Chapter XIII
The longer I sit in my room, the more I wish I took Knox up on his offer.
I’ve run out of stuff to do much quicker than I thought I would.
There’s no way I can do this for the next several days.
I begin pacing the confined space while I think of anywhere that I can go but here.
The cafeteria is closed. Library is off limits unless I’m with Brock.
I’ve already strolled the public halls and retreated once I spotted the pretty Omega who yelled at me.
He’s Knox’s personal cleaner so that explains why he gets away with such an attitude.
The only other place I’m allowed is Knox’s office, but I shake my head at myself. He’s got work to do and probably doesn’t want to see me after what I said. I hadn’t meant to say it out loud, but Knox isn’t someone I’ve ever had to bite my tongue around.
Not to mention, I meant what I said. I’ve been defending and standing up for Omegas for years. What has Knox done for us? He believes in me, sure, but he makes no effort to see me succeed.
I mean, look at him! He was promoted right up to the executive floor without me, happily taking his rightful place at Comet XI as an Alpha. I don’t want him to sneak me textbooks. I want to be able to walk into a library and pick them myself!
I don’t expect change to happen overnight, of course, but it still needs to start somewhere, and I certainly don’t see him stepping up to the plate. He has no idea how easy he has it. His journey in life is a breeze compared to mine.
Raging with emotions, I feel my eyes begin to burn hot with tears but refuse to let them fall.
I know I didn’t come back to him.
And I know he probably waited. But being away from home made me realize that I can exist as an Omega without depending on an Alpha.
It was never about him; it was about my freedom.
I didn’t need to go crawling back to Knox just to…
to what? Follow him around, living in his shadow for the rest of my life?
And he would’ve let me.
I collapse on my bed as a few sobs escape.
I don’t think I can face him right now. I’ve never been angry at him before so it’s better if I handle this new feeling by myself.
Eventually, I drag my sluggish body to dinner, eating alone while eavesdropping on conversations around me. Sadly, none are interesting enough to provide the distraction I need. My mind continues to wander back to Knox. It’s hard not to think about him knowing that he’s only a few floors above me.
Is he in a meeting? Is he in his office? Is he thinking about me? My face heats at the thought and I squirm in my seat. Somehow, I was more at ease working here without knowing that Knox was also here. It’s incredibly distracting.
With a frustrated grunt, I stand up, dispose of my tray and trudge back to my room. If I’m going to be mad at him, I need to not think about him. I should be more focused on my career and earning Mr. Minsley’s trust back.
Yeah. That’s a productive thing to focus on. Perhaps I’ll write him an apology letter. That will keep me busy for the rest of the evening.
I enter my room, turn on the light, and reach for a notebook and pen from my desk. I pause when I notice something on my bed. Clothes, it looks like. I’ve never been so sloppy as to leave clothes out.
Upon closer inspection, I see that it’s more than just clothes. It’s a neatly folded uniform with a small note attached. Someone must’ve placed them here intentionally. The attention whore side of me hopes it’s from him.
I pick up the cardstock paper and read it carefully.
Put this on and arrive at Room 468 in the South wing at 7p.m. – Knox
It’s a strange request, leading me to reread the note several times. Sure enough, it says the same thing each time. Shivers run up my arms.
Knox wants to see me. Luna have mercy, doesn’t he know we’re fighting?! Knowing him, he probably doesn’t. Oblivious Alpha.
Picking up the clothes, I see that the uniform is that of a cocktail waiter. My selfish excitement dulls a little. This likely just means that he found a new position for me since I’m suspended from Minsley’s lab. That’s all this is. A new job.
By six forty-five I’m a nervous wreck. My uniform is on and I have to admit I look good. But that doesn’t make me any more ready to face him. The last thing I want to do right now is serve him some drinks at whatever event is happening.
Assuming that he’ll be there. I slump down on to my bed.
Who am I kidding? The note never mentioned that he’d actually be there. I may just be meeting with a trainer and other wait staff. I glance at myself in the mirror one more time, tousling my hair until it’s perfect. Only one way to find out.
With a deep breath, I straighten my posture, adjust my vest, and step into the hallway.
As I arrive in the South wing like the note instructed, I notice that it’s bustling with well-dressed Alphas and Betas, and it slowly dawns on me what this event is for. Is this…the charity gala? I completely forgot about it. Knox is supposed to present the three-three-four telescope tonight.
