Warning: Strong language

“Why are you not picking up my call?” Tanya asked, sounding both concerned and annoyed.

“Sorry Tanya, I had other things going on” I apologized sincerely.

As soon as I left the CEO’s cabin, my cell phone rang. My caller ID showed Tanya. She has been trying to reach me since yesterday. It was quite rude of me not to answer her call, but I was still struggling to make sense of my situation, let alone explain it to her. However, I did not want to worry her any more than I already have so, I just answered.

“Is it about our CEO?” Tanya asked, quizzically.

I stopped on the way to my car. Did she know something? I asked cautiously, “Why do you ask?”

“Yesterday you were acting odd ever since you saw the CEO” Tanya explained.

I sighed, internally. Indeed, I was acting suspiciously. No wonder she doubted. I took a calming breath and spoke to her with a laugh in my voice, “You are quite observant”

“So, it is the CEO? Do you guys know each other?” she asked in surprise

“You could say that,” I said, vaguely.

I heard a whistle from the other side of the line. She answered with a little mischievousness in her voice, “Could it be…..that you and our CEO were….” she trailed off

“Nah,” I said, trying to keep my voice neutral. She couldn’t have been more correct but to me, we have no relationship anymore. I continued in the same joking tone, “This is no fairytale and Mr. Walker is no prince charming. You could say we had a ‘bully-target’ relationship”

Tanya’s laugh dissolved into a disdainful snort, “Huh! No wonder you looked so frightened. All these Alphas are nothing but stuck-up scums”

Her tone struck me as somewhat shocking. It isn't every day that Tanya criticizes or badmouths someone. She sounded like she had an underlying hatred of Alphas when she spoke just now. It is rare to find Betas with a grudge towards Alphas, but you will find them occasionally. I wonder what made her so mad towards Alphas. As I started the car, I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.


“Looks like you did not have a good encounter with Alphas either” I heard her huff in agreement, which subconsciously made me smile, “There are gentle ones too. Hope you get to meet them. Regardless, I’ll be hitting the road now, so I have to hang up. Let's talk again later"

“Be careful! See you soon” she said, hanging up.

****

Following my awful conversation with Robbie, I felt much better talking to Tanya. Robbie had always been selfish and possessive of things and people he liked. Now that he has decided not to let me go, he will do everything in his power to prevent me from leaving. I wonder what his motive is. I am not convinced by his story of realizing his love for me, but then why was he so persistent about holding on to me? What will he possibly gain from it? I could only pray that it does not involve Twen. 

I started driving. Though my eyes were on the road, my mind was repeating the conversation I had with Robbie. After bandaging my hand for a petty bruise, he told me to think over my decision again. He gave me two days off to cool down and think things through. To be honest, I did make the decision more out of emotion than practicality. Now that I think about it, if I resign, I will have no place to stay, nor will I have a job. I can rent a place to stay with my savings but counting security deposit, rent, food, Twen’s school fee, his study material, and both of our basic necessities, I can at most spare 3 months. 

This situation reminded me of the time when I first came to this city. During that time, I spent all my savings from the part-time job I did while I was in school on fooding and lodging, rather than using it for college. I went from one place to another in hopes of getting a job. I was only 18 and naive enough to confess my sub-gender honestly. Every time my Omega status was revealed, no one would hire me. In a matter of four months, all my money was gone, I was thrown out of the rented room and they did not even return my security deposit, saying they would keep it as compensation. I spent a whole month on the streets, begging for money, covering Twen with whatever little clothes I had, and sleeping on the footpath. Twen fell seriously ill during this time. I had no money to treat him or even feed him. I understood how cruel this world was then. For three days, I and Twen starved on the street. I begged, cried, groveled, but nothing worked. No one gave us a single penny to save my Twen. I thought I would lose him…

My hands on the steering trembled on remembering that time. It still made me feel cold, dark, and hollow within. It was truly my darkest day. However, as it is said, ‘the dawn comes after the darkest of the night’, I met Fred that day. He looked like a high school student with mixed features and a weird accent. From his smell, I could immediately tell he was an Alpha. He invited me to his house and offered to help. The initial thought I had was that he wanted to sleep with me. I felt more certain when we arrived at his place. He stayed alone and asked me to wash up. I desperately wanted to save Twen, even if it meant to be someone else’s sleep partner. I accepted my destiny and quietly went to take a bath.

To my complete surprise, he asked nothing as such. He simply complimented me that I looked better and clean after my bath. He then told me he needed a housekeeper and a cook, but he was still in high school, so his allowance wasn't very high. However, he offered to allow me and Twen to stay and eat at his house to cover the cost. He even helped me treat Twen and paid for it as well. Fred broke my prejudice about Alphas being snobby, pompous, and arrogant jerks. He was the kindest and non-judgemental Alpha I met. I promised to work hard for him. He did not just help me that day, he saved my and Twen’s life.

I last spoke to him two years ago before he went abroad to study. We couldn’t keep in contact as he got busy with studies while I got busy with work. Now, remembering all this, made me miss him. I suddenly wanted to see him. It has been so long and we did not exactly part on good terms. I always thought, that once he returned, I would definitely have a word with him about what happened. I wonder when will he return...
****

"Mommy?" Twen called the moment I walked in from the door.

He had the weekend off from school, so he was at home alone doing his homework. I felt a pang of guilt when I saw him working alone. It has always been my wish to spend more time with him, but I can only work hard to provide him with a better life. Since I have two days off, I guess I will use this time to stay with him and have some fun.

"I am back, munchkin," I said, smiling at him.

"You don't have work today?" he asked gazing at me innocently.

"Mommy was left early today" I smiled at him.

Actually, that was partially true. After Robbie asked me to think over my decision, I simply left. I had no interest in staying in the same space as him.

"Mommy, what happened to your hand? Did you get burnt again" Twen asked, gazing at my bandaged hand.

At the beginning of my chef's career, I often came home with oil burns, cut marks, and scalding. So, he was used to seeing my hands covered in band-aids but this was the first time he had seen me bandaged in a while so he was looking worried. Even though he grew up mostly alone, he turned out to be a sensitive and caring boy. I was so proud of him.

"It is nothing. Mommy can handle these little injuries" I said, patting him on the head.

He didn’t look convinced, so to divert his mind I said,  "Munchkin, want to go for a drive?"

The worried look on his face disappeared to be replaced with elation. He asked eagerly, "Drive?"

"Yes. A long drive to the beaches!"

"Really?" he asked his eyes glowing with joy

"Yes. Mommy is free today.  Come on, get ready!! Let’s have a lot of fun" I told him

"Yaaaaayyyyy.... beaches," he said jumping in happiness and hurrying to get ready.

I went and took a backpack. I quickly packed all the essentials medicines, shorts, water bottle, flip flops, sunscreen creams, umbrella, towels, combs, body wash, shampoos, etc. I looked through again to make sure I had everything. Then, I helped Twen change and got ready myself. We hurried to our car. Twen immediately jumped in and excitedly rolled down the window glass. After a long time, I saw Twen so happy. I couldn’t help smiling as I got behind the wheel.

La Costa Beach

The beach where Fred’s house was. It was a place that was special to me. This place made me feel safe and helped me continue living. I went over there alone sometimes hoping to meet Fred. Sometimes, I will go just to get away from all the hustle-bustle of life and spend some quiet hours. Today's incident brought back intense memories of Fred and the beach. During this difficult time when I feel trapped and confused, all I can think about is him. Although I do not know when Fred will return, I wanted to meet him and introduce Twen to him. I want Twen to know the person who saved our lives.