MATED TO MY ALPHA MATE
The sun rose lazily over the city, casting its golden glow over Diva's small but cozy apartment. She stretched on her bed, rubbing her eyes as the faint smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted in from the kitchen. Jason was at it again—experimenting with breakfast like he was auditioning for a cooking show.
"Diva! Get up before your coffee gets cold!" Jason's voice carried through the apartment, accompanied by the clatter of pots and pans.
She groaned, tossing her blanket aside. The events of the previous day still lingered in her mind—the café with Mikael, the strange car that seemed to follow them. She shook her head as if that could chase away the lingering unease.
Sliding into her slippers, she made her way to the kitchen, where Jason was proudly holding up a tray of something that looked like an ambitious attempt at pancakes.
"Are those even edible?" she asked, eyeing the slightly charred edges.
"Hey! Don't disrespect the chef," he replied, placing the tray on the table. "I'll have you know these are premium chocolate chip pancakes, made with love and dedication."
Diva smirked, grabbing a plate. "More like made with chaos and whatever was left in the cupboard."
Jason laughed, taking a seat across from her. "So, what's the plan for today? Hanging out with Mikael again?"
"Maybe. I'm not sure yet," she replied, nibbling on a pancake. "He said he'd text me later."
Jason raised an eyebrow. "You two hang out a lot. Is there something I should know?"
"Please," Diva said, rolling her eyes. "Mikael and I are just friends. Don't start with your matchmaking nonsense."
"Alright, alright. But don't say I didn't see it coming if something changes," he teased, dodging the piece of pancake she threw at him.
After breakfast, Diva decided to take a walk to clear her head. The streets were bustling as usual—vendors setting up their stalls, kids running around, and people rushing to wherever they needed to be. It was comforting in a way, this rhythm of life that never seemed to pause.
As she walked, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Mikael.
Mikael: "Hey, want to meet up at the park later? Thought we could grab some ice cream or something."
Diva smiled, typing back a quick reply.
Diva: "Sure. What time?"
Mikael: "Around 3? I'll meet you by the fountain."
She tucked her phone back into her pocket, feeling a bit lighter. Mikael always had a way of making things seem less daunting, even when her world felt like it was crumbling.
The hours passed quickly, and by the time Diva arrived at the park, the sun was high in the sky, its warmth cutting through the crisp autumn air. Mikael was already there, sitting on the edge of the fountain, scrolling through his phone.
"Hey!" she called out, waving as she approached.
"Hey yourself," he replied, looking up with a grin. "Right on time for once."
"Don't push your luck," she shot back, plopping down next to him.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching kids chase each other around the playground and couples stroll hand in hand.
"So," Mikael began, breaking the silence. "Any more thoughts about... you know?"
Diva sighed, kicking a stray pebble. "Not really. I mean, I don't even know where to start. It all just feels... out of my control, you know?"
"Yeah, I get that," he said, his tone softer. "But maybe you don't have to figure it all out at once. Just take it one step at a time."
She nodded, appreciating his calm approach. They talked for a while longer, their conversation shifting to lighter topics as they made their way to the ice cream stand. Mikael insisted on paying, despite Diva's protests, and they ended up sitting on a bench, laughing over their melting cones.
But as the day wore on, that unsettling feeling from before began to creep back in. Diva couldn't shake the sensation of being watched, her eyes darting around the park as if expecting to see someone lurking in the shadows.
"Diva?" Mikael's voice broke through her thoughts. "You okay?"
"Yeah," she replied quickly, forcing a smile. "Just zoned out for a second."
But he didn't look convinced. "Are you sure? You've been jumpy all day."
"It's nothing," she insisted, though the unease in her chest told a different story.
They walked back together, Mikael keeping the conversation light to distract her. By the time they reached her apartment, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the streets.
"Thanks for today," Diva said as they stopped in front of her building.
"Anytime," Mikael replied, giving her a reassuring smile. "And remember, if you ever need to talk—"
"I know," she said, cutting him off with a small laugh. "You'll be at the 'peek of my call,' right?"
"Exactly," he said, grinning.
As she watched him walk away, Diva felt a pang of guilt. She hadn't told him about the car or the strange feeling that had been haunting her. She didn't want to worry him, but at the same time, she couldn't keep ignoring it.
Later that night, as she lay in bed, her mind wouldn't stop racing. Every little sound outside her window made her flinch, her imagination conjuring up all sorts of scenarios. Finally, she decided to text Mikael.
Diva: "Hey, remember the car I told you about? I think I saw it again today."
It didn't take long for his reply to come through.
Mikael: "Are you serious? Where?"
Diva: "Near the park. I'm probably just overthinking it, though."
Mikael: "Diva, this isn't something to brush off. Do you want me to come over?"
Diva: "No, it's fine. I'll lock my doors and keep my phone close. Don't worry."
Mikael: "Alright, but promise me you'll call if anything happens."
Diva: "I promise. Thanks, Mikael."
She put her phone down and tried to focus on the steady rhythm of her breathing. But as the minutes ticked by, the feeling of unease only grew stronger.
Somewhere in the distance, a car engine rumbled, and her heart skipped a beat. She told herself it was just a coincidence, just another car passing through the city. But deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't yet understand.
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To be continued