Risking It All

Chapter 5: "Lunch with Alex"

Eva spent the morning buried in reports, trying to keep her mind focused on work, but Alex’s invitation lingered at the back of her thoughts. A lunch date with Damien’s brother felt… complicated. She had sensed something unspoken between the two men, but she didn’t want to dive headfirst into their tension.

Noon arrived quicker than she expected, and as promised, Alex appeared at her desk with that signature grin of his. He held out a hand dramatically. “Shall we, Miss Sinclair?”

Eva chuckled, grabbing her bag and following him. The rest of the office glanced in their direction, a few curious eyes lingering. She could almost hear the whispers that would start as soon as they left.

They stepped outside into the bright afternoon sun. Alex led her to a sleek black car parked at the curb, opening the door for her with an exaggerated flourish.

“I see chivalry isn’t dead,” Eva teased as she slid into the passenger seat.

“Not when I’m around,” Alex said with a wink as he closed the door behind her and jogged around to the driver’s side.

As they pulled away from the office, Eva couldn’t help but notice how different this felt from her usual workday interactions. With Damien, everything was professional and controlled. But with Alex, the air was lighter, full of spontaneity and unpredictability.

“So, where are we going?” she asked with a small smile.

“It’s a surprise,” Alex said, glancing over at her with a playful smile. “I’m sure you’ll love it.”

They drove through the city, the streets busy with people heading to lunch. After about fifteen minutes, Alex turned down a quiet street lined with trees, pulling up to a charming little café tucked away from the hustle and bustle. It had outdoor seating under a canopy of vines, and the whole place exuded a cozy, hidden-away vibe.

“Wow, this place is beautiful,” Eva said as they stepped out of the car.

Alex grinned. “Told you it’d be worth it.”

They sat at a small table outside, the shade from the trees casting dappled sunlight over the cobblestone patio. The scent of fresh bread and herbs wafted from the kitchen, making Eva’s stomach growl. Alex laughed with mirth and quickly placed an order for the set lunch consisting of seared scallops and salad, with bread and soup.

As they waited for their food, Alex leaned back in his chair, studying her. “So, Eva, what made you want to work at my brother’s company? You don’t seem like the type who enjoys being ordered around by someone like him.”

Eva laughed. “Well, I didn’t exactly seek it out. It was more of a… necessity. I needed a job, and they were hiring.”

Alex nodded thoughtfully. “And how’s it going so far? Is Damien driving you crazy yet?”

She hesitated, unsure how much she should reveal. But something about Alex’s easygoing nature made her want to be honest.

“He’s… complicated. I mean, he’s good at what he does, no question. But it’s hard to get a read on him. One minute he’s cold and distant, and the next, he’s almost… kind.”

Alex chuckled. “That’s Damien for you. He’s got a lot on his plate, and he tends to keep people at arm’s length. But don’t take it personally—it’s not you. It’s just how he is.”

Eva tilted her head, curious. “You seem to know him pretty well.”

Alex’s expression softened slightly, and for a moment, Eva saw a flicker of something deeper in his eyes—something more complicated than the carefree attitude he usually projected.

“He’s my brother,” Alex said simply. “We’ve got a lot of history. But that doesn’t mean we always see eye to eye.”

There was a pause, and Eva could sense the unspoken tension between the two brothers, though she didn’t press for details. Alex quickly shifted the conversation back to lighter topics, keeping her entertained with stories of his travels and escapades.

Their lunch stretched longer than expected, and by the time they finished, Eva found herself genuinely enjoying Alex’s company. He was charming, funny, and easy to talk to. But as they walked back to the car, she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that she was treading into dangerous territory.

When they arrived back at the office, Alex stopped her before they went inside. “Eva, I had a great time today. We should do this again.”

She smiled, though her mind was racing with conflicting thoughts. “I had fun too, Alex. But… I don’t know if this is a good idea.”

Alex’s smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, his playful demeanor returning. “Hey, it’s just lunch. No harm in that, right?”

Eva nodded, though she wasn’t entirely convinced. “Right.”

As they entered the office, she felt a strange shift in the atmosphere. Damien was standing near the entrance, talking to Rana, but his gaze immediately locked on her and Alex. His expression hardened, and for a brief moment, Eva could have sworn she saw something like jealousy flash in his eyes.