Alexander returned home a little earlier than usual to catch hold of Eva before she left for her night duty again. The whole day he had waited for her to accept his call and give him a chance to explain, but it was useless. He went to Alyssa’s apartment and rang the doorbell. After the third ring, Eva opened the door, ready to leave for duty. The moment she saw him, she picked up her handbag and rushed out of the door without uttering a single word.
“Eva, please. Stop this and listen to me for once.” He followed her to the elevator, grabbing her hand to stop her.
“Leave my hand, Alexander. You aren’t answerable to me. I’m no one to you.” She extricated her hand from his hold and walked into the elevator without waiting for his reply.
“You’re misunderstanding me, Eva. I didn’t touch her last night. I didn’t sleep with her!” he explained agitatedly, but the elevator moved downwards while Eva stared back at him. He sighed at seeing the look of disbelief clearly visible in her eyes. She didn’t believe a single word he said. Feeling upset and angry at his bad luck, Alexander went upstairs to his penthouse. He noticed Eva had vacated her room already. Feeling disgusted with his shitty life, he picked up a bottle of whiskey and went up to his terrace to drown his sorrow. However, to his immense surprise, he saw a blue Bentley car cruise to a stop right in front of his building and Nicholas Donnelly alighted from it.
Alexander blinked with disbelief, wondering what his enemy was doing here! Was he here for his sister? Was Alyssa seeing Nicholas behind his back? Furious, he went down to catch them red-handed. However, even after knocking on her door a few times, she didn’t answer. Alexander was immediately suspicious, but he didn’t have the keys to the apartment. One set was with Alyssa, another with Eva, and the third one he left at his office! Curiously, he called his sister to demand an update about what was going on. He had an upcoming trip to Paris and he just couldn’t go knowing Alyssa was having an affair with his arch-enemy!
“I’m taking a shower. What do you want, Alex?” she grumbled into the phone.
“I just wanted to know where you were the whole day! I returned early but didn’t see you.” He sounded annoyed, but it wasn’t anything new.
“I was busy. I’m going out with Hayley in a few minutes. So, I’ll talk to you after dinner.” Alexander stared at the phone, not believing her at all. He went back to his apartment to pack up for his trip to Paris, but deep in his heart, he wished he could take Eva along with him. Although it was a work trip, he knew it couldn’t be wrapped up early. The idea appealed to him a lot, but he knew Eva would never agree to go. How would he convince her? There was only one way! He had to ask his sister also to accompany them. With Alyssa going along, Eva would readily agree!
After packing up, he ate his dinner and then switched on the television to catch up on some news. However, his eyes popped out at seeing Beatrix’s name linked to Sean Fairfield again. This time, the actor was casting her opposite him in a lead role in his upcoming production. So, Beatrix was still with him the whole time! She had never broken away from Fairfield. No wonder he was giving her a chance! Did that mean she wouldn’t come to work at all?
Alexander switched off the television and went up to his terrace to clear his mind. With Beatrix being busy with Sean and her upcoming movie, he wondered what his fate would be. If she liked Sean so much, why couldn’t she break off the engagement and marry him instead?
The sound of a car coming to a stop right in front of the building gates brought him out of his reverie. Under the bright lights, he clearly saw the blue Bentley he had seen earlier. It was Nicholas’s car, but what was it doing here again? However, to his immense surprise, Alyssa alighted from the car and entered the building! Alexander stood shocked, now convinced that his sister was indeed seeing his enemy. It was late, and he swore to catch hold of her the next day and whisk them away with him to Paris.
However, the next day, his mom landed up at his penthouse to put some sense in his head. “Alexander, you’re really hurting Daniel. Beatrix came to spend some time with us and told us how you insulted her. She threatened to call off the engagement. Do you have any idea how your dad is feeling right now? He feels he has betrayed his best friend. He had promised Dominic that he would take care of Beatrix like his own.”
“Who’s stopping dad from taking care of Beatrix? Take care of her as your daughter. Why do you need to dump her on me, mom? I can’t marry her. She disgusts me. If you switch on the television, you will find some channel always broadcasting her affair with Sean Fairfield. She is still associated with the actor despite her tall claims. They’re now planning to act together in a movie. I really can’t stay engaged to such a woman any longer. Can’t you and dad see her true colors for a change? I sometimes feel that you both don’t love me.” Alexander ushered his mom out and locked his penthouse, ready to go to work. He had to wrap everything here and leave for Paris the next morning.
“In that case, talk to your dad before taking any steps, Alex. I can feel your pain having gone through a loveless and forced marriage myself. I would never want the same for my child, believe me. Your dad promised Dominic before he breathed his last and he can do anything to keep his word,” said his mom with a sigh.
“What if no one is happy with this marriage? Would he still force us to commit this mistake knowingly? Wouldn’t it be like committing suicide?” said Alexander, leading his mom into the elevator.
“I don’t know, Alexander. I’ll try to convince him, but don’t expect miracles to happen. You know how stubborn he is. Why don’t you come over tonight and talk to him?”
“I’m leaving for Paris tomorrow morning, mom. I’ll talk to him when I return.” His mom drove away, and he left for work, completely forgetting his decision to talk to his sister. His trip got canceled, as one meeting had to be postponed.
In the evening, Eva pressed the doorbell, having forgotten the keys inside. She had a few days of leave at work over the weekend and would love to sleep off the exhaustion. She hated night duty, as it tired her tremendously. Alyssa opened the door but looked disappointed to see her. Eva’s interest was instantly piqued.
“You look disappointed, girl! Were you expecting someone else?” she teased her friend.
“No, I’m just tired after a whole day’s work. You know I’m not used to this 8-5 job.”
“Tell me about your new job. I’m bursting with curiosity,” Eva asked, going into her room. Alyssa sat on her bed and told her about her job, about her nasty colleagues, about everything else except Nicholas.
They both cooked a delicious dinner and were about to devour it when the doorbell rang again. Alyssa groaned, knowing who it could be this time. Her brother, who else? Opening the door, she groaned, noting the furious look in his eyes as he strode into her apartment.
“Where were you the whole day today? Don’t you tire of your parties? How can you waste your life this way, Alyssa?” he scolded her.
“I wasn’t partying for your information. I’ve joined work, a full-time job at a finance firm.” Alexander’s jaws dropped upon hearing her, and he looked at a loss for words.
“What kind of job? Who would give you a job with your low grades and lack of experience?” he bellowed at her in disbelief.
“I’m hard-working, honest, and willing to learn. Why can’t I get a job? Everyone isn’t as brilliant as you are, Alexander, yet they are surviving in this city. I’m working as an entry-level Financial Analyst and I’m proud of getting this opportunity to learn.” Alyssa felt snubbed at his judgemental remarks.
“Why do you need to settle for an entry-level job when a CEO’s post is waiting for you at dad’s office?”
“What’s wrong with an entry-level job? How can I handle a CEO’s post with such a low IQ and lack of experience? You and your dad would be the first people to show your disappointment in me. I’m fine where I am, Alexander. Please let me live my life my way. I don’t need your interference at every step. So do me a favor and mind your own business.” Upset with his high-handedness, she got up and rushed into her room, banging the door shut in their faces, leaving Eva alone with Alexander.
He turned and grabbed Eva’s wrist, pulling her with him to her bedroom. “Alexander, let me go.”
“Never,” he grunted with fury.