Chapter Five - Hurting Her
1661 Words
Eva caught Alyssa’s hand to stop her from calling her brother, but she didn’t listen to her at all. “Alex will drop you home. My car has a flat tyre.”
“I can walk down. It’s no big deal. I’m used to walking,” said Eva, not wanting to bother Alexander.
Alexander accepted the call and Eva clamped her mouth shut, her heart racing with excitement.
“Bro, can you drop Eva home? I have a flat tyre and she is planning to walk back.” Alexander’s face eased into a smile. It was an involuntary reaction, something he had no control over.
“Give me five minutes.” He disconnected the call and took a quick shower. Feeling fresh, he pulled on his clothes and dashed off to drop Eva off.
“Was he angry?” asked Eva nervously as they waited for Alexander.
“No, he sounded glad.”
“I’m sure you’re quite mistaken. Why would he be happy to drop me off? He doesn’t even like me.” Alyssa shook her head with a sly gleam in her eyes. Her brother could fool the world with his arrogance, but not her. She could feel that he liked Eva more than he showed. He didn’t allow her into his penthouse for a reason. Maybe he didn’t want her snooping around, discovering his dark secrets.
“You never know what lies deep inside my brother’s brain!” The main door unlocked, and they stopped the discussion and looked up at a freshly showered, gorgeous Alexander striding inside. Eva’s breath got stuck in her throat seeing the man of her dreams right in front of her, all dressed up to kill her with his good looks!
“C’mon, let’s go,” he urged, his gaze fixed upon Eva as it always was whenever she was nearby. Eva stood up in a daze and nodded at Alyssa, who watched them with amusement. Her brother’s condition was pretty obvious to her, although he himself might not be aware of it yet. She just prayed that he realized it soon before it was too late!
“Bye, Eva. See you tomorrow at the prom night,” she yelled after her on purpose, causing Alexander to stop in his tracks and turn to look curiously at Eva following closely on his heels. “Have you found a date yet?” It was a cheeky little question directed more at her brother than at her, and it immediately had the desired effect.
Eva nodded, while Alexander’s eyes popped out with surprise. “Who?” he demanded.
“George's cousin?” asked Alyssa pointedly before Eva could say a word. Alexander gaped at Eva, a wave of jealousy coursing through his body.
“Yes. Did Frank agree to be your date?” whispered Eva, while Alexander turned around to face them.
“What’s going on? Why do you need a date? Go with one another,” said Alexander gruffly.
“It doesn’t work that way, bro. Everyone is going with their partners. It’s compulsory this year,” protested Alyssa, eyeing Eva for help.
“Then don’t go.”
“Just because you didn’t attend yours doesn’t mean I won’t too,” argued Alyssa. Eva sighed, looking from one to the other. Their arguments were never-ending, and she didn’t have the time to stand and watch.
“Who’s Frank? I’ll break his bones,” growled Alexander angrily, fisting his hands.
“I think I’ll go home, Alyssa,” said Eva, rushing towards the door without even casting a glance in his direction.
“What the hell! Eva, wait!” said Alexander, following her out.
“I can manage, Alexander.” He rushed after her and grabbed her by the wrist. His sudden action surprised her, and she felt an electric tingle shoot up her body at his scorching touch.
“I said I’ll drop you home. What’s the hurry? Is Georgia’s cousin waiting for you somewhere?” he gritted out, pulling her along with him towards the elevator. Eva’s mouth hung open with shock. Why in the world would Georgia’s cousin wait for her? Jamie, Georgia’s cousin, was a year younger than her and just agreed to tag along since she didn’t know anyone else. The boys in her class already had their dates, and she didn’t wish to go with either of them.
“Are you crazy?” she asked, as he pulled her inside the elevator before the door closed shut. With no one present inside apart from them, she could clear his doubts about Georgia’s cousin. However, the force by which he pulled her inside made her lose her balance, and she tumbled right into his arms.
