THE ALPHA AND I

~ Helena ~

I visited Kenneth's apartment on a drizzling day in Moon City. Kenneth William had been my boyfriend for six months. I brought a picnic basket because I always wanted to picnic with him. But so far, it wasn't fulfilled yet.

From my house to Kenneth's, I used a bus. It took a half-hour. It was a sunny day when I left my home, but it was drizzling suddenly after arriving at the bus shelter. Fortunately, I brought an umbrella.

I knocked on the door. It took Kenneth a while to open the door. When he opened the door, he wore no shirt, and sweat was all over his neck and chest. 

"Are you exercising? Have you finished yet?" I opened my purse, took a tissue, and wiped it on Kenneth's neck. I almost placed the tissue on his chest, but then I blushed. 

"Exercise?" Kenneth laughed. "Yeah, you're right. I'm in the middle of an exercise."

"Oh, do you want me to return after you have finished?" 

"Sure, babe." Then Kenneth stared at the basket. "Hey, where are we going later?"

I giggled. "It's a secret! But we're going for a picnic today. I'm excited about this since I've planned for a week."

"Picnic? It's rainy outside. We'll only get wet. Maybe it's better for another time, okay?"

I sighed. Kenneth's rejection instantly ruined my mood, but what he said made sense. Maybe we could go picnic another time. "So, what should we do for our date today?" 

"How about this? Let's meet an hour from now at the Moon Bridge." Kenneth stared at his wrist. "At 2 p.m., okay?"

"Where will we go from there?"

Kenneth shrugged. "We'll think somewhere." Then he pushed me to go. "I must continue my exercise. See you an hour from now." Then Kenneth closed the door immediately.

My knee-length pink dress was a little damp because of the rain. I'd better change my clothes if I wanted to stay comfortable on my date. While the pink dress was my favorite, I had no choice. I might get cold later if I insisted on wearing the pink dress. So, I opened my umbrella and walked to the bus shelter again. 

The bus came fast. Fortunately, I got a seat. Then my mind wandered to Kenneth again. Six months after dating me, Kenneth hadn't introduced me to his parents or family. In contrast, after dating for a month, I had already brought him to meet with my adoptive mother, Freya Ross. 

After four months of dating him, my mother stroked my hair when I complained. "Sweetheart, men and women are different in their approach to relationships. Men usually take a lot of time before introducing their partners to their family and parents. But it doesn't mean they aren't serious with you."

"But Mom, I'm wondering if Kenneth has someone else."