Chapter 4 He Stood Her Up

• “ Xander, are you getting married? “
• Linda puffy eyes, red to the brim with pain and sadness questioned Alexander. Alexander was shocked because he never expected such question from her. His neutral expression rolled in just as he adjusted himself to make her sit up on the bed.
• “ I am getting married Linda, this is what I can do to make my grandpa happy, Alexander explained to her.
• Linda broke down again in terrible sobs as she begged Alexander not to get married.
• “ You can't get married Alexander, what would happen to me now? We have been together for long now and if you were to get married it should be me, just please do something, I can't bear seeing you married to another woman”
• Her sobbing body clashed with Alexander's rigid one as he coaxed her to stop crying, he hates seeing her sad and if it was within his jurisdiction, he would have listen to her but this was out of his control now. He couldn't back down from the marriage….
• Linda eyes dried up as she began to keep calm, her trembling figure adjusting to a stable one as she sat up and looked at Alexander with a blank look.
• “ Who is the lady you are getting married to ? Xander…. Linda hoarse voice from crying asked.
• Alexander thou feeling cautious and knew how Linda would feel still had to tell her, afterall she had the right to know the person he was getting married to.
• “ Her name is Ava” Alexander replied while giving Linda a sorry look. He knew how hurt she was.
• The two of them stayed in as Alexander offered comfort to the silent Linda, their earlier discussed bonding left aside as the pressing matter on ground made them sober.
• As night fell, Linda and Alexander uncurled from the bed and Alexander urged her to take a bath to feel more better, her eyes were still red and puffy , he went down to see if the maid had prepare dinner.
• Left to Linda , she didn't have any appetite to eat but then Alexander pushed her to the dining room and settled down with her. The maid served them with the sad Linda being coaxed by Alexander to eat.
• They both retired to the bedroom for the night as Alexander became relieved when Linda slept off.
• *******
• The following morning
• Alexander sat in the living room waiting for Linda so they could head out, he knew she wasn't over what happened yesterday and still hurting, he felt really sorry for her and just thought only if he could heed to her demands but….
• “ I will be going over to the mansion, I have something to discuss with grandfather, I will just drop you off at your place” Alexander said to Linda when she joined him in the living room.
• Linda' s eyes dimmed but she nodded as they made their way out of the mansion, she was hurting so bad and when they got into the car, Alexander could feel her body warming up.
• “ Are you okay, Linda? Alexander concerned eyes looked her over while asking.
• Linda thought he asked an obvious question because she clearly isn't fine, why was he behaving like he wasn't the one getting married and she was the one having to deal with the pain? But she didn't have the energy and just nodded at him.
• “ Do you want us to go to the hospital then? Alexander asked frankly.
• “ I will just rest when I get home, I don't have any appointments today anyways, so don't worry and go attend to your grandfather, Linda assured.
• Alexander nodded and the car return to silence as the driver drove them out, Alexander dropped her off and headed to his grandfather.
• *****
• Alexander walked into the house and when he was about to ask of his grandfather, he saw him at the dining room having breakfast, he was looking satisfied and Alexander had to join him.
• “ Grandpa, how are you holding up? Alexander asked .
• “ Alexander, I am fine, join me….. His grandfather invited him.
• Sitting down at his left hand side of the dining room, his grandfather was fond of calling him in his full name, the maid served him and he began to eat .
• “Just one more person to join and then we would be complete, his grandfather was saying when Ava came to view in the dining room.
• Ava was looking stunning in the red floral dress with her long hair cascaded down her shoulder. Her smile pure and simple beautiful.
• “ Grandpa Pascal, how are you feeling? Ava asked while greeting him also.
• “ I am fine dear , come join us for breakfast before we have time to talk, Grandpa Pascal doted on her.
• “ Alexander, good morning, Ava greeted and joined them, sitting at the right hand side of the dining room beside Granpa Pascal.
• “ Morning Ava, how are you? Alexander acknowledged her.
• “ I am fine, Ava replied while the maid attended to her.
• “Thanks for the meal Grandpa , Ava beamed and nodded at Alexander who spared her a glance.
• Grandpa Pascal was all smiles, his two favorites people were bonding before his very own eyes, he was glad.
• You are welcome Ava, make yourself feel at home, afterall you are now engaged to Alexander, this is your home now, Grandpa Pascal assured her while looking over at Alexander who was eating his food playing ignorance to their chit chat.
• After breakfast, Grandpa Pascal, Alexander and Ava settled down on the couch in the living room.
• Ava knew that grandpa Pascal excitement was actually going over hers because he had told them specifically to come early in order to start the plans for the wedding, the date he has fixed, our wedding dress and the rest of it. It was like he has foreseen this coming up .
• Congratulations on your engagement, you are soon to be married, grandpa Pascal said while having a smile lingering on his lips.
• “Thanks Grandpa Pascal,
• “Thanks Grandpa
• Ava and Alexander replied respectfully.
• Now we can't afford to delay, I will take care of the other pressing ones, but you two will have to go shopping for your wedding dress today, Alexander, you and Ava will pick your wedding dress at the Fair boutiques, I am sure they will have the right ones, Granpa Pascal offered.
• “ Ok grandpa, we will head there , what dates will the wedding kick off? Alexander asked while rubbing in between his brows.
• “ I have picked 25th of this month, which is in two weeks, I don't want any delay because you two are just right for each other, Granpa Pascal said.
• Ava eyes almost popped out, two weeks??? She thought. Someone was really excited more than she was but she loves the idea afterall it only made it faster and that's fine by her.
• “ I know you want to handle the preparation and planning but don't hesitate to tell me if you need an hand , Alexander offered.
• I have heard but off you go now to pick your wedding dress and suit, I will just be fine, Grandpa Pascal chirped.
• Alexander and Ava walked out and got into the car , his driver drove them out of the house heading to the boutique.
• On the way, silence occupied the car as no discussion was brought up, then Alexander's phone rang out disrupting the silence.
• He glanced at the caller id to see Linda and picked up. His voice soft as he listened to her on the line, he was coaxing her and assured her he would be there in a jiffy.
• Alexander asked the driver to pick up his pace, Ava was silent and just observed how everything was unfolding. When the car finally stopped at the boutique, Ava got down but Alexander didn't make an attempt to.
• Ava looked at him and asked” Aren't you getting down to go in, we need to pick our wedding dress and suit.
• “ Take this card, the amount there is beyond count, you can keep it as my fiancee, just go in and pick whatever you like, I will join you later but I really have to go” Alexander explained as the driver closed the door and drove off.
• Ava watched as the car drove out of sight, she knew deep within her where he was headed, she had heard few of the words the other end was saying and she had to give Linda a thumb up for making him abandon their plans here and ran to her instead.
• But she didn't want to think too much on it, she went in and waited. Hours past and Alexander hasn't come, she didn't have any choice than to go through the wedding dress and finally picked one. She still waited after that , hoping he would show up but then the cloud changed as the day went by quickly till it was evening and Alexander hasn't showed up …….