His arms went around her like steel bands and held her flush against his body. Eva blushed to the roots of her hair as her beautiful warm eyes collided with his grayish-blue ones. “Stop manipulating Lisa’s mind. She is innocent. If you’re that desperate to go on a date with random guys, you’re most welcome to do so. Just don’t drag Alyssa into this. Dad won’t be happy,” he stated as calmly as he could while his whole body seethed with jealousy. He released her abruptly as the elevator came to a stop and the doors opened. Eva staggered out, her head reeling from Alexander’s insinuations. How could he say such things to her? She darted towards the front gate with tears blinding her before Alexander could realize her intention. He rushed after her and looked outside the gates, but she was nowhere to be seen.
“Damn, what have you done, Alex?” he chided himself as he scanned the entire place. Where could she have gone?
He went back into the elevator guiltily and to the terrace of his apartment, standing at the edge to see if he could find Eva. He picked up his binoculars and checked. To his dismay, he saw her running down the street towards her apartment, looking behind her shoulders frequently. Of course, she didn’t have her wallet with her to take the bus! Alexander felt guilty wondering what had gotten into him! Why did he have to hurt her unnecessarily? He knew Alyssa was no saint, and if anyone was actually innocent here, it was Eva. He followed her with his binoculars until she disappeared around a block.
He came down to his apartment since there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t undo the hurt he had inflicted upon her! Yet the very thought of Georgia’s cousin with her made his blood boil!
His foul mood was reflected in his behavior at the party in the evening. While the whole family enjoyed themselves, Alexander sat with Ashton with a drink in his hand. He wasn’t in the mood to mingle with the crowd and dance as they did. He could see his sister and her friends enjoying themselves near the buffet table.
“God! Here she is. Bro, Beatrix is on her way here with your parents. I think the most dreadful moment is finally here,” muttered Ashton and Alexander grunted in response. At that moment, he wanted to vanish from the party to avoid the dreadful discussion.
“Why can’t they take the hint and spare me the torture?” he groaned.
“What are you doing here, son? Look who has come over to meet you?” asked his mom excitedly, pushing Beatrix toward him. As if he couldn’t see her in her perfectly made-up face and designer outfit. He hated the smug expression on her face! It looked like she was confident that he would be smitten by her and crawling near her feet soon.
“Hi, Alex! Oops, you’ve grown!” she said, shamelessly checking him out. Alexander cringed at her high-pitched voice while his parents chuckled.
“What else did you expect me to do? Remain a dwarf at twenty-three?” She laughed at his remark, not seeing the sarcasm at all.
“Why don’t you catch up with one another, Alexander? You both are meeting after seven years, right?” said his mom.
“More, aunt Jodie. I’m meeting him after seven years, six months, and three days,” laughed Beatrix while Ashton grinned and escaped to give them some privacy to talk.
“My God! Were you counting the days? She’s so adorable, Daniel. Let’s plan an outing with Desmond this weekend. I’m sure the children could spend a little time with one another!” said his mom.
“Sure, I’ll talk to Desmond.” His parents left while Beatrix clapped her hands with glee. Alexander stood like a statue, with a gloomy expression on his face, looking around for Alyssa and her friends. He needed saving right now.
“Lisa, come here,” he growled at his sister at seeing her giggling with her friends in the corner. Alyssa went rushing towards him, followed by her friends, her eyes fixed upon the hateful woman next to him. She obviously recognized her at first sight and avoided her, but won’t be possible now.
“What now?” she asked with a scowl.
“I’ll be leaving shortly. So have your dinner now,” he said impatiently.
“Okay,” said Alyssa, rushing back to the buffet table.
“What’s the hurry to leave, Alex? We hardly talked,” whined Beatrix.
“Say what you want to. I’m waiting,” he asked impatiently.
“Not this way. Let’s go out on a date,” she asked hopefully.
“I’m busy.”
“With what? Do you realize our parents want us to get married soon?” asked Beatrix, surprised at his indifference.
“I’m not marrying at twenty-three.”
“You can get engaged now and marry later,” said Desmond Rotterdam as he approached them with a smile on his face. Alyssa and her friends froze upon hearing it, and they eyed one another with dread.
- Writer
