The Object of His Obsession (The Alexanders Book 4) Read online

“You sure it’s nothing? You look like you’re about to pass out over there. You need some water?”

  “No, thanks. I’m fine.”

  “Alright...guess I get to work then.”

  When Charity walked away, he sat down and thought about it for a moment. Gabrielle was the happiest he’d ever seen her. When she was with Dilvan, he did nothing but hurt her every chance he got. Tyson loved her without conditions. He cherished her. Why would she risk her marriage to be with his brother, the man who abused her when Tyson treated her so much better? It didn’t make sense. But he knew what he heard Lalita say just now.

  He sighed. The thought crossed his mind to pick up the phone and call Tyson right now, but how could he with only a small portion of the story? Instead, he would give himself time to think about it, replaying the conversation and letting it sink in. Maybe this was all just a misunderstanding, and if it was, he wouldn’t be the one to alert Tyson to something that didn’t happen.

  Chapter 4

  “Sweetie,” Tyson said, whispering in Gabrielle’s ear the next morning. She was still asleep and he hated to wake her. They’d been out late, well, late for her, yesterday looking at houses. Tyson had chosen five houses for them to look at – all with five or more bedrooms. So she was going up and down stairs for most of the day and now she was making up for it all in rest.

  “Bri,” he said, watching her stir a little at the sound of his voice.

  “Good morning, Tyson,” she slurred. The words came out with a long yawn.

  “Good morning, baby,” he said, leaving a kiss against her cheek. “I just wanted to let you know that I’m heading to the restaurant, okay?”

  “Okay, Tyson.” She opened her eyes just enough to catch a glimpse of his handsome face. “I love you,” she said in her morning drowsy voice.

  Tyson smiled. “Don’t forget Tamera will be here some time this morning.”

  “Okay.”

  Tyson left a kiss against her lips and said, “Love you with my all, pretty lady.”

  She smiled, just barely, and fell asleep again, probably before Tyson could even close the front door. Pregnancy had a way of doing that to the female body, forcing it to rest, even when it didn’t want to. Gabrielle had a baby to nurture, to care for and being this late in the pregnancy, she was tired all the time. Completely drained and exhausted by performing the smallest of tasks. Had she ever slept so much in her life?

  * * *

  On his way to the restaurant, Tyson tossed around ideas of what he would cook – scones, sweet potato pies or chocolate cakes. All of his pastries and desserts were delicious, but Padma told him a few days ago that people were raving about his sweet potato pies. Since they were simple to make, he decided on that. Besides, he didn’t want to do anything too elaborate, just in case Gabrielle needed him and he had to leave. Actually, if Tamera wasn’t coming to town to help out, he wouldn’t have left Gabrielle there alone in the first place. She came first. Over everything. Period. Nothing was more important to him than his wife and son, the little boy that he and Gabrielle had already named, Tyson Alexander, Jr. and given a nickname: T.J., short for Tyson Junior.

  Tyson parked his Range Rover jeep and walked into the back entrance of the restaurant. He saw Prasad sitting alone in the back office.

  “You’re over here today, huh?” Tyson asked him. Prasad usually worked at the Food House location in Southern Shores, but today, he was at the new location in Roanoke Island, in Tyson’s neck of the woods.

  “Yeah, I’m here today. Lalita, mom and Heshan are at the other restaurant. They did most of the work there yesterday, too.”

  “Cool,” Tyson said, tying an apron around his waist. “Where are the kids? With the sitter?”

  “Yeah. Lalita’s only working four hours today, so she’ll pick them up soon.”

  “Alright. Let me get started so I can get back home to Gabrielle.”

  Tyson got right down to business. He washed a batch of sweet potatoes and then baked them. He preferred to make all of his pastries from scratch. No canned potatoes or premade frozen pie crusts for his pies. Everything had to be fresh. After baking nearly three bags of them, he peeled them all and placed the flesh of the sweet potatoes in a mixing bowl, adding ground cinnamon, sugar, evaporated milk and butter. Then he sat the bowl underneath a commercial size mixer.

