Chapter 29 Unexpected encounter
TARA:
It turned out I was just hungry, not in love with anyone. What do I know about love and relationships?
I ate to my fill that night because the Alpha ordered two plates of food for me.
According to him, it was compensation for being too strict on me during training. I had a cold bath afterwards and laid on my bed to sleep.
Sleep took me immediately and when it was time to wake up, I did so seamlessly. The pains were still there but not as much as last night. I got ready for school and waited outside for Mason to come pick me up. I didn't bother checking on the Alpha because I felt he was still sleeping. Or doing other important things. My presence would only be a nuisance.
"Tara!"I looked up to see the Alpha staring down at me from the balcony.
"Don't bother waiting for Mason. His girlfriend is back, so yeah, don't expect much from him. Take the public transport system."
"Okay, Alpha."
I stepped outside the gate, walked for a few minutes before arriving at the main street. It wasn't that busy since it was still early in the morning.
I was about to wave off an incoming taxi when I caught sight of someone familiar.
It was the boy I had seen that afternoon we went shopping. But how did he get there?
Anyway, I waved at him. When he saw me, his gloominess disappeared. I hurriedly walked toward him.
"Good morning," I greeted him excitedly. Why was I even that happy to see a stranger?
He didn't look any better than he was at that time. But he was alive and that was all that mattered.
"I'm currently on my way to school and I'm almost late. But here," I dipped my hand into my handbag, pulled out some cash, and placed it in his hands.
"Bye." I hurried back to the road without hearing a word from him. I eventually turned back to see him staring intently at him.
"Meet me here tomorrow. Same time," I shouted.
A taxi stopped in front of me and I boarded it. I told him where I was going and he took me there.
As soon as I entered the classroom, I began reading. I was thirty minutes early because I wanted to get a head start. Minutes later, my classmates started trooping in one after the other and settled in their seats.
The first class we had was seasoning. Good thing I brought my own spices.
"Hey, Tara." Samantha greeted me with a warm smile.
"Good morning," I returned the smile.
She settled beside her seat partner. I looked toward mine but she wasn't there. For the two days I had been there, she never came late. Or missed any classes.
"Have you seen Vera?" Sam asked. I responded with a solemn head shake.
But before classes started, she walked in and sat down quietly. The only person she spoke to was Samantha. I felt bad that she didn't speak to me but I reasoned that she knew what was best for her.
After school, I stayed back for another thirty minutes carrying out practicals on what I had learned that day.
"Hope you've been practicing at home? You'll be carrying out your first test next week." My homeroom teacher questioned. I had spoken to the Alpha about it but nothing had been done.
"I'm currently working on it, ma," I replied, packing up my books.
"You're picking up fast but you still need to practice. Make sure you speak to the Alpha or whoever about it, okay?"
"Yes ma,"
"That'll be all for today. See you tomorrow."
And there went day 3. I stretched my body earning myself some cracks in my spine. In two hours, I would be going through another hellish training.
On my way back to the house, I met that little boy again. I didn't even know his name. He sat alone across the seat located at a bus stop. Did he truly not have anywhere to sleep?
My sympathy for him increased. I saw him wiping his face and decided to go over.
"Hey there," I sat beside him.
"Good evening aunty." He quickly wiped his face and put on a strong front. I almost giggled. Who was he trying to deceive?
"Twice today. That's more than a coincidence. It's now fate. Honestly, I wish I could take you in but I don't have a place of my own."
"You've been more than kind to me. I don't know how to repay you. You've helped me a lot." He finally looked at me. "You're too kind."
"You don't have to pay me back. I do what I do because it's the right thing to do."
His stomach grumbled. Didn't he eat already? I thought the money I gave him was enough.
"Stay here, I want to get something." I dropped my bag with him, ran across the road, and got us something to eat. I had missed lunch at school and unfortunately, Sam didn't get anything for me this time.
I ran back to him and handed his share to him.
I saw that he didn't want to accept it.
"I'm going to be very angry if you don't accept it." And by hearing that, he accepted the food. We both ate in silence and trashed the plates afterward.
"I've got to go." I stood up, clutching my bag.
"I want to walk with you. I hope you don't mind." He requested. How could I say no to that cute face?
We were now walking back to the Alpha's house.
"What is your name, by the way?" I asked him.
"Eddie."
"Eddie. That's a lovely name. Simple, short, and sweet." I mused a smile.
"How old are you?"
"Twelve." He blankly replied.
"I don't know how to start thanking you for all you've done for me." His eyes were glued to the ground all along.
"What made you run away from the orphanage? Isn't it better than being on the street?" I questioned.
He first sighed deeply.
"It's a nice place only if you behave like a stupid person. The authorities were laundering money meant for the kids and I found out. They tried bribing me into keeping quiet but I refused. They started treating me badly, starving me, and depriving me of many things. I had no choice but to leave."
I felt sorry for him. At such a young age, he was smart but guess not everyone appreciated him.
"I'll do my best whenever I can," I promised him. He looked at me with hopeful eyes. I felt this burden of responsibility toward him and I couldn't afford to disappoint him. He was too young for what was going through.
A few meters from us, Rowan and Alpha stood. They were discussing something because the Alpha was paying rapt attention to what Rowan was saying.
When we got to where they stood, I greeted them and wanted to quietly pass by with Eddie.
"What the hell are you doing with a beggar?" It was Rowan who asked. One thing I've noticed about him is that he lacks sympathy toward people.
"Can't you see how tattered he looks? Do you want to soil the name of the Alpha?"
Before I knew it, Eddie ran away.
"Eddie!" I called him but he didn't stop running. I glared at Rowan.
"He's just a homeless kid. Cut him some slack. Why are you being so unnecessarily wicked?" I groaned.
"Did you just speak to me like that? Have you forgotten your place, you slave? How dare you raise your unworthy voice at me?"
"I might be a slave but my heart is not made of stone." I eyed him maliciously and walked out on them.
How could one person be such an embodiment of wickedness?