MY MOON

CHAPTER 35: ALYA

"Oh my god, you're all New Yorker now," Elizabeth said, setting the plates at the table. Dad and Elizabeth had arrived this morning, and she had been inseparable from me ever since.

"Really?" I replied, helping her with the table settings.

"Your dressing, the long coats, damn," she continued with a playful smile.

"I do agree this is aesthetic, though," I said as we settled down.

Elizabeth caught my hand as she sat down Infront of me. "Are you alright, Alya? You adjusted in New York just fine, right?"

"God, Elizabeth, don't worry," I reassured her. As I spoke, Dad and Alex entered the room. Alex took a seat beside me, while Dad sat next to Elizabeth.

"I guess I am in love with New York," I said, subtly indicating to Alex the real reason I was so fond of the city and Alex understood the sign.

"That's great, sweetheart. I was so worried about you. Thank you, Alex, for helping her," Dad said, directing his gratitude towards Alex.

"Alya is a lovely girl. She was no trouble at all," Alex said, glancing warmly at me.

"I know she's the loveliest," Elizabeth added. "But why didn't you call Dev? It would be nice if he came too." She served food onto the plates. "I am so sorry that Alex didn't let Dev stay here. I know you guys were looking forward to it, but Alex is not that modern yet, I guess," she said to me with a giggle.

"It's okay, it wasn't a big deal," I responded, trying to keep the conversation light.

"So call Dev tonight. I'll make his favourite dish," Elizabeth suggested.

"They broke up," Alex interjected abruptly.

"Did he dump you? I always knew something was up with him," Dad said, his anger evident.

"No, Dad. I broke up him. We weren't compatible," I explained, trying to end dev topic quickly.

"Compatible? You guys were even planning your marriage, weren't you?" Elizabeth asked, surprised.

Alex's expression darkened, and his hand gripped my thigh tightly under the table. "Marriage, Alya? You never told me you and Dev were that serious," he said, turning to face me.

"No, no. We never were sure of each other anyway," I laughed nervously, hoping to ease the tension and subtly removed his hand.

"Which room are you guys going to take?" I asked, changing the subject.

"The guest room," Dad replied. Listening that I realized that if they stayed in the guest room, right beside mine, sneaking around to see Alex would be impossible.

"No, are you really going to be like guests? Take my room, I'll stay in the guest room for few days," Alex suggested, likely thinking the same thing as me.

"Master bedroom? No, Alex, we can't," Dad protested, probably feeling like it was too much of an imposition.

"Please, I insist." Dad gave a node. "Well then, I'll ask the driver to shift the luggage," Alex said.

"So, Alex, what are you doing this Friday?" Elizabeth asked as she leaned forward.

"Nothing much, why?" Alex said, taking a bite of his food.

"I have a cousin of my friend that I would like you to meet," Elizabeth said, a hopeful note in her voice.

"Why?" Alex asked, taking another bite.

"She will be a great match for you, Alex," Elizabeth said.

Hearing that, I immediately choked on my food. Alex, seeing my reaction, chuckled softly to himself.