One Night Stand With Alexander Blackwood-Chapter 22 — Twenty-two

Alexander’s POV

My mother’s announcement caught me off guard. I had made it clear she couldn’t choose my wife for me, yet everything happened so fast.

Amelia walked over, interlocked her arm with mine, and people congratulated us. My eyes darted around, searching for Serena.

And then I saw her slipping quietly out of the hall. A strange tightening pulled at my chest.

Was she... hurt?

I tried to free myself from Amelia, but her grip tightened. My jaw clenched, impatience flaring within me.

"Alexander, the guests are watching. You don’t want them thinking you’re not interested in this marriage."

A low chuckle escaped me. "What do I care what they think? You and I both know I don’t love you. This engagement will never happen."

"Do you think your mom will agree?"

There it was again — the empty threats. Did she truly think my mother controlled me? She was delusional.

"You’re mistaken. My mom doesn’t control me. She never has."

I pulled my arm from hers and walked out without looking back.

Outside, the night breeze brushed against my skin, easing some of the suffocating air from inside.

Then I saw her.

Serena was laughing. She was genuinely laughing with some guy. I had never seen her laugh like that... at least not with me.

Heat shot through me before I could stop it.

"Serena," I called out, voice low, clipped, almost dangerous.

She stiffened, eyes shifting between the guy and me.

"Why are you outside? You could catch a cold," I said softly as I stepped beside her and placed my jacket over her shoulders. My gaze flicked to the guy.

He noticed the gesture. And something familiar shifted in his eyes.

Ah... so he liked her.

Dream on. Serena was mine.

"Alexander, shouldn’t you be inside... with your fiancée?" she asked quietly.

My heart skipped. How could someone look this pure without even trying?

"I noticed you walked out. So I came to find you."

Then I turned to the man beside her. "Princess, who is he?"

"He’s Liam," she said softly. "A friend and my ex-classmate."

"Liam, this is Alexander Blackwood." Her voice was gentle. "My boss."

The word ’boss’ stung more than it should. I wanted more from her. But what I needed, I couldn’t place a finger on it.

I nodded and extended my hand to him. "Nice to meet you."

Liam looked at my hand but didn’t take it immediately. I tilted my head, my expression neutral.

I wasn’t a nice person, but this was Serena’s friend and he didn’t seem dangerous. So, I could pretend... at least for now.

Liam finally took my hand, but his grip was firmer than necessary. It felt like a challenge rather than a greeting.

Interesting.

"I’ve heard a lot about you," he said with a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

"Oh?" I let my lips curl, the faintest hint of a smirk forming. "I hope it was something good." I teased.

"That depends on who’s doing the talking," he replied smoothly.

I let out a scoff. He was brave. But brave didn’t mean he’d always win.

Serena looked between us, her brows creasing as if she could feel the crackling tension.

Good. She should know exactly what was happening here.

I slid my hand into my pocket, drawing closer to her. It was close enough that Liam would notice, close enough that Serena’s breath hitched.

"Serena," I said, tilting my head, "you didn’t tell me your. friend was this... bold."

She blinked, startled and pulled on my arm. "Alexander, stop."

But the way she said my name—soft and flustered did nothing to calm the storm swirling inside me.

Liam stepped slightly forward, positioning himself beside her. "She doesn’t owe you any explanation," he said calmly.

I arched a brow, my gaze resting on him. "Is that so?"

Serena whispered, "Liam—"

But the idiot kept rambling.

"You shouldn’t be out here dragging her into whatever drama is happening inside. She has her own life. Just because you’re her boss doesn’t mean you can control her."

I laughed. Not loudly, but enough for Liam’s jaw to tighten. This guy had no idea who he was provoking.

"Serena," I said, ignoring him, "were you planning to leave without telling me?"

Her eyes widened. "Leave? I just stepped out for air." She countered cutely.

I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice, letting only her hear the rest. "Air with him?"

Her lips parted, not in anger, but in confusion... or guilt. I wasn’t sure which one fueled my possessiveness more.

