~ Helena ~
The following day, I prepared to go to work. I worked as a librarian in the Moon Public Library (MPL). My work time varies from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on other days. I have a day off only on Sunday.
I got used to being at my workplace a half-hour before my work hour began. I wanted to organize everything before the first visitor came. Like now, I tidied the books in the politics section. Then I picked some books on the visitors’ tables. I sorted them according to the book sections and placed them on the cart. Later, I pushed the cart and put each book back on its shelf.
Afterward, I checked the list of book borrowers. I was responsible for the book collections only. Though the library also had DVDs, VCDs, VHSs, etc., my responsibility was only for two categories: new books and express books. The loan period for new books is two weeks, while it is a week for express books. If any borrowers exceeded the loan period by three days, I would contact them by sending emails. I would remind them to return the books first or extend the borrowing period.
It was 11.35 a.m when I finished sending the emails. At noon, the first visitor came to return the books, and I placed them on my table. I would return them later to the bookshelves.
Then a regular library visitor came, and he greeted me, “Hey, Helena. How are you?”
“I’m good. How are you, Anthony?”
“Yeah, like usual. You look different. Something good happened?”
“Oh, really?” I smiled. “I didn’t realize it. How do I look different?”
“Well, I don’t know, but you seem brighter than before.”
I pondered for a while, wondering if it was the effect of Ethan’s marking me. Then I blushed. Was it something to do with the sex thing? “Oh, thank you. I feel like I used to be, but I’m glad if I look better.”
Anthony nodded and muttered, “You always look good anyway.” Then he scratched his head, obviously nervous. “So, do you have any plans for weekends?”
“Not yet. Why?”
“I wonder if you want to go out sometime. We can watch a movie or go to a restaurant. It will be great if you want to go elsewhere too.”
“Oh! Are you asking me for a date?”
“Uh, well, uh, yes, I guess.” Anthony scratched his head again.
I smiled. “Thanks so much for your kind offer, Anthony. It’s very nice of you.”
“So, do you agree?”
“Unfortunately, I already have a boyfriend. But I appreciate your offer.”
Anthony let out a long sigh. “The good and beautiful girls always have already taken. I should know it!”
“Don’t worry. You will find a good and beautiful girl too. I do not doubt it at all.”
Anthony smiled. “You are always so kind. I should ask you faster. But whoever your boyfriend is, please tell him that he is so lucky to have you. If he mistreats you, please let me know. I can hack his account into 0$ and send it all to your account.”
I giggled. “It’s so sweet. But I’m sure Ethan won’t do that.” Anthony is always friendly, but I have never thought he has feelings for me.
“Is he the one who fetched you once?”
“No. Ethan is my new boyfriend.” I sighed. “What you mentioned was another guy. He dumped me for another girl.”
“What?! He’s crazy! Why did he do that?”
“Because I can’t give him what he wants. When I think about it now, it’s for the best.”
“But still, I think he’s an idiot. If I were him, I wouldn’t let you go.”
I smiled from ear to ear. “You truly made my day. Thank you so much! It warms my heart to hear that.” Hearing what Anthony said was good for my ego.
“You deserve it, Helena. You are friendly, patient, and beautiful. Make sure Ethan is fully aware of that.”
“Thank you, Anthony.”
Then after borrowing some books and DVDs, Anthony left. Some visitors came later, but I took a break at noon. I ate a burger and drank a cup of orange juice at a cafeteria.
When I returned to the library, Stacy, my workmate and friend, grinned.
“What?”
“You have never told me that Kenneth is so romantic.”
“Huh? Well, why? I just broke up with him.”
Stacy gasped. “Oh, I’m sorry! But then, who’s the lovely bouquet sender?” Then she showed the bouquet to me.
It was a pretty pink roses bouquet. I gaped and immediately searched for the card but couldn’t find it. Later, I finally found the card and read it, ‘I saw it at a florist. So, I am sending it to you. Hopefully, you will think of me all day long. Love, Ethan’
“Oh!” I placed the card on my chest. “He’s so sweet!”
“So, you broke up with Kenneth because of the new guy? Tell me, please?” Stacy’s eyes were shining. “I actually don’t like Kenneth.”
“Why? You never told me about it before.”
“Because I thought you were happy with him. So, tell me about the new guy.”
I picked up my bag and took out my wallet first. I inserted the card bouquet into the wallet first. Then, after placing the wallet back in my purse, I smiled. “Well, it was still surreal for me. The day I broke up with Kenneth, that’s when I met Ethan. He saved me from drowning.”
“Drowning?” Stacy frowned. “What happened?”
“When I think about it now, I feel foolish. You see, Kenneth is my first boyfriend. I thought I loved him. So, when he said he wanted to break up with me, I pleaded with him not to do it. Yet, he insisted. So, when I pulled his hand, he pulled it. Somehow, I fell from the Moon Bridge, went straight to the Moon River.” I closed my eyes for a while. Telling the story was terrifying me since I almost died yesterday. “Since I couldn’t swim, I screamed, asking Kenneth to help me. Yet, he couldn’t swim either. He watched me drowning.”
“Oh, my goodness!” Stacy covered her mouth with her hand. “Then what happened?”