Third Person’s POV
"Alexander Blackwood!"
Alexander’s brows furrowed. He knew that voice anywhere.
Slowly, he turned... and his gaze t his mother’s. Her arm was held firmly by an unfamiliar woman as she marched toward him. Her face was flushed, a clear sign she was already displeased.
Beside him, Serena’s grip on his arm tightened instinctively. Alexander gave her a calm pat, a silent reassurance that he had everything under control.
"Mom," he greeted, eting her eyes without flinching.
"Alexander, who is this?" his mother demanded the mont she was close enough, her tone clipped, authoritative and uncompromising.
He inhaled slowly. "This is Serena," he said calmly. "My date for today."
His mother’s gaze swept over Serena—assessing, scrutinizing, weighing her worth in a matter of seconds.
Her stare was sharp enough to make most people cower, but Serena stood tall, refusing to avert her eyes. The reaction fascinated Alexander; very few ever endured his mother’s stare without shrinking away.
When his mother looked back at him, disappointnt flashed across her features. It was subtle, but unmistakable. Alexander barely reacted; he’d long stopped caring about winning her approval.
"Co with ," she ordered, turning sharply without giving him a chance to respond.
A quiet sigh escaped him. He turned toward Serena, offering a soft, reassuring smile. "I have to et her."
Serena nodded, and Alexander stepped away, leaving her with the unfamiliar woman as he followed his mother.
As soon as Alexander was out of sight, Serena turned and was about to walk away when she was stopped by the lady who had walked in with his mom earlier.
"You... you’re the reason Alex ditched ."
Serena’s brows creased as her body swayed till she was standing opposite the lady.
"Who are you?" She asked calmly with her hands folded.
The lady’s face scrunched up in distaste as her eyes swept over Serena.
"You don’t know who I am? I am Alia Chase... Alexander’s fiancée."
Pride flashed through her eyes as she introduced herself.
Serena was taken aback. "His fiancée, you say?"
"Hmm-mm."
"Alexander never ntioned it. So I don’t believe you."
Alia widened her eyes, disbelief flashing in her eyes.
Then—
She burst into laughter. "Believe it or not. I am his fiancée. And you... you’re just a distraction he will discard soon."
Alia flicked her hair, smirking before walking away.
Serena’s brows drew together. "He... has a fiancée?"
Serena’s stomach dropped. A cold wave washed over her, embarrassnt and disbelief colliding all at once. What does he want from then? Am I really just a distraction to him?
Serena stood frozen long after Alia strutted away, the woman’s words echoing in her mind. anwhile, across the hall, Alexander was pulled into a corner by his mom.
"Who’s she? Why are you with her? Alexander, your grandfather would be present today. You cannot ruin this."
Alexander rubbed his forehead. His mother’s voice dug into his skull like a drill—sharp, relentless, painfully familiar.
"Mom." He said tiredly, staring at her. "I told you already, you cannot decide who I’m to marry. That decision is mine alone."
His voice was filled with conviction as his gaze was fixated into her eyes.
"But Alia is here. She’s your fiancée. What do—"
"That has absolutely nothing to do with ." He cut her off. With a sigh, he continued. "I didn’t agree to the engagent. I absolutely would not marry a snobbish heiress."
"But—"
"No buts, Mom. I don’t need anybody’s influence to make our company rise. I can do that on my own."
Grace stared at him speechlessly.
"Now, if you’d excuse , I’d like to return to the banquet."
Without waiting for his mother’s reply, he walked out leaving behind a fuming Grace.
"Alexander Blackwood, don’t bla for what happens next. Alia is the right one for you. Her family’s influence would make our company bigger. I’m doing this for you."
She muttered under her breath, with her eyes fixated on his retreating back.
Alexander returned to the banquet. His eyes darted around, searching for Serena.
His expression softened when he found her near the food area. With a smile, he walked to her, only to be obstructed by Alia.
"Alexander, darling." She started cutely, her hands gliding across his chest.
Alexander’s brows knitted as he caught her hand. "Don’t." He warned her, his voice dangerously low.
"I’m your fiancée. It’s only normal that I get to touch you." Alia was not threatened by his warning. Rather, she was intrigued.
"Don’t touch . You are not fit to stand close to ." He whispered, and let go of her hand.
Alia’s face changed. "Is it because of her? Do you like her?" She questioned with her hands folded but he remained silent.
Alia scoffed. "I thought Alexander Blackwood never caught feelings. You only sleep with them and walk away. That was your motto. But what changed?"
Alexander stared into her eyes, and enunciated each word slowly. "It is not your place to ddle with my business. We are not close, and we will never be."
Alia let out a laugh in response. "But your mom wants to be her daughter-in-law. Do you dare go against your mom?"
"Watch ." Alexander smirked before he walked away.
Alia stomped, her face glowing red with fury. "Just wait, it’d only be a matter of ti before you’re married to ."
"Hmph!" She scoffed, and stord out.
Alexander, on the other hand, didn’t know what was going through her mind. His lips were curved upwards as he approached Serena.
"Do you like sweet things?" He asked, and Serena turned to him.
"You’re back." She comnted, a bit withdrawn. Her hands were behind her back as she assud a respectful stance.
Alexander’s brows creased as his gaze swept over her. "Why are you standing that way?"
She smiled softly. "Showing you respect."
"You’re my date today, not my employee. And besides—" he leaned closer, his hot breath fanning her ears as he whispered. "—we have more than a boss-employee relationship.
Serena’s cheeks heated up. She was well aware of what he was referring to.
She took a step back, and took a deep breath. "Sir, we shouldn’t say things like that. That night was an accident. Your fiancée might misunderstand if she finds out."
Alexander’s face changed, his brows scrunching up in confusion. "Fiancée? Since when did I have a fiancée?
Serena chuckled. But if one listened closely, they could hear the bitterness in her tone. "Sir, you don’t need to pretend. I know people like you would only go for the people of your class."
"Serena, you’re misunderstanding. I do—"
"I’ll be in the restroom." She cut him off, and walked away without waiting for his answer.
Alexander turned slightly—and his eyes t Alia’s smug, knowing smirk.
His fists curled at his sides, jaw tightening while restraining his fury.
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