Sold To The Alpha Boss

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you!” Davina's parents sang as she woke up clearly from sleep. 

She rubbed her crusty eyes, pushing her short blonde hair out of her face.

“Wha...” she trailed off, finally understanding what was happening.

It was her birthday, and she was turning 18. Her parents held a small cake with chocolate fondant decorations and gold leaf in their hands. There were two candles on the cake, which were in the shape of ‘18’.

Davina remained speechless through smiles as her parents sang, wore a party hat for her, and enjoined her to make a wish and blow out her candles.

She discreetly wiped away tears and hugged them, muttering. “Thank you guys so much!”

Her mother pushed her fine blonde hair out of her face and pecked our forehead, “You’re welcome, baby. Now get in the shower and prepare for your birthday party!”

That took her by surprise and she stared blankly at her mum, her countenance slowly changing.

“Did…did I hear you say birthday party? You know we can’t afford that, right?” she said slowly.

Her mother sighed and exchanged a glance with her father. He cleared his throat and sat on the edge of the bed beside her, “You know we love you, and we’d do anything to make you happy, right?”

“Yes, but that doesn’t include incurring more debt onto the ones we still have! For goodness’ sake, we still haven’t paid the rent for the month. We feed on store brands and cheap takeout! How is the next thing for us a birthday party?”

Another exchanged glance.

Davina’s gaze flitted between the two of them, her eyes narrowing, “What type of secret conversation are you guys having with your eyes?”

Her mother chipped in, “Nothing for you to worry about, dear. All you need to know is that we recently came into a substantial amount of money, and we’ve settled the bills. We used the leftovers to pay for your party, so it would be unfair on you, and us for you to refuse it,” she explained.

She was still suspicious, “How did I not know about this?”

“We wanted to make it a surprise, and we thought you’d be happy.”

“I am…I’m just not…comfortable with it,” explained Davina apologetically.

“Oh, nonsense. Get dressed and come down for breakfast. Then we’ll set up while you go get a new dress. Sounds good?” her mother prompted enthusiastically.

Davina only nodded as bile rose in the back of her throat and stayed there. Something was not right.

***

By the time Davina came back from shopping, the house was decorated, and food platters and drink coolers were placed at strategic locations.

Music played from stereos and portable radios and filled the house with a thumping, peppy beat. Her mother stood with her best friend, putting the last touches on a bigger, chocolate-covered cake at their small kitchen island.

Her best friend, Eli – short for Elliot – looked up as soon as she walked in the house. She beamed, spreading her arms out for a hug, “There’s the birthday girl! Happy birthday, Vina!”

Davina moved into her arms, and they stood there for quite a while until her mum announced, “Girls, go get ready. The cake is done and guests will be arriving soon.”

“Yes mum,” replied Davina, and she dragged Eli by the wrist upstairs to her room. Once they were in the safety of the four walls of her room, she whirled on her friend.

“Something doesn’t feel right, Eli. The party, the sudden money, all of it. My parents were acting strangely this morning when I asked them where they got the money for my birthday party. Their explanation was plausible but not believable,” she ranted. Her friend looked on calmly, allowing her to land.

“Wanna know what I think, Vina? I think you’re reading too much into things. I think you’re so attuned to the fact that your family has been broke for a while, nothing can resolve that,” Eli explained.

“But…but…” she stuttered.

“But nothing, Davina!” she reprimanded gently, “It’s your birthday, and you deserve all the good things that happen to you, including a really cool birthday party. Now hush, and let me dress you up. Can I see your dress?” asked Eli.

“I want it to be a surprise, so you’ll have to do my hair and makeup before I put it on,” she bargained.

“You’re no fun!” she huffed. Davina only laughed and sat down on the small stool in front of her vanity.

Eli opened up the drawer on the vanity, took out her friend’s make-up kit, hairbrush, curling wand and hairspray, and got to work.

Thirty minutes later, Davina descended the stairs into the living room. Her shoulder-length hair was curled into beachy waves, and she had silver tear-drop earrings attached to her ears.

Her make-up was done to perfection, with winged eyeliner, rainbow eyeshadow, and light blush to highlight the natural rosiness of her skin.

