Chapter 26
JOJO:
A week had passed and it was time to get back to work. That meant another whirlpool of emotions while hugging Mel and Valerie. I did not have knowledge of when next I would be allowed to return and I hated being away from them. I had also promised Valerie she would return to school very soon. I handed the rest of the money Bentley had given me, to Mel, even though she vehemently refused it at first.
I almost thought of an excuse in my head. Any lie to allow me to turn back and be with them. But, all the money we needed wouldn’t make me do that. I boarded a cab and headed to the casino.
While in the cab, I thought back to what Valerie had spoken to me about Aunt Elowen’s visit to the hospital. It was hard to believe she had come to ask for money, even after all she had done. Mel had assured me she would never be allowed to visit my mother’s room again. It was a great relief.
I soon dropped off in front of the huge building and I paid for the cab, before trotting inside. Compared to my first time here, I did look better, dressed in a pink long-sleeved crop top – so I did not have to wear my gloves – and a black leather skirt that stopped mid-thigh. My concealer was a necessary accessory.
I walked straight towards Bentley’s office to get my room number and whatever other information I would need. She flashed me a wide smile as soon as she saw me. It was confirmed, she was pleased by my change.
I was too, so I returned the smile.
“Room 709.” She said and handed me a piece of paper after we had exchanged pleasantries.
“Welcome to the Rush Empire family.” She said out loud, I found my cheeks flustered.
“Thank you, Bentley.”
“Don’t sweat it. Work starts tomorrow. You’ll be having two appearances this week unless you’re specially requested for a private dance. No late entrance, remember all we’ve learned in training.” She instructed, I replied with a nod.
“Understood.”
I left her office and began the search for Room 709.
As I walked towards the elevator, I found Neil stepping out of his office. I wanted to run and hide. Knowing he had seen me as a mechanic made me wonder why he had chosen me, there was nothing sexy about me when we first met. But, I did have something to speak to him about.
So taking a deep breath, I walked up to him, trapping him before he could walk away.
“Mr. Neil,” I called out.
He raised his head to see who it was.
His ever-stern eyes were fixed on me. At that moment, I thought of turning away and heading back to my room, until he spoke.
“Red. What’s up?”
His tone was casual. I did not know if that was a good or bad sign.
“I want to speak to the Alpha, please.”
He raised a brow.
Shit. I shouldn’t have said that.
“Speak to me, I’d pass the information on to him,” Neil replied.
I could do that, but I needed to thank the Alpha myself. Alpha Lake had lifted the burden of my mother’s bills from my shoulders.
“I want to say it myself, please. Just let me see him, I won’t cause any trouble.” I continued to plead.
His shoulders rose and fell in a heavy sigh.
“I know you won’t. Thing is, people like you don’t get to see the Alpha unless it’s critical. He’s the Alpha for a reason. I’m here to get through to him on your behalf, so tell me. What is it that you wish to tell him?” He asked.
I was faintly annoyed, but I couldn’t stay mad at a man who was only trying to do his job. So, I decided to speak.
“Could you tell him that I’m forever grateful for the debt he paid off for me? I would make sure I pay back, every dime.”
Nothing ever went for nothing. The harsh world I lived in had taught me that.
“Will do.”
Then he turned and left me alone in the hallway. I pulled my bags into the elevator nearby and for the first time ever, the elevator was empty. I stepped in, with tired legs and an equally tired mind.
The elevator began to close, but before it did, a figure sped into the small opening, striding in beside me. The elevator shut its doors immediately. The hairs on my body stood at attention. I did not need to turn to see who it was.
The smell of Alpha Lake’s cologne had been stuck in my head for days, I could tell it from a mile away. Panic seized my chest. I began to fidget with my fingers as I gently bit my lip. I thought of thanking him there and then, nature must have offered him into my hands.
However, I only realized I was tongue-tied after I opened my mouth to speak. How could I speak to him as freely as I did in my head? He was not only the most powerful man in my pack but the first man who had touched and fondled me in the way he did. The first man whose touch I didn’t flinch under. The first man I… I craved.
“Am I really that small that you cannot acknowledge my presence?” His tone stole into my thoughts, it was calm, dangerously calm.
Now that he had broken our deadlock of silence, I was supposed to speak.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
What was I to say?
“No, no. I’m sorry, Alpha Lake. Greetings.” My words were strained, as though I was being choked off the air. I made sure to keep my eyes on my bloody shoes.
The room suddenly felt too tight, even though it was just the two of us. His aura enveloped me, making it impossible for me to breathe without drawing in his sensual scent.
I was snatched and pulled into a hard chest. I opened my mouth and gasped in shock.
“Look at me when I speak to you.”
He gnarled. I nodded frantically. It was hard to ignore the motion his eyes adopted while traveling from my eyes to my lips. My thoughts were becoming too erotic, and he was the cause. I knew that if he leaned in to kiss me at that moment, I would not push him away.
“I’m sorry…” I muttered to him and he frowned.
“What did I say about that?” He spoke softly.
I swallowed hard, only to dampen my dry throat. His gaze was rendering me speechless and immobile.
“Sor… I mean, I apologize for not listening.” I mumbled. He released me immediately and I scurried to a distal end of the elevator.
“Thank you,” I said, then paused to look at him.
“I mean, for paying my debt. It was… a lot of money. And you also let them have some more for her treatment. I can assure you, Alpha. I would make the money and pay you back, every cent.”
He was silent, but I saw his jaw twitch. He seemed displeased by my last statement and I could only wonder why, because I did not dare ask.
When the elevator doors opened on my floor, I stepped out. But before it closed and continued, I turned back to look at him.
“I really meant what I said, I’ll pay everything back,” I spoke firmly. His gaze met mine, my heart leaped in my chest. I turned away quickly when the elevator door started to close.
I was already halfway out when he left me last words,
“Do not be careless with your promises, especially around here.”
Before I could turn back, the elevator door was shut. I took the words to heart, knowing he was right. But I was still keen on paying back. I knew I would always feel indebted to him if I did not, and I did not need him having such power over me.
Room 709 was exactly what I needed to breathe out in relief and seize my wary thoughts. I was about to open the door when I heard a familiar voice behind me.
“Well, hello neighbor!”
I turned to see Ashley standing behind me, her usual pretty smile on her face.