The property of Alpha

Chapter 1

She walked through the cozy corridors, her heart racing as she took in for the first time this place of opulence in which she now worked. This new job as a maid represented an unexpected chance for her to start from scratch, to build a stable life far from the complications that had hitherto marked her existence. The gilding, the thick carpets and the almost solemn air of the corridors reminded him that this hotel was not a place like any other. Here, everything was carefully orchestrated so that every detail exuded luxury, authority, and this impression of silent power that seemed to permeate the atmosphere.

But she didn't expect what came next. As she closed the door to a suite she had just cleaned, she found herself face to face with a man whose charisma was overwhelming. Tall, dark, his penetrating eyes scanned her from top to bottom, pinning her to the spot. She felt an instant tension, a silent alarm awakening within her, whispering to her to be wary. This man was not a simple employee, nor an ordinary customer.

"You must be new," he said in a low, firm voice, his tone lingering with a hint of questioning tinged with palpable distrust.

She nodded, trying to compose herself despite the impact of his gaze. "Yes, sir...I...I just started today. »

His gaze intensified, almost accusatory, as he sized her up. " Interesting. And why here? In this hotel specifically? »

She blinked, surprised by this unexpected question. "Well, I... I need a steady job, and I heard this hotel is hiring. »

He smiled, but there was nothing warm about it. "A little too good to be true, isn't it? A simple maid hired in a place like this. Who did you talk to about getting this job? »

The questioning, almost threatening tone made her shudder. She didn't know why, but he seemed to be probing her, trying to discover something that eluded her. She tried to remain calm, but her voice betrayed a slight nervousness. "I just responded to the ad...I had an interview...and..."

"Don't play innocent with me," he cut her off, his gaze darkening further. "You might think it's easy to deceive people here, to play the harmless little maid? Who sent you? »

She opened her mouth, speechless at the sudden accusation. " Pardon ? Nobody sends me! I don't understand... "

He took a step closer, closing the distance between them, his eyes fixed on hers, scrutinizing her as if to detect the slightest trace of lie. "Here, we leave nothing to chance. We don't take risks with strangers. So tell me the truth. Who are you really? »

She felt vulnerable under the pressure, her sweaty hands clutched to herself. "I...I'm just a woman who needs a job. I don't understand why you... why you talk to me like that. »

He let out a snort, a dry, joyless laugh. "You want me to take your word for it, right? You don't even know what world you've stepped into. »

She looked down for a moment, gathering her courage before raising her head. "If this job is a problem for you, then I can leave. But I assure you that I am just an employee here to do my job. »

He observed him in silence, as if his words were not enough, as if more was needed to convince him. "You don't understand. My world is different from the one you have lived in until now. People here are either allies or enemies. Those who venture into my territory without permission do not always have good intentions. »

She shivered, feeling that this conversation was taking a worrying turn. She no longer knew whether to stay and try to defend herself or move away from this man who was making her incredibly uncomfortable. However, a certain audacity arose within her, driven by the desire to prove to herself that she could stand up to someone of her type, someone who seemed accustomed to imposing her rules.

"Listen, sir..." she began, looking for his first name on the badge embroidered on his uniform, but she found none. "I'm here because I need to work. Neither more nor less. Whether you have suspicions is your business, but don't accuse me of something I didn't do. »

He seemed amused by her response, a glimmer of interest replacing the hardness in his gaze. " Interesting. You have courage. But remember what I told you. Here, you can't always trust appearances. »

He took a step back, finally breaking the palpable tension between them, but before leaving, he stared at her one last time, his eyes filled with a silent promise. "I will watch you. Don't forget it. »

She stood there, motionless, even after he turned and disappeared down the hall. His heart was still pounding, his hands were shaking slightly. This encounter had been disconcerting, and she felt both frightened and strangely fascinated by this man whose name she did not even know, but whose presence left an indelible imprint on her mind.

When she finally started moving again, her mind kept returning to that exchange. This man's words, his way of sizing her up, as if he knew things that she herself didn't know... All of this intrigued her as much as it frightened her. And the more she thought about it, the more she wondered if she hadn't made a mistake in accepting this job.

Chapter 2

She entered the break room with a sigh of relief, taking a moment to calm her mind still agitated by this meeting with this imposing and mysterious man. Her hands were still trembling slightly, and she was having trouble chasing away the feeling of unease that had crept into her. Yet, despite the palpable tension of this first day, she felt determined not to back down. Maybe she was proving something to herself, or maybe it was just the need for stability, but she knew she wanted to stay. It was a challenge she had to take on.

