little red from her previous invitation, and Megan silently basked in having such a powerful effect on him. He hadn't even been able to put together a clever retort!
After a few minutes of comfortable, lighthearted questions, they reached the bar. Evan pushed open the door for her, to which Megan beamed at him. "Thank you so much." She said gratefully, giddy at how gentlemanly he was to her. The bar was not the most romantic place in the world but despite being populated by quite a lot of roughnecks, it was nice in its own way. There were standard restaurant booths on the walls with round tables and chairs sprawled throughout the center. Megan immediately scanned the customers, noticing no one there was an employee of Archie Macmillan.
Oh, this just kept getting better for her! Because everyone else here was strangers, Evan wouldn't have the social pressure of coworkers being around. That meant he could relax easier, and truly be more like himself with her. Megan took a slight lead here, she met the smile that Evan flashed her after she'd thanked him for holding the door. Then, she took his hand and guided him to the higher seats at the bar counter.
Evan sat down with her, a small smile on his face. Megan couldn't resist the one that was on her as well. The place wasn't too crowded, a few people were at the other tall seats, and even a family of all full-grown adults in one of the booths. Finally, to top the bar off, there were a handful of random duos in various booths and tables. Some looked to be good friends getting a beer together, others looked to be on dates themselves, which Meg was happy for them, and some looked to be alone. Her heart went out to those people, hoping they were simply waiting for the arrival of friends and family, or that soon their life would take a turn for the better.
Sort of like how her life turned for the better when she'd met Evan. She'd still been feeling the last aftershocks of her mom's death, she'd been lonely, sad, and feeling lost. Church had been one of the only things that grounded her. But Megan had been so caught up in her own problems. Then she'd met Evan, and suddenly she felt energized again, jumpy, speedy, any sort of adjective for enthusiastic movement. Evan had made her life so much more fun.
The blue-eyed redhead turned to face the nearly seven-foot-tall brute of a man next to her. He'd ordered two beers for them, and simple chicken platter, having previously ordered them with a questioning look in her direction to make sure she was alright with that, to which she'd nodded happily. Now, a large plate of breaded chicken and dipping sauces, along with two tall, curved glasses were placed in front of them, the beer within looking like liquid amber. Megan had always thought alcohol had been visually pleasing but never indulged too heavily in it. But she certainly wasn't opposed to sharing a drink tonight!
She watched as Evan raised his glass, and Megan quickly gripped hers to meet his. They toasted lightly, wanting to be polite and not disturb the other customers with an overly loud clink. Both took a sip or two of their drink, wiping foam from their mouths. Evan did so with just a small smirk, while Megan expressed her amusement a little more, giggling both at Evan and herself. She smirked at him with thinly concealed adoration and affection.
Megan and finished her first drink within a couple of minutes, Evan doing the same. Both picked at the chicken, curious to try all of the various sauces. Evan seemed to favor the spicier ones, while Megan favored the sweeter ones. As they talked, she spoke about her love of music, Evan's gaze meeting hers, and the look in his eyes told her she had his full attention. Even as a few waitresses bustled about in tight black shirts and equally snug jean shorts that put most of their legs on display, he remained focused on her words. But of course, she saw him scanning the bar periodically, seemingly threat-checking each person.
She never saw his eyes linger on one of the provocative waitresses, merely scanning them and moving on. It wasn't like she could blame him if he glanced at them. She knew how magnetic a sexually appealing woman could be to a man's gaze, and these waitresses didn't make it easy with their uniforms designed to exhibit such sex appeal. But Evan never blatantly or even subtly stared, and that was what mattered most to Megan.
Gosh, he was perfect. Such a strong, charming, sweet, protective, and honorable man. He'd been hurt, yet it seemed nothing could crush the good person deep within that she currently was spending her evening with. Men like him were rare, she knew.
"Excuse me, I'd like two more for myself and the lady," Evan said to the bartender, who nodded and walked off after collecting their glasses. The bar had become a bit more crowded as the night went on, and the noise grew louder as a few dozen people all had conversations in the relatively small restaurant/bar. Megan took the excuse to scoot what little she could in her seat closer to Evan, and he did the same so they could talk and hear each other.
