24. Erics Knows Too!

The following week Eric felt drained. Between his Council prerequisites to be a part of them, the meetings, and the unholy hours of his current Council training, the Alpha simply didn’t have the time to think or feel or be. That’s why when Nicholas asked him to go on another trip, he didn’t respond.




At last, it’s Friday, the last working day of the week and though he wanted to crash, to sleep away any remnants of his work, some things need to be carried through. Curse his position as the CEO.





So, exhausted, running only on sheer will and four cups of the strongest coffee he could find, Eric was barely getting through his day.





He regretted falling for his fathers scheme and agreeing to take the Council test, half of his desk was stuffed to its capacity with Council scriptures that need to be memorized. What was the need for him to be on the panel? His father was already the manager.



“You look tired,” Nicholas announced rudely, as he pushed open the door to Erics office.




Eric glared at his friend, not even bothering him with a greeting. He had them reserved for people who didn’t annoy him. Kidding!




His best friend settled in the seat front of him, plopping his hands on the table.




The grey eyed Alpha placed his pen back on the desk before regarding Nicholas with a blank look. “I am tired.”



Eric had dark circles under his eyes, no doubt about that. His five o clock shadow on the face was rugged, dirty as he forgot to shave. Not to mention the way his shirt was sticking out of the pants, first two buttons open. His hair was styled in its messy fringe perfection, and with his reading glasses on, Eric was trying to get through the file.




“Long night?”



The Alpha pointed at his desk; his lips pressed giddy her. “Multiple long nights to be honest. I’m studying for the Council test.”




Nicholas barked a laugh, his eyes crinkling as he turned the pages on the desk. What’s so funny about that?



“What’s so funny?”



“Nothing. I had no idea you were interested in joining the Council” Nicholas cleared his throat.



“I am not. My dear father is. That’s why all this.”



“Oh,” His business partner bobbed his head.



“Anyways I wanted to talk to you.”




Eric arched his brow. “You sound serious.”




Nicholas rarely used that tone. Mostly when the assistants are quitting their job because of Eric, or when he’s utterly pissed about something. Judging from the expression on his face, it’s neither. Then why does he sound so serious?




“It's a serious matter.”



Eric folded his hands together.



“I’m listening.”



“Alyssa told me about your visit to the cigar lounge.”



The Alpha deflated at that. Why was she telling Nicholas about that? He’s not the one who protected her that night. It’s an irritation that welled up more and more he thought about the way. His knuckles turned white as he thought about that Alpha who got too close to her. How dare he?!




“So?” Eric tried to play it cool.



“Why did you go there?”




The Alpha let out a groan. “You make me sound like a stalker. I went there to meet Oliver. He said he wants to meet me, but he didn’t show up. Then I saw Alyssa there.”




Nicholas narrowed his eyes at him. There’s a brief pause, and when he looked up again, Eric's face was blank, but how his knuckles are white on the table and his body rigid.




“What? Don’t you believe me? You can call Oliver if you want” Eric raised his voice.




“I didn’t say anything!”




“Yeah, but I can feel you silently judging me.”




Nicholas shrugged. “That’s on you.”




Eric rubbed his face, a sigh slipping out of his lips. “What are you trying to say here? That I shouldn’t have rescued our assistant.”




“Jesus! No! That’s not at all.”




“Then what?” The Alpha twisted his lips. Nicholas was beating around the bush for some reason, and Eric didn’t like it at all. Whatever it’s he can handle it. How worst can it be?




His best friend sucked a sharp breath. “I...I don’t know how to tell you.”




“Oh, come on! Say it already” He mumbled impatiently, narrowing his eyes.




“Here goes nothing” Nicholas quietly murmured under his breath before tilting his head up. “Alyssa is promised.”




Eric froze at those words.




Sick, sick, sick. So fucked up. His stomach felt sick as the Alpha careened around the room with the walls that have begun to close in on him, drawing nearer and nearer. A pathetic animal-like noise crept up his frantically working throat as his hands gripped on the edge of the table. In his dry mouth, his tongue felt too thick, too thick to say his response.




“She has a promised Alpha?”



Nicholas cringed at the use of those words but nodded his head. “Yeah...She showed me the mark on her wrist.”




Hostility marred his features as Eric twitched his lips, nostrils flaring while his skittish stare bored into Nicholas soul. He should’ve known. How silly of him! Like a fool, he got attached too quickly to the omega who’s never his, to begin with. She’s promised which means she’s off-limits. That only made him want her more, chase her more till she smells like him and only him.





“Why are you telling me this?” He feigned nonchalance as if the news wasn’t affecting him or making him crumble.




Nicholas made a sound. “Because I know what happens when you get attached to people Eric.”



“You don’t have to worry my friend. I don’t care about Miss Rivers” He smoothly lied.
***
Sitting up, the pain of the words Nicholas uttered was still raw. Eric even couldn’t grasp the impact behind those words. Why would she not say anything to him?




Jerkily, he stood up, stumbled as he tried to walk out of his office. As he bolted into the warmest hallway, his nose wrinkled at that. It’s empty. Just as he thought, it’s an hour to lunch so everyone’s busy with work so that they can get it sorted as soon as possible.




Out of habit, the Alpha did a quick once over with his eyes towards the omega. She’s in her office as the three of them had no work for her. That rarely happened. As his stare wandered to the middle of the room, he noticed Alyssa was focused on her work, her tongue stuck out.




With that stare on her, Eric's entire body felt electrified, and despite how the room won’t hold still, his stare does not stray, never had from the omega.




An owlish blink is all the reaction his assistant gave him, her lips folded together.





Beautiful was such an understatement when looking at her like this; dressed in a designer short-sleeve sheer white top, with a flashy gold watch fastened to his wrist. Tight, black jeans stretch across the span of her long legs, her black leather boots toe at the marble floor with every passing second. Her blazer jacket lay flat against the desk in the corner, neatly folded.




In the piercing sunlight with her silky hair styled, out of her face, there’s a glimmering hope in those cerulean eyes.




Anxiety knotted in his stomach as he thought of his business partner’s words. It’s always been hard for him to open up, and he’s ever had a hard time communicating. So stupid of him to think that Alyssa will get to him though. Along the way, he forgot that she wouldn’t be able to fill his void.




As he stepped inside her office, her lips pulled in a smile. Not a forced smiled but a genuine bright one.




“Good morning Mr Bellini.”




Warmth drizzled over him, and Eric wanted to deny because accepting was just too hard. When he took her out for dinner, he had a great time. The Alpha wanted to feel it again.




Eric swallowed at the greeting, attempting nonchalance as he felt her stare burn at his skin. Suddenly he wanted to ask if she’s really waiting for that promised Alpha, if she’s not ready to find someone else.





Slapping himself mentally, the CEO shook his head. He was confused and ashamed at those kinds of thoughts in his head. When Nicholas said those things, he simply said he didn’t care. Why was he having these thoughts then?




“Do you want a refill on the coffee?”




Seemingly uncomfortable, Eric hardened his face and shook his head. “No. I don’t want your coffee.”




The omega suddenly looked small, flinching at his harsh tone. He regretted his tone, but that’s what he should be doing. Keeping his distance and staying professional. All the hopes he had of well anything happening between them flew out of the window.




“I want you to clean my office by the end of the day, or you’re fired.”



Eric didn’t even bother to look at her, merely walking out of there.
***

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