After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 136

Chapter 136

# Chapter 136: Unexpected Date

Elle’s POV

“Come in,” I called out, not bothering to look up from the suitcase I was unpacking.

She stepped into my room, her perfectly manicured nails gripping the door frame. I could feel her surveying the nearly empty space where her carefully chosen decorative pieces used to be.

“Elle, we need to talk about what just happened,” she began, her voice carrying that familiar edge of controlled emotion.

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I finally looked up, meeting her gaze directly. “If you want to control how my room is decorated,” I said evenly, “you’ll need Brad’s personal permission. This is my space.”

Mira’s composure cracked like thin ice. “Are you fucking kidding me?” Her voice turned shrill, tears instantly springing to her eyes. “Are you doing this because you’re jealous? Is it because I used to be the one Brad loved most? Or because of my position at the company?”

I paused, genuinely surprised by the melodrama. Here we go with the waterworks.

“I only wanted to help because I care about Brad as a friend!” she continued, her voice breaking on cue. “I thought… I thought maybe you’d appreciate the help since you’re pregnant and might be feeling insecure about your changing body. I was just trying to be kind!

The fake concern in her voice made my skin crawl. I turned to face her fully, keeping my expression

neutral. “Are you done?”

Her tears flowed harder, but I could see the calculation behind them. This performance might work on Brad, but I wasn’t buying it.

“Mira, your tears only work on men,” I said flatly. “Save the drama for someone who cares.”

Just then, Sophia appeared in the hallway, taking in the scene with raised eyebrows. “Ready to go, Elle?”

“Absolutely.” I walked toward her, stepping around Mira without a second glance.

Mira’s sobs turned to anger, and I felt her shift behind me. In my peripheral vision, I caught her leg moving -the bitch was actually trying to trip me! My hand instinctively moved to protect my stomach, but before I

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Chapter 136

could react, a familiar voice cut through the tension like a blade.

“Where are you going?”

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Brad’s deep voice carried enough authority to make everyone freeze. Mira immediately pulled her leg back

and wiped her tears, probably thanking whatever gods she believed in that she hadn’t been caught trying to

make me fall.

I turned to see Brad standing at the end of the hallway, his amber eyes fixed on me with that intensity that

always made my pulse quicken. He was dressed casually in dark jeans and a white button-down,.

“I’m going out,” I replied, my voice sharp with irritation. “Apparently I need permission to even breathe in

my own room around here.”

Brad’s gaze shifted to the living room, where furniture was stacked everywhere like some kind of storage

warehouse. His expression darkened as he took in the chaos.

“Perfect timing!” Sophia chimed in, clearly enjoying herself. “Elle and I were just discussing how boring it is

here.”

I watched Brad’s jaw tighten as his eyes moved back to Mira, who suddenly looked like she wanted to

disappear into the wallpaper. For the first time since I’d known her, she looked genuinely nervous.

“Brad, I can explain-” Mira started, immediately switching into damage control mode. “I only wanted to

help Elle since she’s pregnant and shouldn’t be doing heavy lifting. I thought I’d surprise her by taking care

of everything, but apparently I overstepped.” She sniffled delicately. “I’m so sorry. I’ll have everything

moved out right away.”

Then she turned to me with wounded eyes. “Elle, why didn’t you just tell me you didn’t like it? Why did you

have to humiliate me like this?”

I was so done with this performance. Brad’s silence was telling-he was probably waiting for me to be the

“bigger person” and apologize. Well, fuck that.

I started walking toward the door, but Brad’s hand shot out and wrapped around my wrist. His grip was firm but gentle, and I hated how safe it made me feel.

“Wait,” he said, and there was something almost pleading in his tone. “Where are you going? I’ll come with

you.”

“You don’t need to,” I replied coolly, trying to pull my hand free. “You’re obviously busy.”

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Chapter 136

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“I’m not busy.” His grip tightened slightly. “Sophia, you handle redecorating the house. Everything should

be to Elle’s taste-don’t worry about mine.”

Sophia practically bounced with excitement. “Really? I get to redecorate this whole place? This is going to

be so much fun!”

I noticed how Brad completely ignored Mira’s presence, like she’d become invisible. Mira’s face went pale as

she realized she’d just been thoroughly dismissed in front of everyone.

“Well then,” Sophia said cheerfully to Mira, “I guess that means you can leave now. I’ve got work to do.”

Mira stared at Brad for a long moment, probably hoping he’d intervene on her behalf. When he didn’t even

acknowledge her, she straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin.

“Fine,” she said with forced dignity. “I wouldn’t want to do this kind of… manual labor anyway.” She shot

Sophia a venomous look before stalking out of the house.

Brad was already pulling me toward the door. “Come on.”

Before I could protest, I found myself in the passenger seat of his sleek sports car. He was driving more

carefully than usual, probably conscious of my pregnancy, but there was tension in his shoulders that I’d

never seen before.

“We’re going to see a movie,” he announced suddenly.

I blinked. “What?”

“Movies. That’s what we’re doing.” He sounded like he was trying to convince himself as much as me.

This was so random I didn’t know how to respond. Since when did Brad Rayne go to movies?

We ended up walking through some kind of outdoor shopping area, and somehow I found myself holding a

yellow rubber chicken that made horrible squeaking noises when I squeezed it.

“What… is this?” I asked, staring at the ridiculous toy.

Brad was a few feet away, talking on his phone with what looked like barely contained frustration. “Alex,

explain to me why she looks confused when I just gave her a gift… What do you mean ‘why a screaming

chicken’? The teddy bears were ugly as hell.”

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Chapter 136

I almost laughed despite myself. He was actually asking his assistant for dating advice.

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A moment later, Brad walked over and literally shoved is wallet into my hands. “Buy whatever you want,” he said gruffly. “Apparently I’m bad at picking gifts.”

I looked down at the expensive leather wallet, then up at his frustrated expression, and suddenly

everything clicked into place.

“Brad,” I said slowly, “are you… are you trying to take me on a date?”

The way his ears turned slightly red gave me my answe

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After One Night with the Alpha