3rd Person’s POV
By the ti Serena woke up, it was in the evening. The space beside her had long turned cold, evident that Alexander had left.
She held her head, as mories rushed straight to her mind, and her eyes widened imdiately.
"Did I just sleep with my boss... again?"
Instantly, she flew to her feet but the searing pain between her thighs was enough for her to return back to bed.
"Oh Serena, what were you thinking?" She berated herself. But her gaze landed on a note, and she narrowed her eyes.
Carefully, she rose to her feet and picked up the note. It was from Alexander:
"I’m sorry I won’t be there when you wake up. I have important business to take care of. I’ll be back."
She blinked.
"He shouldn’t have." She murmured under her breath.
Stretching, she decided to take a shower.
anwhile, Alexander was currently standing in front of his mother who had a terrible expression. He kept glancing at his wristwatch, while tapping his feet impatiently.
"Mom," he started, "I’ve been here for over an hour. But you still haven’t said what’s needed. Are we discussing or not?"
"Alia told what happened today." Grace stated. "Alexander, you have to understand that I am doing all these for you. Alia is a very suitable candidate for marriage."
"And who told you that my grandson needs you to arrange his marriage?"
"F-father." Trembling, Grace shot up to her feet. She had always been afraid of her father-in-law. And now that he was present, it only intensified her fear.
"Grandfather," Alexander furrowed his brows as he walked towards the old man.
"Aren’t you ant to be at ho?"
"Brat." Elias raised his walking stick and hit Alexander at the back of his leg.
Alexander winced, but didn’t complain..
"If I am not here, your mother could end up manipulating you into marrying that vulgar girl." Elias stated vigorously. "I am here to let her know that you have the right to choose whoever you want to marry."
"But father, Alia is a good choice. She graduated from Harvard business school with distinction." Grace had a smile on her face as she began ntioning all of Alia’s positive characters. "She also has the Chase family backing her."
"If both families co together in marriage, then no one would look down on our family again."
Elias scoffed at her words. "Since when did we—the Blackwoods—require protection from outsiders."
"Show who’s looking down on us, and I’ll ensure they don’t survive in this city again."
Elias’s voice was loud. Grace flinched at the intensity.
"It seems my son has given you too much leeway. This is why you can’t tell right from wrong."
"As for your good suitable candidate, I think it is wise for her to attend a character school. Lest she offends who she shouldn’t."
"Alexander, help to the study. I have sothing to discuss with you."
Alexander nodded, held Elias and they both walked to the study, leaving behind a dejected Grace.
She stomped her feet before she collapsed on the sofa.
anwhile, Alexander and Elias were not bothered about Grace.
Instead, Elias allowed Alexander to lead him to have a seat.
"Have a seat, Grandson." Elias gestured to the seat opposite him.
Alexander sat across from his grandfather, the silence in the study heavy and oddly suffocating. Elias leaned back in his chair, tapping his cane lightly as he studied his grandson’s expression.
"Tell sothing," the old man finally said. "Why did you look impatient earlier? You were checking your watch every ten seconds."
Alexander stiffened. "I had sowhere to be."
"Sowhere," Elias repeated, eyes narrowing with interest. "Or with soone?"
Alexander’s jaw twitched. It was the smallest, quickest betrayal, but Elias caught it imdiately and he smirked faintly.
"Hm," the old man humd, stroking his beard. "You’re hiding sothing."
Alexander looked away. "Grandfather, I don’t know what you’re implying."
"That’s exactly the problem," Elias said softly. "You never know what I’m implying. But your face does."
Alexander swallowed. He didn’t like where this was going.
"Earlier today," Elias continued, leaning forward, "you were... attentive and focused.," His eyes sharpened. "Not on Alia. Not on the chaos. But on that girl."
Alexander’s brows rose subtly. "Serena?"
"I didn’t catch her well enough to judge her," Elias said truthfully. "But I caught you."
Alexander’s lips parted as if to protest, but no sound ca out.
"You watched her," Elias said simply. "Not like a man watching an employee. Not like a CEO watching inconvenience unfold."
He paused, voice dropping. "But like a man who didn’t want her dragged into any of it."
Alexander’s heartbeat pulsated.
"That wasn’t... intentional," he muttered.
"So there is intention sowhere," Elias countered, his deep eyes narrowing.
Alexander’s fingers clenched on the armrest..He hated how easily his grandfather could twist things. He hated how right he probably was. He hated how he could accurately guess his feelings without putting effort.
"Grandfather," Alexander said with a low breath, "I don’t— I’m not— It’s not what you think." He stamred.
"Then tell what I should think."
Alexander’s throat tightened.
He couldn’t answer.
Not because he had sothing to confess, but because he didn’t even know what he felt yet. How could he answer when he was confused about his feelings?
He was attracted to her... yes.
But love?
That was a far stretch.
Elias sighed, sitting back in his chair.
"So you won’t answer." It wasn’t a question.
It was a conclusion, one he accepted far too easily.
"I will not force you," the old man said. "But I will tell you this: when you hesitate, others will try to choose for you."
Alexander’s jaw hardened.
"If you don’t want your mother stuffing Alia down your throat," Elias said, looking him dead in the eye, "then you better make up your mind about what — or who — you want."
Alexander felt his chest tighten painfully.
"I don’t know what I want yet," he admitted quietly.
"For now," Elias said, "that’s enough. Just don’t be a coward when the mont cos. Learn to go for what you like. Uncertainty can lead to a lot."
The words stuck in Alexander’s throat.
He said nothing.
Because he wasn’t sure whether they scared him... or whether they struck too close to the truth.
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