“Take me away with you, Alexander!” she whispered in between sobs.
“I will, baby. I’m here with you now.” He gently wiped her tears away while aunt Claudia wiped her own, having connected to the girl more during the last few weeks. She was glad that Eva finally found her happily ever after with the man she loved.
“Calm her down first, Alexander. She’s emotionally drained out, and it’s not a good sign,” suggested aunt Gwen. Alexander looked up and nodded, going over to the sofa to sit down with Eva beside him. Her friends went over to sit with them. The rest of them scattered away to get a breather after the war ended on a happier note. Jax took his leave, since he had to get back to duty.
“Get married fast, bro. I’ll drop by sometime. See you,” he said, leaving with a wave. The moment he left, Maxwell approached them, glaring at Eva accusingly. It was evident he still hadn’t gotten over Alexander’s victory.
“How could you choose him after everything I’ve done for you, Eva? I was the one who helped you in your time of need. I was the one who took care of you, took you to the doctor, and supported you in every way. Have you forgotten everything so fast?” asked Maxwell, looking hurt. Eva looked up into his accusing eyes and sucked in a deep breath to calm herself.
“I have forgotten nothing, Maxwell. You have helped me as a good friend, and I’m forever indebted to you. I value your friendship, but my baby and I need Alexander to survive. I love him. Please try to understand from my point of view. I can’t have a normal marriage with you and it would lead to something disastrous. None of us would be happy.” Maxwell stared at her for a while, grasping what she just said.
“I just met you a few weeks ago, Maxwell, but I’ve known and loved Alexander for the last twelve years. It can’t change in this lifetime,” she explained, and Maxwell sighed. He glanced at his enemy, who sat watching Eva with so much adoration in his eyes that his heart burned with jealousy. He wished he could have that type of love in his life! Maybe he would, but not with Eva, that was for sure. She wasn’t his and never could be. It was useless to fight over her.
“Move on Max. Let them be happy,” said Katie, but Maxwell still looked upset.
“You could have declined earlier to save us the trouble, Eva,” he said, sitting down on a couch beside Katie with a bottle of water while Kendall brought in a first aid box to fix his injuries.
“I wanted to, but you avoided me for days, remember?” said Eva.
“So, what’s the final decision? Is a wedding happening at all? Should I inform the officiant? What will he do here if the wedding is canceled?” asked Maxwell’s uncle Scott, who was aunt Gwen’s husband.
“He should be on his way here,” said Uncle Tim.
“If you don’t have any objections, can I marry Eva right here? I will bear all the expenses,” said Alexander, hopefully, while Eva sat wide-eyed.
“Why not? At least our efforts wouldn’t be wasted,” smiled Maxwell’s dad with relief.
“How are we agreeing to this, dad?” objected Maxwell, clearly annoyed by this sudden turn of events.
“The preparations are already made. Eva is ready in her bridal attire. So why not? What problems can you possibly have, son? Get over it, Max,” said his dad sternly.
“Fine, who am I to object but Alexander has to bear the costs! I’ll send you my bank details, Alexander. You can pay me later,” added Maxwell, still sulking like a child, and Alexander smiled with relief.
“Sure. Thanks.”
“But you need to clean up well to wed her!” pointed out Penny with a laugh. Alexander looked at Eva tenderly and nodded.
“I’m well prepared,” he said with a smile.
“I’ll get your tux from the car,” offered Mike, and they all chuckled.
“You brought your tuxedo along! I can’t believe it!” gasped Hayley with a grin.
“Me neither! Eva’s wedding turned out to be the most melodramatic event of the year,” said Skylar.
“Yes, what about Alyssa? She missed all the fun,” said Gabriella, and they turned to look at Alexander for his reaction. They all knew where Alyssa was and had successfully avoided mentioning her in front of Alexander. Now they waited for Alexander to flare up.
“Exactly! Where is she?” demanded Alexander. He had been so busy that he had forgotten all about his sister.
