Obviously, Eva didn’t pay any heed to her friend’s suggestion. She knew Alexander didn’t care about her and thus her association with Victor Garrett wouldn’t affect him at all. Alexander didn’t bother them for the next few days, and she was thankful. Maybe staying here wasn’t a terrible decision, after all.
“Tomorrow’s my birthday. I’m so excited. What are you giving me?” asked Alyssa excitedly. Eva grinned at her best friend, shaking her head playfully.
“All my love and good wishes.” Alyssa groaned and tucked into the dinner Eva had made after returning from the hospital. “Will Sienna be able to join us? Isn’t she recuperating from the ordeal she just went through?” asked Eva, worriedly. Roman Drexler had abducted Sienna to marry her against her wishes, but Lucas rescued her just in time.
“No, she can’t join us, and neither can Sky,” said Alyssa. “It’s just Hayley, Ashton, you, and me with Alexander and Beatrix.” Eva wanted to opt out but couldn’t find a good excuse.
The next morning she escaped to her hospital after wishing her best friend and making breakfast for her. She knew Alexander would come over at eight on his way to work. Therefore, she escaped at 7:30, just to avoid facing him. The whole day, she had no news of what her friend was up to.
She received a call from Alyssa in the evening. “Where are you? Have you forgotten my birthday dinner?” she demanded, feeling hurt.
“I’m on my way. Had an emergency surgery to handle at the last minute. The baby was critical. Sorry, girl. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“Fine. I’m waiting for you. Come quickly.”
After ten minutes, Eva parked her car in the underground parking space and dashed towards the elevator. Just as the door was about to close, a woman wearing an expensive golden dress and stilettos walked inside. “Couldn’t you hold the elevator for me? You saw me coming in, didn’t you?” demanded the woman, who looked familiar despite the tonnes of makeup on her face.
“I didn’t see you.” She pressed her floor and stood looking ahead of her without giving her any attention.
“Liar. How can anyone miss me? My name’s always on the headlines!” said the woman with an incredulous look on her face. Eva turned towards her to give her a piece of her mind when she realized who the woman was. The one and only Beatrix Rotterdam!
“Maybe, but not all are interested in gossip column headlines. Some people may have other important work to do. Right?” she shrugged, turning to stare at the door. Beatrix looked a little taken aback, but before she could think of a retort, the door opened and Eva walked out towards Alyssa’s apartment. Of course, she knew why Beatrix was here. She was heading straight to Alexander’s penthouse and later would accompany them to the restaurant. The thought alone gave her a headache.
She rang the doorbell, and Alyssa opened the door with a groan. “At last, she remembers me.”
“Ask her to get ready in five minutes,” growled Alexander from the living room, making Eva’s heart sink with nervousness. What the hell was the guy doing here?
“I need a shower, Alyssa. I can’t get ready in five minutes. If he’s in such a hurry, you can go ahead without me. I wouldn’t mind at all,” said Eva.
“That’s okay. Take your time. Even I’m not ready yet,” said Alyssa, much to her relief. She noted the dress Alyssa was wearing. It was a brand new red designer dress which might have cost her a fortune. “We’re going to the Impulse. Wear something appropriate,” said Alyssa.
Eva nodded, but before she could ask her about the place they were going to, she froze at seeing Alexander emerge from the living room. His well-tailored fawn-colored designer Chinos, black dress shirt, and blazer made him look straight out of some fashion magazine. Eva felt odd wearing her pristine white nurse’s outfit when they both looked so gorgeous and ready. She started having second thoughts about going out with them, since she didn’t have any good clothes to wear.
“Why are you still here? Get ready,” said Alexander impatiently, checking her out, much to her embarrassment. He might laugh at her in his mind, comparing her to his gorgeous fiancee who had just arrived. Eva nodded and went to her room to take a quick shower first. She couldn’t choose a dress that would be good enough for Impulse. She could hear Beatrix’s voice outside in the living room and therefore couldn’t go to Alyssa’s room to borrow a dress from her. Sighing deeply, she chose a white sheath dress she possessed. It wasn’t expensive like Alyssa’s, but it was pretty and the best in her collection. She left her damp hair loose and added a touch of makeup. Satisfied with her efforts, she picked up her mobile phone and clutch, and walked out of her room.
