It had been three days since I had the conversation with Ruby. The continuous visit to the hospital was tiresome and the worst experience. It wasn't comfortable — I slept on the side couch when father's condition worsened.

Although it was rare and the hospital was luxurious, the sound of sirens at night caused my anxiety to increase. The cries of families that filled the hallway every day was never an experience I would want to relive.

My father might have been in a critical situation, but it was better than the others that I had seen. I lowered the volume of the show that had been airing on TV for the past two hours. Father was soundly asleep, which he was the majority of the time. The warm weather from the open window felt like a genuine whisper to relax.

I quickly stood up, then packed the empty bowls and walked out of the hospital room. The busy hallway was filled with cries and medical assistants who rushed across the room. On the other side, there was a space of elderly people that had their attention fixed on the magazines.

I was about to walk out of the large exit door when I heard a familiar voice call out my name.

"Aurora, what are you doing here?"

I quickly turned, then stared at the smartly dressed Linyu, who walked toward me with ease. For a second, I thought of avoiding him — which failed because our eyes unfortunately met. I rubbed the bridge of my nose — a reasonable lie popped in my mind, which caused me to relax as a smile crossed my face.

"Lovely day, isn't it?" I mentally facepalmed myself. This wasn't what I had spent the last thirty seconds planning. A creepy smirk appeared on his face, and that made way to the hug that followed. I tried my best to hold the freaked out expression that was clearly on my face, but that changed when I heard him whisper a charming greeting.

I wouldn't say that I'm infatuated by him because I find every attractive guy — attractive and charming; and hence crush material. That, except Noel, who made me wish I could be a perfect girlfriend material. Perfect omega girlfriend material would be cute and shy, but a little wild and notorious. That would be according to Noel's omega fan clubs that I had read. It was quite the opposite to the alpha girlfriend fans.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked.

"The perfect girlfriend material fan fictions." I noticed Linyu's confused expression, which made me realize what I had said. "I meant, the novel that I read."

"..."

"You don't believe me?" I stared at the upper right of the room as I tried to avoid his gaze. The gestures made by my hands were quite the opposite of what I meant.

"I'll believe you if you accept to go to lunch with me." Linyu shyly stared at the floor, then warmly smiled. He seemed so warm-hearted and genuinely kind.

"This is not good." I crossed my arms across my chest.

"What is?"

Victoria advised me to avoid Linyu, and could what she narrated about his behaviour be true too? I have known him for several weeks, and he seemed kind so far. Apart from the incident at Corbella and his friendly, charismatic personality — Linyu wouldn't have taken advantage of anyone.

"Aurora?" But, if what she said was true — wouldn't giving him a benefit of a doubt also benefit my curiosity?

"Aurora, what's on that mind of yours?" I flinched when a cold hand made contact with my shoulder. "Sorry, but are you okay?"

Linyu had a worried expression that I had never seen on him. It was for that reason that I decided to be friendlier to him, maybe good friends. "Where are we going for lunch?"

Immediately, his lips stretched to a wide smile. I heard him mummer as he made an obvious 'thinking' face. "There is a really nice restaurant downtown."

"Sure, I'm in a mood for some baking." I giggled whilst Linyu led the way.

We walked downtown for a few minutes — to my surprise, the restaurant was very close to the hospital. During that time, Linyu continued his interrogation, which surprised me because he seemed very focused. We arrived at the entrance of a colourful, well–furnished restaurant and were greeted by a teenage girl dressed in a black server's attire.

The tall, ginger haired girl stared at Linyu, then nodded as she led us toward a table at the corner of the open area. Unlike the plain exterior, the inside was very artistic and had a luxurious tone to it. The well–positioned arrangements and bright decors on the table influenced the calm aura that could be felt. It was very crowded and lively; it might be because it was the closest to the hospital.

I sat beside Linyu, my gaze fixed on him as he ordered. For a moment, I forgot how easily friendships were built by his soft smile — which was entirely true based on the discussion with the server. From afar, they would seem closer than couples on most first dates and friendlier than a dog raised indoors.

