Serendipity

chapter 14

I was busy with my term papers the past week and they went well with the help of Jack. I still talk to Hailey but we are not as close as we were before. We don't hang out much, I don't like Sabrina so I avoid her. Hailey also felt it and talked to me once to which I told her that she will still be my friend but I won't hang out with her when she is with her friends.

We only met at university or occasionally go out for lunch but most of the time I go out with Jake. I also don't want to come between Hailey and her friends. They are friends since college and I would ruin it for them.

Today it got late when I return from the bookshop. A few customers came and I had to deal with them. It was 10 at night when I walked back, the road was empty at this hour. It was also cold out today, I shivered with cold. I forgot to grab my coat today hence the shivering.

I decided to take a shortcut through an alleyway so that I can reach home faster but there is this nagging feeling telling me to not go inside the alley the cold made me choose and I jogged in the alley. 'If I would keep my pace fast I won't have a problem. I thought'

Halfway through the alleyway, I felt like I am being followed. The hairs at the back of my neck stood up. I turned around only to find no one behind. I sighed in relief as I fasten my pace. I was almost running but all the way I was having a feeling that someone is watching me.

I only stopped when I was in the building, I paused in the lobby to compose myself. I was a panting mess from all the running.

"Hey, Alara!" Rachel called me and motion me to come to her. I walked towards her glancing back once more for my sanity and there was no one.

"I got something for you" she smiled widely as she look so excited. Then she bend a little and fished out something from below. It was a beautiful bouquet of red roses.

"Someone send these for you!" She told me and for a second I looked baffled.

"Who?" I asked a little sceptical. I don't anybody here who would send me flowers.

"Unfortunately, there's no name on the card," she told me and I frowned as I looked at the beautiful roses.

"Our pretty Alara got a secret admirer huh?" She teased me and I scoffed.

"It's nothing like that, are you sure it's for me? I mean they might be for someone else." I told her.

"Your name is written on it," she said in a duh tone.

"But this building has so many floors, maybe there is another Alara who lives here" I reasoned.

"Babe I have been here for long to know there is only one Alara Levine who lives here," she said and pushed the bouquet into my hands. I frowned at her and the flowers, my first instinct was to throw them away but then I thought otherwise. There are too beautiful to throw away. Or maybe someone I know might have sent these for me.

I bid her goodbye and walked towards the elevator. As the door was about to close a hand barged in and the door opened. Someone came inside, let me rephrase Hunter came in. He didn't even glance my way as he stood behind me. I sighed!

I think this is becoming our usual thing meeting in the elevator and not talking to each other. After that day I also stopped looking at him and talking to him. If he doesn't like me then do be it. I don't care, he helped me once and I am thankful for it. I will return the favour and then we will be equal but I highly doubt he would ever need my help.

I looked up at the mirror to see him looking at the flowers deeply, then his gaze met mine and his jaw clenched. Why does he look angry now? I haven't done anything. He was about to open his mouth when my phone rang and I picked up.

"Hey No..!" I started but was cut off by Noah.

"Where are you?" He asked and I frowned. Does Mary tell him that I haven't come home yet?

"Uhm in the elevator," I told him.

"Why are you not at home at this hour?" He asked me.

"I was a little late and ..." I started but he again spoke up.

"That's why I didn't want you to work at the bookshop, none of us is there to protect you and..." He stopped, his voice laced with worry.

"Hey I was only late today, and I didn't know Mary would snitch on me like that," I said a little mad at her to make him worry for nothing.

"She didn't, I was sleeping and I just had a bad dream about you," he said softly.

"Noah bear I am fine," I told him using a nickname for him that he doesn't like. He groaned a little and I chuckled.

"Stay on call until you are not inside the apartment," he said and I sighed. The lift doors opened and I walked out lightly glancing back at him. He was closely watching me, his eyes hard and his hands in a fist. I immediately looked ahead.

"How was your day?" Noah asked making small talk that he usually never makes. I think he had a very bad dream which has shaken him up. Then I start telling him about my day and he listened to me calmly. I walk inside the apartment and told him I am inside. He sighed in relief and then after a few minutes we hanged up.

I love how my brothers care for me and loves me but it also bothers me how there life only revolves around me. They should stop worrying too much about me and focus on their life. I didn't like it sometimes, I want them to be happy in their lives without having to worry about me 24/7. I just hope they will find their happiness in other things and start living for themselves!