“I can’t possibly go wearing such a shocking red dress? It’s super short, Eva! Hell, no, I’m not wearing this,” wailed Sienna, holding the dress Alyssa had chosen for her. It was deep red with a scooping neckline and a short hemline and Eva was adamant that she wear it.
“You don’t have a choice, Sien. Hurry, they’ll be here soon to pick us up.” Eva pulled the deep coffee-colored ruched dress on and stared at her reflection in the mirror. The dress matched her eyes, that were a few shades lighter in comparison. Her milky white skin glowed unlike ever before and she just couldn’t believe that the woman in the mirror was actually her! She grabbed her hair to fix them up in a messy bun when Sienna grabbed hold of her hand.
“Let it be. Just curl it a little. You’re looking swooning hot, Eva.” She helped her curl her long hair while Eva helped her with the makeup.
The doorbell rang and Eva rushed to open the door since Sienna couldn’t find her favourite perfume. “Sorry girls! Just a minute more!” she started excitedly, the moment she opened the door but froze at seeing Alexander there instead of her friends. She peered behind him, but it seemed only he was here to get them.
“I don’t mind waiting inside.” His gaze traveled all over her, taking his time, checking her out minutely. Eva couldn’t utter a single word more and just moved backwards to allow him inside the house.
“Who’s there, Eva?” yelled Sienna from inside. Eva stood at her spot, not even bothering to answer her while Alexander sat on the sofa and watched her. “Eva?”
“Just hurry!” said Eva impatiently. “Where are the others?” she asked Alexander, who hadn’t stopped staring at her even for a minute.
“At Alyssa’s place. Ashton will drive them over when they’re ready!”
Sienna rushed out of her room towards them, her eyes widening at the sight of Alexander. He rolled his eyes at the sight of her. “Don’t you two have clothes to wear? Eva, change that immediately. You’re not going anywhere in that!” he growled, his eyes zeroing in on her.
“I’m not changing. I’ll take a cab if you can’t drop us.” Alexander fumed but stood up without arguing further.
“Alyssa bought this dress for me, so I’m wearing it, I guess!” grumbled Sienna, pulling at the hemline. Alexander nodded and strode out of their apartment, stiff and angry at their disobedience, especially hers. Eva didn’t care. Who was he to dictate to her what she should do or shouldn’t do? If he felt so embarrassed in her presence, he shouldn’t have come here in the first place to escort them. They were capable enough of going to the club on their own.
Alexander climbed into his car and waited for them. However, to Eva’s dismay, Sienna opted for the back seat before she could.
“Sit in front with me, Eva!” he ordered her as if she were his fiancee.
Eva rolled her eyes at his attitude and gingerly climbed in beside him, her dress hoisting up in the process. She could feel his unwavering gaze upon her again, and it was disconcerting. Why did he have to stare as if he had never seen a woman’s bare legs before? As if he hadn’t done the deed with his bi*ch of a fiancee and many others!
“Can we go already? I’m sure you can stop staring and drive for a change!” she couldn’t help the sarcasm this time. He should get a dose of his own medicine! Sienna smothered the giggle, wanting to break free, and concentrated on the sequins on her dress instead. This was a new side to her friend, a desperate side she had never seen before. It definitely was interesting to watch as she waited with bated breath for Alexander’s growl! But it never came, and he chuckled instead, shocking both the friends. They had seen him growl, yell, be grumpy, angry, jealous, mad and even seen him smile faintly but never chuckle.
“Oh, can you chuckle?” said Eva, unable to stop herself.
“I can do a lot more. Want to see?” he muttered in a low whisper.
“No, thanks. I prefer not knowing you.” That was enough to quieten him and he drove them towards their destination, a frown permanently sitting on his face. Her retort had him thinking hard. Did she really forget that she used to love him once upon a time? Did she really forget the love letter she gave him? Was that all fake? Was she really after his money?
