Chapter 1
Evelyn opened the app on her phone, glancing at the newly downloaded software. She registered and logged in. “Hey, Meatball, what are you up to?” her best friend Isabella asked, playfully tapping her on the shoulder. Evelyn looked up, her features simply striking yet different from Isabella, who enjoyed a more boisterous persona. Standing at 5’5” and weighing around 130 pounds, Isabella’s body type contrasted with Evelyn’s slender frame, although they shared a sweet, comforting tone to their voices. “I just downloaded a chat app,” Evelyn replied, her voice soft rather than high-pitched like a typical girl’s voice. “A chat app? Do you even have time to chat? I’ve been feeling so down lately, just studying non-stop,” Isabella flopped onto the bed beside her. “Yeah, but that's exactly why I wanted to find someone to chat with,” Evelyn said, settling back against her pillows. “Fair enough. I’ve been having insomnia lately, seven more days until the big test,” Isabella tightened her fists, her expression serious. The two had shared a bunk in high school for three years, supporting each other through the stress of their studies while growing together. “Get some sleep then; we have to wake up by 6:30 tomorrow,” Isabella climbed into her own bunk. Lights out at the Guildhall was always at 9:30 PM. Evelyn put her phone down, closed her eyes, and felt her mind swirling with formulas and vocabulary words. Before long, she drifted off to sleep. The next morning, bright sunlight streamed through the window, piercingly bright, as the two girls walked to their classroom in their uniforms, heading to the school cafeteria. Isabella turned to glance back at Evelyn, who followed closely behind. She had fair skin and large double eyelids, her eyes shimmering with a hint of innocence. Even though her cheeks were a bit round, she had an oval face, and her deep chestnut hair cascaded into a ponytail, shining in the sunlight. “Meatball, when will I ever be as fair as you?” Isabella griped, holding Evelyn's hand and contrasting their skin tones dramatically. “You're not dark, Isabella…” Evelyn smiled bashfully, feeling a little embarrassed as she recalled the military training during their school years when the instructors mistook her paleness as a sign of possible fainting. Isabella often joked initially that, upon seeing her light skin, she thought Evelyn might be unwell. Sitting at their desks, Evelyn pulled out her phone again since they’d arrived early due to living on campus. She opened the app and clicked for a random match. A beautiful landscape photo appeared as their chat interface—a picturesque lake with green grass beneath a pale blue sky, like something out of a painting. “Hello,” read a message from someone named Sir Gawain. “Hi! Did we get matched at the same time?” Evelyn typed back, surprised it happened so quickly. “Seems like it! I just downloaded it as well,” Sir Gawain replied almost immediately. “Not that it matters, but you sure are up early!” Evelyn laughed. “It’s noon here; I’m in New Zealand,” came the unexpected reply. “Oh, really? I have to go to class soon, so I won’t have time to chat. I’ll be back tonight, though,” Evelyn intended to wrap up the conversation and focus on her English homework. “Still in school? Wow, I’m working now,” Sir Gawain replied, and Evelyn opened her English notes. “You're about to take a big exam, huh? Good luck! You can have fun with this afterward,” Evelyn chuckled as she read the message, feeling a warm smile spread across her face. “I come here to chat only when I don’t want to study. So I guess I’ll catch you later,” she typed back politely. “Sounds good. See you, young lady.” Evelyn felt shy reading his reply, never having been called “young lady” before. But it was just a momentary thing as she steeled herself for what was to come in English class.
