“I’ll pick you up at 4 o’clock,” said Nicholas, driving away after dropping her off at the hospital. They would first go to her parent’s house and then off on a date. Alyssa was excited, as Nicholas still hadn’t told her what he had planned for them.
Nicholas reached his office and wrapped up his work as fast as he could, looking forward to spending the evening with her. He tried calling Alexander to talk to him, but he still wasn’t available. Reluctantly, he left a message for him. He knew how upset Alexander would be if they married without informing him.
Alexander,
I tried to reach out to you many times, but I guess you are busy.
I have an important announcement to make. Alyssa and I are getting married this Saturday at your parents’ house. They have happily given their permission and I would be at peace if you too accepted our relationship. Your acceptance means the world to Alyssa, and she means the world to me. That’s the reason I’m trying to reach out to you.
I have always loved Alyssa since the day I first saw her in school nearly ten years ago. I pursued her with only one wish: to marry her and make all her dreams come true. You have always misunderstood me, Alexander yet, I’m sorry if you got the wrong idea about my motive. This was never a game between you and me. Your interference might have annoyed me a few times, but I forgave you.
I wish you can attend our wedding if not for me, for Alyssa’s sake.
May you find your happiness with Eva. Good luck!
Nicholas.
He released the breath he was holding, after sending the message. An enormous weight lifted off his shoulders and he could concentrate on his work better. If Alexander didn’t accept their relationship after reading his message, then he wasn’t responsible for it. They would marry without his approval.
He drove over to pick Alyssa up from her hospital. “You look relaxed. Any good news?” asked Alyssa as she climbed into his car.
“I’m just happy to see you again. I missed you at work.” He didn’t want her to fret over the issue unnecessarily, and therefore, didn’t tell her the actual reason. Alyssa laughed, loving the way he missed her all the time. It made her feel loved, cherished, and alive. She sailed through the day, being more productive and successful at work. It was just seven days and then she would learn to handle her own business empire under Nicholas’s expert guidance. It didn’t seem as daunting as it did earlier. In fact, she looked forward to training under Nicholas. It would give her more time with him.
“I missed you more. Now tell me, what’s our plan for the evening?” she urged him. He smiled and shook his head at her attempt to find out details about their date tonight.
“We’re heading straight to your parents’ house for the wedding preparations. Afterward, we will go out on a date!” he said, but Alyssa turned to face him.
“Is it a dinner date? I can’t go wearing work clothes,” she protested while Nicholas chuckled.
“Don’t worry. Just relax and enjoy yourself.” Alyssa sulked when he didn’t give her any hint about what he had planned for them. It was difficult to relax under the circumstances, and Alyssa kept on glancing at him for a hint. Nicholas smiled and at last and took pity on her.
“Don’t worry, I have a brand new outfit for you to change into for our date. You can get ready at your parents’ house. We’re going on a dinner date tonight, but our next date will be at an exotic destination.”
“I can’t wait for it,” said Alyssa with a grin, satisfied at last. They reached her parents’ house and the seamstress, who was waiting for her to take her measurements, whisked her away. Nicholas caught up with her dad and discussed how he would train Alyssa, later on, to take over the business.
“Have you booked your tickets for your honeymoon?” asked her dad.
“No, I haven’t thought of a destination yet. I haven’t asked Alyssa where she wanted to go on a honeymoon.”
“Go to Santorini or The Bahamas. We had been to both and loved them equally.”
“Fine, The Bahamas then.” They booked tickets together and planned out the four-day trip without informing Alyssa, who was busy with the seamstress. The wedding planner, Sally Granton, arrived and is very efficient, and quickly chalked out a plan for the wedding. Alyssa emerged and joined in the discussion. Her parents had already invited the guests over the phone and they discussed the favors, menu, decorations, theme, cake, and more. Nicholas waited patiently for it to be over so that he could whisk her away to their date.
At last, Ms. Granton left and Alyssa hurried with the shopping bag Nicholas handed her to get ready for their date. She gasped at seeing the beautiful black body con dress with an overlapping, off-the-shoulder neckline, short sleeves, and a princess-seamed bodice. There were matching diamond earrings and bracelets as well. It took her just ten minutes to get ready, eager to thank Nicholas for his thoughtfulness. Brushing her long hair till it shone, she walked out of her room towards Nicholas, who looked up at her with awe. He slowly got up in a daze and came towards her.
“You took my breath away. Can’t wait to take this off you,” he whispered, making her blush.
“Shall we go first?” she asked, trying to calm her jumpy nerves as her parents were watching them.
“Uncle Daniel, I’ll come over tomorrow at 9 o’clock in the morning to take you to the doctor. Lucas is also coming along.”
“Can I come along too?” asked Alyssa.
“Sure.” Alyssa was happy to be there for her dad now to make up for all the years she had neglected her duty towards her parents.
She hugged them and climbed into Nicholas’s car and they sped off to enjoy their date. Nicholas drove them towards Brooklyn to a fine dining restaurant tucked away near the Brooklyn Bridge, offering panoramic views of the Hudson River, Brooklyn Bridge, and Manhattan skyline. The moment they entered the place, the romantic atmosphere in the place, enhanced by exotic floral arrangements and live piano music had them mesmerized. It was the perfect setting for another memorable date.
“I love the ambiance. Have you come here before?” asked Alyssa, as they settled down in their assigned seats.
“Yes, seven years ago with mom, dad, and granny. Dad was a foodie, and he loved to take us out every weekend,” he said, remembering those days when his father was well. They ordered and as they waited for their food, Nicholas told her about what he ate the last time he was there.
“How about you? Which is your favorite restaurant?” he asked her.
“My brother’s. I didn’t go out much when I was young. All my life, I held my parents responsible for my real dad’s death and behaved badly with them. I didn’t interact with them much. I repent it all now. No one can change one’s destiny. What my dad went through was his destiny,” sighed Alyssa.
“It’s never late, Alyssa. You can always make up for the time you lost. Show them now that you care for them,” he urged her.
“Yes, I intend to do that. From now on, I’ll be a part and parcel of their lives.”
“Good. Are you scared to take up the responsibility of the company?” he asked her, but Alyssa shook her head confidently.
“Not anymore since you’re there to guide me,” she said, making Nicholas’s heart skip a beat. The way she trusted him made him feel happy with his decision. He was sure now that she could learn and pick up fast. Determination plays a key role. If one is determined, she can soar to new heights.
“Good. I’m sure you will do great.”
Their food arrived, and they tucked in hungrily. The chef’s special herb-roasted rabbit loin, the handmade ricotta gnocchi, was out of the world. Even Nicholas couldn’t help the moan that escaped him as he tasted his food. Afterward, they went out to the open-air pavilion to sip their wine while absorbing the sights and sounds of the city.
“I called Alexander, but he didn’t accept my call,” said Alyssa, as she swirled her wine and stared at it broodingly. Nicholas knew how upset she felt about her brother’s behavior. “Maybe he knows that we’re marrying and is avoiding me on purpose.” Nicholas sighed and felt a little guilty. Did Alexander see his message and overreact as always? Was that why he was avoiding Alyssa?
“Maybe I’m the one at fault, Alyssa. I wanted to make peace with your brother before our wedding. I called him, but his phone was unreachable. So I send him this message,” he admitted, at last, unable to keep it to himself any longer. He showed her the message that he had written to her brother.
“He read it in the evening while you were with the seamstress, but didn’t reply. I’m sorry for coming your way, Alyssa.”
“It’s not your fault, Nicholas. You were just trying to make me happy. I think Alex still doesn’t approve of our relationship.”
“Then?”
“Then nothing. I’ll keep calling him till we finally get married.”