53 : When the past comes back

Karen walked towards the living room where her mother was drinking tea with her younger sister.

" - Oh ! You're here already !" exclaimed her mother.

Mrs Green signaled her first daughter to come sit next to her.

The Green family was a noble family. Karen's father was a renowned professor and her mother was a curator in a famous museum.

The family was composed with Mr and Mrs Green as well as their two omegas daughters, Karen and Katrina.

Karen was the oldest. She was known to be really pretty and charming. Katrina, the youngest, was more the rebellious type. Compared to her older sister, she was already married with an alpha woman, a director of a modeling agency.

" - So ? Did you see him ? Did you talk to him ? " Mrs Green asked without breathing to Karen.

" - He was not here," she replied as she let herself fall in the couch.

" - It's okay. He's probably busy. I'm sure you will have another opportunity to meet him ! "

" - Who ?" Katrina finally asked, curious.

" - Arnold ! " her mother exclaimed excitedly. " He's a really fine man now. I thought it would be great to send your sister and Arnold on a date !"

Katrina sighed. Her mother was at it again. Moreover Arnold and Karen ? That was the biggest joke she had heard.

" - You should have call him first," Katrina said. " What if he doesn't want to see her ?"

Karen frowned.

" - Why ? They were good friend in university ! I always thought they will be the perfect couple !"

" - They were friends. Were. You forgot how he told Karen to not approach him. I'm sure she did something stupid."

Karen gave her sister a bitter look.

" - That's an old story. They're both older now. I'm sure he forgave her already !" Her mother was convinced, already aware about the thruth.

" - Whatever," Katrina sighed. " Before trying to set him up with Karen, you should have check this point first ! Arnold is known to hold grudge. I don't want my family to suffer again because of both of you."

" - Tsk ! Watch you mouth ! You're jealous because you married an alpha woman who'd rather work than being with you !" her mother said. " I told you to go on a blind date with the son of the Ogatas. Or at least you should have tried to seduce his sister ! Now you're ugly best-friend is happily married in the Ogata family instead of you. Don't you feel pitiful ?!"

Katrina stood up and walked away.

" - I didn't finish !" Her mother screamed.

" - I didn't come here to hear you critizise my wife. " she said as she left.

Katrina and Mila were best friends since their university years. She met the girl who was awkwardly trying to hide from alphas. For some reason, she started to feel sad for the girl. She was also an omega so she kind of guessed what happened to make Mila behaved like that with alphas.

So they quickly became friends. Then weeks later, Mila had introduced her to her girlfriend : Pam Ogata. Katrina had been overwhelmed to see a real member of the prestigious Ogata's family.

As she started to hang out with Mila and Pam, she met Pam's friend, Piper, an alpha girl really beautiful and mostly cold.

Katrina immediately fell in love with Piper and she pursued her until Piper accepted to date her. Two years later, Piper asked her her hand and she said yes, though her mother was against it. Her father however was really happy for her.

Since then Katrina and Piper live a good life. Because Piper is hard to understand, people tended to think that she was angry or that she didn't care about anything but it was not like that. Piper was working hard for Katrina and she was always caring and lovely with Katrina.

Katrina stopped when she heard her phone ring.

" - Hi honey !" She said happily.

" - Hi," Piper chuckled. " I'm coming back today. Let's go eat something with Mila and Pam tonight. What do you say ?"

" - That's a good idea ! I miss Aaron so much," Katrina giggled happily at the thought of Mila's little baby boy.

" - Hum… You're not excited to see me ? We didn't see each other for a whole month." Piper said with a hint of sadness in her voice.

" - Of course I can't wait to see you Honey ! I miss you so much !" Katrina exclaimed.

Piper laughed and said :

" - Then after the dinner, let's go back home and make a family."

Katrina froze.

" - You mean…"

" - Yeah… I know you were waiting for me. Work is going to be less busy from now on. I'm going to open my own agency in Androuse. So let's make a baby. Even two. Let's have a big family just like you dreamt."

Katrina was tearing up. She was smiling as she listened her wife talking.

" - Yes ! Let's expand our family !" Katrina chanted excited.

She couldn't wait to announce the news to Mila.

Meanwhile, Karen was getting irritated. Her mother was trying to help her relax by saying that everything would be okay.

Since Karen was in high school, her dream was to marry Arnold. Not because he is from a powerful family but because she was deeply in love with him.

She fell in love at first sight and she was pretty sure it was fate. No. She wanted to believe it was fate. So she followed the man up to university and she did her best to become friend with him.

For years, she had watched Arnold having flings now and then and dating beautiful alphas. Everytime, Karen would make sure that they broke up or stopped all kinds of relationships. And she succeeded every times.

