Omega and the beast

Chapter 16

With moving into the estate, my daily routine changed somewhat. I still started work at 8am and therefore had more time to sleep in the morning since I didn't have to travel here. I could eat breakfast at the computer if I wanted to, even though Reed thought I needed to eat properly by the kitchen, that sassy twat. Oh, and I could start work earlier to finish earlier if I felt for it. I could adjust my time as I wanted.

To my delight, however, I almost always ate breakfast with Reed. If it was to see so I didn't took it upstairs I don't know, but it made me happy. We had lunch together and dinner. And it wasn't just that we ate at the same time.

We hung out, talked, and got to know each other. He didn't open up about his family though, so I didn't either. We mostly talked about interests and such. This became my favourite parts of the day, eating with Reed.

My first night in my new suite I couldn't sleep. I just stared up at the canopy above me, unable to relax. My suite was warmer than Reed's and more decorated. His was like a boring bachelor pad comparing to my royal suite!

But I was quick to adapt, and I didn't miss my cramped apartment or even Mike's company that much. We talked on the phone every day, like the brothers we pretend to be.

He had replaced my worn furniture with new ones and claimed that he and Mrs. Smith now was besties, playing card games in the evenings and eating cookies. I teased him how he would put on some pounds if he ate too much, which he answered by briefly adding how he worked out harder at the gym if that was the case.

This was a day like any other. I sat at my computer with a stack of books by my side, registering them. It was noticeable which shelves I had worked my way through. They were cleaner, more well organized and inviting. Mr. Sparkles was lying in his armchair like always, next to the lit fire Reed always kept lit for me. I never came here with it unlit.

But despite the heat, I felt almost frozen. I felt a restlessness in my body. I couldn't calm down and it was like my skin was itching.

One evening I had a migraine when I went to bed after all the impressions. Imagined murmurs, the sound of Reed's shoes on the floor far away and the light from outside.

Mike thought I've caught a cold or maybe a bug, but I didn't feel sick. Maybe a little more tired than usual, but that could be because we were moving towards colder and darker autumn and with the darkness always came an ounce of autumn depression. I love light, warmth and everything to do with spring and summer. The only fun thing about dark times is winter when you can throw snowballs at people.

"I've read the same title five times now, Sparkles!" I complained, leaning back in my chair with a heavy sigh. "I have to take a break, move my legs a bit." I got up but Mr. Sparkles didn't even look my way. "Life as a cat... You can just chill and relax without issues all day! Or do you also need to move at times?" He... didn't move even an ear.

I chose to leave the library to grab some snacks. In addition to my somewhat uneven mood, I was feeling hungrier these days. Also, sometimes being a bit of a brat when my mood made me grumpy.

I giggled. If I had been a woman, I could have been pregnant! I held a hand over my stomach when it rumbled as if on cue.

When I approached the corridor out towards the stairs I stopped and perked my ears. I heard voices again. I leaned my head to the side, listening. Yes, but this time it was from the direction of Reed's study.

I crept closer and the closer I got to the door the clearer it was that he was actually talking to someone, and it sounded like an almost heated discussion.

Reed tried to stay calm, sounding as collected as he could. The other man sounded more irritated, like he was having a harder time keeping his composure.