Alexander’s eyes widened at seeing Beatrix hand in hand with Sean Fairfield. How could she desperately flaunt her private affairs so openly? More so, how could the actor be so careless about his own reputation? Whatever the case, he knew this was his opportunity, and he had to make the most of it. They would separate once the reporters caught a whiff of their presence here. He clicked as many pictures as he could with his phone and stormed towards them, but it was impossible to get near.
“Beatrix! What are you doing here with him?” he yelled, his booming voice reaching her instantly. She stilled and turned her head to look at him, freezing the moment she saw him.
Sean Fairfield ignored him and tugged at her hand to get away as fast as he could. Beatrix went forward, all the while looking in his direction. Alexander followed them, no one to be discouraged by the actor’s rebuff. He pushed past the guards with his sheer strength, taking them by surprise, and stopped before them.
“I am Alexander Van Every, CEO of Rotterdams. I’m here to know what exactly is going on. What are you up to with my fiancee? Ask your bodyguards to back off if you don’t want the press here.” Sean’s face flushed with fury and humiliation and he immediately gestured to his guards to back off.
“We could talk in private, Mr. Van Every,” muttered Sean, releasing his hold on Beatrix, who looked at Alexander with dread.
“There’s nothing to talk about. You’ve been sleeping with him behind my back, Beatrix. I’m breaking off our engagement. How dare you betray my and your dad’s trust in you? I’ll not let this go,” he growled, before storming out of the hotel. His PI followed him, fearing more trouble, but Alexander thanked him for his help and promised to transfer his dues later. After he left, he sat in his car and forwarded the photographs to his dad and Desmond Rotterdam with the same message to both.
AlexanderI have broken off my engagement with Beatrix. I can tolerate anything but not betrayal.
He went to work expecting an answer from Desmond Rotterdam, but even after the whole day, there was no reply to his message. Even his dad had nothing to say to him. It was strange, and he decided not to wait any longer. It was evening already, and he drove home angrily, unsure of what Desmond might eventually decide. If he asked him to resign, he would happily do so. The moment he parked his car, his glance fell upon Alyssa’s car. There was another car parked in their designated parking space. Whose could it be? His eyes widened as realization dawned on him. He had promised Eva that he would help her move in with his sister! Seeing that she had already moved in, his heart longed to meet her again. Would she like to have dinner with him? No, maybe it was too soon. He had to give her time to settle down.
He strode into the elevator, but instead of going to his apartment, his feet took him to Alyssa’s. Having his own set of keys, he unlocked the door and saw Eva in the living room, wearing the same pajamas she had worn earlier. With her smooth legs exposed to his hawk-like gaze, Alexander stood transfixed at the spot, watching her. Eva switched off the Television and sat upright nervously on seeing Alexander right in front of her. She had been so absorbed in the TV program; she hadn’t heard the door at all.
“Oh, I was just watching TV,” she blurted out nervously while Alexander came to his senses and smirked.
“Bro? Weren’t you supposed to help us?” said Alyssa, rushing out of her room with a hairbrush in her hand.
“Sorry, something important came up, but I can make it up to you. How about dinner at my place if you haven’t eaten already?” he asked, his gaze going to Eva, whose pink cheeks flushed more with color and she looked nervous.
“No, we haven’t, and I’m dying of hunger,” admitted Alyssa, glancing in Eva’s direction.
“What about you, Eva? Will you come up to my apartment for dinner?” Eva gazed back at him, her eyes mirroring the confusion she felt. What was wrong with him? Why was he inviting her so openly? Alyssa nudged her to bring her out of her thoughts, and she nodded. After a hectic day, it was only natural to accept whatever food was being offered. With Alyssa being hopeless at cooking, she had nothing in her home. Without rushing to the grocery stores, Eva didn’t have any choice but to cook plain spaghetti for dinner, which was the only thing available to them. Although Alyssa had offered to order dinner, she didn’t want to splurge from the first day of moving here.
“Yes, thank you.” Although it was a shy whisper, Alexander heard it distinctly and smiled at her, making her blush even more. Alyssa grinned widely, and Alexander placed his hands deep into his pockets and awkwardly rocked on his heels back and forth before turning to leave.
“See you in ten minutes, then.” The moment the door closed, Alyssa started giggling at her brother’s condition, having never seen such a silly side to him before.
“What’s there to laugh?” Eva frowned at her friend.
“Didn’t you see how nervous he was? I can’t believe he offered us dinner at his place. He isn’t so generous usually. He even rocked on his heels! I’ve never seen such a silly side to my brother;” said Alyssa, rolling on the sofa with laughter. Eva blushed more and smiled at her friend but couldn’t help the flutter in her heart.
Alexander quickly ordered dinner since there wasn’t much time to prepare anything. He whistled a merry tune as he showered and changed into a pair of gray sweatpants and a black tee shirt. It was ten minutes already, and he waited for his guests to arrive. What was causing the holdup? He paced the floor impatiently and was about to go to Alyssa’s apartment to get them when the doorbell rang. Excitedly, he rushed to get the door and opened it wide to give Alyssa a piece of his mind for being five minutes late. However, to his immense horror, there stood Beatrix, at his doorstep fluttering her fake eyelashes at him.
He looked frantically around for Eva and Alyssa. Had they left seeing her? “What the f*ck are you doing here when I clearly broke our engagement today? I want nothing to do with you, Beatrix. Whatever I had to say, I already told your father.” Beatrix pouted and instantly tears started pouring out of her eyes.
“Please don’t do this to me, Alex. It was all a misunderstanding. I just visited Sean, who’s an old friend of mine. Dad has threatened to cut me off and freeze all my bank accounts. I won’t get any share in the business if I don’t marry you.”
“You should have thought of the consequences before spending the night with Fairfield when you are still engaged to me. I can deal with a fake marriage, but I won’t take betrayal, Beatrix. Take your sob story elsewhere. I’m busy tonight,” he stated as calmly as he could, although he was far from feeling it.
“I swear I didn’t spend the night with him. Believe me, Alex. I want you to call dad and tell him we will get married within a month,” she pleaded, coming forward to cling to him. Alexander placed his hands in front to stop her from getting any closer.
“Stop right there, Beatrix. I won’t do anything of the kind. After four years of being with me, you should have known that I don’t give out fake threats. I have called off the engagement and shall return the ring to your dad when I meet him. My decision is irrevocable.” Beatrix wiped her eyes and gave him a look full of loathing.
“You are so full of yourself, Alexander Van Every. I always knew you were only after my dad’s business, but he was too blind to see it. Just wait and watch me turn everything in my favor. I’ll ensure that I win this game and see you lose everything you hold dear. This is just the beginning. Mark my words,” she threatened and whirled around and walked towards the elevator. Alexander’s eyes followed her but froze with horror at seeing Eva and Alyssa standing in front of the elevator, watching Beatrix warily.
She stormed into the elevator without noticing them at all. Alexander’s eyes softened at seeing them. “Come on in, you two,” he called, all his anger dissipating at the sight of the two favorite people in his life.
Alyssa grinned at her brother and pulled her friend toward his apartment. “Did you get rid of Beatrix, bro? Did you really break off your engagement with her?” asked Alyssa excitedly while Eva’s breath stuck in her throat while she waited for his answer.
“Yes.” He held Eva’s wide-eyed gaze as he answered his sister.