Chasing Alana

22 | Show Me Some Love

"Good morning, Steven. Morning Bradley."

"Good morning, Ms. Sommers."

Both security guards posted at the underground entrance into Limitless Talent gave her a small smile, before opening the door. Asher had dropped her off at the entrance, before going to park his car at his designated spot.

"Thanks, guys," she returned the smile before making her way towards the unsuspecting woman at the front desk. "Good morning, Darlene."

"Oh, Jesus," Darlene jumped up from her seat, holding her hand up to her chest as she looked up at Alana. "You're going to give this old woman a heart attack at this rate, darlin'."

"Sorry, Darlene didn't mean to scare you," Alana quickly apologized, giving Darlene a sheepish look. "I stopped by the coffee shop and got you your favorite."

She placed the iced Americano and a donut onto the table, making the older woman's eyes crinkle into a warm smile.

"Thank you, darlin'. All is forgiven," Darlene winked. "Especially when you come bearing treats."

"I heard you put someone in their place yesterday for trespassing," Alana leaned forward, wanting to hear the story directly from the source.

"Oh you wouldn't even believe the nerve of that girl," exclaimed Darlene, getting riled up. "You remember that Tiffany girl?"

"I bumped into her once or twice," grimaced Alana, giving Darlene a vague answer.

"Came here demanding to be let in. Can you believe that? After all the shit she put all the staff through?" Ranted Darlene, shaking her head. "Now, you bet my ass I gave her a good earful before I called security to drag her ass out— never once liked that devious woman anyway. I almost dragged her out by the ear myself, swear to God— her yappin' was getting annoying."

Alana, not even surprised at the way Tiffany would barge into the building, demanding to be let inside, gave Darlene a knowing look. "You can be scary, Darlene. When I first came here, I was told to stay on your good side."

"Noelle's just being dramatic," Darlene rolled her eyes, stacking the papers on her desk into a neat pile. "You know I'm only scary when I need to be, darlin'."

"Oh trust me, Darlene. I've heard the stories," laughed Alana. From her peripheral vision, she could see Asher enter through the double doors, greeting the security posted at the entrance.

"Thanks, Steven, Bradley," Asher nodded at the large men standing guard at the entrance. "Keep up the good work, gentlemen."

"Yes, sir."

Asher made his way towards the front desk, immediately wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her closer to her.

"You left your phone in the car, princess," he murmured into her ear before handing her the phone. Looking up, he saw Darlene with a wide grin, clearly accessing what was going on in front of her.

"I knew I was forgetting something," Alana cursed under her breath. "Thank you."

"I've got you, always," smiled Asher, placing a small peck on her forehead. "Good morning, Darlene."

"I see my boy finally decided to put on some big boy pants," teased Darlene. "Always comin' in here looking like a lost lovestruck puppy— hell, I could see it from a mile away."

Asher groaned, causing Alana to throw her head back in laughter. "Darlene, please— you're embarrassing me."

"Alright, alright— can't even let an old woman have her fun," grumbled Darlene with a small pout. "You take good care of her, you got that?"