(BL)Alpha Made-Chapter 292: An investor with a backstory

"I wasn’t expecting to see you again so soon." Andrew told him warmly, smiling as they held hands more than shook. His handsome looks, sharp, amber eyes and almost equal height told Andrew that the other man was also a true alpha. With the way his wrinkles were, Andrew could tell the man smiled and laughed a lot.

Probably the reason his Mom had accepted his money, and why Kim had wanted to introduce him.

"See me so soon? It’s been at least a month since the Beckett wedding, my boy! If we were going by my standards, I would have seen you at a coffee shop before now." He chuckled and Andrew laughed as well.

"Ah, you’ll forgive me. Some other things came to pass that occupied my time." Andrew said, hoping the man caught his drift. His eyes crinkled at the corners, his smile reaching them as he continued to hold Andrew’s hands.

"Of course, of course. My my, I didn’t get to say it at the wedding, but it’s so good to finally see you as an adult. I met you once when you were a kid, you know? Your Mom had to pick you up from school because you weren’t feeling well, a common flu, so you came with us to the meeting and my secretaries were fawning over you, giving you snacks and tea. Your Mom had been so nervous that you being there would affect my decision. In a way, it did." His smile widened. "Seeing her work so hard, knowing what she was working for, told me that she wasn’t going to give up easily. I signed the papers that day." He said proudly, meaning it, and Andrew let out a soft exhale.

He squeezed the other man’s hands, his heart feeling full. That was a good story, and he could vaguely remember that time too, now that he mentioned it.

"I remember some of that, but only vaguely. Everyone was so nice. I think I had a sugar high after that." He tossed his head back and laughed at that, giving Andrew’s hand another squeeze before he finally let go.

"Ha! I would imagine so. I did feel a little bad sending you back with her after letting them do what they wanted, but you seemed like a good kid even back then. Never causing a fuss, never throwing a fit. I only heard good stories when I asked about you at our meetings. How you were excelling in school. Tragic she didn’t get to see the kind of alpha you were turning into. I’m sure she’d be proud." It was the first time that Andrew had ever heard those words together. Proud? Of the alpha he had become?

Andrew felt himself become overwhelmed with the emotions that statement filled him with. He hadn’t even considered that fact. He knew his Mom was proud of him, Andrew, the person, but as the alpha?

It was hard to speak for a moment, and he fought back tears. It wouldn’t be appropriate to cry in front of these men. He didn’t think they would view him well if he did that. Worry filled him that they would think less of him, but he didn’t have to worry long.

The investor slammed his hand on Andrew’s shoulders, pulling him in close and turning them to face Mr. Kensington properly. His grin was damn near infectious, and Mr. Kensington was smiling as well, even if he looked a little confused.

"Kensington! Have you met Andy before?" His voice echoed on the walls, and Andrew knew that the whole company would know who he was in a matter of minutes, even if there were several floors. Mr. Kensington shifted, glancing at Andrew in mild confusion.

"I believe I just did, Mr. Dalton. Is there something else I should know about Dr. Knox?" Mr. Kensington asked and Mr. Dalton snorted, before chuckling.

"Something you should know? Well, Dr. Knox is, as you probably overheard, someone I know quite well. The reason being his Mom started the A & D Firm. In fact, the A in the name stands for Andrew." Mr. Kensington’s jaw dropped, shock filling his expression as Andrew felt his face heat with embarrassment. Mr. Dalton laughed loudly. "And, not only that, our dear boy is dating the youngest son of the Beckett family! Has been for quite some time, or so I hear! They soft launched at the recent wedding, but I think they’ve been together for far longer than that." Mr. Dalton winked at Andrew and Andrew laughed nervously.

"Not...too long before the wedding. We were friends, just friends, for a while before that." Andrew told him and Mr. Dalton smirked.

"Oh yes. Just friends." He replied with a wink and Andrew knew that as soon as Maxwell heard about this, he wasn’t going to live it down. He wasn’t going to forget this.

"We were. I was dating someone else when we first met." Andrew insisted. "Max doesn’t poach. He has more honour than that." Andrew was never going to let anyone speak ill of him and Mr. Dalton’s smile was wide.

"I understand, Andy. So how long did he wait after you two broke up?" Andrew’s mouth opened to answer, before he felt his face heat.

"Uh, well, he uh-" Mr. Dalton smacked his shoulders, laughing loudly.

"I’d say a day at most? Maxwell’s a good kid, but he’s stubborn. I like him, which is why I’ve been trying to support his company in any way I can. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. He sees something he wants, and he gets it. Through good means, of course. He isn’t like his grandfather." Mr. Dalton said and Andrew nodded.

