Chapter 1
“Well, I’m not particularly well-versed in the realm of pop culture,” the man adeptly fibbed. It wasn’t an outright fabrication, though; he truly lacked knowledge in that domain. Above all else, he yearned to conclude the transaction swiftly and return home. Providentially, another customer materialized behind him, sending an impatient glare in the cashier’s direction. The cashier hastily completed the payment processing and glanced up.
The man towered over him, surpassing his expectations. Furthermore, beneath his shirt, the cashier discerned a clearly chiseled and robust chest. When their eyes met, positioned much higher than the cashier had anticipated, he was taken aback.
As he widened his eyes and blinked, the man independently placed the items into the plastic bags, bid a brief farewell, and departed.
While the cashier remained transfixed, staring at his departing figure, the customer behind the man began to grumble, “Why on earth did that take so long?”
“Did you catch a glimpse of his countenance? The man who just exited?”
The customer stared at the cashier, awestruck. However, the cashier’s gaze was still locked in the direction where the man had vanished.
“He must be an alpha, don’t you think?” the cashier marveled once more, prompting the customer to furrow their brow and direct their gaze in the same direction. “I didn’t detect his pheromones.”
“But he is undeniably handsome. He must be an alpha. And he’s quite buff too.”
“Indeed? His back was certainly a sight to behold.” The customer belatedly took interest, but the man had already disappeared without a trace.
The cashier finally snapped out of his reverie and sighed as he scanned the items. “I hope he returns,”’ he ruminated.
***
I shall never step foot in that store again.
Josh gritted his teeth as he careened through the traffic, weaving in and out of lanes. Cars honked and expletives filled the air, yet he paid them no mind and pressed harder on the accelerator.
He was already 30 minutes behind schedule. Why did the cashier have to dawdle so? The man had drawn out a task that could have been completed in a mere 10 minutes by engaging in frivolous small talk. Furthermore, the topic broached by the cashier was one that Josh desperately wished to avoid. For days, he had been bombarded with all sorts of gossip about Chase Miller, to the point where he developed a pounding headache.
It was an inescapable presence. Wherever people congregated, conversations revolved around him. The carbonated beverage dispensed with a simple press of a vending machine button bore his visage. Whenever Josh switched on the TV, news segments featured him, while a colossal billboard showcasing his perfume advertisement loomed over the road.
As long as he resided in this country, Josh could not avert his gaze from Chase Miller.
Josh reined in his urge to curse vehemently, barely managing to suppress it. He had received quite a shock when Pete overheard a profanity he uttered and innocently repeated it. Ever since, Josh took great care to prevent any inappropriate words from escaping his lips, even by accident. However, days like this proved to be an arduous test of his restraint.
He had to conjure an image of Pete’s face and muster every ounce of strength to contain himself. When he finally reached home, he nearly cheered out loud with sheer relief.
Josh bounded up the stairs, skipping three steps at a time, until he reached his doorstep. With a swift swing of the door, he called out for his child. “Pete!”
Pete, engrossed in play with the babysitter on the living room floor, turned his head and echoed, “Daddy!”
“Pete!”
Pete extended his tiny arms towards Josh. Without delay, Josh scooped him up and showered his cherubic face with kisses. A surge of contentment welled up in his chest, making it nearly impossible to breathe. It felt as though the exhaustion accumulated from the day’s toil dissipated within seconds.
Only after savoring a heartwarming reunion following five long hours of separation did Josh acknowledge the babysitter’s presence, still holding Pete in his arms. “Thank you for your assistance, as always.”
“Don’t mention it. Pete is such a delightful child, which makes my job a breeze.”
The babysitter, a university student working part-time to care for Josh’s child, stood before him, at least a head shorter. Josh peered down at the ordinary student and smiled.
“I’m truly indebted to you. Exams are approaching, aren’t they? Let me know if there are any days you can’t make it.”
“Of course, Josh. I’ll do my best not to cancel. Goodbye, Pete,” the babysitter replied simply, gently grasping the child’s hand.
Josh remunerated the babysitter with his daily wages, and at long last, he was alone with Pete. Pete adored climbing onto Josh’s shoulder and perching there. As per usual, Josh commenced his dinner preparations with Pete comfortably settled on his shoulder.
“Wah… ahh… baah!” murmured the child unintelligibly, bouncing on his bottom. It was likely the theme song of his favorite cartoon. Needless to say, Josh made that assumption.
Josh planted a quick peck on the child’s plump calf and deftly maneuvered around the compact kitchen. Effortlessly, he grilled a steak and assembled a potato salad, adding a side of peas.
“No peas,” Pete grumbled from his high chair, upon spotting the green orbs on his plate.
Josh began slicing the meat into bite-sized pieces, all the while saying, “Peas are friends with potatoes. They’ll only be content if they unite in Pete’s tummy. After all, they’re the best of pals, you know? You wouldn’t want to bid farewell to Jason either, would you?”
Jason was Pete’s beloved puppy plushie. It was a fairly persuasive argument, but Pete remained steadfast.
“No peas,” Pete protested.
His stubborn pout briefly reminded Josh of someone. A flicker of recognition flashed through Josh’s mind, evoking the cold countenance of a similar-looking yet much older man.
But before him sat Pete, not that man. Unlike that man, Pete exuded charm and adorableness. Furthermore, Pete’s disappointed gaze fixed upon the peas was undeniably enchanting.
Josh leaned down and tenderly kissed the crown of Pete’s head, pulverizing the peas he had meticulously picked out into a creamy blend without hesitation. Extending the empty plate, he declared, “The adversary has been vanquished!”