"So, why am I here?" I rolled my eyes at the flirty atmosphere.

"Oh? I'll have your order ready." Her beaming white smile caused my eyes to widen. She had a sassy attitude that I quickly noticed because of her clear expressions.

"..." She was gone after that. The attention that Linyu got seemed too familiar — moreover, it shocked me that I continuously analyzed him for the past half hour. There are a lot of people that are open books, but a few are enigmatic. Noel, uncle Nathaniel, and Linyu are part of the few.

The type of people that made others believe that they could be easily understood. The kind that showed others exactly what they would admire. Others could call them perfectionists, emotional manipulators or people pleasers. They contradict their traits and easily blended into any society. Those would be the common traits of these enigmatic people.

"What were you doing at the hospital?"

"Nothing." I responded bluntly, which made him stare curiously at me.

"You seem more troubled than before." I flinched as my palm slowly rubbed against my black jeans. An uncontrollable frown appeared on my face — my dark brown eyes shut when the glimpse of my father's situation crossed my mind.

"It's just– that." I didn't wish to respond, but words formed and my lips shivered. I had to act strong and not rely on outsiders, yet I wished to ease the over flooded emotions that waited to erupt. "My father has been severally sick this week and I don't know what to do anymore."

Tears slowly ran down my heated cheeks— worried and a little disappointed that I opened up to Linyu. For a second, I noticed the smile that faded off his face, then replaced by a warm, worried stare. His cold hand reached out and rubbed my hand as I wiped out the tears.

"Has he's condition improved?" I nodded, a soft mummer was the response that I received.

"My uncle said that he has been improving, but his appearance hasn't changed at all. He is weaker and doesn't eat at all. When he does eat, the nurse will complain about him throwing up or having digestive problems. I feel so weak and hopeless." I sniffed, then continued wiping the uncontrollably tears.

"Have some faith and be strong for his sake." He stood up and sat closer to me. I felt a soft rub on my back before my head was supported by his broad shoulders. "There, there."

We were in that position for a few minutes, he waited for me to calm down before he relaxed and pulled away. Thereafter, the same waiter attended to our table with a tray of ordered food. To avoid the embarrassment that I had experienced, I made sure that I quietly sat and ate slowly the entire time. Luckily, everyone was focused on their jobs and customers.

Lunch with Linyu was filled with random discussions on the weather and health. Apparently, he seemed more knowledgeable than I was about the classist world. It was a short-lived moment which made me believe that he might have misunderstood by the other classmates.

I arrived back at the hospital after three hours of lunch with Linyu. Although I disliked the scent of medicine, I had to stay in my father's room until night. It was unfortunate that I had no idea of any closer relatives at my father's side. Unlike mother's relatives who lived a drive away from the hospital yet wouldn't attend to an ex-husband of a family member. The only people who took care of him were Ruby's family and I.

It was colder in the evening; and hence I brought a cleaner blanket for him. With I entered the hallway, the place was quiet and had people, who slept on the chairs as they awaited the surgery of patients. On the other side, the entrance had more security than in the afternoon.

I showed my given caretaker visitor card to the security guard, who allowed me to enter the patients' rooms. Without hesitation, I walked inside the room and placed the blanket on the bed that father slept on. Quietly, I placed the fruits that I had brought on the table and rested on the couch.

When I took my phone out of the bag, there were several messages from Victoria, Noel, Linyu and an unknown contact. I viewed the unknown message — out of curiosity.

Dear Aurora Hexion.

This letter serves to remind you that the youth training orientation is due. Unfortunately, your lack of attendance for the past three days has earned you three red ticks. Your account has been deactivated and will be deleted within three working days if no reports of errors by the youth recruitment server are received.

Thanks for supporting the frost hills charity.

Enquires should be sent to the youth recruitment office, details are provided below.

