The Hidden Alpha

Chapter 7: Hot And Cold

WHEN I got to the living area, Leon was not there anymore. My legs were a little unstable so I took a seat in one of the couches. I didn’t know how long I had been sitting there when I saw Jared appear in the stairs. I stood up right away and got ready to leave.

Instead of heading to the door, Jared went somewhere else, and I followed him and asked “Where are you going?” He didn’t reply and just kept walking. We soon arrived at the dining table and he took a seat. I just stood in place not knowing what to do.

Jared: “Are you just going to stand there?”

I made a move to turn around and said “I’ll just wait outside.”

Jared: “Stop. Take a seat.”

I just looked at Jared and stayed in place. He looked back at me and said “Take a seat. We’re having dinner first. I’m too hungry to drive.”

Kara: “It’s okay. I’ll just eat at home.”

Jared: “I don’t want to eat alone.”

Kara: “How about Leon?”

Jared: “He went to the diner to eat.”

Kara: “Oh.”

Jared: “Just sit, okay? You won’t get home faster if you just stand there.”

I walked slowly towards the table and took a seat in front of Jared. Not long after, two ladies arrived and laid down some food on the table. One of them is an elderly woman, probably as old as Leon, while the other is a good-looking young woman. She looks like the same age as me.

I smiled at both of them and said “Thank you,” while Jared started eating without saying anything. The elderly woman smiled back at me while the younger woman sniggered before turning around and leaving the table.

Elderly Woman: “I hope you like the food. Let me know if you need anything else.”

Kara: “These look delicious. Thank you, ma’am.”

Elderly Woman: “Just called me Juanita.”

Kara: “Okay. I’m Kara.”

Juanita: “Nice to meet you Kara.”

I smiled once more and started eating. Jared didn’t seem interested in talking to Juanita. As she left, I started eating. I focused on my food and stayed quiet since my eating companion wasn’t saying anything anyway.

The food was really good, and I ate a lot. I noticed that Jared was extremely quiet, and when I looked up, I saw that Jared was looking at me. I suddenly got conscious and stopped eating.

Jared: “Why did you stop?”

Kara: “Uhm, I’m done.”

Jared: “No, you’re not. Finish your food.”

I continued eating and finished the food on my plate. When I was done, I put my spoon and fork down and looked at Jared before saying “I’m done.”

Jared was smiling as I looked at him. He stood up and said “Let’s go.” 

I felt the need to pee when I stood up so I said “Uhm, can I use the bathroom before we go?”

Jared: “Behind you. It’s the first door on the left.”

I stood up and made my way to the bathroom. I found it easily and went inside to pee. I washed my hands before coming out and I almost jumped as I saw a woman waiting outside the bathroom. I recognized her as the younger woman who served our food earlier. Her eyebrows were raised as she looked at me.

Kara: “Oh, you scared me.”

She didn’t say anything and hit my shoulder with hers as she made her way to the bathroom. She closed the door hard. She hit me hard and it really hurt. I was massaging my shoulder as I made my way back to the dining area. Why does this woman seem to hate me? She doesn’t even know me.

I decided to just ignore her. I’m getting sleepy and can’t wait to get home. I found Juanita clearing up the plates and I offered to help her. She refused and said that Jared is waiting for me outside. I said goodbye and thanked her again for the wonderful meal and made my way outside.

I found Jared standing close to his truck while looking up. This made me look up too, and noticed that the moon is full tonight. I couldn’t help but smile because it looks really pretty and bright.

Kara: “The moon looks pretty, doesn’t it?”

Jared: “No, it doesn’t.”

As our eyes met, I suddenly noticed that Jared’s eyes were red. That’s weird. I know that his eyes are brown. Is the light from the moon playing tricks on me?

He looked away from me and made his way to his car. He opened the passenger side door and headed to the driver’s side. I got in right away. I’m scared that he might leave me here. We drove quietly but after a while, I got bored so I decided to chat with Jared.

Kara: “Can I ask you a question?”

Jared just looked at me but he didn’t respond. I decided to just ask the question anywhere.

Kara: “Why did you bring me to the mansion?”

Jared: “I didn’t--”

Kara: “Don’t give me the bullshit that you didn’t force me to get into your car. You didn’t have to ask me to get in. You were persistent too. Besides, you could have driven me home instead of taking me to the mansion.”

Jared didn’t say anything. I noticed him holding onto his steering wheel tightly. I decided to keep talking. This would be my chance to say everything I wanted to say.

Kara: “I’ve also been seeing you around town. I feel like you’ve been stalking me even before we officially met. What do you want with me?”

Jared: …..

Kara: “If you’re looking for a friend because you’re new here, I don’t mind being your friend.”

Jared: “I don’t want to be your friend.”

Kara: “Fine. I don’t want to be your friend either.”

Jared: “Why not?”

Kara: “I have my reasons.”

Jared: “Like what?”

Kara: “I’d rather not say.”

Jared: “Do you hate me?”

Kara: “Uhm, no. But that doesn’t mean I want to be your friend.”

Jared: “Do you like me?”

I glanced at him and when I saw that he’s staring at me, I turned and looked in front of me. I do like Jared. I don’t know why, but I can’t help but be attracted to him.

Jared: “I know you like me. I could tell with how you looked at my naked body earlier.”

Kara: “I didn’t look. I mean-- you were only wearing a towel. I was surprised.”

Jared: “You could have looked away. You came into my room on your own.”

Kara: “You weren’t answering. I wanted to go home.”

Jared: “Did you like my body?”

I felt myself blushing as I remembered how Jared’s body looked. He was really muscular and he looked really hot. I looked away and just stayed quiet for the remainder of the trip.

Jared didn’t ask for directions, and he seems to know where I live. He stopped just a few steps away from our house. I took off my seatbelt and said “Thanks for the ride and for dinner.”

I was about to get off the pickup when I felt Jared take my hand. Our eyes met and I was waiting for him to say something when he let go of my hand and said “Get out.”

What is wrong with this guy?