Alpha's Runaway Mate

Serving

24

Mirabel

My whole night was spent tossing between the sheets. The chills still crept up my neck whenever I'd thought about the deserted house. One question kept ringing in my head after the visit, What's the story of this house and those that once lived in it? Because there was lots of evidence present on the internet that supported the fact the house belonged to the Warner's family. Why would a family seclude themselves in such a place?

I sighed with that anticipation and leapt out of the bed. The more I thought about them, the more I felt disappointed. I parted the curtains only to let sunlight light my room, the day ahead looked long and to say I was excited for it would be a lie. I only managed to sleep for three hours and that was not enough for the hard work I was required to put in all day.

Yesterday, before returning to my room, I was informed by Fiona about the annual dinner that their 'Alpha' was hosting. It was planned months ago and I got to know about it because I recently joined. She assigned each chef at least ten dishes which in total made around one hundred and twenty dishes approximately. While me being a connoisseur of dessert, I was given to make the sweet dishes, which I would have been excited like a kid to make if I had slept at least half the night.

I got ready after a shower and straight went to the kitchen hall at sharp eight. Fiona was already waiting for all the chefs to join the queue. Once assembled, she then began narrating our duties and delivered an encouraging speech over the code of our professional conduct. The event was expected to start around six in the evening and all the dishes were to be readied before that time.

I took the list from the assistant supervisor and assessed the dishes I had to make. And as if that alone wasn't enough, Fiona also assigned me to train newbies that were children of their former chefs. The woman knew I was here for six months so she wanted to extract the best out of me. She surely knew which card to play at the right game.

I got to my work and lectured the students side by side. We prepared the batters, baked, glazed, talked and enjoyed the activity. By the time of five, the dishes were effortlessly done and I was actually delighted to work with these students. They were respectful towards me and I couldn't be grateful enough for their help. A few of them were bratty but I dare not call them a bad company.

Since Fiona had tested my recipes and cleared them for serving, I cornered myself and took out my phone to check all the notifications I got while working. Sophia had shared her trip's pictures with her boyfriend in the group chat. I smiled the moment her big grin sported on my screen. She looked genuinely fulfilled with her man. The thought warmed my heart. Scrolling down, I found a video of Sevyn and Rowan celebrating Albert's birthday. Rowan jumped while clapping when the party popper popped. Albert gave his first bite to Sevyn and Rowan and then Eleanor. The sight swollen my heart with complicated emotions. I couldn't be grateful enough for this couple to be in my life. What would have been my life had they not been in life?

I blinked back my tears and startled the moment I heard Fiona calling my name. Hurriedly, I stepped back to my station and passed her a small smile.

"Change up. You are going to serve drinks to the guests," She ordered in a bored tone. I was irritated with the way she was not looking at me while bossing around.

"But ma'am, I..."

"You have a problem?" There she looked at me, more like a stern stare that conveyed 'try me'. "I was told you are here through connections but I let it slide as a rumour, now I am starting to think if the rumour was true. Because if it wasn't you wouldn't dare to think about challenging my order," Her indirect accusation of being incompetent and opportunist fuelled tightness in my chest. I was baffled for a moment. Clearly, the position that was assigned to me was of a senior assistant supervisor. Nowhere in the job description it was mentioned that they were expecting extra duties as well. Being senior assistant supervisor was a far-fetched dream, I wasn't even being treated as a reputable chef.

"If you really have a problem, you can consider terminating your contract with Mr. Greg," Her tone had a steely intonation that nearly drove me nuts. I wasn't gullible to surrender to a bully but it had only been a few days here and I needed this job. I had to bear patience.

"No, ma'am, I will get ready," I responded, gulping and unclenching my fists.

I strode past her to the staff room and quickly changed into the uniform. I turned around to leave when Charlotte barged in the room, startled by my presence perhaps.

"Oh what are you doing here?" She asked, not expecting to see me here, in a uniform. Her sister was the event manager and she was helping her in her job.

"I was asked to do some extra,"

"By Fiona?" Charlotte took her name in a frustrated manner. I shrugged. She rolled her eyes and spilled the beans with me which alleviated some of my confusion regarding why she was acting with me in such a bratty way. Turned out I was selected by the Alpha without an interview in place of Fiona's niece, and she wanted me out as soon as possible.

I took a sigh and let that sink in while loading the tray with different drinks. Charlotte offered me her help but I refused. I picked the tray and walked to the hall hoping the night would end soon.

Eventually the time was ticking by and I kept hustling in and out of the hall with empty and filled trays. The hall was full of big shots, I could tell by the way they were dressed. Every woman here was an epitome of beauty, their jewellers and dresses made them look no less than walking angels. Whereas the men possessed an aura of power and influence. Each of them were in a battle of domination and approval. Their women proudly stood by them, knowing their men would protect them no matter the cost.

These train of thoughts made me forget where I was standing. A force hit my shoulder and I realised I was in the middle of the dancing stage. Quickly, I stepped away and collected the glasses from the table. As I was about to leave, an announcement was made about the 'Alpha' making an appearance. The female host boasted about the man as if he was a saviour of mankind, where in reality he was ugly enough to waste food. I scoffed to myself and wondered how some people get the privilege to be special in the eyes of the world while some of us would never be able to become special for one person. Just one person. In my case, I wasn't even worthy of being told who fucked me and left in a cold alley with his children in my womb.

The whole crowd applauded and I went back to get drinks. As I stepped back in the hall, the woman who was the Alpha's sister, signalled me to serve the main table. I smiled and walked to the table, extending the tray to the guests.

"It is really a pleasure to be invited, Mr. Dashiell. Lord Alabaster claimed I won't be disappointed after meeting you and now I know why he was so sure," A woman's comment crossed my ears and the urge to roll my eyes over her fake sultry tone. She picked the drink from the tray and chuckled while someone else replied to her back. Suddenly, the room's temperature rose a little. I swallowed the lump forming in my throat while feeling a line of laser drilling holes in my left cheek. Due to some cryptic reason my heart rate was accelerating too.

I continued serving with my eyes locked on the glasses, rationalising my sudden change of condition. Maybe I was getting nervous by the amount of prestige these people held or perhaps I was starving because I didn't have my lunch. I got my answer the moment my eyes accidentally raised to meet the intensity of one specific force. Thunderous greyish eyes that were keenly steady on my face. It was the Alpha. His jaw was clenched as if he detested my presence. His eyes sharply assessing my face. Terror gripped my throat. What in the world did I do to deserve that look?

Anxiety threatened to freeze me but I blinked down out of nervousness. My hands shivered by the disturbing interaction. I focused on the tray that had two more glasses to be picked by someone. I couldn't understand why I gave a glance back when I knew he was still staring at me with an avid intent. There was no leniency in that gaze, only glass-cutting depth. The moment someone picked the last glass, I turned around with eyes closed and strode as decently as possible despite my impulses screamed at me to run.

After that intense contact, I tried my best to avoid those pairs of greys but only if curiosity could leave me alone. Somehow I would glance at them only to attract them back to me.

Why was the alpha looking at me every now and then?