<h4>Chapter 269: Chapter 269 To y For Time</h4>
Cecilia’s pov
I watched Sebastian’s eyes drift back to hisputer screen, then up to me again.
"Miss Moore," he said with a slight smile, "this is the first time you’ve waited for me after hours."
I settled onto the sofa in his office.
Who stayste at work voluntarily? Especially with their boss?
But technically, I was off the clock now.
In my head, I’d already switched him from "intimidating CEO" to "guy I’m emotionally entangled with."
"Alpha, less talking, more typing," I said.
Sebastian’s lips curved upward.
"Yes . Looks like my productivity’s under review."
I stared at him, speechless.
I gave up engaging and popped in my earbuds, diving into my phone.
Onlyter did it hit me how bold it was to openly scroll TikTok in the CEO’s office.
Sebastian went back to work.
He finished up quickly, closed hisptop, and walked over.
Seeing me zoned in on videos with my back to him, he leaned down and pulled one earbud from my ear.
"Ready to go?" His voice slid into one ear while music pumped through the other.
Goosebumps red on my neck.
I turned automatically.
Our faces were inches apart.
A single knock broke the silence.
Sawyer walked in, then froze.
He inhaled sharply, like he’d walked into a scene he was never meant to see.
Sebastian turned to face him, eyes narrowing.
Before Sebastian could unleash his signature death re, Sawyer dropped his gaze, patted his pockets, and started backing out like a si character mid-scene.
"Uh... where are Alpha’s car keys? Weird. Thought I left them right here..."
He turned and bolted like he’d just walked in on a live crime scene.
I bit my lip.
The keys were never with Sawyer.
They’d been sitting on Sebastian’s desk the whole time.
Nice try. So much for the whole "searching for keys" act.
Sebastian didn’t even blink. He just led me toward the door.
"What about Sawyer?" I asked, ncing toward the Sawyer’s office.
Sebastian turned my face back with a finger.
"He’s on a very important mission. Let’s not interrupt."
I nced down at the keys dangling from his fingers.
I hadn’t meant to mess with their usual rhythm.
But...oops.
Sorry, Sawyer. Didn’t mean to hijack your carpool schedule.
At 6:30, the summer sun was still harsh. The sunset painted the sky in bold oranges and reds.
Sebastian drove while I sat in the passenger seat.
I nned to visit my parents tomorrow to drop off the London gifts and talk to my mom.
The lies were starting to feel too heavy.
My phone pinged with a text.
After yesterday’s photos, even the sound made my chest tighten.
Sebastian slowed the car, ncing my way. "Want me to check it for you?"
"I’ve got it," I said quickly.
I wasn’t that broken. Not yet.
Still, I was more careful this time.
I checked the number before opening the message.
Unknown.
But the tone was unmistakable:
[Cecilia, you cannot have this baby. We need to talk. I’m at your apartment. I’lle down when you arrive.]
Damn it.
My temples pulsed.
I was angry--and annoyed.
How do you even argue with someone who’s just... stupid?
Stay calm.
Don’t waste emotional energy on idiots.
"Looks like spam," Sebastianmented, eyes still on the road.
I deleted the message fast. "Yeah, just stupid spam. Gave me a jump."
I powered off the phone and silenced it, just in case Xavier decided to start a texting marathon.
Wait. He said he was at the apartment.
"Actually... should we eat out tonight?"
Sebastian gave me a knowing look but didn’t push. "Sure. Where to?"
I named the first restaurant that popped into my head.
Sebastian added it to the GPS.
After dinner, I suggested checking out the open-air za nearby.
We wandered from the restaurant to the square, passing live music, food trucks, and a bunch of olderdies doing Zumba under the string lights.
At 8, we watched the fountain light show.
The music was dramatic, the water jets lit up, and at least three couples were spinning in slow motion for Instagram.
It was only 9 PM...
"Wanna try the ring toss?"
"Ice cream’s on me."
"How about one of those bubble guns that light up? I bet you never had the sparkly kind."
Sebastian yed along, obviously aware I was stalling.
And he let me.
Until 10:30.
"Cece," he said, arms full of a glowing bubble ster and a stuffed wolf, voice warm with amusement, "they’ve got a mini train over there."
He tilted his head toward the corner of the za, where a tiny ride looped inzy circles. Toddlers squealed. Parents took selfies.
I squinted at the thing. "You cannot possibly fit in those."
His smile deepened, eyes glinting. "Probably not. But if watching me try buys you ten more minutes of peace, I’d say it’s worth it."
I stared at him. He wasn’t teasing. Just offering me a way to keep stalling, without saying it out loud.
I sighed, softening. "Fine. Your noble sacrifice can wait. Let’s go home."
At this point, I was just hoping Xavier had given up and gone home.
We drove back.
As we walked toward the elevator, my nerves climbed again.
"Why are you hesitant to go home?" Sebastian handed me the stuffed wolf.
I clutched it like a shield.
"I’m not hesitant. Why would I be?"
"Period cramps?"
"No."
"Then what is it?"
"There’s nothing wrong. I just really wanted dinner and a night out. You had fun too, didn’t you?"
We reached the elevator.
I rxed a little and pressed the button.
The doors slid open and there he was.
Xavier stood inside, arms crossed, wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt.
He looked like he’d been there for hours.
Tired. Irritated.
His eyes opened slowly.
Then he saw us.
Laughing.
Carrying a light-up bubble gun and a stuffed wolf.
His jaw clenched. His face flushed a deep, furious purple.