“Lucas called to say that Mr. Fitzgerald is busy tonight. He wouldn’t be coming in for a discussion,” said Alexander, hovering around in the kitchen while Eva made dinner.
The doorbell rang and Eva looked at him worriedly.
“I thought Mr. Fitzgerald isn’t coming in tonight.” Alexander shrugged and went forward to check out who had arrived at their doorstep at such an odd hour. Few people knew that he was released today and was still staying here in Bronx. Maybe it was Alyssa and Nicholas!
“Should be Lisa and Nicholas.”
He opened the door and rolled his eyes at seeing how right he was. “Knew it!” he said, opening the door wider for Alyssa and Nicholas to come in.
“At last I’m allowed entry into the place. I thought I would always be a stalker waiting outside!” said Nicholas and Alyssa punched his arm.
“Did you really stalk me? You creep?” asked Alyssa in disbelief. Eva emerged from the kitchen and giggled at the ongoing topic.
“Yes, so? Alexander knows about it. He caught me so many times. Right bro?” said Nicholas, flashing a wide grin at him.
Alexander groaned and walked inside, followed by all of them. “Don’t remind me about it.” Eva was about to close the door when Alyssa stopped her.
“Wait, mom and dad are also here. They’re looking for a suitable place to park dad’s favorite Range Rover,” said Alyssa with an eye roll. They all knew Daniel Van Every’s fascination with his Range Rover collection!
“There isn’t a suitable place here. Why are they here?” groaned Alexander. Eva smiled stiffly, feeling nervous about Alexander’s parents’ arrival here to her humble abode. Why were they here? Will they insult her again?
“I’m as clueless as you are. Dad called me over. We reached their place, and they asked us to lead the way to yours. So, here we are,” said Alyssa. The sound of the elevator alerted them and Eva helplessly glanced at Alexander, looking for a place to hide. Alexander caught her hand to stop her from fleeing.
“I’m here with you, Eva.”
“So am I. You don’t have any reason to feel threatened,” coaxed Alyssa.
“Where will they sit? I have nothing other than this rug and the bed,” said Eva.
“Wait, I’ll get the chairs from my apartment.” Alexander walked out with Nicholas to get the few chairs and the coffee table from his apartment. He too didn’t get to furnish his apartment since he hardly lived here.
They returned to find Alexander’s parents in front of the elevator. “Hello, son. Is that where you live?” asked his dad in confusion.
“No, this is mine. We’re living in Eva’s apartment, but you can come in here.”
“No, that’s alright. We’ll go wherever you both are living.” Alexander led them towards Eva’s apartment and placed the chairs in the living area. Nicholas helped with the coffee table.
“We don’t have much furniture. So you both have to adjust,” said Alexander, glancing at Eva who stayed behind Alyssa, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.
“That’s fine. We won’t stay long,” said his dad. Nicholas went to get more chairs for them while his parents looked around the apartment.
“How did you plan you come here, dad? I’m sure this is the last place you wanted to come to,” said Alyssa. Eva gasped and retraced her steps backward, expecting trouble.
“Why can’t we come here? Your mom wanted to see Alexander.” Alexander looked at his mom, who had been exceptionally quiet since she arrived. What was going on in her mind? Why did she want to see him? He noticed the way she stared at Eva, who tried to hide from view.
“Did you wish to see me, mom?” His mom turned to look at him. “Why don’t you sit down?”
Nicholas brought in more chairs from his apartment and closed the door. They sat down and his mom gave him a disappointed look.
“Yes, you forgot me, Alex. You didn’t even come over to see me after your release. I was so worried about you,” she complained.
“I was too tired, mom. I would have gone tomorrow.”
“How did it all happen? Is Beatrix too involved?” she asked anxiously.
“No, this time she isn’t. I told you her husband planned it all,” said his dad, glancing at an uncomfortable Eva, standing far away near the kitchen.
“I somehow can’t believe that this time Beatrix was the victim instead. Gregory Cromwell seems to be a bigger player than she is,” said Alyssa.
“He is shrewd, while Beatrix is immature,” said Alexander.
“So, what did your lawyer say? Any fresh leads?” asked her dad.
