Chapter Two - Did He Like Her?

Eva chose a short crepe ivory sheath dress with beaded spaghetti straps and a small side slit at the edge. Alyssa chose a light blue A-line dress with a boat neck, pairing it with black designer heels. 

“Are you planning to wear those flip-flops with this?” laughed Alyssa when the door clicked open and Alexander entered the apartment. Eva’s heart raced with apprehension, wondering if Alexander would like her look. 

Alyssa went outside her room while Eva stayed hidden under the pretext of choosing a pair of shoes. “Aren’t you ready yet? Where’s Eva?” she could hear Alexander growl in the living room. Wearing a pair of white pumps, she went out, her heartbeats thumping faster than ever before. 

“I’m here,” she replied. Alexander looked at her, his eyes sweeping over the entire length of her. His jaws clenched with fury and he glared at her, disapproving of her looks. 

“What the f*ck are you wearing? Is that a dress? Change into something decent right now,” he growled, while Alyssa’s mouth hung open with disbelief. 

“You bought me that dress, bro. Do we have so much time to change now?” she protested, but Alexander caught Eva’s hand and pulled her towards his sister’s room. Eva felt close to tears. She had taken so much pains to dress up for him, but it wasn’t enough. She could never rise to his expectations and please him! He didn’t like the way she looked! 

“Why don’t you both go ahead? I think I’ll go home,” she said in a small, disappointed voice. Alexander fumed more and simply pulled her towards the closet without listening to a single word of hers. Alyssa rolled her eyes and followed them inside.

“If you don’t like the dress, why don’t you buy her a dress you like? I won’t let you ransack my closet,” she complained while Eva stood looking guilty to cause the delay. 

“Please stop this. I’m not going,” she said. 

“Here, this is perfect,” said Alexander, fishing out a blush pink A-line satin dress with a v-neckline, a fitted bodice, and a ruffled hemline. Alyssa’s jaws dropped at seeing the beautiful dress lying in her closet. 

“Wow! I never wore that dress. I bought it last fall and totally forgot about it. The color suits you, Eva,” said Alyssa. 

“I can’t wear a brand new dress of yours!” said Eva, looking alarmed. She might not be born with a golden spoon, but she wasn’t greedy. 

“Wear this or no dinner.” Alyssa took it from her brother’s hands and he stormed away angrily. “Hurry now!” he said over his shoulder.

“I’ll pay for this then,” said Eva, and Alyssa nodded to pacify her. Eva changed as fast as she could and when she went out, her heart skipped a beat at seeing the small smile on Alexander’s face. He didn’t need to say anything, but she knew he approved of her look finally. It might be a small thing for others, but for her, it meant the world! 

“We’re sitting at the back. I won’t sit in front,” said Alyssa, but Alexander shook his head. 

“Eva, sit in front with me.” It was more of an order, and Alyssa flashed her a victorious smile. He opened the door for her and she climbed into his sleek car while Alyssa sat at the back. 

“Now that you’re back, we can do this every weekend, Alex,” suggested Alyssa excitedly.

“I don’t have so much time. This is only to celebrate my homecoming,” said Alexander gruffly. 

“Mom and dad are throwing a party tomorrow to celebrate your homecoming. So why again today?” asked a confused Alyssa. 

“Eva won’t come tomorrow.” Eva glanced at his face and her young heart filled up with more love for him. Did he care about her? Could she ask him about the letter she had given him five years ago? Maybe he had read it after all. He might remember it since he remembered how his parents hated her with a vengeance. She wasn’t allowed to enter their house for reasons she wasn’t aware of. She accepted it as her fate and kept her distance. 

Eva could feel his glance upon her frequently when he stopped at signals while Alyssa kept on rambling about the last time they went out to eat and the bill amount rocketed high. Eva had opted out that day since she had never splurged on herself. She needed to save money to tide her over for the next few years until she got a job. She fidgeted nervously with her clutch, her mind filling up with a million questions to ask him, but she couldn’t overcome the shyness. 

“Are you listening, bro?” scowled Alyssa from the backseat. Alexander glanced at her with an amused expression on his face. 

“Of course!” 

“Tell me where I was.” Alexander scratched his head, searching for an answer. 

