บททั้งหมดของ Yes, Alpha Daddy: บทที่ 141 - บทที่ 150

BRIAN POVMoona Avii is a beautiful package of trouble, just like I said. We have CCTV in this room. One false move and I’d be out of the job I’ve dedicated the last fifteen years to. And I wouldn’t make one false move. Of course I wouldn’t. Couldn’t. I’m waiting for it – the stream of obscenities as she loses her shit and tells me I’m disgusting. That I want to smell her. Want to taste her. Want her to rub her tight little pussy in my face. I wait for her to tell me I’m an asshole and she never wants to see me again, that my help isn’t worth shit. But today she doesn’t. It’s the breath she takes. The shaky little rasp of air that sets my nerves on fire. It’s the way she looks at her boots and not at me. “They really are gonna throw me out this time,” she whispers. “I said sorry, too. I mean, I’ll be alright, I can take care of myself, find myself someone to bunk with, I just… I like my room there. I feel safe.” “Apologise again,

BRIAN POVI rarely drink, especially not on a week night, but completing my final writeup and filing Moona’s case notes into the archive room is more than enough to drive me to a few after work. I tidy my desk and take one final look at Moona’s muddy boot prints before shutting down my PC for the day. None of us here are miracle workers. We do our best, but not every case in our books has a happy ending. I’ve watched kids grow into adults with even bigger challenges than the ones they faced in the chair opposite me. I’ve lost good kids to a life of drugs in Bristol or Birmingham once they’ve taken a one-way ticket out of our sleepy county for pastures new. You hear about them, the ones who didn’t make it. It’s not a rare event that we get enquiries from lawyers and prosecutors digging for background information for their criminal cases. Some support workers can’t handle the disappointment. For others of us, we take the rough with the smooth – finding encouragement in the kids t

MOONA POV“You can’t help me,” I tell him but my voice sounds weak and pathetic. I hate how it sounds. “You won’t fucking let me.” I shrug in his grip. “So? Just let me fucking go!” He doesn’t move. “You need to get home to Nick and Amie.” “And I’ve fucking told you already! That’s not my fucking home!” “So where were you planning on staying tonight? With that loser Raul Elf? He’s nothing but a waste.” I shrug again. “Raul’s alright. I like him.” “Raul’s a fucking prick,” he snaps. “You think he gives a shit? You think a few drinks are worth spending the fucking night with a loser like that?” I grit my teeth. “He’s the best fucking offer I’ve got. Nobody gives a shit. At least I can get drunk and forget about it for a few fucking hours.” I hate how I’m doing this, acting like I’m so hard when all I want to do is ask him to take me home. To his home. Ask him to stay with me awhile, until I sober up. All I want to do is tell him I’m hungry, an

BRIAN POVI feel a lurch in my stomach as he rubs his temples. “She’s got some issues,” I say again and he sighs. “We’re out,” he says. “Nick, maybe if I could speak with Amie, maybe we could…” “We’re OUT,” he repeats, and he’s serious. Deadly serious. “The girl is a vicious little bitch. She’s a fucking nightmare. A disgusting, vindictive little shit.” His hate knocks me sideways. Hate and disgust, and something else. He wanted her, I can see it in his eyes, just like Moona said. But whatever was there is done and gone. He’s at the end with her, that much is obvious. “Nick, please,” I begin, but he holds his hand up. “Thanks for bringing her back out here,” he says. “You’re a good man. A better man than me.” He slaps a big hand onto my arm and grips hard, and for a moment I wonder about Moona’s bruises. Her allegations.He smiles his usual, kindly smile, and I realise I’m not even vaguely objective, not anymore. She’s suckered me in and

CAIN POV“Are you gonna be alright?” I ask him. “I can cancel…” He holds up a hand. “Of course I’ll be alright.” “I can go next year if you need me around. I’ll send Lim instead of me.” He shakes his head. “Christ, Cain, don’t be so fucking melodramatic. I’m sure I’ll survive without doing anything too radical for the ten long days you’re away.” I hope he’s right. I could send Lim Chu, my product manager, but I’ve already lined up seminars I want to attend, plus the networking opportunities are going to be good this year. This conference is for proper business, not just a jolly out of the office. I’m still not feeling entirely at ease about the prospect of leaving, though. Brian doesn’t have all that many friends. He has his work and he has his colleagues – a drink out with them for birthdays and Christmas and leaving parties, but that’s about all. Being with his ex for so long cut off his already limited social circle, and to be honest, I’m surprised th