I walked outside, to the lobby, and then to the library’s small garden. Some visitors sat on the available chairs, enjoying the cool shades from many trees and the many flowers’ fragrances. I sat on a chair, followed by Kenneth.
“So, what do you want to say?”
“Helena, please, don’t be like this.”
“What?! We have nothing between us. You came in the middle of my work hour. Should I smile and pretend nothing happened?”
“I want to apologize.”
I folded my arms in front of my chest and sighed. “Apology accepted. Now, go home.”
“Helena, why do you change so much?”
“What do you want? I have forgiven you. So, leave now!”
“Does it mean you want to be with me again?”
I stared at Kenneth as if two horns were growing on his head. His ignorance was unbelievable! How dare he ask me to be back with him? “Did you hit your head on a rock or something else?”
“What do you mean? I haven’t experienced such a thing.”
“Since you talked nonsense as if you were out of your mind!” I yelled at him, too angry to lower my tone.
“Helena, it’s not you. What happened in just a day?”
“Well, the old Helena has died already. I’m no longer the stupid and naive Helena you used to know.”
Kenneth reached his hand to hold my hand, but I pulled it fast. “Don’t you dare to touch me! Otherwise, I will scream!”
“I hurt you, and I know I’m an idiot. I regret it, and I want you back.”
I cursed in my mind. I imagined slapping Kenneth, but I couldn’t do it for real. He deserved it, but I didn’t want to lower myself. “Why do you regret it? You have already had your big boobies girl to warm your bed. Did she dump you?”
Kenneth scratched his head. “Uh, I made a big mistake with her. She didn’t dump me.”
“Then why did you want me back?”
“I promise you I won’t see her again. I won’t sleep with her again. I’ll be loyal and devoted to you. Give me a second chance. I won’t mess it up.”
“A crumpled paper can’t be smooth again as before, even if you want to straighten it. A shattered glass can’t be whole again. The only thing left to do is throw both into the trash can. So is with our relationship. There’s no us anymore. Goodbye, Kenneth!”
I stood and walked a few steps, but Kenneth chased me and hugged my waist from behind.
“Let me go! Are you crazy!”
Kenneth even closed my mouth with his large hand. “Please listen to me. I truly need you, Helena. Please, help me this time.”
“I’ll listen, but you must leave this place after that.”
Kenneth released me, then nodded. “My parents will visit me next week. They know about you, and they like you. So, they want to see you soon.”
“You can say that we haven’t been together anymore.”
He scratched his head again. “I wish it were so easy.” He sighed and looked away. “My parents always want me to marry a good girl like you. I don’t know how they could get your picture, but when they saw you, they were so excited. They even encouraged me to marry you soon.”
“What are you? A momma’s son? You can honestly say what happened.”
“I can’t!”
“Why not?”
“Because if I lost you, they wouldn’t let me get my inheritance.”
I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry. As my first boyfriend and first love, Kenneth was such a loser. I felt stupid to beg Kenneth yesterday not to break up with me. He didn’t deserve me at all!
“So, money is everything to you, huh?”
“Babe, please, be reasonable.”
“Don’t call me ‘babe’. I’m not yours anymore.”
“Sorry, Helena. Please, dear, help me! I’ll pay you if you want to help me.”
I frowned upon hearing that. “What do you mean?”
“I have been thinking. I admit it’s my fault that I’m an idiot. I shouldn’t choose lust over a good woman like you.” Kenneth shook his head. “But what’s done is done. I can’t change the past. But if you want to help me, I’ll pay handsomely.” He stared at me. “I need you to pretend that you are still my girlfriend.”
“No!
“Helena, please!”
“No! Didn’t you hear me? I don’t want to deceive your parents.”
“What if I pay you a thousand Moon dollars?”
“Kenneth, I say no! Don’t you understand the word no?”
“How about five grand?”
I stood with my arms placed on my hip. “How much will you receive the inheritance?”
Kenneth grinned. Maybe he thought I finally wanted to help him. “A million Moon dollars at least.”
“So, it’s a penny you offered, compared to the real one, isn’t it?”
“Well, I must try anyway. So, do you want to help me or not?”
“First of all, I don’t believe you tell me honestly. Since you have lied to me before, now you can do it easily. Second, I don’t want to be involved with you, moreover for money. It’s disgusting! I feel like you offered me a job to be a con artist.”
“Helena!”
Before I could say anything, the library security guard approached us. “Good afternoon, Miss Helena. Is everything okay?”
“Hey, Sam, thank you for checking. All is good. This man is about to leave. Maybe you can escort him outside to ensure he doesn’t get lost somewhere else.”
Sam, the security guard, nodded and understood what I implied. “For sure, Miss Helena.” He nodded. “Sir, let me show you the way to the front door. The library area is spacious indeed. It is so easy for first-time visitors to be lost here.”
Kenneth tightened his fists, but he couldn’t do anything toward me. “This isn’t over yet. No matter what, I’ll get what I want.”
“Sir?”
“Yes, I’m leaving!” Then Kenneth walked with the security guard.