Alexander watched Eva leave, but the burning need throbbing in his veins for her could hardly be quenched so easily. He sighed, closing his eyes and reveling in the feel of her lips on his. Eva was right, in a way, and he knew he shouldn’t have kissed her. Being engaged to another, he had no business messing with her, but it felt so right. He knew he was betraying Beatrix, but he just didn’t care. He loved Eva and hardly could control himself when around her. It was an uncontrollable addiction that had no future. Why couldn’t he be engaged to Eva instead? His heart ached for Eva and he knew that his jealousy had annoyed her a lot this time. Triggered by his heightened sense of jealousy, he shouldn’t have said the bitter words to Eva. Now she wouldn’t even acknowledge his presence. What if Nicholas took advantage and tried to charm her?
His blood boiled all the more, and he went down the stairs, only to find Nicholas coming up to his room. “Nicholas, we need to talk.”
“F*ck off, Alexander!” muttered Nicholas, storming off towards his room, completely ignoring him. Alexander lost his temper and in two strides reached his side.
“Don’t you dare ignore me, kid! Have you forgotten your punishment for defying me?” he gritted out, grabbing him by the collar and shoving him into the vacant room opposite.
“Alexander, you’re our guest. Don’t forcefully pick up a fight with me now,” gritted out Nicholas, equally annoyed with him.
“Stop hitting on Eva and Alyssa. I’ll not let you escape alive this time,” growled Alexander, grabbing his neck menacingly.
“Are you out of your mind? Why would I hit upon Eva? I have no interest in her, whatsoever,” Nicholas said with an eye roll.
Alexander realized he was being honest this time, and it was his sister he was interested in. He threatened him to stay away from Alyssa and stormed out of the room, feeling a little relieved that he wasn’t interested in Eva. He had heard how much Marcus liked a young girl who had come over to help, so with both the brothers out of the picture, the coast was totally clear to him. Eva was his and kissed none of the Donnelly brothers! A smile of satisfaction spread across his face and he went to his room to sleep in peace, dreaming and re-living the kiss he enjoyed earlier.
Eva lay on her bed while her lips still throbbed from Alexander’s branding kiss. All she wanted was a place to hide, so that she didn’t have to face him again. Just then, Alyssa stormed inside as if the devil were after her.
“What’s wrong with you? Did you meet a ghost?” chuckled Eva.
“No, just Nicholas. Can you believe I had met him before? Can you believe I kissed him ten years ago?” she said in a daze, making Eva’s eyes pop out with shock as she sat up straight.
“What? Are you drunk?” she checked her friend’s body temperature and smelled her to check if she reeked of alcohol. No, she seemed totally in her senses.
“No, it’s the truth.” Eva shook her out of her daze.
“Come out of your la-la land and spill already. I’m dying of curiosity.” Alyssa sighed and told her what had happened ten years ago and how Nicholas always reminded her of it every time.
They finally hit the bed to sleep, each to her own thoughts. The next day was the wedding day and they would have to leave this magically romantic place and return to reality.
The next morning, just as they had expected, it was a mad rush since morning. They met at the breakfast table early in the morning, and Eva tried her best to ignore Alexander. Her lips still felt branded by his kiss, and she didn’t want him to find out how affected she was. He was engaged and whatever his equation, maybe with Beatrix, she would have nothing to do with a man who was already taken. However, her resolution to stay away from Alexander crumbled to dust when he sat down right next to her.
“Good morning, Eva!” he greeted her, causing her to look up at him with surprise. She couldn’t understand why he was in such high spirits! As far as she remembered, he had always been annoyed and frustrated lately.
“Good morning!” she whispered disinterestedly, not saying a word more, much to his disappointment.
“Enjoy the most today. We’ll leave after the wedding,” said Alexander, still holding her gaze.
“You can leave. I’ll return when I want to,” she grumbled, tearing her gaze away and concentrating on the food.
“I’m not going anywhere without you.” Eva scoffed at his words and turned sideways to block him out of her view. She ate in a rush, ready to escape him.
