Eva freshened up as quickly as possible to get back to her table to order her favourite dessert. However, to her immense shock, she collided with none other than Alexander in the corridors on her way back. Eva froze, not having expected him here. Her warm eyes flew up to his and immediately she was on her guard. ‘No Eva. Don’t break down in front of him!’ instructed her inner mind.
“Hello, Alexander! What a pleasant surprise!” she said with a small forced smile. The coldness in her tone surprised him. It was as if she had forgotten everything they had shared.
“Yes. How are you now?”
It surprised Eva that he knew about her recent health issues. “I’m fine. Thank you. I’ve reduced my work timings, and it worked. The stress lessened,” she explained pointedly, in case he had the notion that she was sick because of him.
“Good! So where are you staying?” Alexander knew she lived at Hayley’s house but wanted to know her plans for the future. He knew how much she hated staying at Hayley’s palace.
“I’m staying with Hayley. Anyway, congratulations on your engagement, Alexander. I need to get back to my table,” she said, forcing the smile back on her face. She had already guessed that he was here with someone, maybe with Beatrix. It wouldn’t be fair to hold him much longer.
“I wanted to,” started Alexander, his eyes clouding at the coldness in her tone. How could she be so formal with him? How could she not feel a thing about him? His entire body longed to hold her and tell her he didn’t agree to be with Beatrix. It was forced upon him. He still craved her and the time they spent together!
“Enjoy yourself, Alexander. I’ll get back to my table,” said Eva, in a hurry to get back before she broke down completely. Her eyes scanned his grim face for the last time and her throat choked with emotions. She knew she was losing control. Alexander caught her hand to stop her.
“What’s wrong with you, Eva? Why are you avoiding me?” he growled angrily, unable to take her cold behavior anymore.
“Nothing is wrong with me. It’s better we stay away from one another, Alexander. Hope you’re happy now!” she said, but the traitorous tears pooled in her eyes without her permission. ‘Run, Eva. Don’t break down now,’ prompted her inner mind.
“I’m not, Eva. Please listen to me, just once,” he pleaded desperately, but Eva shook her head vehemently, wrenching her hand free from his hold.
“You don’t owe me any explanation, Alexander. Have a good life! Goodbye,” she said as the tears spilled from her eyes at last. Eva ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She couldn’t stay in the restaurant, knowing Alexander was there with Beatrix. She couldn’t see them together!
“I’m feeling very sick, Hails, Sien. I’m leaving. You two go ahead with it.” She picked up her bag and ran out of the restaurant before her friends could realize what was happening.
Alexander stood transfixed in the same place, unable to think straight. He hadn’t expected Eva to behave this way with him. Her parting words affected him a lot. Did she think he would leave her in peace? Did she really wish to get rid of him? Was it that easy to suddenly throw him out of her life? Her tears shifted something in his soul and he felt angry with his situation. His phone buzzed with an incoming call from Beatrix and he lost his self-control and stormed inside. The way she tried to control him the whole day made him frustrated. It was already getting on his nerves, and he wondered how he would spend his life with her.
“Why didn’t you take my call?” said Beatrix with an annoyed pout.
“I was on my way back. Tell me what you have to say,” he said with a scowl.
“What’s gotten you so worked up, Alex? I’m trying so hard to make you happy,” complained Beatrix.
“You can think of your own happiness instead.” His eyes searched for Eva, but it seemed that she had left already without completing her dinner.
“Are you looking for someone?” asked Beatrix with a frown.
“Yes, I think I saw someone I know,” said Alexander with a shrug.
“Oh, should be a female, right? A girlfriend from your past?” she asked with disgust.
“Mind your own business, Beatrix. Don’t cross your limits with me. I’m here with you only because of my dad, mind you,” he gritted out. Beatrix looked taken aback by his admission.
“Whatever! You know the consequences if you don’t stick with me. So watch your steps, Mr. Van Every. My eyes are on you.” She might have said it casually, but Alexander knew it was a warning and she meant every word she said.
It was a monotonous life full of duties for Alexander. Throughout the day, he would be busy at work, with Beatrix following him everywhere, learning the tricks of the trade. She was a fast learner, contrary to what Alexander had expected of her, and picked up everything well. Being together with her, and tolerating her nagging personality all the time, made him always annoyed and frustrated. There was a permanent scowl on his face that everyone around him noticed. Gone were the days when they would see him smile. Alexander forgot to smile! After work, too, Beatrix followed him to his parents’ house, staying over most of the nights. He had to escape to his penthouse every night.
“Why don’t you move in with Alexander, Trixie? You both are already engaged,” coaxed his mom, as they sat down to dinner. Alexander almost choked on the food in his mouth and gave his mom a look of warning.
“I want to, but he doesn’t. Please, aunt Jodie, can you put some sense in his head? He’s still living in some prehistoric times,” said Beatrix.
“No, you will not move into my apartment before the wedding. It’s my final decision,” he stated with a look of warning and got up angrily to get away from them.
“Where are you going, son? Finish your dinner,” scolded his dad.
“I’ve lost my appetite. You can feed Beatrix my share of the food.” He stormed out leaving them gaping after him. They had never seen this side of him. The Alexander they knew could do anything to keep them happy. He never answered back in this haughty manner.
“What’s wrong with him?” asked his dad.
“He’s been this way since the engagement. Maybe he doesn’t want to be with me,” said Beatrix as big fat tears pooled in her eyes.
“Hush dear. I’m sure he will come to his senses and see your worth. You’ve completely changed yourself for him. How can he be so blind?” consoled his mom.
However, months passed by, yet there was no change in Alexander’s behavior. He became a cold-hearted grouch, erupting at each and every trivial thing. He hated his life and simply performed his duties towards everyone like an automaton.
He didn’t see Eva after that night at the restaurant. She had truly meant it when she bade him goodbye that night. However, he still managed to find out about her from Ashton, with whom she always kept in touch. Sometimes Alexander felt jealous of Ashton, but he knew Eva considered him her brother. Her words still rang in his head.
You don’t owe me any explanation, Alexander. Have a good life! Goodbye.
If only she knew that this wasn’t the life he had envisaged for himself. He still hadn’t forgotten what they shared. It seemed she had branded his lips with her touch, making them incapable of kissing another. Despite being engaged to Beatrix, he stayed away from her. Whenever she kissed him forcefully, he felt like throwing up. His mood deteriorated further every time, and Beatrix stayed away to save herself from his foul temper.
Despite everything, he dedicatedly took an active interest in his dad’s treatment, accompanying him to all his check-ups. Despite seven months of treatment, his condition didn’t improve. The doctors were hopeful, since his health didn’t deteriorate further. Alexander didn’t give up hope and took care of him to the best of his abilities.
He returned to his penthouse after a tiring day when his phone buzzed with an incoming call from his sister. It had been seven long months since he had last seen her. His life had been a roller-coaster journey since then. He hadn’t kept in touch with her after she blasted him on the night of his engagement to Beatrix. She had found out from her friends and was quite upset with her brother. Alexander understood her concern and just listened to her outburst without reacting.
He sighed at the memory and accepted the call after releasing a sigh. “Yes, Lisa.”
“I’m coming back tomorrow night. Can you pick me up from the airport?” she asked in a dull tone. Alexander knew she still held a grudge against him.
“Sure. Send me your flight details.” After some time, his phone buzzed with her flight details and Alexander’s heart skipped a beat with hope. Would Eva now come back to his building to live with her best friend? Alyssa would never let her live anywhere else. They loved one another too much to stay away!