I wake up to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains of the motel room. As reality starts to sink in, I let out a sigh. Tomorrow, it's back to the real world, back to work. But for now, I bask in the afterglow of last night's unexpected adventure.
My gaze falls on the dark blue silk tie lying prominently on the pristine white beddings next to me. I can't help but stifle a giggle.
With a burst of energy, I swing my legs off the bed and get to my feet. It's time to pack up and check out of this motel. I gather my belongings, careful not to forget the tie that's now a symbol of our little encounter.
Exiting the motel room, I make my way to the cute little car that was, unwillingly, sponsored by Dorian. A smirk plays on my lips as I think about how I managed to turn the tables on that asshole.
I settle into the driver's seat, the tie carefully placed on the passenger seat beside me. With a satisfied sigh, I start the engine and drive off. The open road stretches ahead of me, and I can't help but feel a sense of freedom and anticipation for what's to come.
As I make my way home, I can't shake the grin from my face. Looking forward to our next encounter.
Little does the giddy Ivan know, a sleek black car follows him as he drives off into the distance. Inside, a bald, imposing man sends a message to someone, his expression unreadable.
Meanwhile, Zander D Vale receives a message from one of his men. A smirk tugs at his lips as he reads the message, knowing exactly what it means. He decides to push through his work for the day, determined to finish enough to earn himself a day or two off. After all, he has a certain little omega on his mind, and he's eager to wrap his arms around him again.
*
The following day, I arrive at work to a flurry of concerned faces.
"Ivan, where were you? We were worried sick!" Jane exclaims, pulling me into a tight hug.
"I had some personal matters to attend to. But I'm here now, everything's fine," I reply, feeling a bit awkward. It's always been a struggle for me to open up and be close with people, especially after everything with Jackson.
Despite having worked at the restaurant for a few months now, I still find it hard to forge genuine friendships with my coworkers. It's not their fault, it's just... me.
After exchanging a few more hellos and apologies with my boss, I change into my work uniform and dive into the day's tasks.
As I attend to customers and take orders, I can't help but feel a sense of exhaustion settling in. Working in customer service again after my impromptu week off feels like a rude awakening. But I push through, determined to get through the day.
During my lunch break, I receive a message that someone is waiting for me out back. My heart leaps with anticipation, hoping it might be the alpha from the club. I try to compose myself as I make my way outside.
The sun is shining brightly, casting dappled shadows across the back of the restaurant. I spot Max or is it Matt standing near the entrance, a warm smile on his face. He waves when he sees me approaching, and I can't help but feel a huge pang of disappointment. It's not the alpha I was hoping for, but Matt is a nice guy.
"Hey Ivan," Max greets me as I approach, his voice friendly and cheerful.
"Oh, hey," I reply with a polite smile, trying to hide my disappointment.
"I heard you weren't feeling well, so I came to check on you," Matt says, his blue eyes filled with concern.
"It's just a false rumor. I had some personal matters to attend to outside of town," I respond, trying to keep the conversation light.
Matt nods understandingly, but there's an eager look in his eyes that I can't quite ignore. He starts chatting about the latest town gossip, the weather, anything to keep the conversation going. I try my best to engage, but my mind keeps wandering back to the alpha from the club.
As we talk, I can't help but notice how earnest Matt is. He's genuinely interested in how I'm doing, asking about my job and my life in the town. I appreciate his kindness, but my heart isn't in it. Not after the encounter I had with the alpha. All my initial plans of settling down with a nice alpha went out the window after meeting him.
The next ten minutes drag on painfully with awkward small talk. Internally, I'm bored out of my mind, but I can't let it show. Matt is sweet and well-intentioned, and I don't want to hurt his feelings.
Eventually, I manage to make an excuse about needing to get back to work and escape the awkward encounter. As I walk back into the restaurant, I can't help but feel a sense of longing for the mysterious alpha who captured my attention.
As I start working, Jane's teasing continues in the background. She's relentless when it comes to Max(I now know his name and will try not to forget), always trying to play matchmaker.
"It was Max, wasn't it?" Jane teases with a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Yeah, just checking in or something," I respond casually, trying to downplay the encounter. But Jane is persistent when it comes to matters of the heart.
"He's so sweet, you're so lucky. Just give him a shot, Ivan. He's literally one of the town's best bachelors," Jane continues, her voice filled with excitement.
I suppress a sigh, knowing this conversation all too well. Jane has been trying to set me up with Max for months now, convinced that we would be a perfect match. But no matter how many times I try to explain that he's not my type, she doesn't seem to get it.
"He's just not my type, Jane. We've had this conversation several times," I respond, hoping to finally put an end to her matchmaking attempts.
"I know, but he's—" Jane continues, but I tune her out. I focus on my work, trying to push thoughts of Max and the mysterious alpha from the club out of my mind. It's going to be a long day.
Max is sweet, there's no denying that. He's charming in his own way, with his gentle smile and kind eyes. He's one of the town's most eligible bachelors, successful and well-liked by everyone. On paper, he's the ideal partner. But there's a spark missing, a connection that I can't force.
I remember the way the mysterious alpha from the club made me feel, the heat that coursed through my veins when he touched me. It was like nothing I've ever experienced before. He was confident, assertive, and exuded a raw magnetism that drew me in completely. It's a stark contrast to Max's gentle nature, and I find myself yearning for that intensity again.
But it's foolish, I remind myself. The alpha was just a fleeting encounter, a moment of passion in the dimly lit club. I can't base my feelings on one night, no matter how unforgettable it was. Besides, I barely know anything about him. He could be a player, a heartbreaker, or worse. I don't care, if I'm being honest if he looks at me like that again, even if he was a serial killer I would die happy.
