Eva spoke to her colleagues at the hospital and Laura informed her about a one-bedroom apartment up for sale in Bronx. Although buying it would leave her penniless, Eva didn’t mind. She needed a place of her own before Alexander’s wedding. She couldn’t see them together all the time.
“My cousin lives in the building. It’s good. Would you like to check it out?”
“Yes. Can we go today after duty?” She hadn’t seen Alexander since that night and wanted to move out before he returned from his parents’ place.
“Sure. I’ll check up with her.”
In the evening, just as promised, Laura took her to a lower middle-class locality in Bronx, where the building was located. It wasn’t posh as her current home, but it was a decent, freshly painted one in a clean neighborhood. She introduced Eva to her cousin, Sarah, who worked at a departmental store and lived on the second floor.
“It’s on the third floor. Come, I’ll show you around.” Sarah led them up the staircase to the third-floor apartment overlooking a beautiful garden belonging to a sprawling house adjacent. Although small, the view endeared the place to her. She walked around the 600 sq. feet apartment to inspect. The living room was spacious, the kitchen sleek and freshly renovated, furnished with brand-new appliances and cabinetry. They went to the bedroom and checked out the double bed and the built-in closet.
“It wasn’t used much. I’ve been living here for the past five years. The owner lives abroad and hardly comes down. The security guard had the keys and gave me his number. I’ll forward it to you,” said Sarah enthusiastically.
“Thanks for the help. I like it.” They discussed the amenities available in the building and the pros and cons of living in the place. After much thought, Eva decided to buy the place. She returned to Alyssa’s apartment but mentioned nothing to her friend. She knew if Alyssa was aware of her motive, she would never allow her to spend her inheritance money.
For the next two days, Eva was extremely busy with bank formalities and legal procedures. Amidst it all, the messages from Maxwell kept on bothering her. He was suspiciously persistent, making her wonder how he would benefit from a date with her.
Why can’t we meet up? I’m not asking you out on a date as yet. We can get to know each other better to start with.Maxwell.
Eva read all his messages but didn’t reply to any. She was still pondering over Alyssa’s advice. Should she meet Maxwell? Would that make Alexander realize how much his behavior hurts her?
Her duty was over for the day and she walked out to take the bus home. Alyssa had dropped her off in the morning on her way to the bank, so she didn’t have her car with her.
“Hey, Coco! Wait!” said the same husky voice, making her freeze with horror. She turned around slowly and came face to face with a beaming Maxwell Clyborne.
“So, we meet again!” he grinned at her, holding his hand out for a shake.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, looking at her colleagues, who watched her with interest.
“Obviously. I’m here to see you. Or would you rather have me fall sick and get admitted under your care?” he chuckled while Eva rolled her eyes at him.
“I haven’t said a word. You’re so melodramatic!”
“Oh, am I now? So, why are you playing so hard to get? All I’m asking for is a friendly dinner with you. I want us to be friends, Coco. Of course, you may marry me after you get to know me. Just kidding! Don’t run for the hills!”
“Stop. I’ll go out on a friendly dinner with you,” said Eva with a laugh, watching the animated look on his face. He was quite good-looking and had a cheerful attitude totally opposite to Alexander, who was drop-dead gorgeous but moody!
“Wow! She agreed!” he gasped with disbelief, doing a little happy dance and drawing all attention to himself.
Eva rolled her eyes and grabbed his elbow to steer him outside the hospital premises. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”
“Your chariot awaits you, madame,” he said with a bow in front of his sleek Jaguar. He helped her to the passenger seat and climbed in to start his chariot.
“So where’s my resume? You should have returned it, Mr. Clyborne. After all, what use could a nurse’s resume be to you?” she asked, unable to hold back the grin on her face.
“Ow! Don’t call me that! It hurts! Call me Maxwell or Max!”
“How can I? This is our first meeting. I don’t even know you well enough to call you that,” she pointed out, enjoying his comical reactions.
“I see! Well, you’re wrong! This is our second meeting! So, how many meetings do you need to be able to call me Max?” he flashed a grin at her to charm her. If Eva hadn’t been so much in love with Alexander, she would surely have fallen for his charms. There wasn’t a doubt that he was the most charming guy she’d met!
“I don’t know. Maybe two or three!”
“Done. We will go out again in a few days!” Eva gaped at him, wanting to take back her words now.
“Not needed. I’ll call you Maxwell!” she said with a groan.
“Still, we’ll meet again. I want to get to know you better before marrying you,” he said with a wink, stopping the car in front of a cozy little restaurant tucked away in a corner. Eva loved the friendly place where she could see families enjoying themselves through the frosted glass facades.
“Why are you harping on it? I’m not marrying anyone, Maxwell,” she pointed out, turning to look at him with determination. It was better not to encourage him from the first day itself. He should know that she loved someone else for life.
“Why can’t you marry me? Am I so bad?” asked Maxwell, softly, holding her gaze.
“No, it’s just that I love someone. I’ll wait for him all my life.” Maxwell smiled knowingly, but Eva looked away, unable to tell him anything more.
“I know you love Alexander, but he doesn’t care a shit about you. He’s busy roaming around with his rich fiancee. If he loved you, he would have left everything for you. How long will you wait for him? Even I love someone else. Since she’s marrying for money, I’ve left all hope of her. That’s the wisest thing to do. Don’t you think so?”
They walked towards the restaurant, and Eva pondered over his question. She knew he was right. If Alexander really loved her, he would have left everything for her. It wasn’t something impossible! The truth was, he wanted the financial stability Beatrix could give him!
“Stop frowning and enjoy yourself, Coco. You have only one life to enjoy. Why should you waste it after someone who doesn’t care enough for you?” he led her inside and they sat down at a corner table.
“You’re right, Maxwell.” She smiled at him, and he leaned closer to take a selfie.
“Say cheese and let’s be good friends! I just want you to be happy,” he said, taking a picture of themselves. “I’ll forward this to you.”
They ordered dinner and sat back to discuss their favorite things. Eva opened up a lot to him. She didn’t know why, but she could connect to him more than with Alexander. Maxwell’s effortless charm made her talk more, laugh more, and she felt glad to have agreed to go out with him. She badly needed such a friend to cheer her up and cherish her a little. With Sienna, Alyssa, Hayley, and Skylar being busy with their lives, she missed these friendly outings all the more. While others had their families with them, she had no one. Her friends were the only ones who had kept her going. Alyssa, too, seemed to go into a shell after that confrontation with her brother.
“So, did you enjoy yourself, Coco?” he asked with a smile. Eva nodded, smiling back warmly at him.
“Yes. Thank you, Maxwell!”
“So, will you go out with me again? This time we’ll go on a picnic.” Eva’s eyes widened with surprise. She remembered the picnics she enjoyed in Skylar’s house when they were younger.
“That would be fun. I can’t wait to go,” she said excitedly. Maxwell smiled, having expected her to agree. She was so innocent that it was easy to convince her. Alexander hadn’t treated her the way she should have been treated. Sadly, Alexander would never know what he missed while choosing a vamp and neglecting the most precious and genuine person on earth, but he wouldn’t make that mistake. He would definitely strive harder to make all her dreams come true. He would make her happy! So what if Teresa Norman didn’t love him? He would get over her and spend his life making Eva happy.
He dropped Eva home, but before driving away, he forwarded all their photographs to Alexander. Served him right. A strange sense of satisfaction coursed through his body and he drove home with a smile on his face.