They reached their suite room, but thankfully Alexander didn’t attack her immediately as she had expected him to. She dashed off to the bedroom to freshen up while he ordered their lunch. Afterwards, they sat down on the expansive terrace to savor the delightful samples of French cuisine laid out before them.
“This is Bouillabaisse, a popular French fish soup,” explained Alexander on seeing her reluctance to try out anything new.
“Oh, it’s good.” Alexander was quite knowledgeable and explained every dish in detail. Having come here plenty of times, he knew everything about the place and its culture. The warm, clear, sunny day, the spectacular views and the delightful gastronomical experience coupled with his company made Eva wish she could remain immersed in this land of dreams forever with him.
His phone buzzed with an incoming call and he frowned at the caller ID, not accepting the call. For the next twenty minutes, his phone kept disturbing them till he just stood up agitatedly.
“I need to take this call.” He strode into the suite, straight to the bedroom, immediately making her suspicious. Whose call could it be? Why did he need to escape to the bedroom to take the call?
“What is it, Beatrix?” Alexander barked into the phone.
“Why didn’t you inform me about your Paris trip? I told you I wanted to do my wedding shopping there.” Alexander massaged his temples, thinking of an excuse to give her.
“I’m here on work. You can come down here anytime to shop. I’m sure Fairfield isn’t such a hard taskmaster,” he said calmly.
“Yes, he’s hundred percent better than you,” she hissed angrily.
“Then why don’t you just marry him?”
“I would have if he wasn’t married already! Anyway, I’ve called to inform you that the shooting has been postponed and I’m free for four days. I’m flying down to join you tomorrow. Where are you staying?” said Beatrix while Alexander stood frozen at her announcement. He couldn’t allow her to come over at all! He couldn’t let her know he was with Eva.
“Tomorrow I have back-to-back meetings and a press conference the next day. I would be so busy that you’d feel bored. It wouldn’t be wise to come down now. Maybe next time,” said Alexander, crossing his fingers, hoping she would agree.
“That’s okay, Alexander. I’ll shop on the days you’re busy. Afterwards, we can enjoy a few days together before returning.”
“I can’t extend my stay.”
“Then I’ll attend the meetings and press meet with you. That way, we’d be together,” said Beatrix. Alexander was at his wit’s end. How could he convince her to drop her plans?
“Then do one thing. You come here and attend the meetings instead of me. I’m a little unwell, so I’ll go home.”
“Why don’t you admit you don’t want me there? What’s going on Alexander? Here I’m trying my best to salvage our relationship and make it work while you’re making it impossible for me to do so. I’ll come over on Tuesday when you’re free. I’m sure the press meet won’t keep you engaged for long.” She disconnected the call even before he could protest, while he gaped at the phone with frustration. This was the worst thing that could happen! What would he do now? He couldn’t stay here and wait for Beatrix. He would have to wrap up everything and return on Monday night. The road trip would have to be canceled.
He walked out of the bedroom to see Eva still on the terrace, watching the Eiffel Tower in the distance. With her head resting on her hands, there was a forlorn look on her face, as if she knew who he’d been talking to. Alexander sighed, not having foreseen this sudden turn of events beforehand. He had been so engrossed in spending time with Eva that he had forgotten about Beatrix completely. He would talk to her, but not over the phone. First, he needed to talk to his dad before breaking off with Beatrix finally. Her earlier admission had him baffled. If Fairfield was married, how could she have an affair with him?
Eva looked up to see the disappointed look on Alexander’s face and smiled to cheer him up. She could hear his loud barking into the phone and realized instantly whose call it was, but she didn’t want to allow anything to come in the way of her happiness now. For the next few days, she just wanted to make memories with Alexander! Memories to last her a lifetime. She might not get another opportunity in this life to be with him, because Alyssa had informed her that his wedding date had already been fixed.
“What’s wrong? Aren’t we going out again?” she asked as he pulled a chair and sat down beside her. He nodded, yet made no attempt to get up. Eva felt he wanted to tell her something, but hesitated every time.
“I’m sick of this f*cking life!” he swore, slamming his fist on the table angrily. Eva caught his hand in hers and gently massaged it to ease the tension in his body.
“Let nothing stop you from enjoying your life, Alexander. We have only one life to live. Don’t let others dictate to you, all the time. You should learn to put your foot down, even to loved ones, if they’re taking advantage of your kindness,” she whispered. He grunted in response, focusing on the Iron Lady in the distance, his mind deep in some thought. Maybe he hadn’t heard what she said to him! She released his hand with a sigh and stood up to go inside. It didn’t look like they would go out with the mood he was in!
Alexander immediately grabbed her hand to stop her from leaving. “Where do you think you’re going?” he grunted, pulling her towards him. Startled, Eva stumbled and fell onto his lap, her cheeks coloring profusely with embarrassment.
“I’m sorry. It was an accident!” she breathed, trying to get up quickly, but his arm clamped her captive against him and she couldn’t break free of his hold. “Alexander, please!”
“No, stay! This is no accident! It’s destiny, Eva. You and I are meant to be together! Can’t you feel it every time we meet?” A strange throbbing need started deep within her as his words pierced her soul. Were they really meant to be together? Then why couldn’t they find their happily ever after?
“How Alexander? You don’t even love me?” she said in a sad whisper.
“I do,” he whispered back, gazing back at her while her eyes widened at what he just admitted.
“You do? Do you love me?” she whispered breathlessly, her breath stuck in her throat. Alexander tightened his hold on her and turned her around to face him, his hand cupping her chin, compelling her to look into his eyes.
“It took you so long to understand my feelings, Eva? Can’t you feel how much I love you? I’ve loved you for the last ten years of my life!” he said in a husky whisper. Overwhelmed by his admission, tears pooled in her eyes and she wrapped her arms around his neck and embedded her face into his neck.
“Are you crying, Eva? Aren’t you happy?” he whispered into her hair, threading his fingers into their silky smoothness, caressing them to comfort her. A wave of tender emotions surged through him at seeing her vulnerability and he wished he had confessed to her ten years ago, when Beatrix was absent in his life. It would have been so much easier then, and they would have been married by now!
“They’re happy tears, Alexander. I never imagined you would love me back.” Alexander placed a kiss on her head tenderly, his heart doing a somersault for finally being able to confess his feelings to her. He had always been bad at expressing his feelings, but with Eva, it was so easy. All he had to do was follow his instincts and his heart!
“If you didn’t know about my feelings, why did you agree to come away with me?” Eva released him and blushed a little, hesitating to answer him truthfully.
“I wanted to make memories with you for the last time before I lost you forever.” His eyes misted at her honest admission as he gazed at her upturned face with longing.
“You won’t ever lose me, Eva. I’ll remain yours for life. Just be patient and wait for me. Are you understanding what I’m trying to tell you?” he asked, frantically searching her eyes as she nodded.
“Good! Now give me what you promised,” he whispered, and she blushed and looked away. Alexander smiled and cupped her cheek, his eyes not leaving her face. Eva closed her eyes and waited for him to claim her completely, her parted lips inviting him for possession. She surrendered to her desires, leaving all worries behind. Today was her day, and she wanted to spend it with the man she loved without a care for what the future held for them. She wanted to feel loved for the first time in her life!