Sitting in a corner, she noticed a few colleagues who seemed to be chatting among themselves. They looked at her for a moment, exchanged a glance, then a young woman with short hair and a friendly smile approached her.

"New one, huh? » she asked with a smile.

She nodded, a little hesitant. " Yes. I've only just started. »

"So welcome to the jungle," said the young woman with an amused wink. "Me, it's Clara. And she is Sarah. »

She shook the hand that Clara offered her, feeling a little more at ease. "Enchanted." THANKS. »

Sarah, a woman with curly brown hair and a slightly more reserved appearance, came forward in turn, a shy smile on her lips. "Don't let yourself be intimidated by what can happen here... sometimes it can seem a little... intense. »

Clara cut her off, laughing lightly. "What she means is that some people here take their jobs a little too seriously. And above all..." She lowered her voice, glancing around. "Be careful of Jimmy. »

Hearing that name, she felt her heart race again. "Jimmy? The man I met earlier? »

The two women exchanged a look before Sarah nodded. "Yes, that very one. He's... let's say, special. If you've come across him, then you've seen what we're talking about. »

Clara smiled, but her eyes reflected a certain caution. "Jimmy, it's not just anyone here. He is the alpha of this place. He sees everything, hears everything. And he has this way of scaring people, even without saying anything. He can be very... persuasive. »

She frowned, a little confused by what she heard. "Why is he acting like this? »

Sarah shrugged her shoulders, looking a little tense. "It's just the way he does things. He doesn't trust anyone, especially those who come from outside. He runs this place as if it were his own kingdom, and he doesn't like anyone disturbing his balance. »

She nodded, wondering how a man could command so much respect and fear at the same time. "But why stay here then? If it's so... tense. »

Clara burst out laughing, as if she had just said something naive. "Because this hotel, even if it is a real fortress with its rules and secrets, pays better than any other place in town. So, we learn to adapt, to walk on eggshells, and above all not to attract Jimmy's attention. »

This last sentence made her shiver. "Get his attention? »

Sarah placed a hand on his arm, a serious look in her eyes. " Yes. Trust me, you don't want him to see you as a threat. If something bothers him, he won't hesitate to make it go away. Well, I mean..." She hesitated, seeming to search for words. "People here don't joke with him. It's... dangerous. »

Before she could ask any more questions, they were interrupted by the arrival of a man carrying a tray of glasses. He glanced at them, visibly curious. "Are you still talking about Jimmy? »

Clara rolled her eyes. "Oh, Henry, leave us alone. We're just informing him about the rules of survival here. »

He laughed, a deep, amused laugh, but his expression quickly turned serious. "It's not jokes. If you're new, you better listen. Jimmy has no patience for people who don't follow the rules. »

She felt a dull anxiety rising within her. "And... what exactly are the rules?" »

Henry looked at her with a sympathetic smile. "Follow orders, avoid asking questions, and above all... don't interfere in other people's affairs. Whatever happens in this hotel, stays in this hotel. Understood ? »

She nodded, a knot forming in her stomach. She had thought this job would be a simple routine, an escape from her worries. But she gradually realized that she had set foot in a place where the rules were dictated by a man who seemed to tolerate nothing from others.

After their exchange, she felt troubled. She tried to return to her work, but she couldn't stop thinking about Jimmy and what her colleagues had said. The tension reigned here, almost palpable, and although she tried not to let herself be overwhelmed by apprehension, she felt that this atmosphere of distrust was beginning to weigh on her.

Later that day, as she passed through a hallway, she heard muffled voices behind a slightly ajar door. By instinct, she slowed down, listening in spite of herself. The voices were those of men, deep and obviously in serious conversation.

"...no choice. If anyone finds out what's going on, we'll all be in trouble. »

She felt her heart beat a little faster. She didn't want to listen, but something kept her from going away. Maybe fear or just curiosity. She knew she shouldn't hear what they were saying, but every word, every sentence piqued her curiosity.

"Jimmy is clear. If someone asks too many questions, we get rid of them. We don't need complications, especially with new ones. »

She swallowed hard, feeling a cold sweat break out on the back of her neck. Was it a threat? Just a phrase? She was no longer sure. But the idea of them talking about "getting rid" of someone didn't reassure her at all.

"So, what do we do with her? » asked another voice, more hoarse.

"We continue to observe it. If she becomes a problem, Jimmy will decide. »

She walked away quietly, her heart racing. This conversation confirmed his fears: this place was not like the others. The rules, the secrets, this atmosphere of distrust... She wondered if she had really made the right choice in accepting this job. But it was too late to turn back now.