She was sure that someday, Arnold would see her and see how much she was in love with him and loyal to him but the man was against it, saying she was like a little sister to him. For some reasons, Arnold seemed to dislike omegas. So he never touched one nor dated one. He said he couldn't stand their pheromones. So he didn't want to have them near him. So Karen felt special. Arnold was friend with her and she was the only omega he was letting approach him.

Until that day. After a party, she asked Arnold to give her a ride back home because she was drunk. She then thought it was the ideal moment. So she tried to seduce the man but he threw her out of his car.

After that day, Arnold started to distance himself when he was alone with her though he would treat her normally in front of everyone else.

Karen was humiliated but nonetheless she was happy to remain his friend.

But one night as she was outing with her friends and some guy she met in a bar, she met this omega. A soft boy with plump and beautiful pinkish cheek. With ripe lips like a tender fruit, shiny dark raven hair and those eyes… those eyes which seemed to judge her and mock her. Then she remembered rumors saying that Arnold was close to this omega and was skipping class to meet the boy, she saw red.

She was so furious and wanted to hurt him so bad. Arnold didn't want to sleep with her but he was attracted to this little thing ? She couldn't believe it. That night she poured all her rage on this innocent omega. She wanted to soil him, because if he was dirty, Arnold wouldn't want him anymore.

Eventually what happened got out, 'cause of the clerk of the convenience store. After the clerck noticed the missing omega, she checked the footage and filed a complaint after she saw the footage of the rest room.

Fear creeped her heart and she asked her mom for help. Her mom did her best to make sure no one would tell that Karen was there until the end.

And Karen just played the game and told Arnold she tried to stop the boys that night but she couldn't.

Arnold didn't say anything. After he went berserk at school, he just disappeared. Karen thought after some time now, Arnold would have forgot the omega. So she asked her mom to let her study abroad for the time being.

Now after six years soon, she was back and ready to meet the man again. She knew he didn't carry on his family business and had choose to open his own line of hotel in Androuse. She also knew that he continuously slept with strangers especially during his rut and there were no omegas among his fuck buddies.

Karen wanted to grab her chance again. Because she was at an age where she could marry, she asked her family to set a meeting soon with the Williams Clan and to casually talk about marrying their son. Arnold's mom had always like her, so she was certain they would be happy to have her as their daughter in law.

" - Karen !" shouted her mother excitedly.

She burst into her room.

" - Your father is eating with Kyle and Nell Williams right now ! We should go and meet them !"

" - Are you sure ?" Karen asked happy to hear the news.

" - Your father said to not come but you know how I am !"

" - How did father meet them ?"

" - It's a family gathering. Your father met them coincidentally in the restaurant. We should go right now ! So dressed up quickly and meet me outside !"

" - What about Arnold ?"

" - Did you not hear me ? It's a family gathering ! Of course he's there !"

Karen jumped from happiness and immediately choose another pretty dress which was covering her body but made her charming to the eyes.

Both their family will meet so it will be easier to bring up the marriage's topic.

After she brushed her hair and put them up in a pretty bun, she wore her light yellow dress and a LV high heels she got abroad.

Her mother exclaimed a awe when she saw her.

" - Arnold will only look at you dear !" She laughed happily.

They drove to the restaurant. Along the way, her mother told her to say they were already here to have a mother and daughter's day and that they did not know that the Williams was there.

As soon as they arrived, Karen's mother called her husband to tell him they were there. Not too long after that, he came to them very angry and whispered yell :

" - Why are you both here ?! I told you not to come !"

" - And ruin the chance to have your daughter marrying Arnold ? No ! We have to come !" Her mother retorted.

" - You don't understand honey ! It's not the time ! You can't just barge…"

" - Move aside !" She yelled and almost dragged Karen inside. " Show us the room !"

Karen's father did not have choice but to do as he was told and pray for them.

Karen's heart was beating fast and she was already blushing.

When her father opened the door of the private room, she saw Arnold and her heart stopped.

The man of her dreams was there. He was smiling and talking lively.

Karen's father cleared his throat and said :

" - It was unexpected but my wife and my first daughter were close. So they wanted to join if it's okay with you."

Karen smiled widely when Nell saw her. Then her eyes went immediately to Arnold. Obviously, the man didn't share her feelings.

He was frowning since he saw Karen's mother.

" - Please, take a sit," Arnold's grandmother spoked.

" - Thank you," Karen's mother replied. " We didn't want to intrude but when my husband said he was there too, I thought it will be great to eat together, the three of us. I did not know he was with such a great company. "

When she noticed the available chair next to Arnold, she signaled to her daughter to sit there.

Karen nodded and walked towards the man.

" - It's been a long time," She said with a charming smile.

Before she could put her hand on the chair Arnold said :

" - Don't you see someone is already sitting here."

