His Plump Mate (Book 1: The 'His' Series) novel Chapter 115

Chapter 115 Tensions and Apologies

Cecilia

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“Of course not. I understand,” I said with a perfectly practiced smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.

Beta Sawyer nodded in agreement. “I have no objections either.”

As if our opinions mattered.

Alpha Sebastian had always done exactly as he pleased–that was simply how things worked in his

world.

I watched as his gaze darkened slightly, lingering on my face for a moment too long.

He could probably see right through my fake smile.

After what felt like an eternity, he waved his hand dismissively. “Both of you may go.”

Beta Sawyer and I turned to leave, almost reaching the door when Alpha Sebastian’s commanding

voice stopped us.

“We’ll be working late tonight. Beta Sawyer, order dinner. Cecilia, bring your laptop to my office

shortly.”

We both froze in our tracks.

Seriously? This high–energy day wasn’t over yet?

I wondered if Vice President Wiley had left the building–I could use one of those heart pills right

about now.

Once outside, Beta Sawyer leaned toward me. “Prepare yourself mentally,” he whispered. “Based

on his usual overtime habits, don’t expect to leave before midnight.”

I smiled thinly. “I don’t mind working late.”

What I minded was working late with him.

I massaged my temples, feeling the psychological pressure mounting.

In a desperate attempt to stay alert, I downed another cup of coffee, ignoring my stomach’s immediate protest.

Author

As twilight fell over Denver, the city lights began to twinkle outside the windows of Silver Peak

Pack headquarters, illuminating the urban landscape below.

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Chapter 115 Tensions and Apologies

Beta Sawyer returned with the food and arranged them in the break area.

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“Call Cecilia to join us for dinner,” Alpha Sebastian instructed casually, not looking up from his

documents.

“Right away,” Beta Sawyer responded, heading toward Cecilia’s office.

When he extended the invitation, Cecilia’s expression twisted uncomfortably. “Actually… I’m on a

diet,” she offered lamely.

Beta Sawyer gave her a knowing look–who would willingly choose to eat with their intimidating

boss?

“You should eat something,” he advised. “Otherwise, he’ll ask questions.”

Cecilia

The break room was stifling, the silence between the three of us thick and heavy.

I pushed a piece of roasted chicken around my plate, the sight of it making my already knotted

stomach turn.

That earlier coffee was a mistake, a sour, anxious pool in my gut.

His gaze–intense and always watching–felt like a physical weight on my barely touched food.

“Not hungry tonight, Cecilia?”

Alpha Sebastian’s voice cut through the quiet. I flinched internally.

Just play along, I told myself. “…Just a bit. I had a granola bar earlier,” I lied, the words feeling

flimsy.

To prove the point, I carved out a too–big bite of chicken and forced it down.

It was like chewing on cardboard, each swallow a conscious, difficult effort against my rebellious

stomach.

The pressure in my abdomen tightened like a vise.

Why are you doing this? a voice screamed in my head. Since when do you perform for him like a trained pet?

The self–annoyance was sharp and sudden.

I dropped my fork with a clatter that was probably too loud.“I’m full. Please, continue without me.”

I didn’t wait for a response.

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I rose so quickly my chair legs scraped the floor, and I headed straight for the sanctuary of my

office.

Back in my office, I sipped water to settle my stomach, but it only made things worse.

Each swallow felt like it might trigger the gag reflex that stubbornly refused to activate.

When the clock indicated it was time, I reluctantly gathered my laptop and made my way to the Alpha Sebastian’s office.

His space was minimalist but elegant–a large executive desk and a set of leather meeting

couches.

I chose the couch, keeping as much distance between us as professionally possible.

Alpha Sebastian worked me like a machine, passing files in an endless stream.

Just as I finished reviewing financial statements, legal documents appeared before me. The work

never stopped.

By 11:30 PM, my eyes were burning. I discreetly reached for my eye drops, tilting my head back to

administer them.

“Cecilia,” his voice suddenly called out.

I startled violently, causing the eye drops to stream down my cheek just as I turned to look at him.

Alpha Sebastian glanced up with a document in his outstretched hand, catching sight of the liquid trailing down my face. His expression softened momentarily at what he misinterpreted as tears.

“You don’t need to cry just because we’re working late,” he said with an unexpected gentleness in

his voice.

“I’m not crying!” I protested, mortified. “It’s eye drops!”

“Ah,” he acknowledged with understanding. “Here, review this next.”

I rose to take the document from him. As I reached for the papers, he said something that stopped

me cold.

“Cecilia.”

“Yes?” I answered automatically.

Alpha Sebastian leaned back in his chair, elbow resting on the armrest, his fox–like eyes deep and

unfathomable.

He’d called my name but remained silent for what felt like an eternity.

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“I behaved inappropriately last night,” he finally said. “I apologize for frightening you. Please don’t

dwell on it.”

My fingers tightened around the document’s edge. My heart raced as I struggled to formulate a

response.

“I accept your apology,” I finally managed, trying to sound natural.

A lazy smile curved his lips. “I haven’t made you uncomfortable at work, have I?”

I forced myself to smile back. “Not particularly.”

“Don’t be afraid,” he continued. “I’m not some criminal forcing himself on you. I won’t pressure you into anything you don’t want. If my actions caused you any discomfort, I apologize again. Can we pretend it never happened?”

I nodded repeatedly, words tumbling out. “Yes, of course, that’s fine, yes, good.”

I retreated hastily to the couch with the document, suddenly understanding why he’d asked me to stay late. He wanted to clear the air between us.

He’d come to his senses, thankfully.

I silently thanked Miss Hazel for capturing his attention.

At least I’d misjudged him–he wasn’t trying to pursue multiple women simultaneously.

He was rational, knew his boundaries, and respected mine.

I exhaled softly and returned to my work, noticing I’d crumpled the corner of the document in my

tight grip.

I tried smoothing it out, but the wrinkles remained stubbornly visible.

Oh well. I flipped the page in defeat, choosing to ignore it.

At exactly midnight, Alpha Sebastian announced we could leave for the day.

I moved my unfinished work back to my office, stayed a bit longer to organize things, then finally

drove home.

After a hot bath, I climbed into bed, but my stomach still wouldn’t settle.

I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, wishing I could just throw up and get it over with, but my body refused to cooperate.

I rummaged through my medicine cabinet for some digestive tablets, finding nothing useful. My

frustration doubled.

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* Chapter 115 Tensions and Apologies

In desperation, I changed clothes and headed out to find a pharmacy.

Surely something would help.

After driving around the neighborhood, reality set in..

At 1 AM, no pharmacy would be open.

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I pulled over and rested my forehead against the steering wheel, my frustration giving way to

melancholy as I stared out at the quiet night.

Under the streetlamp, a swarm of tiny black insects circled the light, while moths repeatedly

crashed into it.

“So stupid,” I murmured, watching their self–destructive dance. “Don’t you know that light is deadly

fire for you?”

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