Eva climbed into the car waiting to take them to the pier but avoided glancing at him even. She didn’t know why he brought out the worst in her with his rude comments. She loved him and it was normal that she would feel jealous of Beatrix! Wouldn’t he have felt the same if she dated another man? It was really time to give him a dose of his own medicine!
Alyssa came rushing towards the car and they sped off towards the pier where a ferry would take them to Alexandria Bay. The bright afternoon sun shimmered over the surface of the water as their ferry surged forward towards Alexandria Bay, leaving Preston Island behind. Her friends discussed how much they were missing the place already, but Eva’s mind was in a state of turmoil.
“I’m missing Sienna’s reception party so much. Sky’s so lucky that she can stay as long as she wants to,” said Alyssa, releasing a deep sigh as she glanced back at the island.
“Yeah, we’re the unluckiest ones in the group,” sighed Hayley while Eva looked away. She never complained about Alexander’s ways, although he tortured her the most. Her love for him was unconditional, true, and pure. If only he could realize it. Coming from a broken family, no one knew the value of relationships more than she did, yet she was doomed to remain alone forever!
She glanced at Alexander and Ashton, who were busy encouraging two scantily clad females on the ferry, and felt an ache in her heart. She remembered his last words to her. He was trying to prove that she indeed felt jealous of every woman he entertained. Maybe he preferred voluptuous, curvy blondes like Beatrix who were outgoing and vivacious, totally the opposite of what she was. With her dark chocolate brown long hair and her doe-shaped light brown eyes that were warm like honey, she didn’t stand a chance against her. She was just there to boost his already inflated ego. Why did he kiss her then if he didn’t prefer her? His eyes met hers and Eva looked away, not wanting to be caught staring. She released a sigh, knowing how painful unrequited love felt, but she was getting used to it.
“What are you guys doing tonight? We could have a stay over at my house,” suggested Hayley as the ferry approached Alexandria Bay.
“I have night duty,” said Eva, her mood destroyed by Alexander’s flirting. Didn’t he realize just how much his behavior broke her? Maybe he wanted her to realize what an impossible dream she was nurturing in her heart. He was a billionaire restaurateur with swoon-worthy looks while she was an average-looking and poor nurse with no roof over her head. She didn’t tell her friends the truth. She didn’t have any night duty but was actually planning to move into a studio apartment in a building where Roberta lived. It was cheap and she could easily afford it. She had met Roberta long back when she had accompanied Alexander and Beatrix to Hudson Skyview to celebrate Alyssa’s birthday. Roberta joined Bellevue recently as a physiotherapist and they regularly caught up during their free time.
Eva watched the ferry reach the port at the sleepy village of Alexandria Bay. She would be busy with her packing right away, and by tonight, she could move out of Alyssa’s apartment forever. It was better this way since she wouldn’t meet Alexander at all!
Unknown to the turmoil going on inside Eva’s head, Alyssa grabbed her hand and pulled her along towards the exit. “Eva, are you planning to stay here? Let’s go,” she yelled at her friend. Eva smiled at her and went out towards Alyssa’s car.
“Lisa, I need to talk to you in the evening. Don’t go anywhere,” ordered Alexander, approaching them with a grim expression on his face.
“Tell me now, Alex. I’m not sure if I’ll be free tonight,” said Alyssa, waiting for his retort.
“Where are you planning to go tonight?” asked Alexander, scowling at Eva as if she was the culprit responsible for dragging Alyssa out of the house. Eva looked down at her mobile phone, knowing that by tonight, she would go far away from such insults. She would be free in her surroundings amongst nurses who were as poor as she was.
“I’m going to Hayley’s house for a sleepover.” Shrugged Alyssa while Alexander continued to glare at the two of them.
“Stop these stupid things and start doing something worthwhile with your life Lisa,” he scolded her but his glance flitted towards Eva who didn’t at all look up from her mobile phone at him. Alyssa glanced at all the people passing by who were giving them curious looks and seethed with anger.
“Stop creating a scene here, Alex. I’ll talk to you at home.” She grabbed Eva’s hand and pulled her towards her car.
“I’m going straight to my office. I’ll stop all your luxuries if you don’t get a grip on yourself. Dad had called me thrice to remind you to meet him tonight. You will meet him and go to his office with him tomorrow.” Eva could feel his scowl upon her as if she was the cause behind Alyssa’s partying habits.
