Capture Her Heart After Marriage

Chapter 36 He Is Jealous

Alexia put her silverware down, opened her purse, took out her phone, and she was surprised to see who was calling. "I apologize for the interruption, Mr. Swift, but I need to take this call."

"Of course. Who is it?" Joseph glanced toward her phone to see who was calling, but stopped himself.

Alexia waved hand. "My husband."

Joseph smiled and nodded, as if he understood why Chaim was calling.

Alexia excused herself and hurried out of the restaurant.

"Hello?" she said as she answered the phone.

"Alexia, didn't I tell you to come back earlier? Where are you now?" Chaim asked, his voice stern and tinged with an unnoticeable bit of concern.

"I’m out having lunch. What's wrong?" Alexia frowned, worrying she angered Chaim again.

Chaim took a deep breath. "Evelyn’s health declined rapidly, her leukemia got worse far faster than we originally expected. Her doctors decided she needed the surgery tonight and we need you to donate your bone marrow soon."

Alexia’s body went numb, and the blood drained from her face, fear settling in her stomach. "Wh-what? Didn't we agree to have the surgery tomorrow?"

Alexia still had so much work to do and had explained nothing to the three new secretaries yet.

"Yes, but it’s not much earlier. It’s only been rescheduled a dozen hours earlier or so. It’s really no big difference. Where are you now?" Chaim asked.

Alexia gave him the address.

"Wait there. I’ll be there soon."

"Alright…" Alexia said, smiling bitterly.

As soon as the call ended, Alexia put her phone in her purse and stared up at the sky. Even though the sky was a beautiful clear blue, Alexia’s tears blurred and muted the colors. Chaim treated Evelyn so nicely and cared so much for her. Alexia couldn’t push her jealousy down. ‘Will Chaim ever care about me like he does Evelyn?’

When Alexia headed back into the restaurant, Joseph noticed her red and puffy eyes and looked at her in concern. "What’s wrong? Are you okay?"

"Yes… No… Something happened…" Alexia picked up her fork, but she had lost her appetite.

"Do you want to talk about it? I have a degree in psychology that I received when studying abroad. I’m great at listening and helping others work through things." Joseph asked, his eyes filled with warmth as he reached across the table and placed his hand on hers.

Alexia was in no mood to talk so she shook her head and pulled her hand away "It’s nothing, really, Mr. Swift. I’m fine."

She couldn’t really talk about it, even if she wanted to. It’s not like Joseph would understand anyway, would he?

"Okay, if you’re sure," Joseph said, shrugging his shoulders and feeling a little disappointed.

Alexia said nothing else and finished her lunch in silence.

After the lunch, Alexia’s phone vibrated. She looked at it and read the message from Chaim. "I’m here. Where are you?"

Alexia texted him back. "I’m in the restaurant. I’ll be right out."

After sending the text, she stood up and put the phone back in her purse.

"Mr. Swift, my husband is here to pick me up, so I have to go. I’ve already paid the bill."

"I’ll leave too then. No point in sitting here alone," Joseph said, wiping his mouth.

Alexia agreed and they walked out of the restaurant side by side. As they left, Joseph said something that made Alexia smile.

Chaim saw this, and for some reason he couldn’t explain, anger boiled within him.

"Alexia!" Chaim called out impatiently as he rolled down the window.

Alexia stopped smiling and looked at him. "What's the matter?"

What's the matter? She dared to ask him what the matter was?

Chaim’s head throbbed as his knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. "You told me you were dining out, and now I discover you were dining out with him?" He sneered at Joseph.

Joseph smiled, walked toward him, and held out his hand to Chaim. "Mr. Lancaster, nice to meet you again."

Chaim ignored him, turning to Alexia. "Get in the car!" Then he rolled up the window, completely ignoring Joseph.

Chaim’s behavior embarrassed Alexia, so she apologized to Joseph with a bow. "I am so sorry about this, Mr. Swift. My husband…"

"It's alright." Joseph put his hand into his pocket as if nothing had happened, smiling carelessly, "Your husband is jealous and I totally understand that."

Alexia shook her head, smiling awkwardly. ‘Jealous?’ Chaim didn't love her so he couldn't be jealous of Joseph.

"What?" Joseph asked in surprise. "You don't seem to believe me."

"Yes, I believe you." Alexia waved goodbye. "I apologize, Mr. Swift, I must be leaving now. See you next time."

"See you then." Joseph nodded.

Alexia climbed in the car and before she buckled the seatbelt, Chaim swerved into traffic.

Alexia was thrown into the car door and hit her head on the window. She inhaled painfully and rubbed her head to ease the pain.

"What are you doing?" Alexia glared at Chaim.

She was certain he’d swerved abruptly on purpose.

Chaim just stared at the road not even glancing in her direction. "Why were you having lunch with him?"

"Him? Mr. Swift?" Alexia asked once her seatbelt was buckled.

"Mr. Swift?" Chaim squinted.

"Yes, He’s the president of the Swift Group. I was repaying him for helping me with my purse last time by buying him lunch."

"Is that all?" Chaim glanced at her.

Alexia wondered, "Of course that’s all."

"Okay. Very good," Chaim said, calming down.

Alexia rubbed her sore head. "By the way, Mr. Swift agreed with your changes and will be coming by the office tomorrow to sign the contract."

"I see," Chaim said nonchelantly.

Alexia could tell he didn't want to talk, so instead she watched the world go by.

An hour later, they arrived at the hospital. Alexia got out of the car and followed Chaim to Nathaniel's office.

"Well, hello you two," Nathaniel said as he looked up from his computer.

"How is Evelyn?" Chaim asked. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Nathaniel twirled his pen in his fingers as he spoke. "She’s alright for now, and she should be waking up any moment."

"I need to check on her," Chaim said, turning and walking toward the door. Then, he stopped and turned back to look at Alexia. "You…"

"Go and make sure she’s okay." Alexia smiled at him. "Since you’re obviously worried about her, go and see her. I’m sure that will make you feel better, right?"

Chaim frowned. "Are you certain you want me to go see her?"

‘Is she not jealous? Or does she really not care if I’m spending time with other women?'

Alexia had no idea what he was thinking, and she didn't want to know either so she didn’t look as she responded. "It doesn't really matter what I think. All that matters is Miss Evelyn. Now go, don’t make her wait any longer."

Chaim stared at her for a long moment before sneering at her. "How thoughtful of you!"

With that, he brushed past her and left.

Once he was gone, Alexia couldn’t keep up her façade any longer. Her eyes dimmed and her head lowered down as she stood in Nathaniel’s office heart-broken.

Thoughtful? No, that wasn’t being thoughtful, she just didn’t have any other choice. She knew if she told him not to see Evelyn, he’d go and see her anyway. Because, in his mind, Evelyn was more important than her.

Seeing what happened entirely, Nathaniel was shocked. "Alexia. Are you really not angry about this?"