Chapter 14: Part 14
Abel was by my side as I stepped out of the elevator, the heat of his body a warm companion. I let out a sigh as soon as we were in the lobby, trying to control my harsh breathing. The Alpha immediately dialled a number on his phone, crowding me against the nearest wall.
I raised my brow at the sudden gesture, dry throat from the last incident.
"You are heading to uni, right?"
At the silky drawl of his question, I meekly nodded, my fingers twisting nervously. Why did the Alpha want to know? Not like I had any other place to rush out so soon in the morning.
His phone was still pressed against the ear, leaning against the cool wall of the elevator. "Let me drop you there."
Before I could respond, he started talking on the phone, mostly hissing and cursing at the person on another side. It's the operator. I quickly realised. His voice was still low and husky, head tilted to the other side, jaw set in a line. Why was he not yelling at him?
We were trapped in that cold box and possibly left to die with no source or communication. My mouth twisted at the thought, chills running down my spine as I imagined losing my life in there, without having said goodbyes. Allie would have certainly killed me again.
"What did he say? You should have yelled at him!" I babbled as soon as he hung up, turning to meet my eyes.
“I didn’t want to spook you. You are already shaken from the elevator incident.”
Oh. My lips parted at that, not realising that he closed the distance. Was he always so thoughtful? Had I misunderstood him all this time? Maybe.
I felt a warm hand pressing firmly against the small of my back, gently urging me along, making the heat concentrate where fingers are resting right along my spine.
“Come on,” Abel said in a calm tone, barely audible and rather slowly. “My car is just over there,” and he nodded towards the parking lot with separate stairs and golden plated name.
The hand was still warm and steady against my back, and I averted my eyes slowly, breathing through my mouth.
“Wait here.”
“O-Okay.”
I was in a trance, mind hazy with his caring tone, the softened eyes and the thick scent. Why did I not protest his order? I should have walked alone instead of riding along with him.
The moment we stood in the parking lot, my mouth snapped shut. I don’t think I have ever felt so much out of place in my life. There were rows of cars lined up on two ends of the space, all shiny and expensive looking.
“Get in”
Once in the passenger seat, I folded my hands in my lap tightly, kneading my fingers and suppressing a thick swallow. Glancing to the side, I found my eyes fixed upon his profile.
“Are you sure you are okay?”
“Yes.”
“Good…” He continued, and I couldn’t help but get drawn in by the movement of his lips, thin but shaped and viciously captivating. “I only intended to offer you an apology for the unfortunate accident. Although I…never mind.”
The air turned static again, goosebumps prickling on my skin, my heart thudding. “What is it?”
“Nothing. Drop it!”
The silence was almost unbearable for the rest of our ride with his previous incomplete words. I looked out of the window, legs pressed, when the car slowly skidded to a halt.
“We are here.” He cleared his throat, hand tightening against the steering wheel. I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me in the spot, slowly turning to face him. “Miss Emma, the thing I didn’t say before is that I have found you stubbornly occupying my mind lately. That’s why it worried me when you started freaking out in the elevator earlier….”
Oh. My throat ran dry. It would be a lie if I claimed that I had not been thinking about him, almost every minute of every cold and dark hour that made up my days.
“So…whenever you are in trouble, I will be there. Call me, alright?”
I suppressed a shudder, intake of breath, trying to keep my pulse even but to no avail. He was worried for me. Professor Abel, who left no stones unturned in annoying me, gave me a ride to university.
My heart was beating solidly against my ribs, voice barely above a whisper, face red and eyes averted. “I-I should...I should go.”
***
As soon as my classes were completed, I escaped the hallways, not wanting to be close to Alpha Abel again. The way I fled from his car after being so generous in dropping me off was very embarrassing, and I didn’t want to face him.
Naya had to stay back and work on her upcoming Psychology assignment. She would stay back late in the library and do some research on her paper. I offered to stay back, but my friend convinced me she was fine on her own.
The streets of the university as always appeared noisy, crowded and littered with used cups and dried leaves. Most of the students were in a hurry, rushing to their classes, the rest scattered everywhere, and chatting away.
A smile touched my lips, hands coming to wrap around my frame. For a long time, I imagined being part of this crowd, escaping my hell and slowly disappearing in their faces. Now that I was living here, it still did not sink in. I shivered fiercely as an early spring breeze rolled off me.
Someone nudged me from my side, almost making me jump in the spot. A hand came to rest on my chest, heart thudding painfully. I whirled around, ready to yell but noticed a familiar face smiling back at me.
“Avon?! You scared me!” I exhaled, letting my hand fall by my side.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to!” He raised his hand in the air, grinning from ear to ear and walking along. “Running from someone?”
“No!” I sharply replied but then looked around at the eyes on us. “No…Why would you ask that?”
“I was joking! Chill. So what’s your plan for today? Am I getting my treat today?”
I furrowed my brows at his question when it sank in. His treat! Of course. It completely slipped my mind that I had to accompany him on lunch for helping me the other night with Leon.
My phone pinged loudly, interrupting the response I had prepared. Excusing, I checked on the screen, eyes going wide at the bold letters. An inaudible gasp slipped past me, lips curving in a broad smile, gripping the phone tightly.
Finally! I thought under my breath.
“You look happy. What’s the matter?”
I giddily turned to Avon and let out a huge breath I had been holding, “So a few weeks ago, I applied as a barista to this cafe, and they want to interview me! How cool is that!”
My savings were slowly burning, and I didn’t want to borrow from Allie. She would not hesitate to give me money but never accepts in future. Accepting help from my father was out of the question, so I have been searching for a part-time job, anything that pays for food and bills.
“Congratulations!” Avon raised his thumb in the air. “When do they want to see you?”
I swiped a tongue over my bottom lip, cheeks burning red and looking down at the concrete road. “Now…I am so sorry about turning you down again.”
He chuckled, the surprising sound making me look up at him. “Maybe it’s not written for us.”
“I am sorry.”
“Come on! It’s not your fault.”
“Still…” I awkwardly trailed, kicking at the pebbles and not meeting his eyes. Why does this keep happening to us? The one time he asked something, I was unable to fulfil it.
“Don’t be like that! Let me walk to that cafe. How about this? After your interview wraps up, we can get something to eat there.”
I raised my head. “Are you going to wait for me?”
“You are so worth it, babe!” He winked, clicking his fingers together.
“Moons!” I rolled my eyes and started walking towards the cafe. The reason why I applied to the particular place was it’s opposite our university.
“Sorry I had to take the chance.”
“You can stay back only if you stop cracking these unfunny jokes.”
“They are not unfunny!” He looked offended
“Whatever helps you at night.”
Avon softened his face and shook his head, nudging my side again. This time I didn’t jump, used to the rough texture of his jean jacket. “So what’s this place called?”
“Jenny’s cafe.”
“No fucking way!”
I halted in the spot, turning around to meet his eyes, teeth sinking on the bottom lip. “Why? Is it bad?”
“It’s my cousin’s cafe.”
“Oh.” I relaxed, shoulders sagging.
“Come on then! It’s going to be fun.”
***