Chapter 2
Evelyn returned to the Guildhall at half past eight. After washing up, she collapsed onto her bed and picked up her phone to video chat with Squire. Suddenly, she remembered the man from that morning. "Are you asleep?" Evelyn sent a message, knowing it must be around two-thirty where he was. "No, just got home and took a shower," came his quick reply. "Just got home? Are you out this late???" Evelyn typed back rapidly, her fingers dancing over the screen. "Yeah, it's not like I’m a student like you; I have obligations," he typed while brushing his damp hair back, settling down by the large window. "Don’t start with ‘study hard’ or ‘work is tough,’" she shot back. "That’s just how it is; once you start working, you’ll realize how nice school is," he responded. "Hmph! I’ve got plenty of time to enjoy!" Evelyn emphasized her words through the furious clacking of her keyboard. "That’s right; so, kid, your mission now is to study, not to be glued to your phone all the time." "It’s not like it’s a waste of time; everyone needs some relaxation!" "When you're relaxing, others are still working.” Seeing his reply, Evelyn pouted. Who was he to lecture her?! "Got it! Just like our teacher, Squire!" "Wait, you think I’m nagging you? Okay, I’ll tone it down," he replied. Evelyn glanced up at her wooden bed frame, suddenly struck by a thought. "Since you’re in New Zealand, your English must be really good, right?" "It’s fine for daily life. Why do you ask?" "There’s an English listening exercise I can’t figure out. Can you help me, Squire?" "Sure, but how do we set that up?" Evelyn sent him her contact on Vx. The notification popped up in bright red, and after she verified the friend request, she saw his profile picture and name. She clicked into his posts—mostly beautiful landscapes. While browsing through her phone’s gallery for a picture she had taken for translation, she sent it over to Sir Geoffrey and made a voice call. As soon as he picked up, she inserted her earbuds, her heart racing slightly. "Evelyn?" His deep voice carried a playful tone, making her realize she had a thing for voice sounds. "Mm…" she replied softly. "Is your name really Evelyn?" He chuckled, his amusement growing stronger. "Mm… you guessed my name; how about you?" "Lord Geoffrey." There was a bit of noise in the corridor, and Evelyn whispered a quick apology. "No problem; do you want me to read it to you? You need to listen, right?" "Could you translate it too?" she laughed. "I’m getting old, but here I am doing listening exercises for a little lady," he sighed. "You’re aging? I was born in ’98. How old are you?" "Older than you by a couple of years." "So you’re Uncle Otis, huh?" Her voice rang out clearly in the somewhat empty room, and he chuckled at the view outside his window.
Chapter 3
After the final exam, Evelyn opened her phone in the car and quickly found the chat window. “Otis, I’m done!” she typed out, but received no immediate reply. “Finished! Now I can finally relax. Where should we go to celebrate, Roro?” Isabella chimed in from the front seat. “Not celebrating; I’m going home to catch up on some sleep,” Evelyn replied with a grin, lifting her head. “That makes sense. I’m finally free!” Isabella laughed. Once they reached the bus station, Evelyn stepped off and headed home. The neighborhood was decent, a little worn from time, but it felt comfortable. A thin layer of dust rested in the corners of her apartment after months of neglect. “I’m home,” she said softly to herself as she closed the door behind her… Her parents divorced when she was young and had each moved on to their own lives. Every year, they sent her living expenses, and the apartment was officially in her name since early this year after her grandmother passed away. Though her mother had proposed taking her in, Evelyn declined, not wanting to share a space with her mother’s two new daughters. As she started tidying up her room, a notification pinged on her phone. “Congrats, soon-to-be college student!” Evelyn smiled faintly as she cleaned, pouring the dirty water from the mop down the toilet and washing her hands. “Don’t you want to know how I did?” she typed back, amusement dancing in her eyes. “It’s all over now; just waiting for the results. Which school are you considering?” “Not sure yet; can we talk on the phone?” “Sure, give me a minute.” A voice message came through moments later. “I’m cleaning up, so it might not be the best time to chat,” the girl said with a laugh. “Hardworking! Color me surprised,” Otis replied, smiling back. After their last voice chat, she had been swamped with studying, and they hadn’t had much time to talk since. “Just trying to get it all done. So, what’s new with you?” Evelyn cracked a shy smile, opening a window to let in some fresh air as she wiped dust off her coffee table. “Same as always. Soon-to-be college student, dreaming of what to study.” “Any ideas?” “Thinking finance, I guess.” “Finance? Sounds good. Have you already estimated your scores?” “Yeah, I think I passed the undergraduate line. But I’m still uncertain about which school to apply to. Where did you graduate, Otis?” “I’m only 28, but you can still call me Otis,” he chuckled. “I went to school in the States.” “Wow, you’re quite the brainiac.” Evelyn laughed, wiping the couch with a cloth. “Not really; for finance, Alderwood University is a solid choice. You might want to consider it.” “Alderwood University? I think my scores might struggle to get in, and the cost of living there is pretty high.” “You're young, though. You’ve put a lot of thought into this already! Just wait for your scores to come in, then think more about what you really want to do. It’s important to choose something you love, and I can help you find out more about it.” “Sounds good! I’ll wait for the scores then. So, Otis, are you busy every day?” “Not too much,” he replied, his laughter light. “Otis, do you have a girlfriend?” Suddenly, Evelyn paused, an idea striking her. “Nope, why do you ask? How could I chat with a young girl if I had a girlfriend?” he laughed gently. “Just curious, why did you download that app?” “Well, I had a little too much to drink one night and couldn't sleep. I happened to see a friend's app, so I downloaded it on a whim.” “Oh… I see.” Evelyn rinsed her cleaning cloth and surveyed the tidy room, a smile breaking across her face, revealing a charming dimple.
