Chapter 2

Aileen

On the way, we talked about how things were going on between Mom and him. He’s the Alpha of his pack, so everyone respects him.

Mom is now his Luna Queen and must watch over the pack alongside him. But, she had been a nurse for a while. So, she refused to quit her job.

She kept going on shifts like usual even though it didn’t suit her position at all.

And, being the kind man he is, he didn’t stop her from doing that at all.

I understand why Mom chose him over Dad. He’s such a sweetheart.

I don’t know when I’ll get over my unrequited feelings towards him. It only makes me feel small from deep inside whenever I recall Mom’s happy face.

“This is our stop,” Dave mentioned, turning to me.

I looked out and got out of the car.

I didn’t even notice how fast the time went talking with him.

We arrived in front of the big castle-like packhouse of the Sabertooth pack.

It looks like it had been created out of someone’s imagination.

“You can’t be impressed right away. There’s so much to see inside,” Dave said, patting on my shoulder.

I nod at him.

“Let’s go inside.”

I was taking the lead. And seeing us entering, the maids stood at both sides of the gate and bowed towards us. it was because I was with Dave.

One of the servants took the luggage out of his hands when we stood in the big living room.

“Keep it in her room,” he ordered.

“Where’s mom?” I asked, turning to him.

“Madam is in the kitchen,” a maid replied, coming up to our side.

“Where’s the kitchen?” I asked.

“I’ll show-“.

“Come, I’ll show you,” Dave cuts off the maid, taking me by the hand and dragging me inside the house.

My heart started racing at his touch. His hand…is warm.

“Emilia, Aileen is here!” he called, raising his voice.

My mom turned around to see me standing next to him.

She was wearing an apron.

Seeing me she rushed to my side, giving me a tight hug.

“My daughter! How have you been?”.

“I haven’t seen you in years.” She exhaled a deep breath.

“Mom, I used to video call you right? What do you mean by you haven’t seen me in years.” I grunted.

She pulled away and gave me a serious look.

“What? Did I say something wrong?”.

She grabbed onto my cheeks and started pulling them.

“Eh? Mom?”.

“Seeing you in video and person is different. Don’t you know that?” she frowned.

“Y-yes….I…k-know….”.

“Stop pulling my cheeks, it hurts!”.

“You deserved it,” she said, retreating her hands.

“Have you eaten lunch already?”.

“Uh….no, not yet.”

“Then, go to the table. I made curry with meat and potatoes along with rice.”

“We’ll have it together,” she said with a smile.

Homemade food by mom, I haven’t eaten it for years.

“I’ll help you bring the plates,” I said, moving to her side.

“Thanks.”

When I went to the table along with Mom, Dave was already sitting.

I didn’t notice when he left the kitchen.

I placed the plates down and sat two seats away from him.

Mom served rice and poured the curry on top for Dave first, then for me.

“Let’s eat!” I said, digging in first.

“Mmm….it’s tasty!”.

“I’d like a second serving.”

“I made many, eat as much as you like,” Mom replied, taking a bite of the food herself.

Dave was watching me enjoy food. I didn’t notice he had been staring at me.

I feel so embarrassed.

“So, how is your relationship going, Aileen?” Mom asked out of nowhere.

I almost choked on my food hearing her question.

“Have some water,” Dave said with a concerned look.

I gulped down the water the next second, looking at my mom.

“Why are you asking me about him suddenly?”.

She became puzzled, blinking at me.

“Why? Can’t I know about your relationship?”.

“Um…well…you can….”.

I stared down at my plate heaving a sigh. “We broke up.”

My mom dropped the spoon hearing the news, looking shocked.

“You did what?” she yelled, standing up.

“It’s not that surprising knowing he’s not the right guy for her,” Dave interrupted, continuing to eat.

Mom looked at him and just sat down picking up the spoon.

“Why did you break up?”.

“Just some minor misunderstanding,” I added. “No need to worry.”

“Let’s not talk about him.”

“Are you on your day off?”.

She nodded. “Yeah, for you.”

I heard maids standing far away, whispering and looking in our direction.

