One Night Stand With Alexander Blackwood-Chapter 23 — Twenty-three

Serena’s POV

As Alexander’s mother pulled him away, something inside me snapped back into place. A quiet clarity washed over me. It was harsh, but absolutely necessary.

Alexander and I were from two different worlds. Whatever I felt, whatever he felt... none of it mattered. I couldn’t let myself fall deeper. Not when he had a fiancée.

Not when I had sworn as a little girl that I would never become someone like Elena — a homewrecker.

Before he could return or call after me, I slipped out of the banquet hall. I needed distance. I needed air. I needed to be away from him, to cut whatever feelings were growing between us.

The night breeze brushed against my skin as I walked down the pavement, trying to steady my thoughts. A cab eventually stopped, and I gave the driver my address without another word.

I dared not return to Alexander’s house. The memory of last night still lingered — the fear, the attack...

At least the man who tried to hurt me had been dealt with. I was safe now.

When I reached my apartment, I blinked in surprise. The broken door had been fixed.

A soft, fragile breath left me. Alexander. It could be only him.

I didn’t allow myself to dwell on the thought. I showered, changed into my nightwear, and collapsed on the bed. Exhaustion swallowed me whole and I drifted to sleep without hesitation.

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The next morning, I woke up unexpectedly refreshed. A small smile tugged at my lips as I stepped out of bed, moving through the familiar quiet of my apartment. Maybe this was what I needed after a long day previously.

"My phone..."

My gaze landed on it near the lamp stand. I picked it up casually, and froze.

One hundred missed calls. Seventy were from Alexander.

A small gasp escaped me. My pulse raced.

"Why... why did he call so much?"

I couldn’t bring myself to call him back. Not yet. Not when everything felt so tangled inside me. I couldn’t face him. We could only have a boss-employee relationship. That was what we could only ever have.

Instead, I dialed Maya’s number.

She picked up on the first ring as though she had been expecting my call.

"GIRL!" She practically screamed. "Where have you been?! Boss called me repeatedly last night when he couldn’t find you at the banquet!"

I paused. Did... did he care? No! Serena! Do not delude yourself.

"I went home early," I replied, stirring sugar into my coffee.

"But why?" Maya demanded. "And why didn’t you tell him?! He’s been acting like a madman since you disappeared!"

"Why would he?" I calmly said and sipped from my coffee. "He has a fiancée. He shouldn’t care about me."

Maya was silent for a while.

"Are you okay?" She asked me after a short silence.

Taking a deep breath, I forced a cheerful smile. "Why wouldn’t I? I need to hang up now. I’ll meet you in the office soon."

I didn’t wait for her reply before I hung up. My shoulders relaxed as I placed my phone on the table.

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I was a bit listless as I walked into the company. And why wouldn’t I? All through my ride to the company, the news kept broadcasting Alexander and Amelia’s engagement announcement.

As I walked through the hallway, all eyes were on me. They must have seen the news. But why did they care? Why were their eyes on me?

Alexander and I had no relationship with each other. So what if I had a one night stand with him? They didn’t need to know that.

My shoulders were squared, my head held high as I walked into my department. All eyes turned to me... as expected.

My gaze landed on Jessica and my brows furrowed instinctively. What was she doing here?

"If it isn’t Serena?" Her snide remark sounded. "Dumped already, uh?"

A low chuckle slipped from my lips as I took my seat. My colleagues’ eager gazes darted between Jessica and I.

"Did I ever tell you that Mr. Blackwood and I were together?" My lips curled into a smirk, tilting my head to stare at her.

Disbelief flashed through her face as she stared at me.

"That’s impossible." She shook her head. "You came in with him yesterday."

"That’s where you are mistaken." I placed one leg over the other. "Mr. Blackwood only helped me out. We do not have any relationship. As you know, he is to be engaged. How can I be with him?"

I had to admit it. Seeing Jessica confused put me in a good mood. All this while, she always had the last laugh. It felt good to keep her shut for once.

"And besides..." I rose to my feet, towering over her. "Are you that jobless? Why do you keep visiting my department? If you’re not careful, people might think you’re obsessed with me and unable to let me go."

Her face turned red as she pointed her trembling fingers at me. "You..." Words failed her. Good. It was what she deserved.

"You won’t get away with this!" She hissed before storming out.

I nodded satisfactorily. Me being quiet didn’t mean I was powerless.

My gaze swept over my colleagues who lowered their gazes instantly. They had never seen me this... bold.

"Just to clarify, Mr. Blackwood and I have no relationship. He only helped me yesterday. What we have is nothing purely a work relationship." I paused, allowing them to understand my words.

Seeing that they seemed to understand, I continued. "I’d appreciate it if there were no rumours spread about me. I have only known the new boss for two days, there is no way I’m that desperate."

"We are sorry, Serena. We were blinded and didn’t see that you were right all this time."

One of my colleagues stood up, and apologised. I could tell that her apology was genuine as there was a hint of remorse in her eyes.

My lips curved into a small smile. Other colleagues rose to their feet and apologised.

I nodded, accepting their apologies. At least... work relationships were finally settling.

I didn’t need Alexander.

Or... so I thought.