Karen froze. Now that she was observing, there was a coat laying on the back of the chair and even though they didn't start to eat yet, there was a glass filled with champagne.

Karen smiled awkwardly before she decided to sat next to her mother, in front of Arnold.

" - It's been years since we've seen each other," Karen's mother said as she gently patted her daughter knee who was disappointed to not be able to share the same space as Arnold.

" - Indeed," replied Nell without much thinking.

" - Auntie, how are you ?" Karen asked Nell.

She remembered that Nell was really gentle with her before. If Arnold did not want to talk, maybe Nell could do something.

" - Good," Nell answered again without much thinking.

Karen was startled by her lack of reaction. She thought Nell would be happy to see her again after so many years.

Karen's father cleared his throat and said :

" - Mr Kyle and me were talking about the future residential complex Arnold wants to build. "

" - Really ?" Karen's mother exclaimed.

" - He wants to build a comfort zone for omegas." Karen's father continued. " It's really a genuine idea. Omegas have tough time to find support in this world. Knowing that someone is thinking about them will sure bring joy to their heart. "

" - We already talk about it with the Ogata Clan," Arnold said.

" - I'm sure they would be glad to help you," Karen's father said. " The Ogata family strive for world equity. I heard they have a new project to provide an hospital and a educational building only for omegas. I'm sure your idea will be well received. "

" - Thank you uncle for your kind word," Arnold said. " I heard you're currently writing your first book about the lack of justice for omegas ?"

" - Exactly. As you all know, both my daughters are omegas. I'm lucky enough to be from a noble family myself so I can protect them. With my work, I can see how my students have prejudices against Omegas. I can't do much but try to educate them about humanity. It's not much but I hope my book would be able to touch people enough to make them reflect on their mentality."

" - That's really admirable Mr Green," Arnold's grandmother said. " Let me know when your book is out. I'll be glad to support you during the promotion."

" - Thank you very much Chairman Williams," Karen's father said humbly.

He was about to pursue the conversation when his wife interrupted him to say :

" - If it's about residential complex, Karen can help you Arnold. She studied design architectural and interior design when she was abroad. Plus she's an omega, I'm sure having her point of view would be helpful."

Arnold silently took a sip from his glass of wine.

Karen was trying to keep her composure. After all theses years, he could at least exchange a few words with her.

" - I… I'll be happy to help you," she said to fill the void before her mother got too embarrassed.

" - It's okay. I already have enough people to work with me." Arnold said dryly.

" - Don't be like that, she's capable. Moreover, it would be an opportunity for both of you to see each other again," Karen's mother said. " You were so close with each other before ! I thought you were going to get married together ! Don't you think Nell ?" she laughed, forcing her husband to laugh with her.

" - Mom ~" Karen whined shyly.

" - That's true. You were both pretty close by the past. " Nell said.

" - I always thought they would form a perfect couple. What do you say ?" Karen's mother said lively.

" - Honey…" her husband growled softly only to her.

But she ignored him and continued.

" - My daughter has always been fond of Arnold. Since she was young she would always talk about him so fondly. " she laughed. " They were too young before but now, they are old enough to do what they want right ?"

Arnold sighed loudly.

" - Aunty,"

" - Yes honey ?" Karen's mother said.

" - I'm sure you have good intentions but, I already have someone."

Stunned, Mrs Green couldn't utter a word. Karen was froze on her chair. They had made sure he was single. And according to their investigation, Arnold wasn't seeing anyone.

" - R-Really ?" Mrs Green stuttered, flustered.

" - In fact, he's…"

Arnold couldn't finish his sentence. The door opened and Flore entered the room. The omega went to the restroom earlier, because of stomach aches. He probably drank too much champagne. It was his first time tasting this type of luxurious alcohol so he had drank a little too much.

All the eyes were on the little omega.

Karen's eyes widened when she recognized the boy. And Flore froze in front of the door.

His blood did more than one trick in his veins as he remembered everything clearly. How he cried so much, how he asked this girl to help him, how he was betrayed by a fellow omega… He remembered that night as if he was back there again.

" - Sweety…" Arnold called softly.

Suddenly Flore ran through the room and grabbed Karen by her hair. Her screams reverberated in the room.

" - Oh my god !!!!! " Mrs Green was screaming.

Arnold stood up, his heart beating madly as he watched his omega insulting Karen and pulling her hair.

When Karen's mother raised her hand to slap Flore, Arnold yelled :

" - Don't touch him !"

His dominant voice echoed through the room making Mrs Green lost her balance.

Karen was crying asking for help. When suddenly, Flore was lifted up and separated from Karen.

Clouded by anger, Flore was still wrestling in Arnold's arms.

