“I’m still waiting for my kiss, Eva.” Alexander’s husky whisper brought her to her senses, and she opened her eyes slowly, her gaze drifting to his lips inches away from hers. She blushed under his intense scrutiny and tilted her head towards his, lightly brushing her lips against his. The soft-touch immediately ignited a spark again like it always did, intensifying the electric tingle that spread down her body. A deep groan escaped his lips, and he grabbed her head, his fingers working into her hair, making her breath hitch with anticipation. The desire to taste his lips again drove her wild and this time she claimed his lips again, slowly, lingeringly, savoring the taste of cinnamon and chocolate on him. It made her moan with pleasure just like the chocolate cinnamon French silk tartes they had for dessert did a few minutes ago! With a groan of pure need, Alexander’s mouth took charge and plunged his tongue into her parted mouth. The kiss turned into a fiery, passionate joining th
Alexander felt his heart constrict at the thought of telling her about his change of plans. Beatrix’s sudden phone call disrupted the beautiful holiday he had planned with her. “Do you want to go out?” he asked her wanting to make the most of their time together. Staying locked up in a room with her would shatter his self-control and he would end up making love to her. No, he couldn’t do that now! “Yes, please,” she said eagerly. They went out and strolled hand in hand to see the other attractions nearby, in no hurry whatsoever. The sun was about to set when they boarded a spectacular glass-topped boat for a dinner cruise on the Seine River. “This is so different. I’ve never been on a glass-topped boat before!” she gasped with delight. “I’m glad you like it. I wanted to take you shopping too but I’m afraid we can’t squeeze that in today!” he said with a sigh. “I don’t need anything so just relax and enjoy the cruise. This is the best attraction so far!” Alexander gazed at her tend
The next morning, Alexander could feel a change in Eva’s behavior towards him. It seemed as if she didn’t want to interact with him much. Maybe she was upset after having overheard his conversation with his mom. With so much work to wrap up in a day, he didn’t have the time to talk to Eva. Maybe he would before leaving for home. He left after an early morning breakfast while Eva was still in the washroom. He couldn’t afford to wait for her, even if he wanted to. Eva released a deep sigh on hearing the front door shut. She had been feigning sleep, knowing he was getting ready for work. She couldn’t face him knowing that his career was in grave danger because of her. If his parents wanted him to marry Beatrix, then so be it. She didn’t want Beatrix to harm him in any way.The hotel had offered her a guide and a chauffeur at Alexander’s insistence, and Eva left after breakfast. She roamed around the entire morning, missing Alexander immensely. She didn’t want to go in the first place,
Alexander parked his car and sighed at seeing Beatrix’s car in his parents' driveway. So she was here just as he had expected. Anger boiled inside him and he stormed inside, ready to face them all. Yes, he loved Eva. Now what? Would Beatrix break off with him? Nothing would be better than that! He wanted to be free from her! His mom opened the door with a grave look on her face, avoiding looking him in the eye. Her behavior irked Alexander. It was alright to feel threatened by Beatrix, but couldn’t she support him for once? “At last you get the time to see me. I’ve been calling you for the last forty-five minutes, Alex,” said his dad, sitting with a sulking Beatrix beside him. His blood boiled at seeing the woman seeking sympathy with her fake tears. “I was on my way back, dad. I forgot to switch on my phone afterwards.” He sat on the sofa opposite and waited for him to speak further. “Who were you with, Alexander? Beatrix has proof that you were with Eva. Is it true?” his dad ask
Alexander remembered Maxwell's interest in Eva. Maxwell was the one who had threatened him after picking up a fight with him at Phoenix over Eva. Alexander remembered the photograph Maxwell had taken of them kissing each other on that drunken night. What if he forwarded it to Beatrix? She would surely harm Eva. Feeling restless, he typed a reply to Maxwell. Eva doesn’t love you. Stop harassing her! If I find you forcing her in any way, I’ll come over to wreck your precious office–Alexander He seethed waiting for Maxwell’s reply but even after an hour, there was no response and he dozed off to sleep. The next morning, Eva lazed at home, since it was her day off. Alyssa had gone to work and Eva just completed the household chores of cleaning and washing. She knew Alexander wasn’t at home and felt curious to know what happened at his parents’ house. She sat down to enjoy her breakfast when her phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. Who could it be? She accepted the call out
