If Alexander hadn’t seen her already, her first reaction would have been to retrace her steps back into the washroom, but now it was too late. Alexander strode towards her, pinning her with his passionate stare. Eva’s heart thumped wildly in her chest and she wondered what he needed now. Was he going to kiss her again?
“I was about to leave,” she told him nervously, tearing her gaze away from his.
“You left your mobile phone in the kitchen.” He handed the mobile phone to her and Eva checked that there were five missed calls from Dr. Victor Garrett, their resident doctor in the neonatal unit. “Who’s the guy? What does he want from you?” growled Alexander, staring down at the worried expression on her face.
Eva looked up at him and took a step backward to place some distance between them, but he stepped forward, almost touching her, encroaching upon her personal space.
“He’s the resident doctor at our neonatal unit in Bellevue. I’ll just take this call. It seems important.” Eva smiled at him and called the doctor, much to his annoyance, pushing past him to go to the living room. Dr. Victor Garrett was not only dashing and young, but he was also a very efficient doctor. Eva knew he was interested in her, but she had never encouraged him since her heart had always belonged to Alexander.
“Hello, Dr. Victor, Eva here. Sorry I missed your calls. Did you need me for something?” she asked worriedly.
“Yes. Nurse Laura has suddenly fallen ill and cannot continue with her duty. Can you fill in for her?” asked the doctor while Eva gaped at his request.
“Nurse Harvey nor nurse Solomon informed me anything about this, doctor. Are you sure about it?” asked Eva worriedly. Nurse Solomon, their supervisor of the Paediatric Department usually handled all their change of schedules. Sometimes, their CNO, Gina Harvey, too, took matters into her own hands.
“Yes, just come over.” Eva frowned suspiciously. What was going on? Eva was in a dilemma, thinking hard about this sudden change of schedule.
“I think I’ll have a word with nurse Solomon first.” Dr. Victor groaned softly while she could clearly hear chuckles from the background. It immediately had Eva suspicious. Victor Garrett was a fresh intern and never refrained from showing his interest in her, but Eva didn’t reciprocate.
“No, I already spoke to her. Just come over.” Before she could reply, Alexander, who had been standing behind her, listening to her conversation, snatched the mobile phone from her hands. Eva gasped at the suddenness of his actions. Alyssa was busy sipping wine and chatting with Sienna on the phone at the far end of the living room to notice anything.
“You heard her, doctor. She is not available right now to entertain your wish,” he said, his tone terse and angry. Eva gaped at him wordlessly.
“Sorry, I didn’t know she had a boyfriend,” said the young doctor apologetically.
“Now you know, don’t you? So back off!” muttered Alexander. It was more of a warning than advice.
Eva’s eyes widened, and she strained her ears to hear what they were speaking in hushed tones. What could Alexander possibly have to say to him? He disconnected the call and handed the phone to her, frowning at her with annoyance.
“There’s no need to go anywhere. Why do you entertain such guys?” Eva glared at him, her hands going to her waist.
“He isn’t any guy. He’s the resident doctor in our neonatal unit and I work with him. I called him to check if there was any emergency. Anyway, thanks for the treat. I’ll be on my way,” she said, going towards the door, but Alexander caught her hand to stop her.
“What’s the hurry? Are you dying to go to the hospital to see him?” Eva seethed with fury, turning to glare at him.
“No. Your jealousy is uncalled for, Alexander. I’m just going home to sleep.” She stormed out of his apartment while Alyssa chuckled with glee, getting up to leave as well. A dazed Alexander blinked at the door, pondering over Eva’s parting shot. Was this strange wish to punch the young doctor, jealousy?
“Bye, bro. Enjoy your jealousy!” She chuckled more and rushed out of her apartment. Alexander smiled and closed the door after her. So he was jealous tonight just because of a phone call! It was strange since he had felt no jealousy when he caught Beatrix spending the night with Sean. In fact, he was relieved to find an opportunity to break off their engagement. Now that he had, he wanted to explore his feelings more. He hadn’t planned for dinner to get over so soon, wanting Eva to stay back a little, to resume the kiss from where they had left off. He wanted so many things with her, but how would he ever get the opportunity when she was always on the run?
