Rejected My Alpha Mate
#Chapter 15 Love At The First Sight

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 hadsat 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 tooquickly 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 feetmore. 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 amother.

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'dadded 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 Ihad 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 thestand. 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 aswell 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. Ineed 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 audiencewould 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 somethingromantic 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 myfated mate.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Hello, Blue Diamond," I greeted my audience, beginning to play the opening melody to my song, "Iwrote this song about falling in love and I want to share it with you tonight. The name is “Love at theFirst 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 allmy 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 intosilence for the span of several heartbeats before applause burst out from every table in the dininghall.

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

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 suitwhich 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 underthe 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 loveI'd found myself singing about.

Everything went smoothly for the rest of the night. The only difference from any other shift I'd hadin the restaurant was I switched from piano accompaniment to piano entertainer for the duration ofthe 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 ateanything 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 themusic 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 andshe disappeared. I figured she was going to bring me the water I'd asked for and thanked him inadvance.

"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 musicproduction 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 undercontrol.

"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 alwayson the lookout for new talent and “Love at the First Sight had the audience all moved to tears. Hell,I cried a few myselft”

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 singlemother 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 backuppianist 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 replace 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 earnenough to support myself and a baby.

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