Chapter 4
The phone suddenly disconnected, and then a message came in. "Sorry, I got a call. I'll be right back." Evelyn replied promptly, then dumped the dirty water and tidied up her things as she prepared to make dinner. "A friend called; I'm going out to eat," she sent to Lord Geoffrey while at the market. “Go enjoy yourself,” he replied. Evelyn didn’t bother checking her phone again as she quickly whipped up some fried rice and made a simple salad. The apartment was cozy, two bedrooms and a small sitting area. After Evelyn's cleaning, it was neat and tidy. Dressed in a white nightgown, her hair slightly damp, her fair skin glowed, emphasizing her elegant collarbone and neck. Although she wasn't overweight—she had a D cup size, and no extra flab around her waist—the slight roundness of her belly was easily disguised. Her limbs were not bulky either, just a larger bone structure. At 5'5", she didn't appear short at all, appearing taller with her long legs. Her big eyes paired with an oval face gave her a soft, adorable look, but her personality was anything but soft. She was like one of the guys, having spent her senior year focused on studying, with no thoughts of dating. Evelyn scrolled through her social media and clicked on a questionable image, which startled her, causing her to flinch. It wasn’t superstition; living alone unnerved her. "Otis, are you asleep?" Her heart raced, more from fright than excitement. "Nope, what's up?" "I'm a little scared. Can you stay on the phone with me?" After sending, she felt a bit shy; it was already late on his side of the world. "I'll get my headphones." After receiving a positive reply, Evelyn's heart slowly calmed… She waited in silence for Lord Geoffrey's call. The call came in quickly, and the man’s side was quiet. "What’s wrong, little lady?" Lord Geoffrey asked from near a large window. "I saw a scary picture, and it freaked me out," Evelyn cleared her throat. "You’re brave enough to look at scary things?" the man chuckled softly. "Not all the time. Have you made it home yet?" "Not yet. I’m at a friend’s place enjoying the night view. It looks great." "Nice," Evelyn said, turning over and laying on her stomach, her face clearly visible now. Another video came through, and the man didn’t show his face; instead, he pointed the camera at the stunning view outside—beautifully trimmed gardens basked in bright light. “Is that New Avalon?” she asked, knowing it was daytime there and thinking he was joking with her. In the video, Evelyn lay with her fair skin glowing, her shining eyes glimmering with curiosity. The low neckline of her nightgown revealed a glimpse of her chest, which reflected the light… "I’m in Washington, little lady. Why is your hair still damp?" He wanted to look away but found it hard not to be captivated by her fair skin. "Uh, my hair dryer broke, so I didn’t buy a new one. I’ll dry it later. Why are you in America?" She toyed with her hair and smiled shyly. "Just here for a friend’s birthday. Now, little girl, you should get to bed." The man glanced at his watch and spoke softly. "Can’t you wait to hang up until I fall asleep?" Evelyn hesitated, biting her lip. "Go to sleep, little lady. I’ll hang up once I know you’ve drifted off." He seemed to settle down, and the camera shifted, revealing his face. His hair was neatly styled, a bit short around the bangs, highlighting his handsome features—double eyelids, charming eyes, and a deep blue pajama set that revealed a nice collarbone. He looked nothing like Uncle Otis but more like a young gentleman… Evelyn shyly positioned her phone sideways on her pillow, facing the ceiling, pulling the blanket around her. "What's the matter?" Lord Geoffrey laughed. "Nothing... I’m going to sleep now," she murmured, burying her face in the blanket. "Go ahead, little lady." Tentatively, Evelyn lowered the blanket, not worrying anymore about his appearance. She turned slightly and aimed the phone at herself. "Otis… goodnight." The man on the screen gave a soft smile, "Goodnight, little lady." She placed the phone beside her lamp, pointing at herself on the bed as her breathing gradually steadied. Lord Geoffrey gazed at the screen, rubbing his hand along his jaw… A knock echoed at the door, pulling him from his trance. He raised a finger to his lips, signaling his friend to be quiet. Just as he was about to end the video call… "Uh..." Evelyn turned over, letting out a soft hum in her sleep… so soft and sweet. Lord Geoffrey’s throat felt dry; suddenly, he didn’t want to hang up after all.
