Alexander didn’t see Eva for the entire week after that passionate kiss he shared with her. He could feel that she was purposely avoiding him. Whenever he visited at odd hours, she would stay locked up in her room and it frustrated him beyond control. After tolerating Beatrix the whole day, he desperately needed to catch a glimpse of the one he loved, but the days just passed by, and his wish remained unfulfilled. It made him restless, angry, and disgusted with his life. Tolerating Beatrix wasn’t easy, and he was just fed up with her.
His dad wanted to retire from work and hand over the business to Alyssa, but she was stubborn and refused them outright. They both were tired of convincing her to agree. Amidst everything, Sienna and his archenemy, Lucas Donnelly, decided to get married, inviting Alyssa and Eva too to their wedding. Their enmity dated back to their high school days when Lucas’s brother Nicholas harassed Alyssa on her first day at his school. There was a huge fight and Alexander lost control and beat him up. Nicholas landed at the hospital. Although he shifted his sister to California after the incident, his relationship with the Donnelly brothers had deteriorated over the years. Now, he didn’t want his sister to meet the shrewd Nicholas Donnelly, who would surely take revenge upon him, using her.
Furious, Alexander tried to stop them from going over to the enemy territory, but Alyssa ignored his warning. They had heated arguments every day!
“You won’t attend the wedding, Alyssa, and that’s final.” Alyssa glared at him, her eyes flashing and rebellious. A plan to escape without his permission started forming in her mind. It was no use fighting him, as he would never listen.
“What’s the big deal, Alex? I don’t stop you from doing anything and neither do, mom and dad. So why is it always me? What problems could you have if I attend Sienna’s wedding?” Alex punched the nearest wall with anger, causing the paint to chip off, but it didn’t scare her at all. She was used to his temper, being as short-tempered as he was.
“I don’t want you around the Donnelly brothers, Alyssa. They are our sworn enemies!” he gritted out, his eyes daring her to disobey. Anger bubbled inside her and she glared back at her brother, refusing to be intimidated by him.
“They may be your sworn enemies, Alex, not mine. I will do what my heart desires.” She tossed her hair and walked out of her brother’s apartment, leaving him fuming after her.
Eva looked up to see her friend storm inside in a fit of rage. She understood Alexander hadn’t agreed to their plans and under the circumstances, it would be difficult for them to attend the wedding. “What happened? What did he have to say?” she asked. Alyssa groaned and slumped onto a couch, knowing that now there was only one way out for them. To sneak out when Alex went to work!
“You know what he might say! He doesn’t want me to go and I’m sure he won’t let you either.” Eva snorted with anger, knowing that it was true. Alexander was a bully and despite everything, he still considered her his property! A sense of rebellion formed in her heart. She didn’t belong to him, so why should she listen to him?
“Why should he care about me? I’ll definitely go.” Eva walked towards her room to pack while Alyssa followed her to discuss their plans of escaping.
“I don’t know what enmity Alex has with Lucas Donnelly and his brothers, but I definitely will attend Sienna’s wedding. So let’s sneak out tomorrow in his absence, without informing him. What do you say?” Eva gaped at her friend and her eyes widened, realizing what they were about to do.
“What if Alex follows us there and creates trouble for Sienna?”
“We’ll deal with it when it happens.”
Eva didn’t say a word further, knowing fully well what enraging Alexander Van Every meant, but Alyssa was no less stubborn and she sighed as she continued to pack up. Alyssa too packed and the two friends made dinner afterward, waiting for Alex to storm into their apartment soon to continue the fight where they had left off.
Alyssa knew Alex would complain to her dad when he failed to convince her. It had been the norm since she had been born.
The doorbell rang and Eva went to get it while Alyssa continued with her packing, unperturbed, knowing fully well that it would either be her dad or her brother. Eva froze at seeing Daniel Van Every on their doorstep.
“You again?” he growled at seeing her. “Pack up and vacate my apartment now.” Eva froze, unable to think of anything to say, and he just stormed inside, ignoring her altogether.
“Alyssa, I expect you to listen to your older brother. After all, he’s looking out for you. If he thinks the Donnellys are dangerous, refrain from attending the wedding.” Alyssa stood up, her teeth clenched with fury, but she took deep breaths to calm herself down.
“They aren’t dangerous, dad, but I won’t interact with them at all. I’m just going as Sienna’s bridesmaid. You know how close we all are. I can’t miss this wedding just because they are Alex’s enemies.” Daniel Van Every massaged his temples completely at a loss now, witnessing the rebellious streak in his daughter which increased with every passing second.
“What if they harm you?” Her dad seemed to be at his wit’s end. Eva walked quietly into the room and stood in one corner. Thankfully, Alyssa’s dad ignored her very existence and glared at his rebellious daughter instead.
“They aren’t criminals, dad. The wedding will have their family members and children and I’ll just stick with my group of friends. How can they harm me?” Her dad snorted angrily and just gave up.
“Do what you want. I don’t have the time to waste with you.” He strode angrily out of the apartment, banging the door shut after him, making Eva release the breath she was holding. Alyssa was unaffected by it all and continued with her packing.
The next day, Alexander left for Paris early in the morning before sunrise on a business trip, and Alyssa jumped with joy. After he left, they locked up their apartment and sneaked out with their luggage to go to Preston Island, where the wedding would be held.
“Finally, we’re free!” exclaimed Alyssa as she drove her Ferrari all the way towards Alexandria Bay, from where they would take a boat to Preston Island. It was ten o’clock in the morning when Alyssa and Eva arrived on a speedboat and gasped at seeing the beautiful, secluded Island with a dreamy house with picturesque views of the St. Lawrence River from Alexandria Bay. It was totally a different world altogether, dreamy, and romantic, and they were glad they got to stay at such a place for a few days.
The Donnellys welcomed them with open arms. Sienna, who was pregnant, hugged them close, ecstatic to see them finally make it to the wedding. “I didn’t think you could make it here. How did Alexander agree?” she asked curiously.
“He didn’t,” said Alyssa.
“So, did you guys sneak out?” asked Sienna curiously.
“We fought with him to come here. He’s mad at me. He might drop in anytime,” said Alyssa with an eye roll.
“I just hope he doesn’t because I can’t take in any more drama in my life. I want a peaceful wedding!” said Sienna. She led them to their room and sat down with them on the bed. They showed her the dresses that they bought for her as well as for themselves. After a while, Lucas walked into the room to summon Sienna downstairs since his family had arrived. She introduced Lucas to Alyssa since Eva had already met him before when he had come over to her hospital once to see Sienna.
“I hope Alexander and Ashton aren’t coming to fight with us!” asked Lucas with a grin. Alyssa rolled her eyes at the mention of her brother and his best friend.
“I hope not! We escaped without informing him, actually,” she informed him. Lucas looked at her with dread.
“Knowing Alexander all my life, I’m hundred percent sure that he’ll come here hunting for you two,” said Lucas. All of them groaned with dread.
“What made you and Alex sworn enemies? You don’t seem to hate my brother with a vengeance as he does?” she asked curiously while Lucas grinned.
“Hasn’t your brother told you why we fought?” Alyssa shook her head slowly.
“He was a good friend of mine, actually. My younger brothers, Marcus and Nicholas, are sworn enemies with Alexander, not me! You’ll meet them soon.” Eva liked the Donnellys, especially Lucas’s granny, who instantly took a liking to her. Alyssa seemed to click with Lucas’s mom, Claudia Donnelly. The entire day went by amidst fun and enjoyment, and Eva relaxed a little. There was no news of Alexander yet, and she just hoped they would be back before he returned from his trip.