"I'll be paying tonight." He said with a small, endearing smirk. Megan's heart melted at his words and the sentiment behind them, coincidentally just as their second round of beers arrived. Megan leaned in close to him. "Well, then I'd hate to make you spend a ton of money on drinks. Once we finish these, would you walk with me?" She asked him, speaking loud enough for him to hear. There wasn't too much food left to eat either, but Megan wanted to finish it all before they left.
Evan's eyes lit up in excitement at her invitation and he nodded. "I'd love to." He said, sounding over the moon. He stopped the bartender before he could leave and asked for the check. The heir to the Macmillan estate turned back to face her as she fiddled slightly with her purse, having grabbed some chapstick and quickly applied it to her lips. She looked away shyly as he watched her, blushing with a small noise of flustered protest. Evan leaned in closer to her, a charming smile on his face. "Could I keep telling you how beautiful you are?" He asked playfully, mirth in his eyes.
Megan felt honored at how lively she made him feel, and put away her chapstick with a smile, her blush still present on her cheeks. She left one hand in her purse as she looked at him, leaning in a little herself to get closer to him. "I suppose I could allow you." She said with a faux tone of consideration, not at all matching her happy, excited smile. Evan did match her excitement, looking as happy as she felt. "Then I will happily do so every time I see you." He said charmingly.
Megan felt her heart pounding in her chest. He was perfect for her. She already had known that before this moment but gosh he was making her get butterflies in her stomach. She looked into his dark green eyes, which reminded her of the forest. His eyes were so handsome, just like the rest of him. Megan leaned in a little, prompting Evan to do the same, once she leaned in she pecked him on the lips. She wanted to be with him, for him to be hers.
Unseen by all, Megan pulled her hand out of her purse and slipped a powdered drug into Evan's drink.
And so he would be hers!
Evan's eyes widened in shock at the kiss, his forest-colored irises staring down at her in unfiltered surprise and happiness. A smile was on his face, making Megan's own heart swell with joy. She smiled back at him, winking at him with a wide smile, even sticking out her tongue before immediately retracting it to tease him a little further, leaning a little harder into her coquettish air. Now that she had him right where she wanted him, she figured she could be a touch more open.
She was so excited! This was months, almost a year in the making! Megan had been watching him, his father, and everyone else on the Macmillan estate for so long! And now all of it had been worth it. This...this had been her endgame since days after she'd bumped into him after church all those months ago. But she wasn't angry at him for not remembering her, or realizing how perfect they were immediately like she had. No. She was madly and crazily in love but she was not unreasonable, especially with Evan.
She was perfect for him. She would take care of him better than his worthless father. She would ease his pain, and build him up with as many compliments and loving, tender words as he needed to regain the self-esteem she presumed he'd lost due to the abuse heaped upon him by Archie. She would make him happy, make him smile, and feel loved. She would be fair and completely reasonable with him, to treat him with the respect he deserved. She would be the perfect wife for him in the future. And if he wanted her to be a stay-at-home wife, that's what she'd be for him. She'd happily make him his favorite meals once she learned each and every one.
Megan smiled at Evan and raised her drink, and Evan did the same, unaware of the necessary evil she'd placed within his beer. They both drank merrily. Megan hated doing this to him. She didn't ever want to hurt him, she wanted to make him happy. But she knew he wouldn't come with her willingly, at least not yet, and she also knew Archie would go to insane lengths to keep his son subservient to him. So this was her solution. This was her ultimate insult to the Macmillan patriarch. To him, she was a street girl, a woman with no value except her beauty. Yet she had so masterfully and artfully both charmed and stolen his son in one short night.
It was the most delightful indignity. That someone as "great and mighty" as Archie Macmillan had been so thoroughly and dismissively humiliated by some "maggot" like her. But petty squabbles aside, Megan was now internally celebrating having ensnared Evan. She'd been so careful, having intentionally calculated each step of her actions that night. She'd watched with almost predatory joy as Evan approached her in the church, feeling like a spider luring prey into her web. But this was not a web that preceded death. No, her web had been one of music, warmth, love, and affection, carefully laid just for him, for Evan.
