“To our home.” Eva frowned at what he meant by that. After his dad blocked him out of his own penthouse, there was no way they would live there.
“Where is our home?” she asked curiously and Alexander gave her a sad smile.
“I have only one home, Eva. It’s the one beside yours in Bronx,” he said, feeling hopeless and upset. Having dreamed of fulfilling all her wishes after marriage, the current circumstances made him feel as if he had failed her. He wouldn’t be able to take her on an extended trip to Paris, with his dad freezing all his accounts. He would have to fall back on his own savings till he started something of his own. After Rotterdams, he lost interest in a job. Maybe he would work hard and start a small restaurant of his own somewhere and he needed the money he had saved for the last four years.
“We could join our apartments and have a spacious two-bedroomed unit for ourselves. It’s more than enough Alexander!” she gushed, clasping her hands, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Alexander looked at her, amazed to find her so excited at the prospect of living in a two-bedroom apartment. If only she knew how he had wanted to pamper her all his life, but now that had to wait till he figured his life out all over again.
“It seems that is all we can afford right now. I’m sorry, Eva. This isn’t the future I had planned for us. I wanted to take you to Paris, to give you and our child the best of everything.” Eva noticed the distressed and disappointed look on his face with concern.
“We already have what we need, Alexander. We have each other, a roof over our heads, our baby growing up in my womb, my stable job, and I’m sure you will soon figure out what you want to do. What more can we ask for? The Paris trip can wait. We have a lifetime ahead to plan it.” Alexander smiled at the way she made it sound so positive. If only his parents had the same approach and tried to understand him more.
“Don’t lose heart, Alexander. Give your parents’ some time. I’m sure after a couple of years, they’ll come to terms with everything and reach out to you. We haven’t harmed them in any way,” said Eva with an encouraging smile. Alexander smiled back, surrendering to her happy mood. It was impossible not to be affected by it. She was right, and there was nothing he could do but wait for his parents to accept them.
He drove over to their building and carried all her luggage upstairs to her apartment. “I’ll be back in an hour,” he said, walking out. Apprehensive and worried, Eva caught his arm to stop him.
“Don’t fight with anyone, Alexander. Let’s start our journey together on a cheerful note, please. I have forgiven and forgotten everything.” She searched his eyes but found only amusement instead of anger.
“I’m going to the penthouse to get my stuff. I can stay naked with you but what about when we go out?” he winked, and she gasped, releasing him immediately. He laughed and walked away, the sound echoing around the quiet corridors.
Eva blushed and smiled, her heart doing a somersault with excitement. She went inside to change out of her wedding dress first. Although their wedding was unconventional, and weird, still she was happy to be Alexander’s wife.
“Eva Van Every,” she murmured in front of the mirror, staring at the reflection of a blushing woman with pink, flushed cheeks. The name suited her and made her feel connected to Alexander! In fact, her initials too spelled her name! She gazed at her reflection with astonishment, unable to recognize herself. Was that beautiful woman the Eva she knew? It seemed she had undergone a total transformation in just a couple of hours. How could that be possible? Did love possess so much power?
Strangely, she noticed she didn’t feel any nausea or sickness ever since she reunited with Alexander. It seemed as if the little one growing inside her knew its dad was here with them. She gazed at herself and a soft sigh of relief escaped her lips. She had no idea what she would have done if she was forced to marry Maxwell. Clasping her hands together, she said a silent prayer to thank the Almighty for everything he had blessed her with. She hadn’t expected so much from him in this life.
The rest of the time, she prepared a simple one-pot chicken casserole for a late lunch. Although her friends wanted to treat them to a special wedding lunch, Alexander declined. They needed to get away from everyone and spend some quiet moments with each other after the emotional roller-coaster they went through.
Alexander packed up quickly, eager to get back to Eva. After a few minutes, Ashton came over to help him. “How are they now?” asked Alexander.
“Agitated as usual. You know they never can stop discussing Stella Roderick. I ensured they had lunch before arriving here. Uncle Daniel asked to me lock this place up and hand the keys over to him,” said Ashton with a sigh. “I hadn’t thought he was this serious, dude!”
“Dad doesn’t give out useless threats. I’m sure he has frozen my accounts, too.”
“How will you survive? I can transfer funds to you if you need,” offered Ashton.
“I have a neat sum in my account and a lot of investments. I will need more funds later to invest in a small restaurant of my own. I’m averse to working for others after the bitter experience at Rotterdams.”
“So am I, bro. I too want to start a diner or cafe of my own.”
“Be my partner,” offered Alexander, and Ashton gaped at him. How did this idea never come into his head?
“Hey, that’s a brilliant idea! Why didn’t we think of it before?” he said, fist bumping with his friend.
“Let’s do it. How long are you here? We need to sit down and plan it out.” Ashton frowned, knowing that he had to talk to Hayley first. She would never agree to release him.
“I’ll be leaving tonight, but we’ll video call and discuss this. It’s not possible for me to resign anytime without talking to Hayley.” Alexander groaned, not wanting to delay his dream project.
“Come on dude! Marry her already and settle down here.”
“It’s not that easy. She hasn’t informed her parents about me,” said Ashton with a sigh.
“I can feel you, bro.”
They packed up and loaded the luggage into his car. Ashton locked up the penthouse and hugged his friend before leaving. Alexander’s phone buzzed with an incoming call from Mike.
“Hey, Mike! What’s the update?” he asked excitedly.
“The cottage is ready just as you wanted, Alex. It’s a waterfront property on Long Pond, Connecticut, just ten minutes away from Mystic. I have requested the caretaker to get the place cleaned and stocked up for you. You’ll get the place at a discounted price since it belongs to my uncle. So you can stay as long as you want,” said Mike.
“Is it peaceful? I don’t want a crazy touristy place,” said Alexander while Mike chuckled.
“It’s a secluded place, perfect for your honeymoon!” Alexander smiled with relief, imagining Eva’s reaction when he told her.
“Thanks, man. I owe you for this.”
“No dude. I should thank you for letting me tag along with you today. I finally found my match!”
“Who?” asked Alexander, rolling his eyes.
“Kendall, who else?”
“Good luck. I hope Jax hasn’t hooked up with the other sister!” said Alexander with a chuckle.
“Not with Katie. Gabriella has asked him out on a date!” laughed Mike.
“What? Isn’t she still in school?” asked Alexander, totally amused.
“Yes, senior year. Guess what? Jax has accepted it.”
“He has lost his shit. Keep me updated, dude.” With a smile on his face, Alexander drove over to his new home. His heart sang with happiness at the prospect of spending time with Eva in a secluded waterfront cottage. He couldn’t wait to get there. His phone buzzed with the details Mike sent about the cottage as he unlocked Eva’s door.
He could hear her sing in the kitchen while making lunch. He could get used to this domestic scene! The delicious aroma of Eva’s dishes made him realize how hungry he was. It had been so long since he ate a proper meal. Now it would all change. He would come home to her every day.
“Alexander! When did you come in?” gasped Eva, her cheeks flushed and her heart racing with excitement at seeing him suddenly appear in her kitchen. She had been so busy giving the finishing touches to the custard mug cake she made on an impulse that she hadn’t heard him enter. He went towards her and picked her up in his arms, peppering her with kisses.
“Mmm, you smell so delicious, my little wife. I could eat you instead!” Eva gasped, her heart skipping a beat. It felt so exciting to be married to Alexander!