Her Premarital Ex (The Alexanders Book 3)

by Tina Martin

  He walked over to the bed and got a closer look, staring at Gabrielle as if he was admiring a fine piece of art. He released a deep sigh, then leaned over her, coming face-to-face with her, stealing a kiss from her lips. He broke away from her lips to study her features again – her dainty nose, high cheekbones, her chocolate skin that he now appreciated, and the gorgeous head of hair that he drowned his fingers in.

  “You’re so beautiful, Gabrielle,” he said as if she could hear him speak; as if she was alert instead of unconscious.

  He felt a tear escape his eye. What was he doing? He told his mother that he was making changes? How could drugging Gabrielle be a change for the better?

  He sniffled and tried to get his emotions in check. With his face pressed against hers, he kissed her again, still telling her how much he loved her. “I know I messed up,” he whispered in her ear. “All I want is a second chance to make things right, to prove my love to you, baby.”

  Obsessed. That was the only way to describe his behavior, but he didn’t care at the moment. The truth of the matter was, Dilvan hadn’t been able to accept the fact that Gabrielle had moved on, married his cousin and was living a happy life. He was still in love with her and the fact that she belonged to someone else angered him. But tonight, right at this moment, she was his possession, and he would make the most out of every second.

  Chapter 17

  ~ * ~

  Lalita had just gotten off the elevator, headed to the room to prepare for bed. Sightseeing had been an adventure for her, especially since this was her first time visiting Chicago. Now, she only wanted to call Prasad, check on the kids, take a shower and sleep.

  When she turned the corner, she saw Dilvan carefully pulling the door closed to her room, then walking the opposite direction down the hallway. He hadn’t seen her approaching the room, and she was glad he hadn’t, but her heart pounded with each step she took to the room. She was thoroughly confused. What on earth was he doing leaving their room? Was he secretly seeing Gabrielle? Had Gabrielle been cheating on Tyson with Dilvan? Would Gabrielle do something like that to Dilvan?

  With a trembling, unsteady hand, she opened the door in a hurry, ready to confront Gabrielle and get some answers. When she stepped further into the room, she noticed Gabrielle wasn’t lying on the bed she’d slept on yesterday. Instead, she was lying on her bed instead.

  “Hey, Gabrielle, why are you on my bed and why on earth did Dilvan Alexander just leave this room?” Lalita asked with a hand on her hip, ready to confront her.

  Gabrielle hadn’t responded.

  Lalita walked over to her instead, shook her and said, “Gabrielle, what’s going on?”

  Gabrielle still didn’t wake up. She didn’t make a sound or anything related to such.

  Lalita snapped. “Gabrielle!” She shook her, trying to wake her up.

  Still nothing.

  Now she was starting to worry. She could see that Gabrielle was breathing but she was completely unconscious. Then it dawned on her…

  Lalita’s lips trembled.

  “Gabrielle, wake up!” She shook her more, but Gabrielle still didn’t open her eyes.

  Lalita ran to the bathroom, wet a towel with cold water and dabbed it on Gabrielle’s face. She’d heard the stories about what Dilvan had done to Gabrielle in the past, but drugging her was a new low. Is that what happened here? She wanted to think otherwise, that this was just some misunderstanding, but when things are laid out this plainly, she couldn’t ignore the fact that the obvious had happened.

  Her eyes brimmed with tears. “Dilvan, what have you done? What have you done? What have you done?” she mumbled, lying next to Gabrielle, not sure if she should call Padma, the police or Tyson. For now, she decided to hold Gabrielle in her arms, continue dabbing her with the towel and stay by her side wishing she hadn’t gone sightseeing with Padma. She should’ve stayed here. If she had, none of this would’ve ever happened.

  Chapter 18

  ~ * ~

  Lalita woke up to the sound of the shower. Gabrielle was up. Her suitcase was on the bed. She’d already been packing.

  Was she okay? Could she recall anything from last night? Lalita had so many questions for her.

  Gabrielle shut off the shower, dried off, dressed and stepped out of the bathroom to an opened mouth, disturbed Lalita.

  Gabrielle giggled. “What’s wrong with you, girl?”

  Lalita frowned. “Gabrielle, are you okay?” she asked, concerned.

  Gabrielle smiled. “Yeah. I’m fine...felt a little dizzy in the shower but other than that I’m good. Hey, why were you sleeping in my bed last night?”

  Lalita frowned again. “Why was I sleeping in your bed? You were in my bed when I came back from sightseeing. Do you remember anything from last night?”

  “Um...yeah. I went to the pool for a few, saw Dilvan down there. He offered me some wine and then I went to bed.”

  “Wait...Dilvan offered you some wine?”

  “Yeah.”

  So that’s how he drugged her. He slipped something in the wine. “And you accepted a glass of wine from him?”

  “Well, I didn’t want to, but he’s trying to change and show me that he’s sorry for what he did to me, so I’m trying to find it within myself to forgive him and move forward. Hey, Padma said to meet her for breakfast at The Blue Room at nine. It’s 8:15 a.m. now.”

