Blessing in Disguise (MM)

Chapter Twenty Eight

ARIS' POV

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"Where is he?" Luca asks as I flick my gaze across every person that enters the school hall.

I chew on my lip with a shrug. "I don't know."

My stomach has been rolling non-stop since we got here. I clutch my phone in my hands and look down at the screen. No notifications. I sigh and swipe up to see the last seven text messages I've left Nick–none he's answered.

"Maybe call him again?" Luca suggests. "He might be on his way."

I nod wanting to believe it but something inside me already knows that he's not showing. My thumb hits the screen and I call his number again. I flick my gaze over to Declan who is watching me intently, the disappointment in his eyes is evident.

The show is about to start in five minutes and I'm freaking out. Especially when I remember Elodie and Nick's conversation the other night where she asked if he was going to be there and he promised he would. She then proceeded to say he missed the last one.

Oh God. My heart is about to shatter for her if he doesn't make it in time.

When the call goes to voicemail I curse under my breath and shake my head. "Not picking up," I huff and glance at the empty seat next to me.

Declan runs a hand down his face. "He's a fucking idiot."

"Maybe something happened?" Luca suggests with an optimistic smile.

"No," Declan grumbles. "I doubt it. Probably got too carried away at work as usual."

I squeeze my phone in my hand. "But not to pick up his phone? That's not like him."

Declan shrugs. "Who knows? Whatever. We're here. Let's just be as supportive as we can for Elodie."

"Agreed," I say as I settle back into my seat but I'm riddled with anxiety.

Please, Nick. Please get here as soon as you can.

Soon the show starts and I close my eyes in defeat. Shit. I try my hardest to focus on the performance but my fingers begin to itch painfully. Luca leans over to give my hand a squeeze, I turn my head to him and find a conflicted smile covering his lips. I sigh silently and nod.

When Elodie comes onto the stage I sit up and beam at her presence. They sing a song as an ensemble and she definitely is the loudest of the bunch and it makes my chest so heavy with pride. She's a star in the making.

Her gaze flicks across the crowd and when she sees me her smile spreads, taking over her entire face. Then it moves to Luca, Declan and then back to me. The realisation is immediate. She knows her dad isn't here and I despise the expression that morphs over her face.

As the performance ends, Nick still hasn't called me back. I curse to myself and wait outside for all the children to come out. Declan and Luca wait with me. "I hate this," I murmur to them.

"It's not your fault, Aris." Declan says.

"I know," I nod. "But she knows he's not here."

Luca glances at Declan with a frown. "Did Nick ev–"

"She's coming over," I mutter under my breath.

We all turn to the direction I'm facing to find Elodie walking towards us with all her belongings. I take her bags from her but her head is down. "Hey, sweetheart," I say cheerily. "You were amazing out there! You did so good."

I bend down to give her a hug, wrapping her up in my arms. "I'm so proud of you, Els. We loved it so much."

She pulls away slowly to find her green eyes have glossed over. "Where's daddy?"