Rejected By My Alpha, Claimed By The Basilisk

8

As someone who didn’t grow up in wealth, first class seems pretty stupid to me. I mean we are all in the same tin container flying to the same freaking place. No amount of champagne flute or amazing snacks would change that.

By the time the plane landed, I was already smiling a little bit too much at the air hostess after downing a whole bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, a vintage bottle from France and my second best favourite red wine from now on, not that I can afford it anyway.

I was surprised to see an elderly man holding my bags. I almost tripped on my shoe lace, silly me for wearing converse. I blinked at him and he blinked back definitely not a statue or my imaginations.

“Miss Pierce?”

“That’s me.” I squealed, a little bit too excited.

The hot air hostess who helped me down the stairs helped me to the car. He didn’t say anything and his expression didn’t change. God bless him.

I relaxed into the leather seats. Every other man’s car that I’ve entered either smelled like cheap cologne or smoke but this one smelled like sandalwood and Italian leather, a very expensive combo and I never want to leave it.

“So,” I said as I caressed the leather seats. “You work for him?”

“For Mr. Vale, yes.” The old man’s eyes stayed on the road. “Fifteen years.”

“Fifteen.” I let out a whistle. “You must have the patience of a son of a b***h. That man stresses me a lot.” He said nothing which is fine really. I can complain to both of us.

“He puts me through a series of unnecessary yet necessary emails and he shows up as my mother’s boyfriend and somehow I’m attracted to him which is so wrong. I need to get myself checked by the way and somehow he knows I touched myself to the thought of him because he keeps staring at me in a really strange way. Step fathers won't to be step daughters unless they’re perverts and I highly doubt that he’s one.” I gasped for air. “Did that ever happen to you or is it just me?”

Oldie’s eyes seemed widened a bit then he masked it with indifference. “I assure you Miss Pierce, it’s just you.”

I stared at the back of his head and slowly sank into the leather seats. I want to disappear right now. I can’t believe I let it all out to a total stranger. “Right.” I nodded slowly. “Right, right, right. “

He didn’t say anything, not even a zilch. I could feel him judging me right now.

“You’re not going to say anything, right?” I asked after a long awkward silence, at least to me. “Because it was a mistake.”

“I have heard worse stories but this is a new one.” He muttered under his breath.

“A skill I have learnt over the years is keeping shut. You should build that too.”

This time I really sunk into the sheets. Did he just lecture me on keeping shut? How do I explain that I don’t usually act like this?

Fuck this no more red wine for me.

We stopped at the hotel and Oldie didn’t say a word to me. He just carried my luggage and as expected I followed suit. I groaned inwardly. He couldn’t let me rest before taking me to his suite to drill me some more. And I’m also in my black musty sweatpants and converse that’s being killing me. I’m sure he would appreciate my sweaty, makeup-less face.

He wasn’t in the room yet so I quickly set the cost projection documents on the side table, smoothed my hair down a bit and wiped the sweat in my underarms with some paper towels of course.

He walked out of the bathroom and I must say he gets very handsome day by day, each time I see him. I can’t get enough of his ethereal look and can humans be looking so handsome like that?

“You made it. I’m proud.” He gave a nod and that made my heart flip. I’m a sucker for praises. I tried hiding my blush since I’m still tipsy.

“The vaccine distribution timeline,” He said, picking up the first document. “You put the government approval letters at the back.”

“Well.” I cleared my throat. “They have already seen our proposal. I just thought it would make more sense to lead with the clinical trial summaries and let the approval letters close the argument.”

I inwardly froze. I shouldn’t have said that. “It’s stupid, I know,” I muttered when he didn’t say anything. “We can just go with whatever decision you make. You are the boss after all.”

“I like this. You’re correct about this strategy. We’ll go by it. Good thinking by the way.” He glanced over each document nodding as he did. “I’m glad you made it when you did. Meteorology is projecting flooding to hit the city at midnight. Roads are already closing on the south end.”

“So we aren’t going tomorrow?” I asked. I need to let Nikolai and my mom know that I’ll be spending a bit here in Peru. Nikolai has to cancel that dinner date in Valhalla.

“As far as the safety of my staff and me is concerned, no we are not going.”

The knock at the door came twenty minutes later. I was already feeling better after downing bottles of water while watching my boss review the documents over and over again pointing out the loopholes and errors and strengthening the proposal.

Calhoun crossed the room and opened the door. There were three of them dressed in tailored suits. They don’t look like receptionists judging by the Patek Philippe on their wrists. If so, they must have been paying them too well.

“Mr. Vale.” The owner of the hotel stepped forward. “We sincerely apologise for the interruption.”

“The flooding has forced us into an unprecedented situation,” The owner said, his hands folded in front of him. He was shaking though but I must compliment him for his bravery with the way Calhoun is staring right into his soul not saying anything. “We have guests stranded from three other hotels that have been compromised by the water and we have to accommodate them.”

“So you’re saying?”

“We are just pleading for the period of time you’ll stay here... why don’t you share the room...with your assistant?” The owner lowered himself to the ground. “Please, I'm begging you. We’ll double the room service. Whatever you need just please bear with us.”

“Fine.” With that he shut the door in their faces before they even had the opportunity to express their overwhelming gratitude.

My heart wanted to do something other than pumping blood until he pulled that sickening arrogant move.

He didn’t seem happy about it.

“You can take the bed. I’ll use the closet.”

He’s not even taking the floor beside me. He’s keeping his distance and that’s professional but why does my heart ache a bit from it?

“You can use the bathroom whenever you want but make sure to lock the door even while you sleep.” With that he took the spare cot and locked the door to the walk-in closet.