13

I pursed my lips and focused on my food. He sounded so curious about what I was doing in there and I think he deserves to know because he let me into his house but I can't. Where I came from is not something I should be broadcasting to the whole world. Besides, who will believe me?

I sighed and raised my gaze towards him. He is still staring at me. He is still waiting for an answer. I bit my lips and will myself to think of a good excuse now. "I was…" I purse when I saw him. raise his eyebrow. "I was running away from someone."

Jeff furrowed his eyebrow at my lie. Where is that someone now?"

He asked in a low baritone.

I shrugged. "I lost him I guess.." I replied before looking down at the unfinished food in front of me. I just hope he would let it go. That is the past I am running away from.

"It is good you lost him." He uttered. "Where are you headed off to now?"

I smiled weakly, "I don't know yet. I will think about it when I am finally in the city."

I want to start a new life and I know I can only do that when I am finally in the city. I have a job but I am on the verge of losing it if I don't get back to Adrian as soon as possible. I don't have a school degree certificate. Maybe I can use it to find a new job if I lose this one. I just want to erase the thought of my past. Morgan and my pack. I just want to stop thinking of anything that makes me feel bad.

"It is good that you have a plan. But the question is, do you have means?"

I blink at his question, "I don't have means yet. I will look for it when getting to the city." I replied. I don't know much about the city but from what I heard from my parents and friends, I believe there are a lot of countless opportunities. Millions of dreams to realize.

Jeff smirk. "You think it is easy there?" He asked. "The city could have blinding light but it is as dark as the forest. Have you been there?"

I liked him. He sounded so sure like the city is not a place for me. "Why do I feel like you hate the city?" I asked him again.

He shrugged. "I don't hate it. I just don't like it. And I don't understand why you are so crazy about out it. The City doesn't seem as bright as you see it."

But I don't want to live in the forest anymore. Being an Omega in my pack. My family was treated the lowest. We didn't enjoy what other of higher ranks enjoyed. We don't have access to facilities that made life easy. We were lowest in the pack and most of the time, neglected. Then I got pregnant and was banished. They all said I am despicable.

Living in the city has always been my dream. I want to realize the potential that I wasn't given the opportunity in my pack. I want to show them that I can be more than the omega's daughter they saw me be…that I too, can be successful. I wouldn't have done that if I were still in the pack. So I am looking at the silver lining. I was exiled and never killed. I am now free to do anything I want without anyone judging me for being an Omega daughter or getting pregnant without having an official mating ceremony.

"I still want to try my luck, " I told him. Filled with determination. I badly want to move forward. I don't want to be a failure to anyone. I want to be more. The city will make me reach my potential.

Jeff nodded. "Sure? Good if you want to try your luck?" He replied curtly. Then we resumed eating in silence.

I never had a friend in the pack because I was an Omega, daughter. No one wants to be associated with a failure. No one wanted to talk to me. As we eat the silence in the room became suffocating that I wanted to strike a conversation. Maybe just anything that will take the silence away. I was so happy when dinner finally ended.

I volunteered to wash the dishes. He directed me to the kitchen and showed me the washing basin.

A light is turning on in the kitchen to see clearly. The light is a bit yellow that makes the already outdate-decorated kitchen shabbier. Moreover, due to the limited space, all the light-blue cabinets have to be hung above on the wall. The color of the cabinets together with the pale yellow light, create a harmonized tone of the kitchen, which gives us warmth.

Near the window, there is a table placed with much kitchenware that is preparing for use. There are, for example, different small-sized bottles of salt, sugar, and pepper; different sizes of knives, long, short, big, and small; a silver-colored tap and sink; a wooden round chopping board; some washing-up liquid, etc. There is also a little black radio for entertainment.

Jeff just turns on the radio and listens to the news broadcast. “Good evening, it is now 6 o’clock and you are listening to …” Putting the vegetables on the chopping board, “chop, chop, chop”, things are well prepared and cook begins to cook! Again! Sizzling, He turns on the gas cooker and pours some oil together with garlic into the wok, and starts to fry the vegetables. Smoke is coming out with a bit oily but tasty smell. This is great and we must have delicious cuisine by morning! Maybe it is becoming a bit smoky and oily, He walks near to the entrance to turn on the air-ejecting fan.

The loud fan noises, together with the cooking and radio sounds, form an immense orchestra that makes the kitchen become a lively garden, which shows a great contrast to the quiet living room. And He is the sole musician to perform this great show to me. It is a fantastic music show not only has vivid sounds but there is also a tasty smell floating in the air.

There is a lot of things in the kitchen that I am not familiar with. Jeff probably thinks I am an imbecile but he thought me how to use them, nonetheless. And he did it so patiently. I was wowed. Such a calm and patient man. He even stayed with me until I was done washing.

I look at him and smile, "thank you." I said.

I smirk and nodded, "follow me, I will escort you to your room?" He said, before towards the staircase. "Ladies first," I heard him say. But then I smirk. He noticed I wouldn't want to lead a walk in a place where I didn't have much information about. He shrugged off and led the way.