One Night Stand With Alexander Blackwood-Chapter 19 — Nineteen

My stepmother’s smile faltered while my father’s expression was unreadable. But I knew he was caught between surprise and discomfort. I hadn’t seen him for a whole year.

Surprisingly, Elena didn’t say anything to me as they walked into the salon.

"Do you know them?" Alexander’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts and I snapped my head to look at him.

Smiling, I shook my head. "I have no idea who they are."

"Shall we go in?"

Alexander’s gaze remained fixated on me. It felt like he wanted to see right through me.

My lips curved into a forceful smile. "I don’t mind going back, you know."

As expected, he held me by my hands and directly walked into the salon.

One of the managers approached us with a big smile. It was clear Alexander was recognised.

"Mr. Blackwood." She greeted, her entire body bending into a 90° bow.

"Make her look the prettiest. I want every eye on her." That was his simple instruction before I was pulled away by two attendants.

The next hour was grueling. My cheeks were brushed, eyes accentuated, hair curled and pinned into place, nails polished to perfection.

Every touch, every adjustment, felt endless. But when they finally stepped back, I barely recognized myself in the mirror.

The dress they had picked—Alexander had chosen was a masterpiece.

It was a deep emerald silk that hugged my frame in all the right places, the hem brushing elegantly against my ankles.

A subtle slit along one side hinted at daring, without being too flashy. The neckline framed my collarbones perfectly, giving me an air of sophistication I wasn’t used to.

I walked out of the changing room, and froze. My eyes met with Alexander and he seemed to have frozen as well.

He stood there with his back straight, hands in his pockets,, but my heart skipped a beat.

’Crazy heart. Don’t do that. He’s your boss.’ I screamed internally at myself.

’Your boss who you spent the night with.’ My subconscious screamed back at me and heat crawled up my neck, my face turning red.

But Alexander was handsome. He had changed into something... different. Gone was his usual suit; now he wore a tailored black tuxedo with an emerald tie that matched my dress perfectly.

The realization hit me, and the heat on my cheeks spread. He hadn’t just thought about me, he’d thought about us.

I found myself asking: What was his goal? No one had ever treated me this way, not even Ethan who I dated for three years.

"You look gorgeous," he complimented me simply. His voice was calm but it carried the weight of certainty that could always leave me breathless.

I stared at him, and then down at myself. Somehow, in one hour, he had transformed me from a frazzled office girl into someone... unforgettable.

And the way we were standing—matching, poised, deliberate—it made my pulse race in ways I hadn’t expected.

"Thank you."

"Shall we leave?"

I nodded, and I placed my hand in his elbow before we both walked out. But before I left, my eyes met with my stepmother whose mouth was widened. I was sure she was surprised to see me dressed the way.

The drive to the banquet’s venue was silent. My hands were clenched tightly on my laps. I couldn’t recall the last time I attended a banquet.

Was it when my mother was still alive? The thought of my dead mother caused me to furrow my brows and my eyes welled up with tears.

Perhaps, the appearance of my father brought back memories I wished to bury. I sniffed, blinking the tears back, unwilling to ruin my makeup.

"Serena, are you crying?" Alexander’s voice made me snap my head to him.

Our gazes met and a flicker of concern flashed in his eyes.

"What’s wrong?" He asked again, this time more gently.

Sniffing, I replied. "My mom just flashed through my mind. It brought tears to my eyes."

His brows furrowed, his gaze fixated on me while still driving.

"I lost her when I was eight." The words slipped out before I could control myself.

His expression softened as he offered me a smile. "I’m pretty sure she is proud of the lady you’ve become. She wouldn’t want you to have tears in your eyes."

"Thank you." I laughed softly. I had to admit, Alexander had a way of brightening my mood.

Alexander kept one hand on the wheel, the other resting lightly near mine on the center console. The drive remained quiet, but the tension in the car wasn’t from silence. Rather, it was from the awareness of what tonight could bring.

"I’ll warn you now," he said finally, his voice low and calm, "people are going to notice you. Not just because of the dress, or the hair... but because of you."

I felt my pulse spike. "Notice me?" I asked, unsure whether to be flattered or terrified. His world was dangerous, that much I could attest to.

"Everyone will," he said with quiet certainty. "And I want them to. Tonight, you’re my companion, Serena. You’ll walk in there, and all eyes will be on us. I expect you to hold your head high, and not let anyone throw you off."

I swallowed, nerves twisting in my stomach. My hand brushed against his as I gripped my lap nervously. "And if I... falter?" I whispered.

"You won’t," he answered confidently. His gaze flicked to me, then back to the road. "And if you do, I’ll be right there."

The corners of my lips twitched at the firmness in his voice. Calm, commanding... protective.

I stared out the window, letting the city lights blur past. Memories of my mother appeared in my mind—her smile, her laughter—and I pressed a hand to my chest, hoping the tightness in my throat would ease.

Alexander’s voice softened. "She’d be proud, Serena. And so am I."

A shiver ran through me at the words. He had just met me. How could he be proud?

Before I could respond, the car slowed, pulling into the grand driveway of the banquet hall. I caught the glittering chandeliers through the glass doors, and the valet stepped forward immediately.

I straightened, trying to summon confidence, but my hands were clammy. My eyes met Alexander’s in the rearview mirror, and I noticed the subtle smile tugging at his lips. The emerald tie mirrored my dress perfectly.

"Are you ready," he asked, as if reading my thoughts.

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "I think so."

He opened the door for me. As I stepped out, a gust of evening air brushed my face, and the massive entrance loomed ahead.

I spotted familiar faces in the crowd—even my father and stepmother—but the flicker of panic was tempered by the knowledge that Alexander was beside me.

And as I took that first step toward the banquet hall, I realized: tonight, everything would change.

"Alexander Blackwood!"