Her dress, a deep blue tulle and silk mix just brushed her knees. The bodice was studded with diamante, and the neckline was an off-shoulder, with long, lace sleeves. She paired it with white sneakers.

All the arrived guests hooted and hollered, clapping their hands as she walked down. Eli could not pick her jaw off the floor as Davina approached her. She finally found her voice as her friend stood in front of her, beaming.

“What do you think?”

“Girl, you look hot. I’d date you in less than a heartbeat,” she complimented, casting an appreciative glance up and down her frame.

“Even if Jason Momoa walked into this party right now and asked for your hand in marriage?” Davina queried, one eyebrow raised.

“Let’s not be too hasty,” replied Eli, “All he has to do is look at me with those intense blue-green eyes and I’ll follow him to the ends of the world.”

They paused for the briefest of moments before they burst into guffaws.

***

Later that night, Davina had a smile on her face. She was worn out from all the activities, but it was a birthday to remember.

She changed out of her dress into her nightwear and as she lay in bed, waiting to fall asleep, she suddenly remembered the person she bumped into earlier today, at the mall.

He was tall, towering over her 5’7” height and staring down at her with unreadable blue eyes. He had a small frown on his face, as he looked at her, unsure of what to do.

She apologized and hurriedly walked away, but she could feel the weight and intensity of his stare on her.

A shiver raced through her body again as she recollected how electrifying and spellbinding his gaze was.

The last thought on her mind was whether she was going to see him again.

***

A few days later, Davina woke up not to the glare of sunlight in her eyes from her open curtains, but from the sounds – loud sounds – coming from the living room downstairs.

As she rubbed her eyes of sleep, trying to figure out what the hell was going on, she heard crashing and booted feet thundering into their house. She bolted out of bed, not bothering to wear a bathrobe over the t-shirt and shorts she wore as pajamas.

Davina took the stairs two at a time, wishing she could move faster. When she entered the living room, she found their front door kicked down, and four armed men standing in their living room.

They were physically imposing, with bulging biceps and menacing frowns. They carried guns that looked very real, but they didn’t faze her as boiling anger rose in her.

“Who the hell do you think you are, barging into the house like this? Don’t you realize that this is private property? I’m calling the police on you guys right now!” she threatened, but they didn’t budge.

Her brows creased in a frown and she grinded her teeth before rushing back upstairs for her phone. By the time she came back downstairs, her parents were awake, and instead of being angry and calling the police like she expected, they looked…frightened and panicky. Her head did a slow, sick turn and her steps slowed as she approached them.

“Mum, Dad,” she began in a low voice, “these people barged into our house, kicked down our door and were flashing weapons, keeping mute. Aren’t you going to call the police?”

It was as though her parents heard nothing she said as her father collapsed to the couch, burying his face in his hands.

Her mother started crying silently.

With each passing second, dread settled heavier in her chest as she wondered what the presence of the armed men could mean.

When she could not fathom it, she pulled out her phone to call 911, but her mother stopped her in a broken voice,

“Don’t. It’s of no use.”

“It’s of no use? It’s of no use to call the law enforcement? What the hell are you saying, Mum?” she shot back.

Just as her mum wanted to answer her, a tall silhouette appeared in the doorway, and her heart flew in her mouth as she looked up and found herself face to face with the blue eyes that plagued her since her birthday.

Her heart skipped a beat as his eyes fixed on her, unblinking.

They kept on staring at each other for many seconds, until he decided he had enough and looked away, laying his heavy gaze on her parents instead.

Strangely, she felt bereft as he looked away from her. She took that opportunity to study him instead.

He was tall, that was for sure. She put him to be at least 6’3. He had broad shoulders that strained slightly against the material of his black suit.

His muscled arms looked impressive underneath the sleeves and his hands were big, with long fingers and neat nails.

A large silver ring rested sedately on the pinkie finger of his left hand. His hair was black, jet black, and she saw a hint of a tattoo on the collar of the suit.

In five words: He. Was. Hot. As fuck.

But…wait a minute. How is the man from the mall concerned with her parents? The question was on the tip of her tongue but i