“The bill was too much and Skylar escaped to the washroom.” Alyssa scoffed and glared at her brother. 

“No. I crossed that part forty seconds ago when we stopped at the signal. Where are you lost?” Alyssa complained, sulking in the backseat. Alexander laughed while Eva blushed, knowing he was staring at her for the last forty seconds. But why? Was she looking good? Her cheeks colored more and her heart filled up with hope. 

They reached a posh and elegant building housing‌ the high-end restaurant, combining several floors. Eva felt a little conscious of herself, having never eaten at such a place. Her eyes widened seeing the signboard flashing the name. 

Rotterdams 

So this was what he would take over! 

Alexander glanced at her to ensure that she realized where he had brought them. “This is where you both will find me working mostly when I’m here in the city!” he said, staring at her. Alyssa’s jaws dropped at the information.

“Have you got a job here?” she asked incredulously. 

“No, this is uncle Desmond’s flagship restaurant where I’ll be training for the next few months before taking over the entire business.” 

“Whatever! Just don’t marry Beatrix!” she mumbled before pulling Eva along with her toward the restaurant. The topic piqued Eva’s curiosity, and she wanted to know more about Beatrix but, with Alexander following them closely, she couldn’t ask her. The place was famous for its sensational European cuisine. With a vast array of culinary choices, to tickle every tastebud, the restaurant was quite popular. 

With the airy, open space decor, high ceilings, and European artifacts, the place looked elegant yet pristine. The lower level catered to private events, while the next level housed their signature bar. Alexander led them to the upper floor that housed a large, family-style sharing restaurant famous for its succulent seafood dishes. 

“Wow! I could be a waitress here in return for free meals!” said Alyssa excitedly. 

“Me too,” giggled Eva. Alexander rolled his eyes at their childish wishes, but a smile broke free despite his attempts at curbing it. They settled down at their table and Alexander handed them the menu to choose from. Eva’s head reeled at seeing the never-ending choices. 

“I can’t choose. It’s so complicated!” she whispered to Alyssa, who was struggling as well. 

“You order, bro.” She dumped the menu cards to her brother and looked around with interest. Alexander ordered, quite at ease in such a place. 

“Hello, son. Trevor informed me about your booking here tonight,” said Desmond Rotterdam as he approached their table. Flanked by two assistants on either side of him, he exuded power and elegance as he stopped by their table to shake hands with Alexander. 

“Hello, uncle Desmond. I brought my sister and her friend for a treat here,” said Alexander, standing to shake hands with his mentor.

“Good, good. That’s a very nice gesture. Do drop in at home. Trixie will feel overjoyed,” said Desmond Rotterdam, but Alexander looked a little uncomfortable as his glance darted toward Eva. 

“Sure, uncle Desmond.” He added curtly. 

“Anyway, we will drop by your house tomorrow for the party. Enjoy yourselves. See you tomorrow,” said his mentor before leaving the restaurant. 

Their food arrived, and they tucked in hungrily. It really was out of the world and Alexander treated them to their heart's content. 

“I’m so full that I could go without food for two days!” said Alyssa. 

“Me too. How will I go home?” 

“Stay over at my place. It’s Saturday tomorrow anyway,” suggested Alyssa. Alexander paid for their food and led them out to his car. 

He drove them back to their building and parked the car. “Bye Alyssa. I’ll go home,” said Eva, surprised that Alexander did not offer to drop her home. Well, she would have to walk down! 

“No one’s going anywhere. You can stay with Lisa tonight. I’ll drop you home tomorrow,” said Alexander, walking away towards the elevator. Alyssa grinned and pulled her along. Eva’s heart sang with joy. Why did Alexander want her to stay over? Did he like her as much as she liked him? 

Alyssa punched in the code and rushed inside, heading straight to the washroom to pee. Alexander stood at their doorway with a strange expression on his face. Didn’t he want to go back to his apartment? 

“Thanks for the treat,” said Eva. 

“Did you enjoy yourself?” he asked, gazing straight into her eyes. 

“Yes.” 

“Good. I’ll treat you to another place soon. It’s my favorite! Good night, Eva!” he disappeared, closing the door after him before his words registered in her head. 

“Good night, Alexander!” she whispered as her heart filled with hope. He liked her!