  Next, he mixed up some all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, a tablespoon of sugar and a half teaspoon of salt to make the pie crusts. As he was finishing with this portion of the preparation he glanced over in the office and saw Prasad sitting there with his hands against his face. He looked to be stressed or worried about something. Maybe he couldn’t figure out what to order for the week, Tyson thought.

  Hoping to offer him some assistance, Tyson washed his hands, then took a towel, drying them as he sauntered over to the office door. “You alright, man?”

  Prasad glanced up at Tyson with eyes that looked to be tired and worried. His elbows were resting on a mess of papers and mail that covered the desk.

  “Man...haven’t been getting much sleep lately.”

  “Why’s that? Are you trying to figure out the order or what?”

  “No, I know what to order. I just...you know what? It’s nothing.”

  “Well you certainly don’t look like it’s nothing. What’s bothering you, Prasad?”

  Prasad blew a breath and leaned back in his wheeled office chair. “Lalita has been acting strange.”

  “Strange how?”

  Prasad shrugged. “I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I’ve never seen her like this before.”

  “What is she doing?”

  “I caught her crying a few times and every time I ask her what’s wrong, she always say it’s nothing. I hate to say this out loud, but I think...I think there may be someone else.”

  “Nah, man. Lalita loves you and the kids.”

  “So why the sudden change? Actually, it wasn’t sudden. I noticed this a long time ago, after she got back from that stupid Chicago trip. I knew that was a bad idea.”

  “Gabrielle had a good time on that trip and if something happened, I’m sure Padma would’ve said something. As a matter of fact, I’m sure Gabrielle would’ve told me.”

  “Mom wasn’t with Lalita every second of the day, and I doubt if Gabrielle was. What if Lalita met someone?”

  Tyson lifted a brow. “Lalita? Nah. I don’t see it.”

  “Well how would you explain her sudden mood swings, her intense desire not to be anywhere near me? I try to touch her and she snatches away from me like I’m a stranger.”

  “Well, the only thing I can say is, instead of speculating, maybe you should just ask her straight up. Talk to her, man.”

  “I’ve tried, and she won’t respond to me. How do you make a woman talk to you?”

  Tyson scratched his head. “Okay, that is a tough one.”

  Prasad sighed again. “Maybe I’m just overreacting and by that I mean, maybe there isn’t anyone else. Maybe she just doesn’t want to be with me anymore.”

  “Okay, Prasad, you’re still overreacting. Look, here’s what you do. Take her out to a nice dinner. Get a sitter for the kids and wine and dine your woman, man. When was the last time you took her out?”

  “Jeez. I don’t remember.”

  “Then it’s long overdue, right?”

  Prasad thought for a moment. Tyson was right, but what if he took Lalita out and she was still behaving strangely, not even talking to him over a romantic dinner? Candles, wine, soft music...what if that setting only made things more awkward and tense between them?

  “Oh, don’t forget the baby shower is Saturday at Padma’s,” Tyson reminded him. “My parents will be in town tomorrow. They wanted to get here early so they’ll have a couple of days to help Padma with the preparation.”

  Prasad nodded. “Okay.”

  “Tamera is probably already here. She’s going to be helping us around the house ‘til the baby comes.”

  “That’s nice of
her.”

  “Yep. Anyway, let me get back to work. These sweet potato pies won’t make and bake themselves. Besides, you have a date to plan,” Tyson said, patting Prasad on the shoulder, then he returned to the kitchen. He washed his hands again, then shaped pie crusts into round pans, filling them with sweet potato pie filling. After placing twenty pies in the oven, he filled another twenty pans so they would be ready when the first batch came out. The quicker he could get this done, the faster he could get home to Gabrielle.

  Chapter 5

  “I cannot believe I’m going to be somebody’s aunt,” Tamera said giddy, sitting on the couch next to Gabrielle.

  “And I’m going to be somebody’s mother,” Gabrielle said with her feet propped up on the coffee table. “Isn’t that crazy?”

  “It is, girl. Are you ready for that?”

  “Yeah...but I’m even more ready for this pregnancy to be over with. Ugh! No one told me how hard this would be.”

