CHAPTER 24: NOT ENOUGH MUSCLES?

A tall figure appeared in the doorway and Evelyn felt her heart plummet straight to her stomach.

Alexander appeared and she froze.

He looked the same, sharp, composed and effortlessly magnetic but his expression faltered slightly when his gaze met hers and a flicker of disbelief then something unreadable crossed his eyes.

Pauline looked up and surprise flickered briefly across her face before settling into a knowing calm. "Alexander, what a pleasant surprise."

Margaret, however, was practically glowing.

"Well, speak of the devil," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "I was beginning to think you have forgotten your old grandmother."

"Grandmother," Alexander greeted evenly with a polite but cautious tone. "You called me this morning and said it was important."

"Oh, it is—" Margaret said with an innocent smile that fooled absolutely no one. "Come, come, you are just in time. I was about to introduce you to my newest recruit for the charity event."

Evelyn’s lips parted and her pulse thudded in her ears. "I—" she began but was interrupted by Margaret and a wave of dismissiveness with her hand.

"Oh, hush, dear. You two already know each other, don’t you? I think you both will be a great team," she said with exaggerated innocence. "Such a small world, imagine my delight when I realized that you both agreed to help me."

Alexander’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "You didn’t mention Evelyn would be here."

"And you didn’t ask," Margaret replied, utterly unbothered. "Now, come sit before the tea gets cold. Pauline makes the best scones in the family but how would you know?" She scoffed, "Always rushing off to your gloomy office every chance you get."

Pauline, who had been watching the scene unfold, hid a soft sigh and smiled gently. "Mother, don’t tease him too much."

"Tease?" Margaret gasped. "I am only telling the truth."

Alexander took the seat opposite to Evelyn. When their eyes meet briefly, both awkwardly smile at each other before darting away just as quickly.

Evelyn couldn’t understand why she was feeling so flustered after seeing him. It was his mother’s house so his unexpected visit wasn’t something outrageous or suspicious.

She then looked at Margaret who was now scolding Alexander for being too skinny and that if he didn’t focus on building more muscles, he would have a difficult time finding a woman.

"My muscles are fine, grandma—" Alexander retorted for the third time.

"No they are not." Margaret frowned. "Come here, let me measure it."

Alexander sighed and looked at his mother for some form of support but to his disappointment, Pauline just shrugged and continued drinking her tea.

"You don’t believe me?" When he pretended not to hear her, Margaret looked at Evelyn. "Evelyn, can you feel Alexander’s biceps and tell him that it is not big enough."

Evelyn almost choked on her tea. Coughing vigorously, she patted her chest. "Excuse me—" she then turned around continuing coughing.

"Oh dear—" Pauline quickly approached her and gently massaged her back. "You should be careful dear."

Evelyn waved a hand, still catching her breath. "I am fine—really," she managed between coughs, cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink.

Margaret, however, seemed positively delighted. "See?" she said smugly. "Even the poor girl can’t handle your lack of proper muscle tone. You need to start training, Alexander."

Alexander exhaled a quiet, suffering sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Grandmother, please refrain from involving innocent bystanders in your schemes."

Pauline laughed softly, though she tried to hide it behind her cup. "Mother, you really should stop tormenting him. The poor boy has had enough for one morning."

"Oh, nonsense," Margaret said airily. "It builds character and humility."

Alexander’s gaze flicked toward Evelyn then, just for a second, but long enough for her to notice the faint amusement tugging at his mouth.

When she noticed him looking at her, she looked away quickly, pretending to examine the teacup in her hand.

"So—" Margaret began cheerfully, "I was just telling Pauline yesterday how lucky I am to have you both helping me. Alexander with the logistics and you know how good he is with... handling things and Evelyn with the creative side."

She clapped her hands excitedly. "A perfect match, if you ask me."

Evelyn nearly choked on her tea again.

And Pauline shot her mother-in-law a look."Mother—"

"Oh, I am only speaking professionally," Margaret said with mock innocence but her grin was positively mischievous.

Alexander’s gaze shifted toward Evelyn. "Are you helping with the event?"

"Yes," Evelyn said, forcing calm into her voice. "Mrs. Reid asked yesterday but I didn’t know you would be involved."

"Neither did I," he replied with his eyes flicking briefly to his grandmother. "Seems we were both ambushed."

Margaret clapped her hands together, delighted. "Nonsense. I simply saw an opportunity for good teamwork. You two have chemistry." She let the word linger with a wicked twinkle in her eye.

Pauline pressed her lips together, clearly suppressing a laugh. "Mother, perhaps we should eat first, I am sure everyone is hungry.."

"Ah, yes. A good idea," Margaret said standing up. "Eat, both of you. It’s much harder to argue with your mouths full."

Despite herself, Evelyn smiled faintly. The whole situation was absurd and uncomfortable, yet somehow not as unbearable as she had feared. There was warmth there, even in the awkward silences.

Lunch passed in a haze of conversation, mostly Margaret’s filled with light teasing and old family stories. Every time Evelyn thought she could breathe again, Margaret found another way to draw attention back to the two of them.

By the time plates were cleared, Pauline offered a kind, apologetic smile toward Evelyn. "I hope mother hasn’t been too much of a handful."

"Never," Margaret declared dramatically. "I am a delight."

Evelyn laughed softly. "It’s been lively."

"Okay so shall we get to work?" Margaret along with Alexander and Evelyn started discussing the details of the charity.

All the chores of the charity had been divided among four or five people and Margaret had taken up the responsibility of the menu and all the shopping.

"So it’s settled," Margaret stated. "We will finalise the menu after the tasting which is in two days and for the shopping, Alexander will do it according to the list."

"I can ask my assistant."

"Ask whoever you want to but I want you to be present for the tasting," Margaret declared, leaving no room for discussion.

Left with no other choice, he nodded. "Yes ma’am."

.....

Soon it was time for Evelyn to leave.

As she stood to leave, Pauline walked her to the door and Margaret followed but she was looking far too pleased with herself.

"Are you sure you don’t want Alexander to drop you home, dear?" Margaret asked sweetly. "It’s no trouble at all."

Evelyn shook her head quickly. "Thank you but I drove here."

"Ah, independent. I like that," Margaret said approvingly.

But when they stepped Evelyn’s car sat in the driveway and something was wrong.

.....