“Okay, I’m sorry.” Shocked, Eva looked at him. Did she hear him correctly? Did he apologize for kissing her?
“Good, that you’ve realized that you shouldn’t have betrayed your fiancee,” she muttered under her breath, so that no one could hear her.
“I apologized for what I said to you, not for the kiss. I definitely would love to repeat that.” Eva gaped at him with horror. She was now convinced that he had really gone crazy.
“You can’t. I’ll disappear from your life.”
“Try me. As I’ve told you before, I’ll bring you back every time,” he whispered back. The others joined them at the table and their bickering had to stop. For the rest of the time, Eva steered clear of him and rushed to her room to shower and get ready. They had the added task of getting Sienna ready for her big day.
After a quick shower, she emerged from the washroom to see Alyssa already dressed up and leaving.
“Oh my God! I’m late,” said Eva, hastily putting on the bridesmaid’s dress with Alyssa’s help.
“Will you be able to fix your hair on your own? I’ll get Sienna ready in the meantime,” said Alyssa, looking gorgeous as ever.
“Sure. I’ll manage,” said Eva with a nervous laugh at seeing the off-shoulder turquoise bridesmaid dress, leaving her neck and shoulders totally exposed.
“Don’t worry so much. You’re looking fabulous!” said Alyssa, reading her mind correctly.
“Thanks, but it’s too revealing!” she sighed. Cinched at the waist, the bodice hugged her curves well and fell in swirls around her feet. With her long chocolate brown hair cascading down her back, and her honey-hued eyes twinkling with excitement, the turquoise floral hair accessory matched her look perfectly. She looked too ethereal, just like an angel fallen from heaven.
“It’s not. Relax,” said Alyssa, leaving the room. Eva brushed her hair and applied some makeup when the door of her room opened and Alexander strode inside.
“What are you doing here?” she gasped with surprise, taking in the tuxedo he was wearing. Was he a groomsman? How was that possible when he was an unwanted enemy here?
“I came to see you.” Eva frowned, watching him with suspicion.
“Why?” She scowled at him, but he simply checked her out, his gaze resting on her bare shoulders. Eva scowled more when, instead of answering her, he approached her slowly.
“Alexander, I don’t have time for your games. I need to get Sienna ready,” she reasoned with him, although her heart started beating faster and faster with every step he took towards her. He stopped right in front of her, his hand going to his pockets, while he held her gaze. Without answering, he reached out and Eva’s eyes widened with apprehension. Now, what was he up to?
His warm fingers touched her neck, and her breath hitched. Her conscience prodded her to move away, yet she was powerless to do so. A strange magnetic pull had her transfixed to the spot. “Stop Alexander!” she said in a breathless whisper as goose bumps erupted all over her bare skin at his sensuous touch.
His fingers went to her nape, and she gasped at seeing a diamond pendant around her neck, the letter E, clearly visible to her shocked eyes. “What’s this? I don’t want such expensive jewelry, Alexander, please,” she pleaded in a state of panic.
Securing the chain around her neck, Alexander moved backward to admire it. “It’s my apology for hurting you. Please accept it, Eva,” He held out a pair of matching earrings for her to take, but Eva shook her head vehemently.
“Words are enough, Alexander. I can’t accept this. Please try to understand,” she said, her hands going to her neck to open the chain.
“Accept it. Throw it away if you don’t want it. It’s the first jewelry I’ve ever bought for anyone.” Her jaws dropped with surprise, and taking advantage of her shocked state, he fixed the earrings to her bare ears. Alexander stormed out of the room before she could think of anything to say.
Eva hardly possessed any expensive jewelry and usually wore the same pearl studs everywhere she went. She didn’t waste her hard-earned money on buying herself jewelry. Anyway, she didn’t need them since she hardly went out to parties. Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, she took in the dazzling jewelry and her flushed look. The gift was priceless, the only one from the man she loved. It was more precious to her than her own life. Could she return it to him? Would she be able to break his heart? No, she would have to think of a way to thank him for something as priceless as his gift to her.