“If you’re so concerned, why don’t you manage his business yourself? You can do whatever you want while I’m forced to do what I hate. Is that fair?” gritted out Alyssa over her shoulder. She unlocked her car door and Eva was about to climb in when Alexander’s angry growl stopped her.
“Drill some sense into your friend’s head, Eva, for everything she has done for you,” he said furiously before turning on his heels and striding off towards his car. Eva watched him walk away with sadness in her eyes. She wondered why he was so bitter and always angry, but mostly why he hated her so much.
“Don’t mind him. He’s an assh*le,” muttered Alyssa as she drove off towards her apartment. Thankfully. Alexander had gone to work and they could relax till evening. Alyssa wanted to catch up on some sleep in her room while Eva packed up her stuff the whole afternoon. She hadn’t been able to tell Alyssa about her plans since she was sure that her best friend would overreact and stop her somehow. She wasn’t listening to anyone this time.
After two hours, Eva had almost packed up everything she possessed. Zipping up her last suitcase, she heaved a sigh of relief.
“What the hell are you doing?” asked an anxious Alyssa as she entered her room. Eva turned to look at her apologetically, knowing that she would be very upset hearing her plans.
“Packing. I’m moving out, Alyssa.” Alyssa gave her a look of horror, not having expected this new turn of events.
“Why do you need to go? I thought we were over with this topic,” she groaned, slumping onto the bed in defeat. Eva smiled at her friend, the sadness in her eyes reflecting her inner turmoil. “Alex had always been an ass*ole, Eva. You don’t need to leave because of him. I’m here only because of you else I would have gone back to California forever,” she pleaded earnestly.
Eva shook her head, not willing to give in this time. “I can’t take in the accusations anymore, Alyssa. I think you should listen to your brother. Maybe something good will come off it. There’s no harm in trying. As for me, I’ll be fine and free. You can always come over to my place.” Alyssa sighed and stormed out of Eva’s room to hers. After an hour, Eva left the apartment quietly and loaded her stuff into her car. She was tired of this nomadic life! This time she wouldn’t come back at all!
She drove over to Roberta’s apartment but faced disappointment. “The apartment that was available has been sold off, Eva. I’m sorry I wasn’t aware. You can share my apartment with me. I live here all by myself. You can use the spare bedroom and pay me rent,” Roberta offered. Eva agreed since she had no choice now. It was already seven and she couldn’t go house hunting now.
She trudged towards the spare bedroom and dumped her luggage. Her phone needed charging, but to her dismay, she realized she had forgotten her charger at Alyssa’s house.
“Do you have a spare charger, Roberta?” she asked her and she handed one to her, but the port didn’t match her phone. Sighing, she drove over to Alyssa’s house. She rang the doorbell and a teary-eyed Alyssa opened the door.
“I forgot my charger,” said Eva apologetically, but she scoffed and stomped away angrily inside, still upset with her friend. Eva sighed and followed her in to get her charger. She knew her best friend was upset and felt guilty for abandoning her, but she was helpless. She picked up her charger, but to her immense horror, Alexander stormed into the apartment.
“What the hell is wrong with you, Lisa? Dad waited the whole day for you and here you are making dinner? I’m sure Eva can manage that. Get ready in five minutes. I’ll take you to meet dad. He’s furious with you,” he scolded his sister.
Eva dashed out of the room with her charger to escape their confrontation. She had no wish to be insulted all over again. Keeping her eyes fixed upon the floor, she dashed towards the main door while Alexander glared at her all the time with disapproval.
“Don’t you two have any other work than partying? Dad said he won’t pay a single penny for your enjoyment.” Eva didn’t want to hear a word more and opened the door and walked out without even looking at him. It made Alexander even more furious, and he turned towards his sister.
“Are you two going out somewhere?” he asked, seeing the upset look on her face with curiosity.
“No, why?” she shrugged.
“Did you two fight?” Alexander asked again. He noticed Eva didn’t have the hospital handbag with her, so she wasn’t going to her duty. Then where did she go?
“No, Eva left. Happy?” said Alyssa, glaring at her brother accusingly. Alexander gaped at her for a while, trying to absorb what she had just told him.
“Left? What do you mean?” he asked, looking bewildered.