Chapter 9

LEELA's P. O. V.

Walking back to the counter, I tried to keep a straight face, afraid that he would see right through the make-believe.

 I just realized that I've been holding my breath without knowing. I heaved a sigh of relief after leaving the Alpha presence.

I took deep breaths before I was able to respirate perfectly well, his presence undoubtedly commands respect.

I could still feel his gaze on me, trying hard not to look at him, I focused on cleaning the already shining counter. I used every ounce of strength I could muster not to look back at him. "My stupid heart can only be blamed for my feelings.” I said to myself mournfully.

"I don't think, there is a need for that,” she said with mischievousness dangling in her eyes.

“Go find something to do Judes, or go flirt with Jeff, I heard you guys are a thing now." I said In an irritated voice.

“Jeff went out to get something for the boss, you are trying to change the subject, Val” she said smiling smugly.

“No I wasn't. Go get yourself busy, please?” I said facepalming myself.

She laughed and left with a triumphant smile.

“This girl is something else" I sighed.

The hotness of my body still continued, I tried not to put my mind into it.

“This stupid wolf bond, how can I even call myself a wolf without being able to shift.” It's been years and I still can't shift.

'I don't even have any single wolf abilities unlike Nakisha, his chosen mate, she has the ability to control, and she shifted earlier than most of us at the age of fifteen.

 She has all the qualities that a woman or a she-wolf can ever ask for, and he's also married to her. What does he want to talk to me about?

I'm so furious with myself, I should have given him a straightforward negative answer, instead of giving him a shadow of doubt.

After he was done with his coffee, he stood up and left. Now I can move freely without looking over my shoulder.

At exactly 6pm, I left the restaurant and bid and left for my other job at the club.

The thought of meeting Asher improved my mood a little. He has been sending me sweet early morning texts. He's really a charm, I'm sure with time I'll fall for his charm without Mikhail in the picture.

But with Mikhail in the picture, I really don't know what's going to happen to us. Mikhail doesn't look like he's going to give up that easily, and I'm still in love with him. I'm in a dilemma.

I got out of the Uber and entered the club. I took my lingerie from the locker room, and entered my room, but before I could wear it, someone knocked on my door.

"It's Donovan,” the person called out.

I paused, something is not right. Donovan the stripper club manager meeting me himself instead of asking one of the strippers to talk to me is suspicious.

“Okay, I'm coming.”

I left the room and met him outside, resting his back on the wall. He's a fine young man with long blonde hair, it's just disappointing that he's not into girls. He would have been a heartbreaker.

“I was ordered by Mr. Asher to change your costume.” He handed me a red knee-length dress instead. 

“You will be the face of this club, Congratulations.” He said with a smile on his face, but the smile did not last long, the stern look appeared again.

I was shocked and pleased at the same time. He didn't have to do this.

I'm not deserving of the position.

"Thank you, where is Mr. Asher?” I asked.

“Go to the fifth floor, he should be in his office.” He answered then left like someone being chased by a ghost.

I entered the elevator and made my way to the office, then knocked.

“Enter,” he answered.

How did he know I was the one, I wondered?

I entered his office, his office walls were painted gray. His things are well arranged, with all the files placed in one corner of his table.

“Take your seat,” he gestured to a seat opposite him. I lowered myself in the chair. 

“How did you know I was the one at the door,” I asked him.

He replied with his ever charming smile." Instinct"

I raised my eyebrows and smirked, “I don't think so."

"Okay, it was instinct and a little bit of your scent,” he said, still smiling.

Since the first day I saw Asher, his face has never been without a smile. He makes things look easy, just with his smile.

I smiled then continued, “I wanted to thank you for the dress. You don't have to really, and I don't think I deserve the position. I'm go..."

“Shhhh,” he said cutting my sentence.

“I want to do it, I can't let my future wife be on a lingerie and besides you earned it, you've been a diligent worker for three years now.”

The brim of my eyes was full of tears, he's really a good man.

“And after you are done, meet me outside, let's get you something for the promotion.” He said with his soft gaze and charming smile.

“Thank you!” I said with genuine appreciation.

“You are welcome Leela. Leela is a beautiful name, I prefer it to Valentina" he said.

"Yes it is, but I don't use it in public.” 

“I'll be taking my leave, I sincerely appreciate Mr. Asher” 

“Mr Asher? I feel hurt!” He said holding his chest in an exaggerated manner.

“Okay, Asher, I'll be taking my leave” I said exiting the door.

I left the office, with my heart pounding. After what happened to me five years ago, I stopped believing in the goodness In people, but the recent activity happening in my life makes me want to un-believe my concept.

I took the red dress and tried it on, it's perfect on me and I love it. I've always imagined wearing a red dress with the love of my life by my side, but I guess life is not always fair.

The face of the club doesn't have any business with appearing every day, it just on rare occasions, like parties.

I'm finally dropping that annoying lingerie, I actually like the pole dancing part. 'I guess I'm not needed here anymore. I should go get ready for my outing with Asher.'

I left the locker room after putting my red dress safely inside it.

“Congratulations!” 

I almost collapsed, “what the hell.” I looked around me and I saw the rest of the strippers.

My heart became warm suddenly, they are wonderful people, and I'm fortunate to have worked with them.

“Thank you very much, I truly appreciate you guys,” I said bowing

I left the club with a warm heart and a smile.

I got ready for the outing, I took a short black gown with a sweetheart neckline. I'm not really a fan of make-up, so I skipped it. Doing a quick once over In front of my lengthy mirror, I left the room.

I messaged him and sent him my house address. Within minutes, he was already in front of my house.

I stepped out, and my heart almost leaped, 'he was wearing all black just like Mikhail, earlier today.'

Mikhail is still hunting my thoughts and heart, this is not fair sincerely.

I took three deep breaths to control my emotions. 

I repeated a mantra in my head, to keep me sane. “I'm with Asher now, I should let go of my feelings for Mikhail,” maybe if I keep repeating it, my heart will be convinced.

I walked towards him with the determination that I'm going to make our relationship work.

“You are beautiful as always,” he said with eyes filled with love.

"Thank you, so where are we going?

"A restaurant, let's eat dinner in a restaurant Leela"

"Okay,” I looked by his side, he was standing close to a Porsche.

“You have a nice car, Asher.” I said.

“Thanks.” He opened the car door for me, so I stepped in.

We reached, the restaurant, he held the car door for me, “he's a charming gentleman”

I said giggling to myself.

I looked up at the sign on the restaurant, it read, LUNAR RESTAURANT.

The Lunar restaurant is an antique building that has served many generations over time. It has been operating for centuries. The restaurant got it's name from its shape,"The LUNAR. Asher explained.

"It's beautiful." I said with shimmering eyes.

"Yes it truly is" He said with a smile.

We entered the restaurant, compared to the outside of the restaurant, the Inside deserved the greatest accolades.

I just can't stop looking around, the entire building is a beauty.

A waitress came to us and gestured us to our reserved seat.

The restaurant I worked at doesn't hold a candle to this, their staff are all so diligent.

As I was taken in the view, a waitress walked to us and bowed before asking us for our other.

"I'll have Foie Gras and vin sa..." Asher began to place his order, but he was interrupted by a voice.

“Hey Leela."

I looked up at a set of brown eyes and my eyes widened. 

“It's Ivar Hunter, Mikhail Arthur's half brother.”