The next morning, Eva called up at the hospital and informed nurse Solomon about her wedding and pregnancy. Promising to join back on Monday, she disconnected the call with a smile of relief.
“Thank God! I still have my job,” she gasped, sitting down to a late breakfast.
“They love your dedication. I was sure they wouldn’t throw you out.” Eva tucked into the delicious sandwich with a smile on her face. Alexander’s appreciation meant the world to her!
“So, when are we going to the wedding venue?” Alexander tensed, looking away to concentrate on his food. How would he tell her that the wedding was happening in his parents’ house? It was a place she was banned from entering! So it wouldn’t be any different on the wedding day!
“We’ll go ten minutes before the wedding, at 11:50,” said Alexander with a frown. It didn’t look like he wanted to go at all.
“Don’t worry so much, Alexander. I’ll wait outside the gate and watch the wedding. If you can, get Alyssa to meet me once.” Alexander looked up to see the sad smile on her face. So she knew that the wedding was at his parents house and she wouldn’t be allowed inside!
“I’m sorry, baby! I’ll just meet Lisa and we’ll leave.”
“No, Alexander. If she wants you to walk her down the aisle, don’t decline her. I will be fine watching from outside.” Alexander sighed helplessly, hating the situation he was in. Anger boiled inside him for his parents and their partiality. They could accept someone like Beatrix and Nicholas, but not his wife. Only because she wasn’t a billionaire! Well, he too wasn’t a billionaire anymore. Would they stop interacting with him as well?
“We’ll see about that. Let’s now get ready. Just remember to stay happy, whatever happens.” Eva nodded with a smile, having trained her mind to do just that. She couldn’t afford to fall sick again., nor let anything affect her this time. She would stay happy!
“I will!”
Eva slipped on the beautiful flowing light-blue gown and watched her reflection in the mirror. The dress accentuated her curves, which had grown more with the pregnancy. The sparkling beads adorning the neckline and the figure-hugging bodice added to its charm. She brushed her hair and swept it up in a messy updo. Her gaze met with Alexander’s across the mirror and she blushed at seeing the desire reflected in his eyes.
“How do I look?” she whispered, watching him come up behind her, all the while holding her gaze.
“Mesmerizing as always! More so when you smile,” he whispered, planting a soft kiss on her neck. “But don’t even think of smiling at Nicholas’s friends!” Eva gaped at him, wrenching herself free from his hold and turning around to fight with him.
“Which friend are you talking about? If it’s Maxwell, then you have no reason to feel jealous. I won’t even acknowledge his presence from outside the gate. Maybe I would be forced to leave before the wedding started!”
“Don’t leave alone. Call me and we will leave together,” said Alexander.
Alexander got ready in a black tuxedo and left the bedroom. Eva applied a little make and wore the diamond earrings and pendant that Aunt Claudia had bought for her to wear on her wedding day.
Later Alexander drove them over to his parents’ house while Eva sat nervously with her heart racing with apprehension. Although she smiled at Alexander, he could see through her fake smile. He was equally stressed and didn’t have any words to comfort her.
He parked outside the gates where there was a long queue of guest cars. “I’ll wait here, Alexander. You can go inside,” she said on a sad note.
“I love you, baby. Please don’t go away. I’ll be right back to get you.” Eva looked alarmed at the determined look on his face.
“Don’t fight with anyone today, Alexander. I’ll be fine. It’s nothing new for me.”
“It was different earlier, Eva. Now you’re my wife and you have a right to stay by my side wherever I go.” He stormed inside and Eva sighed, watching through the huge wrought iron grill gate. She could see the arch and altar from her vantage point and searched for her best friend. The wedding hadn’t started since her friends were nowhere to be seen.
Alexander walked up to his dad, who stood near the arch, talking to Lucas. It was obvious that he hadn’t seen him yet. Then he looked at him and froze as if seen a ghost.
