Beyond Casual

Daniella's POV

Finally, Alpha and I agreed, following Lucas's advice, to treat our relationship as casual, enjoying our time together in Vegas without overthinking it. But deep down, I had already braced myself. I couldn't afford to fall deeper for Alpha, not when the fear of heartbreak loomed over me like a shadow. I wasn't ready to be hurt again. I couldn't risk giving someone my heart only for it to be shattered.

So, I reminded myself, Alpha was just my "partner" for this trip, a role he was playing to help me secure the Alex Wong contract and, in turn, a place for Lawson & Firm as one of his legal consultants. That was the goal. Nothing more.

Lucas had worked his magic on Alpha's wardrobe, teaching him the art of mixing and matching outfits. The result? Alpha looked every bit like a polished professional, capable of turning heads wherever he went. I'd also asked Lucas to come along on this trip for his creative, out-of-the-box ideas in case things got tricky. He happily agreed, on the condition that he could bring Eric. Of course, I said yes.

With Mr. Lawson's approval to use the company credit card, I didn't hesitate to upgrade our rooms at The Venetian to a luxurious Presidential Suite with two separate bedrooms.

We departed the next morning on the company helicopter, landing in Las Vegas in no time. The welcome party had already begun when we arrived, so we quickly freshened up and made our way to the ballroom.

Alex Wong stood near the entrance, greeting guests as they arrived.

"Hello, sir. I'm Daniella Pierce from Lawson & Firm," I said, extending my hand as I introduced myself.

Alex's face lit up with recognition. "Ah, Daniella. Mr. Lawson emailed me, explaining that you'd be representing him at my event since he's recovering from heart surgery. It's a pleasure to meet you."

I nodded, smiling. "The pleasure is mine." I turned to Alpha and introduced them, "This is my partner, Alpha, and my assistant, Lucas."

We exchanged pleasantries briefly before Alex excused himself to greet another guest.

Suddenly, a woman's panicked scream ripped through the air, freezing everyone in their tracks.

"Help! Siau Yin! Don't go there! Stop, sweetie! Don't move, don't move!"

The room went still, and all eyes turned toward the source of the commotion. Alex's head whipped around, and he bolted toward the sound. I followed, my heels clicking against the marble floor as I hurried after him.

A woman, clearly a nanny, stood trembling near a window, pointing outside, her hand shaking violently.

"What's happening?" Alex demanded, his voice tight with fear.

"She's... she's on the ledge, sir. She's trying to get her doll!" the nanny stammered, her body quivering.

"What?!" Alex shouted, panic taking over. "Why didn't you stop her?"

The nanny was near tears. "I....I... I turned away for just a second to grab her drink! When I came back, she was already out there!"

My heart dropped. "Call 911!" I yelled.

Lucas was already on it, his phone pressed to his ear as he relayed the emergency to the operator.

I looked out the massive floor to ceiling window, and the sight made my stomach twisted. Siau Yin, Alex Wong's youngest daughter, was perched on a ledge barely wide enough to stand on. Thirty five floors up. She was crawling toward a tiny doll that had fallen just out of reach.

"She can't hear us, can she?" Alpha asked, his voice steady, though his gaze never wavered from the girl on the ledge.

"No," Alex choked out, running his hand through his hair. "She's not wearing her hearing aids."

The nanny, in tears, explained, "She woke up crying when she didn't see her mom and sister in the room. I thought bringing her to the party would cheer her up. I'm so sorry, sir…"

The little girl couldn't hear Alex's desperate pleas or the nanny's terrified sobs. She kept crawling closer to the edge.

"Siau Yin, stop!" Alex's voice cracked as tears welled in his eyes.

The tension in the room was unbearable. None of the guests dared to move toward the balcony. The ledge was far too narrow, and one wrong step could send anyone plummeting to their death.

I felt paralyzed. I was helpless. None of us knew what to do.

"Siau Yin!" Alex cried out again, his voice raw with desperation. "

" Please!"

But the little girl didn't stop. She was focused solely on her doll, her tiny hands reaching for it.

And then, without warning, Alpha moved.

I turned just in time to see him slip off his suit jacket and hand it to Lucas. His face was eerily calm, his movements smooth and deliberate.

"What are you doing?" I whispered, panic creeping into my voice.

Alpha didn't answer. He was already heading for the window.

"Alpha, no.....don't!" I shouted, but he was already climbing out.

The room gasped in unison as Alpha stepped onto the narrow ledge. His back was pressed against the building's wall, his movements deliberate and controlled.

My heart pounded in my chest, so loudly I could barely hear anything else.

He edged closer to Siau Yin, his body balanced precariously on the narrow strip of concrete. The wind tugged at his shirt, but he didn't falter.

Step by agonizing step, he closed the distance between himself and the child. When he was close enough, he crouched and reached for the doll. The ledge was so narrow I could hardly believe he was managing to stay upright.

He grabbed the doll and held it out to Siau Yin. Her face lit up with recognition, and she reached for it with a smile.

Alpha smiled back softly, his calm presence somehow reaching her despite the chaos around them.

Siau Yin took the doll from his hand, and Alpha gently scooped her up into his arms. His grip was steady, his focus unshaken, as he began the slow, careful journey back to the window.

My nails dug into my palms as I watched, terrified for every step he took.

Finally, Alpha reached the window and passed Siau Yin into Alex's waiting arms. Alex broke down, clutching his daughter tightly, tears streaming down his face.

Alpha climbed back inside, his movements as calm and composed as ever. The room erupted in applause, but I barely heard any of it. I rushed forward, my heart still pounding in my chest, and threw my arms around him.

"You're insane," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion, my body still in shock from what I had just witnessed.

Alpha smiled, his hands firm yet comforting on my shoulders. "She needed help. That's all that mattered," he said softly, his voice steady but filled with quiet strength.

I gazed into his eyes, and in that moment, everything else faded away. The noise, the chaos, the confusion, it all disappeared. All I could see was him, this man who had risked everything for a child he didn't know. I knew, with a certainty that gripped my heart, that I would carry this moment forever.

He wasn't just my "partner" anymore. The very idea of keeping this as a casual relationship felt impossible, almost insulting to what we shared.

How could I pretend to keep my heart guarded when he was capable of something so selfless, so extraordinary?

He wasn't just more.

He was everything.