Hated By The Alpha-Chapter 147: Meeting Again

Lake was sitting on a plane for more than fifty minutes; he had his face buried in his phone, staring at the few pictures of the owner of the Lake Vine company.

He didn’t know why, but the moment he saw her first picture, he felt as if something clicked within him, but before he could fully understand what he was feeling, the feeling was gone like it was never there in the first place, leaving only the emptiness that had become his long-time friend.

He tried searching for more personal pictures, but he only ended up with a few professional pictures of her and some pictures of her company and employees.

He finally gave up on searching for her personal pictures and zoomed in on a particular picture where she was standing beside a young man in what looked like a professional gathering, again, he didn’t feel comfortable staring at the man beside her, he couldn’t just place a name to what he felt for this strange woman’s picture.

Maybe he was already hating on her for copying his product without his permission.

That should be it, and he would make sure to let her know that he wasn’t one to be messed with.

After an hour more in the air, Andrew informed him through texts that they’d be landing soon.

He sighed and closed his eyes, resting his head back. He couldn’t believe he’d stared at a stranger’s pictures throughout the whole flight.

***

Audrey was sitting in her white office, working on her computer, she used white in everything she owned, not even because she was a white witch, but because it represented a new start, like a blank page; she had the power to write whatever she wanted to happen in her life on it.

Each day was a fresh and spotless start for her, setting her mind up for great achievements.

She sighed, suddenly remembering that she’d worked for longer than she had planned; she had thought Sam would have arrived by now; it’s been twenty minutes past the time for her meeting with Sam. She wondered if he had run into some situation because that would be the only explanation for his lateness.

Her phone vibrated, and she thought it was a message from Green or Sam, but it wasn’t from any of the expected people, rather, it was from Leon.

Leon was her business partner and friend, even though he had made it clear on numerous occasions that he didn’t want to remain just her friend, he wanted to be more, and he was already treating Mikhail like his own son, regardless of Audrey’s refusals.

Audrey sighed and opened his message; he was telling her not to worry about going to pick up Mikhail from school that afternoon; since he had an appointment with her and his house was close to his school, he’d just pick him up on his way to her company.

She replied with an angel emoji. She was grateful to him. He was one of the people who helped her find her bearings when she was still starting up her businesses.

He was a great friend.

She had just placed her phone back on the table when she saw Green’s call coming in.

"Green, Sup?" Audrey asked.

"Boss, they’ve just arrived, but I don’t see anyone else with Sam," Green reported.

"That’s okay, bring him in," Audrey replied.

She finished up her work at the same time her door was pushed open.

She looked up from her desk and saw Green walk in with an average-height elderly man.

She stood up and walked toward him, taking his outstretched hand.

"Nice to finally meet you, Ms. Audrey," The man greeted jovially.

Audrey smiled politely, "Pleasure’s all mine, Mr. Sam," Audrey nodded.

"Oh, please, call me Baker," Baker said.

Audrey nodded again, leading him to a chair in front of her desk, "Alright, Baker, please have a seat," She pointed to the white chair.

"Thank you," Baker replied, lowering himself on the chair.

Audrey returned back to her seat and sat down, motioning Green to sit on the sofa by the side.

"You know, Baker, I was informed that you’d be coming with someone, I’m a little disappointed seeing just you," Audrey joked, trying to make the man relax, she didn’t know why he seemed as if he was tense, almost like a friend who was planning to betray another friend.

"Oh, yes, He was just taking a call downstairs; he’ll be up in a minute; oh, here he comes," Baker turned to the door as he heard the twisting of the nob.

Audrey’s wolf immediately went berserk. She scented him even before he walked through the door, and when her eyes saw him, she almost went out of breath.

’How was this possible?!’ Audrey screamed within her.

’Gosh, he even looks hotter!’ Avery drooled at the sight of the man in front of her.

Lake walked through the door and entered the office; the moment his eyes met the woman in white, he suddenly felt a sharp and short headache pierce his head.

