The assignment was completed and submitted yesterday after classes were over. Though being a Friday and without Noel, made me anxious and worried — for some unknown reason, he had missed two days of school after the Wednesday conversation that I had heard. Moreover, he hardly replied to my messages and declined all the calls. The only repetitive message was about him being busy and unable to spare time for us.

Moreover, I couldn't ask about what I'd heard nor enquire since Papa was hardly home; the only time that I saw him was when preparing for work and during supper time. A part of me was excited that Ruby would return today. "I can't believe that Linyu asked to meet me on a Saturday." On a serious note, I had nothing worthwhile to report except Noel's hybrid issues. Which my feelings fought against.

The loud doorbell rang and I hesitated. My hands clenched the couch before I jumped at the third ring and walked toward the door. Instinctively plastering a fake smile, my hand unlocked the door and the black haired, nerve-breaking individual came to view. "Hey, you are earlier than expected."

"Well, I happened to be around the streets." Linyu shrugged as he comfortably walked toward the living room. "I guess things are going well." His fingers gestured at the latest television set that I begged my dad to purchase.

"Uh, thanks." I mumbled.

"It's been a week, have you gotten something?" Linyu really made himself comfortable; walking through the kitchen and toasting bread. For some reason, it annoyed me that I couldn't object to his actions — but, it was for the sponsorship. I took several breaths, then smiled.

"Noel hasn't fully opened up." A little pain tugged my heart as I responded, "I've learned some unnecessary things like; he likes spicy food though he isn't allowed to and has a sweet tooth, hence carries candy everywhere. Oh, he learned the piano later than the violin because —"

"What a bunch of useless data." Linyu interrupted my analysis. "I told you to dig up information, which means that such info can't be handed to you. You have to check his phone, papers or turn his damn house upside down!" It was the first time that he had raised his voice at me, and what I could do was tolerate that for my father's sack. It seemed, I was unable to admit that I overheard something because I wouldn't forgive myself if I were the cause of Noel's misfortune.

"Well, did you know that he couldn't speak until eight years and that's how he started music? Or that his mother and him have—" I paused. No, I couldn't continue. "Have the most beautiful relationship."

"Aurora, the next time we speak, I'd like a full report on who Noel Von Parschel is and what it is that is wrong about him." Linyu traced his fingers through his hair and slammed the bread on the floor. Immediately, he walked past me before stopping. "It seems that you are worse than Evangeline."

"What do you mean? Why do you want all this information?" My trembling fingers gently held on my hoodie; a little tired of the constant fear of hurting anyone. If Evangeline was in this too, then who did Noel have by his side? "Evangeline could never..." I whispered.

"Seven days." That's all he said before he left me in the quiet room. The place that slowly felt like a trap ever since father became busy and Noel disappeared. If only I could visit him without his overbearing mother finding out. Unfortunately, my omega scent was hard to block continuously.

"Noel has seven days left too." I covered my heated face as short-lived tears filled my eyes. "I'll have to pick a side." I quickly picked up my phone and dialled Noel until the voicemail.

"Hey, I know that you are ignoring me on purpose and if you are indirectly losing interest, then end it right now. It's terrible to keep a girl waiting." With that, I threw the phone on the couch before a message alert echoed in the space.

Rude [broken heart]
Meet me at the central mall at three o'clock.

Me :
You are joking.
After ignoring me for three days!
No, can do. I'm busy.

Rude [broken heart]
Sorry, I'll make it up to you.
Aurora?
Why aren't you replying?

• Two missed calls •

Tangerine, I'm sorry.
I'm on my way.

Me :
Let's meet at the central mall.
In five minutes.

It had been two hours since I spoke to Noel, and the movie ended on time. Searching for my phone, I checked his one message about him patiently waiting for me until I cooled down, which was sent half an hour ago. It was exactly three o'clock in the afternoon and a cocky smirk appeared on my face. My legs roughly stretched as I quickly picked up the purse and fixed my hair before walking out of the door.

Unfortunately, the heavy traffic on Saturday afternoons made me continuously check the phone — a little guilty for having made him wait for hours. Several minutes later, the booked car stopped at the entrance to the mall. I quickly rushed out of it and headed toward the second floor, where Noel had told me to go.

"He has to clear up today!"

It was very noisy and crowded — that was my first impression of the central mall every time I visited the place. Moreover, it wasn't as fascinating as the previous malls that I had been to. Inwardly, the guilt of ignoring Noel made me focus on the direction toward the second floor. Hurriedly yet excitedly, I rushed toward the elevator when something suddenly caught my attention.

