Chapter 17

Allison's POV

I said yes. I can't believe I said yes. I should probably book a doctor's appointment and get my head checked. My nerves won't stop screaming at me about what a bad idea this is.

It's just that… Xander Black had looked so sincere, sitting there and offering to take responsibility. And while I've been prepared to do this alone, it's not because I wanted to do it alone. I thought I had no other choice, but now I do, and it's actually reassuring to know that he will be there to help me.

Though when I say reassuring, this was not what I had in mind. I stepped out this morning only to find a courier at my doorstep, bearing a bouquet of roses with a note tucked into it. Even before I see his flawless handwriting on the note, I know who they are from.

'I read that women love to receive flowers from their partners,' he had written. 'Let me know if you would have preferred something else.'

Since he considered that I might prefer something other than flowers, why didn't he just call and ask me what I wanted before buying it? But then, he probably read somewhere that women love surprises. I cover my mouth to hide my smile, though I find myself giggling.

Who would have thought the mighty Alpha has such a cute side? I think. Trying to do everything by the book, that's so like him.

Even though I had agreed to date him, I had still been pretty sceptical about the arrangement. I assumed it would be professional at best and awkward at worst, but it doesn't look like that's his plan at all.

He looks like he's making an effort. I owe it to him to do my best as well.

Elsa doesn't seem to think so. When I drop by her place to pick her up, she gives the bouquet a look that says it had failed woefully to impress her. I forgot to move it from the passenger seat where Elsa usually sits, so I have to watch her toss it in the backseat like it's a pile of trash.

"The poor flowers can't fight back, you know," I say, giving her an amused look.

"I can't punch Xander Black's face, so they'll have to do," Elsa replies, folding her arms with an unrepentant look on her face. 

Yikes, I think, starting to panic. She sounds like she might actually punch him if she gets a chance.

I sigh.

"Why are you still so mad at him?" I ask.

"Why shouldn't I be?" she retorts. "What kind of loser gets a woman pregnant and then waits some months before showing up out of nowhere to offer her a relationship? He even fired you! He saw a woman he had slept with, and the first thing he did was decide that she could not work at his company anymore."

Well, to be fair, she does have a point. I sigh, staring out through the window close to me. Why can nothing ever be easy, I wonder. As easy as the father of my child not turning out to be the Alpha. I know that so many problems will emerge from this decision of mine, that I won't be able to keep track. But I'm willing to try. For Xander, who is willing to try for me. And most especially, for our unborn child.

"And you," Elsa continues, her annoyed voice dragging me back to the present, "why didn't you tell me that the so-called stranger you met at the bar is actually Xander Black?"

"I promised not to tell," I say, smiling apologetically at her. "I'm sorry, Elsa. I really wish I could have told you. But—"

"That's just like you," Elsa sighs fondly, rolling her eyes. "Left with me, I would have considered that little oath of silence dead the moment I get fired for no good reason."

"Eh," I say with a shrug. "That's all over now, at least."

"Not if you ask me," Elsa replies. "You forgive and forget pretty easily, Allison."

I gulp, feeling the need to make something clear.

"Elsa," I say, "you're not going to antagonize Xander Black, are you? Please don't do that."

Elsa is the sort of person who would straight up attack Xander Black if she so much as suspected that he was disrespecting me, not caring if he's the Alpha. Such a thing could not possibly end well for Elsa if she ever went through with it.

Elsa must see the worry in my eyes, because she clicks her tongue in reluctant defeat.

"Fine," she says. "But if he dares make you cry, I'm making him regret it."

Geez, I think. You're not ever going to let go of this, are you?

"I can work with that," I say finally.

Elsa nods, looking pleased.

"I know," she says.

……

I've gotten used to my coworkers' looks of judgement, so I don't even blink when I open the door only for the office to go silent. That's clear proof that they have been talking about me, but I don't care anymore. Too much has been going on, and I can't find it in myself to get offended over things like this.

Really, I think, don't they have anything else to talk about? Isn't this tale getting too old? Is this how bored they are?

I get to work, feeling their stares boring into me the whole time. It's clear that they have picked up on the fact that I don't care what they say, and it's not going down well with them. Emily even makes her voice louder, going on and on about what a slut I am, but I don't react. 

Before long, the gossip fizzles out. Aside from a few looks of confusion thrown my way, my coworkers stop staring at me.

My head is down, my eyes on the screen of my computer, but I can't help smiling.

This feels like checkmate.

I'm still smiling as I head out to the lobby to wait for Elsa. I'm leaning on the wall, scrolling through my phone, when it begins to ring and an unfamiliar number pops up on my screen. I stare at it in confusion for a moment, wondering if my coworkers have decided to take their bullying to the next level. Then, with a small mental shrug, I pick the call.

"Hello?" I say, putting the phone to my ear. "Who is this, please?"

When the person on the other end of the line speaks, it's not to threaten or insult me, like I was partly expecting. It's to speak calmly in a baritone voice I cannot believe is currently coming out from my phone.

"Are you free, Allison?" Xander asks.

"Uh… um…" I mumble, my mind suddenly blank.

"Sorry," he says. "Did I surprise you? I'll admit it was a mistake on my part, failing to give you my number that day."

"It's alright," I say quickly. "You did shock me, but it's alright. Uh…do you need something?"

"Would you like to go on a date with me?" is his response.