“Alexander! When did you come in? Where were you for so long?” he demanded, looking displeased with him. His mom, too, came towards them with the same annoyed expression on her face. Alexander sighed, knowing that nothing had changed here.
“When did you return? Who disappears this way? We were so worried,” scolded his mom.
“Did you go abroad to please your wife? At this rate, I wonder if you’ll have anything left in your account,” scolded his dad.
“No, we didn’t go abroad. We went to a rustic log cabin in Mystic, Connecticut, which costs peanuts. We returned last night.”
“Mystic? Where the hell is that? Is it a honeymoon destination even? What has she reduced you to, Alexander? I thought you had better taste than that,” scoffed his mom. Alexander fumed, repenting his decision to come here.
“Stop targeting Eva all the time. She’s my wife.”
Just then, Alyssa emerged from the house clad in a beautiful wedding gown, flanked by her bridal party and the argument stopped. Alexander looked in her direction, watching her with his jaws dropped to the floor. She looked so happy and grown up, not the little girl he always used to protect! His dad, too, got up from his chair and looked around helplessly at his mom. No one knew what Alexander would do. He looked at Nicholas and then back at his sister.
“Were you planning to walk down the aisle without me?” he asked softly. There was a pin-dropped silence all around as they tried to grasp what he meant. Her dad smiled and walked towards Alyssa, offering her his arm.
“Alexander wants to walk you down the aisle with me, dear,” he said, and Alyssa smiled with relief.
“Oh,” she gasped. “But where’s Eva?” she asked instead, looking around for her best friend.
“She’s waiting outside to meet you. Can you come out for a minute, Lisa?” pleaded Alexander for the first time, looking vulnerable as he eyed his parents. The rest of the group went towards the aisle to give them some privacy and sort matters out, while Alyssa’s mom and Sienna stayed back.
“Bring her inside. She has a right to be here with me on my special day,” said Alyssa, surprised to find her best friend waiting outside.
“I think it’s better you meet her once, Lisa,” insisted Alexander, hesitating a little, his eyes darting towards the main gates. Her dad scowled and fisted his hands with anger, glaring at the two of them.
“Tell her to come inside the house and not create an unnecessary scene here today,” he said, his face flushed with hatred. This was always the scene at the mention of Eva’s name.
“She isn’t creating any scenes, dad. I think you’re forgetting that you’re the one who banned her from stepping into this house. She hasn’t for the last twelve years!” said Alexander, fisting his hands to control himself.
“And you know why! I’ve done what she deserves!” said his dad, his face flushing with anger.
“Please calm down, Daniel. I’m sure she’ll go away.” His mom’s words made Alexander pale and turn to leave. If there was no place here for his wife, then he had no business staying at such a place.
“I can see that my wife and I aren’t wanted here. Have a happy life, Lisa,” he said over his shoulders. He had promised Eva that he wouldn’t fight with anyone today and he kept his promise, but he wouldn’t stay here a minute longer. If his parents wanted to continue to hold on to their grudge, they were most welcome to do so.
“Wait, Alex. I want you to walk me down the aisle.” Alyssa turned towards her dad with folded hands. “Dad, please, can’t you forget your differences today, just for my sake?” she pleaded with her dad. “Eva is my best friend and Alexander’s legally wedded wife. She has the right to be here, dad,” pleaded Alyssa.
“It’s alright, Lisa,” said Alexander, walking away.
“Sienna, call Eva inside. She may attend the wedding, for Alyssa’s sake,” said her dad with a sigh, looking defeated. No one said a word more on the issue since they were all glad that he gave his permission finally.
“Yes, uncle Daniel. I’ll get her,” said Sienna, walking towards the gate, followed by Alexander.
“Thank you, dad. I love you,” whispered Alyssa with relief.
“I’m glad you stood up for her today, Alexander!” said Sienna. Alexander smiled back, his eyes searching for Eva whom he had left outside the main gate. Where did she go?