A pregnant woman with a child.

My mother, no, the woman that cheated and left home — abandoned me. Long, dark curls caressed her round face as she tightly held the young boy, who had been racing around the mall. Her loose, purple dress shaped the considerable bump on her abdomen, whilst a smile plastered on her face as she spoke to the young girl beside her. A girl that I immediately recognized though carrying grocery bags.

For some reason, I felt my heartbeat fastened — my cold gaze focused on the happy group. Noel was no longer in my mind, and I desired to quickly escape before being noticed. Yet, my legs slowly took a step after another; toward the reason that drained my excitement.

Every step that I took felt like a massive load had been added onto my head and my shivering hands clenched as I inhaled sharply. The air nearly chocked me. Ever since my mother left my father and me, my world became crowded with fear of being orphaned and abandoned. How I wished she could have acknowledged me as her child and at least cared to call to enquire about my situation.

I wiped the silent tear that rolled down my heated cheeks before standing a reasonable distance from a girl that I recognized and a woman who I wished to forget. It seemed I couldn't control myself because I unconsciously covered the distance until I was right in front of them.

"Fiona?" Pretending to focus on a casually dressed person that I hardly spoke to, though inwardly focused on the pair of dark brown eyes that slightly widened at my appearance. It seemed, I was recognized immediately, and that made a pain aimed toward my fragile heart.

"Aurora?!" Fiona exclaimed happily and wrapped her arms around my heated shoulders. For some reason, her warm hug made me relax. "We meet again."

"Yes?" I faked the brightest smile, then tightened the grip on her waist — wishing that it lasted a little longer. Maybe to prolong the introduction of the person next to her.

"Oh, let me introduce you." Fiona giggled. "This is my auntie and my little nephew; Mrs Olson and Jack." She stared at the stunned woman, then gestured at me. "This is Aurora, the girl that I met at the camp."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." I smiled widely, but was reciprocated with a nod. My thumbs rubbed, nervously, I watched as she ran her manicured fingers through her hair.

"Fiona, it's late. You can catch up later with your..." Her eyes checked me from head to toes, then proceeded. "Friend?"

That's how it would be; ignored again. Tears slowly built up, but I quickly pretended to rub my eyes. Luckily, the eyeglasses were an advantage. If she wished to pretend to forget, then that was undoubtedly what I would do. "Sorry for taking your time."

"Let's exchange numbers." Fiona suggested, which we did whilst her company walked away. "My auntie will leave me, I'll call." She waved as she ran out of the mall.

"I'm no longer interested in seeing Noel." Sighing, I quickly texted Noel about my absence. Though he didn't reply, I turned off the phone and felt the tears that trailed down my cheeks.

For once; it wasn't self-pity nor worry — it was emptiness. An indescribable emotion that felt like I had lost a piece that I hardly managed to grasp. She was once my mother, a person that I imagined being a piece that made my heart a completed puzzle.

The ride back home was depressing and thankfully, the traffic provided me the time to cool down. It was strange to believe that I saw my mother after six years, for that reason, I always believed that she would act differently from what she portrayed — maybe with a little guilt. Who knew she would toss me out once again as a stranger in her life. Some part of me was relieved that she did because the anger I felt toward her would be justified. If only it was that easy to accept being right.

The car stopped in the yard and I slowly walked away till I stood at the door. Relaxing my shoulders and taking a deep sigh, my shivering hands opened it; then, stopped when I heard loud laughter inside. It was unusual for my father to have a colleague over — moreover, I hadn't seen him invite anyone for five years.

"She was so young." Dad's voice cracked as he laughed, "she would crawl around the house while dirtying anywhere."

"Uh..." A dry chuckle from a familiar voice made me tighten the grip on the slightly, opened door. "You inspire me to have one child."

"Focus on school first, but I'd prefer five grandkids." I gasped when the door was accidentally pushed open. What was the most surprising thing wasn't the conversation, but my father and might be boyfriend seated around the dining table and having lunch. "Oh, she's here."

"Papa." I smiled, then walked toward them.

"You didn't tell me that you have such an intelligent friend." Dad gestured for the seat beside Noel, which I silently sat on. All that I knew was that father was very attentive to details and might have already deciphered a portion of the situation.

"Hey, I waited." Noel whispered as he adjusted my chair. Immediately, I felt the surrounding warmth around me that made me embarrassed at my reaction.

