A weekend with the Alpha novel Chapter 23

Daniel soon left the men he spoke to and approached me with long strides, and this is the fastest I've seen him move. He stood before me in a matter of seconds with an awestruck look on his face as he beheld me.

"It's..." he began, but I didn't let him finish.

"Too much?" my scepticism kicked in.

His eyes widened, and he shook his head. "It's perfect. You look so beautiful, and I hope I'm the first guy saying that tonight."

"You are," I told him.

His eyes warmed up, and a smile came onto his face. He paused his lips and took me in from head to toe. "Wow, I mean just wow. You're going to be the talk of the night and the weeks to follow."

Since he already told me the outfit was perfect, I took his words as a compliment instead and didn't worry about being too much.

"Thank you, Daniel."

"You're welcome."

The event kicked off at exactly nine p.m. despite all the guests not being present yet. I knew that because the hall had round tables with names tagged on each table and those tables were empty.

"Here, you will take the welcoming speech," Martha said, handing me a piece of paper.

"I can't do it."

She didn't look pleased with my response. "Can't is a hard word, Ms Adams. Would you rather take the book auctioning?" she raised the two books in her hand. Professor Lawrence, a professor in literature at the University had published them. These were the two works he had worked on in the last three years and I know this because Daniel told me. I, however, didn't know how bidding worked.

I frowned. "I'm a professor in medicine. I am not an auctioneer, Mrs Martha Yila." I knew Martha shared little likeness for me, but doing this told me she might just hate me more than I thought.

"Then the welcoming speech it is," she said flatly, as if not expecting any more interruption from me.

"Can't someone else do it?" I asked, and I was so close to losing it.

She flashed a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "The honour of giving the welcome speech usually goes to the staff dressed the best each year."

So that was why heads turned when I worked in not because they thought I looked great, but because they knew I'd be the scapegoat.

"I can't do this. I need to speak to management."

How amazing!

Daniel nodded at the host of the night Mr Carville before handing the mic over to him.

The crowd applauded, and he claimed down the stage to take his seat next to me.

"You're next," he informed me, as if I didn't already know that.

"I don't want to be!" I groaned and my eyes fluttered.

"The next person I'd like to invite to the state is a young lady. Do not underestimate her because she's also record-breaking, smart, and beautiful. In her two years of being at the university. She had shaped and touched the lives of so many. She's broken two records, and she's still aiming for more. Without no further ado, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Ms Zera Adams as she takes the welcoming speech."

My heart doubled a beat at the sound of my name, and Daniel briefly squeezed my hand before letting go. I rose to my feet, making heads turn to me in the large halls. Goosebumps scattered all over my body, but I wield myself to keep moving. I clutch down on the piece of paper in my hand and wore a wide smile. I climbed up to the stage and shook hands with the host before turning to the crowd.

My gaze travelled over the many faces and raced to the front when it caught the face of someone seated in the hall that seemed familiar. I paused and my eyes travelled back to the direction it just ran past and there he was, seated in a black suit and red tie.

Aaron Hart.