Sheffield was always trying to get closer to her. Evelyn wasn't about to drop her guard.
"Evelina," Sheffield paused and muttered. "What a pretty name."
Then he started singing. "Like a lonely meteor traveling a light year, shooting across the vast, dark sky, in tireless pursuit… Who could change a heart committed for eternity? After the ups and downs, will you still love me…"
Evelyn listened as he sang. The look in her eyes, like the feelings in her heart, was complicated.
Sheffield was the first person to ever sing for her, other than her parents, of course.
He was also the first person who helped her apply bug spray. Although she had grown up surrounded by servants and bodyguards, Evelyn was always a do-it-herself kind of girl.
What she didn't know was that this was the first time Sheffield had ever sung for a girl he liked.
He had finished applying the spray, but he was still singing. He stopped singing and asked her with a smile, "You ever heard that one?"
Evelyn shook her head. She only listened to her mom's songs. She was somewhat sheltered.
Slowly, he released her foot. Then he lifted his own foot and put it on the seat in front of him to spray himself. "It's called Evelina. You like how I sing? I don't suck, huh?"
He looked at her expectantly.
Evelyn blushed a little under his gaze. She looked down and pretended to dust her pants. "Sort of. You're not as good as my mom."
In truth, Sheffield was a natural singer with an expressive voice and a handsome face.
But Evelyn wasn't going to tell him that.
"Your mom? What singers does she like?" Sheffield asked, still busy applying the repellent to himself.
Despite being flattered all the time, he could deal with a setback or two.
"Well, she likes Debbie Nian."
"Ooh! I know her! She was one of the best singers. That voice was amazing! But I heard her husband banned her from singing eventually." Sheffield had listened to some of Debbie's songs.
But he thought her songs were too girly. So he hadn't taken the time to memorize them.
"Yes. It's too bad she hasn't even put out a single in a long time. But I have everything she ever did." Evelyn was proud of her mom. Her eyes gleamed.
Sheffield paused. "You like Debbie Nian too?" "
Of course!" Evelyn answered without hesitation. That was her mom. She loved her.
"Yeah, her songs are kinda girly. I feel weird singing about wearing a dress or hot guys. I'm a guy, so that's probably not in the cards. Um…never mind. I'll learn her songs if you want me to." If that would make her happy, he'd do it.
Evelyn didn't say anything. She knew he was trying to impress her. She wondered why. What did he want?
Sheffield didn't know what was running through her mind. Once he was done with the mosquito repellent, he put his foot down.
Evelyn was germophobic. So were her father and brother. She understood that most men weren't. Probably that was why people tended to attribute words like "grungy" and "messy."
She wanted to take a pack of wet napkins from her bag to clean the spot where his foot was. Before she did that, Sheffield had taken a pack of wet napkins from his pocket and started cleaning the area himself.
Then he found the bin in the car and threw the almost empty bottle of mosquito repellent and the used wet napkins into it.
Evelyn couldn't help turning to him. He wore a white casual outfit yesterday. Today he wore a pink jacket.
Apart from that, his shirt, pants and sneakers were all white. He wore only two colors, but he rocked whatever he wore.
Few men looked good in pink.
But obviously, Sheffield didn't need to worry about it. He looked absolutely awesome in that jacket.
And he smelled minty, somehow.
Three minutes later, the sightseeing car arrived at Elephant Valley.
Sheffield got out first and then held out his hand and helped her out.
He didn't have to—she wore sneakers instead of stilettos.
Still, Sheffield took her arm and said, "The car is pretty high up off the ground. If you jump, you might sprain an ankle."
Evelyn murmured inwardly, 'Seriously? I hit the gym all the time. I'm not made of porcelain.'
But she remained silent and got out of the car with Sheffield's help.
By noon, the sun came out. Evelyn put on her sunglasses and continued walking.
The place was packed with visitors. Many of them swarmed towards the elephant school. After asking her, Sheffield took Evelyn there as well.
A group of tamed elephants were taking pictures with some visitors. "Do you want to ride an elephant?" he asked her.
The elephants looked clean, but they were at least two meters tall. Evelyn was a bit afraid of the height. Other visitors had to climb onto them using a ladder.
When she shook her head, he dumped the idea. "Let's go catch a show then," he suggested. But he noticed that she was staring at the elephants. It was an eager look, like a starving person had seen food.
Amused, he smiled. 'She doesn't tell me what she really wants.'
Taking her by the wrist, he started to lead her towards the elephants. "Sheffield, where are you taking me?" she asked nervously.
He turned back and said, "I never knew my name was so musical." He loved it when she said his name.
"You didn't answer my question," she said.
"Where do you think? You're going to ride an elephant."
"Um…no, I'm not." She refused to go any farther.
"What are you afraid of? I'll be with you."
Evelyn felt embarrassed, but she refused to admit her fear. "I'm not afraid. I'm just not interested in riding elephants," she denied.
Sheffield coaxed her, "But I'm afraid. You look brave. I need you so I don't lose my nerve at the last minute."
Evelyn shook her head again. "I'll wait for you here."
Sheffield didn't give up. "Where did you come from?"
"The same as you," she replied. 'Why did he want to know?' she wondered.
'She's also from Y City?' He was excited by her answer. "We traveled around a thousand km to get here. Are you seriously going to tell me you're turning down a ride on the elephant? Wow…just…wow. Evelina, life's too short for regrets."
Evelyn found his words made sense. She agreed.
With the staff's help, she got on a ladder and silently climbed onto the elephant. As soon as she was seated, she looked back. She was glad to see that Sheffield had gotten on the same elephant and sat behind her.
