Rejected My Alpha Mate novel Chapter 15

Rachel POV

The Next Night – 8 PM

Tyler had been true to his word and never shown up at the garden for the rejection ceremony. I had sat there for the entire day until time for work. I kept thinking he might be testing me.

I should have known he would do exactly as he said.

Tyler Wright was a man of his word if nothing else.

Bella had tried to convince me to take several days off work. I was having dizzy spells if I stood too quickly and I often felt nauseated though I had yet to begin having any vomiting.

The obstetrician had suggested I eat small portions many times a day to keep my blood sugar up. He had also said to drink fluids regularly as well as to stay off my feet.

I knew I wasn't far enough along with my pregnancy to have swelling yet, but I did notice my feet more. I felt clumsy in a way I had never been in my life.

Oddly enough, I still found I wanted to dance throughout my day. I loved the idea of being a mother.

If I were to have this baby? I would love him or her with all my heart.

While waiting on Tyler to show up at the garden, I had composed more music to pass my time. I'd added lyrics to a song and found myself surprised I was writing about being in love.

I thought I had forgotten how it felt to be in love after three years of being despised by my mate, but my heart was warmed by memories of my first love, Nathan Lewis.

Nathan had called Bella's apartment again though I had been in the shower at the time. I wished I had gotten to speak with him. Bella had taken his number down for me.

Calling Nathan felt possible as I was humming my own love song while sorting the music on the stand. I wondered where the singer had gotten off to, but my boss showed up in a panic.

"Rachel," Roy asked, breathless for unknown reasons, "Can you sing? Please tell me you can sing as well as you play the piano."

"I can sing. I took vocal lessons as part of my studies to get my music degree. What's happened?"

"The singer is sick. She's been feeling off all through the set and she just totally lost it backstage. I need a love song. Do you know one?"

Love songs were the most common kind of music aside from religious hymns.

I rifled through my memory for my favorites, already preparing to play a piano ballad the audience would recognize. Those did well in the restaurant.

"What kind of love song? Does it matter?"

"Table Six is having a proposal. The groom-to-be paid a deposit to make sure we played something romantic and sweet. He wants his girl to say 'yes', you know?"

I actually didn't know.

No one had ever asked me to marry them.

Nathan Lewis and I had been in love in high school.

We had joked about having a family together. A dozen children. A house with a white picket fence. Two dogs so they could play with each other when everyone was busy.

I remembered dreaming about a marriage proposal from him even though I knew he wasn't my fated mate.

"How would you feel about me playing one of my original pieces? I put words to it today and I think it would work for a proposal."

Roy nodded vigorously, "Absolutely! A Rachel Original! I love it. I'm sure they're going to love it. Let me get the guys to move the mic over here and send the spotlight over you. You're fine with performing, right? No stage fright?"

I laughed and shook my head, "No. I don't have stage fright. I often had to perform for entire concert halls as part of my degree."

Recitals had never made me uncomfortable. Music was as natural as breathing to me. I enjoyed sharing my craft with others.

Staff moved the spotlight to shine down on me from above, illuminating me in a warm glow. I straightened on the bench automatically in reaction.

Roy himself moved the microphone to where it was angled down to allow me to sing into it while playing the piano.

"Hello, Blue Diamond," I greeted my audience, beginning to play the opening melody to my song, "I wrote this song about falling in love and I want to share it with you tonight. The name is 'Love at the First Sight' and I do hope it reminds you of your first loves, too."

As I sang 'Love at the First Sight,' I closed my eyes to better feel the mood of the music. I poured all my love into every word while letting my passion empower my playing.

The sounds of the restaurant faded away as I got lost in the song. I let my final bars trail off into silence for the span of several heartbeats before applause burst out from every table in the dining hall.

Blushing, I said, "Thank you, everyone. I'm glad you were all able to feel the love tonight. Speaking of love, I believe there's a gentleman at table six who would now like to borrow our attention for his love."

I gestured to the table and the spotlight operator swung it away from me obediently.

The gentleman who stood up from the table appeared close to my age. He was in a nice, crisp suit which he straightened before going down on one knee before the lovely brunette sharing his table.

I cried a few tears of joy alongside the bride-to-be as she joyfully accepted his proposal.

Both of their hands were shaking as he gave her his ring. The diamond solitaire was stunning under the lights. I clapped along with everyone else when the two shared a lovely kiss.

I hoped, in that moment, I would one day experience the kind of love they shared---the kind of love I'd found myself singing about.

Everything went smoothly for the rest of the night. The only difference from any other shift I'd had in the restaurant was I switched from piano accompaniment to piano entertainer for the duration of the evening.

I stood up from the bench as my final set finished only to have to sit right back down.

Dizziness washed over me; I remembered it had been a longer time than suggested since I last ate anything or had any water.

"Are you alright?"

Turning to my right, I saw an older gentleman approaching me, "I just need a glass of water. I let the music take over tonight. One of the pitfalls of being the main act instead of just the backup music."

We shared a chuckle as he waved one of the waitresses over. He whispered to her for a moment and she disappeared. I figured she was going to bring me the water I'd asked for and thanked him in advance.

"No, no, thank you for performing tonight. I'm Howard. Cecilia, the singer tonight, is one of my acts. I'm a producer for Camelot Records. Are you looking for representation?"

I sucked in a breath as I recognized the name. Camelot Records was a very well-known music production firm. Getting an offer from one of their agents was a dream come true.

"I haven't thought about it, sir."

The waitress brought me the glass of water and I used it as an excuse to get myself back under control.

"What are you offering exactly?"

"I'm offering a meeting with our team to see if you would be a good fit for our group. We're always on the lookout for new talent and 'Love at the First Sight' had the audience all moved to tears. Hell, I cried a few myself!"

My hand went to my belly as I realized I wasn't only thinking about a future for myself.

I hadn't decided on the baby, but I had to consider there was the chance I would soon be a single mother who needed to provide a good life for an infant.

Working with a famous music production firm would pay me much more than being a backup pianist in even a classy restaurant like Blue Diamond.

"I would love to meet with your firm, Howard. I'm Rachel, by the way. Rachel Flores."

Howard handed me a card and told me he would be in touch to set up the time for the interview. He was kind enough to wait until I finished my water before heading back toward the bar area.

I went to the kitchen to find Bella, practically dancing all over again.

My smile was beaming bright as I found her and grabbed her to spin around in a hug.

"Guess what just happened?"

"What? What?" Bella laughed.

"I've got an interview with Camelot Records! They want to sign me!"

Bella cheered with me and we made plans to celebrate with some chocolate cake.

If I were to get signed, I could get my dream job as a full-time songwriter---and maybe earn enough to support myself and a baby.

Could it be possible? Could I have two dreams come true?