-UndoubtedlyYours-

-Chapter♛♚NinetySix-

✧MEETING HER ADVISOR✧

◊━━━━━✥━━━━━◊

***

Rhea hadn't been able to shake off the feeling of disappointment, as she still placed her mother on such a high pedestal. And Alphard couldn't help his wife unless she overcame such things.

Though he had to admit that her loyalty was award-winning.

Right now, however, he was getting together all that she needed in turns of paying the tuition and gathering supplies, but that first meant she would need to attend a meeting with her advisor—Something that she was dreading this afternoon.

New Years had been a wonderful affair, with Walburga out of the picture and Durella rather horrified to even look in Alphard's given direction. Rhea was sure that she had reverted back to being a scared wife, though even Rhea was wondering what might push Alphard to his last straw.

Though he never raised his voice towards Rhea, and she lived knowing that she was one of the few that caught just how adorable and sweet. Especially at night when they came together to share their warmth.

"Rhea? Are you ready to go?" Her breath hitched as she jumped from reorganizing her folder again. And she turned over her shoulder with a guilty expression.

"Y-yeah. Leaving in a few minutes...Are you sure we have to eat out? I'd much rather stay home."

"We're celebrating, love, with a late lunch. Let's enjoy these outings before we're swapped with work again. Remember when we wished for these moments?" She bobbed her head, but damnit, she was beyond nervous at the moment.

"Come now, Rhea. You've spoken in front of dozens of reporters and lied. You can certainly do well today with an advisor. Besides, I'm sure my friend has put in a good word." A part of her hated that as well, especially when she had a letter from that very friend on the board.

"No offense, Alfie. That doesn't help my nerves."
"Which part? That you've come highly recommended? That your credentials show your worth?... Why are you so hard on yourself, love? If you cannot see the joy in it anymore, then what's the point?" His questions were due to make her head spin, and thus, she rolled her shoulders in an attempt to hype herself up.

"I just don't want anyone to be disappointed in me."

"Darling...You make me proud every damn day. Or do I need to show you the charts on your project again?" She groaned, as he had a habit of coming to show her the progress. And it made her wonder if he checked on his own as frequently as hers.

With nothing more to pack, Rhea huffed one last time before pulling the straps of her bag over her shoulder. "Did you need to head to the office?"

"Not sure yet, but I wouldn't doubt it. There are a few loose ends, but I don't want you to worry about all that."

"What?" Rhea had made a face at the idea of her work not being completed, but he waved it off. "Alfie—"

"Nope, you're a student now as far as I'm concerned. You're off the team."

"But there are still things that need to be completed, isn't that what you're saying?" He didn't want to lie, but he bobbed his head in the sense that there were a few bits and pieces. But it's more or less overseeing and such, and since he was already putting an eye out for his own project and Orion's. He might as well do Rhea's as well.

"I expect a full report, Alphard Black." She instated with her hands on her hips, and he chuckled.

"And I'll be expecting the same, Rhea Black." He followed up, stopping her as she nearly passed by him without a kiss. And in that heated moment, he squeezed her thigh. "Don't fill your schedule up too much, love. Alright?" She nodded before hurrying off and away to the floo system, and it was dutifully easy to step into the realm of the welcoming center to Saint Mungeos.