The property of Alpha

Chapter 1

She walked through the cozy corridors, her heart racing as she took in for the first time this place of opulence in which she now worked. This new job as a maid represented an unexpected chance for her to start from scratch, to build a stable life far from the complications that had hitherto marked her existence. The gilding, the thick carpets and the almost solemn air of the corridors reminded him that this hotel was not a place like any other. Here, everything was carefully orchestrated so that every detail exuded luxury, authority, and this impression of silent power that seemed to permeate the atmosphere.

But she didn't expect what came next. As she closed the door to a suite she had just cleaned, she found herself face to face with a man whose charisma was overwhelming. Tall, dark, his penetrating eyes scanned her from top to bottom, pinning her to the spot. She felt an instant tension, a silent alarm awakening within her, whispering to her to be wary. This man was not a simple employee, nor an ordinary customer.

"You must be new," he said in a low, firm voice, his tone lingering with a hint of questioning tinged with palpable distrust.

She nodded, trying to compose herself despite the impact of his gaze. "Yes, sir...I...I just started today. »

His gaze intensified, almost accusatory, as he sized her up. " Interesting. And why here? In this hotel specifically? »

She blinked, surprised by this unexpected question. "Well, I... I need a steady job, and I heard this hotel is hiring. »

He smiled, but there was nothing warm about it. "A little too good to be true, isn't it? A simple maid hired in a place like this. Who did you talk to about getting this job? »

The questioning, almost threatening tone made her shudder. She didn't know why, but he seemed to be probing her, trying to discover something that eluded her. She tried to remain calm, but her voice betrayed a slight nervousness. "I just responded to the ad...I had an interview...and..."

"Don't play innocent with me," he cut her off, his gaze darkening further. "You might think it's easy to deceive people here, to play the harmless little maid? Who sent you? »

She opened her mouth, speechless at the sudden accusation. " Pardon ? Nobody sends me! I don't understand... "

He took a step closer, closing the distance between them, his eyes fixed on hers, scrutinizing her as if to detect the slightest trace of lie. "Here, we leave nothing to chance. We don't take risks with strangers. So tell me the truth. Who are you really? »

She felt vulnerable under the pressure, her sweaty hands clutched to herself. "I...I'm just a woman who needs a job. I don't understand why you... why you talk to me like that. »

He let out a snort, a dry, joyless laugh. "You want me to take your word for it, right? You don't even know what world you've stepped into. »

She looked down for a moment, gathering her courage before raising her head. "If this job is a problem for you, then I can leave. But I assure you that I am just an employee here to do my job. »

He observed him in silence, as if his words were not enough, as if more was needed to convince him. "You don't understand. My world is different from the one you have lived in until now. People here are either allies or enemies. Those who venture into my territory without permission do not always have good intentions. »

She shivered, feeling that this conversation was taking a worrying turn. She no longer knew whether to stay and try to defend herself or move away from this man who was making her incredibly uncomfortable. However, a certain audacity arose within her, driven by the desire to prove to herself that she could stand up to someone of her type, someone who seemed accustomed to imposing her rules.

"Listen, sir..." she began, looking for his first name on the badge embroidered on his uniform, but she found none. "I'm here because I need to work. Neither more nor less. Whether you have suspicions is your business, but don't accuse me of something I didn't do. »

He seemed amused by her response, a glimmer of interest replacing the hardness in his gaze. " Interesting. You have courage. But remember what I told you. Here, you can't always trust appearances. »

He took a step back, finally breaking the palpable tension between them, but before leaving, he stared at her one last time, his eyes filled with a silent promise. "I will watch you. Don't forget it. »

She stood there, motionless, even after he turned and disappeared down the hall. His heart was still pounding, his hands were shaking slightly. This encounter had been disconcerting, and she felt both frightened and strangely fascinated by this man whose name she did not even know, but whose presence left an indelible imprint on her mind.

When she finally started moving again, her mind kept returning to that exchange. This man's words, his way of sizing her up, as if he knew things that she herself didn't know... All of this intrigued her as much as it frightened her. And the more she thought about it, the more she wondered if she hadn't made a mistake in accepting this job.