One Night Stand With Alexander Blackwood-Chapter 109: A Slap

The night passed by eventless. Serena slept peacefully and Alexander only retired to her side after he was sure that there were no more threats... or so he thought.

The next morning, Serena woke up feeling refreshed. She momentarily forgot about the incident from yesterday which could have potentially taken her life and that of Alexander.

Her eyes darted around, but she couldn’t find Alexander in the room.

"Strange." She muttered under her breath as she exited the car. "I could swear that he joined me last night. Was I dreaming?" She asked no one in particular.

She didn’t bother to freshen up as she left the room. She didn’t even need to walk fat before she bumped into Alexander who was all dressed up—in an impeccable blue suit, looking just like the charming man that he was.

Serena paused in her tracks as she took in his sight. "You look..." she trailed off, unable to form the words.

Alexander raised his brows as he stared at her teasingly. "I look what?"

Serena cleared her throat. "You are all dressed. Do you have an early morning meeting?" She asked with her hands folded.

Alexander’s eyes narrowed as he fixed his gaze on her. He could sense what she was trying to do—change the topic.

"Hmm," he nodded, adjusting his cuffs. "I have a meeting with a new client."

Serena nodded, secretly taking a deep breath. She thought that her plan had already worked.

But Alexander’s next words snapped her back to reality.

"So... what were you saying?" He took a step forward, causing her to be taken aback. "How do I look?"

Serena forced a smile on her face as she chuckled nervously. "Do you really have to know what I think about you?"

Alexander nodded without hesitation.

"You’re my girlfriend, my future wife. I need to know how you feel about me." He declared without batting an eyelid.

Serena, on the other hand, didn’t pay attention to the other half of his words. Instead, her thoughts were fixed on his first statement.

"W-what do you... what do you mean by the first half of your words?" She asked, feeling breathless.

Alexander smiled, and took another step forward while Serena moved backwards till her back touched the wall, having no place.

She looked around, she was trapped between the wall and Alexander who had a grin on his lips.

"Princess, you should know what I’m talking about." He leaned and whispered into her ears.

"Do you want to marry me?" Serena asked quietly, looking into his eyes while blinking innocently.

Alexander’s lips curved upwards. "If I don’t marry you, who would?"

Serena was stunned. "Are you serious?" She asked carefully and Alexander nodded.

Serena’s eyes sparkled as she murmured softly, "I also want to marry you. I can’t think of a life without you."

Alexander’s grin widened. He felt pleased, satisfied, and victorious. The woman he likes and wishes to marry feels the same way. That would make anybody happy.

---------------------

Serena was in a good mood as she moved around the bakery. Clara watched her and chuckled.

"You seem to be in a good mood." She walked up to her and said.

Serena smiled, but didn’t comment.

"Tell me, how does it feel to be reunited with your original family? I bet it feels good, right?" Clara asked with a smile.

Serena nodded. "It is even more than good. It feels perfect, exhilarating. You know, I always thought that I was alone in this world." She paused, taking a deep breath.

"Yes, I’m surrounded by you, Maya and most importantly... Alexander. But finding out I had a Grandfather, a real family, it brought out feelings which I thought were buried."

Clara listened to Serena speak, and her lips curved upwards. "I’m really happy that you were able to find your real family. It’s well deserved."

Serena smiled in return, saying nothing. The smile which remained plastered on her face was proof that she was really in a good mood.

A few seconds later, she asked, "Aunt Clara, how did the interview go yesterday? Were you able to screen the candidates?"

Clara nodded. Her eyes drifted to the small patch which laid on Serena’s forehead, and her brows instinctively furrowed.

"Why do you have a patch on your forehead? What happened to you?" She asked, concern in her tone as she led Serena to have a seat.

"Tell me what happened and don’t even think about lying." Clara demanded sternly.

Serena who was about to cook up a story sighed and told the entire truth.

Clara was stupefied. "Are you okay? I hope no organs were damaged. Do you feel dizzy? You shouldn’t even be working." She fussed, causing Serena to come up with a headache.