I hesitate at the entrance. Omegas aren’t supposed to attend such high-class events. I don’t want a repeat of what happened in the library back when I first started. I don’t even have my badge with me this time. The silky red vest over a black button-up shirt doesn’t leave room for it.
“Hey! We need you back here!”
I snap my head up as a Beta wearing the same uniform as me approaches.
“Oh, I’m not– “
He doesn’t hesitate to grab my wrist and pull me into the gala. He glances over his shoulder at my slight resistance.
“Alpha Beckett sent you, no?”
“I– “
“Then you follow me. His orders.”
Leaving no room for argument, he leads me behind a bar counter in the back of the massive ballroom. People slowly fill in, mingling with one another under glimmering chandeliers, waiting for the event to begin.
“Here,” the Beta hands me a towel and all I can do is stare at it dumbly until he continues. “Wipe each of these glasses until they’re dry. Then place them on the rack.”
There must be over fifty glasses waiting to be dried, but I do as he says and begin with one.
From where I stand behind the counter, I can see a small stage on the opposite end of the room.
In the center, is the telescope covered in a tarp.
Behind it is a large screen, displaying a greeting too blurry for me to read from back here.
I notice a plethora of Omegas in the same red and black uniform filtering through the crowd with trays of wine and small treats.
I’ve realized by now that this is Knox’s way of getting me into the event.
Though, why he wants me here is beyond me.
I’m not really in the mood to watch him accept praise for my work.
Not this time. Not while I stand here drying dishes, being punished for the very thing he’s about to be rewarded for.
I’m about eleven glasses in when the lights dim and the crowd hushes.
A host walks on to the stage and gives a short welcome speech.
A couple other speakers are invited up as well.
Their smiles are big and their voices fill the room, but I hear none of it.
My ears are waiting to hear his voice. My eyes periodically scan the crowd for any sign of him.
Eventually, I regain control of my senses and focus on the speakers on stage.
I recognize Mr. Minsley and his team. The crowd claps and cameras shutter as they hold up some sort of certificate they’d just been awarded.
They retreat from the stage and finally –finally– the host announces Knox Beckett.
My eyes are glued to him as he takes the stage like he owns it and begins his presentation. His low, soothing voice falls over the crowd like a fresh blanket of snow. He’s calm, casual, and collected. All eyes and ears are on him in that tailored suit worth more than I make in a year.
My mouth would probably be drooling, but before it can, I spot the pretty Omega on the stage with him and tense up immediately.
Knox introduces him as Jaimie and the crowd seems to enjoy the sight of him.
Alphas around the room ogle him hungrily.
Standing beside Knox, Jaimie stands tall and smiles brightly as if he’s the main attraction for the night.
He might as well be.
His stunning glow under the stage lights makes me wonder why the hell he’s snatching all my dreams instead of modeling. So much for Omegas not being allowed at these things. I guess the rest of us just aren’t handsome enough.
I scrub furiously at the glass in my hand as I watch Jaimie unveil the telescope. Does everyone get some sort of role in my work except for me? Why don’t we just say that everyone in the world except for Arius invented the damn thing while we’re at it?
I catch an angry glare from the waiter who dragged me in here. I’m handling the glasses too roughly. Taking a deep breath, I mouth my apology and return my focus to Knox who begins to wrap up his presentation.
“And none of this would be possible without a very special person.”
My chest tightens at his words. If he says himself, I am out of here.
“A lot of people ask me how we always stay on top. How we always win, here at Comet XI. And I see no reason to keep it a secret. If there’s one thing you take away from this event tonight, it should be this,”
I notice that he hands his cue cards off to Jaimie and the slides on the screen have come to a stop. Intense eyes land on mine all the way from across the room, lingering until there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s speaking to me. My hand slows on the dish I’m drying as Knox continues.
“At Comet XI, we win by hearing every voice. Every idea, every Alpha, every Omega. Because innovation like this can’t be achieved with social barriers and societal pressures.
Tonight’s telescope model has been officially named after its rightful innovator.
For going against those barriers, pushing back those pressures, all for Comet XI to come out on top.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Ari three-three-four SE. ”
The audience stands and cheers as the host shakes Knox’s hand and takes his place. Live music starts up again and the room comes to life. I, however, am frozen in time.