Chapter 5
As Lord Geoffrey hung up the video call, he couldn’t help but notice the mischievous grin on his friend’s face across the screen. “Hey, Old Lord, what’s going on? When did you start dating someone cute?” The man’s charming appearance offered a lively spark with his playful expression. “No, just met a young lady,” Lord Geoffrey replied, feigning nonchalance. “Oh… a young lady? Is that your new thing now?” Aunt Margery chimed in with a teasing smirk. “Come on, she just turned eighteen.” “Just eighteen is perfect—it's about time you found someone too, right?” “Stop it. Why don’t you go check on Alderwood? We can’t leave everything to Hope.” “Got it! But can’t a guy take a break while on vacation?” “Relaxing from New Zealand to Washington? You've had your fill.” “Alright then, shall we grab some dinner?” “Let’s go. Aren’t you bringing your girlfriend?” “She’s asleep,” Aunt Margery said, raising an eyebrow with a mischievous smile. Lord Geoffrey glanced at her, but said nothing. He picked up his phone again as Aunt Margery sauntered out of the room. The next morning, Evelyn woke up with a start. Blinking against the sunlight, she checked the time on her phone. It didn’t seem like she’d been asleep long, but her hair was a tangled mess from the night before. After washing up, she sent Lord Geoffrey a quick message before making breakfast. Just as she finished her meal, she noticed an incoming video call. It was three minutes ago. With a mix of excitement and nerves, she hit the call button. “Otis, I was just eating!” she said cheerfully as she greeted him. Lord Geoffrey lounged on his bed, a smile creeping onto his face as he saw her. But then a wave of yesterday’s memories washed over him, and his throat tightened. “Yeah… what are you up to?” he asked, his voice lower than usual. “Not much, probably just binge-watching some shows at home,” she replied casually. “What about your family?” Evelyn hesitated, her smile faltering slightly before she brightened up. “It’s just me. My parents are remarried, and I live alone now.” He wasn’t expecting that. “I’m sorry to hear that.” “It’s okay! Are you getting some sleep?” she asked, her beautiful smile lighting up the screen. “Had a bit to drink last night, so my head’s pounding a bit,” he admitted. “Drink less!” Evelyn cheered playfully, propping her chin on her hand, her gaze fixed on the phone. “Careful there, you might accidentally show more than you intend,” he remarked, swallowing hard as he noticed her position accentuating her neckline. Flustered, she dropped her head, realizing how revealing her outfit was. She instinctively covered her chest, feeling embarrassment wash over her. A silence fell between them, thick with unspoken tension. “I… I want to see you,” he said, his voice deep, causing Evelyn's cheeks to flush even more, the warmth creeping across her face. Though she had never been in a serious relationship, she understood enough about these feelings… and yet… “What… what do you want to see?” she stammered, sitting up straighter and holding her phone in front of her blushing cheeks. “Why are you so pale? Huh?” His gaze held an intriguing mixture of curiosity and something more intense, making Evelyn’s heart race. “Otis, what are you doing?” she questioned, still flustered, unsure of how to respond. “Come on, let me see you,” he urged, his voice lowered as he leaned closer to the screen.
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