Eva looked out of the window all the while, answering Sienna in monosyllables. She wanted to talk more, but Alexander’s presence beside her unnerved her as always and all her determination to stay far away from him crumbled to dust. She couldn’t understand the working of his mind! If he loved his fiancee so much, why did he not avoid her? Why did he come here when Ashton could easily have escorted them? Even if he arrived here just to escort them to the venue, why did he have to keep staring at her?
They reached the upscale nightclub where the rest of their gang were waiting for them to enter. With Alexander having all the access to the club because of his membership, they couldn’t go in without him. “Took you long enough, bro?” muttered Ashton with a chuckle while Alexander elbowed him out of the way with a grin. He couldn’t deny the excitement coursing down his body tonight. He had waited since the age of sixteen to spend time with Eva. She was forbidden to him, yet he wanted to be with her. The attraction was too much to ignore, and his earlier clash with Beatrix fuelled a rebellious side in him tonight. Alexander wanted to have fun, to do what his heart desired for once at least. He wanted to forget all the rules, obligations, restraints tonight. He wanted to be free!
The girls chattered non-stop behind him, but he didn’t mind the noise. He led them inside the nightclub, and every employee greeted him with respect. The manager of the club, Stanley Thorne, rushed forward to greet him, leading them through the crowd towards the upper deck.
“Bro, please, can we check out the bar first? Why don’t you leave us alone for a while?” said Alyssa, expecting her brother to retaliate, but he glanced at Eva who evaded his eyes and sighed, giving in already.
“Fine. Enjoy yourselves, but you know your limits. I have a booking on the upper deck executive lounge for eight. You can occupy any table.” Alexander left with Ashton and they all breathed a sigh of relief.
It was no doubt a posh night joint, and Eva felt out-of-place having come to such a club for the first time in her entire twenty-two years of life. Her head started spinning hearing the loud thumping of the background music. She watched with wide eyes the bodies gyrating on the dance floor, drinks flowing freely around the place, people laughing, couples desperately grinding against each other, making out wildly at every corner possible. Her glance fell upon Sienna, and she knew that she too was panicking at the sight. She knew her friend was planning to escape the ordeal.
“Sien, stop overthinking for a change,” shouted Eva in her ears. With the wild music playing so loudly, it was impossible to hear a thing.
“Live for once, girl!” yelled Skylar as she rushed towards the counter to get the bartender’s attention. “Oh my God! He’s so hot. Watch me,” she said to them over her shoulder, making them all groan.
“Let’s go upstairs and occupy a table first,” said Alyssa. They all went up the stairs to the luxurious and exclusive upper lounge, as Alexander had asked them to, and Alyssa spoke to the attendant in charge. He escorted them to a table, which gave them a bird’s-eye view of the entire club.
“Perfect, ” said Hayley, occupying a seat. “I hope your brother won’t come checking up on us?” asked Hayley, dreading it completely.
“Well, he’s here somewhere. So I won’t rule out that option, you know,” said Alyssa. They all groaned.
“I’ll check what’s taking Skye so long,” said Alyssa, shrugging and walking away.
“I’m coming with you,” yelled Eva, rushing after her. However, her friend had already disappeared and she made her way through the crowds.
“Hey Coco, you dropped your mobile phone,” said an amused voice right in her ear. Eva whipped around and came face to face with a man nearly her age with twinkling blue eyes that looked friendly. He held her mobile phone out to her and Eva gasped with surprise.
“Oh, thanks! It’s so crowded here, I didn’t notice,” she said breathlessly. “By the way, what did you call me?”
The man chuckled. “Coco.” Eva’s eyes popped out with surprise. Why would someone call her that? “I haven’t seen you here before.”
“This is my first time at a nightclub.”
“Oh, is it? Will you allow me to buy you drinks? Are you with anyone?” asked the stranger, looking quite pleased.
“She’s with me!” said Alexander’s booming voice from behind her.