Chapter 9: A Match Made In Heaven

I stared at him from up close, and the look in his eyes made me instinctively take a step backward.

"I'm—I'm sorry," I stammered.

"Watch where you're going," he said, his voice cold and detached.

"What are you doing here?" he asked again.

"The Alpha wanted to see me, so I came."

"Why did my father want to see you?"

"I think you should ask him yourself, Young Master Sebastian."

He looked like he was about to say something when a sweet voice called out.

"Sebastian."

I turned.

It was Helena.

She walked toward us, her heels clicking against the floor.

I finally had the chance to take a good look at her.

She had always been beautiful, even when we were young, but now she had a more mature beauty. 

Her smooth, fair skin seemed to glow beneath the soft lights, a slender nose, high cheekbones, and full, rosy lips that curved naturally into a charming smile. Her blonde hair was slicked back neatly, revealing the graceful line of her neck and the small diamond earrings adorning her ears. Her eyes were a clear, striking blue, framed by long lashes and shaped in a way that made even her simplest glance seem captivating. 

She had a tall, slender figure, with a narrow waist and long, shapely legs that made her look even more elegant as she walked. Everything about her made it impossible not to notice her.

She linked her arm with Sebastian's and looked at me.

They looked really good together.

It hurt to admit it.

"Have I met you before?" she asked.

"No, ma'am. I don't think so."

I bowed, keeping my head low.

"I don't know... You look really familiar," she said again.

"I'm sure you've never met me before," I replied.

She was about to say something else when Sebastian interrupted.

"Let it go, babe. Don't bother yourself with her."

His voice was deep and calm.

"Let's go see my father."

He took her hand, and they walked past me toward the door.

Before he closed it, I noticed his eyes on me one last time.

The moment the door closed, I walked away.

When I was sure I was far enough from them, a tear slipped down my cheek.

I wiped it away immediately.

Then another one fell.

I didn't even know why I was crying.

Was it because I had seen him with her?

Because of the way he held her hand?

Or because of how she had linked her arm with his, almost as if she was marking her claim?

Or was it because he didn't remember me?

"Was I really that easy to forget, Sebastian?" I whispered to no one in particular.

"Alyssa."

Grace's voice brought me out of my thoughts.

She walked toward me, and the moment she noticed my expression, concern filled her face.

"Are you alright? Why are you crying? Did something happen with the Alpha?"

"No, no. Everything is fine. Something must have gotten into my eyes. That's why they started watering," I lied.

"What did the Alpha want to talk to you about?" she asked.

"It was nothing important, really. Just work."

She looked like she wanted to ask me something else, but she decided to let it go.

"Okay, then. Let's go meet Stella. She's already started cleaning."

She took my hand, and we walked downstairs.

We started cleaning the rooms, and before long, we were finally done.

"I can't believe we're done. I'm so tired."

Stella placed her hands on her waist.

I sighed.

"Yeah, I'm tired too."

"From tomorrow, we're going to be cleaning individually. It's going to be so stressful," I said.

Grace nodded.

"Well, it's all worth it. We get to send money home, eat good food, stay here, and we get to witness the Umber Ceremony ourselves."

"Geez, how could I forget about the Umber Ceremony?"

Stella's face immediately brightened.

"I can't wait to meet my mate and forget you all."

She made a funny face.

I laughed.

"What about you, Alyssa?" she asked.

"What about me?" I replied.

"What kind of mate do you want to have?"

Someone immediately came to my mind.

Someone who had once told me he would always take care of me.

I quickly shoved the thought to the back of my mind and shrugged.

"I don't know. Someone who would love me, I guess."

"Really? Just that?" Stella asked, looking at me like I was crazy.

"Of course, Stella. Isn't love what matters the most?" Grace added.

I nodded in agreement.

"Exactly, Grace. Love is what matters the most."

I didn't know that I would soon find out that love wasn't what mattered the most.

"Meh. You guys are so boring. I'm leaving."

Stella walked away.

We laughed and followed her.

We eventually made our way to the garden. The sun was already beginning to set.

Most of the girls were already outside, probably finished with their work.

I breathed in the fresh air, letting the scent of flowers fill my senses.

I missed my parents so much.

I'm sure they missed me even more.

A burst of laughter pulled me out of my thoughts.

I turned to see who it was.

Helena.

She was with Sebastian.

She was laughing so hard at something he had said.

I'm sure it wasn't even that funny. He had always been terrible at telling jokes.

I smiled bitterly to myself.

"Aren't they so sweet?" someone whispered behind us.

"And the fact that they aren't true mates yet, but they love each other so much."

"They're such a perfect match. I don't think even if their true mates came along, they would match each other the way they do."

"But what if the Young Master finds his mate?"

"Oh, come on. He hasn't found his mate all these years. Nothing is going to change."

"And he loves Miss Helena so much. I don't think he could ever leave her."

I decided I had heard enough.

I looked at the couple once again.

They really did look like they were crazy in love.

I don't know why I was so surprised.

He had always loved her, as far back as I could remember.

They really were a match made in heaven.

A bitter smile appeared on my face.

Grace noticed that I was looking at them too.

"The Young Master and Miss Helena really look good together, right?" she asked.

"Yes."

I kept my answer short.

"Hmm. But what happens when the Alpha meets his true mate?" Stella asked.

"I hope he never finds his mate."

Both of them turned to look at me in surprise.

"It's going to bring pain to whoever the girl is. And imagine all the problems it's going to bring into their lives. It's better this way. They're perfect for each other."

I turned away.

"I'll be inside our room."

I didn't wait to see the expressions my words had left on their faces.

I simply turned and walked away.

I didn't know that someone's eyes were following me as I left.