Ethan;
I struggle to balance the paper bags in my hands as I walk into Alpha Aurelian's office, and the moment I shut the door behind me and look up, I freeze.
There's a man standing in front of Alpha Aurelian, and it's not just the fact that I barged in on their meeting that petrifies me… It's not the fact that both this man and Alpha Aurelian have fallen silent, and are now gawking at me, that unnerves me the most… No!
What sends shivers down my spine is the massive man standing before Alpha Aurelian.
He shares an uncanny resemblance with Alpha Aurelian… Yet they look so… distinct.
This man is clearly older. Much older than Alpha Aurelian. He has a stubble beard, dark green eyes, and a scowl that has absolutely pinned me in place.
His hair and facial structure seem to be the same as Alpha Aurelian's, though. Are they brothers?
Oh... Alpha Aurelian asked me to cancel the board meeting so he could meet with his brother. And I just… barged in on them!!
Shit! Why didn't I knock??
"Who's that?" The man demands in a voice that causes me to jump a bit, and my eyes instantly dart back to my boss.
He sighs and drops his gaze, and in this moment, I know I fucked up waltzing in here like it was my living room.
"Get out." Alpha Aurelian says in his usual, controlled tone, and I gulp as the words slice through me.
"I-I'm sorry. I completely forgot you had a guest. I—" I begin to ramble as I start backing away, but he looks up at me.
"Not you." He says, and my brows crease.
The man before him instantly turns back to glare at him, and I hold my breath.
"You can't possibly be referring to me—" The man begins, but Alpha Aurelian's cold eyes slowly crawl up to meet the man's.
"I don't remember hearing being a problem you had, Pat. Take your leave before I make you." He says coldly, and my eyes widen.
He's talking to family like that?? Why!??
"You—" The man begins, and Alpha Aurelian takes a deep breath. Then it hits me. Pheromones.
A gentle wave, but enough to send shivers through me.
"I'm warning you… brother." Alpha Aurelian whispers, adding the last word as a slur, and the older man scoffs in enraged embarrassment.
He turns to me, and I quickly lower my gaze.
"This isn't the end of this, you fucking twerp. You'll see!" He growls at Alpha Aurelian as he starts marching towards me, and fear glues my feet in place.
The man gets to me, violently shoves me aside, and exits the room with the door slamming shut loudly behind him. My shoulders throb thanks to the force, and I battle to regain my balance while clutching the bags to my chest.
"Ethan?" Alpha Aurelian then calls, and I quickly blink off my expression as I turn back to him.
"What are those?" He questions with his eyes dropping to the bags in my hands, and my gaze follows his, as I try to gather every bit of confidence I pulled to gether before getting here, but lost at the door.
"Erm… Ac-Actually… This is… I got you lunch." I stutter like a fool as I walk nervously to his table, and the silence that follows is deafening.
"...You got me lunch?" He questions when I finally get to his table, and I look up at his face— at his silver eyes that are staring at me with what seems to be… surprise.
"Hm," I reply with a sharp nod, and his eyes drift back to the bags now on his table.
"I-it's 2 pm, and you've… not had anything to eat all day, so… When you sent me on my lunch break… I thought to get you something too." I explain, and suddenly, it feels ridiculous saying it out loud.
He didn't tell me he was hungry, didn't ask me for any favours… I don't even know what he likes or doesn't like. I just went and did the first stupid thing that came to mind.
"I-I'm sorry I didn't ask first. I-It's okay if you don't want it. I… wasn't thinking, and I just felt because you… had no space for lunch on your schedule…" I begin rambling again as I start scooping the bags back up into my arms, but he suddenly reaches out and grabs my hand.
I freeze as the warmth of his hand engulfs my wrist.
"What did you get me?" He questions, and suddenly it feels like he just asked if I want to take a dump.
How the fuck do I explain to him the meal I got him… and why I got it!?
I didn't even put much thought into it when buying it. I found a fancy restaurant, went in, and ordered two plates of what I felt like eating.
How do I explain to my boss that I got him Nigerian food??
Of all the things I could possibly get him!!
He stares expectantly at me, and the drought in my throat deepens.
I really didn't think this through…
"Now… that I think about it… Maybe I should go get you something else. I didn't really pay much mind when I got this for you—" I try to negotiate with him, but he cuts me off.
"What did you get me, Ethan?" He presses, and I exhale deeply, and shut my eyes as I reluctantly push one of the bags to him.
"Jollof rice…" I whisper, and silence follows.
Anu introduced me to this meal while we were in college, and since then, it's become one of my favourite comfort meals. And now, my stupid ass went to get it for my boss without a moment's hesitation.
I listen as he starts opening the bag, and my eyes shut tighter as I hear him pull out the meal pack.
"My best friend introduced it to me to. It's a… It's a Nigerian meal. But it's really nice, I promise." I start over explaining as he opens the meal pack, and the aroma of the delicious meal fills the space.
"Thank you." He whispers, and I open my eyes in surprise as he picks up the spoon and starts eating.
I watch carefully as he takes the first bite, and I notice his face contort. My heart skips a beat as he pauses, and my blood turns to stone in my veins.
HE DOESN'T LIKE IT—
My thoughts are however cut short, when he keeps chewing, and I watch him swallow. He takes another spoon, and then another… and for some reason, watching him eat this meal… and that too, without complaining, brings me a weird kind of happiness.
A happy smile crawls onto my face as I watch him eat, and pride gently pats my back. I did good.
"Is it nice?" I question, and he simply nods as he keeps eating.
I shouldn't stand above him as he eats.
"I'll… head to my office now. If you… If you need anything, just call." I speak, and he nods.
Feeling good with myself, I turn on my heels and make my way out of his office, noticing little bounces in my step.
He liked it! That wasn't as bad as I thought it might go.
Maybe he isn't as difficult as I feared he would be. He didn't even scold me for getting him food without consulting him.
Working as his assistant just might be a breeze… if I learn how to stay in his good books.
My smile grows into a proud grin, but just before I can bask in this small victory, my heart flips into my throat as I hear a familiar laughter.
A laugh so familiar, every ounce of temporary happiness I just felt vanishes.
My head snaps in the direction of the sound, and my heart instantly spells out who that laughter belongs to.
There's no way I wouldn't recognise it. I spent over two years listening to it on repeat.
It…it can't be…
Adrien!??