The first weird thing that happened with Alexander was when I wanted to get into the car and he refused to move. Amelia was on the other side, so I couldn't go there, and Alexander refused to sit in the middle. I kindly asked him to step out so I can go in and then he can come in again.

He refused my request with a big satisfaction written all over his face. I wanted to slap him.

Instead of doing that, I took a deep breath and prayed to all the stars above to give me the strength to not kill him.

And then I just put both of my hands on his thighs and climbed into the car since I was definitely not taking a chance and climbing in it with my back to him. I saw how that amused expression fell from his face when I stepped in and it caused us to have our faces only a few inches apart.

I felt his breath all over my cheeks and it caused them to flame and coat in redness. I quickly looked down and moved, sitting down next to him.

After that, Alexander didn't move the whole drive to the restaurant. He didn't look at me even once. He sat there with his arms crossed, looking out of the window the whole time, not saying a word.

Amelia happily filled in the silence in the car.

We go to Marcus, a restaurant that's not so far away. When I step a foot inside, I instantly get uncomfortable by all the bliss and elegance. It makes me feel like I don't belong here. I'm not used to luxury things. I lived in bad conditions in France, and seeing all this bliss around me is something very new to him.

I cast a look at Alexander to see how he's dealing with all of this, but like usual, he has a bored look on his face, like he'd rather be somewhere else than here. Probably in Islington, riding that motorcycle with his friends.

Once I look at Alexander, I find myself having a hard time looking away. I never thought he could get any more attractive, but, dear God, if only I could take a picture of him right now ...

I quickly remove my eyes from him when I realise where my thoughts are going again. What is wrong with me? This is the guy who called me names, threatened me, made me feel like pure shit, and I'm here worshipping his looks.

I don't need that in my life. I'm glad he's not someone else, I'm glad Alexander is the way he is. My life is complicated enough as it is. And I'm leaving in a few months anyway. If I fell in love here, that would end up badly.

We sit down at the table that Rosalyn and Alfred made reservations for.

And when I see all that cutlery in front of me, I just want to scream out in panic. What do I do with all this stuff?

The second weird thing Alexander does is right then. He wraps his arm around my shoulders – since he's sitting right next to me (the lucky stars decided not to be on my side today), and leans close to my ear. "The way you're staring down at that cutlery, it looks like you can communicate with it."

I look down to my right, staring at his hand that's on my shoulder, wanting to burn it with my stare. Then I look to my left and have to lean my head back so I don't hit my head with his, that's how close he is.

"Remove your hand or you'll be surprised how fast you'll have that fork stabbed into it," I say under my breath, with a fake smile and big eyes so he knows I mean business.

To be honest, I've been pissed at him ever since he walked out of the house like everything was fine. I barred my soul to him yesterday night, and he just left, leaving me out there, alone in the cold. I admit I expected something else, some kind word maybe, but leaving so cold-heartedly ...

Alexander chuckles under his breath but removes his arm. I can breathe easily after that. I don't know what I should expect from him tonight, but I'm holding a grudge towards him. I told him some things that revealed how vulnerable I am and him leaving like that, without saying anything, hurt more than it would if he'd reply with something mean.

I search for the eye drops I'm always having with me in my purse and give them to Alexander. "And for God's sake, go put this in your eyes, because everyone knows how high you are just by one look at you," I tell him.

I chance a look at Alfred and Rosalyn who are busy listening to what Amelia is telling them.

"Why should I care if anyone knows?" Alexander snorts in his typical response.

I slap the tiny bottle in his chest. "Go," I grit out. The one time we went somewhere out and Alfred and Rosalyn made effort, Alexander has to disrespect them like that.

Alexander grins. "Tigress," he whispers.

But he, much to my surprise, stands up and heads to the restroom. Rosalyn frowns when she notices him going from the table, but doesn't comment anything on it.

Our waiter comes to our table, but Rosalyn tells him to just wait for a few minutes because we're still waiting for Alexander to come back.

And when he does, his eyes aren't that red anymore, although if you look close, like I am right now, you definitely see it.

"Stop playing a detective, Little one."

I take the tiny bottle of eye drops he's holding out for me and stick it back inside my purse. "Someone has to," I reply back with sarcasm.

"Not you," Alexander insists.

I look at him in exasperation and just let out a long exhale.

The waiter comes back and we're all ready to order drinks. When I order a glass of water, Alexander just can't help himself when he leans down to my ear and says quietly, "Yeah, better, let's not show my parents how bold you get when you have alcohol in you."

My cheeks flame and if I had that damn water in front of me, I'd throw it in his face for bringing that up. That stupid, stupid kiss that should have never happened, especially not with Alexander.

I elbow him at the side, doing this without thinking, and keep staring forward, hoping he doesn't see how red and hot my face is. "Shut up," I grit out.

