The bright afternoon sun shimmered over the surface of the water and Alyssa stared at Preston Island as their ferry surged forward towards Alexandria Bay. She just couldn’t drive thoughts of Nicholas and the hug she shared with him out of her mind. Why did he beg her for a hug when they both weren’t even friends? Why did the hug feel so good? Confused she stared blankly at nothing in particular, wondering why she felt so numb as if she had left her heart behind on the island.
“Boo!” said Hayley, coming up behind her, startling her out of her mind. “What’s the matter? Don’t tell me you’re missing him already?” Eva too joined them and they chuckled at their own joke while Alyssa glared at both.
“I’m not. I was just missing Sienna’s reception party. Skye’s so lucky that she can stay as long as she wants to.” Alyssa released a deep sigh and glanced back at the island. It was good that she had been able to thank Nicholas with a hug for saving her all the time. At least she wouldn’t feel guilty now.
“Yeah, we’re the unluckiest ones in the group,” sighed Hayley while Eva looked away. She never complained about Alexander’s ways although he tortured her the most. Her love for him was unconditional, true, and pure if only he could realize it. Coming from a broken family no one knew the value of relationships more than she did yet she was doomed to remain alone forever!
She glanced at Alexander and Ashton who were busy encouraging two scantily clad females on the ferry and felt an ache in her heart. It wasn’t something new as she was always invisible to him! He preferred voluptuous, curvy blondes who were outgoing and vivacious, totally opposite to what she was. With her dark chocolate brown long hair and her doe-shaped light brown eyes that were warm like honey, she didn’t stand a chance against them. His eyes met hers and Eva looked away, not wanting to be caught staring. She released a sigh knowing how painful unrequited love felt but she was getting used to it.
“What are you guys doing tonight? We could have a stay over at my house,” suggested Hayley as the ferry approached Alexandria Bay.
“I have night duty,” said Eva, her mood destroyed by Alexander’s flirting. Didn’t he realize just how much his behaviour broke her? Maybe he wanted her to realize what an impossible dream she was nurturing in her heart. He was a billionaire restaurateur with swoon-worthy looks while she was an average-looking and poor nurse with no roof over her head. She didn’t tell her friends the truth. She didn’t have any night duty but was actually planning to move into a studio apartment in a building where most of her colleagues lived. It was cheap and she could easily afford it.
“I’ll be there with midnight treats,” said Alyssa over-enthusiastically, knowing where Hayley’s sprawling mansion was located. It was within walking distance from granny’s house, and she could drop in to see aunt Claudia on her way back. Of course, it had nothing to do with the enemy who too lived on the same avenue. While Hayley and Alyssa excitedly planned their night, Eva watched the ferry reach the port at the sleepy village of Alexandria Bay. She would be busy with her packing right away and by tonight she would be able to move out of Alyssa’s apartment forever. It was better this way since she wouldn’t meet Alexander at all!
Unknown to the turmoil going on inside Eva’s head, Alyssa grabbed her hand and pulled her along towards the exit. “Eva, are you planning to stay here? Let’s go,” she yelled at her friend. Eva smiled at her and walked out towards Alyssa’s car.
“Lisa, I need to talk to you in the evening. Don’t go anywhere,” ordered Alexander approaching them with a grim expression on his face. Alyssa scowled at her brother knowing what he was going to say. He would give her a lecture for the stunt she pulled! She was tired of his lectures.
“Tell me now Alex. I’m not sure if I’ll be free tonight,” said Alyssa waiting for his retort.
“Where are you planning to go tonight?” asked Alexander, scowling at Eva as if she was the culprit who was responsible for dragging Alyssa out of the house. Eva looked down at her mobile phone knowing that by tonight, she would go far away from such insults. She would be free in her surroundings amongst nurses who were as poor as she was.
“I’m going to Hayley’s house for a sleepover.” Shrugged Alyssa while Alexander continued to glare at the two of them.
“Stop these stupid things and start doing something worthwhile with your life Lisa,” he scolded her but his glance flitted towards Eva who didn’t at all look up from her mobile phone at him. Alyssa glanced at all the people passing by who were giving them curious looks and seethed with anger.
“Stop creating a scene here, Alex. I’ll talk to you at home.” She grabbed Eva’s hand and pulled her towards her car.
“I’m going straight to my office. I’ll stop all your luxuries if you don’t get a grip over yourself. Dad had called me thrice to remind you to meet him tonight. You will meet him and go to his office with him tomorrow.” Eva could feel his scowl upon her as if she was the cause behind Alyssa’s partying habits.
“If you’re so concerned why don’t you manage his business yourself? You can do whatever you want while I’m forced to do what I hate. Is that fair?” gritted out Alyssa over her shoulder. She unlocked her car door and Eva climbed in.
“Drill some sense into your friend’s head Eva for everything she has done for you,” he said furiously before turning on his heels and striding off towards his car. Eva watched him walk away with sadness in her eyes. She wondered why he was so bitter and always angry but mostly why he hated her so much.
“Don’t mind him. He’s an assh*le,” muttered Alyssa as she drove off towards her apartment. Thankfully. Alexander had gone to work and they could relax till evening. Alyssa wanted to catch up on some sleep in her room while Eva packed up her stuff the whole afternoon. She hadn’t been able to tell Alyssa about her plans since she was sure that her best friend would overreact and stop her somehow. She wasn’t listening to anyone this time.
After two hours, Eva had almost packed up everything she possessed. Zipping up her last suitcase, she heaved a sigh of relief.
“What the hell are you doing?” asked an anxious Alyssa as she entered her room. Eva turned to look at her apologetically knowing that she would be very upset hearing her plans.
“Packing. I’m moving out, Alyssa.” Alyssa gave her a look of horror, not having expected this new turn of events.
“Why do you need to go? I thought we were over with this topic,” she groaned slumping onto the bed with defeat. Nothing was going as planned and she felt horrible. It seemed as if Alexander was playing with her life. It was horrible to have such a dominating older brother! Eva smiled at her friend, the sadness in her eyes reflecting her inner turmoil. “Alex had always been an ass*ole, Eva. You don’t need to leave because of him. I’m here only because of you else I would have gone back to California forever,” she pleaded earnestly.
Eva shook her head not willing to give in this time. “I can’t take in the accusations anymore Alyssa. I think you should listen to your brother. Maybe something good will come off it. There’s no harm in trying. As for me, I’ll be fine and free. You can always come over to my place.” Alyssa sighed and stormed out of Eva’s room to hers. She was too angry and upset to face anyone at the moment. After an hour, the main door clicked shut and she knew Eva had left forever. Hot tears crept into Alyssa’s eyes as she felt lonely despite having a family to call her own. She knew that Eva left because of Alexander and she seethed with anger for him.
By evening, that anger multiplied and she just waited for Alexander to arrive. How could he play with her life? She hadn’t confronted him when she found out that she was the cause behind his enmity with Nicholas and his brothers. She wanted to correct him but one look at her close friend, Sienna made her step back. Sienna had gone through a lot and deserved a stress-free wedding! Now Eva’s departure added more fuel to her cause and she felt a mad fury burn inside her, ready to explode. She called up Hayley and canceled the stayover and sat at home waiting for her brother.
It was 8 o’clock when her doorbell rang and she wondered who it could be. Alexander had a set of duplicate keys with him and never rang her doorbell.