An Heir For Alpha Roman

5. Okay, I'll Go...

Eden's POV:

Did that really just happen? I thought as I gathered the last of my belongings from the car, tears streaming down my face.

Once back inside, a wave of emotions hit me as I sank into the couch. I understood that Daniel wants me to focus on other priorities, like the wedding, while he works hard providing for us. However, I can't help but feel stuck in a mundane routine, playing the helper rather than a partner... I mean, I appreciate all that he does, but all I’m asking for are a few planned days together each year. It feels frustrating when those moments slip away, and I can’t help but feel a bit selfish for wanting more time with him. I wasn't asking for much, just a little connection — that’s what my heart longs for.

I grabbed my phone, my heart pounding, and called Paige. I needed to talk to someone. She’s one of the few people I know I can rely on, besides Jerry, and I didn't want to call him, knowing they weren't exactly on good terms right now. Jerry would chew Daniel out, and it would distract everyone from the goal, which was securing BlackCreeks CEO for an interview—or at the very least, a quote.

“Hey, E,” Paige answered, her voice breaking through my thoughts. “Did he like the gift?” she asked, a hint of disinterest in her tone. That simple question hit me deep, and before I knew it, I was crying harder, feeling overwhelmed, and eager to release the rage I was feeling.

"Eden? Sweetheart, what's wrong?!" Paige asked, her voice laced with concern, "Are you okay?"

“Yes, " I said, catching my breath, wiping the tears from my eyes, and he loved the gift, but he’s taking Ivy,” I spat out bitterly, unable to conceal the surge of jealousy that clawed at my throat, turning my words sharp and cold.

“What?! Are you f*****g kidding me?” Paige's voice turned fierce, filled with righteous anger and disbelief that mirrored my turmoil.

“I’m so serious! You know—He didn't even mention our anniversary!” I cried out, frustration cracking my tone into a shaky whisper, as I tried to talk through my tears.

“He just took the tickets and walked away without a second thought.”

"That piece of—I'm going to ring his little neck!” Paige remarked, her fury evident. I could practically hear the tension crackling through the phone; her wolf was ready to pounce. I sighed heavily, not wanting to agitate Snoh.

"It's fine...” I murmured, attempting to soothe both her and myself, “Don't worry about it. How are you feeling?" I swiftly tried to steer the conversation away from the emotional storm swirling around me, desperate to distract her from the drama.

"Pissed off," she hissed, that asshole doesn't deserve you, Eden, and when I see him I'm going to tear his little head off his little body"...

I smiled gently, even though anger surged inside me. Her support meant a lot to me. “I appreciate it, Paige, but I'm worried that if we take that route, it will only send us running again. Living in the woods and motels... always in fear, and Daniel holds far too much power for us to escape anything."

"Not if Snoh's involved—who'd blame a wolf? You just tell him you planned a hike with a client, and suddenly... poof, Snoh’s eats him. No more, Daniel," she said darkly, and I knew her eyes were shining with reassurance, as if she believed we could face anything together.

“Maybe I’ll take you up on that if he doesn't land that client,” I teased though I couldn't ignore the chill flowing through me. I shivered, fully aware that she could technically get away with that.

"So, what's the plan? Are we going to hunt them down and kick their asses, or would you prefer to order in and cuddle?" she asked.

I sighed heavily, the weight of the day pressing on my shoulders. "Honestly, I don't want you to go hunting anyone down. I think, I'm just going to paint for a little while; I'll head back in a while..."

"Painting, Eden? That sounds wonderful! It's been ages since you picked up a brush," she responded, her tone full of encouragement. She was absolutely right. Painting had always been my refuge, a passionate escape since childhood, where I could detach from the chaos and abuse that surrounded me. Yet, it's a bittersweet thought; it had been years since I'd last indulged in that joy. Ever since meeting Daniel, my time has been consumed by the demands of his father's company, leaving little room for my creative outlets.

"Yeah?" I replied, reaching for a bottle of rich, velvety wine and an opener, feeling the gentle pull of the evening air beckoning me outside. I stepped into the backyard, where the soft, warm sand hugged my toes like an old friend. As I glanced up, the once-vibrant blue sky began to transform, morphing into a stunning canvas of pinks and oranges, the sun gracefully retreating in the distance. It felt like nature was celebrating this moment with me, urging me to reignite my lost passion.

"Any requests?" I inquired, my voice blending with the soothing sounds of the waves lapping against the shore, hoping to make the most of this beautiful evening while reconnecting with my artistic side.

"I do, I want you to paint Snoh biting Daniel's head off," she said with a playful chuckle, her laughter dancing through the phone like music. I felt an unexpected surge of joy, and I couldn't resist joining her in laughter.

"Okay, then!" I replied, a smile spreading on my face despite the sharp pain in my chest. "I'll do my best." As I spoke, a wave of comfort washed over me. Talking to my best friend had always been my refuge in difficult times; she possessed an incredible ability to lift my spirits and bring light even to our darkest moments. With her, I knew that no matter the challenges we faced, we could tackle them together, and that thought alone made the burdens a little lighter.

"Alright," she continued, shifting her tone slightly as a hint of emotion crept in. "I'm going to order some food, and I'll wait up for you."

"Thank you! I'll see you soon."