  “I can only imagine.”

  Gabrielle rubbed her stomach. She found herself doing that a lot lately. “The doctor told me not to rush it by...said after the baby is born, I would be one of those worrying, panicky moms and that, right now, I should cherish the fact that the baby is safely inside of me where it’s protected.”

  Tamera nodded. “That’s a valid point, but I know you’ll be glad when it’s over.”

  “Like yesterday,” Gabrielle responded.

  The women laughed together.

  “How has Tyson been?”

  “Gosh, Tamera, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him happier. He’s at all the appointments with me, he rubs my swollen feet and ankles every night. He talks to the baby...he’s going to be a great father. He already is.”

  “I know. He’s been wanting a son for so long. He almost gave up on the possibility of having a family. As a matter of fact, before he met you, he told me he was done with relationships, and now...” Tamera said, choking up. “Now he has a baby boy on the way.”

  “Aw, Tamera, are you crying?”

  Tamera pinched her eyes shut so the tears that formed in them wouldn’t escape. “I’m okay...just so happy for you guys. Hey, I know you’re excited about the baby shower, right?”

  “Yes. Leave it up to Padma and it’ll be the event of the year.” Gabrielle chuckled.

  “I know. Aunt Padma supposedly has a jazz band coming.”

  Eyebrows raised, Gabrielle said, “A jazz band?”

  “Yes, girl. All the volunteers from the restaurant are going to be there and don’t get me started on the party favors...girl...”

  “Now I’m really getting excited...and my sisters and my Dad will be here Friday night.”

  “Cool! This is going to be so much fun.”

  “Yeah...should be a good time.”

  “Anyway, I am here to serve you, sis,” Tamera said, placing her hand on Gabrielle’s thigh, “So tell me what you need.”

  Gabrielle yawned, stretching her arms as far up into the air as she could. “I really hate to do this to you, Tamera, because you just got here and all, but what I really need is to go back to bed. I’m exhausted.”

  “Okay. That’s perfectly fine.” Tamera stood up, reached for Gabrielle’s hand and helped her stand from the white couch.

  Once she got her balance, Gabrielle waddled to the bedroom.

  “I’ll bring you some water, Gabrielle.”

  “Okay. There are plenty of bottles in the fridge.”

  “Perfect. Be right back.”

  Tamera walked briskly to the kitchen, took two bottles of water, one her for herself and the other for Gabrielle. After leaving one bottle of water on the nightstand next to Gabrielle’s bed, she said, “Night night.”

  Gabrielle grinned. “Wake me up if I sleep too long. I do want to hang out with you today.”

  “Good, because I wanted to take you to get pampered today.”

  “That sounds relaxing.”

  “It will be, but for right now, go ahead and get your rest. I need to get the rest of my things out of the car and take a nap myself. I will set my alarm to wake you up on a couple of hours, though.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Chapter 6

  Dilvan sat on the couch in Dr. Nash’s office with his legs crossed the sophisticated way like older businessmen liked to do. His hair was freshly cut and well-edged, perfectly shaped. His angular cheekbones were dominantly visible on his smooth-shaven face. His thin mustache enhanced his slender lips. His thick eyebrows were trimmed and slightly arched, making the intensity of his gray, eyes shine as bright as a new nickel in a bed of pennies.

  He was dressed like he’d just left a business meeting – black, tailored Armani suit, shiny black leather shoes that must’ve cost a fortune, a gold Rolex, platinum cuff links and cologne that could drive a woman completely senseless.

  Dr. Nash noticed right away that this Dilvan wasn’t the same Dilvan who was in her office, moved to tears, just a few days ago. No, this Dilvan had an arrogant, haughty persona about himself, emanating confidence while at the same time coming off as autocratic and cocky. His presence, in her otherwise peaceful space, felt heavy and dark. The way he cracked a half smile without saying a word to her was a little unnerving, even for a woman of her expertise.

