THE ALPHA'S REVENGE

Someone is watching me. You know that eerie sensation of being under surveillance? It's been haunting me all week, during my walks to school, at work, in the library, and even now as I make my way home from my job. It might sound crazy, but I'm convinced I'm not imagining it. That feeling of being watched is unmistakable. As I step into the two-bedroom apartment I share with my friend, I quickly lock the door and rub the goosebumps on my upper arm. "Hey, what's wrong?" Clara, my roommate, asks, genuine concern etched across her face. With her golden-hued blond locks cascading over her olive skin, she's a vision of beauty. I met Clara during freshman orientation, drawn to her by her boisterous and comical brothers. She may claim embarrassment, but her affection for them shines through as they proudly carried her on their shoulders, proclaiming to the entire freshman class that their baby sister was the most brilliant person alive. And they weren't wrong; she's the most intelligent

The week is passing by quickly, with Clara's frequent date nights and the persistent feeling of being watched that I can't shake off. So, this Friday night, I'm deciding to break my club virginity. Originally, I planned to do it with Clara, but she's off on another date as usual. It might suck going to the club alone for my first time, but it could also be an opportunity to make new friends. I start getting dressed at 7 pm, beginning with makeup and moving on to my hair, finishing it all off with the perfect outfit. I almost cry when I look in the mirror because who is this sexy goddess? My black smoky eyeshadow complements my black strapless dress perfectly, and you know what they say about black? You can never go wrong with it. I finish the look with red heels. By the time I'm done, it's about 11 pm, and I'm more than ready to have the time of my life tonight. It takes me about 30 minutes to locate the club because, for some reason, it's located in a hidden place. On a normal day,

Damn, I'm late for work again, and this time my manager is going to be on my case because it's the second time this week. Should I start looking for other jobs? I sprint, my brown locs falling onto my face as I rush to the diner where I work as a waitress. Sneaking into the employee area, I quickly change before my manager comes looking for me. I'm heading to the front when my manager appears with Ethan. “Hey, fancy meeting you here,” I speak first, my nerves still jittery from almost being caught. “You guys already know? That’s great because he is our new staff, and you are going to be the one to train him. We are short on staff, and some of the older ones don’t know how to show up on time,” he says, shooting me a pointed look. Oops, he definitely saw me running late. Of course, he did. “Let me leave you two to it. After your shift, Ethan, come to my office for the final evaluation.” With that, he retreats to his office. “So, where do we start, Miss Rebel?” Ethan teases. “Well,

After my intense run, I return home, still fuming from my earlier encounter with that guy, and head straight for a refreshing shower. As I step out, clad in a towel, I notice Claire getting ready to go out. "Where are you off to all dressed up?" I raise an eyebrow, genuinely curious. "Oh, it's just a date," Claire replies, a hint of excitement in her voice. "That's not new. I want details," I press, leaning against the bathroom doorframe. "You'll like him, I promise. In fact, after our date today, he's coming over to the house," Claire reveals. My curiosity is piqued. "Oh, okay then. Have fun," I concede, offering a small smile. With Claire out on her date, I decide to make the most of my day. After tackling my schoolwork, I indulge in a lazy day, lounging around and watching movies. Hours drift by in a haze of relaxation, punctuated by occasional naps and snack breaks. As evening approaches, I'm content in my solitary world, unaware of the impending upheaval. At around 6 pm, I'

The following day, I go on a lunch date with Ethan. We've chosen a diner conveniently located near both work and school to make the most of our limited time together. My classes have just concluded, and my work shift will begin soon. "So, tell me, what do you do for fun, aside from wrongly accusing people?" Ethan inquires, a playful smirk gracing his lips. "I don't know, probably reading. When I was younger, though, I enjoyed playing video games," I respond, reminiscing about my childhood. My dad and I used to spend hours playing video games together. He taught me all the tricks and strategies I still use today. Back then, I struggled to make friends, so I rarely ventured outside or had playdates. My mom worried about my social life, but after a particularly harsh bullying incident at the park, she grew less concerned. The very next day, my dad returned home with a treasure trove of games and toys, and that's how I spent my formative years. "I wasn't expecting that. Think you can be