"Good morning, Steven. Morning Bradley."

"Good morning, Ms. Sommers."

Both security guards posted at the underground entrance into Limitless Talent gave her a small smile, before opening the door. Asher had dropped her off at the entrance, before going to park his car at his designated spot.

"Thanks, guys," she returned the smile before making her way towards the unsuspecting woman at the front desk. "Good morning, Darlene."

"Oh, Jesus," Darlene jumped up from her seat, holding her hand up to her chest as she looked up at Alana. "You're going to give this old woman a heart attack at this rate, darlin'."

"Sorry, Darlene didn't mean to scare you," Alana quickly apologized, giving Darlene a sheepish look. "I stopped by the coffee shop and got you your favorite."

She placed the iced Americano and a donut onto the table, making the older woman's eyes crinkle into a warm smile.

"Thank you, darlin'. All is forgiven," Darlene winked. "Especially when you come bearing treats."

"I heard you put someone in their place yesterday for trespassing," Alana leaned forward, wanting to hear the story directly from the source.

"Oh you wouldn't even believe the nerve of that girl," exclaimed Darlene, getting riled up. "You remember that Tiffany girl?"

"I bumped into her once or twice," grimaced Alana, giving Darlene a vague answer.

"Came here demanding to be let in. Can you believe that? After all the shit she put all the staff through?" Ranted Darlene, shaking her head. "Now, you bet my ass I gave her a good earful before I called security to drag her ass out— never once liked that devious woman anyway. I almost dragged her out by the ear myself, swear to God— her yappin' was getting annoying."

Alana, not even surprised at the way Tiffany would barge into the building, demanding to be let inside, gave Darlene a knowing look. "You can be scary, Darlene. When I first came here, I was told to stay on your good side."

"Noelle's just being dramatic," Darlene rolled her eyes, stacking the papers on her desk into a neat pile. "You know I'm only scary when I need to be, darlin'."

"Oh trust me, Darlene. I've heard the stories," laughed Alana. From her peripheral vision, she could see Asher enter through the double doors, greeting the security posted at the entrance.

"Thanks, Steven, Bradley," Asher nodded at the large men standing guard at the entrance. "Keep up the good work, gentlemen."

"Yes, sir."

Asher made his way towards the front desk, immediately wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her closer to her.

"You left your phone in the car, princess," he murmured into her ear before handing her the phone. Looking up, he saw Darlene with a wide grin, clearly accessing what was going on in front of her.

"I knew I was forgetting something," Alana cursed under her breath. "Thank you."

"I've got you, always," smiled Asher, placing a small peck on her forehead. "Good morning, Darlene."

"I see my boy finally decided to put on some big boy pants," teased Darlene. "Always comin' in here looking like a lost lovestruck puppy— hell, I could see it from a mile away."

Asher groaned, causing Alana to throw her head back in laughter. "Darlene, please— you're embarrassing me."

"Alright, alright— can't even let an old woman have her fun," grumbled Darlene with a small pout. "You take good care of her, you got that?"

Asher cracked a small smile, finding it amusing that it was Darlene ordering him when in reality, he was her boss.

"Without a doubt."

★ ★ ★

"What do you want to eat later?"

Alana looked up at Asher as she comfortably leaned against his chest. Looking down and meeting her gaze, he tightened his hold around her waist as the elevator climbed higher up to the top floor. Affection seemed to come naturally to them, seeing as Asher didn't want to let her go ever since his confession the night before, especially when she fit so perfectly in his arms.

But Alana did have to admit, feeling the way his arms felt around her was probably one of the best feelings in the world.

After finishing with breakfast, since they had some time to kill, the two immediately went back to bed. She had never felt so relaxed and just being in his arms, cuddling while talking about everything seemed to be her new favorite things to do. It amazed her at how their conversation flowed so naturally and they seemed to never run out of things to talk about.

A half an hour before it was time to go, she invited him to her apartment, where she changed from Asher's sweater that she had now claimed as hers, into a thin fitted white ribbed knit long-sleeved shirt tucked into a pair of distressed jeans shorts.

She kept her makeup light since it was a casual day for her, skipping her usual heavy eye makeup to a more natural look. She had just gotten her new set of eyelash extensions, so her eyes were basically already done. Everything else, she was able to quickly and flawlessly do— from applying light foundation to adding a bit of blush to her cheeks.

While she was lightly lining her lips with her favorite rose-colored lip liner, she couldn't help but notice Asher's stare from her vanity mirror. It wasn't like he was trying to hide it— he was literally standing right in the doorway between her bedroom and the conjoining powder room where her vanity table was placed.

"What are you staring at?" She had asked, meeting his eyes in the mirror as she continued to line her lips, knowing how ridiculous she looked trying to talk and finish her makeup.

"Just admiring how beautiful you are," He didn't even miss a beat, immediately offering her a response.

His response made her cheeks heat up before she quickly looked away, going back to applying her lipstick. She could still feel his heated gaze on her.

"Have you always been this cheesy?" She asked.

"Maybe— but you like it," Leaning against the doorway, Asher sent her a wink, causing her to playfully roll her eyes.

Well, maybe she did.

Not that she would actually admit it out loud. He would just get cockier and continue to tease her, something he seemed to enjoy doing often, claiming that he loved seeing the blush on her cheeks.

Ås the elevator continued to climb higher, Alana hummed with content, embracing the warmth coming from his body as he continued to keep his arms around her body. "I don't know, didn't we just eat? Are you hungry again?"

Still looking up at him, she raised her eyebrow at him teasingly.

"Definitely hungry for something," teased Asher, chuckling at her reaction before leaning down to nudge her nose with his. "I'm talking about after your fitting with ma."