Chapter 3

She didn't expect to see her cousin's boyfriend here again. They had never had a good relationship, and although she had tried to keep her distance, he always seemed to be looking for ways to reappear in her life. When she saw him arrive, her heart raced, surprise mixing with a dull worry. What was he doing here?

He approached, a smug smile on his lips, his eyes staring at her with an intensity that she found unsettling. She took a step back, looking for a way to avoid him, but he stepped in front of her, cutting off all escape.

"What are you doing here? » she asked, trying to keep her voice steady despite the nervousness building inside her.

"Oh, just came for a quick visit," he replied with a shrug, a sick smile floating on his face. "I thought we could...talk." »

She sensed danger, something in his gaze and his posture revealed intentions far less innocent than he let on. She tried to step back, but he followed her, closing the space between them until her back touched the wall.

"Leave me alone," she whispered, her voice this time betraying the fear that was gradually paralyzing her. She knew she couldn't push him away alone, but she hoped he would give up.

He burst out laughing, a cold and cruel laugh. "Why so tense? You're acting proud now, but you know you can't do anything here. You're alone, stuck in this miserable job. »

She felt her hands trembling and desperately searched for a way out. She didn't want to panic, but her heart was beating faster and faster. It was then that she saw him reach out his hand towards her, his smile as menacing as ever. Just as he was about to grab it, a rapid movement caught his attention.

Jimmy suddenly appears, like a protective shadow in the doorway. His gaze, frozen and filled with anger, rested on the man. He didn't need to say a word to impose an authority that would have made anyone cringe.

"Let her go," Jimmy ordered, his voice low and sharp, his every word carried with suppressed rage.

His cousin's boyfriend, visibly unsettled, released his grip, but his arrogance did not fade. He tried to stand up, a smirk on his lips, as if to challenge Jimmy.

"Who are you to tell me what to do? » he called out, but his voice lacked firmness, betraying his nervousness.

Jimmy took a step forward, his gaze piercing and uncompromising. "I'm the one who calls the shots here. And you don't want to be the one to challenge me. Believe me. »

The man hesitated, his gaze flickering between Jimmy and her, slowly realizing that he had no chance against this man. Without another word, he stepped back, giving one last menacing look before disappearing.

Jimmy stared at her for a moment, his dark eyes softened by a glimmer of worry she'd never seen in him. He approached slowly, his gaze scanning her face, searching for signs of injury.

" How are you ? » he asked, his low voice betraying an unexpected gentleness.

She nodded, still shaken by what had just happened. Her throat felt tight, and she tried to catch her breath. Jimmy's imposing presence, far from intimidating her, reassured her.

"Thank you..." she whispered, her eyes downcast, suddenly feeling vulnerable in front of him.

He nodded, his hand settling on her shoulder, a protective gesture that made her feel strangely warm. "These kinds of guys have no place here. I don't want you to find yourself in a situation like this again. »

She felt her heart beat a little faster at his words, his words echoing within her in an unexpected way. She wondered if it was the shock of the situation, or if Jimmy's presence really had that power over her.

"Thank you, really," she said again, realizing she couldn't express how relieved she felt.

Jimmy stared at her for a moment, as if in thought, before responding in a firmer voice. "Now you are under m" protection. I don't want anyone approaching you like that again. Understood ? »

She nodded, surprised by this statement. She knew Jimmy was a tough, mysterious man, but she didn't expect him to make such a commitment to her. She didn't know whether to rejoice or worry about this new influence he was imposing. Yet, somewhere inside her, a little voice told her that she could trust him.

They remained in silence for a moment, him still close to her, watching her like a wolf watching over its pack. She found herself thinking that she felt safe around him, a feeling she hadn't felt in a long time.

As she prepared to thank him again, Jimmy spoke, breaking the silence. "Go back and rest. Tomorrow we will discuss some rules. »

She nodded, "too confused to answer. She took a few steps towards the exit, but before leaving the room, she took one last look back. Jimmy stood there, his gaze fixed on her, as if he was making sure she would be safe until the end.

During the night that followed, as she tried to get to sleep, she couldn't help but think about that evening. Jimmy's intense gaze, his strength, his natural authority... She wondered why he was so keen to protect her. But another part of her, the one that was beginning to trust him, found a strange assurance in this hold he exercised.

The next morning, she found Jimmy in his office, where he was waiting for her with that same piercing gaze. She knew their conversation was going to redefine the terms of their relationship, one way or another. But she was ready to face what it entailed, because she felt that something important had just happened between them.