CHAPTER 71: KEEP THE LOVE ALIVE

Zero: Oh... you mean...

Alpha Maxwell: Yes, please leave us alone. We don’t need you anymore. This will be the last time we chat. After we finish chatting today we will no longer reach out to you. No need to check on us and get involved in our affairs. Do you understand?

Naomi: I’m sorry about this Zero.

Zero: Oh, that’s sad. My heart is feeling the pain right now. I love meddling in your life, guys, in a good way. You know you can always count on me. No need to cast me aside. I thought you were still interested in getting to know the mastermind of your kidnapping? Why are you cutting off our connection and communication?

Alpha Maxwell: Because we want to move on with our lives. We want to forget about the kidnapping incident that brought so much problem to our lives. We can’t forget the trauma of our kidnapping because you are still chatting with us, reminding us about the kidnapping. Can you blame us?

Zero: Ah, okay. I got it. Alright then, I have no choice but to respect your decision. But just in case you need any kind of help, I’m always here for you guys. Just reach out to me anytime and all the time.

Alpha Maxwell: Huh? What are you talking about? Do you still insist on sticking your nose even if we no longer need your assistance? They still pay you a salary for lurking in this chat waiting for us to call for your help?

Zero: Yeah, sort of. The management has anticipated a storm surge coming into your married life and you might need my help and assistance. So yeah, I’ll stay here ready to help you guys.

Naomi: Zero, are you serious?

Zero: Why not? I mean I’m getting paid to chat with you guys and help you out. So yeah, my job continues until management stops paying me.

Alpha Maxwell: Zero, you are impossible. Get a life!

Zero: Guys, no need to be upset. I’ll just stay silent and in a standby mood. I will not meddle in your private affairs from now on. But always remember, if you ever need help—I’m the guy to call. Okay?

Alpha Maxwell: I don’t fucking care what kind of madness you and your boss are doing right now. Obviously, you are not killers but the way you influence our lives is kind of bizarre. You won’t even tell us what is really the end game of your kidnapping. You have messed up our lives pretty badly. And we are now cleaning up all the mess you have subjected us to.

Zero: Oh, please, this will be our last time chatting together. Let’s not mention the blame game because I’m just a messenger hired to be your companion and helper guys. I mean no serious harm.

Naomi: Zero... it’s over now. Your influence on us is over. Time to move on. The windowless room era is over. We are finally free. You don’t have to control our lives anymore.

Zero: Guys I’m speechless right now...

Alpha Maxwell: Before we go our separate ways, I would like to ask you one question...

Zero: What is your question? Bring it on.

Alpha Maxwell: Please be honest... what is management’s next move? Are they still planning to kidnap me and Naomi and put us back in the windowless room?

Zero: No. If they have further plans for you and Naomi it’s all about extending a helping hand, no more kidnapping. That phase was already over. I can guarantee you they are not planning to kidnap you again because the goal they want was already achieved during your confinement in the windowless room.

Alpha Maxwell: And that is to make Naomi and me fall in love with each other and produce a child?

Zero: Yes, that goal has already been achieved. No more kidnapping plans in the future involving you and Naomi. The moment they handed back your son, that was the moment the bosses took a step back and let things unfold naturally. If you and Naomi are meant to be together then it’s up to you guys. But your lives are always fascinating to them and your case is always special to them, very close to their hearts actually.

Alpha Maxwell: I see... well... I have no time for this riddle you and your boss have created. Naomi and I have problems of our own to deal with. So this is really goodbye, Zero. No matter what happens in the future we will try our best not to ask for your help.

Zero: OK, I understand, guys. Good luck then... and it’s my pleasure working with you guys. Take care of yourselves and best wishes for your wedding. I’m signing out, bye guys! Adios!

Zero left the chat with countless crying emoji.

Naomi: Well, it’s over now, isn’t it? He’s really gone.

Alpha Maxwell: Yeah, let’s switch to our private chat.

The couple left the Windowless Lovers chat and continued chatting in their private chat.

Naomi: I feel sad about Zero. It’s like saying goodbye to a friend...

