“Good morning, respected ladies and gentlemen. I’m sorry for the delay. Can we start right away with a pledge of allegiance, please?” he said with a charming smile, ignoring Beatrix’s pointed glare and the meeting began. Afterwards, they were all seated and Alexander welcomed and thanked each and every board member present, easily winning them over with his charm.
“The meeting agenda has been distributed in your board pack. Are there any amendments to the agenda?” he asked courteously.
“Yes, I wish to discuss the terms and conditions laid down by my father before his untimely death. Since these affect the operation of the business empire, I would like to prove the importance of the marital alliance between me and the current CEO, Mr. Van Every. Further, I would want more power to decide matters pertaining to the business,” said Beatrix, but the board of directors shook their heads to disagree.
“Ms. Rotterdam, we understand your concern, but you need to concentrate on your training at the moment. In the next general body meeting, we shall discuss these issues. As for the marital alliance, it’s entirely a personal issue between you and Mr. Van Every. The board is unable to help you expedite it.”
Beatrix sulked while Alexander felt relieved that the board overlooked her concerns. With the next general body meeting scheduled three months away, he would have some time at hand to decide. They discussed the Annual Fiscal Report and every member present appreciated Alexander’s contribution to the growth of the business. It was unanimously decided that Rotterdams couldn’t have a better CEO than Alexander Van Every. Therefore, all of Beatrix’s plans of robbing him off his powers failed miserably, and, and the meeting ended eventually in Alexander’s favour.
After the meeting, a scowling Beatrix cornered him in his office. “What the f*ck was that, Alexander? You should have at least paid some respect to dad’s last wish and fixed a date for our wedding. I refuse to stay engaged any longer with you if you have no plans of marrying me,” she yelled at him furiously.
“We can have this discussion outside of work hours, Beatrix. I don’t have time now to discuss this. I have a meeting coming up in fifteen minutes with Mr. Martinez from Starboard Cruises. You know how important this deal is for Rotterdams! We will provide exclusive gourmet meals on board all their luxury liners worldwide for the next five years.”
“You are always busy, but do you realize that you have to marry me to remain the CEO of my company?” she seethed with anger.
“I can resign just now. Can you handle everything on your own?” he gave her a disgusted look. Beatrix looked taken aback by his counterattack, but soon regained her composure.
“I’d like to see you say so tonight in front of uncle Daniel. Don’t hold me responsible if his health deteriorates thereafter. Seeing my dad die so suddenly, I believe anything is possible these days,” she said while Alexander sighed. He knew she was playing a game with his mind, knowing how he felt about his dad. Of course, he couldn’t ever hurt his dad.
There was a knock on his door and his PA, Jennifer Campbell, peered in. She had been working with him for the last four years and was an extremely capable and experienced woman. “Sir, the conference room is ready.”
“Thank you, Jennifer. I’ll be there in a minute,” he said, handing his laptop over to Jennifer, who left with it.
“Are you joining us for the meeting?” he asked Beatrix out of courtesy.
“Yes, but how long will it take? I have an appointment at the Green Oasis Spa in an hour,” she said, looking hassled.
“You can leave mid-way if you need to,” he offered, striding towards the door.
“No, thanks. I’m tired already. Will you meet me tonight at your parents’ house?”
Alexander knew why she insisted on going there. She wanted to fix a wedding date and initiate the wedding preparations, knowing fully well that Alexander wouldn’t be able to decline in front of his parents.
“I’ll see about that.” He didn’t wait to hear more of her whining and walked out of his office. The rest of the day, he was busy and thankfully, he didn’t have to face Beatrix again. She had left for the day!
He drove home in a better frame of mind after switching off his phone. He had no wish to face Beatrix or his parents tonight. Eva was at home and his heart longed to be with her after he behaved like an as*hole with her in the morning. He had gone through shit the whole morning after forgetting her delicious coffee. Yet her return to his home brought in good luck and the board meeting ended up in his favour. It was a miracle since all the board members were quite sincere with the Rotterdams.
He unlocked the door to his apartment and noticed that Eva hadn’t come in yet. The extra set of keys to the apartment he had left for her in the bowl were still lying there. So did she leave? Why didn’t she return home? Agitated, he called her, but she didn’t accept his call. Alexander stormed out to Alyssa’s apartment to check if she had moved in with her.
“Are you searching for Eva?” asked Alyssa, watching him look at every nook and corner of her apartment.
“Yes, has she moved in here? I told her to stay with me. Why can’t she listen to me for once?” he growled angrily while Alyssa face palmed at his unreasonable behaviour.
“Eva will return at around ten tonight. She has two critical surgeries coming up in a few minutes. Her phone won’t be reachable right now.” Alexander gaped at his sister, feeling a little foolish at his outburst.
“Oh, I’ll order dinner, then. Do you want me to order for you too?” he asked, flashing her a sudden smile. Alyssa’s eyes widened at his sudden change of mood. It was clear that he was really whipped with Eva. Why couldn’t he acknowledge it and marry her already? It would be so good for both them and for those around them.
“Obviously! How can you ask even?” she said with disbelief. “Order my food now, bro. I can’t wait till 10 o’clock.”
Alexander went back to his apartment and ordered dinner. While Alyssa’s was delivered to her apartment, he freshened up and waited for Eva instead.
After two hours, the doorbell rang and he jumped up, knowing who it was. Opening the door wide open, he smiled at seeing Eva at his doorstep. His heartbeats skipped a beat at seeing her return to him. She hadn’t left after all!
“Can I come in?” asked Eva, when he stood blocking the door, not budging an inch.
“Of course, it’s your home.” Eva groaned at seeing him still at the door.
“Then move! I can’t walk through you,” she grumbled, totally drained out after an exhausting day.
“You can walk right into me and I’ll carry you to the bedroom. Doesn’t that sound nice?”
“No, thanks. Don’t you remember the conditions?” she brushed past him and he groaned at being reminded of what he had agreed to.
“I said I’ll try. I didn’t say I’ll surely abide by them!”
“You know the consequences, Alexander.”
“I’m not afraid. I won’t let you leave this time,” he said with a determined look on his face.
“Can you stop me if Beatrix or your dad finds out that we’re living together?” she asked and Alexander sighed, walking towards the kitchen. Eva rushed to her bedroom and closed the door to freshen up. She did not know what Alexander would do! Would he keep his promise to stay away from her, or would he throw caution to the wind and kiss her senseless? Her heartbeats picked up speed as she opened her door and went out to the kitchen to make dinner. Her eyes looked for Alexander. Where was he? Did he go to sleep without having his dinner?
“Are you looking for me?” asked a voice from the kitchen, making her turn to look inside. To her surprise, he emerged carrying casseroles full of steaming food. Eva’s jaws dropped with surprise at his thoughtfulness.
“Are you going to stand there all night? Come on, I’m dying of hunger,” he said, bringing her out of her daze. Eva went towards the dining table where he placed the food. Pulling out a chair for her, he waited like a true gentleman, his eyes sparkling with excitement. They drew her towards him like a magnet but she controlled the urge to reach out to him and thank him so he would like. Taking a deep breath, she sat down and he went to his seat opposite hers. The air crackled with the se*ual tension passing between them that couldn’t be ignored at all.
“Thanks for ordering dinner. I thought I would have to cook now,” she said with a nervous laugh. “Why didn’t you eat earlier if you were so hungry?”
“How could I when you had nothing to eat?”
“Why couldn’t you?” Eva searched his eyes, wanting to hear the three little magical words that would change everything between them. Did he love her?