“You can catch up later. Now you need to get ready. The Officiant just called. He’ll be here in twenty minutes,” said Isaac. Alexander jumped up but instead of leaving to get ready, he stood before Eva, his face solemn, his eyes sparkling with a million promises. He suddenly got down on one knee before her eliciting a gasp from everyone in the room. Maxwell groaned with agony, having to witness what he least expected.
Eva’s eyes widened, and she stood up with astonishment, unable to believe that the moment she had been waiting for all her life was finally happening. Alexander picked up her hands and held them firmly in his while his eyes held her gaze.
“Eva, you know how precious you are to me. You know I love you more than I love myself, more than anyone else in this entire universe. We have known each other for twelve long years, loving and longing for one another through thick and thin. The dreary circumstances I was in, bound me and I couldn’t make a move towards you. Yet you waited for me for years, loving me unconditionally. I’m blessed indeed to have found such true love.” He paused and took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting a sad smile.
“I promised you I would fight for you and I have kept that promise, although I’m a little late. I have crossed every hurdle for you, resigned from Rotterdams, and lost my position and name as well. So, now I have nothing to offer you but myself and my heartfelt love. After our wedding, my parents might freeze my bank accounts too, leaving me only with the salary I had earned all these years. Our life together won’t be a bed of roses, but I assure you, I will shield you from every thorn that may appear in your path. Will you still marry me, baby?” he asked, his eyes glistening with a myriad of emotions. There was a deafening silence all around as they all waited for her reply.
It wasn’t a conventional proposal. It was heart-rending, bringing tears to those who loved them. Alexander looked so vulnerable, having lost everything, only for her, it made everyone wish things improved soon.
However, Maxwell scoffed and stood up while others groaned with agony. He kneeled down on one knee beside Alexander and looked up at Eva.
“Maxwell, cut it, dude!” said Isaac with a groan, but Maxwell wasn’t letting this opportunity go.
“I can offer more, Eva. I have a prosperous business, billions in my bank, and lots of properties for you to choose from. They are all yours. I can provide you and your baby with the luxurious life you deserve. Marry me and I promise to make you fall in love with me one day,” said Maxwell. Everyone groaned more and Alexander released her hands and wiped his eyes. He knew he didn’t stand a chance against Maxwell. Who would want a broken and jobless man like him? It would take him years to reach the success Maxwell had.
Eva grabbed back Alexander’s hands and clasped them in her own delicate ones. “I will marry you, Alexander. I don’t want riches, money, fame, name, or luxury. I want nothing. I just want you! You’re my treasure! With you by my side, we can survive all odds.” Alexander smiled and took out a ring from his little finger and pushed it into her finger. Strangely, it fit her perfectly and everyone gasped at the sweet gesture.
Alexander stood up and kissed her forehead tenderly while Maxwell got up and walked away somewhere to get a grip on his injured ego. Everyone congratulated them and finally, they went inside to get ready to marry one another.
Her friends led Eva to her bedroom and fixed her appearance. “What a movie! I swear!” said Gabriella, and they all agreed. Eva blushed at all the teasing that went on non-stop around her. This time she was her usual chirpy and happy self, giving tips on how to enhance her looks.
“Take off the eye makeup, Hails. I’m looking like a raccoon. I can’t believe I went in front of Alexander looking like that!” she gasped and they all rolled their eyes.
“How are you not fainting now, Miss Eva?” asked Mrs. Duncan with a laugh, bringing her some juice and toast.
“Now Eva has found a hunky magic pill. Every time she feels down, she will get a dose of his magic to revive her,” said Kendall and they all started giggling, uttering such dirty stuff that Eva had to clamp her ears shut.
However, none of them knew of the impending storm ahead.
Maxwell called Alexander’s dad to inform him about the wedding. He had clearly caught Alexander’s words.
After our wedding, my parents might freeze my bank accounts.
It only meant that his parents didn’t approve of his marriage to Eva. Now he would wait and watch the fun!