Love that the world won't accept. I struggle between reality and my feelings. It's tragic, sad, and somehow beautiful.
Emily's influence hits me again. My thoughts start flying recklessly through the sky.
I shake my head hard. Trying to chase away these stupid fantasies.
"Evie?" Alexander stares at me, confused by my constant head-shaking.
"Huh?" I freeze immediately and meet his gaze.
"If you don't stop shaking, I'll think you're a metronome." He smirks.
"..." You're the metronome. Your whole family are metronomes.
But I only dare to think that. Out loud, I say, "My neck is sore. I'm just loosening it up."
Alexander reaches over and gently massages my neck.
I go completely stiff. Goosebumps erupt all over my skin.
The next second, I jump away like I've been stung. "Men and women should keep their distance!"
Alexander laughs and pulls me back. "What distance? That word doesn't apply to us!"
My face burns. I follow him like a lost puppy.
We don't need to be close. Alexander is gay.
He doesn't like women at all.
But I still feel uncomfortable. Even though he doesn't like women, he's still a man.
Forget it. I'll just think about it later and stay out of his way.
We arrive at the main house for dinner. The whole family is here tonight. A huge table full of people. Quite a sight.
I greet everyone one by one. Then I sit down next to Alexander.
"Evie is such a lovely girl. Good character, sweet tongue." Scarlett smiles at me.
"You flatter me, Third Sister." I force an embarrassed smile.
The dishes arrive one after another. I remember last time I had dinner with Alexander. I'm a little scared. I glance at him.
"What do you want to eat? I'll get it for you." He thinks I'm too shy to reach for food.
I shake my head quickly. Quietly, I say, "I can get it myself."
"You don't need to be shy at home." He adds.
"I won't." I lower my head.
I really want to tell him— Can you just pretend I don't exist?
"Evie, eat more." Isabella greets me warmly.
For me, she's unusually passionate. Normally, she's silent during meals. Sometimes, if you're not paying attention, you'd forget she's there.
But every time I eat, Isabella says a few words to me.
"Okay, sister-in-law. You eat more too." I smile back.
"Evie, this meat is delicious. Have some more." Isabella picks up a big piece of braised pork and puts it in my bowl.
"Thank you, sister-in-law. I'll help myself." I say quickly.
"Sister-in-law really gets along with Evie." Audrey smiles.
"Evie has a good personality. Everyone likes her." Eleanor responds with a smile.
My face turns even redder. I blush all the way to my ears. I don't know how to respond.
"Evie doesn't need everyone to like her. Just my love is enough." Alexander turns to look at me. He answers with a smile.
I freeze. I stare blankly into his eyes.
I realize Alexander's love mode is starting again. Whether I can cooperate or not. Whether I'm used to it or not.
"Mom, you have such good taste. The daughter-in-law you chose for Gray is exactly his type. How long have they been married? Look, Gray is showing off his love to us nonstop." Scarlett laughs.
"That's good." Eleanor smiles.
Alexander and I stare at each other. We look like a pair of lovers in love.
But right now, my eyes are clearly asking him— What are you doing?
Alexander smiles back innocently. What are you talking about? I don't understand.
The meal continues. Alexander is in high spirits. I force a smile, but inside I'm depressed.
"Aren't you staying home tonight?" Scarlett asks as Alexander prepares to take me back to the apartment.
"Evie still has homework. Her books are all at the apartment. We're going back first." Alexander explains.
"Homework still needs to be done. Go back to the apartment first. Come have dinner when you have time." Eleanor says.
Alexander nods and reaches out his hand to me.
I freeze for a moment. Then I react. Awkwardly, I take his hand. I say goodbye to Eleanor. Then I follow Alexander out of Sterling Mansion.
Once we're outside, I let go.
I can't help sighing. Alexander is a true movie king.
Even I, his client, almost believe he really loves me.
I shiver at the thought. I'm thinking too much.
We leave Sterling Mansion and go straight back to the apartment. I tidy up my things. I grab a change of clothes. I want to take a shower first, then read for a while.
But as soon as I reach the bathroom door, it opens from the inside before I touch the handle.