Some of the restaurant staffs, alerted by the screams, had barge into the room.

" - He's crazy ! Throw him away !!!" Karen shouted as her mother hugged her.

" - Please," Arnold's grandmother said. " Get them out of here."

" - Hurry up ! " Karen's mother yelled toward the the staff. " Throw this crazy omega outside !"

" - I'm talking about you and your daughter Mrs Green," Chairman Williams said.

" - What ?!" Karen's mother exclaimed dumbfounded.

" - Both of you, get out of here. " Nell said to her.

" - But… we didn't… It's this omega's fault ! He came from nowhere and attacked my daughter ! You saw it too !" Mrs Green got angry.

" - This omega is Arnold's fated partner and my precious son in law, " Nell said. " We can't throw our own family outside right ?"

" - Aunty…" Karen mumbled feeling wronged.

" - Get them out," Nell insisted with the staff.

" - I'm really sorry," Karen's father said.

" - Don't worry Mr Green. But I hope you will use this opportunity to have a conversation with your wife and your daughter," Kyle said.

Arnold put Flore on his shoulder and left the room. The little omega was too excited to be able to calm himself. He was still struggling, screaming he wanted to kill Karen and crying from anger or maybe sadness.

Once in the parking lot, he almost ran to his car and entered the back of the vehicle with Flore.

The omega pushed him, threw punches to his torso while screaming.

" - You lied to me ?! You're still in touch with this bitch ! Did you know what she did to me ?!!!" Flore was yelling.

" - Sweety… it's not like that…"

" - You fucking shit ! I knew I shouldn't believe in you ! I knew it !" Flore was still yelling.

Arnold tried to touch him but Flore slapped him on his cheek.

" - You said you were going to protect me… But you lied to me…"

Flore started to cry. His little body was trembling from his crying. He was weeping loudly and Arnold couldn't say a word. He was just watching his omega breaking down in front of him.

Arnold sighed and left the back to place himself behind the wheel. The car started and he drove them to their house.

During the ride, Flore didn't stop crying. Thankfully once in front of the house, he didn't struggle when Arnold took him in his arms to bring him inside the house.

He put him on the bed and sat in front of him. Flore was still weeping. Arnold kissed his forehead then his cold hands.

He then lay down with the omega and decided to wait until Flore was ready to talk.

After some times, Flore was finally calmed down. He was silently playing with Arnold's fingers. Arnold was laying down behind him his arm around the little omega.

" - I'm sorry… I slapped you…" Flore said with his hoarse voice.

" - It's okay. I deserved it…"

" - No you didn't. I should have listen to you and not assume things…"

Arnold turned Flore to face him.

" - Can you tell me ? About that night… Of course, you don't have to."

Flore nuzzled into Arnold's arms and said :

" - This girl… she was the one who told the others to rape me. "

Arnold stiffened and closed his eyes to swallowed his fury.

" - I begged her but she didn't care about what I wanted… They attacked me in front of her and she was just watching me as if I was the most disgusting thing she had ever seen…"

" - I… know where she lives. We can go there and you can kick her ass again if you want ?"

Flore chuckled softly.

" - Karen, Hassan and their minions will pay. I promise you," Arnold stated.

Flore nodded before his tears fell again.

" - Aren't you angry with me ?" He asked then with a trembling voice. " I hurt you… I punched you…"

Arnold laughed.

" - Oh Sweety ~ You could spit on me I will still love you !"

Flore punched him softly and whined.

" - But… If you want to apologize, I will not say no to a kiss," Arnold said with a flirting voice.

Flore blushed and hid his face. Arnold laughed again.

" - Let me order something to eat. You must be hungry," Arnold said.

Before he could stood up, Flore brought him back in the bed and captured his lips in a tender kiss. First surprised, Arnold didn't move. Then Flore moaned, so he slid his slick tongue inside the omega's mouth and kissed him back with all he got.

They would never separate if Flore wasn't breathless. Arnold chuckled as he snuggled the omega into his embrace.

" - I deserve more than a slap for what happened to you back then," he said softly. " So be free to be angry as much as you want. I will prove you that you're the only one I need. Don't forget I'm abstaining myself just for you ! "

Flore laughed heartily. A smile creeped on Arnold's lips.

" - I told you you can touch me now," Flore said. " It's hard for me too…" he then said in a whisper.

" - Sex after a bad experience it's not good," Arnold said. " We will do it another day."

" - So I won ?!" Flore exclaimed while sitting on the bed.

" - You have never lost from the beginning. It was just so cute to see you pour your time into me than into something else," Arnold said.

Flore pouted while a beautiful tint of red was painting his cheeks.

Arnold gulped, feeling all tingling in his body.

" - Let's go eat !" He said as he sprung from the bed all red.