AFTER I WAS LEFT ON THE ALTAR

CHAPTER 10: STRANGE FAMILIARITY

(ALEXANDER'S POV)

I stood from my chair, checking my watch and seeing it was almost time for my next meeting. Julian was still engrossed in explaining his crappy anime animations to Luna.

“Okay, so we need an anime that's not gruesome for a four-year-old child,” Julian said, stroking his chin like a mastermind from a cartoon.

“Yes, we are going with Spy x Family,” Julian said, clapping his hands together.

Luna nodded vigorously in response.

And that was a good pick. I couldn't even imagine how people would react if they ever found out I watched anime too. Not like their opinions mattered.

But right now, we had a meeting to attend, and Julian didn't even budge.

I walked towards them and carried Luna out of his grasp.

“Give her back. We were having some quality bonding.”

Julian pouted like I had stolen candy from him.

“Let me pretend my personal assistant didn't just forget to remind me about the investors we're meant to meet in the next ten minutes,” I said, narrowing my eyes.

Julian simply turned his face away from me.

“I want to go for meetings too. I love meetings,” Luna said right beside my ear, her loud voice making me wince.

I turned to face Luna, using my left hand to cover my ear. She giggled loudly before placing her head on the nape of my neck, her tiny hands wrapping around me.

I felt my walls melt away in an instant. My body relaxed, and all the tension around my shoulders suddenly disappeared.

I used my right hand to pat her back gently and felt her lean even closer.

“It’s time for Luna and me to get going. Thank you very much for having us.”

A voice snapped me out of my comfort zone.

I turned to see Thalia get up from her chair and walk towards me to get Luna.

My hands tightened around her instinctively, not ready to hand her over.

When she reached where I stood and stretched her hands to take the sleeping girl from my arms—

“Alex, the investors couldn't make it. They had an unfortunate accident, so the meeting isn't going to be held today,” Julian said while looking at his phone.

I stepped away from Thalia.

She let out a sigh and tried to pull Luna away from me once more, but I stepped back again.

“Sir, please—”

I raised my hand, cutting her off.

“Sorry, I meant Alexander. We need to go shopping for the week's trip,” she said, trying to take another step towards me.

I moved another step back, completely ignoring what she was saying.

“That's it! Since my brother wants to spend more time with Lulu, you both should go shopping, and my brother will pay.”

Alexia's eyes glistened with mischief.

I personally didn't mind. As long as I got to hold this warm bundle of energy, I could agree to go anywhere.

My eyes found Thalia and watched as her shoulders stiffened.

My gaze trailed downward, and I noticed her twisting her fingers whenever she got nervous. A habit I believe she does when she's nervous.

She let out a short, forced laugh.

“There's no way Alexander would agree to this, right?”

She turned towards me.

“I don't mind,” I replied without looking up from my phone.

My only problem was why I had to pay.

“It's settled then. You two are going shopping now,” Alexia said, giving Thalia a pat on the back.

“This is a really good time for you both to get a bit comfortable with each other since you'll be stuck with each other for a week,” Alexia added, looking between us.

I low-key wanted to back out.

I looked towards Julian for help, but he was already locked into a game of eFootball, completely oblivious to his surroundings.

I let out a sigh.

“Let's go to the mall down the street,” I said, walking out the door.

I heard footsteps trying to catch up from behind and turned to see Thalia trying to catch her breath.

I slowed my pace until we were walking side by side.

We walked in silence, but from the corner of my eye, I noticed her constantly playing with the hem of her blouse.

I wondered if this was the part where I was supposed to say something.

“Erm... that reminds me. There's a ball at the end of the trip, but we aren't going to attend it, so we'll leave a day early,” I said, breaking the silence.

We reached the elevator.

She pressed the button, and we entered.

I felt Luna lift her head from my shoulder and turned to face her.

“Smiley, where are we going?” she asked, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

I looked at her as her small hands grabbed a fistful of my shirt.

My heart picked up pace; my gaze softened immediately.

“We're going shopping,” I replied, gently patting her head.

Her head shot up from my shoulder at incredible speed.

All the sleep she felt seconds ago disappeared and was replaced with excitement.

“Yayyy! We're going on an adventure!”

She wiggled her entire body in what I assumed was a victory dance.

The elevator dinged, and we stepped out before walking towards the exit, attracting curious and surprised glances from my employees.

I stopped abruptly.

My sharp gaze swept through the room, making everyone return to what I paid them to do.

We left the office and headed towards the parking lot.

I told my driver to take the day off.

He kept bowing slightly and repeating, “Thank you, sir.”

I took the keys before placing Luna gently on the pavement.

Luna immediately ran towards Thalia, who picked her up with a cheeky smile.

I entered the car while Thalia stretched her hand towards the passenger-side door.

“I didn't know I was paid to drive you around.”

I watched as her hand froze midway.

Without a word, she walked around to the front seat.

She opened the door with Luna in her arms and took the seat right beside me.

Oddly enough, having her there felt right.

I started the engine and drove off.