Chapter Thirty

I couldn't help but pace back and forth across my living room since coming back. My mind refused to stop thinking about Tay and kept springing up different reasons to worry about him. Every time I had the urge to pick up the phone and call him to make sure he was okay, I tried to distract myself with something.

Four hours later, I had already cleaned my apartment twice and packed most of my things placed in the living room in different labelled cardboard boxes. The hallway was already half filled with the said boxes and I was thinking about moving to pack the bedroom's stuff next.

Just as I was about to enter the bedroom, my phone rang, surprising me. I almost ran to get my phone and picked it up immediately when I saw Tay's name flash.

"I talked to Professor's friend. He wants to interview us tomorrow if possible." Tay announced as soon as I picked up the call.

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"Mr. Santos wants to interview us tomorrow. I told him we'll be there." He repeated in the same carefree tone again.

"Wait. What about Aaron?" I quickly questioned him as soon as he stopped talking.

"I talked to him. Everything is okay now." He stated in the same tone as before.

"That's great." I couldn't help but smile, feeling relieved.

Ignoring me, he continued from earlier. "I'll forward you Mr. Santos' email for further details."

Without waiting for my reply, Tay disconnected the call immediately, leaving me dumbstruck.

I frowned, putting the phone back and deciding to talk to him in person tomorrow morning. Instead of making my way back to the bedroom to clean it up, I headed towards the kitchen to get the dinner going.

~~~

"Hi, grandma." I waved at her through the camera, watching her smile. "I followed your porridge's recipe, yet it tastes nothing like yours." I switched the camera before letting her catch a glimpse of the content of the bowl in front of me.

Grandma let out a laugh in response.

"There's an interview tomorrow morning. I probably won't be able to drive back tomorrow." I informed her before picking up a spoonful of porridge.

"Interview? Already?" Grandma asked, raising her head to look at me in confusion.

I nodded my head. "One of my professors helped Tay and I."

"All the best for tomorrow then." Grandma's cheerful tone toned down my anxiety and I smiled looking at her.

"Thank you but I'm trying not to hope for too much. You shouldn't either." I said, averting my gaze from her.

"It's just the beginning, Blue. Even if it doesn't work out, you'll have plenty of opportunities in the future." Grandma assured me and I nodded my lowered head again.

"I just don't think I'll be able to get a job if I messed up tomorrow." I pushed the bowl away from me, no longer feeling like eating anymore.

"You need to believe in yourself." She stated and I nodded my head again. "Everyone doubts themselves at one point or another, it's natural. But you can't let those doubts keep you in the shadows. You just have to take a step forward, one after another until you're under that spotlight you deserve."

Her words cut through the uncertainties rearing their ugly heads. "Thank you, grandma. I'm going to try my best, no matter the result."

"As one should." Grandma said as if stating a fact before giving me a smile. "Let me know whenever you plan to come back, I'll keep the porridge ready for you."

I expressed my joy loudly before starting to talk about other things as we ate.

~~~

"You okay? You look tired." I couldn't help but worry looking at Nicolas' dull smile.

Nicolas shook his head and opened his mouth to say something before I started speaking again.

"Is everything okay? Don't say it's nothing." I prodded again.

"I didn't get much sleep last night." He admitted after a yawn.

"Why? Am I keeping you awake for too long?" I asked again.

"You aren't. I just had a nightmare." He explained while trying to suppress another yawn.

I moved closer to the phone before questioning. "What was it about?"

He seemed to be hesitating before shaking his head. "Saying it out loud makes it real. I can't risk it."

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You believe that?"

His hesitant nod made me smile. "We won't talk about it then."

Another weary smile made me feel guilty. "You should get some sleep."

His smile faded as he refused. "I don't want to."

"I'm feeling guilty for making you stay awake." I tried again but to no avail.

Sighing, I sat up straight before putting on a serious expression. "Nicolas, you need to be in your best state not just for yourself but for the pack as well." Making myself sound somber, I continued. "I know how important pack's well being is for you, and your well being is just as important for them. So, please, go and get some sleep."

He nodded his head in agreement before giving me a real smile. "You sounded just like a Luna."

My facade slipped and I couldn't help but lower my head in embarrassment. "I didn't mean to. I was just…"

His chuckle worsened my blush and my already racing heart. "Thank you for accepting them. At first I wasn't sure if you'll come to care for them like I do but you've proved me wrong."

"It's impossible not to like them though. They're all so nice and friendly. They've even accepted me despite the fact that I'm a human and I have my own responsibilities. I am grateful to them for treating me like their own and all the love and care I've received." I poured out, feeling emotional and indebted.

"It's impossible not to like you too, Blue. I would've never known this kind of happiness existed if I hadn't met you. You've made me the happiest I've ever been and I can't thank you enough for that." His earnestly spoken words filled me with utter joy.

"I should be the one to say thank you." My vision blurred and I struggled to get my voice out as my throat started closing up. "I tried not to think about it, but I wonder what would've become of me if you hadn't decided to give us a chance. I would've gone through my life without knowing what it's like to have a mate, to meet someone who was born just for me and to be cared for unconditionally."

When I was greeted with silence, sniffling, I tried to compose myself. Letting out a forced chuckle, I continued. "I don't know if you've noticed it or not, but I tend to get emotional real easy. I try not to, but it's almost out of my control. You should let me know if it ever gets too much. Like right now, I didn't mean to-"

"Blue. Look at me." Nicolas coaxed me with his gentle voice. Wiping my eyes with my sleeves I looked up and met his eyes.

"You are perfect just the way you are. And it's not just you, I have thought about it too. If I had let you go, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life. I'm glad I didn't, I'm glad that you gave me a chance despite how hard I tried to push you away." His sincere voice brought forth the emotions I was already struggling to contain within.

"I'm trying not to cry and you're not helping." I informed him, looking at his blurred image.

"I'm sorry." He apologised almost immediately.

I shook my head and wiped my eyes with my sleeves again. "I needed this. Thank you." Sniffling, I cleared my throat before continuing. "I have already kept you for too long. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "You're not coming back tomorrow?"

"I planned to, but something came up. I'm sorry." I answered him, already regretting it when I saw his expression turn gloomy.

"It's alright. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Goodnight, Blue." He answered a moment later, trying not to seem too bothered.

I bid him farewell before the screen went black.

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