Before she could answer, Liam placed a protective hand on her arm. "She doesn’t need permission from you. You’re nothing more than her boss."

And that was the last straw.

My eyes snapped to his hand, then back to his face, my voice dropping to a low, dangerous calm.

"You should take your hand off her."

Liam stiffened, but his eyes darted to me, shoulders squared with challenging eyes. "Or what?"

Serena quickly stepped between us, her palms pressed lightly to both our arms. "Enough. Both of you."

The softness of her touch made something inside me jolt. I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to relax as she turned to Liam.

"Liam, please... it’s okay."

He hesitated, visibly unhappy, but eventually lowered his hand.

"Fine," he muttered. "But if you want to go inside, I’ll walk you. We do have a lot to catch up on."

Walk her? To where? To whom? Absolutely not. There was no way that’d happen under my watch.

"I’ll take her back," I said firmly.

Serena’s head whipped toward me. "Alexander—"

I didn’t want to make things difficult for her but the thought of another man walking beside her irked me a lot. Perhaps... I was possessive about her. I didn’t care.

"It’s fine," Liam cut in. "Serena can choose for herself."

The silence stretched, tight enough to snap with one dangerous answer.

Serena swallowed, looking torn. And that made something in my chest twist uncomfortably.

She shouldn’t look torn. She should look at me. She should choose me without thinking.

"Serena," I said softly, "just come with me. We need to talk."

Liam frowned. "Talk about what?" He butted in without hesitation.

"That," I said, turning to him sharply, "is none of your business."

Serena let out a slow breath and stepped back, looking at both of us.

"I’ll go with him," she finally said.

Liam’s eyes darkened with disappointment, but he forced a smile. "I understand. Maybe... we’ll catch up later?"

She nodded, beaming softly. "Of course."

He pulled her into a light one-armed hug, and I nearly lost it. But he stepped away before I could land a punch on his face.

When he disappeared into the hall, I looked back at her.

"Why did you leave earlier?" I asked.

"I didn’t feel well."

"You looked fine with him."

Her eyes narrowed. "And what difference does that make?"

I stepped closer, my voice dipping. "It makes a difference to me."

Something flickered in her gaze. It must have been hurt, confusion, maybe even longing, but she hid it quickly. I only caught a glimpse of it.

"You should go back inside," she whispered. "Your fiancée is waiting."

The word fiancée tasted bitter even when she said it.

"She’s not my fiancée."

"She is, Alexander. Everyone heard the announcement."

"I didn’t agree to it." I countered.

"You didn’t deny it either. That counts as acceptance."

That stung. Because it was true.

The silence stretched between us, heavy and electric.

"Serena," I said quietly, "I came out here because of you. Not her. Not anyone else."

Her breath hitched.

But before she could answer, the hotel doors swung open behind us.

It was my mother.

Her eyes narrowed at the sight of Serena wearing my jacket... and at how close we were standing.

"Alexander," she called sharply. "We need to talk. Now."

Serena stepped back instantly, creating a desirable distance between us.

My jaw clenched, but I answered, "Not now. I am just."

"You don’t look busy to me. We need to talk." she insisted, "now."

I glanced at Serena — her worried eyes, the wind brushing her hair, the softness in her expression she didn’t realize she wore.

The night truly wasn’t over.

And I knew, right then, I couldn’t walk away from her. Not tonight. Not ever.

My mother’s command hung in the air like a blade.

"Alexander," my mother said again, sharper this time. "Now."

I finally turned to face her, irritation clawing its way up my spine. But then—movement flashed in the corner of my eye.

Serena was stepping back. Further... and further. Almost as if she was retreating from me.

"Serena—" I called.

But she shook her head, a small, fragile smile appearing on her lips. "Go," she whispered. "It’s fine."

It wasn’t. Nothing about this was fine.

Before I could argue, my mother placed a firm hand on my arm and pulled me toward the hall.

And as I looked over my shoulder one last time...

Serena was gone. I felt hurt all over.