Alexander felt his heart constrict at the thought of telling her about his change of plans. Beatrix’s sudden phone call disrupted the beautiful holiday he had planned with her. “Do you want to go out?” he asked her wanting to make the most of their time together. Staying locked up in a room with her would shatter his self-control and he would end up making love to her. No, he couldn’t do that now!
“Yes, please,” she said eagerly. They went out and strolled hand in hand to see the other attractions nearby, in no hurry whatsoever. The sun was about to set when they boarded a spectacular glass-topped boat for a dinner cruise on the Seine River.
“This is so different. I’ve never been on a glass-topped boat before!” she gasped with delight.
“I’m glad you like it. I wanted to take you shopping too but I’m afraid we can’t squeeze that in today!” he said with a sigh.
“I don’t need anything so just relax and enjoy the cruise. This is the best attraction so far!” Alexander gazed at her tenderly, a warm feeling spreading all over his body. He was sure that she was the only one in the whole world to decline an offer of shopping in Paris! They sat holding hands, taking in the spectacular structures that lined the Seine’s banks, including the Pont Neuf, Palais de Justice, Institut de France, Palais Bourbon, Concorde, Musee du Louvre, and much more. Dinner served on board was as sensational as the view and they didn’t want the tour to end. There was love in the air and the City of Lights charmed them in more ways than one.
They returned to the hotel late and Alexander had no option but to tell her about his plans. “Keep everything packed, Eva. We’ll have to return home tomorrow night!” he said with a sigh. Eva looked at him with surprise and sat down on the sofa beside him.
“Why so suddenly? Is everything alright? What about the press conference you have on Tuesday?”
“I’ve scheduled it for tomorrow. I’ll wrap up everything by tomorrow night. So, there’s no point in extending our stay till Wednesday,” he said, not wanting to bring up Beatrix in case she took offense. He didn’t want to lose the magic between them tonight. He wanted to have her in his arms again tonight.
“Oh! Are you sure everything’s alright?” she asked again, searching his eyes.
“Yes. I’ve got to leave early tomorrow. Can we call it a night? I’ll arrange for a car and a guide to take you everywhere. Here, keep this money and my Mastercard. You can shop as much as you can,” he said handing out to her some Euros and his debit card.
“No, I don’t need the card. I’ll take a few of the money in case I need them,” she protested.
“Do you want me to leave my work and take you shopping?” he asked with annoyance.
“I don’t need to buy anything, Alexander. Why are you forcing me? I’m happy to go sightseeing.”
“Fine, just keep it in case of an emergency,” he coaxed.
“I have my own debit card in case of an emergency,” she argued. Alexander grabbed her hand and placed his card and some cash paying no heed to her protests. He got up and left to change for bed. Eva sighed and kept everything in her handbag, knowing she would never use them. When she went to the bedroom, Alexander had already changed for bed and was busy typing away on his phone. She picked up her clothes and went to the washroom to change. Although she didn’t react, she couldn’t help being suspicious of his sudden change of plans. What could be the reason behind it? She knew it had to be something to do with Beatrix because it was only after her phone call that he changed his mind. So, did Beatrix know about her? Had she found out that Alexander wasn’t alone? A feeling of dread clutched at her heart and she remembered Beatrix’s threat to her.
Later when she went out, she saw Alexander staring at the ceiling, deep in thought. He looked at her and smiled, his face instantly brightening up. “Come here,” he asked her softly, patting the place right next to him on the bed. Eva smiled and climbed in to sit as close to him as possible.
“How was your day? Did you enjoy yourself?” he asked, wrapping her in his arms, against his warm body. Eva lay her head on his muscular chest and breathed him in.
“Every minute I spend with you is special, Alexander. We don’t have to go anywhere or do anything to make me happy. Your presence in my life is everything I need.” Alexander didn’t have words to express the overwhelming feeling her honest admission stirred deep inside him. He just pulled her closer, cupped her cheek, claiming her lips in a deeply intoxicating and lingering kiss that took her breath away. His mouth devoured her as if tasting her for the last time and Eva surrendered to him totally, kissing him back fervently. Their hands roamed around each other’s bodies but this time, Alexander didn’t lose control. He kissed her more till they were breathless and gasping.
“I can’t believe that by tomorrow all this will be over and we’ll return home.” Alexander noted the sadness in her tone but he didn’t have any words to comfort her. He had to face Beatrix first after returning to New York. She was livid with anger on hearing that he would return tomorrow night when she had already booked her flight.
“What about the road trip you promised?” Eva asked with a sigh, listening to his heartbeats.
“Maybe next time. We really have to return tomorrow,” he said with a sigh.
“Why?” Alexander looked at her warily and sighed, knowing he couldn’t hide it any longer.
Eva sat up and looked at him with curiosity. “You can tell me.”
“Beatrix called to say that she’s joining me here on Tuesday. I want to avoid her,” he admitted. Eva nodded but didn’t prod further. The mention of Beatrix’s name dampened her enthusiasm this time. Alexander’s phone buzzed and he glanced at her with apprehension.
“Yes, mom,” he said warily, accepting the call and walking out of the room.
“How can you be so insensitive, Alexander? You shouldn’t have broken Beatrix’s heart. All she wanted to do was shop for her wedding dress there,” scolded his mom.
“Mom, she can buy her wedding dress in New York too. Why does she need to come all the way to Paris for it?” he barked angrily.
“She wants to, that’s why. Why do you need to be so difficult all the time?” demanded his mom.
“I’m not being difficult at all. My work will be over and I’ll return. That’s all!”
“If you don’t keep her happy, she’ll ruin you, Alex!” whispered his mom.
“Don’t worry so much about me. She can’t harm me. I’ll be fine,” said Alexander, massaging his temples.
“She can. She’ll charge you with fake allegations and have you behind bars. She’ll destroy your goodwill in the industry and you wouldn’t be able to succeed again. Please, Alex! You aren’t understanding the gravity of the matter.”
“I know what she is capable of doing. She can’t harm me, mom.”
Eva could hear Alexander from the bedroom and her face paled. So was Beatrix threatening to harm Alexander if he didn’t marry her? No, she couldn’t be so selfish and want Alexander to suffer in any way. She would back off from their lives.
Eva had no idea that Beatrix was this serious about marrying Alexander!
She didn’t know that Beatrix was planning to arrive here to buy her wedding dress! She had hoped that Alexander would somehow break off with Beatrix just before the wedding but it seemed she was wrong in her assumption. Feeling like an unwanted marriage wrecker in their relationship, Eva lay down on her side and closed her eyes, pretending to sleep. She knew Alexander asked her to wait for him but the future looked bleak for her. She didn’t think Alexander would be able to keep his promise to her. She could hear him argue with his mom in the living area. With his parents supporting Beatrix in everything she did, she was actually hoping for the impossible.
After some time, she felt the bed dip and Alexander lie down beside her. This time, Eva didn’t turn towards him or make any attempt to talk. She closed her eyes to sleep, all the excitement leaving her. She wanted him to be safe. So it was best to get out of his life for good and be happy knowing that he truly loved her.
Alexander lay staring at the ceiling remembering his mom’s warning. He didn’t tell her the threat messages Beatrix had sent him earlier when she realized that he canceled his stay here because of her. They weren’t useless threats at all! She would drag him to court if he attempted to break off the wedding. Alexander frowned not realizing what this urgency was all about. Why did Beatrix want to marry him when they both didn’t love one another? Surely there was a motive! What motive could Beatrix have? He had to find out!