Now he had fallen into her clutches, had let her sink her hooked claws into him and now she was going to hold him so fondly, so lovingly. She was going to smother him with love and attention. Megan actually got shivers she was so excited, so eager to whisk him away and take him with her where his father couldn't find them and ruin the life they'd build together. Evan noticed her shiver and gently ran one hand over her bicep to warm her. "Oh! you must be cold." He said in realization, and in the sweetest gesture he took off his thin jacket and draped it around her shoulders.
Meg could've kissed him stupid then and there. But she had to take this slow. She looked at him with deep appreciation. "You're so sweet." She said in an adoring voice, almost fawning over him as her heart melted. "Thank you." She said in a grateful, touched voice. Evan beamed at her, now just in his plain black long-sleeved shirt. "Of course." He said to her with a voice of heartfelt conviction, one that spoke of his genuine kindhearted nature. The beautiful redhead was getting giddier and giddier knowing soon he would be all hers.
She sipped more of her beer, and Evan did the same. "Why don't we finish these up real quick and take that walk?" She asked with a sweet smile, hiding the real reason she wanted to get out of there soon. Her sweet Evan would soon start to feel the effects of the drug she'd put in his beer. Meg wanted to make sure he drank the full beer and ingested all of what she'd given him for the quickest effect.
So, to encourage Evan, she drank the rest of her own, and ate a few more pieces of the chicken, leaving the last for Evan if he wanted it. Evan quickly downed his beer, fully ingesting the drug. She hoped he'd eat the leftovers, as any food or water he ate would help soak up the drug and reduce its effects on him. He thankfully did eat them, dipping in a little of the sweeter sauces she'd favored with a smile in her direction.
It made Meg smile, seeing him fall into her loving trap. "Did you have somewhere in mind Megan?" He asked, holding his arm out for her as they stood. The redhead smiled at him happily and gave him her much smaller arm. "Sort of. There's a nice park nearby that I used to play at when I was little." She explained, almost feeling a little embarrassed. "It's really beautiful at night." She added fondly.
But Evan wasn't judgemental at all. He just led her out the door and into the quiet outdoors. Megan gratefully leaned her head and shoulder into him as they walked, to which Evan took her hand in his. She returned his firm grip, conveying her gratitude. "Thank you for such a wonderful time." She said genuinely, her voice thick with appreciation as she led him towards her childhood park and her home close by.
Evan smiled at her. "Thank you for such a wonderful time as well." He said, and in all of the time Megan had spent stalking him, she'd never heard his voice sound so carefree, so happy and unburdened. It was one of the greatest treats she'd ever received to be the cause of his wonderful mood, and it only reinforced her firm dedication and decision to steal him for herself. That's why she was leaving town tonight, because she was taking Evan with her, away from his rotten father and awful home.
As they walked, the drug finally started to kick in. Evan became a little less coordinated, swaying ever so slightly. Megan gladly and sympathetically stabilized him, taking a more guiding lead as they walked. Her love's smile soon became a little more delirious, less cognizant of where he was and what was happening. His dilated eyes were firmly locked onto her, her hair, and to Megan's immeasurable satisfaction, onto her curves as well. But even inebriated with fading inhibitions, Evan never touched her inappropriately, staying rather respectful of her.
It only made Megan want him more. Suddenly she couldn't take her mind off how much of a stud he was. He looked like an absolute playboy who could charm any girl he liked, and he was all hers! He was so charming, so muscular, so sweet, and so kind. He was absolutely, undoubtedly the most perfect man for her in existence.
Once they reached the playground, Evan was fully intoxicated. "Wherrre...are we goin'...again?" He asked, slightly slurring his words, but largely retaining decent enunciation. He just seemed really happy with his occasional unprompted laughter, something which did make Megan smile considering how much she loved his laugh. But her heart also ached a little bit at having done this to him, even if she'd had to. But it would all be worth it very, very soon, and eventually Evan would forgive her and thank her for it. So with a soft, gentle, and patient tone, she spoke to him, not even slightly hiding the love she felt for him in her tone.
"We're going to my home sweetheart." She said, smiling at him as she kept him close to her, holding his hand tightly. Evan smiled at her and chuckled to himself softly. "Oh...okay. I-I like that idea." He said simply, stuttering a little, and Meg's heart both broke and glowed at his behavior. She hated having left him so helpless, but she would make it up to him, she would keep him safe and take care of him.
