It irks me to see Leticia employing a fawning look on her face and I want to wipe it off. I want her to look at me like that. Like I matter and nothing else...
Regan eyes her. There's a mischievous glint in his eyes. We ride up the stairs and come face to face with him and his beta, Nathan. Regan smiles widely, "brother. Where the hell have you been? We are all worried about your safety."
"I have been nearby."
"Nearby? And you just couldn't mindlink? Mom is sick with worry. The company has gone haywire with you missing—"
"I'm back now, aren't I?"
"That's no excuse." I turn to Leticia and she looks awkward as if she isn't meant to be here. Regan follows my line of sight. "Leticia?" Jealousy course through my veins like blood. She even told him her name.
"You gave me your suit jacket days before at my workplace... Remember? I washed it and dried it. I dropped by with him to return it. Thank you for your kind gesture, Alpha Regan." She proffers the suit jacket with both her hands.
"Is that so?" He eyes her with a look I can't explain, shoving his hands in his pockets. With me, he always stands tall but now, with her, he's... strange. "You keep it."
I see the smile on Leticia's face vanish Instantly. I can imagine the thoughts running in her head. Why won't he take it? Did I taint it somehow? Does he hated me? She voices, "what?"
"It's a gift. Use it to remember me by. I mean. People do forget me sometimes..."
I want to bite him. Maul him until he's just a skeletal figure. What did he even mean? Remember me by? What? Why would he want he want her to remember him? Who the hell does he think he is—
"I won't forget you. At least, your kindness." She flashes him a smile that makes me rage and she retracts her arms. "Oh well. If you don't need it. I'll keep it." I want to grab her shoulders and yell, 'I'm your mate, Leticia. Not this bastard here. So don't smile at him like he's the love of your life. Only I deserve that smile. How should I make you understand that?'
"Leticia, how do you know my brother?"
I want to answer but she beats me to it, "oh. We're just friends."
"Friends..." He says this like he can't accept it. Just like I can't accept it either. "How did you meet?"
"We met in the woods when I was taking my usual laps."
"Oh. In the woods."
I turn to Leticia and smile, "if there's nothing else, I think you should leave for work now. You're running late."
She glares at me, then nudges me and mutter, "can't you see I'm in the middle of a conversation with the Alpha? If I just leave, I'd be disrespecting him."
"You're late for work, Leticia."
"Leave me alone."
She sneers at me and turns to look at Regan, the sneer replaced with a big smile. "Well. I'll be off to work now, Alpha Regan." She bows.
Regan follows her movements. I don't like how's his eyes stick on her. He's ogling at her. "Let me take you to work. Brother," He eyes me, "you don't mind, do you?" Leticia turns to me and I don't like the look she gives me next. She can't be serious. Does she want me to push her to my little brother? Does she like him? I shake my head and smile, "nope. I don't mind."
"Okay." He takes out the keys to his new Ford Mustang and I see Leticia's face brighten in excitement. He leads her to the garage and without a word, she follows him. I grit my teeth and enter the building in a huff.
Mother is hanging by the hallway to my room. "Aaron. I was so worried. What—"
I sidestep her and enter my room without a word to her.
Leticia's POV:
I must be a lucky bitch, meeting Regan Turner twice in one week, getting his suit jacket and shoes as a gifts from him, riding in his Ford Mustang... I smile as he goes to open the door for me, "oh. You didn't—"
He gestures inside the sleek car, "ladies first."
I enter and he shuts the door and I try to steady my breathing. Why is he being this nice? Isn't he supposed to be domineering and charming? Isn't he supposed to be out of my reach? Why do I get to receive such attention from him? He enters and starts the engine and it roars like luxury itself. I try not to appear significant lest he may find me annoying and throw me out.
"So, Leticia Brigham?"
My stomach knots. "It's Leticia Olsen."
He laughs, "ah. Why did I think it was Brigham? I must be crazy confusing a beautiful woman's name like this." My face burns and I look away from him. "Leticia. My friend is throwing a huge party this weekend. Would you come if I asked you to?"
"Yes!" I say, more eager than I should be and I clear my throat, saying "Yes" very slowly.
"Great. The dress color for the party is white. I'd be more than happy to see you there."
"But, I don't know the venue—"
"You know my home now, don't you?"
"Alright. I'll come to your house."
"And I'll take you there."
"Deal."
"Deal." He smiles at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners. I smile back, wondering if he smiles so happily to everyone like this. He stops short before the car store and he hands me a black laminated business card. "My personal number. Call me before you come to my house."
I nod and take the card. I climb down and wave at him. He waves back with his beautiful smile and drives off.
"I'll be darned," Augustine Chords say behind me and I spin. He has a mop in his hand and he is frozen mid air, his eyes and mouth wide in astonishment."Was that who I think it is?"
"Yep." I shrug, heading inside, "even I can't believe it."
"How did you even meet him?"
Nicole walks out and says, "last week. They actually met last week and he even bought her shoes."
Augustine cackles, "how did Regan notice you? Did you pluck a star or something?"
I frown at him. "Ars you implying that someone of my caliber can't get Regan Turner's attention?"
"Well," he smacks his lips, "Yes."
"Fuck you," I swear and barge inside, Augustine laughing like a maniac behind me.
♣ ♣ ♣
I wake up to the noise of my ringtone —Mavin Gaye's classic and I go unplug my phone from the socket. It's an unknown number. I still pick up anyway, anticipating Regan's voice.
"Sorry for calling so late at night. I just wanted to hear your voice."
I recognize the voice immediately. "Aaron Turner."
"You call my name so distantly—"
"Should I call you baby?"
"Maybe."
"Fuck you." The sleep has disappeared from my eyes and I curse at him life my life depends on it.
Instead of retorting back, he chuckles and says, "I missed you too. Did you miss me?"
"How the hell did you get my number?"
"Your mother gave it to me."
"Of course," I scoff, feeling the urge to barge into my mom's room and give her a piece of my mind.
"Uh... A business partner is throwing his party this weekend. Do you want to come with me?"
"Yeah. I have plans."
"Oh. Okay..." He says, breathes deeply, releasing it as he says, "then, I won't waste much of your time. Goodnight."
I hang up and toss my phone somewhere.
♣ ♣ ♣
Saturday comes very quickly and I'm dressed for the party. White maxi dress and white heels to match—The ones Regan got me. I sit on my bed, fiddling with the business card, wondering if I should call him or not. I don't want to come off as desperate or anything. Scratch it. I call him and he takes time before picking up, his lazy voice coming through the receiver and I feel my stomach knot.
"Hello. Who's this?"
"It's Leticia Olsen." I swallow. "Do you still remember—"
"Of course. I remember Leticia. Are you already at my house?"
"Not yet. In fact, " I say, springing up. "I'm on my way. I'll be there in a minute."
I hear him chuckle and the phone beeps. I see he's hung up. I smile and pick my pear-studded purse. I meet Mommy outside.
Her eyebrows inch upwards as she eyes me from head to toes, "are you going somewhere?"
"Uh... A party."
Her brows could shoot out her head any minute, "you're going to a party?"
"Is there a problem?"
"No. I'm very happy for you. " She starts pushing me out the house. "Go. Go have fun."
I take a taxi to the Turner mansion. When I get there, I see Aaron outside, about to enter a red Bugatti Veyron. He sees me and freezes,then, shut the door and starts heading straight towards me.
Regan appears with his mother, the Luna. He sights me and I smile. "Leticia," he yells.
Aaron stops walking and turns, staring at Regan.