Resisting The Alpha

Chapter 2

It has been a week and thankfully I managed to get another job with higher wages. I started to work at Lena's Books Store. It's a cozy bookstore that comes with a built-in cafe and I have been loving it so far.

And it's not far away from my house. So it meant that I can save more money.

The owner is in her mid-thirties and very much a sweetheart. Her name is Leila and she is looking after her grandmother's book store even after she passed away. And I have to give credit to Leila for managing the book store because it is amazing.

It's not a hipster cafe. It's not rustic. It's definitely not luxurious but it's simple, cozy, and warm.

The bookstore runs on an entry ticket system. You have to pay to get in but then you can make yourself home and read any book you want.

Of course, if you want to buy a book or any food or beverage then, you'll have to pay.

The atmosphere is really nice here that I cannot wait to come to work every single morning. Brightly colored walls, calming woody scented humidifiers are really making me happy, relaxed, and peaceful.

I was wiping a glass while eyeing some students took a few books and discussed an assignment now and then. One of the girls typed gracefully everything their groupmates discussed on her Apple laptop.

I sighed internally. I'd love to go to school and pursue my studies.

The bells chimed and I averted my gaze to the entrance of the book store, putting on a warm and inviting smile. Leila strutted towards me wearing a warm smile of her own.

"How's your day going so far, Hazel?" She asked me cheerfully before setting her bag and a box on the table nearest to the counter.

"It's going great, Boss" I grinned at her and set down the glass that I was wiping on the shelf, "How's your day going?" I asked her and her smile dropped.

"Ugh, not so great" She frowned, "I'd love to go out for date night with my husband but there is no one to babysit Noah" She answered me as she opened a box of books.

"No one?" I asked her in disbelief. I am sure there must be someone in this big city to watch over him.

"I do not trust someone I don't know to watch over my child" She smiled sheepishly.

Understandable.

I went to help her put the books on the shelves accordingly, "I can babysit him if that's okay with you" I volunteered after thinking about it a few minutes.

If I can't date, I can help someone to date.

"I'd love that" Leila whispered excitedly, "You're such a lifesaver, Hazel!" She smiled at me making me smile too.

"Glad I can help," I said with a small smile, "Oh you should totally come shopping with me to help me pick a dress for tonight" Leila gave me the puppy-dog eyes.

"I am not sure if I qualified in picking clothes department" I bit my lip, "My choice of clothing is not actually a choice. I wear them to cover myself not to show off, Leila" I told her, feeling a little insecure.

"Oh you'll do just fine" She grinned and that's how we ended up in the most luxurious clothing store I ever went in.

Leila literally dragged me out from the bookstore after work to this insanely expensive boutique ever. My eyes bulged every time Leila checks the price of the dress and it is actually making me anxious.

I am afraid to be in this boutique. I am afraid if I break anything or trip on the dresses...

"This one is too red right, Hazel?" Leila asked me as she twirled in front of the mirror as she tried on her fourteenth dress, "I am not sure if this is the one" She frowned.

"I have to try this black one," She said after eyeing the halter neck style black short dress. She grabbed it went to the fitting room making me let out a tired sigh.

I am never ever going to accompany her to choose a dress again.

"Who let this low life in here!" I heard a woman screech but I didn't pay any attention to her.

Suddenly out of nowhere a set of hands grabbed me and turned. Me around to face a fuming saleswoman, "Well, hello get out of here!" She snapped her fingers in front of my face rudely.

"Bu-but, why?" I asked her timidly. Did I break something? Did I stain the dresses?

"Why you ask me?" She laughed maliciously, "LOOK AT YOU! YOU DO NOT BELONG HERE!" She screamed. I am sure if she screamed any louder, my poor eyes will freaking bleed.

"Teressa, what's happening?" I thanked the heavens when I heard Leila came in to save my day.

Teressa paled at the sight of Leila, "I am sorry Madam Leila. I will remove this slum girl right at this instant!" she said grabbing my biceps and pulling me forcefully. Her fingernails painfully digging into my skin making me wince.

By now I am sure tears already brimming in my eyes. I felt extremely humiliated.

I looked at Leila who looks like she is going to punch someone, "Will you learn to give some respect, Teressa!" Leila's voice boomed and everyone in the building turned their heads towards us in interest, "She is with me" Leila said and literally ripped me away from Teressa.

"Are you okay, Hazel?" Leila asked me in concern to which I gave a small nod, keeping my head down as I felt extremely embarrassed.

"What in the world is going on here?" A familiar, deep voice asked out of nowhere.

"Oh, Teressa, why don't you tell Lorenzo what you did?" Leila sneered.

It was silent for a minute or two but I didn't dare to raise head even though I was so tempted to look at Mr. Ricci.

"Mr. Ricci, I had no-no idea" Teressa stammered nervously, "I really tho-thought she is a beggar" She justified.

"For the love of God, can you not degrade people, Teressa?" Mr. Ricci, literally hissed in rage at her, "You don't get to decide who comes in here and who does not!" He said, authority leaking from his voice.

"I am sorry, Mr. Ricci," Teressa said sincerely, "You should ask her forgiveness not mine" He replied to her and I heard her sigh.

"I am sorry," Teressa said, not sounding sincere at all.

"It's okay" I nodded, still looking down.

"And you're fired," Mr. Ricci said, his voice void of any emotion.

"No, don't do that! I do not want her to lose her job" I said in a steady voice before anyone could say something.

"Eyes are up here, Hazel," He said, I could literally hear the amusement in his voice.