Still grinning, she went back to leaning against his front comfortably as the elevator got closer and closer to the top floor.

"I don't know— I'm not really craving anything in particular," she shrugged, still feeling a bit full from the breakfast he had fed her. "What do you want to eat?"

"I'll eat whatever you want to— maybe we'll just figure it out later," he suggested making her nod.

"You know I'm indecisive," And it was true. Most of the time, she couldn't decide what to eat, which was why Daniel knew her so well to the point where he would decide what to bring her and she would just happily eat it. It just seemed like the people around her just knew her that well.

"Some things just never change," he murmured as he chuckled softly. "I'll see what I can come up with— maybe impress you to the point where you'll show me some love."

"You think you know me that well?" She asked teasingly.

"I don't think, I know," He raised his brow as if asking her if she was being serious. "You doubting me, princess?"

Alana had to bite back her smile, knowing he was right. Tilting her head back up, she placed a small kiss on his sharp jawline as he gave her waist a small squeeze.

"Not at all, Mr. Pierce."

The elevator dinged, signaling that they had finally arrived at the top floor. Asher guided her out of the elevator, keeping a hand on her lower back before lacing her hand together with his as they made their way to his mother's office, passing by Noelle, who gave the couple a knowing smile.

As soon as they walked through the clear glass doors, they were immediately met with surprised stares from Miranda and Helen, along with Daniel, who was wearing an 'I told you so' expression, indicating that he had told the ladies what he had found out, but they had not believed him.

"I told you," Daniel whispered not so quietly at the still baffled women.

"I didn't think you were actually telling the truth!" Miranda whispered back exasperatedly.

"I didn't think you were actually telling the truth," mimicked Daniel, rolling his eyes. "Man, why don't people believe me?"

"Aw, honey," Helen said, patting his arm in a motherly fashion. "I believed you— just still slightly taken aback."

"Thanks, Mrs. Pierce— you're the real one," Daniel pouted, shuffling closer to Helen, like a little boy seeking his mother's comfort. It was evident that Helen had gotten close to Alana's staff, even seeing them like her own children.

Helen beamed at his words, unsure of what that meant, but she assumed it was a good thing. The younger generation surely had a very interesting variety of words— she would know, being that her youngest son was 15.

Meanwhile, Miranda shook her head at how dramatic Daniel was being. Not wanting to look suspicious, the three of them pretended to go back to work while subtly staring at Asher and Alana who were still by the door.

"Ma, we can feel you staring from here," Asher chuckled, catching his mother off guard. "At least try to make it not so obvious."

"Be nice," whispered Alana, lightly slapping Asher's chest. "Good morning, Mrs. Pierce."

"Good morning, my dear," Helen smiled brightly at his son and Alana, seemingly looking very cozy with one another. "Ready for the fitting?"

"You know how much I love trying out your designs," grinned Alana.

"Alright, but just a small warning— we have a lot to do today," warned Helen, walking up to the couple as Asher stepped forward, kissing his mother on the cheek.

"I thought we were just doing the outfit for the poster?" Alana tilted her head to the side with confusion.

"I have a few additional changes that I made for the outfits for the actual concert from the last time we met," Helen replied, gesturing to the mannequins lined up in the middle of the room. "We also have to do a quick last-minute fitting for the shoot next week."

Alana nodded in understanding, while Asher stood next to her with a concerned expression on his face. "Don't overwork her too hard, ma."

"Who do you think I am, young man?" Helen gave her son a playful glare. "I'll make sure to take care of sweet Alana here, so don't you worry. Now, shoo! We've got some work to do."

Asher shook his head, chuckling at his mother's antics. He turned Alana towards him, leaning down as he murmured softly so that only she could hear.

"I'll be in my office for a bit, then I'll come find you, yeah?"

Alana nodded, looking up at him as he kept his gaze on her. "Okay, I'll see you later."

With a smile, Asher placed one last kiss on her forehead before leaving the room, leaving Alana alone with three very curious beings, ready to pounce like a pack of hyenas. Closing her eyes, she already knew what was coming.

"Alright, just spit it out."

Immediately, she was bombarded with questions, even eliciting a few excited screams from both Daniel and Miranda. She was glad Mrs. Pierce was the calm one in this situation, going back to her desk, but keeping her ears open to hear all the details. Alana knew she had her own questions that she wanted to ask.

"When did this happen?"

"Did you guys kiss yet?"

"Did he confess first?"

"How did he confess— tell us everything!"

"Alright, children, leave Alana alone," Mrs. Pierce chuckled, seeing the thankful gaze Alana had thrown her. "She can tell you all about it later, but for now, let's get started with this fitting."

"Yes, ma'am," both Miranda and Daniel muttered simultaneously, with pouts on their faces. Miranda went back to her desk where she began to quickly finish sewing a hidden button on one of Alana's outfits, while Daniel sat on the couch with his laptop, going over Alana's schedule once again.

Thank god.

Alana breathed out a sigh of relief, knowing this wasn't even the worst of it. She knew the girls were going to be even worse, bombarding her with questions as soon as they find out. There was no doubt they were going to find out soon, and she had a feeling Daniel was going to be the one to let everyone know.

"So," began Daniel, making Alana look at him with a confused look. He was on the phone, waiting for whoever he was calling to pick up.

Speak of the devil. She already knew whatever he was about to say, she was going to want to smack him.

"Did you guys have sex yet?"

"Daniel!" Alana groaned, throwing a sock that she found on a nearby table at him, as he cackled with laughter.

Today was going to be a long day.

★ ★ ★

My upload schedule is so weird right now... but I promise it'll be back to normal soon. Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter^^ Stay safe my loves <3