Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever-Chapter 133 – Can we give it a try?

Saturday night settled over the city like a slow exhale, and by the time Sera stepped out of the hospital, every muscle in her body carried the weight of a long shift that refused to loosen its grip.

She pushed through the glass doors with a quiet breath, already running through what she needed to do next, her mind fixed on the date waiting ahead, on Augustine, and the strange mix of anticipation and restraint tightening somewhere deep in her chest.

She barely made it halfway across the parking lot before Leon stepped into her path, cutting her off with a timing that felt a little too intentional to be coincidence.

"Sera," he said, his voice lighter than usual, almost casual, "I’m off duty too. How about we grab dinner together?"

She paused, and for a second, her expression softened into something polite but tired, the kind of smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

The agreement of their so-called fake date hovered between them, unspoken but very much alive, tangled up with everything that had gone down at Bohemian Groove. Neither of them had brought it up again, as if ignoring it would somehow erase the awkwardness, but the silence had only made it heavier.

Ending it outright had crossed her mind more than once, but every time she thought about it, something held her back.

It wasn’t about Leon, but the optics, about how easily people would connect the dots if she suddenly broke that agreement. Seraphine was not ready for how quickly whispers would spread that she had used him as a steppingstone to get into the sovereign circle.

That kind of attention was the last thing she needed. "I’m sorry," she said, her tone gentle but firm, "I’ve got plans tonight. Maybe another time."

For a split second, disappointment flickered across Leon’s face before he covered it with a practiced smile that almost convinced her if she didn’t know him better.

"Alright," he said, nodding like it didn’t bother him, even though it clearly did. "Then let’s make it next week. I’ve got a surprise for you."

Her brows lifted slightly at that, and something about the way he looked at her right then made her stomach tighten in quiet unease. Leon had always had this switch, this unsettling ability to slide from composed, professional doctor to something else entirely something more reckless, wrapped in charm that felt just a little too smooth.

She thought of the right word to use and only one crossed her mind when Leon was not in his typical professional mood. The bad boy vibe. That version of him was the one she didn’t trust.

Still, she didn’t push back, didn’t question him, didn’t give herself time to overthink it. "Okay, next week," she agreed, her voice steady as she stepped around him, creating distance before he could say anything else.

She moved quickly after that, slipping into the car where Corvine was already waiting, his presence grounding in a way she didn’t question anymore.

An hour later, the hospital felt like a distant memory.

The hot water from her shower had washed away the physical exhaustion, but the mental tension lingered, curling quietly at the edges of her thoughts as she dressed.

The red dress she chose fell just below her knees, simple in design but striking in the way it hugged her form without trying too hard, paired with matching accessories that caught the light just enough to draw attention without demanding it.

She had considered going alone, if only to have a moment that felt entirely hers, but Corvine hadn’t even entertained the idea. He insisted on driving her, and staying close, like waiting in the car no matter how long it took.

By the time she arrived at the venue, the city lights had deepened into something richer, and Augustine was already there, standing as she entered the private room she had reserved.

He turned toward her immediately, his presence filling the space with an ease that came from confidence rather than effort.

The gray suit fit him perfectly, the crisp white shirt beneath it sharp against his skin, and there was something about the way he carried himself that made everything around him feel smaller. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

He stepped forward without hesitation, pulling out her chair with a quiet, practiced gesture that spoke of habit rather than performance.

The room itself wasn’t intimate, but it was luxurious, carefully chosen, and that detail didn’t go unnoticed by him. To Augustine, it meant something, it told him this wasn’t just another casual outing, that she had put thought into it, that this night carried weight for her too.

"Goddess," he murmured, lifting her hand and pressing a soft kiss against the back of it, his gaze lingering on her face as if he was taking his time memorizing every detail, "you look like you’re aging in reverse."

A faint smile curved her lips as she met his eyes, holding his gaze without flinching. "Thank you," she said quietly. "You don’t look bad yourself."

Dinner unfolded slowly after that, the rhythm of it unhurried, almost careful. The appetizers came first, and they ate in a comfortable silence that didn’t feel forced, followed by the main course, each dish carrying flavors that demanded attention even when neither of them said much.

By the time dessert arrived, the air between them had softened, something unspoken settling into place as Augustine took a bite and then leaned back slightly, clearing his throat like he needed a second to gather his thoughts.

"I have to say," he began, his voice thoughtful, "for a first date, this is impressive. Everything tastes incredible, and the wine..." he let out a quiet breath, almost amused, "you really didn’t miss."

Her smile deepened just a little, subtle but genuine. "I’m glad you like it."

There was a pause after that, a brief moment where neither of them moved, where the space between them seemed to stretch just enough to hold something more than conversation.

Then Augustine leaned forward, closing that distance as his hand found hers on the table, his touch warm, steady, and impossible to ignore.

"Sera," he said, his voice lower now, more serious, the teasing edge gone completely, "you already turned me down once, and I’ve tried to move past it, but I haven’t been able to."

His fingers tightened slightly around hers, not enough to hurt, but enough to make his intention clear, enough to anchor his words.

"Can we give it a try?" he asked, his eyes locked on hers.