"Daniel's a d**k," she muttered, under her breath, before hanging up. I knew she'd be pissed; she seemed primed to unleash her full wrath on Danny. I could almost picture her face contorted with anger as she chewed him out. This time, I was ready to step back and let her have her moment. It was amusing to consider that Daniel had always been afraid of Paige. He often confided in me, saying, "I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's something off about that girl." Deep down, he was right.

Despite her seemingly human appearance and outward demeanor, Paige was anything but ordinary. I could sense that Daniel instinctively recognized this unsettling truth as well, even if he couldn't articulate it, but some instinct warned him that Paige was not to be played with. The thought of him squirming in fear added an extra layer of amusement to the tense situation, knowing that Paige's unpredictable nature could lead to unexpected outcomes.

I spent the next two hours lost in a torrent of tears, each drop mingling with the red wine that I sipped slowly, savoring its richness while painting by the shore. With each passing moment, the scenery painted itself in my mind, a reminder of why I had fallen in love with painting in the first place. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting vibrant hues across the sky, but my heart shattered with every stroke of the brush.

When I finally set my paintbrush down, I turned to see what I had created—a haunting image of a black wolf with emerald-green eyes, silently stalking a woman with thick, golden waves, caught in a moment of impending doom. The wolf wasn't devouring her; instead, it represented my feelings of fear and loss… I guess… looking at the portrait, a weird shiver came up my spine…

I reluctantly left the painting standing tall on the easel, the half-empty wine bottle nestled in the sand like a forgotten memory. Rising from my seat, I made my way upstairs, where the promise of a hot shower awaited. As the steam enveloped me, the warmth seeped into my bones, soothing the ache in my heart and body, I watched as the paint ran down the drain, releasing me of my sadness...I took my time, washing my hair and allowing my emotions to flow away, drop by drop, down the drain.

When I stepped out of the shower, my eyes were red and puffy, but the anguish in my chest felt lighter, if only slightly. It was 6:57 PM, and the event would be starting soon—each ticking second pulling me back to reality.

I longed to escape, to return home before traffic jammed the roads, knowing that waiting for Daniel would be an exercise in futility. Deep down, I sensed that he wouldn't return tonight, no doubt conjuring up another excuse to avoid the truth, as he always did. This painful realization made me ache even more as I gathered my belongings and headed toward the door, my heart heavy with unanswered questions.

I was geetting pissed off, and the wine sloshing around in my stomach, was only enocuringing my sour mood, I felt a slight buz - but nothing too serious...

But before I made the drive back across town to my house, I pulled out my phone and dialed Jeremy’s number, feeling a pinch of regret as I told him not to expect me tonight. I mean, it's common curiosity since he had gone out of his way to get us on this elite list.

He answered on the first ring. “Hey, Eden, are you here?” I could hear the loud chatter of people and music blasting in the background.

“No!” I shouted so he could hear me, “I’m not going, but I wanted to express my gratitude anyway.”

“Why aren’t you coming?” The background noise faded; he must have moved to a quieter location.

“Well, Daniel is going, and he’s bringing his assistant because it’s a work matter,” I said, my voice betraying my true feelings.

“What?” Jeremy asked, on the verge of anger, “Eden, I'm so sorry that's a real shitty thing for him to do and on your anniversary of all evenings… “

I sucked in a sharp breath; even Jeremy remembered our special day, and my heart felt bitter towards Daniel even more.

“Its fine, I said softly, I just wanted to say thank you again,”

“Come, anyway, Eden,” Jeremy cooed.

“What?!… no way… Daniel told me not to,”

“Who gives a rats ass about Daniel,” Jeremy laughed, “this is about you Eden”

"I can’t.” I said my anxiety building, “That would be weird. I’m not dressed, and it’s already after 7. The doors will be closing soon." I rambled, thinking of every excuse not to show up tonight, but Jeremy wasn't tolerating any of it.

"I have a car coming to you now, and don't worry about your clothes, Eden, I'll handle it," he said, ending the call with finality.

How did he even have my location, I wondered, but knowing Jeremy’s reputation, I knew better than to call his bluff.

"Fine... okay, I'll go," I said, to nobody. I was sick and tired of the constant disappointment and watching my hard work fade into oblivion, overshadowed by Daniel's indifference. The sting of his neglect pushed me to seek something different, something more fulfilling.

I quickly ran upstairs and slicked my long, honey-brown curls into a sleek ponytail at the base of my neck, pulling out several stray pieces to frame my face. My eyes were red and swollen, but it was nothing a little makeup couldn't fix. I did a straightforward makeup routine, nothing fancy, just enough that I didn't look like I was crying for the last three hours.

I put on a lacy black bra set, the one I planned to wear for Daniel tonight, before he ditched me for Ivy, and topped it with a simple black evening dress; it was way under the dress code for tonight's attire, but it was the best I could come up with with the short timing.

“Miss Monroe, are you expecting a car from Mr. Jeremy Vanderwood?” the guard inquired through the deep intercom, startling me.

“Yes,” I replied, hastily pressing the button on the intercom. “I’ll be out in two minutes; please send the car up!”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

I hurried back outside, grabbing the bottle of wine and taking a quick swig to calm my nerves. Clutching the still-drying painting and my purse, I made my way to my car, sliding the painting into the backseat just as a sleek black Rolls Royce pulled up.

“Eden Monroe?” the driver asked, rolling down his window. I nodded, and he swiftly parked the car and rushed to open my door.

"Let’s make this a night to remember," I mused, feeling the inspiration flow back into my veins as everything around me glowed with the enchanting hues of twilight.