@frost-hills_charity
partnership with Li health organization.
Sponsored by Parschel House, Chester House and Winterland Ltd.

I rubbed my forehead, then sighed. It had to happen eventually, but the youth camp would be hard to avoid. Noel wholeheartedly gifted that ticket, which was rare for him to be considerate. I checked Victoria's messages that were about the previously planned shopping trip which she wanted us; plus Katana to attention.

I was about to check Noel's message when another from Linyu lightened the screen. A shocked expression appeared on my face as I opened the message.

Flirty Linyu : I spoke to my dad, and he agreed to put your dad on the charity treatment program. The coordinator will be there tomorrow with the papers.

"What did he do?" I gasped when I realized what that meant. It was random, and it made me wonder — why would he do that? In fact, how did he know about the financial status on the hospital records? I quickly typed back a confused emoji and a thanks.

It didn't matter why and how, as long as my father got better, and I didn't have to worry uncle Nathaniel about the payments. Yet, I felt terrible and regretful about telling Linyu about my dad. The feeling was unexplainable and confused me. It might be because he was the first outsider that volunteered to help me — this might be how it felt to be grateful based on being mentally indebted to someone.

Noel's message was about the physiology scores for the assignments, which I planned to avoid — if Noel had been another person. But, I fell to my weakness and responded quickly. After ten minutes of various unsent and erased messages, I finally found the right tone and text.

Me: We got a 6/10. [inserted sticker]
         Btw, can you please help me solve this calculus problem? [inserted image.]

NVP [shy emoji]: Okay.

• 5 minutes later •

NVP [shy emoji]: here
[inserted image]

Me: no wonder, I got it wrong.
        It was 3.71 not 17. [laughing sticker]

• 30 minutes later •

"He is not going to reply. I knew it was a losing tactic." I closed my eyes — drained and tired by my effort to have a conversation with Noel. Noel was probably with Evangeline at the camp or with his best friends. Ugh, it was almost evening, I frowned and smacked the phone on the couch.

It was understandable. His phone would be full of various messages from beautiful girls. Moreover, he had friends from wealthy families and gorgeous models as part-time workmates. Worse, that girl who played the violin and piano duo seemed head over heels for him. It must be nice being attractive, rich, and smart. I closed my eyes and sighed.

Another ten minutes passed by when a message alert from Linyu flashed on the screen. I excitedly picked it up, then threw it upon seeing the contact ID. Noel Von Parschel, what kind of alpha would leave an omega on seen. To add on, I tried to start with a less desperate approach. 

"I don't understand what people see in him." I scoffed at my words when another message flashed on the screen. When I saw Noel's name, I rolled my eyes. But, when time slowly passed, my curiosity got the better of me as I picked up the phone.

NVP [shy emoji]: sure.

Me: How is the media issue going?

NVP [shy emoji] : What issues?

Me: well, the class situation.

NVP [shy emoji]: oh

Me: ...

NVP [shy emoji]: Okay, I guess.

Me: Am I disturbing you?

NVP [shy emoji]: yeah

Me: Sorry, goodnight.

NVP [shy emoji]: Goodnight tangerine.

Tangerine? "Did he refer to my pheromone?" I smacked the phone on my face and inwardly screamed. The crazy fan girl in me felt excited, yet the logical side wondered how I could find such a boring chat interesting.

It didn't matter because I was excited. When I stared at the time, it was almost past nine in the evening, and hence I prepared myself to leave the premises. The nurses would take care of the emergency patients at night, which lessened my work. I quickly stood up, kissed my sleeping father's forehead, and walked out of the room.

The day was long, but I was more than happy because I spoke to Noel. I hadn't put effort these past two years because I crushed on him in secret. It would likely be that Noel and I might not cross paths after the year 12 final exams. His social class is very higher than mine, which meant I had only months to get to be his friend or get rejected.

"It would be worth it, it's better than regretting having kept the feeling to myself. Noel, reject me so that I move on."

🦋
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