After duty, Eva drove over to Lucas’s granny’s house, where Sienna was staying over. They welcomed her with open arms. With her delivery date just around the corner, Sienna was always breathless, but there was a glow of happiness about her. Eva envied her a little since she couldn’t ever have what Sienna did, a happily ever after with the father of her child.
“What a surprise, Eva! Congratulations!” said Sienna with an incredulous look in her eyes. It was clear she was bursting with curiosity to know about her and Alexander.
“Thanks. So, be free on the 26th. Don’t deliver Adrian on my wedding day!” she warned her friend.
Lucas’s granny and mom chuckled and came forward to congratulate her. “You can’t control that! Adrian will push whenever he is in the mood!” said granny and they laughed.
“That’s true. Anyway, I want you all to come over. I don’t have any family attending.”
“Sure we will dear but I thought you liked Alexander!” said Claudia Donnelly, looking confused. Eva gaped at her in surprise. How did she know?
“Exactly! Did you two fight?” asked granny.
“No, he is marrying someone else.” Eva sighed, unable to hide the pain any longer.
“How? Didn’t you confess your feelings to him?” asked Lucas’s mom, leading her towards the living room.
“We both did, but he still broke all contact with me.”
They sat down on the luxurious sofa and Maria, their housekeeper, offered Eva a refreshing drink.
“Hope it isn’t alcoholic? I need to drive back home,” she said when Sienna gave her a suspicious look.
“No, it’s just watermelon lemonade.” She thanked Maria and enjoyed her drink.
“I think you should have clearly talked to Alexander before taking such a hasty decision. Do you love Maxwell?” asked Lucas’s mom.
“No, but we are good friends. He wants to marry me,” said Eva.
“Maxwell loves Teresa very much. What if she returns? Have you thought about that?” asked Claudia Donnelly, who knew everything about Maxwell, having seen him since he was born. Her words made Eva frown with worry. Obviously, that angle hadn’t crossed her mind. Where will she go with her baby if Maxwell didn’t want them anymore?
“She is married, isn’t she?” asked Eva hesitantly.
“We don’t know for sure. Maxwell never clarified with her. He has been avoiding a confrontation just like you are, Eva.”
“I tried to contact Alexander. He didn’t take my calls.” They all sighed, knowing there was nothing they could do to help. Eva realized that Lucas’s mom and granny did not know about the fight between Alexander and her sons.
“So, why are you rushing with the wedding? Is everything alright?” asked Sienna. They were all very shocked after hearing the news. Eva sat quietly, fidgeting with her hands nervously.
“No, nothing is right. I’m expecting,” she whispered, looking helplessly at Sienna, who gaped at her with shock.
“Whose child are you expecting?” Sienna asked in a whisper, searching her sad eyes.
“Alexander’s! Please don’t tell him. He doesn’t want me or my baby!” cried Eva desperately.
“How do you know he doesn’t want you or the baby? Have you told him yet dear?” asked granny and Eva slowly shook her head.
“Does Maxwell know?” asked Lucas’s mom.
“Yes. That’s why his family wants us to get married before I get hit by nausea. They think it’s Maxwell’s baby,” said Eva as tears of helplessness crept into her eyes. Claudia Donnelly hugged the lonely girl to her bosom.
“Hush! Don’t cry, my dear. Have you informed your parents?” she asked, soothing her hair softly.
“No, I don’t have their numbers. They don’t want to have anything to do with me,” said Eva as more tears fell from her eyes.
“I’m really shocked at such people. How can they forget their responsibilities towards their daughter?” said granny looking displeased.
“It’s okay, granny. I’m used to it,” said Eva, wiping her tears and releasing aunt Claudia.
“Who is giving you away?” asked Claudia Donnelly, and Eva shrugged.
“No one. I’ll walk down the aisle with my friends.”
“No, that’s different. Can l walk you down the aisle, Eva?” asked Claudia Donnelly, making Eva’s eyes widen with disbelief. Tears pooled in her eyes and she nodded quietly, feeling overwhelmed by aunt Claudia’s offer.
“Thank you, aunt Claudia!” she whispered, giving her a hug.
“Great! That’s settled then. Have you given a leave application at work? I want to take you out shopping for your wedding. We will also have a bridal shower party for you.”
“No, that won’t be necessary, aunt Claudia. Maxwell’s mom is buying me a wedding dress,” said Eva.
