Alpha, My Dear Alpha

Chapter Eight- What’s He Doing Here?

Laria Jenkins (POV)

A few weeks have passed since Carl’s mugging. He is back to his usual self with the abuses both verbal and physical. Only he has been more careful to avoid hitting my face and leaving marks. I am still thankful that we sleep in separate bedrooms, and that he hasn’t forced himself on me. I am still working and now it seems I have my usual customers in Lucas or his friends. Every time a customer gets belligerent toward me, they come to my rescue like guardian angels. Every now and then I bump into the extremely handsome one of the bunch at the coffee shop where we would sit and chat before I have to head to Carl’s house.

My mom called me today and my sister is being released and my mom is having a celebration dinner and wants me to come. Carl is out of town on business for a couple of days for which I am glad so I told her I would be there.

It is my day off from work, so I decided to go early and visit my family. I stand at the door to my childhood home and ring the bell. I hear voices other than my parents and sister, so I assume they invited friends as well. My mom opens the door and squeals as she hugs me and lets me in.

“I am so glad you made it, Lari.” My mother said as we walked toward the living room.

We turn the corner and I stop and see a few other friends and a face I didn’t expect to see. Mister Handsome himself. He was speaking to my dad as if they were old friends when my dad turned and saw me.

“Laria, You’re here. I am glad you could make it.” Just as he was speaking Drake turned and smiled at me.

He walked over to where we stood, “It is good to see you again.” He says in his deep sexy voice that makes me weak in the knees.

“Umm…Yeah. I didn’t know you know my family?”

“Your father works for me and once we begin talking, I discovered we have lots in common and that he has lots of great ideas for the company.” He says while looking me in the eye.

“Yeah, Drake here wants to put me on the marketing team.” My dad adds with excitement.

“Really? That’s great Dad. I am happy for you. It finally gets you off the cleaning crew.” I said hugging him while looking up at Drake.

For the longest time, my dad worked two jobs until his daytime job fired him, then he stuck with cleaning office buildings, all to help with Jane’s medical bills even though I sold my soul to the devil to pay for those. My dad is a proud man. I knew he had potential and was quite smart. He just needed someone to see that, and it seems someone finally did.

I look over at Drake and smile, “Thank you for giving my dad this opportunity. It means a lot to us…to me.” I whispered the last words.

“It wasn’t nothing. I saw potential and I like to think I am a pretty good judge of character. He is a great guy and one I like to call my friend.” He sounded sincere and my eyes watered.

I cleared my throat to stop the tears from trying to fall, “It is good to know my dad has good friends.”

“And this new job comes with a hefty pay raise.” My dad adds all smiles.

It is good to see my dad so happy. This means he doesn’t have to look for a second job anymore.

“And he offers great medical insurance, so Carl won’t have to pay for any more chemo or any other treatment Jane needs.” My dad says.

Well, that is good. Now I won’t have to beg Carl for more help, but I am still obligated to pay back all the thousands he already paid toward Jane’s treatments. I just wish I could pay it all back and get out of this engagement. But I have discussed it with him once and he rejected my paying him back. He claims this marriage is all he wants in return.

I spot Jane on the sofa and ran to her hugging her. “I am so glad to see you home,” I say as I kiss her forehead.

“It is good to be home,” She smiles at me. “What do you think of Dad’s new boss? Isn’t he dreamy?” She whispered the last part to me.

I glance over at where Drake and Dad are talking and noticed him glancing my way. “Very dreamy,” I answer her and saw a smirk appear on his lips as if he heard me. He couldn’t have thought he is on the other side of the room, and I was speaking low.

My mom called us into dinner at that moment and of all places I sat next to Drake. My Aunt Velma and Uncle James were the other two there at the dinner. Aunt Velma is my mother’s older sister and Uncle James is her husband. It was good seeing them there as they always did what they could to lend any support to my sister. They are great people. My whole family is. I feel blessed to have them. My mom always had a tradition that we did at large family dinners.

“Let’s hold hands for grace,” She announced.

With Drake sitting next to me he reached his hand out to me with a smirk. I hesitated but placed my small hand in his large hand and gasped as sparks and tingles shot up through my arm and down to my core. What on earth? I have never felt anything link this. He held my hand as if he would never let it go. It actually felt nice and like this is meant to be.

I glance his way as my dad said the blessing and noticed him staring at me and as I stared back, I could swear I felt a strong connection between us. I couldn’t stop staring until we heard the others say “Amen.”

I reluctantly let go of his hand and we begin to eat. My mom has always been a great cook and tonight she outdid herself. I couldn’t help but notice Jane eating a little.

“Are you alight, Jane?” I asked.

“Oh, Yeah. My stomach is still adjusting to food after all that Chemo.” She assured me.

I nod and continued to watch her. Through all this, it has become a habit to keep an eye on her. I just don’t want to lose her.