“You’re coming home with me,” growled Alexander, taking her suitcase from her hand and grabbing her wrist possessively. Ashton picked up the rest of her luggage and strode away towards the parking area.
“Leave me, Alexander. I was going house hunting today. I don’t need your intervention in my life,” she seethed with anger, trying to wrench her hand free of his iron-like grip.
“It’s no use, Eva. I’ll carry you to my apartment if you don’t cooperate.” Eva gaped at his grim face, seeing the determination in his eyes as he pulled her along. She was acutely aware of the curious looks she received from everyone around them, and it was really embarrassing. Why couldn’t he concentrate on his fiancee instead and leave her at peace?
“I’m not going to your apartment, Alexander. I’ll report you to the cops if you force me.” Alexander tightened his hold on her hand, her threat not having any effect upon him at all.
“Go ahead. Let me see you try,” he challenged her, and she scoffed. What a bully! Why did he need to bother about her when he broke every relationship with her?
“Stop, Alexander. Can’t you realize I don’t want to go anywhere with you? I will never live with you. I hate you. Just leave me, will you?” she yelled this time as a sense of panic gripped her. No, she couldn’t live with him at his apartment. This was why she hadn’t gone to Alyssa and preferred living in a motel instead. Alexander released her and stared at her for a split second with hurt evident in his eyes.
“Fine, don’t stay with me. You can stay with Lisa. She’s been upset since the day you declined to stay with her.” It surprised Eva that he knew so much, but before she could react, he grabbed her hand again and pulled her towards the parking area.
“No more arguments.”
Eva sighed at seeing the grumpy look on his face. She knew how stubborn and hot-headed he was. Ashton loaded her luggage into Alexander’s car while Eva watched him, ignoring Alexander, despite his grip on her hand.
“I’ll be on my way, bro. Eva, stop fighting so much. You could have called me before staying at a motel,” scolded Ashton.
“Sorry, bro. Next time I will,” said Eva, feeling a little guilty.
“Next time, he won’t be here. He’s going away to Florida forever,” said a grumpy Alexander.
“Yeah, don’t tell anyone yet. I’ll announce when I have finalized everything,” said Ashton.
“Why are you leaving us, Ashton?” asked Eva, although she knew the answer to that.
“I’ll tell you some other time. Now go with Alexander and stay with him. I don’t want you to fall sick again. Take care, Eva,” said Ashton. Eva didn’t argue further.
“You too,” she said, softly, and he waved and drove away in his car.
Opening the passenger door to his car, Alexander shoved her inside. He started the ignition and maneuvered the car out of the parking area. She sighed and looked away, not wanting to have any interaction with him. There was a time when her heart would skip a beat on seeing him, but not anymore. He could never be hers. She had learned it the hard way! Now she felt upset, heartbroken, and angry, but mostly used and betrayed every time she thought about him. If he knew he wouldn’t ever choose her, why did he kiss her? Why did he take her on a road trip? He could have ignored her like always! The hurt would have been much lesser!
“I can’t believe that you’ve been living in a motel for the last three days!” he growled angrily. “Alyssa will be so upset to hear about this.”
“It’s not a big deal at all. I was going to look for a place for myself today. Before she knew of it, I could have shifted to my new apartment,” grumbled Eva. Why couldn’t they let her do what she wanted?
“It is a big deal.” Eva sighed at the finality of his tone. If Alyssa didn’t send him and Ashton to seek her out, then who did? He drove in silence while a million questions flitted through her mind about his motive behind this. Why did he seek her out when he didn’t care about her?
He drove into the underground parking of his building and Eva sighed at the memories of the place. She had been so happy here without knowing that it was an empty dream she was weaving with Alexander. He was using her as a rebound, knowing that she was easily available, since she had deep feelings for him. Not anymore! She might stay here, but she wouldn’t let him take advantage of her again. She wouldn’t be an easy target this time.
They alighted and headed towards the elevator with the luggage. “No matter what, you will stay here. If you leave, I shall hunt you down and bring you back.” Eva turned to glare at him, ready to confront him.
“You can keep your fake concerns to yourself, Alexander. You have no right to order me around. So, stop bullying me all the time,” she gritted out, annoyed with his arrogance. “It might work with your fiancee, but not on me. Leave me alone.” The elevator stopped, and she snatched her luggage from his hands and pulled them along, staggering towards Alyssa’s apartment. Alexander stood transfixed on the spot, his face grave and pale as he tried to digest her words. He was shocked by the intense hatred he saw in her eyes that once were filled with love for him. The door closed, and he sighed and went up to his penthouse with a heavy heart. This was the first time he saw hatred in her eyes for him and he just couldn’t accept it.
Eva took a deep breath and pressed Alyssa’s doorbell. She knew that once she started living with her friend, there was no way she would let her leave. The door opened after the third time the doorbell rang, and Alyssa gaped at her with shock.
“Eva?” she gasped, at last, rubbing her eyes with disbelief. Eva smiled at her adorable reaction and pulled her luggage inside.
“What? I expected a better welcome from you,” she chuckled at her friend’s reaction. Alyssa came to her senses and her face eased into a wide smile.
“I’m so happy to see you, Eva, that I can’t believe that you’re really here. Please come in,” she said, wiping the tears that fell from her eyes. Eva hugged her friend close, feeling guilty to cause her worries. She was glad that she didn’t know about her stay in the motel. It would have broken her heart.
“I’m glad to be home with you, Alyssa. We will stay together from now on like we used to,” she said, releasing her. “Now stop crying and help me unpack.” Alyssa grinned at her and picked up her luggage, and they both carried them back to her old room. Eva looked around to see it in the same condition as she had left it. A lot of her stuff was already there from before. She hadn’t packed everything with her when she left.
“What’s for lunch?” she asked with a smirk, knowing the answer to that.
Alyssa scratched her head and thought for a moment. “I have eggs, ham, and pasta. Can you make something out of that?” Eva chuckled, knowing that her friend wouldn’t have a lot in her pantry and definitely she would expect her to make lunch.
“Sure, then we can go to the departmental store after lunch.”
“Fine.” They arranged her stuff in the closet and discussed Sienna’s upcoming wedding. “Alexander is taking us out on my birthday. You will come along, Eva. I don’t want any arguments. Don’t talk to him if you don’t want to, but you cannot opt-out.” Eva’s face paled, and she looked at her friend nervously.
“Will Beatrix accompany you?”
“Yes.” Eva sighed and continued to work while Alyssa gave her a pointed look.
“Be brave and face them together, Eva. You can’t avoid them all your life. I think you should also get a boyfriend for yourself. What about that cute doctor who was after you?” asked Alyssa.
“Who, Victor?” she asked, and Alyssa nodded. “He is still after me. I just don’t encourage him.”
“Why not? You should go out with him and find out if both of you click. Maybe he’s the one for you?” insisted Alyssa, while Eva gaped at her best friend.
“Have you gone out of your mind? I don’t feel a thing about him. He is just a friend.”
“But he cares for you a lot. Hayley told me how much he took care of you when you were hospitalized,” coaxed Alyssa.
“Only as a friend. I don’t want a relationship with him,” said Eva, rolling her eyes at her friend.
“How will you know if you don’t give him a chance?” Eva sighed and got up to make lunch, but she followed her there.
“It’s the only way to fix your broken heart. Give Alexander a dose of his own medicine.” Eva gaped at her friend in shock. Was she crazy? How would it make any difference to Alexander?