Pete’s enthusiastic cheer resounded, a symphony of pure joy.
Seated, Pete swung his legs back and forth, his face quickly besmirched with traces of the meal. Without a moment’s delay, Josh retrieved his trusty handkerchief, a constant companion in his pocket, and with unwavering focus, gently wiped away the remnants of food from Pete’s mouth. Observing the child’s small hands confidently gripping the fork, Josh felt his heart swell with an overwhelming tenderness that could burst its confines.
Josh paced the living room slowly, cradling Pete in his arms, patiently awaiting the child’s descent into slumber. As Pete succumbed to the peaceful realm of dreams, Josh tenderly laid him down in bed, carried out a cursory tidying of the house, indulged in a refreshing shower, and finally uncapped a can of beer.
“Ah…” An exhalation of contentment escaped his lips. Financial challenges may have existed, but Josh harbored no grievances about his life. Just envisioning Pete’s growth and eventual departure for university stirred tears in his eyes, a distant prospect. He savored every drop of the beverage, then retired to bed.
***
Josh slumbered deeply, engulfed in a dreamless sleep, when his phone’s intrusive ringtone pierced the silence.
“H-hello… Emma?” he groggily answered, roused from his half-awake state, before bolting upright at the sound of his younger sister’s tearful sobs. Glancing at the bedside clock, he swiftly calculated the time difference. It was 8 a.m. on the West Coast.
“Oh, Josh, w-what do I…?”
“What’s the matter? Has something happened?” he pressed, urgency seeping into his tone. On the other end of the line, he could discern Emma’s choked sobs. He vigorously shook his drowsy head, attempting to clear the fog of sleep.
Compelled by mounting concern, he insisted, “Stop crying and tell me. Are you at the emergency room?”
“Y-Yeah… hnngh…”
Emma’s weeping resumed. Typically composed, it was rare to witness her in such disarray. Josh felt a flicker of anger, an internal turmoil fueled by his inability to rush to her side and offer immediate solace. Nonetheless, he exercised patience, blaming the cruel circumstances for the delay.
After interminable minutes, Emma gradually regained control of her breath and haltingly provided an explanation. Their mother’s condition had deteriorated, necessitating her admission to the emergency room. Furthermore, Emma confessed that their meager savings had been depleted due to repeated hospitalizations.
Once Emma concluded her laborious account, Josh inquired with a gentler demeanor, “Did you explore any insurance options?”
“They informed me last time that they would no longer cover future episodes… nonetheless, I intend to pay them a visit just in case. I notified my workplace about taking time off. I’ll also inquire about securing a bank loan, though it remains uncertain whether they’ll grant me further funds…” Emma’s voice trailed off as she swallowed a ragged breath.
She recommenced, “Josh, I truly… truly feared for Mom’s life. Her hands were ice-cold, and she didn’t respond even when I called out to her. Even her breathing… back then, I genuinely… nnh… hnngh…”
“Emma… Emma,” Josh raised his voice slightly, calling her name. Before his sister succumbed to another emotional outburst, he continued, “All right, calm down. Mother is alright now, isn’t she?”
“Yeah. They attended to the emergency,” Emma replied, her voice still quivering. Yet, she valiantly struggled to regain composure.
The thought of Emma enduring such terror alone ignited a desire within Josh to rush to her side. However, a pressing matter demanded his attention first.
“What did the doctor say? Will she be discharged?” he inquired.
“No, it appears she’ll need to stay for a few days. They want to conduct additional tests…” Emma managed to deliver her response between strained coughs. Her tone had mellowed, tinged with weariness.
Reflecting upon the formidable ordeal his sister had endured, Josh yearned to fly to her side without delay. However, there was a task that demanded his immediate attention.
“What are your next steps, Emma?” he assured her firmly. “I’ll find a way, somehow. I can imagine how taxing it must have been. Did you manage to get some rest?”
“No,” Emma weakly mumbled. Weariness permeated her voice, transmitted across the distance of the line.
With unwavering resolve, Josh asserted, “You can trust me. Now go and get some rest. I’ll call you again later.”
Emma heaved a deep sigh and replied wearily, “Yeah… I should try to sleep. I’ll leave everything to you, Josh.”
“Rest assured and go. Take care on the journey,” he expressed concern before concluding the call.
An abrupt chill settled in, enveloping the room in an unsettling silence. Josh sat motionless, enveloped in darkness, meticulously replaying the conversation in his mind. Regardless of the circumstances, one fact remained clear.
They needed money.
“Hahh…” Ultimately, he cradled his head in his hands, exhaling a deep sigh. Yet, he couldn’t afford to remain mired in contemplation. Josh swiftly calculated the funds at his disposal, his thoughts accompanied by a cascade of expletives.
With utmost seriousness, he pondered the financial requirements ahead, when he caught wind of distant sobs. He hastened to the adjoining room.
“Daddy, daddy!” the child wailed as soon as he spotted Josh.
Josh swiftly scooped Pete up from the bed. This was not an uncommon occurrence, the child occasionally awakening in the depths of night, succumbing to fits of tears. As always, the child sought solace in the secure embrace of Josh’s arms.
“It’s alright, Pete, it’s alright,” Josh comforted, pacing the room. Gradually, the sniffles subsided, replaced by deep breaths. Josh pressed a kiss to Pete’s head.
The warmth emanating from the child’s tiny form had an uncanny ability to pacify Josh. Hoping it would alleviate his own anxieties, Josh inhaled deeply, savoring the sweet aroma that uniquely belonged to a child. Ultimately, he settled onto the couch, cradling Pete in his arms, determined to stay awake.