One Night Stand With Alexander Blackwood-Chapter 45 — Forty-five

3rd Person’s POV

The ride to Blackwood’s mansion was silent. Alexander’s gaze was fixated on Serena who only stared at the window.

Soon, the car came to a stop at the front of a massive gate. Serena sat up instantly as the sight of the black gate fell into her eyes.

"This is..." She finally turned to Alexander for the first time since the ride.

"My family’s mansion." Alexander replied without batting his eyelids.

Serena’s mouth hung open in shock. "You didn’t tell me that we were attending dinner at your family’s place." She complained.

"If I told you, would you accompany me?" Alexander shot back, and she fell silent without hesitation. He was right. There was no way she would attend, especially with Alexander’s mother, Grace.

Sensing her silence, Alexander figured what was on her mind. "You don’t have to worry about my mother." He whispered and she snapped her head towards him.

"I won’t let her harm you." He vowed with a determined gaze.

Serena watched him, and relief flooded through her chest. Since he had given his word, then she wouldn’t bother.

The worst which could happen was that Grace would insult her. There was nothing she hadn’t heard. She was used to it.

A few seconds later, Alexander and Serena walked towards the entrance of the mansion, with her arms tucked in his.

The butler was already waiting for him.

"Young Master..." He trailed off when his eyes landed on Serena, and he was taken aback. This was the first time their boss was bringing back a lady... and shock filled his eyes.

"Young Master, who is this?" He asked curiously, his eyes still on Serena. He couldn’t hide his curiosity. Serena, on the other hand, felt uncomfortable with his blatant stare.

Alexander blocked the butler’s view as he answered. "This is my date. I would expect you to respect her just as you respect me."

Without waiting for the butler’s reply, he pulled Serena and they walked into the mansion.

The butler scratched his head as he wanted to recall something. "Young Master, Rhea..." He screamed only to find out that Alexander had walked farther in.

"Forget it. He would find out when he reached the dining room."

Of course, neither Alexander nor Serena knew what was on the butler’s mind. Rather, Serena’s gaze darted across the huge mansion as amazement crossed her eyes.

"Are you impressed?" Alexander inquired, and she nodded without looking at him.

"There’s more to come. I’ll show you when we are done with dinner." Alexander chuckled, and she smiled.

By this time, they finally arrived at the dining room.

There was a maid at the door. Her eyes widened when she saw how close Alexander was with Serena. She swallowed, but she still welcomed him.

"Welcome home, Young Master Blackwood. And how many I refer this young lady?" She asked politely.

She didn’t know who Serena was. She didn’t know if it was someone she couldn’t afford to offend.

"You can just call me Serena." Serena answered quickly.

"Welcome, Miss. Serena." The maid bowed slightly, then opened the door.

Both of them walked in, and Grace’s attention turned towards them. A smile blossomed on her face when she saw Alexander but that smile dropped when her gaze landed on Serena.

"What is she doing here?" She asked, gripping the chair tightly.

"Aunty. Careful, you shouldn’t be angry. You need to be careful about your blood pressure." The lady sitting beside her patted her back, while her eyes watched Alexander and Serena walked towards the dining table.

"Mother." Alexander greeted with a curt nod.

"Mrs. Blackwood." Serena greeted with a bow but Grace snorted.

"Alexander," the lady sitting beside Grace spoke up with a gentle smile.

Alexander frowned as his eyes landed on her. He had just seen her, and his hands gripped the table tightly.

"What are you doing here?" He demanded with a low and dangerous voice.

Serena noticed that Alexander looked and felt different. Her curios eyes landed on the unfamiliar woman and she wondered who she was.

"I was the one who invited Rhea over." Grace stepped in, rubbing the back of Rhea’s hand. "I heard that she was in town, and I decided that she should have dinner with us."

"Did you ask about my opinion?" Alexander fired back, his eyes darkening.

Serena who was seated beside him felt his rising anger, and she swallowed. She had no idea what must have triggered him.

"Alex, don’t blame Aunt." Rhea stepped, but one glare from Alexander forced her to keep quiet..

"Alexander Blackwood!" Grace shouted, slamming the table while shs shot to her feet. "I invited her because I thought you would miss her. She is still your ex-girlfriend and you both almost got married."

