Eva meekly followed Alexander to his apartment, but her mind was in a state of turmoil, fighting and contradicting his statement. If she were that precious to him, why couldn’t he accept her in his life in place of Beatrix? Why couldn’t he love her instead? She had never hidden her feelings from him, but what was the use, even if he didn't return them at all? “I won’t stay here for free,” she grumbled and Alexander sighed, giving up. “Pay me some rent if you insist, but only the amount I specify.” “I have one more condition,” said Eva, turning to face him. Alexander rolled his eyes and waited patiently for her to spell it out. “Tell me.” Eva hesitated and looked away, a blush creeping up her cheeks. “You’re engaged and therefore it will be better if you didn’t kiss me. We will stay away from any physical proximity. If you agree, I’ll stay or I’ll move into Alyssa’s place.” Strangely, Alexander stared hard at her, not committing anything. He couldn’t control his urge to kiss her.

“Maybe out of humanity! We’re flatmates, after all!” Alexander said, his eyes glinting with amusement while Eva groaned in frustration. Couldn’t he simply admit that he liked her? “Thank you so much. I’m honored that you did so much just for a mere flatmate. Beatrix is lucky to have you as her fiancé.” She concentrated on her food with a small smile of satisfaction on her lips, since she knew he did no such thing for his fiancée. “I’m unlucky to have her as my fiancée. Don’t mention her name, or she’ll miraculously land up here,” he said with a groan. Eva chuckled, but she too dreaded the appearance of two people in his penthouse, Beatrix and his dad. She still didn’t know what she would do if they arrived here. “So, how was your day without my coffee?” He didn’t need to answer that question, since his expression told her just how dismal his day went. “It was disgusting, but a good thing came of it, though. There was a board meeting today and the board members supported me for the

Eva didn’t wait to hear his explanations. With a shattered heart, she picked up the spare keys to Alyssa’s apartment and went out. She wanted to move out of Alexander’s life for good. When he left for work, she would go back for her stuff, but right now, she just had to get away. Her mind felt numb and the scene she saw in his bedroom continuously played in her head. How could she kiss an engaged man? How could she agree to live with a man who was playing with the feelings of two women simultaneously? She felt hurt by Alexander’s behavior! It was obvious that he had slept with Beatrix last night despite his tall claims of hating her! She had seen the evidence with her own eyes!Feeling betrayed and used, she unlocked the door and went inside Alyssa’s apartment. Alyssa had left for a job interview and she had the entire apartment to herself to fix her broken heart all by herself. There were no tears, just a vacuum left in her heart. It was true she loved Alexander, but she wouldn’t all

“You have no right to touch me, Alexander. I’m not available for your entertainment. Leave my hand,” she hissed angrily, struggling to get free. Instead of releasing her, Alexander tightened his hold on her and pulled her into his arms. “I have every right to touch you. You’re mine,” he muttered, annoyed by her statement. “No, I’m not yours. I refuse to please you whenever you want. You’ve chosen Beatrix over me and you’re engaged to her. I know you both slept with one another. So, stop pursuing me, Alexander. I hate you in case you didn’t know,” she said, struggling more. Alexander clamped her to his body, his eyes flashing angrily, burning her with their intensity. “I’m telling you for the last time, Eva. I didn’t sleep with Beatrix nor touched her. While Beatrix slept alone in my bedroom, I spent the entire night in the living room talking to Stefan. I won’t stop pursuing you, I will continue till the day I die. Please don’t fight me. I know you don’t hate me,” he whispered, his

“This time I plan to squeeze in a road trip with you. It won’t be just a work trip,” said Alexander, finishing his drink in one gulp, unaware of the disappointed look on her face. Eva had definitely expected him to admit that the trip was special because of her! “Can we do all that in just five days?” She couldn’t afford to extend her leave, having taken a lot earlier.“Yes, we'll be back in time. Don’t worry.” They boarded the flight and sat beside one another on perfectly reclining seats, absorbed in watching movies of their choice. Eva took a nap after lunch while Alexander worked on his laptop. Later, she took out a book she had been wanting to read for a long time. It was a bestselling romance novel that both Hayley and Sienna had recommended to her. Alyssa bought it immediately, but being busy with her own real-life romance, she hardly got time to read it. “What’s that? Oh, romance? Don’t tell me you believe in that shit?” he teased her, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Of