Alpha Maxwell: Don’t be sad... remember he is one of the kidnappers. He was paid to watch us and give instructions. In short, no matter how hard he defended himself that he was innocent, he was part of the group. He was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. His loyalty will always be to his bosses, not to us.

Naomi: Yeah, you are right. I can’t believe we have finally regained our lives back. It’s weird that we cannot go back to our former selves. Our time spent in a windowless room totally changed us.

Alpha Maxwell: Indeed, what a journey it has been... full of trials and surprises. But we are thankful we overcame all that, and now our priorities are how to reunite again in the future because our current situation is messy as hell.

Naomi: Yeah... I’m feeling afraid of our son Jacob.

Alpha Maxwell: What are you afraid of?

Naomi: It’s all about your soon to be wife, Deborah.

Alpha Maxwell: Why? What about her?

Naomi: She seemed a feisty and irrational woman. I’m afraid she will harm our son because of her anger and jealousy, especially if she discovers that we are still contacting each other via chat.

Alpha Maxwell: Don’t worry about her, your fear will never happen. My grandmother and I will protect our son from Deborah. Besides they are living now at the back of the house, so they would not cross paths everyday.

Naomi: But what if Deborah accidentally got hold of your phone and found out about our secret communications? It had already happened before. She destroyed your phone, right?

Alpha Maxwell: Yeah, but she is scared to destroy this second phone because she is afraid of offending my grandmother. And don’t worry, I will not allow her to get hold of my phone and destroy it the second time around. Besides, I already told Deborah that after our wedding, she and I would stay in two separate bedrooms.

Naomi: Really? You told her that? She didn’t object?

Alpha Maxwell: She objected of course, but I told her that it was her punishment because she forced me to marry her even though I already broke up with her. Even now, we sleep in separate rooms. She and my son occupied my room while I slept in the guest room.

Naomi: Wow, I don’t know what to say... I’m speechless. I don’t know if I can do the same thing for Edison. But I will try to follow your lead. I will also inform Edison that I want two separate bedrooms for the two of us.

Alpha Maxwell: Sweetie, stay strong. Getting married to people we no longer have romantic feelings for is going to be difficult. They are the same people we see and deal with every day.

Naomi: Yeah, pretty hard indeed. Right now, I already feel uneasy about the whole thing. But before our paths crossed, Edison and I had no problem with each other. We are just a normal couple in a normal relationship.

Alpha Maxwell: Yeah, the same with me and Deborah. We have had no problems with each other in the past. Meeting you and having a son with you changed me completely. I can no longer tolerate Deborah’s anger, jealousy and constant nagging. Her attitude pisses me off.

The couple were silent for a moment, trying to come to terms with the hassle of their complicated lives.

Naomi: What if one day, your old feelings towards Deborah suddenly resurfaced? What will you do?

Alpha Maxwell: I will also ask you the same thing. What if you fell in love with Edison again? What will you do? What will happen to us?

Naomi: No, that will never happen...I swear that will never happen.

Alpha Maxwell: That’s nice to hear, sweetie. I’m happy and satisfied with your answer. Rest assured that I will also do the same. I will not betray you. We should not betray each other by going easy and soft with our partners.

Naomi: I agree wholeheartedly.

Alpha Maxwell: We shall never let destiny stop us from loving each other and fulfilling our couple goals. Only by staying loyal and devoted to our feelings for each other can we avoid forgetting each other. So no matter what happens let’s not forget to chat with each other every day. This chat is our private place now. Here... there is only you and me.

Naomi: I love you so much. I wish we could be together again soon and our partners would leave us so we can finally be reunited again together with our son.

Alpha Maxwell: Sweetie, I have something important to ask you. If I finally divorce Deborah, and we will be together again, will you accept my son with Deborah?

Naomi: Yes, no problem. I will accept baby Zed and treat him as my own. After all he is baby Jacob’s elder brother. I will also cherish him. I will make sure the two brothers grow closer to each other.

Alpha Maxwell: That’s good to hear, sweetie. I’m pleased with your answer. I love you so much.

Naomi: I love you more.

The couple chatted for hours uninterrupted, feeling happy after their chat ended. They love each other more and more despite the distance that separates them.

Their upcoming wedding to their partners only makes them more determined to persevere and keep their love alive through difficult times.