  She didn’t quite understand him or know him well enough to determine if he had some personality disorder, or if perhaps he was bipolar and it had gone untreated for all his life. Something was amiss, and she hoped that during today’s session, she’d get to understand him a bit more so she could properly diagnose him and get him the help he strongly needed.

  “So I’ve been thinking a lot about the baby,” Dilvan said before Dr. Nash could formally begin the session. “I think Gabrielle should know that I may be the father.”

  Dr. Nash disguised another frown. “Dilvan, during our last session, you told me that you didn’t sleep with Gabrielle, and I really don’t think you did. I think you’re so obsessed with her that you have it in your mind that her baby is yours. It’s a fantasy for you.”

  “Quite frankly, I don’t care what you think, Alexa. I’m telling you what I’ve been thinking. You said you were here to listen to my thoughts and concerns, correct, or did I misunderstand you?”

  Dr. Nash wanted to explode. Who gave him permission to call her by her first name? She had good mind to kick Dilvan out of her office since he was being rude, but she held it together. Besides, she was accustomed to dealing with all types of personalities in her profession. Even though some tested her kindness, mistaking it for weakness more than others, she still made it a practice to keep her cool no matter what. Plus, she tried to keep to the forefront of her mind that he needed help. Who would help this man if she didn’t? “You’re exactly right, Dilvan. That is what I said. Please continue.”

  “So I think it’s best if I confront her with it in private and then demand a paternity test when the baby comes.”

  “And how are you planning on meeting her in private?”

  He shrugged. “I’ll call her, text her...I’ll come up with something that’ll make her want to meet me.” He thought for a moment and said, “Got it. I’ll buy some gifts for the baby and tell her to meet me so she can pick them up. Then I’ll tell her about the baby.”

  Dr. Nash shook her head. “That’s not a good idea, Dilvan.”

  Dilvan uncrossed his legs and scooted to the edge of the couch like he was going to stand, but he didn’t. He just sat there. “Again, I don’t care what you think. I’m telling you what I’m going to do.”

  “And I’m telling you that your behavior is selfish and you’re being irrational.”

  “I’m not being irrational, doc, and how is getting to know my son being selfish?”

  “Because he’s not your son. You’re dillusional.”

  “Well, I think he is. I can feel it, and instead of calling me selfish, you should be nominating me for father of the year or something.”

  Dr. Nash took a breath. “Okay...let’s
take it back for a moment. Last week, I asked you if you were in love with Gabrielle or obsessed with her. You answered with both.”

  He frowned and shook his head. “No I didn’t.”

  “Yes, you did.”

  “No. I’m not obsessed with her. I said I was in love with her. She’s my soulmate. She saved my father’s life.”

  “She saved your father’s life?”

  “Yes. Why are you looking like you’re surprised? Like this is your first time hearing this? I told you this during our first session.”

  “I don’t recall you telling me anything of the sort, Dilvan.”

  “Well, I did, and to answer your question again, I’m not obsessed with Gabrielle. I love her. After what she did for my father, how could I not love her? She’s...gosh I can’t even find words to describe how much she means to me and I’m glad she’s carrying my baby.”

  The more he talked, the more frustrated Dr. Nash became. “Please, tell me your thought process which led you to the conclusion that you want to tell Gabrielle you drugged her and that you may be the father of her baby?”

  “I didn’t drug her!” he roared, veins bulging in his neck and at his temples. He stood up to emphasize his point. “I…we…we love each other.”

  “Okay, Dilvan, I need you to calm down a bit,” Dr. Nash said. For the first time since meeting him, she felt threatened, but still, she stuck to her guns.

  “I am calm!” Dilvan told her with a predominant frown plastered in his forehead.

  “No, you’re not. You’re behaving like a loose cannon and I think you need some medication to help calm you down a little, Dilvan.”

  In a fit of rage, Dilvan picked up a vase filled with fresh flowers and flung it across the room. It crashed against the wall – flowers, shattered glass and water crashing down to the floor all at once. “I don’t need pills, and I surely don’t need you telling me that I do. Have a nice life, doc.”

  “Dilvan...” Dr. Nash said, calling out to him, but he’d already opened the door and passed through it.