One Night Stand With Alexander Blackwood-Chapter 97 — Ninety-seven

Before Maya could move, Betty pushed her aside and walked straight to Cody.

"Hi, Mr. You must be here for me, right?" she asked, playing with her hair while blinking sheepishly.

Cody froze, genuinely taken aback. He hadn’t expected this boldness from a complete stranger.

Maya, on the other hand, misunderstood this action.

"So much for wanting to take me out on dinner," she murmured under her breath and was about to walk away when she heard her name being called.

"Maya!"

She paused mid-step.

Cody ignored Betty, whose smile never wavered, and walked straight to Maya.

"Why are you leaving?" he asked, a subtle smile playing on his lips. His voice was loud just enough for the growing crowd in the lobby to hear. He then handed the large flower bouquet in his hand to her. Although she

Betty froze, eyes wide, realizing Cody’s attention wasn’t on her.

"Impossible," she muttered under her breath, and stepped forward, but was stopped by the other man.

"Betty, I’m the one here for you," he said nervously, thrusting a cheap bouquet of flowers into her hands.

Betty’s face turned pale. "You... you are Mr. X?" she asked cautiously. The man nodded, eyes sparkling.

Her knees nearly buckled. The flowers slipped to the floor as she dropped to one knee. Around them, people in the lobby murmured, glancing between the two awkward displays.

Phones quietly emerged as bystanders snapped photos, whispering, laughing, and exchanging incredulous looks.

"How... how is that possible?" Betty whispered, staring at him in disbelief. "We’ve been chatting... and you—" She paused, swallowing.

Mr. X reached out instinctively to help her up, but she swatted his hand away. A collective gasp ran through the crowd. Some covered their mouths in shock, others leaned forward, eyes wide, whispering: ’Is she serious?’ and ’Wow...’

"Don’t touch me," Betty snapped, rising, her glare sharp enough to cut glass.

Mr. X, oblivious to the effect he’d caused, said without thinking, "Why are you acting this way? You weren’t like this when you sent me those... pictures. So what changed?"

The lobby erupted in low laughter and whispers. They were not babies, they knew what Mr. X was talking about.

Betty’s expression darkened and she fell to the floor... fainting in the process. Mr. X sighed, and picked her up before walking out of the company with no one stopping him..

A few people shook their heads, others exchanged amused smiles, while Maya, standing a few steps away, couldn’t help but smirk at the chaos unfolding.

Cody and Maya stood a few steps away, silently observing the spectacle.

Maya crossed her arms, an eyebrow raised, lips twitching at the corner. "Unbelievable," she muttered under her breath, though a faint smile betrayed her amusement.

She couldn’t help but notice how Cody’s calm and steady gaze remained fixed on her, completely ignoring Betty’s dramatic display.

Cody, on the other hand, subtly shifted his stance, one hand in his pocket. The corner of his lips curved upwards slightly as he watched Maya’s reaction. He noticed the faint flush in her cheeks, the way her eyes sparkled despite her attempt to appear detached.

For him, all the noise around them—Betty’s theatrics, Mr. X fumbling with the flowers, the crowd whispering and pointing—faded into background static.

Maya finally rolled her eyes and stepped closer to Cody, as if to quietly reclaim some normalcy amidst the absurdity being displayed.

"You know," she murmured, leaning slightly toward him, "I think people here need a hobby other than staring at other people’s lives."

Cody chuckled softly, a low sound that made Maya glance up at him. "Agreed," he said, his tone warm but teasing. "But some things are... entertaining, no matter how you look at it."

He let his gaze linger on her for just a moment longer than necessary, and Maya felt that strange flutter in her chest... one which she could not identify.

Around them, the lobby crowd continued to whisper and nudge each other. Phones clicked and cameras flickered.

Some employees exchanged smirks and elbowed one another, while others murmured, ’is the handsome man really here for her?’ and ’I didn’t expect that!’

Yet Cody and Maya seemed in their own little bubble, the chaos amplified by everyone else somehow made their proximity feel even more significant.

Maya finally exhaled and shook her head. "Honestly... I can’t believe this is happening. And I’m standing here... watching. The show is over. I should leave. I have a lot to cover up." She gave a humorless laugh.

Cody’s smile widened ever so slightly. "Well," he said softly, "at least now you know I’ll always come for you, no matter how much noise is around us."