Lost in my thoughts, I realize that Jane has moved on to another topic of conversation. I force a smile and nod along, but my mind is elsewhere. The memory of the alpha's dark eyes and the desire and possessiveness in his eyes.
✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧ I hope you're having fun reading this, leave some comments for engagement or critic or suggestions
also support me a little, with one or two power stones
I stand by the expansive window of my office, gazing out at the twinkling lights of the city below. My mood is palpable, radiating off me like an electric charge. The atmosphere in the office is tense, my employees tiptoeing around me as if I might explode at any moment.
It's been 23 excruciating days since I last held that captivating omega in my arms. The memory of his scent, his touch, still lingers in my mind, driving me to distraction. But duty called, and I had to board a plane back to headquarters due to a company emergency.
Incompetent fools, the lot of them. One of our top executives was caught red-handed in a web of fraud, embezzlement, and a plethora of other unsavory crimes. The Vale Enterprise, despite its stature and success, is not immune to the treachery of wolves disguised as colleagues. It seems everyone is just waiting for an opportunity to take a bite out of us, to weaken our standing in the industry.
The pressure is suffocating. Every decision I make feels like walking on a tightrope, with the snarling pack of enemies below eagerly waiting for me to slip up. To make matters worse, even my own relatives, hungry for power and control, would not hesitate to join the fray if they sensed any vulnerability in me.
I run a hand through my hair, feeling the stress and weight of responsibility bearing down on me. The thought of gray hairs sprouting from this ordeal doesn't seem far-fetched at this point. But I can't afford to show weakness, not now. The fate of the company, and perhaps my own sanity, hangs in the balance.
I make my way towards the small bedroom attached to my office. It has become my refuge in these tumultuous times, where I've spent countless nights sleeping amidst piles of paperwork and breathing in the suffocating scent of work.
As I undress, shedding the weight of the day along with my clothes, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. It's a habit I've developed recently, checking for signs of aging. Can't be too careful, especially now that I'm essentially involved with a 22-year-old omega. I scrutinize my reflection, searching for any hint of gray hairs that might have sprouted amidst the chaos of my life.
Satisfied that my hair color remains unchanged, I step into the steaming shower. The hot water cascades over me, washing away the grime and stress of the day. As I lather up with soap, my mind drifts to the mirror again. Are those wrinkles forming around my eyes? I furrow my brow, examining the faint lines that seem to have appeared overnight.
At 28, I never thought I'd be worried about wrinkles. But then again, I never anticipated getting entangled with an omega like Ivan. He's like a whirlwind, sweeping into my life and turning everything upside down. I make a mental note to schedule a dermatologist appointment soon. Gotta keep up appearances, especially when you're dating someone who looks like he stepped out of a magazine cover.
After my shower, I return to my office, clad only in my underwear. It's my domain, and at 3 AM, I figure I can indulge in a bit of comfort. I settle into my chair, the cool leather against my skin a welcome contrast to the heat of the shower.
Before I dive into the mountain of work awaiting me, I reach for my iPad. There, I find a collection of images depicting what my beautiful omega has been up to today. I swipe through the pictures, each one bringing a mix of emotions to the surface.
In one image, he's standing next to some punk-ass boy. I had him investigated, of course. He's nothing, insignificant . If Ivan had shown even a hint of interest in this boy, I'm not sure I would have been able to contain my jealousy and having never been jealous before I don't know what I would have down to the cockroach.Thankfully, Ivan's disinterest is evident in the photo.
I chuckle to myself, the sound echoing in the quiet office. I had him in my arms for just a few minutes, but he fit against me so perfectly. I can almost taste the sweetness of his lips in my mind, imagining the way they might feel against mine. Would he be compliant, allowing me to take control of the kiss, surrendering to me completely? Or would he be a fiery spitfire, fighting me for dominance? The thought sends a shiver of anticipation down my spine.
Setting the iPad aside, I force myself to focus on the task at hand. I need to get this mess sorted out, clear my schedule so that I can finally see Ivan in person. The thought alone is enough to fuel my determination as I dive into the work, my mind occasionally drifting back to the tantalizing image of my omega.
*
As I drive to the grocery store, the radio fills the car with the voice of the announcer, discussing the latest scandal involving Peter Adams, the CFO of Vale Oil Co.
"Peter Adams was taken into custody by the FBI this morning… suspected embezzlement, fraud… he was the CFO of the Vale Oil Co. …the CEO of the umbrella Vale Enterprise released a statement a few hours later, urging cooperation with the FBI during their investigations…"
I quickly switch the channel, not interested in the world of the rich and their scandals. The Vales are an old money, big money family, capable of moving the economies of minor countries. The current CEO, rumored to be in his late 20s, is a mystery to the media, likely some overweight balding man sitting behind a desk, I think to myself with a snicker.
Turning my attention to the upbeat music playing on the radio, I try to push thoughts of the Vales to the back of my mind. Unfortunately, thoughts of a certain alpha refuse to leave. It's been practically a month since our encounter, and if not for the silk tie I have as a memento, I might have thought I dreamt the whole thing.
I park my car in the grocery store lot, taking a deep breath before stepping out into the crisp air. Grocery shopping is a mundane task, but it's a welcome distraction from the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind. As I wander through the aisles, picking up items on my list, I can't help but wonder if I'll ever see him again. The memory of his touch lingers on my skin, and I find myself smiling despite the chaos of my thoughts.
Should I have gotten his number? Given him my number? How do I expect him to find me? No. He could have come to look for me at the restaurant. Maybe he woke up the following morning and decided not to?
Zander is apparently in a relationship, not that it's important for Ivan to be aware about the fact that he's in a relationship.
as a bingereader, I decided on mini batch releases rather than a chapter a day, that would frustrate me so much... but it you think otherwise... I guess I can do daily