Chapter One - Whisked Away

Eva’s eyes widened, and she sprang from the sofa, but before she could reach the door, Alexander stormed into the tiny apartment. Wearing a pair of figure-hugging faded jeans, a gray tee-shirt, and a black leather jacket, he looked rugged and drool-worthy, like a model straight out of a fashion magazine. 

“Hey, wait! You may be hot but you can’t just march in,” protested Georgia while Eva stood frozen with her jaws dropped to the floor. Did Georgia really say that to her crush?

“And you are?” he flashed Georgia an impish grin, much to Eva’s annoyance. His smiles were for other girls, while she only faced his fury. A tinge of jealousy filled her heart, and she glared at him all the more. 

 “She’s my roommate,” she clarified, but Alexander looked around with interest as if searching for someone. 

“Where’s George?” he asked impatiently, not seeing the guy around. 

“I’m George. Actually, my name’s Georgia,” said Georgia, with a goofy smile on her face. A look of surprise flashed in Alexander’s eyes, but he hid his reaction and flashed Georgia a dazzling smile. 

“Right. Nice to meet you.” Eva was now green already! How could he flirt with her flatmate right under her nose? Most importantly, why was he here when she declined to go out with him? 

“So, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at a restaurant with the girls?” asked Eva, coming out of her dazed state. 

“I’ve come to get you. Let’s go,” he said gruffly, taking in her pajama-clad state. Eva’s face flushed at his scrutiny, knowing that the tiny pair of shorts hardly covered much. Even the short crop top she wore left her abdomen bare, but she wasn’t expecting anyone and would have retired to her room after dinner. 

“I’m not going anywhere. I’ve already informed Alyssa,” she stood her ground. Alexander looked annoyed as he always did around her. 

“Are you coming or do I need to carry you along with me?” he asked impatiently. Eva’s eyes widened, and she glared at Alexander. She couldn’t figure out why he was so insistent. How did it matter whether she went out with them or didn’t? Surely it shouldn’t matter to him! She was inconsequential to him! 

“Neither. Can’t you take no for an answer?” she protested but Alexander lost his patience and reached her in two strides. Before Eva could realize his intentions, he picked her up on his shoulder and strode out of the door. Georgia clapped her hands with glee, loving the drama while Eva glared at her in horror. 

“Traitor!” she hissed. 

“Alexander, put me down this minute!” she yelled, beating her fists on his hard muscular back but he seemed unperturbed by her protests. He walked down the stairs as if she didn’t weigh a thing. “I’m not adequately dressed. I can’t go anywhere wearing this?” Alexander grunted in response but strode straight out of the building towards his car. Her whole body flushed crimson with embarrassment at seeing everyone gawk at them. 

Alexander at last placed her down beside his car and eased the jacket out of himself. Draping it over her shoulders, he unlocked the passenger door for her. “Get in.” 

Reluctantly, Eva went inside his car and pulled the jacket closer around her body. It was huge, and she nearly drowned in it. “Why are you forcing me to go?” she asked when he climbed into the car. 

“Lisa wants you to come along.” His reply was enough to quieten her as all the fight left her body. 

“Oh.” So he took so much effort just to please his little sister and nothing else! It didn’t matter to him whether she went along or didn’t! Hurt, she just looked out of the window, her throat choked with painful emotions. The jacket exuded his addictive scent, and it felt as if he had wrapped her close in his embrace! 

“You shouldn’t skip meals. It would do you good to put on a little more weight.” Eva turned to look at him with surprise. 

“Thanks for your concern,” she said, looking away. If he didn’t like her body, he could look elsewhere. 

“So what have you thought of pursuing after this?” he asked, briefly glancing in her direction. The glance, although brief swept over her entire body. The jacket covered her till her mid-thighs, yet she blushed, feeling exposed. Why did she have to wear her pajamas so soon? 

“Nursing. Sienna and I have enrolled at St. Paul’s College Of Nursing.” 

