The Alpha's Billion-dollar Legacy

Eve's Persistence

Chapter Four

It’s been over a week since I got back to work, and though my wounds are healing fast, they’re not fully gone. People at the office keep whispering, probably thinking I’d quit after the money Eve gave me. But quitting? That’s not me. I like the routine, even if the job is monotonous. Flashing money around doesn’t appeal to me—it’s stability I care about.

When I got home that evening, I handed the takeaway bag to Timmy, the janitor. He smiled as he took it, his gratitude always genuine.

“Thanks, sir,” he said, his face lighting up.

“No problem, Timmy. You deserve it,” I replied, starting to head upstairs.

“Uh, sir?” Timmy called, his voice more cautious now.

I stopped, turning back to him. “What’s up?”

“A lady came by earlier,” he said, scratching the back of his head.

“A lady?” I repeated, frowning. “What did she want?”

“She brought some packages—several boxes—and asked me to give you this.” He held out a black envelope.

I took it, my fingers brushing against the smooth, expensive paper. “Did she tell you her name?”

“No, sir. I didn’t ask, but…” He hesitated.

“But what?”

“Well, I think she’s been here before. Maybe once or twice. I’m sure of it.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You’re sure?”

Timmy nodded firmly.

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “Alright, Timmy, good job.” I patted his shoulder, and he smiled proudly as I jogged upstairs.

When I reached my door, I saw the boxes stacked neatly against the wall. My eyebrows shot up. I unlocked the door, carried them inside one by one, and shut the door with my foot. The weight of them surprised me, but I managed.

After grabbing a quick drink, I started unboxing everything. Clothes, jewelry, shoes—things I had no use for but couldn’t ignore the quality of. Finally, I opened the envelope. Inside were two tickets to some high-end movie premiere and a handwritten note:

“We could meet up if you want.”

I stared at the note, my expression blank. Then I folded it up, tossed it onto the pile of gifts, and moved everything to a corner of the room. The envelope went onto my bedside table, right next to the check Eve had given me.

---

Work was relentless the next day. The office buzzed with activity as customers poured in nonstop. My fingers flew across the keyboard, numbers and deposits blurring together. My coworker, Aliyah, sat across from me, her tired eyes matching my own. By lunchtime, my hands ached, and I slumped back in my chair.

“Hey, Auston,” Aliyah said, standing and stretching. “I’m heading to the cafeteria. Coming?”

I shook my head. “Nah, I can’t stomach those mashed potatoes they serve, and…” I pulled my pockets inside out. “I’m broke, as usual.”

Aliyah laughed. “You’re hopeless. Get up. I’ll cover you.”

I hesitated, but she waved her purse at me. “Seriously, don’t make me drag you.”

“Fine,” I said with a chuckle, standing reluctantly.

---

The cafeteria was packed, but we found a spot by the window. Aliyah sat across from me as we dug into our food.

“You’re eating like you haven’t seen food in days,” she teased, shielding her plate as I devoured mine. “Slow down, you’re gonna choke.”

“This chicken wing is too good,” I mumbled, barely pausing to chew.

She rolled her eyes. “You’re like a vacuum cleaner on steroids. Chew, then swallow. Please.”

I tried to laugh but ended up coughing instead.

“See?” She handed me her water bottle, smirking. “Told you.”

After a few gulps, I caught my breath. “Okay, fine, maybe you’re right. But if I’m going to die, let it be by chicken wing.”

She shook her head, sipping her juice. “You’re unbelievable.”

---

After lunch, I returned to my desk, ready to tackle the mountain of work ahead. That’s when Mr. Denzel appeared, a strange, almost smug smile on his face.

“Auston,” he said, “can I see you outside for a moment?”

I followed him, confused. He led me outside the building, pointing to a sleek car parked under the midday sun.

“You know who that is?” he asked, gesturing at the car.

I squinted, the sunlight making it hard to see. “No idea. Is it a client?”

“Not quite,” he said. “She’s…important. Very important.”

“Important how?”

“She’s the daughter of the man who practically owns this bank—and a dozen others.”

I frowned, trying to piece it together. “What does that have to do with me?”

Mr. Denzel sighed. “Look, whatever’s going on between you two, keep me and the rest of the staff out of it. Understand?”

Before I could respond, the car window rolled down, and I froze. That voice—I’d recognize it anywhere.

“Hop in,” Eve said, her tone casual but firm.

I glanced back at Mr. Denzel, who looked like he was about to implode from anxiety. With a resigned sigh, I walked around the car, opened the door, and slid into the passenger seat.

The scent of leather and expensive perfume hit me immediately, making me sneeze. “You just had to come to my workplace, didn’t you?” I muttered, keeping my eyes forward.

Eve shrugged. “Technically, it’s my father’s company. But I’m not here to flaunt anything. I’m here for you.”

“Look, we don’t have anything in common,” I said, my voice low but firm. “Not the wealth, not the lifestyle, nothing. I appreciate the gifts, but this…whatever this is, needs to stop.”

Eve didn’t respond immediately. When she finally spoke, her voice was softer. “I like you, Auston. You stood up for me when no one else would.”

“Yes, I did,” I snapped. “Because it was the right thing to do. Not because I wanted…this.”

“How about dinner tonight?” she offered. “We could talk—”

“No,” I cut her off. “I’m working late.”

“I’ll wait,” she said, her tone unwavering.

Without another word, I opened the door and got out, slamming it behind me.

As I walked back toward the building, I could feel Mr. Denzel’s wide-eyed stare. “What happened?” he asked, but I brushed past him without answering.

Behind me, Eve’s car roared to life. I didn’t look back.