Chapter 29 Perfect Family
Wiliam tried to cheer up the atmosphere: “Oh, come on Eva, you just broke my heart, girl, Are you tired by my company or hospitality?"
Eva looked at William with her teary eyes and smiled at his teasing. “Not, it’s not like, “that I am just missing my house."
“Hmm, ok, I believe you. Now come on, breakfast. Allow your dad to have some breakfast. After all, he is exhausted from a long journey.”
“Yes, dear, just freshen up first. See how tears are making you look, “Rose advised her. Eva gave a warm smile to her and left for her room.
As soon as she left the room, Stephen couldn’t hold up his concern
“Mr. Johnson, I know you are furious about the news, but it is just a made-up story of the media. I know as a father you are worried about her but it’s not her fault so please reconsider your decision. Trust us, we will not let any harm reach Eva."
Michael glanced at the young man, who was looking worried at even the thought of Eva leaving this house. He gave a warm smile at him and started
"Relax; I am not furious. ‘’ Rose already told me about the circumstances. And I know Eva, my girl, is not so weak she will handle herself. I agree with her demand because she will not listen to me in this state now. I know how much she wanted to complete that course.”
Stephen released a deep sigh, as it was like he got his breathing back. The moment Michael uttered those words, his world stopped for a second. It took him some minutes to understand what Michael meant.
Now he was at peace that his Eva was not going anywhere.
Eva returned to the dining room, where her dad and Smith family were waiting for her. She got settled beside her dad. Stephen noticed her face gleaming with happiness as if she got her world back
Breakfast was served. Eva was going to bite into the pancake, but Michael held the spoon in between. The Smith family was observing all this in amazement
“Be careful, dear, it’s hot."
Eva gleamed at him and gave an understanding nod, then she picked it in a small bite.
Rose was again trying to keep up the moisture on her eyes, as Michael was like a mother and father both for her dear daughter.
William held her hand to console her. He knew what she was going through; Lisa was a very close friend to her. Lisa’s Demise shattered rose too
All the breakfast time, Stephen noticed how close Eva was to her dad. A part of his possessive beast was not liking it, but he decided that one day Eva would be as close to her as she was to her father.
After breakfast, Eva took Michael into her room, as she has too many things to share with her dad.
Michael was hesitant, but William encouraged him, as they were pleased to watch Eva behaving normally again.
Eva started nonstop talking about her classes, how Rose loves her, and how Steve used to tease her before, but now he is a loyal friend. She never mentioned Stephen‘s name once
Whereas it surprised Michael to observe this as Rose told him once how Stephen’s attitude changed after Eva’s entrance to their family.
But listening to Eva, he doesn’t think that her daughter is even appreciating him
“And what about Stephen?”
Eva's smiling face got tensed; she just snickered and replied to her dad
“What about him?”
“I mean, doesn’t he take care of you?”
"Not really. I mean, dad, he is a very introverted person. He doesn’t talk much, and trust me, it’s like God’s blessing in disguise."
“Hmm, why so?”
Eva whispered to him like she was sharing a secret: “He only uses words to order or scold someone; I am a little afraid of him."
"Ooh, ok."
“So dad, should I start with my packing and when we leave?"
"I will tell you later. For now, let me go downstairs, as what will Rose and William think about me? Let me spend some time with them too."
“Ooh yes, ok, I will also come with you."
“Eva, dear, I have a request. It has been days since I had devoured your handmade cupcakes and ideally missed it. Can you please make it for me?”
Eva again flashed a smile at him
“Yes, dad, sure, I am on it."
Michael was relieved, as he wanted some alone time to discuss something important with Rose and William. When they reached the living room, Eva announced she was going to make cupcakes, and, as expected, Steve got ready to help her. Soon they both left for the kitchen.
Whereas William and Rose understood that Michael cleverly distracted her, William started
“Come on, Michael, let’s go to our study."
Whereas Stephen just went to finish some work, “
“What do you mean the Liam Hudson knows about her presence in LA and in your house?"
“We met him at a party."
“Did he meet Eva too? “
"Yes, but they didn’t get time to converse. But Michael, I want to suggest something. Eva is a grown-up girl now, and she is much more mature for her age. Why don’t you tell her?
“I know, I have to tell her, but I don't know how she will take it. I mean, how will she react that after being the heiress of a rich household, I deprived her of living a life like a middle-class girl? I mean, that’s the thing that I can afford
I hope she will not hate us for not providing her the privileges that she has the right to.
Wiliam and rose knew why Michael feared the truth, but he has to tell her someday
“She is going to turn 21 tomorrow, Michael. She will understand the reasons. After all, next year she has to meet the lawyers. So there is no other option, then you should tell her before she could know about it from others and that will hurt her. “
“Well, I want to notify you one more thing: his son is studying with Eva. “
“Did..? “ Michael was tensed again and William got his suspicion before he could even speak
"Relax; I don’t think he knows much. Maybe he is also oblivious to the truth of his relationship with Eva. “
“And don’t worry, we already told Eva to stay away from him, as we are business rivals."
"Hmm, you did the right thing. Tomorrow is her birthday, and that’s why I am here. I think I should tell her the truth tomorrow only before I get too late.
“Yes, that will be better for her too, and whatever you announce in the living room? I mean, I hope it’s not true. You are not taking her back now.
"Rose, I was just consoling her at that time, but once my project is completed, I will take it.”
“And what do you think about her future ?“
“You know already how precious she is to me, but I really want to marry her to some boy after she completes her education, as I want to put her responsibility in safe hands before I leave this world."
“Don’t talk like that, but I want to. Look, Michael, don’t mind my word or take it in the wrong way, but I just want to.”