Evan made short, soft, unintelligible vocalizations as they reached her house's front door, all of the lights being off. The house was almost entirely empty, but there was some furniture left that she'd sold alongside the house to the buyer, like the refrigerator, couch, and a coffee table. Megan had kept all of the truly sentimental furniture like her mother's chair. She unlocked the door, and stepped inside, but when she heard Evan's mutterings she shut and locked the door behind her, turning to face him.
"What was that sweetheart?" She asked gently, reaching up and cupping his cheek with one hand, her other resting on his waist. The delirium she'd seen on his face was now gone and replaced with a sad, hesitant look. "T-tiger...lilies." He slowly said, sounding scared to say so. Megan paused, slightly tilting her head in question. "Tiger lilies?" She asked sweetly, putting one hand on his cheek. He nodded.
Megan knew of tiger lilies. They were gorgeous flowers, a similar color to...her hair. Realization soon dawned upon Meg. She made him think of tiger lilies. Ugh, he was too much, she was gonna explode at this rate with how happy he made her. She looked up at him with a wide, happy smile. "I remind you of tiger lilies sweetie?" She asked lovingly. He nodded at her, the sadness growing in his eyes. "M-my m-mother...s-she used to...to garden..." He said, looking like he was struggling to get the words out.
Megan's heart fell a little. "Come here." She gently encouraged him, leading him to the couch in the empty living room and helping him sit down. She straddled his lap immediately, hearing a small whimper from him as she hugged him to her once she settled on him. "I've got you love." She whispered consolingly, feeling him hug her back, arms tightly around her waist as he began to cry, chest shuddering as he sobbed, his breathing sudden and gasping. Meg squeezed him tighter, knowing that the kind of soothing, gentle, and accepting love she was giving him sometimes hurt to receive.
"S-she used t-to garden...a-and she taught me t-too...tiger lilies...were my f-favorite flowers." He said, his voice muffled but cracking against her chest. Megan's heart broke for him as she squeezed him tighter, letting him use her chest as a pillow. She gently shushed him as he cried, holding him close as she tried to soothe him. But he only seemed to get more emotional. Oftentimes it hurt to suddenly receive lots of love and attention from someone when you'd been living without it.
He had been so deeply wounded. With a mother who'd died when he was little and a monster for a father, the sudden loving attention she showered him with was alien. It soothed him, but part of the healing process involved the pain of dealing with those old wounds. And her affection had reawakened the long-buried and suppressed loneliness, hurt, and sadness he carried with him for so many years. Megan understood that, and would keep comforting him as long as it took, and then still would hold him as long as he needed and wanted her to afterward.
Megan leaned in close to him and softly kissed his cheek, gently pressing her lips to him, feeling the recently shaved facial hair on his skin. "It's okay sweetheart. I've got you now, and you're safe. I'm not gonna let him hurt you anymore. I promise." She whispered to him, kissing his temple tenderly once she finished to emphasize how deeply she loved him. Evan broke down in her arms entirely, and she squeezed him tightly to try and calm him. A tear or two escaped her own eyes at the depth of his hurt. She wanted to take it all away, to love him until he felt at peace. She felt like a spider, wrapping him up in a webbed cocoon of her tender affection and care, of her love and protection.
After a few minutes, he began to calm down, Meg never having stopped speaking softly to him. Now that he was calm, Megan shifted slightly. "Hey, honey." She said sweetly, her voice affection incarnate as she stroked his cheek. "Just give me one second okay? I'm gonna go get you something that'll make you feel better. I'll be right back I promise." She kissed his forehead as she stood up. Evan's arms loosely fell from her sides, remaining outstretched for her for just a fraction of a second before sadness crossed his rough features and he returned them to his sides. Meg quickly went into the kitchen and found her bag, thankful she still had her water bottle. She filled it with cool water from the fridge and drank a whole bottle's worth herself before filling it back up again and swiftly returning to him.