Maya froze at his words, a weight settling in her chest. She didn’t answer immediately, only letting her gaze meet his, the noise of the crowd fading completely as her heart skipped a beat.

"Are you still up for that lunch?" She suddenly asked, causing Cody to be taken aback.

"Lunch?" He asked, blinking.

"Didn’t you always want to have lunch with me?" She asked with a feigned scowl.

Cody’s face instantly brightened. "Of course."

P------------------------

Serena was rounding up with the bakery when the bell of the bakery chimed, and someone walked in.

She raised her head and her eyes met with Alexander.

"You are here early." She commented, removing the apron.

"I believe you’re done." He commented with a smile.

"Hm-mmm." She wiped her hands and walked to him. "I’ve been expecting you since you dropped me off."

Alexander’s brows raised. "Is that so?" He asked with a chuckle and she nodded.

"So where are we headed to?" She asked with her hands behind her back.

Alexander’s eyes darted, and his brows creased. "Where’s Aunt Clara?" He inquired softly.

.

"She is on an official assignment." Serena replied. "Come on, give me a reply. Where are we headed to?"

Alexander’s lips curved mysteriously. "You’ll see."

--------------------

The car pulled up in front of a familiar salon. Serena’s eyes met with Alexander’s. "I remember this salon. Why are we here?"

"You ask too many questions." He flicked her forehead. "What do they do at a salon?"

Serena didn’t say anything else as she was left speechless by his words.

They both walked into the salon, and just like previously, Alexander was welcomed respectfully.

The salon hummed softly with life as Serena was guided to a chair in front of a tall mirror. She barely had time to protest before warm hands were already lifting her hair, discussing tones and textures in hushed, professional voices.

Alexander took a seat a short distance away, arms folded, watching with an unreadable expression.

Her hair was washed first. The tension she hadn’t realized she was carrying melted away as warm water cascaded over her scalp.

When it was dried and styled, the transformation began to reveal itself. Her dark hair was smoothed and shaped into soft waves that framed her face effortlessly, cascading down her shoulders with a natural shine. It wasn’t excessive, only refined.

Next came the makeup.

A light foundation evened her skin tone, enhancing her natural glow instead of masking it. Her brows were shaped delicately, giving her eyes more definition.

A subtle shimmer kissed her eyelids, making her eyes appear brighter, deeper. Her lashes were brushed and lifted, fluttering softly each time she blinked.

When color finally touched her lips, it was a rose color which was filled with perfection and elegance.

Serena barely recognized the woman staring back at her.

Not because she looked like someone else, but because she looked like the best version of herself.

She stood slowly when they were done, smoothing her palms over the dress that had been prepared for her.

It was a soft ivory gown, fitted at the waist before flowing gently down her figure. The fabric clung in all the right places without being revealing, elegant without being loud.

Thin straps rested on her shoulders, and the neckline dipped modestly, accentuating her collarbones. It was simple and yet... devastatingly beautiful.

A pair of delicate heels completed the look, along with a single bracelet and small earrings that caught the light when she moved.

Serena turned slightly, uncertain. "This is... a lot."

"It’s just enough," Alexander’s voice came from behind her.

She turned.

He had risen from his seat, gaze fixed on her, no attempt made to hide the pause in his step. For a brief moment, the polished composure he always carried slipped.

"You look..." He stopped himself, then exhaled softly. "You look stunning." He complimented.

Her cheeks warmed. "You planned all of this."

"Yes."

"You didn’t even ask if I wanted it."

"I knew you’d trust me."

She searched his face, then sighed, lips curving into a small smile. "You’re dangerous."

"I’ve been told."

"Shall we?" He extended his palm, and she took it in.

They left the salon together, Serena walking a little slower than usual, still adjusting to the unfamiliar elegance clinging to her skin.

Alexander opened the car door for her, his hand briefly resting at the small of her back as she stepped in — grounding, steady.

As the car pulled away, she glanced at her reflection in the window.

"Where exactly are we going?" she asked again, softer this time.

Alexander kept his eyes on the road, the mansion gates already forming in the distance.

"Somewhere that will raise questions," he replied calmly. "And answer a few you didn’t know you had."

Serena swallowed, curiosity blooming anew. She had a feeling that something was about to change.