I froze right then and there. Does he know my name? I raised my head to meet a set of beautiful gray orbs. His hard demeanor softens when his eyes land on me but only for a fraction of a second that I thought I probably imagined it.

"Enzo?" I asked in disbelief.

"The one and only" He flashed me an award-winning smile that would make any girl turn into putty in his hands, "Now tell me why I should keep her in this job" He pointed at Teressa who looked like she will burst out crying any minute now.

"I do not want her to suffer because of me," I said keeping my eyes on Teressa who raised her head to meet my gaze, "I will never be the reason behind anyone's hardship" I added softly, reminding myself.

Enzo watched me with his friendly yet calculating eyes, "Very well then" He said after a few seconds, "Be grateful, Teressa" He gave Teressa a sickly-sweet smile.

"Thank you, Miss," Teressa said, sincerity dripping in her voice before scampering off from us to another customer.

"You knew Enzo?" Leila asked me, her eyes glinting in curiosity.

"No" I answered, "Yes," Enzo said at the same time. Then we looked at each other and shook our heads while grinning like idiots.

"Acquaintance," I said while looking at him, "I guess" Enzo nodded.

"He doesn't let anyone acquaintance call him Enzo" Leila smirked knowingly at Enzo.

I chose to ignore that she said that.

"You work here?" I asked him curiously, "Yes" He nodded while Leila just stood there, wide-eyed.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" Enzo asked Leila, raising his perfectly shaped thick brows.

"Yeah, this dress will do" Leila nodded happily looking at the black dress that she held gingerly in her hands.

"You chose black again? Why I am not surprised?" Enzo fake-glared at her, a small smile threatening to form in the corner of his lips.

"I try on other dresses but I don't know why I always choose the ones that are black" Leila smiled sheepishly before strutting away to pay for the dress.

"So, Hazel" He trailed off with a smile, obviously wanting to start a conversation.

"So, Enzo" I mimicked him making him shake his head in amusement while grinning.

"Did you get a job?" He asked me in concern, "I did, I am working under Leila now" I told him with a big smile.

"Alright let's go" Leila grabbed my hand, "I need to get to the hair salon to get my hair done" She complained, looking at her watch.

"Bye," He said half-heartedly and I just gave him a small wave before Leila dragged me out of the boutique to her car.

Leila spent another hour at the saloon. Leila is a perfectionist. I don't know how long she didn't go on a date but it's obviously clear that she wants to make this date special. So I just accompany her while she pampered herself.

Honestly, I don't mind being with her today. It feels like I am finally having the 'girl time' that I never had. She made me get a new haircut too. I was hesitant at first to cut my tresses but she said it will give some sort of boost to conquer the world if I cut my hair.

And it's true.

Leila dropped me off at her mansion before she went happily with her husband, Thomas, to her date but not before giving long instructions on how to handle her son, Noah.

Since Noah is just a two year old, I don't think so it is going to be bad. I just need to give him a bottle then let him sleep, isn't it?

Turns out Noah is not an easy baby. He runs around the house and blows raspberries all the time. But, he sure is an adorable one.

We played a little and watched cartoons before I changed his clothes to pajamas. Then I gave him a bottle and started to read a book that was stacked neatly beside his crib.

By the time I finished reading, Noah was already asleep with the bottle still in his mouth. I gently took away the bottle and wiped the dribbling milk around his mouth.

I scooped him up in my arms carefully and put him gently on the crib but he started to stir and wake up. Soon, he was wide awake and ready to play again.

I grunted in exhaustion. This is going to be one long night.

Noah was still awake when Leila and Thomas came back. They thanked me for the millionth time. I smiled at them and kissed Noah before leaving half-heartedly.

That boy only stayed with me for a few hours but I already feel so attached to him.

Thomas volunteered to drive me to my house but I refused him politely. The last thing I want is for him to meet my father.

I took a bus and went home all the while thinking about a certain someone. A set of gray orbs flashed through my mind making me smile involuntarily.

Then, I scolded myself. I shouldn't be thinking about him. I only know his name and nothing else.

But something in me feels like I have known him since forever.

By the time I reached home, it was literally midnight. I tiptoed into the house, praying my father was either asleep or wasn't home. When I stepped into my room, I shut the door behind my back and put the lights on.

A gasp left my lips when I noticed that my father was sitting on my bed looking furious. What scared me was the baseball bat that was in his hands.

"Where were you?" He asked me in a deadly calm voice.

"I was babysitting my boss's son" I answered him truthfully, eyeing the bat in his hand.

"And you didn't bother to answer my calls?" He raised his voice a little while gripping the bat, his knuckles turned white.

"You called?" I asked him while digging into my bag for my phone. And when I found it I noticed that he called me twenty-six times, "I am sorry, I was busy looking after the baby that I didn't notice my phone rang" I told him, stuffing my phone into the bag.

"I don't care" He roared, getting up from my bed and successfully startling me.

"I-I am sorry" I stammered as I was scared shitless right now, "It won't happen again. I promise" I said taking involuntarily steps back as he walked towards me.

He grinned making me blink, "Too late for that," He said in a sickly sweet tone, "You need to learn a lesson" He tsked and swung the bat towards me.

I shut my eyes tightly and prepared myself for the incoming but the bat didn't make its contact as his phone rang.

I peeked open an eye and watched his demeanor change as he saw the caller ID. He looked as if he was going to have a panic attack as his face was pale.

I secretly thanked the caller for saving me just the right time.

I think I spoke too soon as the ringing stopped and he glared daggers making me shrunk back. He advanced once again, the bat still in his hands.

But the phone rang again.

He swore under his breath and left my room after that making me release a breath that I wasn't aware I was holding.