Alexander instantly leans away from me and sends me a glare. "Wrong move, Little one," he mouths, placing his hand on the spot I elbowed him.

I roll my eyes in his direction, showing him I don't care.

"Gabby!"

I jump up on my seat. "Oh," I let out, looking and Rosalyn. "Yeah?"

She's looking at me and Alexander in wonder. I flush for whatever reason. I don't know why Sam even bothered with make-up today since it's going to burn from my face, literally.

"Is Alex distracting you?" Rosalyn asks, now with a smile.

I flush even harder. "N-no. Of course not," I stammer, clearing my throat. Oh, ground, please open up and swallow me now.

"Mum!" Alexander protests by my side like a small kid and when I look at him, I see the red spreading on his neck.

If it was any other situation and if it were anywhere else, I'd turn to look at him and stare in awe that I'm seeing Alexander Holt embarrassed.

"The waiter's asking you what you'd like to eat," Alfred kindly informs me.

"Oh." I only now see the waiter standing by my chair with a polite expression. I swear my whole face must be red as a tomato and I'm getting so hot, I'm starting so sweat.

Alexander and I quickly order, both of us trying to get rid of the attention we're getting from everyone – yes, even Amelia is staring at us with curiosity, like she's seeing something no one else is and she's trying to figure it all out.

The dinner goes on without any other embarrassing moments from my way. Alfred and Rosalyn were talking to each other and occasionally trying to include Alexander in conversation, but he just wouldn't want to.

So they asked about me and I gave her some brief answers, the basis, nothing too deep, nothing too dark.

Alexander surprised me during the dinner by doing the third thing that threw me off guard. He casually put his big palm on my tights covered thigh and leaned into my side. "Pass me some pepper?"

I almost dropped my fork in surprise. But I didn't, thankfully. I caught myself, but I did freeze completely and the fork stayed in the air, halfway to my mouth.

I looked down at his hand on my leg like an alien landed there.

Then I stared coldly into Alexander's smiling eyes. He's enjoying this and he's doing all of this on purpose. He wants to confuse me, wants to see my discomfort.

I put a sugary smile on my face. "Sure," I say sweetly. I hand him the pepper and when he takes it from me, I slap his hand from my thigh, hating that it leaves that burning sensation after it.

Alexander chuckles under his breath and shakes his head, repeating the word he apparently likes to say tonight, "Hide your claws, tigress."

I inhale sharply, focusing on not stabbing the fork at the side of his head.

"Mum," Amelia suddenly speaks up, still looking at us. "Is Sophie not coming anymore because Gabby is Alex's friend now?"

I stare at Amelia, not processing her words, not knowing what she's asking. I only realise what she meant when the whole table falls silent. And I stare at the little three-year-old in mortification.

That's it. I'm going to die tonight. I'm going to burn from the embarrassment. My palms are sweaty and my legs are trembling. My heart is beating so fast in my chest, I can feel it against my ribcage.

This can not be happening. Not now, not to me. Please, God, stop punishing me already ...

And then everyone starts speaking at once.

"Well, the thing is –"

"We don't really –"

But the loudest and the one that can be heard over both of Rosalyn and Alfred's poor start of an explanation is Alexander's loud denial, "Of course not! I don't know how anyone would even think something like that," his voice is accompanied with heavy disgust.

I only sit there with my hands in my lap, staring down at the table, hearing it go silent again. Well. That escalated quickly.

I take a big sip from my glass, letting the water cool my burning body, but it's not much help, now wishing I ordered something stronger.

I feel eyes on me. Rosalyn is watching me with compassion. I don't look at her.

Alexander's answer was ... expected. And nothing but the truth. I knew he was going to deny it immediately, maybe even say some nasty remark.

So why did I feel hurt by his words?

When I feel brave enough and strong enough to look up and put a somewhat of a smile on my face, staring right at Amelia.

"What Alexander and I have is not like what he and she .. had," I explain to Amelia softly.

I feel Alexander's eyes on me. "What you wanted to say, Little one, is that we don't have anything. What you and I have is nothing."

My mouth tightens at his words. Keep stabbing me, will you?

I look at Alexander with fake calmness. There's a storm inside of me, a thunder-storm, leaving my insides a mess. My mind is all over the place, the bile in my throat is getting bigger and bigger.

What the hell is going on? Why ... why did his words hurt so much when I shouldn't even care about them?

I exhale. And inhale. And say, "Yeah. That's exactly what I meant," to Alexander's unchanging face.

Then I stand up, the chair sliding back loudly. "Excuse me," I tell everyone. I feel three pairs of eyes on my back as I quickly walk towards the restroom, speeding in there to calm down my racing heart and try to cool down my hot body.