He looked at her eyes and found her checking him out and immediately felt his wolf taking pride in the attention she was giving to them. He saw her eyes coming up to his face, and when their eyes locked, he saw her part her lips as if she was finding it hard to breathe.

He narrowed his eyes at her, why was his wolf reacting to her? He never reacted to anyone...not even Melody.

Audrey blinked her eyes away from his gaze and looked at Baker.

"Oh, I see, I guess I shouldn’t have been fast to conclude; please have a sit, Mr..." she paused and looked at him, pretending not to know his name.

Her pain was refreshed; seeing him suddenly appear before she was a shock she never expected to experience, a bitter-sweet torture. She was so happy and glad to have set her eyes on him after so many years, and yet, she felt so hurt, knowing they could never be the same ever again.

Lake saw how she tried her best to act friendly with him; he didn’t like that, but he still provided his name, "Aloha Lake," His face was indifferent as he walked forward to the seat Audrey was pointing to beside Baker.

"Ah, right, Welcome to Paris, Mr. Aloha," Audrey stood and offered him a polite handshake.

Lake didn’t move, making everyone feel uncomfortable as Audrey’s hand hung in the air, he was staring at her hand with cold eyes, as if she wasn’t fit to touch him.

"Um, I’m sorry, we can get right into your interests," Audrey smiled and sat back down on her chair.

She was hurt, she felt like throwing her arms around him and hugging him for a very long time, but she knew times had changed, and he wouldn’t be the same anymore.

She smoothed her hair back and sent Green a calming look; she could feel her anxiousness from her seat, just like her, and she was surprised by Lake’s sudden appearance as well.

"So, Baker, you said you were interested in my wine production, do you want to become a partner or a customer, there are many other opportunities, you can take a look at the list in this document," Audrey typed in something in her iPad and slid it to Baker, all the while feeling Lake’s penetrative gaze on her.

Baker chuckled awkwardly and took the iPad; he knew he didn’t want any of those things Audrey listed; he had only wanted to get in contact with her because of her wine’s similarity to Lake’s own.

"None," Lake took the iPad and slid it back to Audrey, his face unreadable.

Audrey paused her lips and slowly took the iPad back.

"Um, okay, then, perhaps you’re interested in my perfumes?" She asked Lake, smiling politely.

Lake gritted his teeth, "Are you playing dumb with me?" He asked, narrowing his eyes at her. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Audrey was confused, what was he talking about?

"I’m sorry, Mr. Aloha, I don’t understand what you’re saying, I can’t know your interests if you don’t let me know," Audrey replied professionally, but deep down, her heart was racing like crazy.

Lake got angrier, he didn’t like being played with. "Are you trying to tell me that you don’t recognize me?" He stared right into her eyes as he asked the question.

Audrey’s alarm bells went off inside her head. She speedily snapped her head to look into his grey eyes, had he remembered her? But that couldn’t be right, his eyes didn’t show any recognition, just...anger.

She looked over at Green who was sitting anxiously at the edge of the sofa.

"Um, ahem," Audrey shifted uncomfortably on her chair, forming the right words to say that wouldn’t implicate her.

"I’m sorry, but yet again, Mr. Aloha, you’ve got me confused," Audrey chuckled.

Lake wasn’t convinced by her answer, so he suddenly rose from the chair, "Leave us," He ordered.

Baker immediately stood from the chair and bowed to him, "Yes, Alpha," He quickly left the office, sending Green the ’I’m outta here’ look.

Audrey was almost hyperventilating; maybe he’d recognized her! Was he going to die now?!

She looked at Green and slowly nodded at her. Soon, Green left the office, leaving just Audrey and Lake in the room.

’He’s coming closer, kiss him!’ Avery whispered.

Audrey blocked Audrey and stared curiously at the tall man walking over to her.

Lake stopped in front of Audrey, looking into her green eyes, and scoffed, "You really don’t know me?" He tilted her up to look at his face.