“You have no right to touch me, Alexander. I’m not available for your entertainment. Leave my hand,” she hissed angrily, struggling to get free. Instead of releasing her, Alexander tightened his hold on her and pulled her into his arms.
“I have every right to touch you. You’re mine,” he muttered, annoyed by her statement.
“No, I’m not yours. I refuse to please you whenever you want. You’ve chosen Beatrix over me and you’re engaged to her. I know you both slept with one another. So, stop pursuing me, Alexander. I hate you in case you didn’t know,” she said, struggling more.
Alexander clamped her to his body, his eyes flashing angrily, burning her with their intensity. “I’m telling you for the last time, Eva. I didn’t sleep with Beatrix nor touched her. While Beatrix slept alone in my bedroom, I spent the entire night in the living room talking to Stefan. I won’t stop pursuing you, I will continue till the day I die. Please don’t fight me. I know you don’t hate me,” he whispered, his eyes softening a little. Eva stared back at him, her heart thumping wildly with hope.
“Why didn’t you sleep with her? Why do you want to pursue me? Don’t forget you’re engaged, Alexander,” she whispered breathlessly. Did he love her? Could she hope? Alexander gazed at her upturned face, filled with hope and curiosity, and smiled.
“I’ll answer only if you come away with me to Paris this weekend,” he whispered, leaning a little towards her, holding her wide-eyed gaze.
“Why me? Why would I want to go with you?” she argued, searching his eyes.
“Because I want you to. We will sneak in a road trip if I can wrap up the work early,” he said, his eyes glinting with excitement. Eva smiled at his enthusiasm, remembering their road trip earlier, but this time she wouldn’t want to be alone with Alexander. He was engaged and she would keep her distance.
“Fine. I’ll go only if Alyssa does,” she said. Alexander rolled his eyes but nodded. He knew it already!
“I’ll talk to her. We’ll be leaving on Saturday morning. So there’s ample time to convince Lisa,” he said, releasing her. Eva felt a little disappointed that he didn’t even attempt to kiss her. “Good night, Eva. Now that you’ve agreed, you cannot back out at all.” He sauntered out of the apartment with a victorious smile on his face, leaving Eva in a daze. What just happened? Did she really forget all her resolutions and again agree to go on a trip to Paris with Alexander? She dragged her feet to Alyssa’s room and knocked.
“Alyssa, he has left. Please have your dinner.” Eva didn’t tell her anything about the upcoming trip and the two friends ate in silence.
Eva waited for Alexander the next evening, but he didn’t come over. She went away for her duty and it was only when she returned the next morning did she know Alyssa had declined to go to Paris with them.
“Don’t be a spoilsport. Why can’t you come along with us?” she asked her friend, feeling upset.
“I’ve just joined work, Eva. I’ll lose my job if I take leave now.”
The next morning, after Alyssa left, Eva went to the parking area to go to the departmental store. To her surprise, she saw Alexander start his car to go to work. He saw her and alighted, approaching her with a smile on his face. “Where are you off to? Don’t you need to rest after night duty?”
“Yes, but there’s nothing at home. So I might as well get this over and done with.”
“Hop on. I’ll help you with it since Lisa won’t,” said Alexander, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward his car.
“Don’t you have any other work, Alexander?” She almost ran alongside him to match his big steps.
“I do,” he answered gruffly, opening the passenger door for her.
“You don’t have to do this. I can manage,” she protested, sitting down and strapping the seat belt on. Paying no heed to her protests, Alexander started the car and steered it towards the departmental store.
“You should involve Alyssa as well, instead of taking up all the responsibilities alone.”
“She’s busy settling down in her new job,” explained Eva, but Alexander grunted with annoyance.
“She’s behaving so foolishly these days, all because of Nicholas. I don’t understand what she sees in that as*hole.” Eva sighed, not having any answer to his accusations. As much as possible, she kept away from their issues. She didn’t want more complications in her life.
“I’ve booked two tickets since Lisa isn’t accompanying us. She has a valid reason, but you don’t. I know you have a few days’ leave at the hospital, so don’t even think of canceling.”
“How do you know I have leave?” she asked with surprise. She had told no one yet, not even Alyssa. Then how did Alexander know?
“I have my ways!” he said with a wink, and Eva rolled her eyes at the cliche line.
“Tell me about them,” she coaxed, too curious by now.
“What will I get in return?” Eva knew he would come down to this!
“Nothing. Anyway, we’ve reached my destination. Thanks,” she said, opening the door to get out.
“Where are you off to? I’m coming in with you,” he insisted, parking his car and coming along.
“It’ll take time, Alexander. You’ll get late for work.”
“I’ll manage. So did you have your breakfast yet?” he asked, eyeing the cafe at the corner.
“No, I had nothing at home. Alyssa ate milk and cereal, but I wanted something else. I’m tired of eating milk and cereal for the last few days.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I could have ordered something for you two. Come, let’s grab a quick breakfast before we go shopping,” said Alexander, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the cafe without waiting for her reply.
“Didn’t you have breakfast as well?” she asked with curiosity.
“I just had a toast and coffee. Ever since you left, I feel too lazy to make anything for myself. Maybe I’ve grown used to your breakfast,” he said, and Eva rolled her eyes at him. She knew now he would try to convince her to go back to his apartment again.
“Toast and coffee are fine. I’m staying where I am.” Alexander laughed and sat down opposite her. It felt so good knowing that Eva understood him so well. She was indeed his better half in the true sense of the term. She was the one who deserved to be his fiancee. He would definitely talk to his dad when they returned from their trip.
“We’ll see about that. So, what will you have?” he asked, picking up the menu card. They ordered delicious crepes topped with fresh fruits, Italian omelets, bacon, smoked chicken sandwiches, and coffee.
“I think I wouldn’t need to eat anything the whole day,” said Eva, eyeing the food. Who orders so much breakfast?
“What rubbish? You need to increase your appetite, Eva. You’ve not been taking care of your health lately,” he scolded her. Eva knew it was true, but didn’t he know he caused it?
“I was upset,” she mumbled.
“I know, and I’m sorry for everything that happened. I tried to get rid of her, but she was adamant,” explained Alexander. The food arrived, and they tucked in while Alexander told her about their Paris schedule. He had two meetings and a press conference to attend before he was free to go sightseeing. He didn’t tell her he was sneaking out without Beatrix’s knowledge. She wanted to go to Paris to do her wedding shopping, but Alexander had no wish to entertain her. He would wrap up the trip while she was busy with her movie.
After breakfast, Alexander helped her shop for groceries and then dropped her home. After he left for work, Eva couldn’t erase the smile from her face. She knew Alexander hated shopping, yet he had gone out of his way to help her. Shopping for groceries with him felt so homely, as if they had been married for ages! She blushed at the thought. If only it would come true!
She rested the whole day, dreaming about marrying Alexander and living with him forever. It was an impossible dream, but she couldn’t stop. Later, she got ready and left for work before Alyssa or Alexander returned.
For the next few days, she hardly saw Alexander. It was Friday evening, and she returned home after twelve hours of duty. She had four days’ leave and looked forward to the Paris trip. Having already packed up, all she needed to do was wake up on time.
She parked her car and went up to Alyssa’s apartment, but instead of Alyssa, there was Alexander waiting in the living room to grab her. “What are you doing here?” she asked with surprise.
“I was waiting for you. Come on, you’re staying the night with me.” He got up to follow her to her bedroom.
“Hell no! Why would I want to stay with you?”