“Fine, be ready after duty tomorrow. I’ll buy you the rest of the stuff. No arguments, Eva. Take it as a gift from your aunt,” she coaxed her. Eva didn’t have any other option than to agree.
In the meantime:
Alexander checked out of the rental cottage he was staying at in the Hamptons and drove off towards New York. He had to talk to Eva first. He wouldn’t let Maxwell marry Eva. She was his. With a grim and determined look, he drove towards Bronx, hoping that Eva would come over to her apartment at least once before her wedding. He parked his car and went upstairs. Memories came flooding into his mind of the times they shared, and he felt all the more frustrated.
Instead of going over to his apartment, he unlocked Eva’s door with the keys he always carried with him.
Opening the door, he went inside but frowned after looking around. The apartment looked different from the last time he was here. This time, it looked as if someone was living here. Had Eva moved back in? His heart sang with hope and he went to her bedroom to find it a bit messy. Maybe Eva moved back in again.
The bed invited him as memories of their lovemaking drove him crazy. This was the bed where he had made love to her. He lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling in a state of daze.
“God! Why can’t I ever be happy? What have I done to get this punishment?” he mumbled, almost to himself. Tears pricked at his eyes and he attempted to swallow the painful lump in his throat. He couldn’t afford to be weak now. He had a mission at hand to snatch Eva back from Maxwell.
The door clicked open, and he wiped his eyes immediately on his guard. Holding his breath, he waited for Eva to enter. However, to his utmost surprise, Alyssa stood at the door and looked equally surprised at seeing him there.
“Lisa? What are you doing here?” he gasped, composing himself a little and wiping his tears off hastily.
Alyssa was too shocked to see his state of mourning, as she had never seen her big brother cry. Was he crying because of Eva? She took baby steps towards him, her heart filling up with concern for him. He had always looked out for her since the day she was born and now, when he needed her the most, she couldn’t escape without comforting him.
“Yes, I was staying here. What are you doing here, Alex? Eva was looking for you everywhere,” she said, sitting on the bed beside him. Alexander gave her a look of surprise.
“Why would she look for me? I’m sure she’s busy with her wedding,” said Alexander bitterly.
“So you know about her wedding? Won’t you stop her, Alex?” she whispered, but Alexander shook his head.
“No.”
“Why?” Alyssa asked, but Alexander looked ahead. He didn’t actually decide his next course of action. He wouldn’t announce anything to his sister in case she blabbered it out to Eva or Nicholas.
“I don’t care who she’s with.”
“Then why are you mourning here? Shouldn’t you be happy that Eva is off your head?” said Alyssa bitterly.
“I’m not mourning. Anyway, you tell me, what brought you here? Weren’t you living with mom and dad?” asked Alexander to divert the topic.
“Mom insulted me badly, and I left home.” Alexander shook his head with disappointment and focused his eyes upon her.
“She’s upset that you aren’t helping dad. Just listen to them and everything will be fine, Lisa.”
“I can’t run such a vast company, Alex. I’m scared. If I fail and the business suffers, I wouldn’t be able to live with the guilt. Please appoint a capable CEO, if dad can’t handle it any longer and spare me the ordeal,” she begged, almost in tears while Alexander gaped at her.
“Are you giving up without even trying?” he asked slowly, but Alyssa wasn’t ready to be brainwashed into it.
“Yes, I’m happy just the way I am. I have a backend job at Eva’s hospital and I’m fine with it.” Alexander scoffed at the mention of Eva’s name.
“I’m surprised at your attitude! Don’t you have any ambitions?” he got up to pace the floor.
“No, I don’t. I don’t have any goals, and ambitions. I just want to earn my bread and enjoy my life. Is that a problem with you all?” she asked angrily.
“No wonder you’re homeless and wandering about from place to place, depending on others to shelter you. I pity you, Alyssa.” His words angered her all the more, and she stormed back into the bedroom.
“I’m not depending on you. So what difference does it make to you? Anyway, I’m going out. I’ll be back when you leave.” She said, collecting her stuff and dumping them into her suitcase.
“You don’t need to stay here. You can stay in my apartment for as long as you like.”
“No, thanks. I need some breathing space.”
“Why are you so stubborn? I’m not listening to any of your nonsense,” scolded Alexander, grabbing her suitcase and walking out of the apartment with a horrified Alyssa rushing after him. He knew with Alyssa living here, he could never confront Eva even if she returned. It was better if she stayed at his penthouse until then.