Chapter 19

The hotel launch was starkly different from what Celine had been expecting. It was nothing like the event from the previous night; a classy luncheon party that was held on the rooftop of the hotel being launched.

It was an open-air event, quietly murmuring guests milling around equally dressed formally. Waiters walked around with trays of hors d’oeuvre, and champagne was offered sparingly, it was a direct opposite of the night before.

They were brought up to the roof by a butler, Asher immediately attracting attention as soon as they made an appearance. Celine half-expected him to dismiss her like he had done the night before, an unfamiliar feeling of jealousy bubbling in her middle when a svelte woman approached them, her hair a mess of black curls.

Celine watched her walk right over to Asher’s free side and pressed herself up against him with a familiarity she would never have, a furrow between her brows.

“And here I was hoping you’d come alone so I could be your date for the day.” She teased, dark eyes sultry.

At that point, Celine would prefer that Asher send her off than have to remain here with the other lady. She didn’t like how much that reminded her of her reality, that she was nothing but eye candy to quietly hang off Asher’s arm.

Asher’s response was a quiet stare but Celine could feel the dominance although it wasn’t directed at her. This made the dark-haired lady back away really quickly, loud panic in her previously confident eyes.

“I-I’m really sorry for my presumptuousness, Alpha.” She quickly apologized, making herself scarce.

Celine always forgot how dangerous Asher was because he always had a teasing air whenever he spoke to her, but the Alpha that had sent off the meddling Omega with a simple look was the same one that had almost taken a man’s life right in front of her without hesitation, and he was also the true Mafia King that had bought her.

“Alpha Asher,” A dapper man approached them next as they walked further, “I’m so glad you could make it.”

“I still owe you, Kai,” Asher broke into a friendly smile that Celine hadn’t seen before, shaking the offered hand of the Alpha who had approached them.

“I better keep racking up those favors then,” He said conversationally, his bored gaze drifting over to her.

Celine didn’t know what to say as she wasn’t a part of the conversation to begin with, it was strange to return his stare without saying a word, and looking away was just as odd, so she was relieved when he looked away.

“I know this is too tame for your tastes so you don’t have to stay long,” The dapper Alpha said, stepping back.

Celine dropped her gaze to the ground, it felt like he had stared right through her and she didn’t know how that made her feel. Last night she had wanted to be invisible but now that she was getting exactly what she begged for the night before, it didn’t sit well with her.

She barely focused on what they said next, only paying attention when Asher started to move again. This time, they stopped at a table without being approached by anyone else. This wasn’t to say that people didn’t want to approach Asher but they were too wary to do so, and it showed the social divide between these people and those involved with the Mafia.

Just as Kai, the dapper Alpha had predicted, they didn’t stay long, Asher looking thoroughly bored the entire time. Contrary to how he felt though, Celine actually didn't dislike the hotel launch, and if she hadn’t come on the arm of a dangerous Mafia King, she would have had a great time.

It was quiet and the people here were polite company, she would hold small talks, join the tour of the hotel, and maybe make a new friend or two. But instead, everyone kept a wide berth from them, and Asher didn’t even seem to notice this. He was focused on the wine on their table instead, an almost look of disapproval on his face as he studied it.

“You’ve been frowning for a while now,” Asher spoke out of the blue, slightly startling her. “Is there something you don’t like?”

The question was asked with the clear admission that Asher had several weapons on him and he would use it on whatever was making her frown. She wanted to be flattered but all she could think about was the Beta from the night before who was begging for his life, and she paled a bit.

“N-No! I’m fine,” She quickly reassured him.

There were several meal courses on their table but she had made no move to touch it, and Asher pointed this out…

“I thought you would prefer this,” He murmured thoughtfully.

Celine would prefer staying in his bedroom or even better still, she would prefer her freedom but she couldn’t tell Asher that so she smiled and lied through her teeth. “I do like it, it’s very nice-”

The fact that he had thought about her was very nice but it was difficult to relate the Alpha that was considerate to her *in his own way*, to the one that oozed dangerous dominance.

Asher chuckled at her words, “You sound like there’s a gun to your head…”

Celine flinched at his choice of words, relieved that he didn’t seem to notice. She didn’t know how to respond to his accurate claims, relieved when he didn’t try to pry the truth about how she really felt from her.

Asher stood up and she immediately mimicked his actions, relieved that it was time to leave. He beckoned her over right in full view of the guests at attendance, and although that burned her face with embarrassment, she forced herself to walk over to his side.

She was careful not to do anything that would upset him because she would prefer if he kept treating her so nicely. She didn’t want to know what Asher would look and act like when he was mad at her.