Hated by her Alpha mate

Surprise!

Rachel woke up and her head felt like it would explode. She was covered in sweat and her body felt greasy. She looked down and was surprised at what she was wearing.

Who's f*****g shirt is this? And why I am in my inners? What happened last night? Why can't I remember anything?

It looked like a hotel room to her. Where am I?

She was panicking because she couldn't recollect what happened last night and how she ended up in that room. She scanned the room from right to left. She saw her silver-grey gown lying on the sofa. It was in terrible condition with creases and torn at some places.

She gasped. What the hell happened after the party?! Where's Alfred? She ran to the door and pulled the handle. It wouldn't open as it was locked.

"Rachel, calm down. Remember what happened. Remember. Please!" She sat down on the chair to rewind back to yesterday evening's events.

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Rachel was ready when the clock struck 6 in the evening. Mrs. Heather had arranged a stylist to help Rachel dress up for the big party. She looked at herself in the mirror and was amazed by the magic that makeup could do. She wore a silver-grey silk gown. It had a high neck with a side cut on either side of its waist. It also had a left slit till her mid-thigh. Her stylist had worked upon her hair which looked wonderful and simple. She never thought she could look so pretty.

Not so bad genes after all.

She walked down the stairs. Alfred and Avery were already near the door waiting for her. When Rachel approached, Avery was the first to notice.

"Wow! The stylist knows her job", exclaimed Avery. She felt jealous of how easily Rachel looked great even with half the efforts. Alfred turned around and was equally amazed, looking at her. Today he had to admit that she looked beautiful. In fact, everything felt so perfect about her.

"Thanks, Avery. You look gorgeous too", replied Rachel with a genuine and shy smile.

"Alfred! Stop gaping at her!"

"I wasn't", retorted Alfred. Rachel didn't know why he looked flushed. The thought itself made her blush. "Let's make a move", said Alfred clearing his throat.

Alfred and Rachel moved to their car. Avery was supposed to wait for Alpha Albus, and they would drive in a separate car.

The ride started, and it was the first time they were in the same space for more than 10 minutes. It felt very tense and awkward for both. They didn't utter a single word until Rachel finally broke the silence.

"Will I be introduced to everyone?"

"Yes."

"Do I have to give a speech or something?"

"Your choice."

"Then I won't. I am not good at public speaking."

"Ok."

Silence for about another 5 minutes.

"Will the employees from all the businesses be joining?"

"Not all. Just from our state."

"That itself is so many."

"Are you nervous?"

"Sort of."

It was the longest conversation they had without fighting since the day they met. She hesitated before asking the next question. She knew it was silly, but somehow she just wanted to hear his response.

"Do I look good today? I mean presentable!"

Alfred turned towards her and gave her a confused look. She immediately looked out of the window. He thought her reaction was cute and silly.

"Yes. You look..." he took a few seconds to choose the right word. He didn't want to sound too appeasing or too rude either. He would have ignored her on any other day, but today he didn't feel like killing her mood.

"...nice."

Rachel's heart skipped a beat. She never thought that receiving even the slightest compliment from him would make her feel so excited. She couldn't stop grinning, and her cheeks had turned super red. She tilted more towards the window to hide her blushing face from him.

They reached the venue and Rachel's mouth literally fell open.

"It's so huge!"

"It is the biggest Ramirez hotel. Also, the biggest hotel in this state." Alfred felt proud to brag about it. When the car stopped, Alfred first came out and extended a hand towards Rachel.

Just to keep up the appearance, of course.

She thought and took his hand. His hand felt so warm and they both felt something inside them melt.

The valet parked their car, and they entered the venue. As soon as they stepped in, the commotion died down and every pair of eyes in the room were solely focused on them. They walked past the crowd to meet Ryan and others. Everyone looked astounding in their evening attires. Alfred introduced Rachel to the board members, and they started catching up. After a while, they met Mr. Leonard. His face looked like he had been hit with a hammer.

"Miss Carter! I never imagined.... not in a bad way... you are wonderful... I mean I didn't know... I could never have guessed... you were working under me."

"We understood Leonard." Ryan appeared laughing. Even Alfred chuckled because of his stuttering.

"I am sorry Mr. Leonard, I just didn't want to publicize it in the office."

"Everyone will know now", replied Leonard. Rachel gave a guilty-sad look. She knew her image in the office would change drastically after tonight and people were not going to behave the same to her. They would now see her not as a colleague but as the fiancée of their boss.

There was a continuous line of people coming to congratulate them. Rachel already felt very exhausted, and her cheeks started hurting.

She suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Jenny. Davis, Marcus, and Nancy were behind her too.

"Rachel! Am I dreaming? Are you really his..?" She trailed away when Alfred turned to face the group. Jenny put her hand on her mouth and blushed. All four froze when Alfred gazed at them.

"Alfred, these are the friends at my workplace." She pointed at each one of them and introduced them by their names. Alfred shook hands with each one of them. He immediately recognized Davis as the guy who was flirting with Rachel in the cafeteria. Without realizing himself, Alfred gave a firmer handshake to Davis, which took Davis by surprise.

"Can we talk to Rachel? It won't take long. Just have a few questions for her." She said with narrowed eyes at Rachel. Alfred understood what this was about and felt amused by Rachel's expression.

"Of course. She's yours", said Alfred, and walked away from the group.

"What the hell Rachel!" Davis was the first one to confront her.

"I know right! You are engaged to f*****g ALFRED RAMIREZ! How?!"

"It's a long story."

"I bet it is", said Marcus tauntingly.

"Don't even imagine leaving us without telling it. Right, Nancy?" Jenny turned towards Nancy with a pouted face.

"Yes yes. So shocking!" said Nancy giving a fake expression of surprise. Rachel couldn't stop giggling.

"Sorry guys. Really! I didn't want to announce it before it was official."

"Omg! I can't wait to hear every f*****g detail!", screamed Jenny. She was literally stomping.

"Don't worry Jen. We'll give her the remaining earful when she is in the office. Not today please. The boss scares me." Everyone gave Davis an 'oh really' look.

"And I can't believe I shook hands with the boss of the bosses." Marcus said, slightly swaying as if he was partly drunk.

"You are staying for the after-party, right?" asked Nancy to Rachel.

"What after-party?" Jenny and Nancy rolled their eyes as if she asked something stupid.

"At big parties, people can stay back for a night out. The stay is arranged by the hosts. We have rooms booked for us at this mind-boggling hotel!" Jennie almost shrieked.

"I didn't bring a change of clothes."

"Who cares! We are just going to eat, drink, smoke and reveal all our secrets." All four clanked their glasses except Rachel. She gave a half-hearted smile, unsure of the secrets that they wanted to know.

"Sorry to bother you all. Rachel, can you come with me?" Ryan interrupted.

"Sure." She followed Ryan after blowing flying kisses at all of them.

"What is it?"

"It's time for the dance."

"The time for what?"

"The dance," he said, rolling his eyes.

"With whom?"

"With Alfred, of course, who else?!"

I am doomed.