Reject My Alpha President (Iris and Arthur) novel Chapter 93

Chapter 93

Chapter 93

“Alice, you didn’t have to stand up for me like that.”

The curator waves her hand. “Like I said, we’re friends,” she replies, glancing up at me. Her cheeks are slightly flushed. “I mean, I assume we’re friends…”

I can’t help but smile. I never expected to make friends with anyone here, but the thought makes me happy. Yes,” I reply, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and guiding her down the street. “Friends sounds nice.”

A few minutes later, we step into a small bistro down the street. The streetlights have come on already, casting amber hues across the cobblestones, and there’s an outdoor patio in the front with string lights hanging between the trees. We pick a table outside, ordering coffee before our meals. It’s nice to sit and not have anyone look at me, since I’m wearing my ‘Flora‘ disguise.

As we’re picking out our meals–I try to pick something inexpensive that I can afford–I quickly check the app for the nanny cams. I see Arthur sitting on the bed beside Miles reading from a picture book. The sight both warms my heart and makes me feel ill at the same time, and I set aside my phone, scanning the menu once more.

“Dinner is on me, by the way,” Alice says, almost as if she’s just read my mind.

I flush slightly, feeling bad. “Are you sure?”

She nods and smirks. “You’re going to make me a lot of money during this lecture series, so it’s the least I can do.”

I snort at that, shaking my head, and we order our meals. As we wait, sipping our coffee, Alice turns to me. “So, how are things? With… you know who.”

My cheeks flush, and I pretend to be very interested in the saucer beneath my cappuccino all of a sudden. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Alice sighs. “You two ran out of the event like bats out of hell the other night. It caused a bit of a stir, you know.”

Of course. I figured it would. “Sorry,” I reply, chewing the inside of my cheek.

“It’s fine,” she replies with a shrug. “Part of my job is handling socialites at these events. Some free champagne, a few well–timed distractions, and they quickly forgot.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Thank you.” I pause, then add, “I’m staying in Ordan after all, you know.”

Alice’s eyes light up. “You are?”

“Yes. I decided last night.”

+25 BONUS

I return home that night with a smile on my face after a day well spent. Cliff is yawning behind the security desk when I arrive, and offers me a wave as I pass. I head upstairs, already yawning myself.

When I step into the apartment, though, I’m met with the sight of a shadow moving across the living room wall. I peek through the archway to see Arthur standing by the window, a whiskey glass dangling from his fingertips as he stares out at the street below.

He’s drunk again. I can tell from the way he’s swaying slightly, his hair somewhat mussed.

I move to slip away like I did last time, but this time, he spots me before I can.

“Iris,” he says, whirling to face me. He holds up his glass. “Share a drink with me?”

“Arthur, I-”

“Just one drink,” he says, taking a step closer.

I pause, not sure if I want to indulge him or not. But the look in those green eyes, almost resembling hope, makes me relent.

“Alright. Just one drink.”