"Help me!! Help me … !!" I kept running and didn't look back. They kept chasing me relentlessly.
Damn! Who are they really?
I kept running and finally arrived at a house that I had never known before. I didn't expect there to be a house in the middle of this wild forest.
"Where am I and who are those people?"
I held my stomach while running. In my mind, I had to keep running and hiding. I had to save myself and the baby inside my womb.
"I'm pregnant? What's really happening here?" I asked myself while constantly staring at my growing stomach. "God, I'm pregnant!?"
However, I couldn't stop running even though my mind kept questioning what was happening. And now, the house appeared only as a silhouette, making me even more confused and scared at the same time.
"Kill that woman!"
I heard their voices sounding very excited, chasing me. Making me even more scared and holding my stomach tighter. Somehow, I felt that I had to save the baby inside my body.
"She must die. She's carrying the Alpha's child. Her birth will make our clan fall."
I heard their words and became even more confused. "I'm sure they're talking about me," I asked myself.
"Alex ... Alex ... Wake up!!"
I sat up sweating profusely. My clothes were wet and soaked into the sheets. I saw everything and it seemed real. Terrifying.
"Who's Oliver? Jeezz ... it feels like a real event. Is this my future? Damn! It seems like the pressure to have a boyfriend is making me crazy."
***
"Come on, Alex. You have too many excuses. Are you gay?"
I sighed. For the umpteenth time, I had to face an unpleasant condition like this. What right did I have to choose a comfortable life? For them, I was just an old girl who hadn't married at the age of 32.
"No, Mom. I'm not gay. I just haven't found the right man," I replied, which might be boring for my parents to hear.
I looked at my father and mother. My father was reading a book with his glasses perched low on his nose. As usual, my father could only smile at the debate with my mother. Moreover, I was no longer a little girl to ask for help. I was a grown woman who had a lot of reasons not to marry without love.
"I'm tired of that excuse. Don't you have any other reasons that make more sense?" My mother rebuked me with all the logic she maintained. The logic that a daughter who was arguing with her should get married soon.
"Dad ... did Mom just meet these city widows?"
My father laughed until he took off his glasses. I waited for my father's magic words. Would there be a white flag waving between me and my mother? Or a red flag, which meant there would be a continuation of this conversation.
"Alex. Sorry! This time I have to support your mother. And it's true she just met the Black Widow ladies."
I glared at my father, showing my disapproval.
That's the end of my story. The second episode will continue next week.
"Mum... I'm your prettiest, smartest, and sexiest daughter. How could you listen to those widows over me? Come on, Mom. I promise to get married."
"Promise?" Mom said, giving me a pinky promise. I disliked her puppy eyes because after this, she would write down my promise on a sticky note and stick it on all my favorite areas. It's a habit she's had since I was in fourth grade.
"I promise, Mommy!" I replied, pouting. I gave up. Don't worry, I still have a lot of patience in stock. I'm ready to face this veiled love bully with a radiant face.
"This year. It's your last year as a single woman. Because your father and I have a plan to marry you to one of our colleagues."
I was shocked by the time frame my mother gave me. It seems like she's not joking this time. The gaze of my parents looked serious, and frankly, it made me scared.
"This year? Mom... you know love cannot be forced."
"I just want you to learn to accept love," Mom replied nonchalantly.
I'm a grown woman who really doesn't want to argue longer to defend my argument. I'm too lazy to argue with my female friends at work, let alone with my mom. Honestly, I feel isolated, or more precisely, alienated.
"Whatever you say, Mom." I immediately kissed both my parents on the cheek and went upstairs.
"We love you, Baby. You know we decide the best, Baby?" Mom shouted as I began to climb the stairs.
"I know, Mom!" I replied while waving my hand. I just love them. I don't want to make things harder for them in their old age because of me.
After entering my room, I lay down for a moment before getting ready for work.
***
The only thing that makes me proud is probably the metallic blue BMW in my driveway. I bought it after a pretty long argument with the bank as compensation for a system error that occurred.
Before going to work, I intentionally went to one of my Aunt's Italian cafes. Yes, I'm half Italian, so I'm never insecure about my face. I'm only insecure about my age and my fate.
"Lasagna with lots of onions, Bi!"
"Alex? Don't eat too many onions. You're going to work, aren't you?" Aunt Emme's advice that I had to listen to once again.
"It's up to you, Aunt, as long as you don't bother Mom with my marriage!" I got annoyed with myself. Especially since one of my aunts with the nickname Black Widow 1 was so enthusiastic about forcing me to get married. You might wonder why I called them Black Widow.
"You have to get married, Honey. You're beautiful and sexy. I don't understand why you're still not married!"
"And become a widow quickly like you guys?"
"Don't tell me you're afraid to get married because of us?"
I misspoke again. I saw a hint of sadness appear on Aunt Emme's wrinkled face. "It's not like that, Aunt. Forgive my words."
"Maybe now you think this is coercion. But we believe that someday you will be grateful."
I bowed my head and felt embarrassed. As an Italian descendant, I know that family is everything. Everyone should be united, and all the smallest units of the family should know each other
***
Bailey Publisher
"Good morning Alex. I think you should be ready because Billy seems upset today!" said Margareth, the General Secretary at Bailey publishing office.
"Since when is he not like that?" I quickly replied. It's not Margareth's name if she doesn't do something silly. She started behaving like a horny woman and made me roll my eyes until I had to adjust my glasses.
Actually, I feel lucky when Billy became my boss in the Popular Novel publishing department. At least Billy is better than my previous boss who was super perverted. Don't ask how many times I've been harassed by him. Many times, and I kept quiet because I had to survive in this office. I rely on this office for my financial life.
"Good morning, Billy. Do you have any tasks you want to assign to me?" I asked as friendly as possible. Billy just looked at me from head to toe. I always dress normally with a shirt or a vest. However, it still cannot hide my sexy curves. Making anyone who looks at me with the eyes of a prostitute. Except for Billy, the polar human.
"We have an interview with Mr. Andrew White."
I rolled my eyes, because Mr. White is one of my favorite writers. "Keep your saliva, Alex. And get ready!" Billy scolded me lightly.
"O-Okay. I will prepare."
I immediately sat at my desk and took out my cosmetic bag to do some touch-ups before the interview.
After getting ready, Billy and I stood up and looked at each other. I wondered what he wanted to ask me. Because his gaze implied so.
"Is there a problem?" I asked.
"No. Let's go!" he answered while taking his coat that was hanging next to his desk.
I looked down and took my coat and bag. After that, I followed Billy's long strides. What does he look like? He's HOT! That's all that's on my mind. Don't ask how many times I've imagined a hot romance with him. Many times and often. Maybe only Margareth knows that I have a sexual crush on Billy.
"Why are you behind me? Are you satisfied just staring from behind?" Billy asked sarcastically.
"Good enough for me. At least the view is better than where I'm standing."
Was my answer sounding rude? But I've never been so honest. Billy's back is truly captivating.
Billy turned around, and slowly approached me until I was cornered against the wall of the elevator. He took my waist and lifted me easily. Believe me, Billy's muscular body makes everything you imagine come true. My eyes widened because Billy brought his face so close. Of course, I thought he was going to kiss me...
Is he going to kiss me here?