  “Okay. Let me go get ready,” Lalita said. She had to say something to Padma about what happened. Dilvan couldn’t get away with this.

  * * *

  When they walked in the restaurant, they noticed that Padma and Dilvan were already there.

  “Good morning, ladies,” Dilvan said, eyeing Gabrielle down.

  “Good morning,” Gabrielle responded cheerfully. She was feeling especially good today since she would be back home, in the arms of Tyson.

  Lalita hadn’t said a word. Instead, she looked at Dilvan with skeptical eyes.

  Gabrielle took the seat across from Padma. “So how was sightseeing last night?”

  “It was wonderful,” Padma responded. “Wish you would’ve come with us.”

  “I wish you would’ve come with us, too,” Lalita said.

  “I know, but I was so out of it last night, I don’t even remember when I fell asleep.”

  “Oh, goodness, dear,” Padma said.

  “Lalita told me I was passed out on her bed.” Gabrielle giggled. “Guess I was so tired, I couldn’t make it to my own bed.”

  Dilvan took a sip of water. He hadn’t thought about that – that he might’ve put her on the wrong bed last night.

  Lalita glared at him, but he hadn’t seen her. He was too busy staring at Gabrielle.

  He actually found it hard to take his eyes off of her. It’s a strange thing, how he’d taken her for granted when he had her at his grasp and now that she belonged to someone else, he wanted her more than he wanted his next million.

  “What did you do last night, Dilvan?” Lalita decided to ask.

  “Not much...hung around the bar for a minute then went to bed.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Yeah, pretty much.”

  “So you didn’t see Gabrielle by the pool last night?” Lalita asked, meeting his gaze.

  Dilvan glanced at Gabrielle then back to Lalita and said, “Yeah. Briefly.”

  “Yeah, I bet,” she mumbled.

  “What was that?” Dilvan asked.

  “Nothing.”

  They ate quietly after their breakfast entrees had arrived.

  Lalita glanced up at Dilvan every now and then, noticing each time that he was busy ogling Gabrielle, probably reliving what he’d done to her last night. Sick bastard. He definitely was not like his older brothers. Prasad and Heshan would never do what he’d done, then sit at the table like nothing happened.

  “This was a nice little trip,” Gabrielle said.

  “I have another one scheduled for later this year,” Padma said. “Hopefully you’ll be able to make that o
ne was well.”

  “Yeah, as long as Tyson comes with me.”

  Dilvan tried to hide his frown by taking a sip of water.

  “You newlyweds,” Padma said. “You miss him after two days.”

  “Yes,” she replied beaming. “He’s such an amazing man.”

  Dilvan’s frowned deepened. Deciding to change the subject he asked, “What time is your flight leaving?”

  “We got the 2:30 p.m. direct flight,” Padma responded.

  “So do I. Let me run up and finish packing.” Dilvan stood and took a hundred-dollar bill from his wallet, placing it on the table. “That should cover breakfast. I’ll meet you in the lobby at the eleven, then we can go to the airport together.”

  “All right, Dilvan,” Padma said.

  When Dilvan was no longer in ear shot, Padma said, “You know I think I’m getting through to Dilvan after all. I can see the changes in him.”

  “Yeah...he’s slowly coming around,” Gabrielle said. “I think he’s sorry for what he did to me, but that’s not something I can easily dismiss although I am trying to be cordial with him...trying to be the bigger person.”

  Padma nodded.

  Lalita hadn’t said a word. She was too busy questioning herself – replaying in her mind if she saw what she actually thought she did – Dilvan leaving her and Gabrielle’s hotel room last night and Gabrielle passed out on the bed. Something had happened, only she couldn’t be sure exactly what it was and Gabrielle certainly had no recollection of it. The only person who knew what went down was Dilvan.

  Chapter 19

  ~ * ~

  Tyson threw his small suitcase in the back seat and headed for a restaurant he frequented when he lived in Atlanta. There, they made the best eggs, grits and waffles he’d ever tasted outside of his own.

  As he enjoyed his breakfast, he saw her, Desiree, heading his way. Was she stalking him now? It couldn’t be a coincidence that she was here.

  He sighed. She was still pretty in the face, but she looked to be twenty pounds heavier. The weight looked nice on her. She even turned a few heads as she approached his table.

  Tyson kept on eating, hoping she would keep walking by but when he heard her say, “Well, hey stranger,” he looked up at her.

  “Hi,” he said. He didn’t want to be rude. He was always a gentleman no matter the circumstances, but he also knew how to put someone in their place; especially someone as conniving as Desiree.

  “How have you been?” she asked him, taking a seat.

  “I’m good...um, if you would excuse me, I was enjoying my breakfast alone and—”

  “Okay, I just need to say this, Tyson.”

  “Say what?”

  “I’m sorry about the things I said regarding Dennis. I was angry at the time.”

