Brace Yourself, Bunny
I arrived before 4 p.m. I had paid for the bus at the park so it could leave without waiting to get filled up. I received Alfa's first call just as I entered Anambra. I ignored it—thank God he was just waking up.
As I went upstairs, I saw many familiar faces. The company was crowded because it was Friday. Wow, it had been two weeks since Alfa kidnapped me.
"You think he'll take you back after you left him and played him with his best friend?" Timi hissed at me. I felt pity for her. I had always suspected she was having an affair with Henry; her actions had just confirmed it.
"I hope you find happiness," I said, walking away to meet Henry. Alfa would be here soon—it wouldn't take him an hour since he'd be using his jet.
I knocked on Henry's office door, and he asked me in. He looked surprised to see me.
"To what do I owe this visit?" he asked, setting aside what he was doing.
"I came because of Alfa's happiness, and mine." That was what I would be living from now on.
"I wonder what that has to do with me," he said.
"Don't play dumb. You know how much he values you. Besides, you've played the role of a villain long enough—try changing."
"Then he should give me the company," he smirked.
"You know that won't help with the anger you hold toward him. Deep down, you know he's not the one at fault."
His eyes flickered with emotion. "What right does he have to be happy when I'm miserable and Mirabel is dead?" he barked.
"Oh, Henry, you saved him from the pits of destruction together with Mirabel, and now you want to send him back there? What do you think Mirabel would say about that?"
He looked down in shame. Even in death, he still valued what Mirabel thought. He had truly loved her.
"Alfa doesn't care much about people, but he cares deeply for those around him. He wants to send you away, but I know it will scar him forever. Please, don't add more wounds to the ones he already carries."
Henry sighed. "You know, I never realized I loved her until Alfa came. Now that I think about it, my best memories of her are when we were trying to get Alfa back," he chuckled bitterly. "She was a strong girl, able to control both of us despite our different personalities. Then she died, and Alfa hardly talks about her, like she never meant anything to him." His voice broke as he cried.
Now I understood his anger. Alfa hardly spoke about Mirabel because he wasn't much of a talker. Even when we stayed at Mr. Donald's house, he had engaged in a discussion with Mr. Donald but barely said anything. I used to think of him as someone who bragged, yet he didn't even revel in the praises Mr. Donald showered on him. When I pointed it out, he smiled and told me he only bragged when he was with me because I was different.
"You know he hardly talks," I defended.
"Yes, I know. But I wanted him to hurt like I did. Everyone knew we were both crushing on her, but for me, it was more than just a crush. Even when he thought I was dating you, he never stopped talking about you. But when Mirabel was alive, he barely spoke about her because he was trying to hide his feelings," he said, looking at me.
"Maybe he loved her, but not as much as he loves you, and that's what angers me because Mirabel loved him more."
"I don't know about Mirabel, but I don't love Alfa any less than she did."
"Not you, silly," he sighed. "I mean, she loved him more than he loved her."
"You're right. She loved me more."
We both snapped our heads toward the entrance at the sound of that husky voice. Alfa stood there, watching us. I had never seen him like this before—he was truly a savage wolf. Now I understood why I always felt confident standing beside him. He was powerful.
"I failed," I muttered, looking down. He had come faster than I had anticipated. I couldn't look at him—he was furious.
He calmly strolled over to me and gently lifted my face. "You will be punished, Bunny," he said. I gasped, though his eyes were mild.
"I... I am so sorry," I apologized.
"Can you give us a minute?" he requested. I was too quick to leave—I didn't want to be sandwiched between two giants.
I took a deep breath after leaving their presence and went to see Esther, the best girl in the company.
"So, who's the CEO?" she asked as soon as she saw me.
"It's obvious," Nnedi answered before I could. "The one who just stomped in anger. Didn't you see how low Mr. Akin bowed when he entered? He doesn't even bow that much to Henry."
"Don't be so sure," Timi added. I guessed she already knew but didn't want to admit it.
"So, have you gotten any work?" Esther asked.
"Nope." Did I even need a job? I wondered to myself.
We continued chatting—excluding Timi. I kept thinking about what Alfa and Henry were discussing. Twenty minutes later, they walked out. Thankfully, no one was injured.
"Turns out I'm still going to London," Henry said. I felt sad.
"But we already settled everything. We just needed to be honest with each other," Alfa added with a smile.
"Then why is he going to London?" I asked.
"I need it—to help me heal. Thank you, Rose. Alfa doesn't deserve you," Henry said.
Alfa gasped and touched his chest dramatically. "You cut me deep, bro. You cut me real deep."
"Come on, man. You're a piece of trash," Henry teased.
"Shut up before she realizes she could've done better," Alfa frowned. It was cute. I had succeeded. Thank God. Henry would take time to heal, but at least he wouldn't be a sadist anymore.
"How about we go home to meet Mom and Dad? You've yet to introduce Rose as your girlfriend," Henry suggested. The people around gasped.
"Of course! That's a nice idea," Alfa said with a devilish grin.
"I'm not ready," I backed off. What would they think of me, considering I had first come with Henry?
"Don't be scared. They knew you had your eyes on Alfa—that's why I never bothered introducing you as my girlfriend," Henry assured me.
I knew I had to meet them sooner or later, so I gave in. I saw Timi looking like a drenched hen, and I felt happy.
That night, we had dinner with Henry's family. Too bad Isabelle couldn't join us. The next day, we saw Henry off as he left for London. My mother would be back next week—everything was finally settling into place.
I returned from the hotel today after dropping some documents and checking things out. Over the week, Alfa introduced me to many people and even hosted a party where he officially introduced me as his girlfriend. The look on Sapphire's face was satisfying.
I received a text from him as I entered the house. I headed toward the backyard and gasped at the sight—rose petals covered the floor. What was he planning?
Every day with him was unique. There was always something to look forward to.
I saw words hanging on the wall:
Wow. I kept walking.
I continued forward, reading more sweet words along the way. Then, at the final threshold, I saw the last message:
I stepped out and saw him kneeling on one knee, holding a ring.
"Be my wife," he said.
I gasped. "I can't have children." The words escaped my lips automatically. His eyes widened.