Do they like me or something?

“That reminds me,” Dave comments drawing our attention.

He smiled at me. “Your birthday is coming up.”

“Do you have any plans regarding that?”.

“If you’d like we can celebrate it together as a family.”

My birthday?

I forgot it’s March already. My birthday is in 2 days on the 6th.

How much had I been cooped up with Jack, that I even forgot about my birthday?

“We should throw a big party along with a welcoming party altogether,” Mom suggested with a giggle.

“Sounds lovely.”

“Do you want that?” Dave asked.

I felt my cheeks flustering red out of embarrassment.

He wants to celebrate my birthday. I feel so lucky.

I nod at him, lowering my head. “I have no problem with it.”

“Then, it’s final!” Mom added, moving over to my side.

She hugged me. “This will be your first birthday together with us.”

“I hope you enjoy it.”

I felt as if I was the happiest girl on earth, having a lovely mom who cared about me, and a person who also cared about me just like my mom.

I’m looking forward to my 18th birthday now.

After dinner, Dave decided to help me set up my room.

“Where do you want the study table in your room?” He asked.

“Um….around the window so I can get some sunlight.”

“OK then.”

He picked up the desk by himself.

Seeing that, I went to the other side and picked it up alongside him.

“You don’t need to do anything,” he asserted. “I can do it on my own.”

“It’s okay, I love helping.”

He didn’t protest against it and we both carried it towards the window.

“Do you want to move the drawer to the bed? All the furniture is all over the place.”

“Yes, I’d like that.”

“Where is mom by the way?”.

“Uh…she’s out in the garden. The gardener is planting new flowers so she’s observing them.”

“I see….”.

That’s why I have to be alone with him in my room.

While he was moving stuff I noticed the cabinet which was sitting in the middle of the room.

I was about to call Dave but saw him moving stuff.

I shouldn’t bother him at the moment.

It seems light, I can carry it on my own.

I bent forward and secured it from downwards and tried to lift it.

But failed.

It was way heavier than I imagined.

What is this made of? Metal? Or iron?

I tried to pick it up again but failed.

No, I can’t give up. This is just a cabinet. I can do it!

I kept trying to lift it.

“Aileen!” Dave yelled rushing to my side, standing in front of me.

“What are you doing? That’s heavy!”.

“Put that down!”.

“Uh….it’s okay. It’s not heavy at all. I need to put in more strength, I can lift it.”

I don’t want to make myself look weak in front of him.

I tried for one more time but failed.

Why the heck does it have to be so heavy?

He crossed his arms heaving a sigh.

“You don’t give up so easily, do you?” he added with a smug face.

“Just like your mom.”

Was that a compliment?

He disappeared from my sight, and when I was wondering where he went to.

He stood behind me bending forward as he placed his hands on top of mine.

His chest was facing against my back quite closely.

And I could feel something brushing against my butt cheeks.

What’s that?

“W-what are you doing?” I stuttered.

“If you want to lift it so much, let me help you.”

“At the count of three, two, one, go!”.

And we managed to lift the cabinet together.

I was surprised.

“Where do you want to place it?”.

“Well…um…by the corner….”.

“Let’s go then.”

He was walking while sticking quite close to me like that.

This is embarrassing. The first time I had been so close to him.

“The cabinet is made with Iron, and quite heavy material.” He said as we walked together in unison.

“As I expected,” I heave a sigh. “That’s why it’s so heavy.”

“Hm…that’s why I told you to put it down.”

We arrived at the corner of the bed.

He was concerned for me?

“Is this okay?”.

I nod at him.

“You can let go now,” he assured.

After I retreated my hands, I saw him standing right behind me so I adverted my gaze right away.

“Uh…you can do the other stuff now. I will arrange my clothes,” I said.

“Alright then.”

When he went away from my side, I felt my heartbeat rate going normal.

I can’t relax for a second whenever he’s around.

But, was it really necessary for him to come from behind to help me carry it?

He could pick it up from the front as well, just like we did with the desk.

Strange….

Maybe, it’s just my imagination.