Alexander glared at his sister, planning to drill some sense into her head right away. Although he seethed at the sight of Eva acting all innocent in front of him, he couldn’t confront her in front of his dad. “Alyssa! Where the hell had you been? I went to your office, but you left three hours ago,” Alexander demanded angrily. Alyssa stared at her brother, surprised to know that he had visited her office. She had expected him to blast her, but she hadn’t expected him to go to her workplace. “What exactly were you doing at my workplace, Alexander?” she asked while her stepdad tried to intervene. “Look we can talk amicably instead of yelling at one another in this manner,” he said but Alexander was burning with a crazy fury knowing that despite everything, she was still with Nicholas. “No, dad. She has to answer me what she was doing at Nicholas’s house for three hours,” asked Alexander, his hands clenched into fists. “It’s none of your business where I had been, Alexander. If
Eva spoke to her colleagues at the hospital and Laura informed her about a one-bedroom apartment up for sale in Bronx. Although buying it would leave her penniless, Eva didn’t mind. She needed a place of her own before Alexander’s wedding. She couldn’t see them together all the time. “My cousin lives in the building. It’s good. Would you like to check it out?” “Yes. Can we go today after duty?” She hadn’t seen Alexander since that night and wanted to move out before he returned from his parents' place. “Sure. I’ll check up with her.” In the evening, just as promised, Laura took her to a lower middle-class locality in Bronx, where the building was located. It wasn’t posh as her current home, but it was a decent, freshly painted one in a clean neighborhood. She introduced Eva to her cousin, Sarah, who worked at a departmental store and lived on the second floor. “It’s on the third floor. Come, I’ll show you around.” Sarah led them up the staircase to the third-floor apartment overl
Alexander stared at the photographs forwarded to his phone in disbelief. He hadn’t expected Maxwell to really work so fast. Maybe he had underestimated the guy! Despite Maxwell's capabilities, what surprised Alexander was how Eva fell into his trap so easily. Or did she willingly go out with Maxwell? Maybe she had given up hope on him? Ever since they returned from the Paris trip, he hadn’t once found an opportunity to talk to her. Now the time had come to confront her. He couldn’t sit back and watch Maxwell whisk her away from right under his nose. He hadn’t given his final decision to Beatrix yet. With his dad still unwell, he was delaying it purposely. While Beatrix bothered her all day, he refused to give in to the pressure. He had no wish to father Fairfield’s illegitimate child. The doorbell rang, and he glanced at the clock. Who could be here so late in the night? “Alex, are you awake?” asked his mom from her room. “Yes, mom. I’ll get it.” He got up from his bed and went t
“Granny, grandpa, you have to shift to New York this time. Enough of staying here all by yourselves. Why don’t you sell off the hobby center?” coaxed Alyssa after seeing the way her grandpa was still struggling with his day-to-day activities at eighty-nine.“Yes, Alyssa is right, dad. Please come along with us. You can play with Eleanor or Axel in a few days instead of living here all by yourselves,” said Alexander’s mom. “Who are Eleanor and Axel?” asked a clueless granny. “Alexander and Eva’s baby, mom!” said Jodie Van Every, beaming with excitement. She loved the names the moment she heard them and had been planning a nursery for the baby ever since Grandpa gave his wife an excited look, as if contemplating the suggestion. “Who will buy the hobby center? I can sell everything here and move to New York with you but after Alexander’s baby is born,” said grandpa. “Done. We’ll stay back here and help you sell everything off,” said Daniel Van Every. It was therefore decided that his
The next morning, Alexander reached Mr. Strasbourg’s house on time. His son, Adam Strasbourg, welcomed him and offered him coffee as they waited for Mr. Fitzgerald. Alexander had met him two years ago when he had come down from Frankfurt where he lived. “I know you’re the prime suspect in this case and you shouldn’t be visiting here, but I wanted to see you, Alexander. My mind is very disturbed. Dad was so attached to you, and it’s ironic that you had to be accused of murdering him.”“I’m sorry that I couldn’t save him, Adam. After stepping down from Rotterdams, I was quite busy.”“I understand. For the last two years, we have been pleading with dad to come over to Frankfurt and live with us but he didn’t even consider it an option. He received a strange thrill from involving himself with Rotterdams. He seemed obsessed with saving the empire, which belonged to a deceased friend.”“Yes, he was too attached to Rotterdams.” “What was the outcome of his dedication? He lost his life! Thi
The next day, Alexander shifted to his penthouse when Eva was at the hospital. His mom came over with her housekeeper to get the penthouse cleaned up and arrange their belongings. Alexander felt relieved to be home at last, to where he belonged. “Everything is arranged now. I’ll leave, Alex. We’ll see you later after you settle down,” said his mom. After his mom left, Alexander received a call from Ashton.“Bro, I wouldn’t be able to return soon. There’s an emergency here that will take some time to wrap up. I’ve got a big promotion here at the hotel and I can’t overlook my responsibilities here. Why don’t you start without me?” Alexander noted his disinterest in starting a business under the circumstances. “Oh, that’s fine. Dad has released my funds and I can invest freely. Don’t worry, if you want you can join me anytime.” “Thanks, bro. I will.” After he disconnected the call, Alexander called his lawyer, Thomas Goldstein, and informed him about the latest update. “I want to co
