Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 44

Axel POV

I know I look like crap when I enter the jewellery store. I am still wearing my gym shorts and shirt from yesterday. I did not leave the hospital and am on edge because Liana is still unconscious. The only reason security does not stop me at the door is because they

know who I am.

"Axel," Paul, the owner, greets friendly. "I'm surprised to see you here. It's not your mother's birthday yet, is it?"

"No," I smile stiffly. "I'm here to buy rings."

"Certainly," Paul smiles brightly. "What do you have in mind?"

"Engagement rings," I reply.

"Is there something I should know?" Paul clutches his heart theatrically and bats his eyelashes.

"Not yet, Paul," I sigh, and he instantly pulls himself together when he realizes I am not in a pleasant mood.

"Here is our classic collection," he says as he pulls out a tray of rings and immediately, I see the perfect ring.

"That one," I point out.

"Impeccable taste," Paul smiles as he takes the ring out. "This classic Stelle Waltz diamond piece consists of a 1.53-carat round brilliant cut diamond and 18-carat white gold. Set in a diamond halo on a floating head with pave set diamonds on the band." "Perfect," I nod. "Wrap it up, please."

"Certainly," Paul smiles satisfied. "Anything else?"

"Yes," I cross my arms in front of my chest. "Another engagement ring. Big and grotesque. One that screams 'look at me, look at me, I'm a spoiled bitch'. The cheapest one you have." "Excuse me?" Paul gapes flabbergasted. "Sir, we don't sell hideous rings."

"You know what I mean," I roll my eyes. "Just give me a f*****g big ring that looks expensive. One of those that women wear as showpieces."

"Well..." Paul thinks for a while before he walks to a cabinet. "We have this one ring that I personally feel is ugly. It was custom-made but the client couldn't afford it at the end."

I stare in awe at the atrocity that Paul places down in front of me.

"Three diamonds set on a rectangular band," he sighs sadly. "Also white gold."

"It looks like a fucking piece of Lego," I burst out laughing. "I love it. Wrap it up, Paul."

"Are ... are you sure?" Paul asks in disbelief. "It's huge and ugly."

"I want it," I smile satisfied and take out my credit card.

"That poor woman," Paul mumbles under his breath as he shakes his head.

Satisfied with my purchase, I leave the store and take out my phone. I smile inwardly as I dial the number.

"Angela, darling," I say when she answers. "What would you say about dinner tonight?"

**

I am sitting on my bed staring at the awful Lego ring. After a long nap and refreshing shower, I look human again even though I do not feel it. All I want is to be with Liana. But she is still unconscious and will not even know if I am there or not.

I am yearning to be at the hospital, but my lingering presence will only spark interest and questions. And I might not care about it, but I care about Liana and her reputation. Not to mention that I am trying to keep Angela away from her. Just thinking of what Angela might do next makes me ice over.

With a heavy sigh, I stand up and put the ring in my pocket before I grab my jacket. It is nearly time to meet Angela for dinner and it is the very last thing I thought I would ever do. I never liked her but now I hate her more than ever.

I take my car keys and pull the door close behind me. My anger is still simmering as I walk with long strides towards my parents' entertainment area. In fact, I never stopped being angry since I found Liana in that bathroom yesterday. My anger levels only vary from controllable to lunatic rage.

I can hear people laughing and talking and I take a moment to compose myself. Tonight, I must deliver an Oscar performance.

"Darling," Mother smiles when she sees me entering the room. "You look so handsome."

"Thank you, Mom," I smile politely as I walk to the bar and pour myself a stiff drink. I am going to need all the help I can get if I want to pull this off.

"And where are you taking my daughter tonight?" Jack asks jovially.

"Le Pavillion," I reply and stare into my glass. The less I communicate with these people, the better.

"I'm ready," Angela announces, and I steal myself when I turn to look at her.

"You look beautiful," I force my eyes to slowly glide up and down her and am satisfied when she slightly blushes.

