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✨ Dear Eva – Episode 1: "Dear Eva"
> "Dear Eva..." That's how he always starts—when he wants something. Or when he wants to remind me that I owe him something.
For the few months I had worked at the prestigious hotel, Kingsley—the branch manager—had followed me like a shadow. He wanted me to be his girlfriend. Every day, he'd show up with chocolates, flowers, and gifts I never asked for. And every day, I'd smile politely, then go back to pretending I hadn't just felt a cold chill of dread crawl up my back.
You see, I didn't like him.
But how do you tell your boss "no" without risking your job? I needed the job. My family needed me. I paid the rent, bought food, and covered my father's hospital bills. If I lost this job, I lost everything.
Still, Kingsley wouldn't give up.
> "Dear Eva," he'd say. "You're the most beautiful thing I've ever set my eyes on."
A thing. That's the part that always rubbed me wrong. I'm not a thing. I'm a person. A woman. A soul with dreams, fears, and desires. But he couldn't see past my smile and my receptionist uniform.
Then one day, he introduced someone new.
> "Dear Eva," Kingsley said that morning, flashing his usual smile. "Meet Stan, the new room service delivery staff. Show him around and help him settle in."
I turned—and my breath caught.
Stan was tall, built like a man who had weathered life but still stood strong. His skin, deep brown and smooth. His lips—pink, soft-looking. His eyes—gentle, searching.
He looked like the man I'd written about in my diary. The one I used to dream about when the world felt too cold.
Kingsley said they were like brothers. That he was helping Stan avoid the streets. But I didn't care about their history. I just knew one thing the moment I looked at Stan:
> This… this is the man I want to fall for.
I showed him around the hotel, pretending to focus on towel policies and room service protocols. But my mind was elsewhere.
> "Eva," he said softly. "How long have you worked here?"
> "Not too long. Can I ask you for a favour?"
He looked surprised. "Sure."
> "Call me 'Dear Eva'... whenever you call me."
He blinked, confused at first. Then he smiled.
> "Dear Eva."
And just like that, something shifted.
Something began.
> To be continued...
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