One Night Stand With Alexander Blackwood-Chapter 86 — Eighty-six

Serena and Maya finally heaved a sigh of relief when Cody walked away, brushing past them.

"That was nerve-racking." Serena muttered as they returned to the sofa. They had already lost the will to continue drinking.

Once they collapsed on the sofa, Serena turned to Maya, curiosity flashing in her eyes.

"Have you ever met him before? Even if it’s by chance?" She asked.

"Friend, I haven’t met him before." Maya replied honestly. "You know what, let’s go home. I’m not in the mood anymore."

Serena was about to protest but seeing the exhaustion etched on Maya’s face, she kept shut.

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The night breeze blew gently against their faces as Serena and Maya stepped onto the quiet street. The buzz from the bar faded behind them, replaced by the hum of distant traffic.

Maya let out a long breath. "I swear, tonight was cursed." She kicked a pebble, breathing through her mouth.

Serena nodded. "Agreed. Let’s just—"

Suddenly, the low growl of an engine interrupted her words as a sleek black car rolled to a stop right in front of them.

Maya didn’t even need to see the license plate. She knew it was already.

She groaned softly. "Of course."

The window slid down, and Alexander’s face was revealed. He left the car, and came to stand in front of both ladies.

His sharp gaze landed on Serena first, and the look of displeasure unmistakably crossed his taut features. Then it shifted to Maya, and something else flickered there.

"So," he said calmly, "this is where you disappeared to. I called your number several times, but you didn’t pick up."

Serena winced. "Alexander—"

Maya crossed her arms, cutting her off. "Before you start, she’s fine. I was with her the whole time."

Alexander’s eyes flicked back to her. "That doesn’t make it better."

Maya scoffed and rolled her eyes. "You sound like her probation officer."

He ignored the jab. "You didn’t tell me you were going out," he said to Serena, his voice lower now. "I was meant to pick you up at the bakery, but you were not there. Why didn’t you let me know about it? But you made me worried."

"I didn’t think I had to," Serena replied quietly.

A long silence stretched between them.

Then Alexander exhaled. "Get in the car. Both of you. I will drop you off, Maya."

Maya arched a brow and commented. "Bossy as ever."

"And you," he shot back smoothly, "are still terrible at picking safe hangout spots."

Maya smirked. "You don’t know me that much."

She was about to continue until something across the street caught her attention.

Her smile faded as her brows creased.

Alexander noticed instantly. "What is it?"

Maya shook her head and answered. "Nothing."

Alexander and Serena had their eyes narrowed as their eyes were fixated on Maya whose entire body had froze.

Serena was about to speak when she heard a very familiar voice.

"Alexander."

The trio turned, and their gaze landed on a man.

"You again?" Serena asked with an eye roll. "Are you stalking us?"

Alexander turned to Serena with lifted brows. "You two know each other."

Serena nodded, unable to decipher his complicated tone.

"Yes. He was being creepy in the bar and scared Maya." She paused then crossed her hands across her chest. "He’s got nerves to show up here." She added, murmuring under her breath.

"Cody," Alexander’s voice deepened as he glared at the man who had a cheeky smile on his lips. "What did you do?"

Serena and Maya exchanged glances.

"You know each other?"

"Do you know this creep?"

Both ladies’ voices rang out simultaneously.

"He’s my best friend." Alexander threw a glance at Cody who smiled.

"What did he do?" Alexander asked with folded arms.

Maya didn’t hesitate as she explained the encounter with Cody.

As soon as she was done, Alexander had varying expressions on his face as she looked at Cody who was running his hand through his hair.

"Apologize." Alexander demanded. "Now."

Cody exhaled then turned to Maya who had an expression as though she was waiting for it.

"Miss, I shouldn’t have acted that way with you." He started, cupping his hands together. "But trust me when I say I was immediately intrigued when I laid my eyes on you. The way you carried yourself when you dealt with that thug tugged a part of my—"

"You’ve been observing me for a while?" Maya cut in, staring at him with wide eyes.

"That was a chance encounter." He corrected.

Maya rolled her eyes, clearly not pleased with his apology.

"How about I drop you off? That could show how sincere I am." Cody suggested.

Before Maya could reply, Alexander nodded, agreeing.

"I think that would be the best." He pushed Serena into the car.

Before the two ladies could understand what was happening, Alexander had already driven off, leaving behind Cody and Maya who were stuck in an awkward position.

Cody grinned widely. "I guess you have no other choice than to ride with me."

Maya snorted. "I guess I don’t have any other choice, do I?"

Cody’s lips curved upwards. "Let’s go."

Meanwhile, silence reigned in the car of the couple.

Alexander’s expression was blank as he drove along the street.

Steam looked at him from the corner of her eyes and sighed.

"Are you angry?" She tentatively asked, breaking the silence between them.

Alexander didn’t answer immediately. His grip on the steering wheel tightened, knuckles paling slightly as the streetlights slid past the windshield.

"Angry?" he finally answered, voice low. "No."

Serena pressed her lips together. She knew that tone. Worse than anger—it was restraint.

"Then why aren’t you talking to me?" she asked quietly

.

"I am talking," he replied. "I’m choosing my words."

That made her chest tighten.

"You disappeared," Alexander continued, eyes fixed on the road. "I went to the bakery. You weren:t there. I called. You didn’t answer. Do you know what went through my head?"

Serena shifted in her seat. "Alexander, it was just a bar. I was with Maya. We needed to—"

"That’s not the point." His voice sharpened, just a notch. "The point is that you didn’t tell me. After everything that’s happened, you didn’t think I deserved a heads-up?"

She frowned. "I’m not a child. I don’t need permission to go out."

He glanced at her briefly, filled with more intensity. "I’m not asking to control you."

"Then what are you asking for?" she shot back.

Silence filled the car again, heavier this time.

"I’m asking not to be shut out," he said at last. "I’m asking you not to make decisions that put you at risk without letting me know. Especially now."

Serena swallowed. "You can’t protect me from everything."

"I know," he said. "But don’t make it harder for me to protect you from anything."

The words hit her harder than she expected.

Her shoulders sagged. "I didn’t mean to worry about you."

"I know," he replied softly. "But intentions don’t erase consequences."

She looked out the window, then back at him. "I don’t want to feel like I have to report my movements."

"And I don’t want to feel like I’m the last person to know where you are," he said. Then, with a quiet voice, he confessed, "I was scared."

That made her heart race.

"I’ll tell you next time," she said after a beat. "Not because I have to. Because I want to. And because you mean a lot to me."

Alexander’s jaw eased slightly.

"That’s all I’m asking," he said quietly.

The tension didn’t vanish, but it settled, like the first crack in something new they were still learning how to hold.