The next ten days were the most blissful ones in their lives, filled with love, enjoyment, and passion. Intoxicated by it all, Alexander kept postponing the need to switch on his mobile phone and take an update on everyone. So when Eva finally remembered that she had a job to return to, she switched on her mobile phone to check for any termination email from her hospital. Thankfully, there were none apart from a few missed calls from the hospital and from her friends.
“Thank God, I still have my job. Can we go home today, Alexander? I need to return to work tomorrow.” Not receiving any reply from Alexander, she glanced up and frowned at seeing the worried look on Alexander’s face as he checked his mobile phone.
“What happened? Is anything wrong?” she asked as a feeling of dread clutched at her heart.
Alexander looked at her blankly for a while. “Alexander?” she prompted at seeing him frown worriedly.
Alexander came to his senses and grunted with annoyance. “Alyssa is marrying that as*hole this Saturday. I can’t believe that my parents have given them their approval! How the fu*k are they blind to his true nature?” Eva gaped at him and noted that she had received two missed calls from Alyssa, too. Maybe that was why she had called her.
“How do you know that your parents have given them their approval?”
“I’ve received a message from Nicholas. Here, read it for yourself.” He handed her his mobile phone and Eva read the message Nicholas had sent him the day before.
Alexander,
I tried to reach out to you many times, but I guess you are busy.
I have an important announcement to make. Alyssa and I are getting married this Saturday at your parents’ house. They have happily given their permission and I would be at peace if you too accepted our relationship. Your acceptance means the world to Alyssa, and she means the world to me. That’s the reason I’m trying to reach out to you.
I have always loved Alyssa since the day I first saw her in school nearly ten years ago. I pursued her with only one wish: to marry her and make all her dreams come true. You have always misunderstood me, Alexander yet, I’m sorry if you got the wrong idea about my motive. This was never a game between you and me. Your interference might have annoyed me a few times, but I forgave you.
I wish you can attend our wedding if not for me, for Alyssa’s sake.
May you find your happiness with Eva. Good luck!
Nicholas.
“Oh! So, what will you do? Can we go back, please? I want to attend Alyssa’s wedding!” Alexander gave her a look of annoyance and disbelief.
“Do you really think I’ll allow the wedding to happen?” Eva sighed and cupped his cheeks, forcing him to look at her.
“Your behaving just like your parents did on our wedding day, Alexander. We love one another and we still went ahead with our marriage. Alyssa and Nicholas have loved one another for a long time and they’re finally getting married. Please don’t destroy your sister’s life! Nicholas isn’t like Maxwell. He truly loves Alyssa.” Alexander gazed at Eva, thinking about what she just said. Did Nicholas really love his sister like he claimed to? Was he really overreacting?
“I’m hurt at dad’s behavior more. How could he approve of their relationship and not ours?”
“Maybe he had more expectations from you, Alexander! Don’t take it to heart. We can’t hide here forever, can we? Let’s attend Alyssa’s wedding. After all, she’s your only sibling!” Alexander calmed down and chewed his lips, deep in thought. It was already lunchtime, and he didn’t want to drive back immediately. He browsed through the missed calls and gasped at seeing his dad’s number on the list.
“How did dad call me? I thought he had disowned me!” Eva looked at him worriedly, alarmed at the mention of his name. “I’ll just call him back.” Eva didn’t utter a single word, her voice choking with fear and apprehension.
Alexander scowled as he called his dad, who accepted after a few rings. “Yes, son. Have you returned?” asked her dad warily into the phone. Alexander fumed at his candid query. Did he call him to ask him that?
“No, but how could you accept Nicholas into our family, dad?” demanded Alexander. He wanted to say more. He wanted to know why he was being so partial. Why couldn’t he accept his wedding with Eva? How could he accept Nicholas and not Eva? Was it because Nicholas was rich?
“You’re misunderstanding Nicholas, son. He loves Lisa and wants to marry her. He convinced her to take over my business and was also willing to train her for it. You won’t believe he took me to a renowned oncologist for a second opinion.”
“It’s all an act to win your trust, dad. Then he will slowly take over the business and all of you will be on the streets,” warned Alexander angrily.
“He doesn’t need to do that with a successful business of his own. He is helping us just because he loves Lisa. Stop being so cynical for once and be happy that your sister has, at last, found her happiness with him.”
“I could say the same for you, dad. Stop being judgemental and be happy that I finally found my happiness.” There was silence at the other end while Eva paled, anticipating trouble.
“This situation isn’t the same as yours, Alexander. There’s no comparison at all,” scoffed his dad, sounding annoyed.
“How is it different? Have you accepted Nicholas because he is of the same status as you are?” he muttered in a low voice. From the gasps echoing into the phone, it was clear that he was on speaker mode and everyone had heard him.
“I don’t want to argue about this Alexander. This is a joyous occasion for us and I don’t want to spoil my mood,” said his dad, making Alexander scoff.
“It’s only a momentary happiness. She’ll be in for a shock when he betrays her.” Nicholas, who was nearby, went forward and took the phone from her dad’s hands.
“No, bro. I’ll never betray her. I love her for life. Please give us your approval. It is very important for us. Alyssa is crying now only because of you when she should have been happy that her dream wedding is finally happening. If not for anyone else, accept it for her sake. Please bro,” he begged him, leaving all his ego and his differences behind just for Alyssa’s sake.
There was silence on the other side, and then Alexander cleared his throat. “So, have you heard everything I said?” he asked gruffly.
“Yes. I know you have read my message too, bro. We both are waiting for your approval.”
“What if I don’t approve? Will you cancel your wedding?” asked Alexander, taunting him. Alyssa took the phone from him.
“Yes, but you have to give me a valid reason. One more thing, Alexander. After canceling the wedding, I wouldn’t have any reason to stay alive. The choice is yours,” she said, disconnecting the call.
Alexander gaped at his phone, stunned by his sister’s speech. He glanced at his pale and distraught wife with worry. No, he wouldn’t react at all. He didn’t want Alyssa to take any false steps, but mostly he didn’t want Eva to fall sick because of the stress. One look at her stressed-out face was enough for him to check himself. He sat down beside her and caught her freezing-cold hands in his, rubbing them slowly while holding her anxious gaze.
“It’s okay, baby. I won’t react at all. I’m happy for her. Let’s pack up everything and drive home after lunch. We will attend the wedding.”
Eva searched his face and smiled at last. “Really? Thank you, Alexander!” she whispered, leaning forward to kiss his cheek. Her sweetness bowled Alexander over. The poor girl didn’t realize yet that she might not be allowed inside the wedding venue. His dad might insult her and throw her out. In that case, he too would leave with her.
They quickly packed up everything and had a simple lunch. Alexander allowed Eva to sleep for two hours so that she was energized for the return journey.
While she slept, he called Ashton for an update about everything.
He found out that Beatrix and Cromwell had a low-key wedding with no press coverage at all. It was like a secret wedding! It immediately made Alexander suspicious! What was going on? Beatrix wasn’t one to agree to a low-key wedding, given her extravagant lifestyle!
“So have you informed Hayley about your interest in our new venture?”
“Not yet, bro. I’ll tell her soon and then resign and come down to New York forever. Till then let’s video conference and start off. I’ll transfer my share of the funds to you.” They discussed for a while and he disconnected the call finally.
He lay down beside Eva to rest his disturbed mind when another thought hit him hard. Maxwell would be present at Nicholas’s wedding, being his best friend. Should he feel threatened?