Serena’s gaze darted between Alexander and Rhea, and realization dawned on her. ’So, they have a history together.’ She thought to herself, suddenly becoming self-aware.

Rhea’s gaze met with Serena, and the former raised her brows. It was a mocking gaze.

Alexander didn’t notice this little interaction between both women. Instead, his gaze was fixated on his mother who stood her ground.

"Serena, let’s leave." Alexander suddenly instructed, his voice seething with anger.

"You are going nowhere!"

There was a loud authoritative voice filled with vigor and years of experience, and all attention turned towards the source.

Lo and behold, it was Elias, the patriarch of the Blackwood family. There was another man standing beside him. Serena noticed that he looked a lot like Alexander. She came to the conclusion that he was Alexander’s father.

The two men slowly walked towards the four.

"Grandfather, Father." Alexander greeted with a slight bow, restraining his anger.

"You just returned home and you want to leave? Do you dare leave without saying hi to me?" Elias asked, and mildly hit his cane on Alexander’s back.

Serena stared at him worriedly, while hoping he didn’t get hurt.

That was when Elias’s gaze finally landed on her. "Oh my! Serena, I had no idea you would also be here. I would have had the maid prepare a welcome gift for you."

"Grandfather, that won’t be necessary. Seeing you healthy is still the greatest gift you could give me." Serena flattered.

Elias, on the other hand, laughed heartily, pleased with her flattery. "You make me smile."

"Thomas, this is the girl I was telling you about. Take a look at her, doesn’t she look beautiful?" Elias asked his son.

Thomas, Alexander’s father nodded. "You are right, dad. She does look a bit like Gina."

Grace’s face changed when she heard the name ’Gina.’

But before she could speak, Rhea smiled and said. "Grandfather, Uncle. It’s nice to see you again."

Elias and Thomas’s expression changed, hardening into something strange.

"Wonder what she’s doing here." Thomas murmured under his breath..

The atmosphere in the dining room shifted instantly, thickening with tension that was impossible to ignore.

Elias’s brows furrowed as his sharp gaze lingered on Rhea for a moment longer than necessary. "Rhea," he said slowly, his tone no longer warm. "I wasn’t informed you’d be joining us tonight."

Rhea’s smile stiffened, but she quickly masked it. "Aunt Grace invited me. I thought it would be rude to refuse."

"Hmph. I didn’t know we accepted betrayers back into our lives." Elias snorted softly and turned his attention back to Serena. "Come, child. Sit beside me."

Grace’s eyes widened. "Father—"

"I said, sit," Elias cut her off sharply, tapping his cane against the floor. "This is my house."

Thomas glared at her, making her keep shut. Rhea looked at her and scoffed internally. ’She doesn’t even hold the slightest power in this house.’

Serena hesitated and instinctively glanced at Alexander. He nodded reassuringly, his hand briefly brushing hers before she obeyed. The small gesture did not go unnoticed.

Rhea’s fingers curled under the table.

Dinner was served, but no one seemed interested in the food.

"You may begin." Elias instructed, and took the first slice of the meal.

Afterwards, they began to eat. But the dinner was thick with tension.

Halfway through dinner, Serena suddenly felt pressed. Fortunately, Alexander was seated beside her..

"I need to use the restroom urgently." She whispered into his ears.

Alexander beckoned to one of the maids. "Please show her to the restroom."

Serena glanced at him gratefully, and followed the maid.

"Where is she headed to?" Elias asked curiously, his gaze on Serena’s back..

"She just has to use the restroom." He replied while taking a sip from his cup.

"Some people lack manners. It is expected." Grace muttered under her breath, and Alexander glanced at her with his brows raised, causing her to shut her mouth.

A few minutes later, Rhea announced that she also needed to use the bathroom.

"Have the maids follow you." Grace said softly, having a total switch from earlier..

Rhea shook her head. "Come on, Aunty. I’m not a stranger here. I’ve been here multiple times." Her eyes flickered to Alexander who barely paid attention to her.

Grace nodded, letting her leave..

When she finally got to the restroom, Serena was already done, and they bumped into each other..

Rhea folded her arms as she glared at Serena..

"If it isn’t my replacement... how are you doing?" She asked with a smirk.