Chapter 161: Chapter 161 Sweet Gestures
Elara
As soon as I got to the office, Hannah called me.
"Elara! Hey, you won’t believe what Alpha King did!" Her voice was practically shaking with excitement.
"What?" I asked, setting my bag down.
Wasn’t it just throwing away some flowers?
Hannah laughed in that mischievous way of hers. "I never thought Alpha King would be this type of guy. One of my friends works as Zack’s secretary. She told me that lately, Alpha Zack has been so angry he’s practically breathing fire!"
"Why?" I asked carefully.
"Because someone bought out the digital billboard across from his office building," Hannah said, barely holding back her excitement. "They’ve been running these ads about cheating and betrayal. My friend thought maybe Zack got caught with another woman or something, because he completely lost it. He told his people to negotiate with whoever bought the ad space, but apparently they paid so much money that Zack couldn’t do anything about it."
She giggled. "So, babe, who do you think could’ve done something like that?"
My mouth twitched. "So you’re guessing it was Dominic? Don’t you think you might be wrong? Maybe it’s just some random marketing thing."
"Elara, come on," Hannah said, her tone full of amusement. "Alpha Zack’s still a big deal in this city. What company would go out of their way to make him mad like that? And it just happens to be the billboard right across from his office? So there’s only one answer!"
Hannah sounded absolutely happy. "I knew I was right. Dominic’s been secretly in love with you this whole time! I bet marrying you was part of his plan all along!"
My heart skipped a beat.
"Oh, and Elara," Hannah continued, "didn’t you say before that you weren’t sure if you liked Alpha King ? I have a way to test it."
"What way?" I couldn’t help but ask.
"Listen, as women, we’re wired differently than guys," Hannah said, her voice full of mischief. "We don’t separate emotions from physical stuff as easily. So if you’re genuinely turned on by him, if you want him in your bed, chances are you’re already halfway to falling for him."
My face got hot immediately.
I didn’t hate Dominic’s touch. In fact, my body seemed to betray me every time, moving toward him without permission.
But I wasn’t about to admit that.
"Hannah, that’s not necessarily true," I said quickly. "You’ve never even been in a relationship. Where are you getting all this wisdom from?"
"Hehe, Elara, I read a lot! I might not have experience, but I know the theory, right?"
"Men think with their... lower parts, but women think with their hearts. So, Elara... have you and Alpha King ever... you know?"
I nearly choked on my coffee. "Hannah! I have to go. Meeting!"
I hung up before she could say anything else.
I wiped up the coffee I’d spilled and decided I was done guessing. If I wanted to know, I’d just ask him directly.
[I heard the billboard outside his office building was your doing?]
Dominic’s reply came right away.
[Yeah. Anyone who tries to flirt with my wife gets a reminder of what betrayal feels like.]
[Did someone tell you?]
I pressed my lips together and decided to throw Hannah under the bus. [Hannah mentioned it. I was just curious.]
Author
Dominic was genuinely surprised.
[So Hannah, who lived with his rival, was actually his greatest ally?]
He called his secretary. "Cindy, order two designer bags for me. Limited edition if possible."
By the time he left work, two bags in different colors were sitting in the trunk of his car.
He was in an excellent mood as he carried them into the house. "Sweetheart, one of these is for your friend. The other’s for you. Pick whichever color you like."
"I figured you two might want to match."
Elara glanced at the bags. They were this season’s limited edition, not easy to get. And Dominic had managed to get two.
She didn’t refuse. Hannah had been helping her a lot lately. "Thank you. I’ll pass along your appreciation."
Dominic’s lips curved into a satisfied smile. "It’s nothing. Just a small gesture."
--
When Hannah received the limited-edition bag, she had a sudden realization.
[Elara’s husband is totally bribing me, isn’t he?]
"Elara, why did Alpha Dominic randomly send me a bag? Did you say something to him?"
"Hannah, I’m sorry," Elara said sheepishly. "I asked him about the billboard thing yesterday, and I was worried he’d think I cared too much about it. So I said you mentioned it to me in passing. You’re not mad, are you?"
"Girl, please." Hannah’s voice was full of knowing amusement.
Why would she be mad? This was clearly a thank-you gift for her wingwoman services!
Now she was certain Alpha Dominic was playing the long game!
"Don’t sweat it. And tell Alpha Dominic thanks. I’m not too proud to accept good bribes."
"Elara, Alpha Dominic is really something. Zack never gave me anything this expensive in the entire time I’ve known him."
After accepting what was clearly a bribe, Hannah made a mental note: she was officially Team Alpha Dominic now.
