Page 16 of Surrendering to the Obsession

Her mind betrayed her—flashing back to Alexander’s hand trapping her wrist, guiding her palm against his chest, his eyes locked on her the entire time.

Her ears warmed. “Y-Yeah. Very… top quality. Very handsome.”

Behind her, Alexander’s fingers pressed slightly deeper into the couch. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. Controlled, quick, gone in a second, but far too satisfied.

That’s when Harold suddenly looked up.

His expression froze. He shot upright in his chair, blinking rapidly, as if replaying the visual to make sure he was seeing correctly.

“Alexander?” he blurted. “What are you doing here?”

Hazel looked up too, confused, finally noticing a handsome stranger standing behind Mia.

Alexander’s eyes flicked to the man he had seen sitting across Mia. His displeasure only darkened when he noticed the man was none other than Harold.

“I’m here for a meeting,” Alexander said flatly. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at your office right now?”

Harold nodded awkwardly. “I’m on lunch break. I’ll leave after.”

Then he frowned at the closeness between Mia and Alexander—the way Alexander stood behind her like he was guarding territory.

“Wait, you two… know each other?”

Before Alexander could answer, Mia cut in quickly.

“I work at Mr. Graves’s company now. I’m also on lunch break.”

Alexander’s head tilted slightly toward her—barely a movement, but sharp—his eyes narrowing with something that clearly meant: ‘That’s all you’re going to say?’

Mia averted her gaze quickly, avoiding Alexander.

“You know him?” Mia asked Harold, surprised flashing in her eyes.

Harold stiffened. “Ah… just from business dealings, you know? Work connections?” he said, voice cracking slightly as he tried to sound casual.

Inside, he was screaming. ‘Why did Alexander pop up now? I finally get a few hours with my crush and this man appears like a ghost to ruin everything. Great. Perfect.’

Harold kept a polite smile while panicking internally. ‘And obviously I can’t tell her he’s my brother. What if she gets scared? What if she refuses to date her boss’s brother? No—absolutely not. She cannot know.’

Meanwhile, Alexander had already straightened, withdrawing just enough to appear professional, though his presence still loomed right behind her. When he spoke, his tone turned cold, controlled, authoritative.

“If you’re done, then return to work, Miss Bennett,” he said, tone clipped. “I need my secretary twenty-four seven with me.”

Mia shot up from the chair instantly.

Alexander didn’t wait—he turned and walked out first, not even glancing back.

Hazel’s eyes were huge. “That’s your boss?”

Mia gave a tiny, helpless smile. “Mhm… that’s Alexander.” She whispered the last part to Hazel, trying to warn her with her eyes.

Hazel blinked, confused—then realization slammed into her. Her mouth dropped open. “Alexander?ThatAlexander?!”

Mia nodded quickly and hurried after him, heart racing.

Harold lifted a hand in a small, sad wave. Hazel remained staring, stunned.

When Alexander and Mia stepped out of the restaurant an hour later, Alexander opened the car door for her. After she sat, he closed the door, walked around, and slipped into the seat beside her.