Alexander remembered Maxwell’s interest in Eva. Maxwell was the one who had threatened him after picking up a fight with him at Phoenix over Eva. Alexander remembered the photograph Maxwell had taken of them kissing each other on that drunken night. What if he forwarded it to Beatrix? She would surely harm Eva. Feeling restless, he typed a reply to Maxwell.
Eva doesn’t love you. Stop harassing her! If I find you forcing her in any way, I’ll come over to wreck your precious officeAlexander
He seethed waiting for Maxwell’s reply but even after an hour, there was no response and he dozed off to sleep.
The next morning, Eva lazed at home, since it was her day off. Alyssa had gone to work and Eva just completed the household chores of cleaning and washing. She knew Alexander wasn’t at home and felt curious to know what happened at his parents’ house. She sat down to enjoy her breakfast when her phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. Who could it be? She accepted the call out of sheer curiosity.
“Hi, Coco!” said a lazy and husky male voice from the other end. Eva blinked in confusion and she disconnected the call. Although the name sounded familiar, she couldn’t remember where she had heard it. Who would call her Coco? Her phone buzzed with a message from the same number and she checked out of curiosity.
Have you forgotten me, Coco? Remember, we met in Phoenix?
I don’t remember you.Eva.
She could vaguely recall a man whom she had collided with and who had fought with Alexander for her. She knew he was Nicholas’s friend and another arch-enemy of Alexander. Therefore, she wanted nothing to do with him.
Meet me. I’ll brush up on your memory.
No, thanks. I don’t go meeting strangers.Eva.
We can be friends if you give me a chance.
No, I have more than enough friends. I don’t need more – Eva.
Please, Coco.
My name isn’t Coco – Eva
I know your name, but I love calling you Coco.
Where did you get my number? – Eva
I know your address, your workplace, your date of birth, everything. So will you meet me now or do I drop in at your apartment to see you?
I’ll report you to the copsEva
I’ll gladly go to prison for you
Creep – Eva.
She switched off her phone to discourage Maxwell. Where did he get her details? How did he remember her after two months?
Alexander had just finished his breakfast when his phone beeped with another message from Maxwell Clyborne.
Well! Guess what, Van Every! Eva sent me all her personal details, her number, her address, her hospital details, her birthday, everything.Maxwell.
Alexander seethed with rage. He couldn’t believe how Eva could have given Maxwell her personal contact details. He couldn’t concentrate on anything the whole day. With his dad unwell, he went to work for a little while, only to return early. Beatrix was there at his parents’ house since morning, demanding a decision out of him.
It was almost evening, and he was thinking of going home when he received another message from Maxwell.
I’ve just asked Eva out. Wish me luck so that I can send you our first date pictures in my next message. Maxwell.
“Fu*k you, Maxwell! As if you’ll live to see that day!” he gritted out, getting up and striding towards the front door with his phone and car keys. His parents and Beatrix gaped at him in shock. No one knew what was going on.
“Alex, where are you going? Wait,” said his mom, rushing out of the kitchen. His dad, too, looked confused while Beatrix rushed after him to stop him.
“I swear I haven’t said a word this time, aunt Jodie,” said Beatrix. Alexander ignored them as if chased by the demon himself and banged the door shut after him.
“Where did he go in such a fit of rage? I hope he doesn’t harm anyone,” said his mom while Beatrix trembled with fear at seeing this side of him for the first time.
“Has he killed anyone before, aunt Jodie?” she asked in a feeble voice.
“Not yet, but he can if angered. Your uncle has saved him from doing anything untoward. Daniel, where are you going? You aren’t well!” said his wife with concern.
“I’ll see what he’s up to, Jodie. Relax, I’m better,” said Daniel Van Every, picking up his car keys.
Alexander stormed into Maxwell’s office, pushing the security guards away. “I’ve come to meet my sister, Alyssa Van Every!” he said to them.
“She has left three hours ago, sir,” said the guard.
“Then I’ll see Maxwell. Move away,” he yelled, pushing the guard and forcefully entering the almost deserted office.
“What’s the commotion all about, Fred?” Maxwell asked the security guard as he emerged from his office. Then his eyes fell upon Alexander and he looked taken aback and scared for a little while.
“What a pleasant surprise, Alexander! I was expecting you tonight,” said Maxwell, holding his hand out for a shake, his eyes challenging his arch-enemy.
“Cut the crap and stay away from Eva, Maxwell. She loves me. She’s mine! If you want to get even with me, there are other ways!” yelled Alexander, ignoring his stretched hand. He knew that long ago he had beaten up Nicholas and his friend Maxwell over Alyssa, Nicholas for harassing her and Maxwell from supporting him. He wondered if this was a way to get even with him.
“You’ve got it all wrong, Alexander. This had nothing to do with us. I’m pursuing Eva because I’m interested in her. Even if she loves you, can you provide her with a stable marriage? Knowing Rotterdam’s daughter, I doubt if you can,” said Maxwell with a laugh. He loved the discomfort clear on Alexander’s face. It gave him a sense of satisfaction that he could indeed get even with him. No one can get away after beating him up. He had to be hospitalized for a week then and hadn’t been able to forget it.
“That’s my lookout. Stay out of my affairs or I’ll ruin this little setup of yours,” he threatened.
“Let’s see you try. I’ll forward the photograph to the press.” Alexander lost his composure and caught hold of Maxwell’s collars in a fit of rage.
“That will be the last day of your life, Maxwell. Mark my words.” The guards rushed in and Alexander released Maxwell.
“I won’t allow Alyssa to work here anymore under people like you. Hand over her termination letter to her and settle her payment at the earliest. I won’t remind you again.” He stormed out of the office, ready to blast Eva for giving her details to a stranger. Was she that desperate for a date?
Parking his car, he was about to climb out when his phone buzzed with two photographs from none other than Nicholas Donnelly, his worst enemy alive. Checking his phone, Alexander’s mouth hung open at seeing pictures of Alyssa at his house! He trembled with fury! So he was right all along. Alyssa left early but hadn’t returned home. She went to Nicholas’s place instead for dinner. He stormed up to his apartment and was about to close the door when his dad arrived, looking haggard and worried.
“Dad? What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be resting?” He helped his dad inside.
“We were worried after you rushed out without informing us. I looked for you here and then at Stefan’s house before coming back here. Where did you rush off to? I hope you have harmed no one?” asked his dad, breathing hard.
“No dad. I just went to Alyssa’s office to talk to her boss. Do you know that she’s having an affair with Nicholas Donnelly, of all people on earth? That’s not all. She’s working for Maxwell too who is as bad as Nicholas.” His dad sighed, knowing it was no use putting any sense inside his head right now. Alexander called the security desk downstairs at the gates.
“Has my sister come home?” he asked the guard.
“Yes, sir. She just came in.” Alexander thanked him and disconnected the call, turning to his dad. “I’m going to talk to Alyssa, dad. She just came home after spending three hours at Nicholas’s apartment.” His dad looked shocked at his statement and massaged his temples with concern.
“Are you sure about this, Alex?”
“Yes, dad. Nicholas is playing an underhanded game with her. He forwarded her pictures to me just to prove that she was with him.” Alexander stormed out of his apartment and his dad followed him out reluctantly. He wasn’t well enough to stop Alexander now when he was so agitated. Under normal circumstances, he could deal with his temper, but not today. At the moment, all he wanted to do was rest, but he couldn’t leave Alexander alone. He would surely murder someone tonight if he didn’t check on him!
Alexander opened the door of Alyssa’s apartment and stormed inside, livid with rage at seeing both Alyssa and Eva right in front of him!