She sat back down again on his lap, encouraging him to hold her again, and then held the water out for him. "Here sweetheart. Drink this. It'll make you feel better." She said soothingly, bringing the uncapped bottle to his lips. He hesitantly and gently took it and began to drink it, holding it as he took multiple gulps. Megan smiled at him and stroked his cheek, her hand holding the side of his jaw and then sliding to cradle the back of his skull. "That's it, baby, drink as much as you need." She said in a deeply caring fashion, flooded with joy at being able to take care of him and help him feel better from the awful thing she'd had to do to him to get him here.
Evan drank nearly the whole bottle before stopping, looking back up at Megan with vulnerable, puffy green eyes. The redhead gently took the red colored plastic bottle from him and screwed the cap on so she could rest it on the couch without fear of it spilling. She looked at him with love and sympathy in her eyes as she cradled his jaw. "My baby." She murmured softly, before gently, slowly leaning in and kissing him. She didn't hold him tight despite how much she enjoyed the kiss. No, she didn't want to scare him at all, but he seemed to appreciate the kiss, hugging her as she did.
Megan gently pulled back and looked at him with a small, hopeful smile. "Did that feel good?" She asked him like she was talking to a child. He nodded, leaning forward slightly in a silent request for more. Megan cooed and leaned in again, softly kissing him once more and gently running her fingers across his scalp, scratching his head lightly. Evan groaned in pleasure at her ministrations, and Megan soon realized she'd found his weakpoint. She smiled at him as she pulled back from the kiss and kept lightly scratching his head.
Meg picked up and opened up the water bottle again, presenting it to Evan. "Here baby, drink some more." She encouraged, to which Evan obediently swallowed the last of the water. He seemed a little less drunk now, looking kind of sleepy, which was exactly what Megan wanted. "Aww." She gushed over him, scratching his head more and swiftly standing up with a heartfelt promise to come back. She refilled her water bottle and got her bag. Everything was already in her car now, and she meant everything.
The redhead returned to the couch where Evan was slowly starting to drift off. She took his hand softly. "Hey baby, can you come with me, sweetheart?" She asked gently. He nodded and stood up slowly with a groan. "Yes." He said sleepily, his eyes still closed. Megan smiled at how cute he was, but before she led him to her car, she realized a small potential factor. "Do you need to use the bathroom love?" She asked inquisitively, looking up at his half-lidded green eyes. He shook his head, and Megan just smiled at him.
"Alright, then come here baby." She said, gently guiding him into the garage where her car was parked. It was nothing special, just a common white sedan. Megan put her bag in the passenger seat and then helped Evan get into the backseat on the passenger side. He slid in rather ungracefully, but Megan just smiled at him. "There you go." She said softly, leaning into the car and hovering over him as she buckled him in safely. Once that was done she grabbed a folded blanket from the other back seat and draped it over him, tucking it into his sides gently. She gave him another kiss as she pulled away, her hand scratching his head. Evan's eyes fell shut with a soft groan of affection in response.
Meg's heart swelled as she shut the door and walked around the car to the driver's side. Every single thing was now moved out or in her car with her. But the most important thing she'd brought with her was Evan as he slowly drifted off to sleep. "Goodnight my love." She whispered, starting the car and locking the doors. She opened the garage door remotely, and then once it was shut behind her, pulled out and drove down the road. She had a several-hour drive ahead of her, one of the reasons she was glad Evan had fallen asleep. He'd be out for a while, thankfully more than enough time for her to drive the several states away from home to the house she'd bought, and once there they could start their new life together.
She turned the radio on at a low volume as she drove, occasionally checking on Evan in her rearview mirror as she drove down the largely empty roads and highways. There was something so cozy about long road trips at night, especially when they were with someone special. This night had been as wonderful as she'd hoped it would be. She'd done a little performance for Evan, flirted so so much, and had a wonderful dinner before peacefully abducting him back to her home and now their new one far away from the past.
It had all gone so perfectly. In all honesty, Megan thought it was almost miraculous. She was most grateful that all she'd had to do was drug him, as it was one of the quickest yet peaceful ways to kidnap him. Regardless of how tonight played out, she had planned on kidnapping him. She didn't have numerous plans to do so for no reason. She'd gotten lucky he'd practically fallen into her clutches tonight. Otherwise, she would've had to resort to the more...forceful and violent plans to lovingly steal him away.