Bound to the Alpha

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Zackary's POV

"This project is one of the biggest fashion runways we have ever done for the upcoming year, so my expectations are high. We want this collection to be perfect in every way possible," the director of the project said.

We were in the middle of a conference, discussing the plans and adjustments that would be made for the upcoming collection runway for a luxury brand.

After the conference meeting ended and all the plans were settled, the executives, staff, models, and other members went straight to a private restaurant for lunch.

I was not in the mood and wasn't planning on attending, but the director insisted, saying that this might be our last meal together with the whole staff because once the project starts, we will be very busy.

I didn't really care about attending, but Russel convinced me. He said I needed to socialize to make a good impression on the new co-models I would be working with, which is a valid reason for me attend.

Our lunch was filled with conversations, laughter, and noise. I would occasionally talk whenever I'm asked too, but the whole time, I was just sitting there, staring blankly at my plate.

I wanted to go home.

"Zack."I looked up at the director, who was sitting in front of me when he called me. "Did you hear me?"

My lips parted slightly. "Pardon?"

The director repeated what he said, and I responded. We talked briefly, good thing that he got distracted and shifted his attention to the other people.

Russel, who was sitting beside me, leaned in slightly.

"You okay?"he whispered to me.

No.

"Yeah." I sipped the wine from my glass. "I just don't feel like talking."

"Do you want to rest now?" Concern was clear on his face.

I shook my head. "Nah, I'm good."

The conversation carried on over lunch. Two crew servers of the restaurant entered the dining hall to serve us more food and clear the dirty plates from our table.

One of them, visibly nervous about being in the same room as such prominent figures, was trembling as she tried to fill my cup. In her clumsyness, she accidentally knocked it over, sending the contents spilling toward me and soaking my clothes.

"Oh my god!" one of the team members gasped, drawing everyone's attention.

I glanced down at my clothes, now stained with juice.

The female crew panicked and bent down in front of me. "S-sorry, sir. I didn't m-" I cut her off.

"It's okay," I told her, motioning for her to leave. I didn't want her to be scolded by anyone in this room.

A member of the management approached me. "Are you okay, Sir Zack?"

I nodded. "Yeah, it's no big deal." I took off my coat and draped it over my arm.

My attention was caught by a girl who suddenly stood up. With a smile on her face, she walked toward me, grabbed me by the shoulder, and sweetly faced the crowd.

"Director, would you mind if we leave first?" she asked with a smile. "Today has been great, but we should all rest and do our best to preserve our energy for the shoot. Especially Zack here-our ace also needs to take a breather." She looked down at me with a smile.