Mundane mornings and work

The silk sheets were soft against Vernon's skin as he lay down. But he could not fall asleep.

He tossed and turned as he recounted every meeting he has ever had with Xavier Donovan.

His thoughts drifted to the day the alpha ruined his escape plan.

Xavier turned and started walking away, expecting him to follow.

Vernon looked around.

If he could just run into the crowd, there was no way the alpha—

As if sensing his thoughts, the other paused. "Do not try to run" He said over his shoulder. "My men are all over the place."

 Vernon followed him to the parked car and got in.

The ride was silent. The only sound was the pop music playing from the speakers. He looked at Xavier's hands and saw that he had a firm grip on the steering wheel.

 "Are you angry with me?" He asked wringing his fingers together.

The alpha didn't answer.

Vernon sighed in frustration. “Do you think I am a coward too?!” He demanded, his voice rising.

"Are you looking down on me for that?"

The alpha threw him a glance. "Do you want to fight with me that badly?" He asked calmly.

Vernon was taken aback. "What?"

Xavier chuckled. "We can talk like mature adults."

Vernon looked down as all the anger seeped out of him. He felt like a deflated balloon.

"We are here."

The alpha’s voice got his attention. He raised his head just as the car stopped in front of his house.

Vernon looked at his hands. He was unsure of what to say before stepping out. Just 'thank you' would only make things weird than it already was.

What should he say?

"I don't think you are a coward" Xavier said, catching his attention. "I think you are... brave."

Vernon bit his lip. “I just want… to be free.”

"I will not prevent your dreams" The alpha said with a sigh. "I don't want to clip your wings, Vernon. I am not a monster."

The sincerity in his voice had Vernon meeting his eyes and his heart skipped a beat.

Vernon blinked. "You are not like..." He trailed off with a hesitant look on his face.

Xavier's lips twitched with amusement. "It is late. Go inside."

Vernon stepped out of the car and ran inside without turning back.

"Damn" He mumbled. "This is going to be harder than I thought it will be."

                           **************

Vernon rubbed his eyes as he made his way downstairs the next morning.

"Good morning" Xavier greeted as he drank his coffee. "Did you sleep well?"

Vernon paused in his tracks. "You are ready for work."

"Yeah" the alpha responded, grabbing his jacket. "Work calls."

He nudged a head towards the kitchen. "Breakfast is on the table. You should eat."

As if on cue, Vernon's stomach growled causing the Xavier to chuckle. He looked away, his ears red. "Thank you."

Vernon walked to the kitchen and his brow at the food on the counter. "I can't... eat all this" he murmured and eyed the roasted chicken on a plate.

Xavier hummed. "The rest will be kept in the fridge. I might have gone overboard with the cooking."

"You cooked... all this?"

The alpha nodded.

Vernon stared at him in surprise. "That's..."

"Surprising?" Xavier finished for him. His lips twitched with amusement. "The articles don't know I can cook."

Vernon nodded and started eating. His eyes widened as the flavors of the chicken burst in his mouth. "This is... really good" He complimented with his mouth full.

The alpha chuckled. "I am glad you like it."

He tapped his fingers on the counter as he watched Vernon eat. "I was wondering if you could come with me to work."

Vernon looked at him. "Is that a good idea?"

"You have a masters in business management do you not?" Xavier questioned. "You can start working as a senior executive—"

"No," the omega mumbled. "I'll like to start working from the bottom."

The other frowned slightly. "As a junior staff? But that's the—"

"My qualifications are just on paper" Vernon murmured. "I do not have any experience."

"And besides, I want to earn my position."

The alpha nodded in understanding. "That is a great mindset. You think you can start today?"

"I'd love that."

************

Donovan Enterprises stood over the busy streets with its entrance filled with people walking in and out.

 "Do you think they will like me?" Vernon asked, fixing his tie.

He stole a glance at the alpha as they entered the building.

The staff immediately bowed, their voices cheerful in greeting.

"Good morning sir!"

"Good morning sir!"

"Good morning sir!"

Xavier acknowledged it with a curt nod as he walked to the elevator. "You do not need them to like you."

"Be important. That way, they can't ignore your impact."

Vernon nodded at the advice watching the elevator doors close. "I will keep that in mind."

The doors opened and they saw a woman standing at the front of the elevator. She beamed. "I was waiting for you, Mr. Donovan."

"The board members are here."

Xavier nodded curtly. He placed a hand on Vernon's shoulder. "This is my husband. He'll be working as a staff from today. I've sent you his resume."

An expression of anger flashed across the woman's face which she quickly masked with a smile.

But Vernon noticed and saw how her eyes lingered on Xavier's hand on his shoulder. "I'm Vernon Giordano-Donovan" he said, extending a hand.

She shook the hand firmly. "I'm Melissa King. I really look forward to working with you."

"Likewise."

"Get him settled in and make sure he gets everything he needs" Xavier instructed.

"Of course. I will do that right away" Melissa replied, her voice almost a purr.

She batted her eyelashes. "You can trust me on that."

Vernon nearly cringed at her clear attempt at seduction and looked at his husband to see if he noticed.

Xavier's face was expressionless.

He looked at the tight clothes she was dressed in and the way her boobs were nearly popping out of her dress.

Xavier leaned in and kissed temple. "Have a great first day. I will see you at lunch."

Vernon's breath caught in his throat. He stared as the alpha walked away.

Melissa waved her fingers in front of his face with her lips curled up in disgust.

He looked at her. "What?"

"Get me a cup of coffee" she ordered. "Black with three spoons of sugar."

Vernon frowned. "But that is not my—"

"Do not waste my time" Melissa said rudely.

The woman turned around and walked away the sound of her heels clicking as she went away.

"Bitch" Vernon said, curling his fists.