He sat with his wine on his wraparound balcony, wishing Eva was there with him. He had offered her, didn’t he? If that doctor hadn’t called, maybe his wish would have been granted by now. While he sipped his wine, little did he know that nurse Solomon called Eva, and she had to rush to the hospital to fill in for nurse Laura.
The next morning, Alexander was in a foul mood as Desmond Rotterdam messaged him early in the morning, asking him to drop by his mansion in the evening for a discussion. He knew why he summoned her. Maybe to coax him into forgiving Beatrix and getting back with her. He wouldn’t do that at all!
He stormed out to the parking area just in time to see Eva’s car enter. She stopped and dragged herself out, still in her uniform. Alexander’s eyes popped out at seeing her return from duty at 8 o’clock in the morning. It only meant one thing. She had gone to the hospital to meet the doctor after leaving his apartment last night. She had lied to him! Furiously he strode towards her, grabbing her by the arm and whirling her around to face him, his blood boiling with anger.
Startled, Eva staggered and clutched at the lapels of his suit for support. “What’s wrong with you Alexander? You startled me?”
“So you went to meet the doctor, after all. So, did you enjoy yourself with him?” he barked angrily, his fingers gripping her arm tightly. Eva winced with pain, but he was too angry and blind with jealousy to even notice.
“You’re hurting me, Alexander. I went on emergency duty for your kind information, but why should I explain myself to you? I’m not answerable to you.” She wrenched her arm free and stormed towards the elevator while Alexander seethed with fury. The crazy wish to punch the doctor and cripple him for life kept flashing across his mind. What was the name of the doctor? Yes, Victor Garrett!
He soon forgot about his vengeance and immersed himself in work. It was evening, and he drove over to Desmond Rotterdam’s mansion reluctantly, knowing that things would get ugly now. Before he could press the doorbell, the door flew open and his host stood with a smile pasted on his face, but Alexander could see through it. It wasn’t a genuine smile, but a stressful and forced one.
“Hello, uncle Desmond,” he greeted courteously, going forward and embracing him stiffly.
“Good to see you, Alexander. Come in and let’s talk over a drink or two.” He returned the hug and led him inside, pouring him a non-alcoholic drink. He knew Alexander didn’t indulge in alcohol when he had to drive. There were certain things he was quite rigid about. At twenty-eight, he was quite different from other young men of his age. No one was as determined, intelligent, dedicated and hard-working as he was. He was a man one could count upon, as he never broke a promise. Desmond Rotterdam wouldn’t find a guy more capable than Alexander to run his empire and his wayward daughter. He needed Alexander more than he needed him, his business, and his daughter.
“I apologize on behalf of Trixie, Alexander. Please forgive her this last time. I request you to reconsider your engagement and wedding with Beatrix. I accept she is a little spoiled, but I can give you my word that she will improve once you give her more attention,” begged the old man. Alexander sighed but couldn’t deny the old man his forgiveness. What could he say?
“I’ll think about it, uncle Desmond. There are certain things I can’t tolerate and one of them is betrayal. Sleeping with someone else while still being engaged to another is unforgivable. Please don’t apologize on her behalf. Let her do the apologizing instead. I’m not so confident that she would improve soon. What if she continues this after marriage?” he asked gravely, his face solemn and hard.
“I’ll sign eighty percent of the entire business empire to you. Won’t that be enough to marry my daughter? That’s what your dad wants too,” said Desmond Rotterdam.
“I’m not in this for just money, uncle Desmond. I’ll think about it and let you know what I decide.”
“Fine, you have a month to think it over.”
“No, I think I’ll need more time. In the meantime, Beatrix could prove herself to me.”
“Fine, you both have a year to sort out your differences, but you can continue handling the business since I’m unable to do so,” said Desmond Rotterdam, making Alexander smile with relief. He would be free of Beatrix for a year!