Alpha’s Virgin Stripper

Lake:

Seeing Kenji cry in my arms only reminded me of how strong the emotion of love was. It was able to drain strength out if the strongest man, bring the most pompous man to his knees. And like my best friend – make a player quit his own game. I held him and tried to assure him that all will be be well, because I believed it would.

Kenji’s fingers gripped the sleeves of my shirt. I could feel his tears soak the fabric, but I continued to tap his back and remind him that it was not the end of the world.

Admist the noise in the bar, I felt something vibrate on top of the table where my arm rested. When I turned to look at it, it was Kenji’s phone ringing. The caller ID said “mum.”

I picked up the phone and looked down at him. He was in no position to make a correct sentence, so I decided to answer the call instead.

“Mrs Lockwood,” I started.

I heard her gasp at the other end of the line.

“Lake? Is that you? Goodness! I didn’t think you were back at Rush. Are you with Kenji? I am quite worried. It’s late and I haven’t seen or heard from him yet, are you…” She paused for a while.

“Oh my goddess! Is everything okay, Lake?”

Mothers were really very caring beings. I had barely said a word and she was already losing her mind.

“It’s fine, Mrs Lockwood. We are alright. I’ll drive Kenji home now. You do not have to worry.” I spoke calmly, trying to reassure her that her son was safe.

“Are you sure, Lake?”

I couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped my throat this time.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m sure. There’s no problem.”

When she ended the call, I turned to Kenji with a sad smile on my face. He really did look like he was going through a lot. I held his waist and helped him up from the bar stool. I flung his right hand over my shoulder and led him by his hip. We walked out of the bar slowly, until we got to my car.

I made sure he was safely tucked in the backseat, and made my way to the driver’s seat. The first thing I did was automatically lock all doors – just in case – before I started the engine of the car. He was knocked out, deeply asleep. I wondered if he thought about the terrible hangover that waited for him the next morning.

I drove to the Lockwood mansion and parked the car at their doorstep. Mrs Lockwood was standing on the front porch in her night dress. I caught sight of her pacing about, but she stood still when she saw me.

I handed my key to the valet for proper parking, before helping Kenji out of the car. As he rested on me, it was easy to tell that the boy was no longer present in this world. He was wasted.

I helped us both up the stairs that led to the front door of the Lockwoods. Mrs Lockwood was waiting for me at the entrance. She had wrapped her left hand around her body and chewed on her right fingers.

Once I approached her, I bowed to greet her and she flashed me a sad smile. But I could see the sadness, disturbance and worry engraved in those dark blue eyes of hers. Kenji was a spitting image of his mother, I could see it now.

“What happened to him, Lake?” Her high pitched voice only rang louder in my ears now that she was worried.

Exasperated myself, I let out a long sigh.

“He is just stressed from work and all. He would be fine by tomorrow morning. I’ll take him to his room now.”

She jerked up, as though she had been lost in thoughts. Mrs Lockwood blinked twice and moved away from the door.

“Of course, of course. Here, let me show you to his room.” She finally spoke.

I watched as she ushered me into the room and led me up a lengthy flight of stairs which took forever to climb, seeing as I was straddling a man of almost my weight along with me.

Alas, after the strenous journey, we arrived at Kenji’s room. I helped him settle into his bed, while his mother stood by the door, leaning her right shoulder against the door frame. I knew she was very worried about Kenji, I was too.

I helped him take off his shoes, released him from the grip of his leather belt, unbuttoned his shirt, and carefully placed his head on his pillow. Satisfied with my “friend-sitting” skills, I stood straight and smiled at my sleeping best friend. He looked more peaceful than he did when I saw him at the bar.

I heaved a sigh and turned to leave, only to find Mrs Lockwood staring at him with sad eyes.

“I do not understand.” She breathed out. She raised her head and rested it on the door frame, before slipping both her hands into the side pockets of her night coat.

“Why would he… why would he go out and drink this much?” She looked up at me. Her eyes shimmered with questions that needed answers, answers that I wasn’t in the place to give.

So, I walked to where she stood, before I took another long look at my friend.

“Mrs Lockwood, you do not need to beat yourself up about anything. I’m sure he is fine. Once he wakes up tomorrow and has come back to his senses, because, I mean…”

She laughed softly. It was a really beautiful sight.

I kissed my teeth with the back of my tongue, and turned back to her.

“I’m sure he would tell you what’s going on.” I continued.

Fortunately, she did seem convinced. I saw her eyes light up and her shoulders return to their original high stance. She placed her right hand on her hip and the other one stayed by her side.

“That’s fine, that’s fine. But, are you okay? I mean, you came back on such a short notice and…”

“I am fine, Mrs Lockwood.” I interrupted, flashing her the best of all my charming smiles. It got her all the time.

“What about you? How have you been?”

She turned away from me, ushering me back to the front door.

“I’ve been well, you know how it is.”

I scoffed. I really did.

She stood by the door, and I couldn’t help but notice the pride in her eyes as she looked at me.

“Take care, Mrs Lockwood.”

Those were my last words as I walked past the door. It was already getting late and I needed to get to the suite at the casino before I got too tired to drive.

“Please wait.” She called out.

I paused on my tracks and turned sharply. She started to take slow strides towards me. I noticed that the pride in her eyes had made way for concern.

Mrs Lockwood did not speak until she was standing in front of me. The cold breeze of the night swept her dark curls of hair over her face. She pushed them back and smiled at me, but the smile carried a hint of sadness.

“Were you able to speak to your mum? I know you want after her, after what I told you.”

Oh. So that’s what this was about.

A wave of relief washed over me. For a moment, I had thought she was going to talk about Jade.

“Yes, yes I did.” It was my time to wear a proud grin, while I did a courtesy bow.

“And I would forever be grateful to you, Mrs Lockwood. You told me the truth. You are the reason I had the courage to find her, the reason we are together now.”

She sniffed in what I assumed to be tears, but the beam in her eyes told me they were tears of joy.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“I am really happy for you, Lake. I’m glad I was able to help, but I just did what I should have done a long time ago. We were… we were all just scared of your father, you know? None of us wanted to get in his bad books, because when he gets angry, he forgets friends and family and he just acts. I hope you understand. Please, do take care.” She spoke softly, like a mother would advice her child.

To be frank, I was more than grateful for her presence in my life.

I thanked her one more time, before I made my way to my car and got into the driver’s seat.

When my engine roared to life, I clutched my steering wheel and drew in deep breaths.