“I’m sorry about that, Beatrix. Eva isn’t keeping well because of her pregnancy and I couldn’t take your call,” apologized Alexander, feeling guilty for ignoring her plea for help. “I understand, Alexander. I know how much I’ve tormented you with my stubbornness and I’m sorry for everything I did,” said Beatrix and this time she genuinely looked ashamed of herself. “So am I. Everything happened for a reason. We weren’t meant for one another.” “Yes and I’ve learned my lesson the hard way,” said Beatrix with a sigh. “It’s better to move on now. Have a good life with Fairfield. I’ll contact Mr. Fitzgerald and start hunting for the evidence Mr. Strasbourg had hidden somewhere,” said Alexander, but Beatrix stopped him. “Wait! I have a request, Alexander.” “Tell me!” Alexander knew what she would ask of him, but he wasn’t ready to go into that again. “Please come back to Rotterdams, Alexander. The company needs you. Right now, Mr. McCabe is the current CEO, but I want you to look aft
Eva gaped at her husband, too shocked to react. After Daniel Van Every’s last call, she hardly expected him to accept her. So did she unnecessarily overreact last night? “Oh, are you sure? How did they suddenly change their mind about me?” She wondered if Alexander fought with them for her. “Alyssa made them see sense. Mom and dad apologized for everything that happened. They want to be a part of our lives, to play with our baby,” said Alexander while Eva sat with her mouth hanging open. Did they soften because of her pregnancy? A smile brightened up her face, and she resumed eating, letting the good news seep into her system. “I’m glad that they’ve accepted us, Alexander. I was tired of living alone with no family to call my own. At Maxwell’s house, his family cared for me so much, I craved one of my own. I wished your family would accept me like they did. Maybe God has granted my prayers.” Alexander smiled at her, feeling satisfied that finally another wish of hers had been fulfil
Eva’s head swooned under the effect of a panic attack, and she gasped for breath. Before she could reach the washroom door, her feet buckled, and she felt dizzy. Alexander rushed to catch her just in time to arrest her fall. Alyssa too rushed in followed by the others, too shocked by everything to react. Alexander’s parents gaped at the scene before them, finally realizing how deeply their behavior had affected the poor girl.“Eva, no one can separate us, baby! Please take a deep breath and calm down,” cried Alexander, but she lost her senses in his arms. Alexander carried her limp body to the bed. “I’ll get some water,” said Alyssa, rushing to the washroom. “Eva wake up. I’m right here with you. You’ve been brave for so long. You can’t fall sick now,” said Alexander, patting her cheeks. Alyssa rushed in with the water and sprinkled it over her face. It worked, and she slowly opened her eyes to look at Alexander with wide eyes. “Take deep breaths, baby. I don’t want to admit you
“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 m
“Eva’s been at my house with Sienna and Alyssa since last night. Don’t worry, we didn’t allow her to return to her apartment. They ensured she didn’t skip her meals, and she was perfectly fine. In fact, we’re all heading there right now,” said Lucas, and Alexander smiled with relief. “I know why you asked. Maybe it’s got something to do with Alyssa. She can answer your question better, bro,” whispered Nicholas. Alexander smiled, amazed at how Nicholas could see through him. “What are we waiting for, man? Let’s go?” urged Alexander, unable to wait any longer. All the formalities were over at the court and they had no reason to wait. “You need to collect your belongings from the precinct, Mr. Van Every,” said the officer, and Alexander nodded. “I’ll see you later, son. Here are the keys to the penthouse. I’m sorry for everything that happened,” said his dad, handing him the keys and walking away, leaving him stunned. What the hell just happened? Did his dad apologize for his beha
“Bro, this isn’t even half the bail amount. Why did you lie to Eva? She’d be so upset when she comes to know,” said a worried Nicholas as they headed to the court for the initial bail hearing before the Magistrate judge. He looked at the cheque that Sienna had issued against the jewelry that Eva handed to her. It was the exact amount Lucas had specified to Eva. “I didn’t want to overburden her with a loan. Don’t tell her anything. I’ll have a word with Alexander later when he is released. Right now, I’m paying the rest of the amount. It’s the same with Chris’s payment. He didn’t quote it all to Alyssa. I’ll pay the rest when the case is over.” They met Chris and discussed the case outside the court while waiting for the proceedings to start. “So, what’s the update on the case? Did you find any leads? Will they approve of Alexander’s bail request?” asked Lucas in a low whisper. “Yes. I’m hundred percent sure, given Alexander’s respectable past record. I’ve roped in a few noteworthy