“Rose, not now, “ William tried to stop Rose in a stern voice
. Their behavior surprised Michael
“Rose, why are you hesitant? I mean, me, tell me, is there any problem? I mean, did Eva do something wrong?“
“Yes, she did."
“ What?”
Michael's alertness heightened as he recognized that his daughter can be childish at times, causing him to feel scared now.
“She stole my son’s heart."
"Hmm, what do you mean?”
"Stephen is in love with her.”
“Did He tell you this?”
“That’s the problem. He is too stubborn to convey this to us. But trust me, he will prove to be the best life partner for her and we will take care of Eva. “
Michael lost in deep thoughts; an uncomfortable silence occupied the study room. Rose was regretting her eagerness now. Maybe she should not have come up with this now. She was just wishing that Michael should not refuse this.
William noticed the tension on Michael’s face, so he handled the situation in his own way
“Michael you don’t have to take any stress; we are just sharing our son’s feelings for your daughter If you have the slightest doubt on Stephen, then you are free to refuse this proposal, and I am giving you my word that I and rose will not judge you; we are ready to accept your decision
Michael took a deep sigh. "What are you even saying? Stephen is a suitable match for Eva. I know this after all; he is your son. I know about your upbringing, and trust me, it’s not about Stephen.
It’s about Eva; you know, today when she was discussing her stay here with me, she didn’t even talk about Stephen; she has all the praise for you both and Steve, but she doesn’t like Stephen much.
I mean, it’s not that she hates him either. ”
Rose chuckled. ‘ I can understand her situation.
Actually, Stephen is a very introverted person, and his cold behavior made people nervous around him.
So Eva is just scared of his hard tone, but I know my son has a soft and caring side, too.
To our surprise, Eva became the first person beside us for whom Stephen showed this much care. ".
"Sorry, Rose, but I am not getting it. What are you implying at “
Rose smiled and then narrated how Stephen used to arrange a midnight meal for Eva and he was so eager for her security that he used to lock her door for the night
It surprised Michael to know so much, but he was still not conclusive of locking her room
“Rose and William, as I told you, I have no problem with Stephen, but for me, Eva’s consent for this relationship is a must.
I want her to share her life with someone whom she will love, respect and trust
Rather than with a person whom she fears.”
Rose and William count on his point of view and agree to the same.
"We so much agree with you. Don't worry, nothing will change between us whether this alliance will happen. “
“Michael, it will be better that we should ask Eva about this after her stay is over at our place. I am sure my son will definitely win her heart till then. And as you are going to tell her the truth tomorrow, I think it’s already too much for her to take.
Don’t mind me. I just don’t want to make her nervous around Stephen by revealing his interest in her. ”
Michael gave a nod at her, and after that, they reached the living room.
On the other side, Eva and Steve were bantering over the recipe
"No, dear, you didn’t mix this last time."
“Steve, this is my mom’s recipe I had made this a hundred times before, so how could you say that I forgot the ingredient? Now give me that. “
Eva started snatching the glass bowl from Steve, but Steve didn’t budge
"No, you didn’t mix it last time, “Steve said, pulling back the glass bowl
"Steve, give me that." Eva again tried to snatch it and so they again started battling over it
“What’s going on here?”
An impersonal voice startled them, and both of them dropped the bowl. As a result, the glass pieces scattered on the floor before Stephen could stop. Eva accidentally places her foot on one sharp glass piece.
A loud scream escaped from her mouth. Before Steve would realize Stephen rushed to her andher in his arms, he took her to the adjacent dining room
Eva started weeping badly as it still stabbed the glass piece in her foot
Stephen made her settle on the chair and kneel to look at her injury. He placed her wounded foot on his knee. The glass piece was sharp and had stabbed her foot, causing it to bleed. It was necessary to remove the glass piece first, but Eve was not letting him even touch it in fear of upcoming pain
“Eva, please let us remove it." Steve requested
“No… Steve, call dad. He will take care of it."
Stephen looked at Steve and then signaled something from his eyes. Steve just nodded at him, whereas Eva was so busy in her crying that she didn’t notice it
"Yes, Steve, call Mr. Johnson. He should also know what kind of crybaby his darling daughter is—so weak, so fragile."
Eva‘s pain subsided with rage listening to Stephen's “ harsh words, She retorted
"No, I am not weak; I am a strong girl." Eva stated confidentially, still wincing in pain
“Eva, I think Stephen is stating the fact. I mean, look. How are you crying out his name and looking like a crybaby?"
Now Eva forgot about her injury and pain and gave a death glare at Steve
"I'm not a crybaby, got it."
“You are."
“. No."
“Yes “
As they were busy in argument, Stephen was quick enough to pluck the glass piece in one tug. And again, her scream echoed through the hall. Eva hugged Stephen in pain, who started patting her back, kissing on her hair, and saying sweet words to her.
Steve was looking at his brother, who was so much in love with Eva and truly cares for her
They were unaware of the presence of three more people in the room who were watching the scene unfold
When they entered the living room, they heard the scream of Eva, Michael was going to rush to her but Rose interrupted him
“Wait for sometime; you will know why I was sure about them as a couple.”
Michael wanted to decline her, but he also wanted to observe what Rose is implying is right or wrong
They saw it all—how Steve and Stephen distracted her first, then how Stephen helped her with her wound.
It took aback Michael when he saw Eva hugging Stephen, whereas Steve was also present there. He understood what Rose was implying, too. He smiled at the scene where Stephen was bandaging her wound and Steve was feeding her chocolate as a reward for acting courageously.
Michael wiped the moisture from his eyes as he was overwhelmed to find a perfect family for his princess, who will care for her.
And Stephen was a perfect man for his Eva.