"Aunty," she held Clara who was busy searching her (Serena’s) body. "I’m fine, I promise. If I weren’t fine, Alexander wouldn’t have dropped me off."

She bit her lips when she recalled how hard she had to beg him before he dropped her off at the bakery.

Clara had no idea what she was thinking about. Instead, she nodded her head softly. Serena was right. Alexander was really protective of her. If she weren’t truly healed, then she wouldn’t be in the bakery.

Except she sneaked out... which wasn’t possible as it was Alexander who drove Serena to the bakery.

"I’ll partially believe that you’re okay. Thus, you mustn’t stress. Rather, you should rest."

Serena was about to refute when Clara gave her a pointed stare causing her to keep mum.

"But Aunt Clara," she started. "How about the interviewees? How were they? Who do you think we should hire?" Serena asked, blinking her eyes.

"You shouldn’t be thinking about this. You freaking had a concussion. It could get worse if you’re thinking too much." Clara said, exasperation seeping deep into her tone.

"I just want to know." Serena responded, pleading in the process.

Clara took a sigh. "You are just like your mother... stubborn. Your minds can’t be changed when you’ve set it on a particular task." She remarked.

Serena stuck out her tongue cheekily. "I guess it’s a good trait. We don’t give you easily."

Clara chuckled softly.

"Fortunately, I prepared a video of their interview so you could select who you deem fit for the job."

Serena’s eyes crinkled with delight. "You’re truly the best, Aunt." She exclaimed, clapping happily as she received the phone from Clara.

The video footage began playing.

Serena leaned forward, eyes glued to the tablet Clara had set on the counter. The video footage played, showing each candidate answering questions with varying degrees of confidence and skill.

"Hm... I like this one," Serena murmured, pointing at the screen as a young man detailed his experience in customer service. "He seems polite but firm. That’s important for our bakery staff."

Clara nodded approvingly. "Yes, notice how he maintains eye contact while explaining a problem he’s faced before. That’s crucial. It shows accountability."

Serena’s lips curved into a small smile. "I like her too," she added, watching a woman confidently explain how she would handle difficult customers. "She’s got presence. People would feel comfortable around her."

Clara leaned over her shoulder, scrutinizing the candidates with the same intensity. "Exactly. You need staff who are professional but can also maintain warmth. Our bakery thrives on that connection."

As the footage continued, Serena occasionally scribbled notes, muttering little observations under her breath. "Too nervous... no, too casual... too scripted..." Her brow furrowed each time she disagreed with a candidate’s demeanor.

Clara hummed in agreement, offering her own input. "Remember, Serena, the personality matters as much as the skill. Our brand is about trust, not just technique. That was your mom’s goal."

The two of them were so absorbed in the selection process that they didn’t notice the bakery door slowly opening. A subtle creak sounded over the video’s dialogue, but Serena’s focus was fixed on the screen.

It wasn’t until a familiar voice and presence brushed against her periphery that she finally looked up. Her eyes widened, as her body instinctively tensed.

"Long time no see, Serena. I finally see you again after a while."

Liam.

Clara noticed the way Serena’s body froze and she placed a hand on her firmly, protective as she looked at the unfamiliar person.

Serena took in a deep breath as she stared at Liam. She didn’t even bother to rise to her feet as she demanded. "After what you’ve done, do you still have the effrontery to stand in front of me and act like nothing happened?"

Her tone was clipped, and her eyes felt like a fire was about to build up in them.

Liam chuckled, clearly not moved by her statement. Instead, he took a seat right at the table, his eyes fixed on her not even acknowledging Clara which caused her to be on guard.

"Feisty Serena," he clicked his tongue. "I had no idea that you’d look this sexy when ang—"

He was unable to complete his statement when a loud sound resounded in the empty bakery.

His head whipped to the other side as he held his cheek.

Serena had just slapped him? And she didn’t look remorseful that she did.