CHOOSING THE ALPHA

The next day, I had an early shift so I had to leave early for the hospital I worked at. I thankfully arrived on time before the morning meeting started.

I made my way into the conference room, plopping down on my seat and getting involved in the conversation. Soon the meeting ended and I left the room, my phone rang again and I pulled it out to see the caller I.D was Antonio, I took a deep breath before I answered.

“Leia, why did you leave early without waking me up, because of you I overslept” he didn't hesitate to blame me and his voice held a bit of annoyance.

Earlier in our marriage I took care of him in all aspects. Clothes laid out, breakfast on time and a warm greeting every morning and I had continued with this routine to show him how much I loved him. The way he sounded now meant he expected me to do everything for him, he always took me for granted as if my acts of love had now become a job for me.

But I wasn't his help, I was his wife and I had every right to refuse.

“Since you're already late, the earlier you get ready the better” I replied in a bored tone.

“What am I going to wear?” He asked and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

“It's a wolf meeting, nobody is going to be overdressed, so choose whatever”

"There's a shirt I'm looking for, I can't find it—” He complained.

There was a knock on my door and I looked up to see my colleague calling me over for some help. "I have to go, just find your clothes yourself."

Barely a moment later, Antonio's message pinged on the screen.

Whilst I was walking with my colleague another message popped up, .

I ignored the message and saw my colleague leading me to the department head.

“Leia, good news!” He cheered drumming on his desk. “After assessing your performance, the hospital wants to further your training and you're fully recovered now” he urged.

This wasn't the first time the HOD had spoken to me about something like this, but the initial plan had been to marry Antonio so I had declined earlier due to the pregnancy. But now building a family with him no longer appealed to me.

“I had thought about it sir, and I'll go," I replied with a newfound conviction.

"Wonderful!" He cheered then asked me to prepare everything and said he would notify me when the date was decided. His enthusiasm was infectious. The timing of this was perfect, this could be my ticket to a future I could finally design on my own terms.

Time flew by as I buried myself in work. Before I knew it, it was dark outside, but I still had a few more documents to take care of. Just as I settled in with another stack of papers, Antonio called.

"Why aren't you home yet, Where's dinner?" He asked and I began to wonder why I had been attracted to him. I now despised returning home to him, which was why I stayed in the office preparing documents until late.

"My colleague had something urgent to do, and had to switch shifts with me” I explained “Just order in" I shrugged though he couldn't see.

"Order?" Antonio sounded surprised.Back then, Food was never a problem, I ensured there was a meal available three times in a day.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"No." Antonio hesitated before continuing, "Just take care of yourself"

"Thank you," I replied flatly. Antonio was silent for a moment, then he spoke “Leia, are you angry?"

The question came slow and caught meoff guard, and though it irked me, I was mostly disappointed. Was he truly this oblivious, or simply did not care about my feelings?

But I wouldn't let it bother me, it did not matter.