Deceptions of Alpha Dubris

Chapter Four

There was palpable fear and panic in the entire City of Dosar due to the gruesome murder of Alicia’s boyfriend.

The Police Department had commenced investigations immediately after an anonymous telephone call had reported the death, and Alicia, who the police had invited for questioning and assistance in the police investigations, was allowed by the police to go home.

Gradually, I warmed myself into Alicia’s life, my shoulder providing strong support for her to lean on and vent her emotions at this challenging time. I was there for her, consoling and encouraging her to realise that though it may be tough to bear the loss of a profoundly loved friend, life shouldn’t cease but must continue even while we mourn.

I took charge of most things in her life except the very private ones.

“Do you think you’re up to a dinner date any time soon?”I asked her very casually after several weeks of grieving and mourning the passing of her boyfriend.

“Hmmm”, Alicia responded with a growl, looking completely uninterested.

“Not to worry, boy, " I said, feeling slightly disappointed, but I vowed to be patient and wait as long as it took to gain her trust and confidence.

I understood it would not be easy for me to replace her boyfriend so soon after his passing, but I also knew it was an achievable dream – to be loved by Alicia.

I also knew that she was my mate and couldn't live without her, having eventually found her.

“Dubris, I would like to know if that offer for a dinner date is still open”, she asked me casually, relaxedly. The question hit me like a thunderbolt, and to my greatest surprise, three days after I first suggested it.

“Sure, anytime”, I replied without looking at her.

“Would tonight be okay for you,” she followed up.

“Yes, I’ll pick you up at eight this evening. Hope that'll be fine?” I said, hiding my excitement.

“Yes," she assured me. “I’ll be ready then”, she added.

“Okay then, see you at eight”. And with that, I rushed out of Alicia’s house, singing under my breath and feeling extremely happy.

I was at her doorstep at eight on the dot. Alicia was gorgeous in her simple but eye-catching dress.

I’m not sure I have seen any lady more beautiful than Alicia. She was simply stunning and modest.

“You look ravishingly beautiful, Alicia”. I wasted no time complimenting her beauty as she opened her front door to let me in.

“Thank you, Dubris,” she responded, looking extraordinarily happy, at least for the first time in a long time. “I’ll just pick up my purse, and we’ll be on our way,” she continued.

She dashed in and out of her bedroom.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked as soon as we entered the car.

“It’s a surprise,” I said, smiling at her as I started the car engine and drove off. We drove silently for the next few minutes, except for the fantastic music from the car radio.

I drove for about ten minutes before entering a quiet, nondescript building housing a small but cosy Italian restaurant. Alicia was excited and surprised as we approached the corner table I had previously reserved.

“I didn’t know a restaurant like this is in Dosar”, she quipped, complimenting my choice, as she lowered herself into the seat I had already pulled out for her.

“I guess you couldn’t know everything, could you?” I responded, glad that she loved the place.

It was quite an enjoyable evening. We both felt relaxed and comfortable in each other’s company.

“Tell me more about yourself, if you don’t mind,” I told her halfway through our meal.

“What exactly do you want to know?” she asked.

“Everything…yes, everything,” I mumbled in reply.

“As you already know, my name is Alicia Brown, and I'm twenty-four years old. I was born and grew up in the City of Tuckston, where my folks still live, the only child of my parents who love me dearly," I began.

Continuing, she said, "I relocated to Dosar after graduation from college in search of the proverbial golden fleece and got a job at the steel company as an accounting assistant".

"I met Janet Keys while working at this company, and we became very close friends. It was also at the company that I met and fell in love with Jarred, my late boyfriend. I guess that’s about it all,” she concluded.

“Now, your turn,” she nudged me.

I told her all about me, how I lost my parents in an auto accident when I was just eight and was brought up by my late grandparents, "God rest their loving souls," I muttered under my breath.

"I miss them sorely and wish they had lived a bit longer," I said with teary eyes.

"Sorry for your loss," she interjected. "It must be hard sometimes living without your family," she said.

"Yes, really difficult," I affirmed. "But I'm still standing, grateful for the things, wisdom and knowledge I received from them," I said.

I then talked about the schools I attended, my job, hobbies and my favourite colour.

After that, we talked about sweet this and sweet that, thoroughly feeling close and completely drawn to each other.

As I dropped her off in front of her house, she whispered, “Thank you, Dubris, for tonight and for all you've done for me since the death of my friend”.

“What are friends f—“ she interrupted me by asking, “Would you like to come in for a quick cup of coffee?”. “Yes, I’d love to”.

We spent another hour talking about ourselves, football, our jobs and other things before I bade her goodbye and headed home to the warmth of my bed.