The Alpha’s Forbidden Bond

Chapter 09

Elena’s POV

“Are you stalking me?” l asked bluntly, frowning. It was too coincidental that l kept running into him everywhere!

“Not at all. Mateo invited me, and l had no idea you’d be here.”

“Liar. Can’t you tell I’m trying to avoid you?” l rolled my eyes and stood up, remembering l needed to place the order.

“Hi, Ma’am! May l take your order?” Elle asked with her usual bright smile when l reached the counter. “And by the way, Ma’am! Your free coffees and planner from last time are ready! Would you like them now?” After l gave her the orders, she prepared everything.

“Thanks!” l replied, then added drinks and pastries for Chloe, Mateo, and… Jax.

“That comes to one hundred and eighty dollars, Ma’am. Cash or card?”

“I’ll pay cash,” l said, smiling before reaching for my back pocket. That’s when l realized my wallet wasn’t there.

“Heck…” l muttered. “Uh, Elle, can l run back to my table first? l think l forgot my wallet.” l forced another smile and returned to the table where Jax still sat, arms crossed and smirking.

I didn’t know why every little thing he did annoyed me now that l was sober. l searched my laptop bag frantically but couldn’t find it!

When l realized l had left it at home, l went back to Elle. This time my smile felt awkward as l debated waiting for the couple, going home for my wallet, or canceling everything.

While l hesitated, a veiny hand slid a black card onto the counter.

“I’ll cover this order if she’ll allow me,” Jax said in his deep baritone voice right behind me, making me jump.

“What? No! l can pay. l just ”

“You clearly forgot your wallet, Elena…” he teased. He tilted his head and stepped beside me. “I’ll take care of everything. Please add a black coffee and a slice of chocolate cake,” he told Elle, then glanced at me with a proud expression. “Come on, l still owe you for the hotel fees,” he added.

I blushed deeply and slapped his arm, mortified that he had said it loud enough for attentive Elle to hear.

Before he could say anything else, l hurried back to the table, leaving him at the counter until a waitress helped him carry the trays.

As soon as the food arrived, Chloe and Mateo returned. Jax sat across from me; Chloe took the seat beside me, and Mateo sat opposite her.

“What took you so long?” l asked Chloe when l noticed her red eyes and slightly shaking shoulders.

“Elena, l think l can’t help you today. We have to leave right away. I’m so sorry!” she said, suddenly bursting into tears.

“We have to leave right away. I’m sorry!” Chloe cried out as tears streamed down her face. She covered her eyes with both hands while Mateo stood behind her, gently rubbing her back.

I rose from my seat and placed my hands on her shoulders. “Hey, what’s going on? Is everything okay?” l asked, filled with concern.

“No, I’ll tell you when I’m ready, but right now l really must go. I’m so sorry,” she answered.

Chloe and Mateo left without another word. l was so worried about my friend that l kept replaying the moment in my head until Jax finally spoke.

“What should we do with their food? You ordered quite a lot…” he said, gesturing toward the full table.

That was when l remembered Jax was still sitting there.

“Uh…” l lowered myself back into my chair slowly. “I guess l should leave too. Chloe isn’t here anymore.”

“What? But we have all this food. Aren’t you going to eat yours?”

“I only came here for Chloe’s help. Since she’s gone, there’s no reason for me to stay, right?” l replied.

Heck, l wouldn’t admit to this man that I’m starving!I needed to get out of there as quickly as possible.

“You won’t even touch the food l paid for?” he asked. l wasn’t sure if l imagined it, but there seemed to be a note of disappointment in his tone.

Something inside me twisted with guilt. How could l forget he had covered everything? Maybe l should just eat with him quickly and then leave.

But l needed to keep avoiding him…

“Fine,” l agreed. After this, l would make sure never to return to this café again, or l might bump into him once more! l reached for my free cup of coffee and began cooling it down. The shop was unusually quiet, with only five people total inside. The other three customers were focused on their laptops.

“You seem busy,” he commented as l started typing on my keyboard.

“Yeah.”

“So busy that you left me alone in the hotel room without a word,” he added.

My cheeks burned with embarrassment. l glanced around with wide eyes.

“Can you please lower your voice? This isn’t the place to discuss that!”

“I’m just pointing out that you didn’t think about the fact that l don’t know this city at all!” Jax raised his brow and leaned forward. l could only shake my head and keep trying to type on my laptop, only to delete everything again. l honestly couldn’t craft a decent apology letter, especially with someone watching me so intently!

In my peripheral vision, l saw him lift his coffee cup and take a sip. “You know, it’s rude to leave someone after ”

“You know what? It’s very rude to keep talking nonsense when someone is clearly trying to work,” l shot back arrogantly, mimicking his tone. l leaned back in my chair. “Can’t you see I’m trying to get something done here?”

“What are you working on? The coffee will get cold if you don’t drink it soon. It won’t taste nearly as good,” he said, pulling a childish pout. “Is that related to your old job? You mentioned how terrible it was there. Why go back?”