“Not yet. He was supposed to come down for a discussion but canceled at the last minute.” Eva sighed and went into the kitchen, giving them the privacy to talk. They had come over to meet their son, not her! She wasn’t wanted there.
She made some drinks and arranged them on a serving platter along with the herbed chicken patties she had made for dinner. With two hours left for dinner, she could easily prepare something later. Hesitating a little, she emerged from the kitchen and placed the food on the small coffee table before them. She could feel Alexander’s mom watching her again, but she dared not look up at her.
“Wow! My favourite patties!” exclaimed Alyssa. “Mom, dad, please help yourselves!”
Eva moved away and stood watching with apprehension, knowing they would never touch the food. Yet she tried her best to be a good host.
Alexander handed the drinks to his parents while Nicholas and Alyssa tucked into the treats.
“Mm, this is good, Eva,” said his mom, helping herself to the treats, making Eva’s jaws drop with surprise. It was the first time Alexander’s mom spoke to her in the last twelve years!
“Thank you, Mrs. Van Every,” she mumbled, almost to herself.
“Why are you not joining us, Eva?” asked Alyssa, but Eva’s face flushed with embarrassment. She couldn’t sit with them when they hated her so much!
“Umm, I’ll make a few more,” she said with a nervous smile, eager to escape.
“We don’t need more. You can join us, Eva. We want to talk to you,” said Alexander’s dad, making her eyes widen. Would he force her to accept the money and leave Alexander? She took a step backwards, her heart constricting with fright. Had they planned to separate her from Alexander?
Alexander got up and came up towards her. “It’s okay, Eva. I’m with you. Come and sit with me,” he whispered, grabbing her hand and leading her towards the chair beside him.
“So where did you learn to make such delightful dishes?” asked his mom.
“Eva learned everything on her own from the internet, mom,” said Alyssa, unable to stop munching the goodies. She picked up one and handed it out to Eva. “Eat the last one or it will disappear into my mouth.”
“That’s good. Why don’t you learn from your friend, young lady?” his dad asked Alyssa, who just rolled her eyes.
“I don’t need to, dad. Why else did I marry Nicholas? He makes food to die for!” Nicholas groaned and glared at her.
“And I thought she married me for love!” They chuckled, and the atmosphere lightened a little, but Eva was acutely aware of Alexander’s parents glancing at her occasionally. It was obvious they had something on their mind. Maybe they were here to actually talk to her.
“Now that Alexander is released, when are you two going on your honeymoon?” asked his mom.
“I’m not in the mood for honeymoon now. I’m a little busy at work,” said Alyssa, and Nicholas rolled his eyes.
“Then I might go next week, aunt Jodie,” he said and Alyssa gave him a look or surprise.
“Will you go without me?”
“What else to do? I can’t miss my honeymoon!”
“Let’s choose a different location then,” said Alyssa. They discussed destinations while Eva sat quietly, listening to them. Her heart wouldn’t stop thumping loudly in her chest, and she waited for his parents to spew out the venom at her. After all, that was why they had come here to her house. Wasn’t it?
She got up and cleared the table, taking her time to avoid a confrontation. “Eva, mom, and dad want to talk to you,” said Alyssa, coming into the kitchen. Eva’s face paled, and before she could utter a single word, Alyssa caught her hand and led her outside.
Eva stood in front of them, wrenching her hands nervously, waiting for their insulting words. “Eva, sit. We need to talk,” said his dad, his face solemn. Eva felt tears prick in her eyes. She didn’t need their money. She needed Alexander, the father of her baby!
The tears trickled down her cheeks and she, at last, drew in a deep breath and looked up at Alexander’s dad.
“Please don’t throw me out of Alexander’s life, Mr. Van Every. I don’t need your money. My baby and I only need Alexander! We can’t live without him!” Her throat choked up with pain and she felt suddenly helpless and alone. Panic hit her and she ran to the washroom to throw up. The nausea had returned. Everything happened so quickly that Alexander didn’t get time to get a grip on the situation at hand. He rushed after her.
“Eva, wait. Take deep breaths. Don’t fall sick please,” he cried agitatedly.