"You’re right. He’s great at his job, and smart, and-" Andrew was ready to sing his praises and Mr. Dalton laughed again.

"You don’t need to convince me, Andy. I’m already in the Maxwell camp. Though, I would gladly listen to you ramble about your partner any other time. Unfortunately, I do have a meeting. Have you met Mrs. Gates before? She’s a great saleswoman. I would love to introduce you two if you have a second." Andrew froze, Mr. Kensington froze, and then Mr. Dalton narrowed his gaze. "Why? What’s wrong? Is she not in? We had a meeting planned weeks ago. This isn’t like her if she’s absent without notice." He was getting a little icy, a little concerned and Andrew just knew that Mr. Kensington would handle this, but Andrew wanted to instead.

"Actually, Mr. Dalton, May and I go back quite a bit. I’m good friends with her son, and daughter, and we grew up together. Unfortunately, a sudden family emergency happened, which was the whole reason I came to speak to Mr. Kensington today. May is going to be indisposed for about a week. No one’s dying, I promise. It is, basically, happy news, but a huge adjustment." He said and Mr. Dalton gave him a confused look.

"A family emergency? You’re not lying when you say someone isn’t dying?" He asked, and Andrew nodded.

"No. I’m not. I was, good or bad, there when it happened." Mr. Dalton relaxed slightly.

"Oh. Thank goodness. Tell her she can take her time getting back to me. If it’s as serious as you say, it probably will take some time to handle." He was a kind man, Andrew would give him that. Andrew smiled at his concern, sighing.

"Well, I am more worried about a certain family member, but yes, it will take some adjustment. I’ll make sure that she knows you’re wishing her well. Thankfully, it’s an area I have some experience with. Caring for others while they aren’t feeling well is a specialty I have inherited." Andrew said and Mr. Dalton looked like he didn’t know what to say to that. Andrew thought he was joking, but it was clear that he’d shocked the other man instead. "I was joking. Was that-"

"It was a bit far, Andy. Especially since Kim let me know you cared for your Mother until the end." Andrew winced at Mr. Dalton’s gentle, but firm tone.

"I apologise. I use humour quite a bit when it comes to my Mom." Andrew told him and Mr. Dalton looked him over, examining him before a smile touched his lips.

"Then I suppose I’ll just have to get used to it, hmm? Tell me, are you going to the Beckett’s Christmas party?" He asked and Andrew nodded without hesitation.

"Yes. Apparently my time is being divided between Kim and Jenny, and Luis and Thomas. I can’t remember who won, but someone got Christmas Eve, and the other got Christmas day. I think they’re going to rotate from now on." Mr. Dalton let out a snort at Andrew’s dry way of saying it.

"I imagine you don’t like being treated that way?" He asked, smiling and Andrew shrugged.

"I’ve never had enough family to fight over me like this before, so it’s just a strange feeling. Max was ready to put his foot down if it was too much for me, but I think I’ll be fine if he’s there." Andrew said, happy, and Mr. Dalton laughed.

"He has you wrapped around his finger, doesn’t he?" Mr. Dalton teased and Andrew felt a wide, boyish grin cross his face.

"It’s mutual, Max is just better at hiding it." Andrew told him smugly and Mr. Dalton laughed loudly.

"Good. Diane would be devastated if her son was being taken advantage of by a handsome omega. Truly. I doubt she’d be able to recover." He teased, winking at Andrew and Andrew’s smile didn’t fade. "I ask, because my husband and I were planning to attend and it would be good to speak with you there again. We weren’t able to speak much at the wedding, and my husband was absent due to a cold, so I would love it if you two were able to speak some more. He’s only seen pictures of you since you were a kid. We have a son as well, but he’s off playing world domination with Daddy’s money abroad, so I doubt he’ll be back for a party." Mr. Dalton rolled his eyes as if he hadn’t just said something ludicrous.

Andrew chuckled.

"I would love to speak to your husband, and I’m sure Max would love to speak with you as well. I’ll make sure we carve out a chunk of time for you. I’m sure Max will be excited once I tell him you asked about him. He’s currently in a meeting. Well, pretty much everyone is in a meeting right now." Andrew said with a smile and Mr. Dalton smiled.

"Well, I shouldn’t keep you anymore now that I’ve gotten what I wanted. It was a delight to see you, Andy." Mr. Dalton said before he released Andrew after another squeeze and headed towards Mr. Kensington. "Kensington! Delight to see you, as always! How is your golf swing these days?"