Chapter 30: Part 30
I meant to respond to his text with a middle finger emoji and maybe curse back at him for ordering me around. Who did he think he was? Abel demanded and expected people to follow no matter what.
Well, I was not people. I was not willing to bend along with his orders. Inhaling a sharp breath, I fully thought about it, gripping the phone till my knuckles turned white and the tips of my fingers pink. Just then, my bedroom pushed open, and in came Allie holding six sets of dresses in both her hands.
"Let me help!" I rushed, taking a few of them away from her and allowing my friend to breathe. "What are you doing carrying all these?"
"I want you to help me choose."
"Choose your dress?" I made a face, placing my hand on the hip. "I thought we were having a simple dinner. What's the deal with this?"
Allie made a sound in the back of her throat, clicking her tongue as she sat on the edge of the bed. It only made me realise that I was still in a robe, hair dripping and soaking up the front. Crossing my arms, I turned to face my friend.
"What am I going to do with you?" She let out an exasperated sigh. "We are going out for dinner, so it's not simple. Tell me, what have you planned on wearing?"
I gave her a shrug, to which she let out a sigh. This is going to be a lengthy affair.
***
My brother thought it was convenient if we all pooled instead of taking two vehicles. Sometimes I genuinely disliked his thought process. Allie was more than happy at that, positively giddy as she tugged my arm and locked the door.
Abel and Edward were already waiting for us in the parking when I noticed a sleek black car behind. It must be expensive, judging from the logo of the vehicle.
The Professor was casually leaning against the vehicle, the huge watch on his wrist almost blinding. He looked gorgeous, hair causally flopped over his forehead, the first two buttons of the shirt unbuttoned. The rings on his fingers caught the light from above as he straightened his blazer coat.
"You both look pretty." My brother complimented me with a smile on his face. Trust him to be on his best behaviour despite being mad at me.
"Thank you." Allie shyly smiled at him, tucking a piece of strand behind her ear that she insisted on styling that way. It took her almost half an hour for the look.
"Allow me." My brother cleared his throat as she made her way to the door, opening it so she could slide in.
Abel cleared his throat, standing in front of me and motioning towards the door. "Let me."
My already frazzled nerves went into overdrive, thrumming incessantly as his words echoed in my ears. I barely managed to keep my eyes from bugging at his easy going behaviour.
I coughed into my fist nervously, gingerly gripping at the handle of the door, slowly blinking. Once inside, I held my breath as the entire car reeked of his scent.
"Um," I started, my eyes darting around as I grappled for control over my tongue. "Thanks." I fumbled, almost lamely, cringing inwardly at myself.
The awkward beat of silence that followed was nearly unbearable, and Abel finally seemed to take pity on me, shutting the door with a slam.
"So..." Edward cleared his throat, looking over his shoulder. "Abel told me that he had already booked a place for us. Does that work with you two?"
Allie and I stared at each before nodding in response.
***
The Levine was a high-end Italian restaurant on two streets, the kind you have to book a reservation months in advance. Allie wanted to go there on our first week here, but she was unable to get in despite several tries. How did Abel manage that in such short notice? I thought while we were ushered inside by the manager himself, my eyes taking in the high ceilings, plush carpet and glow of chandeliers.
"This place looks expensive..." Edward said in a hushed whisper, nudging at his friend’s elbow. We were greeted by a valet, for crying out loud. He should have figured that already.
"Don't worry. The owner of this place owes me, so consider this a freebie."
I stared at Abel's muscular back, the black blazer doing nothing to hide his body. He radiated power as he walked with ease and had female patrons gushing at him. Typical.
"Here is your table. Just as you requested, Alpha Abel."
The corner table overlooked the lake with the sound effects of rippling water, lush greenery surrounding the view. I couldn't help but gawk at the sliver of the moon peeking through the dark clouds.
"Thank you.”
The chairs were pulled for us, something I wasn't used to and menus were placed in front with charming smiles. My eyes almost bulged out of sockets at the prices on the menu, suddenly feeling hot all over. There was no way I could order anything without feeling an ounce of guilt inside.
“Abel, are you sure it’s okay?” My brother cleared his throat, teeth sunk in the bottom lip, almost mirroring my expression. “We could have made something in your home. Or better ordered a takeout.”
“We can do that next time, Eddie. Besides, consider this my treat after seeing you after years!”
“A treat, huh!” My brother shook his head. “Certainly the most expensive treat I ever had.”
“What do you want, ladies?” Abel arched his brow, his eyes gliding over the menu card with ease. “If you want my suggestion, this place makes a mean pasta with steak.”
Allie hummed, looking over at Edward. “What are you having?”
“Uh…lobster ravioli, I guess. Never had that one before.”
“Good choice. Maybe I should get the same thing.”
I gawked at my best friend's frame, worrying at the bottom lip. She hated seafood. Shaking my head, I focused on the menu, all while feeling Abel’s intense gaze boring into me.
A few minutes of waiting, sweat clinging to my skin, I excused from the table. My palms were clammy, but I kept wiping them on the sides of my dress. By the end of this night, it may be drenched, and Allie will chew my ear off. She’s the one who dolled me up in her black cocktail boat neck that hugged my curves.
I needed to get away, at least for a few minutes, in order to calm down my racing heart.
“Excuse me…” I stood up, knocking my knees against the table's edge and swallowing a wince. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Allie wrapped a hand around my wrist, tugging on it as she gave me a polite smile. “Do you want me to come along, Em?” Her eyes said different; my friend didn’t want to get up from her seat.
“No…it’s fine. I’ll be back.”
With that, I turned on my heel and walked away, not caring where I was heading. Somehow I managed to find the restrooms at the end of the hallway, letting out a relieved sigh.
Running my hands under the cold water, I stood still, gawking at my reflection in the mirror. There was altogether a different person staring at me with her hair curled at ends and face full of nude make-up.
I exited the bathroom only to collide with a solid body, making me stagger back.
"Um," I started confusedly, coughing nervously while starting at Abel in front of me. His arms crossed over his chest, and glared back, jaw clenched tight.
“Sorry…uhh…e-excuse me….” I tried, hunching my shoulders as I tried to slip in the gap between Abel and the doorframe. As I stepped forward, the Alpha slid in front, purposely blocking my way.
I swallowed and cast my eyes downward, staring determinedly at his chest though I could feel my fingers shaking with annoyance. I moved to the left slightly to see if this was going where I thought it was, and just as I predicted, Abel met me step for step.
My brow furrowed, and I clamped my lips together, trying to swallow down the snippy 'What the hell is your problem?' that was resting on the very tip of my tongue. I took in two quiet breaths, the sharp tips of nails digging into the flesh of my palm.
“What do you want now? I have to leave….” I motioned awkwardly to the door behind him, but he still didn't move. Instead, he arched his eyebrow in a challenge and planted his feet further apart, looking like a strange bouncer.
“Not until you answer me, Emma.” He said, cutting into my thoughts, no nonsense tone sending shivers down my spine. The Alpha closed the distance between us, backing me until I was pressed against the wall and the door firmly shut.
***