Her Only Choice

Chapter Two- Alpha Male and Good News

Chloe stood on the stage, a nervous wreck. She looked at the audience that stood below her, their eyes expectant. She felt goosebumps rise from the little anxiety she was having. This was her first real performance. She had to wow them. She couldn't afford to miss a step. She had to do this for her best friend, Hailey, if not for herself.

She had already met with the teacher, earlier to tell her of her plans, so she didn't have to take an excuse to leave after the play.

With her bags in her left hand, and her phone in the other hand she scrolled through the series of messages that were mainly from her dad, two were from her mum and one from her friend who was out of the country.

She didn't bother to read any of the messages knowing what they were saying.

Entering the plane, she was glad her seat was on the window side. She hoped her seatmate wouldn't be a mother with a crying child. The last time that happened she almost ripped her hair out of her head out of frustration. She pushed her small traveling bag into the load compartment. She sat down on her seat as she prepared to read a novel.

The plane was as noisy as she expected. She was on economy. She didn't want to call her dad for any contribution.

She looked up as she heard two couples arguing. The guy had a brown head and shoulders that went on for miles. When he turned side-ways she saw how symmetrical his face was. He was handsome, she acknowledged. But when she heard him tell his companion, ‘Shut up!', she couldn't help the disapproval that showed in her face.

“Stupid alpha males” she slapped her mouth closed with her hands when she realized what she had said. Unfortunately for her, the guy she was referring to also heard. He looked back at her, his lips held a smirk but his eyes glared at her.

“Is there a problem, miss?” the man asked.

“No, apart from you talking down to your woman like a jerk, I don't think there's any problem” She had always had a problem keeping her thoughts to herself.

“And how should I talk to my woman” Instead of the anger she was expecting from him, he looked rather amused at her audacity.

“With more respect, I'll say. She's not some toy in case you haven't noticed”

“Really?” His eyes held hers before dragging across her fully dressed body. For a moment she saw a genuine smile on his face like he was satisfied with what he saw but then it vanished and his eyes went back to hers. “I'm Chad, what's your name?” He asked.

“I figured you must have known by now with the way you were checking me out” It was her turn to smirk.

“b***h, I suggest you mind your business. My man's treating me fine. Keep your comments to yourself” She looked up to see his girlfriend staring daggers at her. She rolled her eyes not surprised at her rude behaviour. She was the perfect picture of a spoilt brat.

“No problem, ma'am,” she said and returned to the book she was reading while Chad looked deeply amused by the strange lady who dared to challenge him.

Her room was just the same as she had left it. She could smell the familiar lavender aroma, but this time it was tainted with old books. She felt comforted by it somehow. It just reminded her of nice old memories.

She wondered where her mum had gone to. She was about to lie down on her bed when she heard a knock on the door.

“Come in” she called as she undid the top button of her dress.

“Good day, Miss Chloe” the maid greeted, her head slightly bowed.

“Hi, Amanda” She turned back to look at the maid. “You haven't changed a bit. I told you to stop calling me miss. Chloe is just enough” she said with a small smile.

“I'm sorry, it skipped my mind, miss…I mean Chloe. How was your trip?”

“Fine…exhausting but nonetheless fine,” she said with a sigh as she lay on her bed. The sheets smell strongly of oud detergent. They must have expected her arrival.

I guess this is the most elaborate welcome I'll be getting, she thought.

“I'm sorry about that. Well, your father called to tell you that your presence is needed at the office immediately”

“Hmmm, sure. Just give me some minutes, a little nap and I'm on my way” she said her eyes slowly drooping close.

“He said it was urgent. He sounded desperate and scared?” The maid's voice slightly fidgeted.

“Okay…I'll get going. Thank you, Amanda” She said as she covered a yawn. The maid left afterward.

Walking into the company, she noticed the lack of guards that usually stood at the exit door. She ignored it and walked straight into the elevator before pressing the 1 and 8 buttons on the elevator. She sighed deeply as she rested her back on the cold metal, clearly exhausted from the flight.

Entering his office, she was met by two men, one was her dad who sat in his chair, his face looking pale, while the other one sat opposite him, his piercing blue eyes staring deeply at hers. She felt intimidated by his stare, so she quickly excused herself from his line of sight and sat on the couch.

“You called for me,” she said to her dad.

“So, this is the famous Chloe Elliot. You're even more beautiful in real life than in picture” the other man said. He looked faintly familiar.

“Thanks” she replied finding it hard to meet his gaze.

“Where are my manners?” He stretched out his hands for a handshake, “I'm Winston Smith, CEO of Kinda Holdings. It's a pleasure to meet you”

Chloe accepted the handshake, forcing herself to smile. She looked at her father but all she got was a face devoid of emotion.

“So, what am I doing here?” She asked, directing the question to the two men in the room.

“Charles? Why don't you tell her the good news” Winston said with a hint of a smirk on his lip.