  He grinned. “You’re a piece of work, Desiree.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “That’s all you’re sorry about?”

  “Well—”

  “You’re sorry about the things you said regarding Dennis, but you’re not sorry you cheated on me with my best friend. That you lied to me for months and let me propose to you knowing that your heart belonged to someone else. What are you even doing here?”

  “I moved back to the ‘A’ a few months ago...heard you got married.”

  “Yep.” Tyson wiped his mouth, then stood up. “I’m going to see my beautiful wife as we speak. Enjoy your day,” he told her and walked away. As far as he was concerned nothing else needed to be said. Their relationship was over and done with. He’d moved on and that was that. All he wanted to do now was get back home to see Gabrielle.

  Chapter 20

  ~ * ~

  All these seats in first class and I get the one next to him. Gabrielle sighed. Padma had offered to switch seats with her but Gabrielle declined stating that she’d be fine. Dilvan was behaving relatively well and surely she could endure a plane ride home with him.

  “Would you like the window seat?” Dilvan asked after he put her bag in the overhead compartment.

  “Yeah. Thanks.” She scooted pass him, then settled in her seat.

  He sat down too and checked his messages. Then he saw an email from his manager:

  TO: Dilvan Alexander

  FROM: Len Phillips

  SUBJECT: New Gig in the Windy City!

  Dilvan,

  They loved you at Ross & Co. The shoot went so well, they’re looking forward to working with you again. Great work!

  Len

  - - -

  Dilvan was satisfied with the work he’d done at Ross & Company. Even their marketing team had told him yesterday how pleased they were. Accolades as such made him not want to quit modeling. Maybe if he stuck to smaller modeling jobs, he would still have time to work with the family business, thus pleasing his parents and getting back into their good graces as well as doing what he enjoyed.

  Gabrielle called Tyson to let him know she was on the plane, and that she had to put her phone on airplane mode since they were about to take off. She hadn’t mentioned that she was sitting next to Dilvan. Tyson probably would’ve flipped out.

  When they were cruising an appropriate altitude, Dilvan glanced at her and said, “So you enjoyed yourself?”

  “Yeah, I did.”

  “Me too,” he said with a smile. He wanted so badly to hold her hand, but he fought the urge.

  “It’s so strange to me that after I saw you by the pool last night, I can’t remember a thing after that. I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out how I woke up in Lalita’s bed...she had to take my bed.”

  “Maybe you just needed some rest. It has been a whirlwind weekend,” he told her. He didn’t need her trying to recall anything that happened last night.

  “Yeah. You’re right. It’s just odd, though. I didn’t even call Tyson last night.”

  “I’m sure it’s nothing,” he replied. “Unless you’re becoming a workaholic like me.”

  She smiled. “Maybe.” Gabrielle glanced out the window.

  “I have to tell you something, Gabrielle.”

  “What’s that?” she asked, looking at him.

  “Well, it’s actually a confession.”

  “Okay.”

  “When we were together, I didn’t give us a real chance because I wasn’t ready to make a commitment. Now, I am and I know I keep apologizing to you like a crazy person, but I am sorry I hurt you.”

  “Okay. I got it.”

  “Do you forgive me?”

  “Forgiveness doesn’t happen overnight, Dilvan. Just talking to you and sitting here with you is a surprise to me.”

  “Baby steps,” he said.

  Gabrielle stared out the window at the puffy white clouds suspended in the air like cotton. She found beauty in it, especially since this was the second time she’d ever been on a plane.

  A stewardess came by with wine and they both took a glass.

  Gabrielle was mid sip when Dilvan asked, “So do you think Tyson would agree to a sit-down with me?”

  Gabrielle coughed, holding her left hand in front of her mouth. For a moment, it was hard to get her breath back.

  Deciding to offer assistance, Dilvan placed his right hand on her back and patted softly.

  “I’m okay, Dilvan,” Gabrielle told him.

  He stopped patting her back and with a smirk on his face said, “So I guess the answer to my question is no.”

  “Sure is, and you should’ve known that before you even asked.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you and Tyson have never had a good relationship, and honestly, Dilvan, you don’t even like my husband.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “It is, and trust me when I say that it will take an act of God to get Tyson to say anything to you.”

  “Well, I think it’s my place to try. I want to change for the better and I can do that, but I can’t do it alone.”

  “You can try. You don�
��t need people to change your attitude. You can do that on your own.”

  “I understand that, but since my Mother blames me for all of our family problems, I feel that I should make some sort of gesture.”

  “Okay, then do what you feel.”

  He took a sip of champagne and asked, “So your marriage is good?”

  “Dilvan, I’m not about to discuss my marriage with you.”

  “I was just curious. Maybe I can learn something to take into my next relationship.”

  “You have brothers...get advice from them. Prasad is happily married. Heshan is...hmm, not sure what Heshan’s relationship status is.”

  “Heshan has been with more women than Deuce Bigelow.”