Alexander’s eyes immediately sought Eva out, taking in the devastated look on her face. He frowned, wondering what the matter could be! Maybe she didn’t want to meet him again! Maybe she hated him after the stunt he pulled the last time they met. He should have restrained himself, knowing that she wasn’t in her senses. He shouldn’t have taken advantage of her when he knew he wasn’t a free man. The last fifteen days he had been neck-deep in work, yet he hadn’t been able to forget Eva or the heart-stopping kiss he shared with her. It was the best he ever experienced in his entire twenty-eight years of existence. He had just returned from his trip and had been going crazy in his mind ever since. The need to see Eva was so great that he couldn’t think of a better excuse than to go hunting for his sister.
“What are you doing here, Alex?” Alyssa asked, massaging her temples, drawing his attention toward her.
“I just returned and went to your apartment to see you, and you weren’t there. The security guards said that you hadn’t returned home since last night. I was worried sick looking for you. This is the last place I thought of looking into before filing a missing report,” scolded Alex. It was the truth, but only half of it. He hadn’t gone looking for her at all, knowing that she would be at some friend’s house. He had come over to Eva’s apartment straight to look for his sister. It was the only chance he had to see her tonight!
“Alex, are you out of your mind? I stayed with Hayley at her aunt’s house. There’s a wedding coming up, and they wanted me to teach them some dance steps. It was late already, so I didn’t return,” said Alyssa angrily. Alex looked uncomfortable and his glance went straight towards Eva for the second time, noting the strained look on her face as she looked down at the floor. He wanted her to meet his gaze and not shy away or look ashamed of herself. If there would be no one around, he would have pulled her in his arms and forced her to look at him.
“Why don’t you come inside, Alex? We were just having dinner,” said Sienna. Alex smiled warmly at her.
“Others don’t want me here, it seems,” he said, watching Eva closely and waiting for the desired effect. His heart skipped a beat when she looked up with surprise. His eyes held her surprised gaze, trying to read the myriad emotions mirrored in them, but she looked away instantly before he could even read them, let alone drown in them.
“You’re right. We don’t want you here, Alex. Go to your own house. I’m sure your chef might have made grand delicacies for you,” said Alyssa.
“No, I fired him,” shrugged Alex carelessly, his eyes again going to the one he came here for. It was true, though, that he had sacked his personal chef before he left for his trip. In fact, after that night at Phoenix with Eva, he had been so frustrated in the morning that he had sacked all his employees at his penthouse before leaving for his trip.
He gazed at Eva, who avoided his eyes. Feeling desperate to make her look at him again, he searched his brains for a way.
“Eva, did you cook?” he asked, and it had the desired effect, just as he had expected it to. Eva looked straight into his eyes, trying to figure out why he was constantly addressing her. The way they had parted the last time, she hadn’t at all expected to meet him again. She had thought that he would repent his mistake and hate the sight of her, or verbally abuse her for losing her restraint. She didn’t have any answers to his question and just held his gaze, seeing a spark of desire, of longing and then suddenly he shut his emotions totally, giving her a blank look. Eva looked away. It was no use searching for the feelings he didn’t feel for her. The kiss had been a mistake, and they both knew it. They would never repeat the same mistake again!
“I cooked today. It’s as good as Eva’s cooking,” assured Sienna with a chuckle. Alex smiled back at her.
“Thanks for the offer. I’ll come down some other time,” he said, giving Eva a last glance.
“You wouldn’t find them here after tonight,” said Alyssa. Alex gave her a curious look.
“Why so?” he asked.
“Their landlord has evicted them. Eva is moving in with me tomorrow, and Sienna is going to a patient’s house on duty,” informed Alyssa. Alexander’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked at Eva with interest. The news made his heart race with anticipation. Did Eva agree to stay with his sister? He couldn’t wait for her to move into his building. He could then see her every day!
“Do you want me to talk to your landlord?” Alex asked Eva, but this time she didn’t even glance at him and shook her head.
“No, I’m sure Roman has bought them with money,” she said in a strained voice. Of course, Alexander had heard about Roman from his sister and could have helped if Sienna wanted him to but she declined his help already.
“I’ll come over to help you shift,” said Alex. Before Eva could protest, he strode away towards the elevator, leaving her dumbfounded. What just happened? Why was Alex being nice to her? She glanced at Sienna and saw the same question reflected in her eyes, too.
The three friends had dinner and then started packing up. It was late by the time they finished, so Alyssa stayed over at their apartment.
The next morning, both girls were ready with her luggage. Sienna loaded hers into her car while Alyssa took Eva’s stuff with her to her apartment. After duty, Eva would directly go there. Strangely, Alex hadn’t appeared, although he had promised, and Eva looked a little disappointed. “Don’t worry, he’ll be waiting for you at Alyssa’s apartment. Mark my words,” giggled Sienna. Eva rolled her eyes at her, but couldn’t control the blush that gave her away.
“Shut up and handle the hot Donnelly. Call me to update,” said Eva, and Sienna stuck her tongue out at her and drove away while Eva, too, drove away to work after locking the door and handing the keys over to their landlord.
Alexander stormed into Hotel Flames Plaza, whose elite night club and bar Black Flamingo was quite a popular place amongst the rich and famous in the city. With luxurious suite rooms available for stay, it was always on demand. He met his PI, Joe Stevenson, who had called him early in the morning, informing him that Beatrix had been here last night with Sean Fairfield. Of course, they both knew who Sean Fairfield was. The lead actor and producer of the latest Hollywood blockbuster movie that was released recently! Son of veteran actor, Steven Fairfield, he was loaded, and therefore it was hardly surprising that Beatrix fancied the man.
“They are staying at the executive private suite on the top floor, Alexander. We won’t be allowed up there.”
“I’ll have a word at the reception.” Alexander spoke to them, claiming to be Beatrix’s fiance, demanding to meet her, but to no avail. Sean’s bodyguards were everywhere and he couldn’t go up to catch them red-handed. With no other option available to him, he called her dad, Desmond Rotterdam.
“Uncle Desmond, I’m sorry to say that I cannot stay engaged to your daughter any longer. I’m at hotel Flames Plaza, where she’s spending the night with actor Sean Fairfield.” There was a shocked silence at the other end for a while, and then his mentor cleared his throat.
“Talk to her then. Give her the attention she needs. If you neglect her, she will seek attention elsewhere. It’s only natural behaviour, Alexander,” he said while Alexander’s mouth hung open with shock. Instead of talking to Beatrix, was he supporting her in this?
“Are you supporting her in this, uncle Desmond? I really can’t believe it.” He disconnected the call angrily and called his dad instead.
“Beatrix is spending the night with actor Sean Fairfield behind my back. She has been betraying me for quite some time. I’m at hotel Flames Plaza to catch her red-handed. I’m breaking this engagement, dad,” he said agitatedly, as he paced the floor.
“I’m sure there must be some misunderstanding. Did you see them together? Don’t take any hasty decision, Alexander. There’s a lot at stake,” said his dad, while Alexander scoffed at his words.
“I’ll forward you her photographs with him. Will that change your opinion of her? I absolutely despise her yet I agreed to marry her for your sake but I can’t take betrayal, dad. My decision can’t change,” he said firmly, disconnecting the call.
There was a lot of commotion near the elevator with Sean’s bodyguards guarding the area. Within minutes, the elevator doors opened and Sean Fairfield emerged, along with Beatrix.