The sad truth is that Angela is not ugly and that she knows how to dress. Her blond curls are perfectly styled, and the pink satin dress fits her body like a glove. Men will look at her with I**t and women with envy when we walk into Le Pavillion. Unfortunately for her, I do not give a shit. "Shall we go?" I ask politely as I put my glass down and walk to her.

"Lead the way," she smiles softly as she rests her hand on my outstretched arm.

"I was surprised that you invited me for dinner," she says as she gets into the car. "I mean, after the way you treated me yesterday."

I grind my teeth as I close her door and walk around to the driver's side. For fuck's sake, I have not even started the car and I am already irritated beyond measure.

"I'm sorry about that," I start the engine and do not look at her. "It was a difficult morning."

"And is it fair to assume that you reprimanded that dreadful assistant of yours?" She asks sweetly but I do not miss her dismay that she is trying to cover up.

"I haven't spoken to her since," I stick to the truth.

"Well, you should," Angela crosses her arms like an offended teenager. "Her behaviour is unacceptable. Just another reason why humans don't belong in our world." "Angela," I sigh in pain. "Do you honestly want to spend the entire evening talking about her?"

"I'm sorry," she pouts and lay her hand on my knee. It takes every inch of self-control not to slap her hand away. "You're right. There are more pleasant topics."

"Thank you," I say as I park the car and get out to open the door for her.

I have nothing to say to her as we walk into the restaurant. I just want to get this over with. We follow the host to our table and accept the menus. The silence between us stretches out into an uncomfortable silence by the time I place our order with the server. "Okay, Axel," Angela sighs as she looks at me with frustration. "Why did you even invite me if you don't want to talk to me?"

"Have you ever known me to be talkative?" I smirk.

"No," she huffs. "But this is too quiet, even for you."

"I have a lot on my mind, that's all," I shrug.

"Then share it with me," she reaches over and places her hand on me. I stop myself just in time to jerk my hand away. "Maybe I can help. I'm not a dumb blonde, you know?"

"Okay," I say after a while, and she smiles satisfied. "I've been thinking a lot about my future. Where I want to be in ten years. My goals and dreams. And I realized that I have everything but a mate."

"I understand, it gets harder with every passing year," Angela sighs and for the first time I notice the sadness in her eyes. She might be the devil's sister, but she is longing for her mate just like I did before I met Liana.

"Angela, I don't want to be alone anymore," I look deep into her eyes. "I want a family to go home to. A son to take over from me one day. You know how hard I've been looking for my mate."

"Yes," she snorts unladylike. "You've been dating everything with ovaries, including humans."

I grind my teeth and ignore her remark. But one day she will pay for her words.

"Even so," I clear my throat, "I've been unsuccessful in replaceing her. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands."

"I'm listening," she says softly but I do not miss the sparkle in her eye.

"Angela," I reach into my pocket and take out the Lego ring. "Will you marry me?"

I open the box and place it in the centre of the table. It is with tremendous effort that I bite back my smile as I watch her swallow when she looks at the ring. I know she was about to shout 'yes' to the entire world but her vanity might be too great to accept this joke of a ring.

"It's... it's," she stutters as she picks up the ring and clears her throat.

"Expensive, I know," I give her my biggest and brightest smile. "I was assured it's unique and one of a kind."

"Oh, that I believe," she chuckles awkwardly.

"It's unexpected, I know," I say softly as I place my hand over hers that is holding the ring box. "And if you don't want to accept, I will understand. We all want our true mate. Just say no and I will gladly take back the ring."

"N... no," she quickly takes the ring out of the box and puts it on her finger.

"I accept," she laughs happily and looks at me. "Yes, Axel, I will marry you."

"Great," I smile satisfied and wink the server closer.

"A bottle of your finest champagne," I order as I look at Angela who is still staring at the ring. Unable to hide her disappointment.