Thirty–Five
Isabella’s POV
It wasn’t until three days after my drinking spree that I woke up in the morning and decided that there was nothing that would make me sit idle at home any longer.
Not Lisa, not a stuck–up Alpha who also happened to be my mate, not the universe, nothing. I woke up fairly early even without setting an alarm so it was almost like the universe itself was conspiring with me to go ahead and do this.
I hopped into the shower and actually spent a long time in there. I had not been out for a while and I almost gave myself a whole facial deciding I looked quite crusty.
Perfection was my trademark and unfortunately, I had to bump into Mason the other night looking like shit. Well that was in the past now and no one had to see me looking anything but my best from now on.
After an intense beauty session, including doing my hair and makeup, I threw on my best work outfit paired with my Jimmy Choo black, red bottom heels. I couldn’t help the smirk that came to play on my lips when I walked out of my bedroom and Lisa’s mouth dropped open on sighting
- me.
“Are you going somewhere, ma’am?”
“I resume work today,” I said simply, dropping my bag on the island and going to make myself a quick breakfast of toast, eggs, and bacon. With Lisa here, I never got the opportunity to cook for myself but seeing as she just got here this morning and had not started on breakfast, I grabbed at the chance.
14.10
“Well, you look very beautiful.” She says, sounding a bit dazed.
288 Vouchers
I peeked out of the fridge door which was open and shielding my view while I rummaged through it. “Why, thank you, Lisa,” I told her with a not–so–modest grin before pulling out the sliced bread, raw bacon, and eggs from the fridge.
“But ma’am…it’s not yet time for you to go back. The Alpha has not…”
“Look at me, Lisa.”
“Huh?”
“Look at me. Do I look like the kind of woman that cares about what anyone thinks I should do or not do?” Lisa slowly shook her head and I smiled at her. “Exactly.”
She was silent for a while before I heard her start to fidget. “Um, I can help you with that, you don’t need to-”
“It’s fine, Lisa. I can do it.” I said simply and she sighed. I glanced at her, feeling bad for how defeated she looked. It wasn’t her fault. She had received orders but unluckily for her, I had gotten sick of obeying them.
After eating breakfast, Lisa tried to persuade me against going one last time even though I could tell she had already resigned to the fact that I wasn’t going to listen to her. I went down into the parking lot and when I started up the engine and tried to reverse, I instantly knew something was wrong. I came down and checked and I saw that my intuition had been right and I indeed had a flat tire.
I sighed but not wanting to ruin my mood and my day. I stretched my lips into a smile for fear that frowning would only dampen my mood and then I pulled out my phone and booked a premium taxi service. The driver arrived in a couple of minutes driving a BMW. I hopped in and texted Lisa to call someone to do something about my car since she was so pressed about having nothing to do.
14:10
288 Vouchers
I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy to go to work. Not that I hate my job or anything. I mean, I work in an art gallery, how could I? But was I ever all smiles as I stepped down from the car in front of the place I work? No, never. Absence truly does make the heart fonder.
I walked the short path from where I got down from the car to the entrance of the gallery and my eyes immediately gazed up, scanning the point where the walls collapsed.
It seemed the few days I had been off work had been enough for everything to be fixed and I was actually pleased at the fact that if I did not know about the incident, I wouldn’t have even needed to check if everything was in place. The repair was seamless indeed.
By the time I got to my own office, I had been greeted, asked how I’m doing, and told that they were glad to have me back and it almost made me emotional how genuine it all sounded.
For how little I interact with people, I’m actually an expert on reading them–except for Alexander–and I could see the way their eyes lit up on sighting me and the way their brows pulled together in worry when they asked if I was all better now.
I was so shocked by the reception that I temporarily lost my tongue. I wasn’t the friendliest boss out there and yet! Maybe that was why I felt emotional, followed by guilt and then the urge to do better.
I thanked everyone and walked into my office where Tanya jumped to her feet on sighting me while Olivia who had been sitting across from her turned back to see what was wrong only to immediately follow suit.
“Miss Rossi! Oh goddess, I’m so glad you’re alright.”
“Thank you, Tanya.”
“We’ve been counting the days and it seemed so long, we couldn’t help but worry,” Olivia said quietly.
14.10
288 Vouchers
I smiled at both of them. The feeling bubbling in my chest was so wholesome and I loved it. “I guess I’m glad to be back,” I said as Olivia unlocked my door for me and I walked in. The place had been kept clean and tidy and I appreciated that. I just sat down when Tanya came in looking nervous and biting her lip.
I raised my brow at her and she cleared her throat, “The Alpha has sent for you, ma’am.”
***
I took in a deep breath before finally raising my fist to knock on Alexander’s door. It’s not like I hadn’t expected this. In fact, I expected it to be a lot earlier, like maybe immediately after I got down from the car. I had come to understand that this man had claimed entitlement in my life and there was nothing I could do.
Apart from his position, I had come to realize that he would always have power over me due to our bond. His touch would always make me weak at the knees and I would always think he was the most beautiful man I had ever met. Which was a terrible thing considering how wicked he was determined to be towards me.
“Enter.” He said, just as I expected him to. I went in and he beckoned for me to sit but I shook my head.
“I’d rather not be in here long enough that I’d need to sit down.”
He looked up at me but I refused to meet his eyes. Finally, he sighed. “What are you doing here? I haven’t said you could resume yet.”
“And yet, I’m perfectly fine. I grew sick of staying at home.” I shrugged.
I thought the next time I’d see Alexander, I’d be yelling at him to call off the maid or yelling at him for disposing of my liquor but right now, I realized I didn’t have the strength for a fight and I hoped he wouldn’t be too hard–headed or try to provoke me. I didn’t want to ruin today’s good
14.10
mood.
288 Vouchers
“I’ll have the doctor confirm that.” He said simply and I felt his gaze finally leave me.
I went back to the gallery and got busy. I planned to go straight to the paperwork I was sure I had piled up, but I was immediately met with some fans from other packs who wanted me to give them a personal tour as well as autographs.
Wanting to ease out the small damp being in the same space with Alexander had put on my mood, I happily agreed. It was fun to see them in so much awe of my pack’s treasures. It reminded me of myself as a child when I first visited this place and all the other times after that when I begged my parents to bring me back.
After the time was up, I went to my office and had Tanya and Olivia bring all the paperwork I needed to do which was a ton. Of course, they had tried to help but there were some things that were exclusively my responsibility, and even the ones they did, I still had to review.
I ended up working till it was quite late and the main gallery had closed for the day. I sent Tanya and Olivia home before me despite their protests and when I finally decided I had done enough to close for the day, I locked up and went out, hungry and exhausted. When I remembered that I didn’t come here with my own car, I almost cried.
