Alpha's Look of Love

PROTECT HER

CHAPTER 8

Tears formed at the corners of Ada’s eyes, then shortly tears trickled down her face, tracing paths to her freckled cheeks. She sobbed and her body trembled slightly.

Estan's was like poked by a needle, “Oh dear, Ada—it’s you!” Estan's hands trembled while he wiped her tears. He couldn’t believe what was in front of him when he intently looked at her facial features beneath the rimmed glasses she wore.

Ada’s face turned pale, and she felt her scalp go numb. She braced herself and beg to Estan, “Please--Estan--Please.“

“Is it really you?” He asked again as if everything was a dream. 

She lowered her gaze and nodded. There was no reason to deny it anymore. Estan already saw it with his very own eyes. She might be able to fool everybody around her but not him. Estan's expert eyes roamed in every contour of her face. Denying it would only aggravate the situation. 

She looked into his bewildered eyes, explaining, “Estan—. I have r-reasons why I need to conceal my identity. A-All information I submitted was true, e-except... how I look. I did n-nothing wrong, but my life is in utter danger.” 

“Oh, my dear! Of course, I believe that you won't do it, unless you were pressed for it,” He gasped. 

Estan felt her sincerity, but he was still in a daze. Finding the beautiful woman his boss was obsessing about to stand as their signature model was unbelievable. But, seeing her in the midst of them...and working with them for a long time was unimaginable. It was too much for his brain to process and accept. He felt his head would explode.

He released the heavy air in his lungs.

“Okay! Let me just talk with my secretary,” Estan issued a no disturb order to his secretary. Then he made Ada sit on a chair in front of his desk as he took his own and gaze at her intently. Ada’s situation was the most critical issue at the moment. He needed to digest everything she would share with him.

Estan placed his hands in his head, looking down and breathing in and out as he tried to calm his nerves. 

Ada watched him closely with tears in her eyes. Her fate in the company rested in his hands. Her secrecy could be interpreted in many ways. Her motive must be explained in detail. 

She was on her own for a long time, no one protected her. She didn’t know the feeling of being protected, but she had confidence in Estan—he wouldn’t harm her. Inside this office, he was the closest to home.

Estan lifted his head and looked at her with obvious concern. His blue eyes wandered on her face before he uttered, “So…this is the real you. I guess the freckles on your face and on your grassy eyebrows and even that ugly retainer were all fake, right?” He asked, raising his brow.

Ada quickly nodded.

He looked at her with a frown, “And you don’t want anybody to know about it, right?”

Ada nodded slowly, unable to maintain eye contact with him. 

“Gosh! Both of us will be thrown by the big bad wolf in a faraway land if we don't explain it properly.” He laughed lightly, with a hint of worry in his voice, “I don’t know what to do with you.”

“Please—“ Ada felt guilty by involving him in her mess. She was aware that he would also be putting his career on the line by giving in to what she pleaded on. 

They both knew Anon, and LOYALTY and HONESTY were important to him. His policies always stressed those two ethical codes.

“Ah—in my ten years in a fashion career, it's the first time I am rattled like this, defending my case to the wolf and now on the verge of breaking down because I know that I had to agree to your pleadings. He will eat us alive, Ada, when he finds out the truth later on. Don’t you think we should tell him about this so we can pass on your security problem to him?”

Ada shook her head. She knew the boss was a fair person and took care of his employees very well, but she was scared to disclose to anyone her past. She knew Anon would demand it before he even offered help. 

“Let’s keep it first between us. Please. Please.” Ada pleaded.

“Hayst—. You know it’s going to be easier for both of us if the boss knows about it. It will also end his search. He won’t stop, surely you know that, Ada. Our boss, unfortunately, is a very determined man. No one among us could change his mind. Not even once that happened in my stay here.”

Estan pulled out a heavy sigh. He was so serious when he said that, more so, when he added.

“Look at what happened earlier; the reason why he agreed to use a proxy model is that he early on communicated the idea. But as far as finding that model…who happens to be…YOU. He never twitched a nerve…he still wants your face, Ada.”

Estan reached for her hands as he said it. He also tapped her trembling hands and pressed them.

Ada couldn't look straight at him. She kept her eyes looking down, looking at the table instead.

“I know. But let me think about it first. I must weigh it carefully." then Ada lifted her face and looked straight into his eyes," It’s my life on the line, Estan. I’ve been hiding for years. I gave up the modeling career because of this…and—“ she paused. Ada paused for a long time with her chin trembling, and then she bit her lips to stop the continuous movement.

“—and?” Estan prodded when she stopped in the middle of her sentence. He gathered she was having doubts again if she could share the contents of her mind with him.

“I-I don’t want to bother the boss with my matters. I don't want him to be bothered by something that does not concern him.” 

It was unfair for him to get involved in a difficult battle. Up to the present time, Ada still didn't know who those people or entities were, but they were powerful--a mere human wouldn't be enough to suppress them. They wouldn't stop until they got what they need.

Estan breathed in and out and shook his head, “Oh Ada-- Don’t you know how influential our boss is?” 

Estan knocked the table with his fingers while intently staring at her. He could figure out how confused she was and sacred too. She wouldn't disclose everything to him, but he perfectly understood. The matter could have been so grave for her to hide her identity to this unappealing cover.

In the two years, they had been acquainted, he couldn't find fault in Ada's work. She was the most diligent, hardworking, and reliable team member. Never was she absent for work, but she always finds an excuse not to attend almost all events. 

Whatever was bothering her would not be simple. Estan could see through her at a glance, he couldn't read her mind, but her actions spoke louder than words.

“He can protect you more!” Estan was persistent, hoping she would change her mind and end the dilemma of everyone involved in the search for her. He also believed that Ada would be forgiven, regarding the disguise provided she explained that it wasn't meant to harm anyone. However, Ada had to do it as soon as possible.

Ada was confused.

At the end of their long discussion, Estan agreed to keep her identity secret for the meantime but he still encouraged to clear this matter the soonest time possible.

At night--

Ada was once again left all by herself in her vast apartment. Her two friends were not around due to their flight assignments. 

She was bothered.

Ada thought of what Estan said about Anon protecting her. All she needed to do was reveal her identity and explain the reason why she was in hiding for years. But those were easier said than done.

Why would the President himself protect her? At most, she would just be provided security.

Her circumstance was not ordinary. How could she disclose it to her boss? 

Ada was sitting on a couch in front of the television in her receiving area for the last hour. The program had been running for the same time, but her mind was far away from it.

Her thoughts were in a mess and getting even messier as she pondered on the situation. "What should I do? Should I resign now?" She whispered to herself.

"You need help. Ask help from him?" a small voice inside her whispered, but Ada ignored it. She had been ignoring that voice for years now. 

"Shut up!"

"Let me out, Ada; I promise to behave."

"No way! I will never let you out."