Chapter 96
I forced a smile uglier than a sob.
Who’d even want to compete in that contest?
“Can’t I sign up for something better?” I asked, my voice small as I looked up at him.
“Of course.” Alpha Gideon nodded firmly, his smile sparkling like starlight, his voice low and warm as sweet liquor. “You can join any game you want, as long as you’re in.”
I’d been holding it together-I hated looking like a blubbering mess for others to gawk at. But now, I felt like I could let go, be vulnerable, let myself be spoiled. A warm, bittersweet surge from deep inside washed away my stubborn defenses.
My eyes misted over, blurring everything.
I let my strength crumble, unafraid of stumbling or tumbling off a cliff.
Leaning into him, I vented silently, pouring it all out.
Alpha Gideon, knowing I cared about appearances, draped his suit jacket over my head and led me out of the
restaurant.
In the car, my shoulders still trembled softly.
Emotions, once unleashed, don’t quiet easily.
Like a tide, they surge until they’ve run their course, calming only when they reach the shore.
After what felt like an eternity, I finally settled.
The car was silent, and that’s when I realized-I was still… hugging Alpha Gideon.
Hugging?
Hugging!
I snapped to full alert.
My arms were wrapped around his waist, my face pressed to his chest-like clutching my nightly pillow, the movement so natural, so bold, and the aftermath so messy.
My eyes darted nervously.
Should I casually pull away and sit up?
Or play unconscious, wait for him to shake me awake, and pretend I knew nothing?
The second option seemed viable-I’d passed out on the trip, ended up in his arms, and he hadn’t fussed.
As I schemed to defuse the awkwardness, a voice came from above.
“Stop plotting. You’ll overthink till nightfall,” he said, patting my head lightly.
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“Let’s eat first. You can hug me again after.”
I froze, then felt myself “shatter” with embarrassment.
Five minutes later, I sat in a restaurant chair.
The place had a serene courtyard vibe, so quiet you could hear the artificial stream outside.
Alpha Gideon ordered across from me.
I looked calm, blending with the tranquil setting, but inside…
Save me, save me, save me!
What do I do, what do I do, what do I do?!
Ugh!
I shouldn’t have leaned into him. I shouldn’t have hugged him!
“Shrimp?” Alpha Gideon asked.
“Yeah,” I replied, my heart skipping a beat as I rushed to answer.
“For dessert, osmanthus sticky rice or avocado bird’s nest?”
“Both-”
“Both?”
I’d meant to say either was fine, but whatever. “Yeah, yeah.”
Alpha Gideon ordered six dishes.
Done, he looked up at me.
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I pretended to sip water, gazing at the scenery, but my nerves made my teeth clink against the glass.
“That glass-” Alpha Gideon started.
I frowned at it.
“What? Something wrong with it?”
“You can’t eat it.”
He said it dead seriously, like he was coaxing a pup chewing on rocks.
I stared at the glass, my soul fleeing my body from embarrassment.
Thankfully, the food arrived quickly.
I dove into my meal, hoping to eat fast, leave faster, and avoid talking.
“Vivian, have some shrimp.”
Alpha Gideon placed a peeled shrimp on my plate.
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I paused, then gushed,
“Thanks, thanks, thanks!”
After I ate it, he added a piece of seared lamb chop.
“Vivian, eat some meat.”
“Great, great, great!”
“Vivian, some soup.”
He ladled me a bowl.
“Thanks, thanks, thanks!”
“Vivian…”
“Awesome, awesome! Thanks, thanks!”
I froze mid-response, spoon in mouth, turning away and closing my eyes briefly.
Ugh, jumped the gun.
Alpha Gideon watched me, his expression a mix of amusement and exasperation.
After a beat, he said, “No need for thanks. Peel me a shrimp.”
I turned back, setting down the spoon.
“Sure, sure, I’ll peel.”
I got to work, peeling shrimp after shrimp.
In under two minutes, a small mountain piled up on his plate.
Alpha Gideon ate one, sighed, and looked up.
“We’re just grabbing a bite, not selling you off after. Relax.”
I gave him an “I don’t know what you mean” look. “I’m not tense.
Alpha Gideon, eat up, the shrimp’s getting cold.”
He paused, then ate in silence.
When we finished, I snatched the bill.
“Alpha Gideon, seriously, thank you. I can’t even put it into words. I’ve got this.”
His face cooled slightly.
“Vivian, your bridge-burning skills could rival a pro demolition crew.”
I pressed my lips together, awkward.
Alpha Gideon stood, expressionless, and left.
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I followed, jogging to pay, then rushed to drive,
Elliot had dropped us off earlier.
Now, heading back, I couldn’t let Alpha Gideon drive while I lounged in the back-that’d look like I’d hexed
him.
And sitting shotgun?
That’d scream “Alpha Gideon’s mato” to anyone watching.
His icy mood stretched from the restaurant to the office.
He’d wanted to ask what Alpha Adrian did, but her desperate need to keep distance made him feel foolish.
She clearly wanted to owe him nothing.
Back at the office, Elliot saw them return so soon and thought, Alpha Gideon’s got some restraint after all.
He’d half-expected Alpha Gideon to take advantage when he sent Elliot away.
If something had happened, they wouldn’t be back this afternoon.
I entered my office.
“Vivian, I grabbed your keys from your bag and drove your car back,” Elliot said, handing them over.
He’d seen how tightly she’d clung to Alpha Gideon-without context, he’d have thought she was into him,
trying to make a move.
“Thanks,” I said, grateful.
“No biggie,” Elliot replied, then added, concerned,
“You feeling better? Want to take the afternoon off?”
“I’m good, no need.”
This wasn’t something a nap could fix.
Elliot saw she seemed okay and left.
Five o’clock, quitting time.
I clocked out on the dot.
I called Cassie, who was at her law firm, working late. I decided to head there.
Before my car left the garage, my phone rang.
Alpha Gideon.
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