Chapter 90 Birthday
ADRIANA
I was sitting in my room reading when I heard a knock and the door opened before I could even respond.
I knew Leo didn’t knock and Elijah didn’t knock either, so I thought it was Hazel coming to check on me.
But it wasn’t.
“Betty.”
She was the last person I was expecting to see standing in my doorway.
In the past few weeks, I’ve wondered what was wrong with her because every time I tried to speak to her, she was always not responding to my greetings.
She always looked at me like we were enemies and I genuinely thought that there was some kind of issue between us.
She stood in front of me with her hands clasped together in front of her nervously, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
“Hey, can I speak to you?”
I dropped the book I was holding and sat up properly on the bed.
“Sure, you can sit.”
She gave me a small smile and took a deep breath before sitting down.
“I wanted to apologize, say I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting. I haven’t exactly been myself lately. My dad died and I’ve been out of it, trying to make sense of my feelings and everything is just so messed up.”
My heart suddenly broke for her.
“Betty, I’m so sorry. I had no idea you were going through this.”
She started crying and I felt so bad so I went over to where she was sitting and pulled her in for a hug.
“He was my best friend, the only one who was ever truly on my side. Why did he have to die? Why didn’t I just die instead? I miss him so much.”
“It’s okay, I’m sorry for your loss. I know it hurts.”
When I lost my mom, I felt like my whole world had crumbled. Even though I had my dad by my side, I still felt like I was an orphan because he didn’t do much. He barely did anything for me, at least. Lisa wouldn’t say the same.
“Is your dad dead too?”
I wish he were. I wish my mom was the one who was alive instead of that beast. He didn’t serve any purpose in my life, instead he was the reason for all my problems so I didn’t care if he died.
I shook my head.
“My mom, I miss her so much. It’s going to be okay. He may be gone but he’s alive because of the love you have for him. Just remember all the good things that he did and keep them in your heart.”
I saw her eyes twitch slightly but she nodded and wiped her eyes.
“Thank you so much. I’m back to work now so don’t worry. I’m here if you need anything.”
I’ve missed her a lot. She was the only one that I could ask questions about Elijah. Well, I could ask Hazel too but I’d made friends with Betty first.
“I’m sure you must be very happy now that the Alpha is back.”
My smile widened.
“Everyone is happy. Not just me.”
“Yes but it’s not easy being the Alpha’s girlfriend.”
My eyes widened.
“Girlfriend? That’s far from the truth. We’re just friends, for now at least. Elijah and I don’t have a label yet.”
She poked my arm playfully.
“You even call him by his name. You’re so lucky. You deserve everything you get.”
That sounded like a backhanded compliment for some reason and I wondered what exactly it meant but I let it go.
I didn’t have the time to be sensitive to things. Maybe she didn’t realize the things she was saying sounded somehow and I didn’t want to be the one to say it so she won’t deny it and say that I was overthinking it.
So I just let it be.
“Speaking of being his girlfriend, what are you planning for Leo’s birthday?”
I turned to her in shock.
“His birthday is coming? When is it?”
She looked at me like she didn’t believe I had no idea about this.
“It’s in three days. How can you not know this?”
Why had Elijah not mentioned it? Surely, he would have told me. Maybe it was because he’s been busy since he returned from his trip.
“I can’t believe I almost missed it. Thank you so much, Betty. I mean, I wouldn’t have forgiven myself for it.”
She waved it off.
“It’s fine. I’m glad I could help. Hey, I know someone who’s great at making cakes as quickly as possible. Should I give her a ring?”
“I would appreciate that a lot. Thank you. I’ll have to go into town to get the other things. Even though it’s not going to be a party, I’d like to decorate his room. He deserves that.”
She agreed.
“That’s okay. I can help you get the things you need.”
“Oh, no. Don’t bother, just arrange the cake and I’ll be extremely grateful. You’ve done a lot already by letting me know about this.”
“It’s okay. I mean, you’re not his mother so why would anyone think that you should know?”
That statement hit me more than it should have and I remembered what Elijah almost said that day when he was mad at me.
But they were right though. I wasn’t his mom but I cared for that boy like I was. I didn’t want to respond to that comment because it was like she had said it deliberately.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m his mom or not. I still care for him like he’s my own and he loves me and that’s all that matters.”
I didn’t have to be his birth mother before I cared for him. I liked him even before I liked his father.
“Anyways, I need to get to work. It’s my first day back and I can’t be found slacking.”
I tried to return her smile but I felt like I was forcing it so I just let it be. Where was Yara when you needed her? Something was wrong and I didn’t know what.
“Okay then, I’ll see you around.”
I was about to close the door when I remembered something important.
“Betty, make sure there’s no chocolate in it. He’s allergic.”