The moment she emerged from her room, she came face to face with Beatrix, who scowled at her, recognizing her instantly. “You? What the fu*ck are you doing here?” she muttered angrily, her eyes taking in Eva’s attire with distaste.
“How do you know her? She’s my best friend, Eva. We live here with one another,” said Alyssa instantly on her guard. Alexander grunted with annoyance and went to get a bottle of water. He called Ashton to ask him where he was.
“I’ll join you there with Hayley. Just call me when you reach,” said Ashton.
Alexander could hear Beatrix fighting with his sister and Eva, and sighed, feeling displeased about this entire plan. He didn’t want to bring Beatrix with him, but she insisted on bonding with Alyssa from today itself. He knew she was on her way here and, therefore, had been hiding at Alyssa’s apartment, not wanting to face her at his own. At his penthouse, she would try to remind him of his obligations to her as her fiance and try to get closer to him. He could go to any lengths to avoid that.
He went inside to stop their bickering. “How can she go with us? This is a family affair, Alyssa,” said Beatrix.
“If my best friend isn’t going, I’m not either,” said Alyssa adamantly.
“She can’t come with us wearing that beggar’s dress. It looks so cheap!” complained Beatrix.
“I’m fine with it. I bought this dress with my money, not out of my parents’ wealth. If you have a problem with it, do us a favor and go home. We’ll be happy to go without you,” said Eva, her eyes flashing with hatred for the woman.
Alexander smiled, his eyes taking in Eva’s look. It was a stark contrast to Beatrix’s. She actually looked ethereal and angelic in it, as if ready to go to the altar. Shocked, he blinked those strange thoughts away and intervened at last.
“Stop now. I’m the one who’s treating everyone. Clothes don’t define who you are, Beatrix. It is the bond that we share with one another that’s important. So, can we leave?” he asked while Beatrix glared at Eva, who tried hard to curb the small euphoric smile that battled to break free on her face. Alexander’s support meant the world to her, but she didn’t want to show how much it affected her.
They left to go to the parking area. While Alyssa and Eva climbed into the back seat, Beatrix proudly occupied the passenger side with him. “What about Hayley and Ashton, bro? Shouldn’t we wait for them?” asked Alyssa.
“They’ll reach the venue directly.”
“Are there more people? I thought only three of us would go,” protested Beatrix, taking out her compact to check her makeup.
“These are my close friends and I cannot have a celebration without them,” pointed out Alyssa.
“I wouldn’t know since my friends and I don’t do eating out on birthdays! We go on world tours! Last time, we went to Paris!” bragged Beatrix with a scoff.
“We are actually normal people, so we eat out,” said Alyssa with a sweet smile.
“I know what you mean,” laughed Beatrix, earning a glare from Alexander. It quietened her, and she ignored them the rest of the way to their venue. Alyssa muttered curses at her as she spoke loudly on her phone, bragging about the deal she and Alexander clinched this morning at work. Eva sat quietly, now understanding exactly why Alexander chose Beatrix as his life partner. They were meant for one another, being his equal at work and in social circles. Therefore, she could make or break his career. Being the most beautiful creature with her hypnotic green eyes and porcelain skin, her voluptuous breasts, and her tiny waist, Eva felt mellow in contrast! As the evening proceeded, her confidence level declined until she felt like vanishing from their company. Coming here was indeed a mistake.
Impulse was a renowned cocktail bar in the heart of Times Square. As Alexander led them up the elevator to the thirtieth floor, Eva felt oddly out of place. There were bodyguards for Beatrix, who accompanied them everywhere as people went crazy for a photograph of hers. Alyssa caught Eva’s hand and pulled her towards the lounge while Alexander spoke to their bodyguards outside the bar.
“We can wait at our table instead of watching her tantrums. What people see in her is beyond me!” exclaimed Alyssa, muttering angrily. “I wish my brother had chosen you instead!”