Chapter 24

Chapter 24.

Nelly’s POV.

He stood there, his gaze fixed on me as he clapped his hands together. Suddenly, the room was filled with silence. The tension in the air was so thick, it was suffocating. Then, a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” he said without taking his eyes off me.

The door creaked open, and a maid entered, carrying a small box. She set the box on the desk and curtsied before leaving the room. Alpha Kex’s gaze never left me. | stood there, frozen in place, unsure of what to say.

With slow, deliberate movements, he crossed the room and picked up the box. He held it out to me, his eyes boring into mine.

“Take it,” he commanded, his voice firm.

| reached out and took the box from him, my hands trembling. My heart was racing in my chest. | opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out.

“Open it,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine.

| fumbled with the clasp, my fingers clumsy and uncoordinated. Finally, the clasp gave way and the lid of the box fell open.

Inside the box was a pair of silver slippers, with the name ‘Nelly’ printed on the side in beautiful cursive letters. | gasped, my eyes wide with surprise.

| looked up at Alpha Kex, who was standing in front of me, a smile playing on his lips. His arms were crossed behind his back, his eyes shining with amusement. | couldn’t find the words to express my astonishment.

“Do you like them?” he asked, his voice soft and gentle. | could only nod, still speechless.

| moved to set the box on the table, but before | could, he said, “Wait.” | looked at him, confused and uncertain.

He took the box from my hands and knelt down in front of me. He gently lifted my feet and placed them in the slippers, one by one. | watched him, my heart pounding in my chest, my breath coming in short, shallow gasps.

D These Automation Tools Might Surprise You His touch was gentle, his gaze filled with warmth. When he was finished, he looked up at me, his eyes meeting mine.

“| noticed your old slippers were torn, so | decided to get you some new ones,” he said, his voice soft and sincere.

“Thank you so much,” | said, unable to keep the smile off my face.

“You are welcome,” he said, returning my smile. He reached up and gently cupped my cheek in his hand, his thumb brushing against my skin.

His touch was electric, sending tingles of warmth coursing through my body. | felt a blush rising on my cheeks.

Just then, the door flew open with a bang, and there stood Emily, her face red with anger. She looked from the box, to my shoes, and finally to me.

I gave her a sly smile, and her eyes flashed with fury. She stomped into the room, her heels clicking on the floor.

“What is the meaning of this?” she demanded, her voice sharp and accusatory.

| remained silent, letting her stew in her anger. Alpha Kex looked at her, his expression impassive.

Alpha Kex cleared his throat, his gaze still fixed on Emily. “What did | tell you about knocking?” he asked, his voice stern and authoritative.

Emily’s face went pale, and she opened and closed her mouth several times, unable to find the words to reply.

He continued, “What if | was...with Nelly having sex, and you barged in like that?”

The word “sex” hung in the air, making my cheeks flush with embarrassment. | avoided his gaze, staring at the floor.

“|.... wanted to show you something,” she stammered, her hands shaking.

Alpha Kex’s eyes narrowed. “It can’t wait?” he asked, a note of suspicion in his voice.

“| promise it's important,” she said, her voice quavering. “I promise.”

| sat at the desk, watching the exchange between them. There was no way | was going to insert myself into this conversation.

2/4 These Automation Tools Might Surprise You 5 “lam busy with Nelly,” he said, his voice calm and matter-of-fact. “When | am through, | will come to you.”

There was a long silence, and then the door slammed shut, making us both jump. | smiled inwardly, Emily was having a taste of her medicine.

My gaze met with Alpha Kex, a look of apology in his eyes. “Sorry about that,” he said.

“It's not your fault,” | said, my voice gentle and reassuring. He walked over to me, his hands resting lightly on my waist.

“Does your back still hurt?” he asked, his expression unreadable.

| shook my head, a small smile playing on my lips. “No, it’s fine,” | replied.

| felt his breath on my face, and a jolt of electricity shot through me: | couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but | could feel the tension between us.

“Tell me something no one knows about you, Nelly,” he said, his voice low and intimate.

| raised my eyebrows, my mind whirling with possibilities. “Why should | tell you?” | asked, my voice playful and challenging.

“Because I’m your friend,” he replied, his eyes tw inkling.

| rolled my eyes, but | couldn’t help but smile. “Friend, huh?” | said, my tone filled with skepticism.

“Yeah, we are friends,” he said, a slight smile tugging at his lips.

| scoffed. “I never knew we were friends,” | said, feigning annoyance.

There was another knock at the door, this time more insistent. “Who's there?” | called out, a hint of irritation in my voice.

“It’s me, Emily,” came the voice from the other side of the door. | rolled my eyes and let out a sigh. “Come in.”

Emily opened the door and stepped inside, her gaze landing on me. Her expression was one of disgust, and | couldn’t help but smirk in response.

Her eyes flicked to Alpha Kex, and she said, in a voice that was almost childlike, “Please, Kex, can you spend the night with me?”

Alpha Kex’s face hardened, and he replied, “Why?” His voice was stern, his tone These Automation Tools Might Surprise You A brooking no argument.

Emily shifted from one foot to the other, her expression anxious. “I keep having this nightmare, about my brother,” she said, her voice breaking as tears spilled down her cheeks.

Alpha Kex’s expression softened, and he reached out to pat her hair, murmuring, “Shh, it’s okay.” He turned to her, his voice gentle but firm. “I will spend the night with you,” he said. “No need to cry.”

Emily’s tears dried up, and she looked at him with gratitude in her eyes. “Thank you, Kex,” she said, her voice shaky but sincere, | watched Alpha Kex comfort Emily, my heart sinking. | was sure she had made up the story to get Alpha Kex to spend the night with her.

How much | hated her at this moment. Without a word, Alpha Kex got up and left the room with Emily, not even glancing at me as he went. My heart felt like it was breaking in two. How could | have been so foolish to think he’d choose me over her?

His kindness earlier in the day had made me feel important, like I'd finally won a place in his heart.

| tore the slippers from my feet and flung them across the room. My heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces.

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