CHAPTER 30: AN UNEXPECTED VISIT

"Alexander Reid?" When Evelyn nodded, Melissa did not say anything.

For a moment, the silence stretched thin between them.

Melissa blinked once and then twice as if processing the name.

"The same Alexander Reid who was in the headlines with you a few weeks ago?" she asked slowly.

Evelyn winced slightly. "Yes, that Alexander."

Melissa crossed her arms again, studying her daughter’s face carefully. "You didn’t tell us you were seeing him."

"I am not—" Evelyn started, then paused. "It was just dinner. He asked and I just said yes."

Melissa’s expression didn’t soften yet but there was no anger in it either. "I see." She turned slightly, walking toward the living room as she gestured for Evelyn to follow.

And Evelyn did with her heart thudding nervously. She wasn’t sure how her parents would react with the idea of her going out for dinner with Alexander. This is why she didn’t tell them about it.

Melissa stopped near the coffee table and looked at her again "Was it a date?"

Evelyn hesitated. "I don’t think so. It was just dinner." She frowned, she also wasn’t sure if it was a date.

Melissa nodded slowly, as though confirming something to herself. "And how was it?"

Evelyn blinked, caught off guard by the question. "What?"

Her mother looked at her with a faint, knowing smile flickering on her lips. "The dinner, was it good?"

Evelyn’s lips parted, and for a moment, she forgot how to answer. "It was nice," she said softly. "It was simple. He took me to this small pizzeria. Nothing fancy, nothing for show, just quiet and easy."

Melissa’s expression softened slightly but her voice stayed measured. "You look happy."

Evelyn exhaled. "I am." She then shrugged her shoulders, "At least I think I am."

Melissa was quiet for a while but her eyes were thoughtful. Then she said gently, "I can’t pretend I am not surprised. You just got out of something difficult and I don’t want you walking into something new because it feels like comfort or worse, a rebound."

Evelyn nodded slowly, her gaze dropping to her hands. "I know. I didn’t plan this. It just happened and it’s definitely not a rebound."

Her mother studied her for another moment. The way her daughter’s voice softened when she said his name, the flicker of light in her eyes that had been missing for weeks, she noticed it all

Finally, Melissa sighed, walking closer and touching Evelyn’s cheek lightly. "You are an adult, Evie. I won’t tell you who to see or not to see but I trust you to know what feels right."

Evelyn’s throat tightened a little. "You are not upset?"

"I am not thrilled—" Melissa admitted honestly, "but I am not against it either. If you believe this is right and if you believe he is right then you have my support."

Something in Evelyn eased. The tension she hadn’t realized she had been carrying melted into a soft, grateful smile. "Thank you, Mom. But there is nothing going on between us."

"But there is a chance?" When Evelyn fumbled to answer, Melissa smiled faintly as she brushed a strand of hair from her daughter’s face. "Just don’t lose yourself trying to fix someone else again, hmm?"

"I won’t," Evelyn promised.

Melissa nodded. "Good. Now go get some sleep before your father wakes up and starts asking why I am interrogating people at midnight."

Evelyn laughed softly. "Goodnight, Mom."

"Goodnight, sweetheart," Melissa said as she watched her daughter walk toward her room.

When Evelyn’s door closed, Melissa lingered for a moment in the hallway. She didn’t look worried.

Despite everything that had happened, she knew Alexander was a distinguished gentleman and the best Reid male that had ever existed.

In fact, she had always believed that Alexander took all the good genetic material leaving none for Jack.

Even though she wouldn’t say it aloud, she truly hoped that this time, her daughter’s heart would be in gentler hands.

...

[Next Day]

The sun was dipping low when Alexander’s car rolled up to the Carter driveway. The polished black sedan looked almost out of place among the gentle garden vines and pale stone path.

He could have easily sent one of his men to return Evelyn’s car as that would have been practical, professional. But he decided to do it himself as he really wanted to see her.

After reaching home from their simple-dinner last night, Alexander had messaged her to which he got a reply immediately.

In fact, they ended up chatting for a while before saying their goodnights.

He wanted to message her again this morning but he decided to take Lucas’ advice of not wanting to look desperate and ended up spending the whole day regretting his decision.

Alexander stepped out of the car and froze, suddenly realizing that maybe he was over-stepping and there was a chance it would freak Evelyn out.

Maybe he was going too fast or pushing her too much.

When all the overthinking started getting on his nerves, he was about to hop back in the car and drive away when the front door opened.

A house help stepped out first followed by Evelyn.

"Alexander?" A surprise flashed on her face which made it clear that she wasn’t expecting to see him at all.

Alexander managed to give her a faint smile. "O came to return your car."

She glanced at her car which somehow looked more polished and cleaner than the last time she had seen it. "You shouldn’t have taken the trouble."

"I thought I should make sure everything was fine."

Evelyn hesitated.. "You didn’t have to—"

"I wanted to," he said simply.

Before she could respond, another voice floated from inside.

"Evie, who is it?"

Melissa Carter appeared in the doorway with the apron still on and her hair pinned up neatly. She paused when her eyes fell on Alexander.

"Mr. Reid," she greeted with polite surprise. "Well, this is unexpected."

Alexander inclined his head respectfully. "Mrs. Carter. I apologize for the unannounced visit. I just came to drop Evelyn’s car. And please call me Alexander."

"Oh, that is very kind of you." Melissa’s smile carried a touch of curiosity that made Evelyn’s stomach tighten. "Won’t you come in for a minute? It’s almost dinner."

"That’s all right, really—" Evelyn started but her mother shot her a look that said ’don’t you dare be rude’.

"Nonsense," Melissa said smoothly. "You must be hungry after all that traffic. We are having dinner anyway. You must stay Alexander."

Alexander hesitated with his instinct pulling him toward refusal but her tone left little room for it. He met Evelyn’s eyes and there was exasperation there but also the faintest flicker of amusement.

He gave a small nod. "All right. Thank you."

Melissa’s smile widened, "Good. Evelyn, help me set the table."

Evelyn sighed softly but obeyed. "Yes, Mom."

....