After losing his temper over Anya, Alvin's shoulders dropped looking at her soft gaze. He didn't mean to get angry at her. She didn't get angry at him, or sad at his reaction
He felt bitter in his mouth thinking Zane wouldn't have been called a bastard or an illegitimate child if he had met Anya and gotten to know about her pregnancy.
Anya looked at Rob, "I need a few minutes with Alvin." She was also asking Liam to leave the room for them.
Rob motioned for Liam to leave with him and closed the door behind him.
Anya tried to cool Alvin, holding his warm palm, "Alvin, you had no idea what I had been through. Thus, you didn't know how important it was for us to meet then."
Nevertheless, the path for them wasn't smooth back then either, "Even if you had met me, I probably would have avoided you fearing that person from the video call would try to kill you."
More than having his support for her or telling him the truth about her pregnancy, she would have definitely prioritized Alvin's life over everything. Unlike her present self, she had no idea how to handle that situation six years ago.
That doesn't mean she was saying what Liam did was completely right. What Liam did was not entirely wrong either. "I agree Liam Matthews could have handled it better, but he has done how much he could."
Alvin frowned when he heard her speak for Liam. Anya explained the consequences if Casper had sent some other people. "Imagine if different men had tried to force me out of the city. They could have done anything to me, probably I would have lost my baby, I might have lost my life." They never know what kind of thoughts those people would have had.
Anya requested, "So let the past go." From the time they were together, they were disheartened because of the past. It was time that they move out of it and look at the brighter side.
Alvin got rid of the shackles of the Matthews family, he toughened and made himself strong. Anya did suffer but it gave her a new goal, new hope to lead life to be the best example for her son.
Alvin got her point but he was still angry, due to everything that made Anya suffer and Zane bear the consequences. He had expected better measures from Liam.
Anya watched him calm down a bit. She added with a subtle smile on her face, "Let's celebrate today, and plan for our future." Without dwelling on their past.
'Celebrate?' Alvin deadpanned with a wicked idea in his mind without caring Liam was his half-brother who wished good for him.
Since Liam had watched him find Anya even after meeting and scaring Anya away, he wanted him to feel what he had gone through. "Let's celebrate." He wrapped his hand around her waist and stood as he pulled her to stand.
"Huh?" Anya hummed in confusion. She didn't mean they should go and celebrate her award or his new achievement. She meant that they cherish their present, which they gained after a lot of suffering.
Anya scratched her head following Alvin who walked out of the study room holding her hand. Where was he taking her?
Shouldn't he have a conversation with Liam?
Alvin signaled Rob to leave and take care of work. Then he addressed Liam who was remorseful seeing Alvin leave without talking to him, "Brother Liam, why don't you join us downstairs?"
Rob and Anya: "…"
Anya couldn't believe Alvin was so heartless. Liam's mother was in the prison, with a low chance of bail and Alvin was asking Liam to join the small party downstairs.
Liam, who had no idea about it, followed the couple. It wasn't dinner time yet, so he was confused about why they were going downstairs. 'Speak over a coffee?' They could have done that in the study room itself.
Nonetheless, he obediently heard his half-brother and reached the underground where there was music, the smell of alcohol, and laughter. The butler smiled at Anya when the couple entered the entertainment room. Nevertheless, the party stopped for a good reason.
The music was playing in the background. Excluding Zane, the other three were wordlessly looking at Liam and turned to the couple.
Liam's steps slowly seized. He saw the variety of snacks, and drinks at the bar counter, Linus and Krystle stopping their dance, and Ean stopped playing games with the little boy. He didn't need words to say they were celebrating Anya's award. Well, it was worth more than this small party but… Liam looked at Alvin who looked indifferent while Anya was awkward.
Liam knew Alvin was coldblooded and didn't bother about what others felt. It was very rare that Alvin showed concern. However, it was the first time Alvin was against him.
Was it revenge?
Forcing a smile on his smile, Liam proceeded inside and asked Alvin, "Your son?" He didn't wait for Alvin's response and went to Zane.
Zane glanced at Anya and got off the couch when Liam stood in front of him. Liam introduced himself first, "Hello, I'm Liam Matthews, your father's elder brother." He extended his hand towards the little man who looked rather serious for his age.
Zane had seen Liam's picture in a magazine. So he had identified Liam. Hearing elder brother instead of half brother, he tried to guess as Alvin and Liam were close.
Zane formally introduced himself as he reached out to shake the hand, "Hello, I'm Zane Owen." His adorable voice was calm and clear.
Liam sat down with Zane and started talking with him about his age, and studies. Then Liam mentioned his daughter and invited Zane to meet the baby.
Anya hid her smile looking at Alvin's annoyed expression. She signaled the other three to continue enjoying.
She grabbed Alvin's left hand and wrapped it around her waist. Placing her left hand on his shoulder, she positioned herself to dance with him.
Alvin was pleased by her move but displeased that Liam wasn't sad about being in a celebration of the people who sent his mother to prison. "I thought he loved his mother." He scoffed under his breath.
Anya giggled as she danced, following his lead. "Alvin Matthews, you are smart but your brother's emotional intelligence is higher." She was also impressed seeing Liam who neither left the Oasis mansion in disappointment or anger nor sat gloomily in a corner.
Alvin narrowed his eyes at his wife who was praising another man other than her darling son. "What do you mean?" Does he have low Emotional intelligence? His Little Donut got some nerve to talk good about other men.
Anya explained why Alvin's childish plan was ruined. "Liam Matthews does feel bad because you bought him here purposefully." As much as she heard, Gianna loved Liam dearly so why would Liam hate his mother? So it was natural he would be glum.
"He could have sat in a corner and brooded as you hoped him to be. Would that have helped him in any way?" She asked and shook her head in response to her question.
Alvin snorted and twirled her to stop her from speaking for Liam again. He could have taken a serious step toward Liam too, but he couldn't bring himself to do it after hearing Anya justify Liam's actions.
Anya punched him feeling dizzy for twirling her so many times. Breathing out, she tried making him grasp the situation with their experience from the morning.
"Okay listen, those people went to my parent's place and Miles Johnson's move on us had a stronger impact because of the money and fame from my award and your achievement. And I dislike when people get interested in our personal lives. Thus I was unhappy that the award caused so much trouble to us."
Anya was glad he was listening to her calmly. She asked a question, "Aren't awards given to recognize one's contribution to the country? It should be a joyous moment for me and us.
We should have focused on the award and be happy, rather than wasting our emotions on unimportant things."
Liam was much more mature than them to keep his emotions at bay and take the chance to acquaint himself with Zane, his nephew.
Alvin twirled her and pulled her into his arms. True, all of them were more worried about the troubles instead of celebrating with Anya.
Anya ended by summarizing her words, "So my dear husband, it depends on us how we would like to consider the situation."
Anya was expecting Alvin to understand her words but he mused with a playful smirk at the corner of his lips, "You have low emotional intelligence too."
Anya: "…"