“I can’t possibly go wearing such a shocking red dress? It's super short, Eva! Hell, no, I’m not wearing this,” wailed Sienna, holding the dress Alyssa had chosen for her. It was deep red with a scooping neckline and a short hemline and Eva was adamant that she wear it. “You don’t have a choice, Sien. Hurry, they’ll be here soon to pick us up.” Eva pulled the deep coffee-colored ruched dress on and stared at her reflection in the mirror. The dress matched her eyes, that were a few shades lighter in comparison. Her milky white skin glowed unlike ever before and she just couldn’t believe that the woman in the mirror was actually her! She grabbed her hair to fix them up in a messy bun when Sienna grabbed hold of her hand. “Let it be. Just curl it a little. You’re looking swooning hot, Eva.” She helped her curl her long hair while Eva helped her with the makeup. The doorbell rang and Eva rushed to open the door since Sienna couldn’t find her favourite perfume. “Sorry girls! Just a minu
Alexander wrapped his arm possessively around Eva’s shoulder, drawing her towards him. “Mind your own business, Maxwell.” However, the man rolled his eyes at Alexander, noticing Eva's discomfort. “Are you with him, Coco?” he asked Eva, completely ignoring Alexander. It surprised Eva that they knew one another. “No, I’m with my friends,” said Eva truthfully, while Alexander snorted with anger, not having expected Eva to decline it outright in front of his enemy. This was a popular nightclub frequented by the rich and famous of NYC. Owned by his arch-enemy, Lucas Donnelly’s uncle, Alexander, knew all their friends. Therefore, Maxwell Clyborne was no stranger to him. He was Lucas’s brother, Nicholas Donnelly’s best friend. He hated Nicholas since he pursued Alyssa just to get even with him for an old stupid enmity! “Great, I’ll buy you drinks. Which is your table?” he asked, but Alexander pushed him away from her, his whole body flushed with a mad fury.“I asked you to stay away from
The temptation was too strong, and he simply cupped the back of her neck and smashed his lips to hers, his demanding mouth grazing against hers roughly. He tasted of whiskey and salt, biting her lips to make her gasp. Her heart raced, pumping vigorously in her chest, causing her knees to buckle, and she just wrapped her arm around his neck for support. She could feel all the hard ridges of his body pressed against hers and knew that she was ruined for life. She could never get over Alexander Van Every. He lived in every breath, every cell of her body. His tongue glided inside her sweet mouth, and a groan of intense pleasure escaped Alexander’s mouth. This was pure heaven! The clinical kisses he was forced to give Beatrix in front of their parents couldn’t ever compare to this. He had always wanted to taste Eva's luscious lips since his growing-up years and now, when he had, he knew that he was doomed. He wanted more of her. Next time, he didn’t want a drunken kiss. He wanted her to k
The next day, Alexander had to leave on an urgent work trip to Sydney that he had been postponing for a while. It would take him long since he would have to visit their flagship hotel in Singapore as well. Unaware of his trip, Eva steered clear of Alexander and Alyssa, and concentrated on her job instead. The feel of his lips was branded on hers and played havoc with her senses every minute, making it impossible to concentrate on anything. She knew it was a mistake on her part because she was too drunk to see sense, but how could Alexander lose control? After all, he was in his senses! Didn’t he remember he was engaged to Beatrix and would marry her soon? Why did he betray his fiancée? Eva felt used, humiliated and cheap and couldn’t face herself for the next few days. Guilt, shame, hopelessness, disappointment filled her mind and she couldn’t confide even in her best friend, Alyssa. Although close, Sienna was busy with her life as Lucas Donnelly met with an accident and was admitte
Alexander’s eyes immediately sought Eva out, taking in the devastated look on her face. He frowned, wondering what the matter could be! Maybe she didn’t want to meet him again! Maybe she hated him after the stunt he pulled the last time they met. He should have restrained himself, knowing that she wasn’t in her senses. He shouldn’t have taken advantage of her when he knew he wasn’t a free man. The last fifteen days he had been neck-deep in work, yet he hadn’t been able to forget Eva or the heart-stopping kiss he shared with her. It was the best he ever experienced in his entire twenty-eight years of existence. He had just returned from his trip and had been going crazy in his mind ever since. The need to see Eva was so great that he couldn’t think of a better excuse than to go hunting for his sister. “What are you doing here, Alex?” Alyssa asked, massaging her temples, drawing his attention toward her. “I just returned and went to your apartment to see you, and you weren’t there. Th
Alexander’s eyes widened at seeing Beatrix hand in hand with Sean Fairfield. How could she desperately flaunt her private affairs so openly? More so, how could the actor be so careless about his own reputation? Whatever the case, he knew this was his opportunity, and he had to make the most of it. They would separate once the reporters caught a whiff of their presence here. He clicked as many pictures as he could with his phone and stormed towards them, but it was impossible to get near. “Beatrix! What are you doing here with him?” he yelled, his booming voice reaching her instantly. She stilled and turned her head to look at him, freezing the moment she saw him. Sean Fairfield ignored him and tugged at her hand to get away as fast as he could. Beatrix went forward, all the while looking in his direction. Alexander followed them, no one to be discouraged by the actor’s rebuff. He pushed past the guards with his sheer strength, taking them by surprise, and stopped before them. “I
Eva’s heart skipped a beat at his admission. This was what she had been wanting to hear for the last four years and now, when she had given up hope, Alexander was single again. Could she hope? No. He might be single, but he didn’t love her the way she did. He sure would find himself another for money. Eva looked down at the floor, refusing to look at him. She didn’t want him to realize the crazy flutter in her stomach and would behave as naturally as possible. She didn’t have any idea why he was suddenly being kind to her, but it couldn’t have anything to do with his break-off. “I’m glad she’s out of your life, bro. I couldn’t stand her at all!” “I know. Come on in. The food is about to arrive soon.” Alexander stood aside to allow them inside his tastefully furnished apartment, feeling quite satisfied to have Eva here finally. It had been his wish for the last few years, ever since she returned from Switzerland, but one thing led to another, and the wish remained unfulfilled in his
If Alexander hadn’t seen her already, her first reaction would have been to retrace her steps back into the washroom, but now it was too late. Alexander strode towards her, pinning her with his passionate stare. Eva’s heart thumped wildly in her chest and she wondered what he needed now. Was he going to kiss her again? “I was about to leave,” she told him nervously, tearing her gaze away from his. “You left your mobile phone in the kitchen.” He handed the mobile phone to her and Eva checked that there were five missed calls from Dr. Victor Garrett, their resident doctor in the neonatal unit. “Who’s the guy? What does he want from you?” growled Alexander, staring down at the worried expression on her face.Eva looked up at him and took a step backward to place some distance between them, but he stepped forward, almost touching her, encroaching upon her personal space. “He's the resident doctor at our neonatal unit in Bellevue. I’ll just take this call. It seems important.” Eva smile
“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