~ Helena ~
At 6.10 p.m., finally, I finished all the work. Stacy had already finished her work too. So, we were about to go home together as we used the bus as our transportation. I took my bouquet.
My smile was blooming since Ethan was thoughtful and caring to send the flower. My smile bloomed as my mind recalled that he sent the rose since the color reminded him of my lips. I touched my lips with my pointer finger and smiled.
“It is said not to advise those who fall in love. The quote is true.”
I giggled and grabbed Stacy’s hand. “Don’t tease me again. I’m happy since Ethan thinks of me. The flowers are so pretty! I love the bouquet!”
“Yeah, that’s what the lover says.” But then Stacy giggled too. “I’m curious to see how handsome Ethan is.”
“Uh, once I meet him again, I’ll ask him to take pictures with me. So, I can show it to you.”
“Great! But it’ll be better if you ask him to visit you at the library. Sometimes, the pictures don’t give justice to the person. If they aren’t photogenic, their photos may be worse than their real appearance.”
“You are right.” I smiled again. “But if you see Ethan, you’ll agree with me. He’s truly an amazing man.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Stacy rolled her eyes and laughed to see how I was attached to Ethan.
We walked to the gate and waved at Sam. He smiled and approached us. “Finished?”
“Yeah, we are going home now.”
“Okay, I’m going to lock the door now.”
“Thanks, Sam.” I smiled at the security guard.
“Whoa, nice flower!”
“Yes, my boyfriend sent it to me.”
Sam grinned. “Great one! So you dumped the one I saw bothering you before for this guy?”
“No—” Yet, I couldn’t help myself not to grin “—the guy who bothered me today at the garden was the one who dumped me first. Then I met my boyfriend.”
“Ah!” Sam nodded. “You know, what it means to be, it will be. So, you don’t mean to be with the guy, but you meet with your boyfriend.”
“Thanks, Sam. I believe so. My boyfriend is such a wonderful man. I’m so happy that I can be with him.”
Sam raised his thumb. “I’m happy for you. I think you are such an amazing person too, Miss Helena. You deserve a great guy who can make you happy.”
“Oh, Sam.” My eyes were moist, but I smiled. “Thank you so much. It means a lot to me.”
“Okay, then off you go. I must lock the door too.”
“Okay, bye, Sam.”
Stacy also nodded to Sam. “See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow, Miss Stacy, Miss Helena.”
When we were outside the library, a pair of arms suddenly circled my waist from behind. “Helena, please don’t go. Give me time to explain.”
Stacy, who saw how Kenneth hugged me from behind, screamed, “Hey, leave her alone! Help!”
“Shut up! It’s not your business!”
“How rude! I’m Helena’s friend and co-worker. For sure, it’s my business if you are harassing my friend. Let her go!”
I took a deep breath and turned my body to face Kenneth. “Please, let me go. We don’t need to make a scene here.”
He finally let me go. “Helena, I only need you to listen to me. After that, I’ll let you go.”
“Okay, but what else do you want to say?” I crossed my arms in front of my chest. “Haven’t you said all your intentions in the garden?”
Kenneth let out a long sigh and showed a sad face to me. “I need to talk face to face with you.” He glanced at Stacy. “I can’t talk with your friend as our witness.”
“I’m here because I’m worried that you may hurt Helena.”
“No, I won’t!” Kenneth wiped his face with his hand. “My goodness, do you think I’m a thug? I won’t hurt Helena. Instead, I want to make her mine again.”
“What? After you left her to die? Drowning in the river?” Stacy stood with her hands on her hip. “If Ethan didn’t help Helena, she would be a corpse right now.”
“Stay away from Helena and me!”
“No! You who must stay away from Helena! You have taken her for granted. You left her almost to death. Now, you want to beg her to be yours again?” Stacy laughed out loud. “Is this the joke of the year? Since it’s not funny at all, but I think it’s suitable since you are a joke!”
Kenneth stepped forward, wanting to do something toward Stacy, but I blocked him.
“You said you wanted something from me. So?”
Kenneth took a deep breath though he still glared at Stacy. “Can you ask your friend to leave first?”
“What do you want to say?”
“It won’t take long. Please?”
Since Kenneth was stubborn, I knew it would take ages to finish this matter. So, I glanced at Stacy. “Can you wait for me at the bus stop, please? I won’t be long. If I didn’t come after fifteen minutes, you might help by checking on me.”
Stacy glared at Kenneth but then stared at me. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. It’s better to finish it here and now than prolong it later.”
Stacy shrugged. “Okay then.” Then she walked two steps but turned her body again to point the finger at Kenneth. “Watch out! If you hurt her again, I’ll call the police!”
“Get lost! You’re busy for what’s not your business!”
“You!”
I stepped in the middle then smiled at Stacy. “I’m okay. Wait for me at the bus stop, please?”
Stacy let out a long sigh, but then she walked farther.
“Finally, we’re only alone.” Then Kenneth dropped to his knees. “I know I’m a fool. But will you give a fool a chance? I want to marry you, Helena. I will make you happy. I promise.”
I shook my head. I looked away, kicking the gravel. “If you had told me a week ago before it all happened, I wouldn’t think long to say ‘yes’.”
“I know I have made a big mistake. But please, Helena, we had something beautiful together. We can have it again. So, please, give me another chance? Please?”