Chapter 3

Alexa’s POV 

I guess I'm going to get down there and enjoy the sight see really well. 

I take a deep breath as I recall that my work revolves around these seven Alphas and they might be up here looking at me from down there. 

“Let me take a break now in my room. I'll visit here much later,” I say to myself, heading back to the kitchen to return the glass. From there I'll head to my room. Seeing the garden can be done much later, probably after the Alphas have gone occupied with other things and no one's attention is focused on me.

Louise must still be sleeping right now, since it's my work I decided to go check up on her in her room before going back to mine to have another nap. As I walk through the hallway, my mind sets into several things, my health condition and if these Alphas would let me work till I get the two hundred thousand dollars for my surgery. Then I switch to thinking about Louise. I can feel the motherly bond between her and I. There is nothing anyone can say to make me disbelieve that she's not my baby whom I gave out for adoption. 

I arrived in her room, seeing her sleeping so peacefully. I walk over to arrange her hands well, patting her head and looking into her face with pity and sorrow. 

“I feel guilty having to give you off for adoption to these seven crazy–” 

Someone clears his throat behind me. I turn around swiftly to see who it is.

“Gosh!” I jerk my body up. Dustin is right there by the side of the door dressed in a white shirt and a pair of black trousers with a pair of luxury black shoes. 

“What are you doing here? Why does it seem like you keep recurring. I see you everywhere I go?” 

“Hmm,” he smirks, walking towards me on the bed. His dominating aura fills in through the room occupying my nostrils. 

“Make sure you teach her when she wakes up,” he utters, speaking in an authoritative tone while flipping his right index fingers, kind of pointing his fist at me but not directly. I lower my brows, narrowing my eyes. 

“Where are you going?” I decided to be a bit sarcastic. He didn't reply to my question with an answer but had to respond with an order. I have to do something similar. 

His eyes turned stiff, looking directly at me. “You reply to my questions with a suitable answer. Who do you think you are to play back at me?” He growls. 

“Dad, stop shouting at her.” 

I immediately turn upon hearing this. Louise is actually awake. I grab her head, nudging it. “Don't worry, my daughter. Sleep! I can handle this.” 

“You can handle what?” 

I swallow the lump in my throat, as seconds ticks, I become more confused with Dustin's character. A moment ago, he was asking me to stay, now he's acting so rude. 

I rise from the bed, dropping a kiss on Louise's cheek. I force a sweet smile. “I'll come see you later. I want you to sleep peacefully.” I say, laying her back to sleep and walking past Dustin without even gazing through his direction. 

I feel a grab on my arm just as I'm about to pass him by. My breath stops, my heart ceases to beat. 

What's going on? 

“Did I ask you to leave without my permission?” His tone becomes a bit low and calm, yet still cold. 

I want to raise my voice at him asking him to let me be and stop being a hypocrite but then I remember that Louise is lying right there on the bed. I keep my mouth shut, thinking of what to say next. 

I blink my eyes several times, my heart fuming, then his left hand drops on my shoulder. His eyes drop on mine and his face comes closer. 

“I don't need you here! I wish I never had you being the one coming to take care of Louise.” 

“Upon saying I have a health challenge I need money for?” I utter to myself, tears forming in my eyes. I sniff in, trying to hold back the tears from dropping. 

“You are going to accompany me for my fan meet.” 

“What?” 

“Do you see me as your maid?” I rant, shaking my face. Louise jerks up from the bed out of shock. As she's about to step out of the bed, I rush towards her, patting her and urging her to go back to sleep. 

“I heard you sleep three hours in the afternoon after school. It's not yet up to three hours.” 

“Please sleep back!” 

“Mom, I can't sleep with you shouting here! I don't want you two to shout at each other.” Her face twists, her eyes fall upon the ground. More of her anger I could see is prior to disturbing her from her peaceful sleep, my face engulfs in guilt as I lower my gaze to the floor, tucking a strand of hair behind my hair. 

“Do you think that's the perfect way for a child?” Dustin asks, leaning towards my ear. 

“We are your bosses here, me and my brothers. If you love yourself and your job, come for your punishment.” I drift backward but he grabs my wrist, dragging me out of the room. 

“Keep on sleeping baby, we are sorry for disturbing you. We wouldn't do that again.” He pleads, taking me out but only then do I realize the effect of his statement. What punishment is he talking about? My heart beats quicker than usual, I look up to him but he doesn't say a word, his face points straight towards where we are going. He's so serious that I can't even ask what he's going to do to me. 

We walk up to the living room, as the door opens, my eyes set on his six brothers who were all dressed, no longer shirtless. I look up and they are watching a live sports program.