Chapter 9 CHAPTER 9
Rosaleen's POV
I zoomed in on the image and stared at the diamond ring. It was perfect. Too perfect. And it should have been sitting on my finger.
“Ugh,” I said, scrolling through the comments. They seemed bitter. “Who is she?” I asked, without raising my head.
“Some nobody you shouldn't be bothered about, Rosaleen,” Marcus said, checking his polished nails for the umpteenth time.
He was my PA and doubled as my best friend and gossip partner on most days.
“We should be on the next flight out of here,” he said, his voice straining.
I ignored him and buried my head in the comments. I didn't know anything about the Moons. It seemed they used to be affluent and went into debt, and Trent Moon had passed away the previous night.
“Interesting,” I said out loud, with a wicked smile on my face. “She's basically a nobody. How on earth did she get the attention of Alpha Michael?”
Marcus scoffed, obviously uninterested. He, as well as anyone who knew me, knew how much I was obsessed about Alpha Michael. While I was away, he was the reason I wanted to come back. Seeing the news of his engagement online was heartbreaking, especially to a lady who owned nothing but a pretty face.
“She isn't even all that pretty,” I said, slamming the phone down.
Marcus said nothing. I needed information and the only person who could help was Tamara. I dialled her number, we pretended to be excited to hear from each other and we fixed a girls’ hangout.
“My schedule is tight tomorrow,” I laughed. “Let's make it today.”
Marcus shot a look of disapproval.
“Today is perfect, hun. See you soon.” She blew a kiss.
I blew one too.”Bye for now.”
Tamara. I sighed. We never started on the right foot but this was an opportunity for us to unite for a great cause.
“Clear my schedule, Marcus,” I said, riding up. “Time to hunt an Alpha.”
We met at an exclusive eatery, a place only suitable for someone like me. She was dressed simply, too simple for the environment. But I ignored it.
“Tamara!” I hugged her and blew kisses by her sides. “You look amazing.”
She looked at my expensive jewelry. “You look like you just stepped out of a fashion cover. “
We sat down and I made the order for both of us.
“Did you return to attend Alpha Michael’s marriage?”
I could smell the mockery in her question. But I smiled. It was exactly where I needed the conversation to head.
“Not really. I came briefly for business,” I replied. “But I've decided to wait to attend his wedding.” I made a small cut of my beef. “I'm quite shocked about his choice of a mate, though.”
She nodded. “That's the thing I don't get. I thought Alpha Michael’s mate would be a powerful woman. Someone like you.”
I smiled. “Oh Tamara. Michael and I would have been the perfect couple. I smell something fishy here. Is she pregnant for him?”
She shrugged. “I don't know much. Jasper has been hush hush about it.”
I stretched my hand across the table and touched her. “Find out, Tam. We can't sit by and watch some leech attach herself to Alpha Michael.”
We spoke little after that as my kind wandered. What sort of hood could Evelyn Moon have on Michael?
I decided to go shopping after our little meeting. Shopping was one of the ways I could relieve stress and think at the same time. Glams was the top designers’ outlet in the city, pulling in only the top one percent of the city. I pulled in the driveway and the security gestured at me that I couldn't park there. I stepped out, frowning.
“What’s the matter?” I asked, pulling off my shades.
“I'm sorry ma'am. The store is currently not open,” he said, bowing slightly.
I looked up at the lights from the store. What was this drunk fool talking about? I pointed at the windows. “Are you out of your mind? I can see the store open?”
He bowed again. “The store is currently not available, ma'am. Someone has booked a private purchase session till 5.”
I watched as he left and I pulled out my phone. What rubbish? I knew the owner of Glams in person. I dialled her number.
“Hey, babes,” I said, smiling as her video appeared on the screen. “I'm at your store.”
“Tam! When did you return?”
“Just a few days ago.” I pouted. “Your security just harassed me outside your store.”
“Harrased?” She looked distressed.”What happened?”
“I wasn't allowed in,” I huffed. “I was rudely told that the store isn't open when I can see it open.”
Her face twisted into a laugh. “I'm sorry, Rosaleen. It's a slight misunderstanding.”
I began to smile.
“Alpha Michael booked the store all afternoon for his fiancee to shop.”
My smile faltered. Michael closed the whole of Glams for his sham of a fiancee to shop? “Okay, babes,” I said, forcing a smile. “I’ll just come back another time.”
“I’m so sorry, Rosa. Champagne on the house whenever you visit next.”
I waited in the car, upset. Who was this Evelyn Moon? And how did she get Michael to be acting so sweet? I saw them shortly after. She had taken her whole family to go shopping with her. The whole bunch. I wore my shades and huffed.
She was speaking to the security man when I approached her. “So you are the gold digger slash society climber called Evelyn?” I eyed her.
She looked irritated. “And who are you?”
I scoffed. “Someone you should be wary of.”
Someone appeared behind me. “What’s the problem?” he asked, placing his arm protectively around her shoulder. I saw the discomfort in her eyes and I smirked.
“I’ll be on my way,” I said, heading to my car.
I was not going to let that tramp take Micheal away from me. Not in any way.