I freeze. I stare at Alexander standing there, bare-chested.
"You want to take a shower?" He asks.
I scream. I close my eyes and shout every word I can think of. "Pervert! Exhibitionist! Pervert—"
"Shut up!" He yells.
"..." I fall silent immediately. I purse my lips and close my mouth.
"Who wears clothes in the shower? Is there something wrong with that?"
"You already showered?"
"When I came out, I had to shower again." Alexander grabs my arms, lifts me up, and sets me aside. Then he walks past me like I'm an obstacle in his way.
I'm stunned for a long time. Finally, I come back to myself. I turn around and ask, "So you have a cleanliness habit?"
"Yes. So you'd better have one too."
"That's what gay people are like." I don't hear his words. I just mutter to myself.
"What did you say?" He turns around.
"Nothing, nothing. I'm going to take a shower. That... do you want to go out for a while?" I turn to ask again.
Only then do I realize Alexander isn't completely naked. He's still wearing a bath towel around his waist.
Alexander ignores me. Like he didn't hear a word I said.
I pout and mutter, "Then don't peek."
"Little kid. What's there to see?" Alexander turns to me calmly.
I'm embarrassed. "Then don't peek!" I respond.
Then I walk into the bathroom and close the door.
After entering the bathroom, I realize Alexander just called me a little kid. He called me a little kid.
Forget it. Adults don't hold grudges against children.
Alexander can't help but laugh. If he wanted to see her, would he need to peek?
After my shower, I change clothes. Then I pick up the clothes we changed out of. I want to go to the balcony to wash them.
"What are you doing?" Alexander just finished smoking. He sees me holding clothes out of the bathroom.
"I'm going to wash them. If I don't wash the changed clothes, am I waiting for them to get moldy?" I answer.
"Don't wash them. The union will send them to the dry cleaner tomorrow."
"All your clothes go to the dry cleaner?"
"Yes." Alexander answers.
It's strange to think about this kid's question. Otherwise, does he have time to wash his own clothes?
"Then these big clothes should go to the dry cleaner. But it's better to wash your underwear by hand." I stop halfway through my sentence.
My ears start to turn red.
Finally, I just don't respond. I turn back to the bathroom. I pick out Alexander's dry-clean-only clothes and put them back in the basket. As for my own clothes and his personal clothes, I wash them by hand.
I have to wash them myself anyway.
I go to the balcony with our clothes. Half an hour later, I hang them up and go back inside.
Alexander is on the phone. I don't disturb him. I grab a pen and a book. I sit on the sofa and read quietly.
After Alexander finishes his call, he turns around. He sees me lying on the coffee table, writing something. He frowns. "Why are you reading here?"
"Can't I read here?" I turn my head.
"It's not that you can't. But it's not good. Lying like this is bad for your eyes and your health. I'll have Grace prepare a desk for you tomorrow. Tonight, you can use my study." Alexander explains.
"I don't want to lie on my stomach. I can read here." I smile.
"Whatever you want." Alexander doesn't force me. He sits down on the single sofa nearby.
I was fine reading by myself before. But now that Alexander is here, I can't concentrate.
After a while, I look up at him. "Are you not busy?"
"What's up?" He asks.
"Nothing. I just thought if you're busy, don't worry about me. I can pass the time by myself. I'll go to sleep when I'm tired." I explain with a smile.
"I'm not busy." Alexander says quietly.
"Oh." I answer, disappointed.
The next second, I look up at him again. "Do you want to go to sleep first?"
"You want to sleep?"
"No, no. It's just that you're sitting here. I can't concentrate on reading." I shrink back, but I still answer.
Alexander looks at me without speaking.
"That... I don't mean anything else. Don't misunderstand. I'm just not used to it. Otherwise, I'll go into the bedroom and read."
"How can you study in the bedroom? You read here. I'll go to the study."
"Oh, okay." I answer with a sigh of relief and a smile.
Alexander walks to the study door. He looks back. "Have I caused you a lot of pressure?"
"No, no! You're fine!" I shake my head.
The next second, I'm a little embarrassed. I said no, but why did I add— You're fine!