“I see. Good luck!” Again he gave her a brief glance, his eyes wandering all over her. Was something wrong with him, or was she looking ridiculous? 

“Thanks. So are you looking for a job now?” she couldn’t help but ask him. 

“No. Dad’s friend, who owns a chain of restaurants, is mentoring me. After the training, I’ll take over from him since he plans to retire. I will strike up some sort of partnership deal with him.” 

“Oh, all the best with it.” Eva wanted to say more but caught herself just in time. She wanted to urge him to start his own business instead of taking over someone else’s, but maybe he knew what was best for him. 

“Thanks, but you don’t look happy with my decision,” he prodded again, giving her a brief glance. 

“I would suggest that you start your own business instead of taking over someone else’s.” Alexander nodded, reflecting on what she just suggested. 

“Dad wants me to work under his best friend, Desmond Rotterdam, and learn the tricks of the trade. He doesn’t have anyone to pass on his legacy and is happy to take me under his wing. His chain of restaurants, Rotterdams, is already a brand name all over the world.” Eva nodded and flashed him a stiff smile. Of course, he would want to follow his dad’s advice, but was he happy doing what his dad wanted? She didn’t ask, knowing she wasn’t in a position to probe. 

He drove through the gates of a huge condominium and Eva looked around with wide eyes. Did Alyssa really move in here? “Does Alyssa live here now?” she asked. 

“Yes, and I do too.” She turned to look at him with surprise. Did they share an apartment? Her heart skipped a beat at the thought. Then, every time she visited her friend, would she see him as well? 

“In the same apartment?” Alexander shook his head, leading her to the elevator. Eva felt extremely conscious in her pajamas and flip-flops. Although she covered herself with Alexander’s jacket, she felt exposed and nervous. Thankfully, there wasn’t anyone else in the elevator with them. 

“No, I live in my penthouse.” The door opened, and he led her outside, down the beautifully lighted, luxuriously decorated corridor towards an enormous door. He punched in the security code and the door opened like magic. Everything about the place was grand and chic, making Eva feel more out of place. She was a simple girl with simple needs, hardly ever splurging on anything for herself.

“Eva? I thought you weren’t coming?” said Alyssa as she emerged from her room, her eyes wide with surprise at seeing her best friend. 

“Why don’t you get her ready instead of wasting time?” said Alexander impatiently, as he opened the door and left abruptly, banging the door shut after him. Alyssa's mouth hung open with surprise at her brother’s antics, and then she looked at her best friend. 

“What the f*ck are you wearing?” she gasped and then started giggling like a lunatic. “Don’t tell me you’re planning to go to dinner wearing that.” 

“Are you crazy? I was ready to sleep when Alexander just picked me up and carried me off to his car. He didn’t even give me time to change.” Alyssa gaped at her in disbelief.

“He did, but why? None of the girls are free to go tonight.” Alyssa went to her room, and Eva followed her there, her mouth hanging open at the news.

“He told me you wanted me to come along,” said Eva, looking confused. 

"Interesting!" Alyssa chuckled and pulled out some clothes for her to choose from. 

“You can take off that jacket now. I wonder why he even gave you his lucky jacket when I haven’t been able to wear it even once!” 

Eva’s cheeks flushed with color, and she immediately took off the jacket. “Maybe because he saw how people were staring at us.” 

“Staring at you, right? You’re looking so cute!” said Alyssa, pinching her cheeks. “And hot!” she added with a wink. 

“As if! Anyway, if the dinner plan stands canceled, why are we dressing up?” asked Eva, checking the clothes. They were all beautiful and very expensive, but she didn’t have any choice other than to wear her best friend’s clothes. Being of the same height and stature, their stuff fitted each other perfectly. 

“Maybe because my brother wants to take you out to dinner!” said Alyssa, her eyes sparkling with amusement while her words sent Eva’s heart into overdrive.