Filed to story: Watch Me Win Alpha (Olivia & Ethan)
I paused. Since I’d been gone, there were many household chores and errands that I needed to run. Besides, I was exhausted and was looking forward to getting off of my feet.
And even more pressing, I had that meeting with Ava that started soon. After that horrible situation with Ethan at lunch, I’d decided that I’d just write that stupid letter for him so I could get him out of my life and hopefully never see him or Chole again. But I wanted to consult Ava about it first and see what she thought about it.
I couldn’t tell Alexander no, though. He was my boss and he was right when he said that this would be a great networking opportunity for me. It went deeper than that. Alexander had saved me from being stuck in that room today, then comforted me and stayed with me when I was having an emotional breakdown. It felt like I owed him this.
“I would be happy to go with you tonight,” I told him.
“Excellent,” he said and then led the way out of his office.
Near the elevator, we encountered Gai.
“I solved my problem,” he told her. “Olivia is going to come with me to the function tonight.”
Gai’s eyes shot to mine, and she frowned as she studied the bags under my eyes. “Alexander, Olivia looks exhausted. Why don’t you just go to the party by yourself?”
He shot Gai an angry look. “I need a date at a function like this to accompany me, you know that,” Alexander snapped in a cold voice.
The outrage in his voice seemed to shock Gai into silence.
She cut her eyes to me, and I gave her a small smile because I knew that she had tried her best to get me out of tonight. I tried to convey my gratitude for her with a simple look.
As Alexander and I rode the elevator to the parking garage, I sent a message to Ava postponing our meeting. I really needed to talk to her because I didn’t want Ethan breathing over my shoulder for the rest of my life, but I couldn’t say no to Alexander tonight. Not with the crappy mood he was in.
At least I would be able to drive since I usually drove Alexander’s car. I walked up to the driver’s seat, but when I looked into the window, I stopped short.
A jolt of surprise went down my spine.
Someone was already in his car.
*Olivia*
A man in a black chauffeur cap saw me and rolled down the window.
“Good evening, ma?am,” he said politely. “I’m Richard.”
“Hi, you can call me Olivia. No need to call me ma?am.” I squinted as I studied Richard’s dark hair poking out of his hat and bright blue eyes. For some reason, he looked very familiar to me. “Nice to meet you.”
I walked around the car to sit in the passenger seat, but Alexander stopped me halfway.
“You were going to sit in the passenger seat and leave me in the backseat to sit by myself?” he asked, his eyes flashing with offense.
“Oh, right” I said and climbed into the backseat as Alexander held the door open for me.
I had to be honest. It was nice to have a driver to navigate the busy New York traffic. The sun was setting creating a beautiful pink and orange landscape on the tall buildings.
Alexander was quiet and busy answering work emails on his phone. I looked down at my work clothes.
“Am I dressed appropriately for a work party?” I asked him.
His eyes trailed slowly down my body, making my stomach swoop.
“You’ll do,” he said in a teasing tone.
“Why do you want to attend tonight? Don’t you usually skip these sort of things?” I asked.
“I told you. It’s a good networking opportunity.”
I remained quiet after that. I could tell that he had another reason for going. I just couldn’t figure out what it was.
Soon, Richard pulled up to a luxury hotel. At the entrance, there was paparazzi, and even a red carpet rolled out for the event.
“I’m not dressed for this kind of gala,” I hissed at Alexander as Richard opened our car door.
But he ignored my comment as he helped me out of the car.
Cameras flashed in every direction as we walked down the red carpet.
“That’s Olivia!” I heard more than one photographer yell.
My cheeks heated as all eyes turned to us as we walked through the doors into the grand entrance hall. With my connections to the Hawthorne and Windsor family, Alexander and I immediately became the center of attention. Whispers followed us as we made our way to the banquet hall where the event was being held.
In the ballroom, crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and a band played quiet jazz music on an elevated stage. Servers walked around with trays of champagne flutes and mini appetizers. A group of businessmen made a beeline for Alexander, wanting to discuss potentially working for his company.
“This is my date and colleague, Olivia,” Alexander said, introducing me.
The businessman eyed me, and I could tell that they knew of my past with Ethan. They all nodded at me in greeting but then turned back to Alexander to continue to talk to him.
I scanned the crowd, hoping that I saw a familiar face. My heart lifted in relief when I saw my friend Rose smile and wave at me from across the room.
“I see someone I know,” I muttered to Alexander. “I’ll leave you here to talk business.”
To my surprise, as soon as I began walking toward Rose, Alexander said goodbye to the man and started to follow me. He quickened his pace to keep up with me.
“Why are you in such a hurry?” Alexander demanded in a loud voice, catching the attention of the other guests.
They eyed us with interest since those words made it seem like we were much more than work colleagues. I even saw Rose’s eyebrows raise much to my embarrassment.
“Ah, I see Felipe,” Alexander said, finally slowing down.
Chaphs 134
Felipe was another CEO of a company that ours did business with from time to time. He was grabbing two glasses of champagne, and when he saw Alexander, he began to make his way over to us.
I gestured to Rose as she walked up, looking pretty in a sleek black dress. I envied her for fitting in with the other well-dressed women at this event.
“I’m going to talk with my friend, Rose,” I said.
Alexander’s body relaxed when he saw that I had been walking toward a woman before. I wanted to roll my eyes.
When he put his hand on the small of my back, my stomach jolted. “I’ll leave you with your friend while I talk to Felipe,” he said.
I nodded.
“Hi, there,” Rose said.
We chatted for a while. The band increased their volume, and guests kept piling into the hall. Even though it was a big space, since I’d been trapped in the private room earlier today, I began to feel slightly claustrophobic. Rose seemed to notice and grabbed two champagne glasses off of a passing tray and handed me the cool glass.
“Would you like to get some air outside?”
“Yes,” I answered gratefully and followed her out onto a terrace that overlooked the dark night.
Lights twinkled below us as I breathed in the cool air. I gripped the stone railing and allowed the sharp wind to clear my head.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?