"I'm sorry." Without hesitation, I pulled the served meals and began eating. Though dad's gaze was fixed on us, I tried to act as neutral as I could; which was hard because Noel played the perfect, well-behaved person that might steal his daughter. Moreover, it made me smile since it seemed he was trying to win dad's favour — which he did.

"I'll leave you kids to enjoy your time; responsibly." Papa finally stood up after an exhausting interrogation of Noel's life. Placing the dishes in the sink, I watched as he adjusted the curtains, then walked away. "Upstairs is off limits, and invite your friend next time too."

Of course, upstairs was off limits. I wasn't ready to admit that I was a diehard fan girl; moreover, Noel would be disgusted if he saw the numerous paperwork and fan arts.

"You have been ignoring me." Noel playfully poked my shoulder as he moved closer. "Who did you visit whilst dressed up like this?"

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Pushing off his hand, I walked toward the sink and placed his and my dishes. Even from afar, I could feel his gaze on me, which caused me to unconsciously clean the dirty utensils.

It would be good if he willingly opened up and told me his secrets, yet I wished he didn't because it would be a good excuse to prolong Linyu's report. It was tiresome, having to constantly worry about my father's health, Noel's growing affection and suddenly; the hypocrite of a mother. Moreover, I had to secure my studies and tuition sources — I couldn't afford to lose a university scholarship.

It seemed that I had been so preoccupied with my thoughts that when Noel's warm hands rubbed my eyes; I came to the realization that I had been crying again. I was pathetic, always tearing up whenever something discomforting happened. "I'm so pathetic."

"Aurora, I didn't mean that you look terrible. I was merely joking." Noel pulled me toward him, engulfing me in a warm hug before my tears continuously rolled down my cheeks. "I'm sorry, it's my fault."

"No, it's my fault." I paused, "it's kind of your fault too."

"Yes, it is." Noel's hands rubbed my back, though, pulling me closer.

"Why don't you trust me? If — if you could, then one of my worries could be resolved." I pulled on the coat that he had on, inhaling on his concentrated pheromones. "You are secretive, have freaking weirdos and; why can't you be normal?"

"I'm sorry, I'll be better." Immediately, my body was calmly pushed off him. When his eyes met mine, there was a hint of pain and I could see the slightly blurry face. "Can you see properly without your glasses?"

"Oh, yes." I quickly pulled the handkerchief that he handed me, then wiped the tears. "I have reading glasses because of my short-sighted vision."  Was he changing the conversation?

"I thought of taking you somewhere, but you need more rest." I watched as he picked up the phone and dialled his driver. After a while, Noel stared at me with an unusual expression. "Aurora, if you don't know something about me; then, you are not trying to communicate. I can't guess what you want to know, neither will I tell you random information that might bore you. Try me, I might be easier to talk to than you imagine."

"..." My eyes were fixed on the tiled floor, and a part of me felt like I was being scolded for the first time.

"Ugh." The frustration in his voice was so evident before he sat on the dining chair. "Isn't it normal to be open to your boyf— the person you are dating? You hardly tell me what you want, I have to guess what you like by randomly suggesting it, and I feel that you try to satisfy the image of me that you assume I am."

"I mostly tell you what I want." I mumbled softly.

"Then, tell me what you want right now?" My eyes widened. What could it be that I wanted? Well, if only he could kiss me, how long had it been since then? No, I always wished that he could clear up my uprising doubts about the hybrid situation and the reason Linyu disliked him.

"Can you hug me again?" Noel's eyes widened for a second before he smiled — the warm gaze and playful smirk made me inwardly wish that I asked the questions instead. For some reason, I felt that he wouldn't spare my words.

"There is a huge difference between can I and can you." That was the response that I had wholeheartedly expected, yet easily accepted. Unconsciously, I closed the distance and moved toward his sited figure— a few inches away from him and his warm breath caressing my cheeks. "Wow, your dad might murder me if he saw you in this position."

"You are such a mood kill!" I playfully slapped his shoulder as I moved away before being grabbed and pulled closer — until I was sitting on his lap.

"I might as well die in your arms." That was all I heard before I felt cold lips against mine. It seemed father really did threaten him too.

Thereafter, Noel's driver arrived. Although he wasn't willing to leave, he left after twenty minutes. Sadly, I had forgotten that I had to enquire on the important issues until I watched his back against me as he entered the car. Hopefully, there would be another time for that, but seeing him always made me forget about the report.

"And, he almost referred to himself as my boyfriend."

🦋
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I was on writer's block, but I back.

Have you ever had such a healthy relationship?