CHAPTER 125: STILL KIND AND CALM

{Elira}

~**^**~

I lifted my phone and glanced at the screen. It turned out it was a message notification from my group chat with the brothers.

Without wasting a second, I clicked open the message and saw two texts from Lennon.

Lennon: [Hey, Elira! I hope you’re good? How is lunch going? Would you be dropping by Zenon’s office after school today?]

As soon as I read his question, it felt like my breath got hitched in my throat for a second because suddenly, I just realized that I was supposed to volunteer at the Archive room yesterday.

But because of serving the punishment dished out by the Student Council, I had completely forgotten to text Rennon in advance to inform him I wouldn’t be showing up.

I felt very horrible with myself as I wondered how Rennon would see me.

’Would he think I was unreliable?’

Almost immediately, I dropped my fork and held my phone with both hands to type out a response.

Elira: [I’m fine, thank you, Lennon. Lunch is going well. I think I will be stopping by.]

Then I waited for a beat before typing out another message, guilt gnawing at me from all angle.

Elira: [I... um... I haven’t seen Rennon for a while as well. Do you think he will show up at Professor Zenon’s office as well?]

A few seconds later, Lennon’s message came in.

Lennon: [I think he should. Maybe you should call him to confirm. He has been lot busy since Monday. Also, I will see you after school. Don’t forget to send a photo of your lunch.]

I quickly positioned my phone and clicked two photos of my food tray from different angles before quickly sending it to the group with a simple caption: [Here it is.]

After Lennon replied me with a thumbs up and a short message, telling me to finish my food, two heavy thoughts gnawed at me.

If Rennon had been very busy since Monday, did he need my help so badly yesterday but had to juggle everything together since I didn’t show up or even call?

Perhaps, was he mad at me for not communicating to him?

Then regarding the disciplinary action I wondered if Zenon had informed his brothers about what the Student Council members did to me, and how they subjected me to humiliation.

Lennon hadn’t mentioned a hint of it in his message earlier, which makes dwell on the idea of whether the news has reached him or not.

A deep sigh I didn’t know I’ve been holding, escaped from my lips.

"Elira, is something wrong?" Cambria’s soft voice dragged me out from deep thoughts.

"Not really." I shook my head and forced a smile. "It’s just that I signed up to volunteer at the archive room and forgot to show up yesterday. And though I was busy with the punishment, I forgot to put a call through."

At that moment, Juniper lifted her gaze from her plate and glanced at me. "Elira, I really don’t think that’s something you have to be worried about. You have time today to drop by and explain yourself."

Immediately, Nari supported with a nod. "Professor Rennon is kind. He will understand your situation and accept your apology."

Even Tamryn gave me support through her softened gaze.

I appreciated my friends but unfortunately, they would never understand why I actually felt guilty towards failing my duty and taking up immediate responsibility.

Rennon was more than a professor to me. He was kind and very patient towards me. But more especially, he is my mate. And I would hate to fail him.

---

We left the cafeteria with the crowd, my friends chatting ahead of me as I lingered behind, clutching my green phone.

My heart thudded with both nerves and guilt until, finally, I pressed Rennon’s number and lifted the phone to my ear.

And to my surprise, he picked up after the very first ring.

"Elira," he said, his voice as calm and the silent night. "How are you?"

The simple kindness in his tone startled me. I thought he would sound anything other than that. I blinked, swallowing against the lump in my throat. "I—I’m fine, Professor. How are you?"

"I’m well," he replied softly. "But you don’t sound fine."

"I..." I hesitated, my fingers tightening around my phone. "I wanted to say I’m sorry for not coming to the archive room yesterday. I should have called, but... something came up. I had a bit of a situation."

There was the faintest pause on the other end before his answer came, steady and without judgment. "It’s fine, Elira. I understand."

His answer was short, and if it wasn’t for the kindness I could pick up from his tone, I could have easily believed he was mad at me.

The tightness in my chest loosened instantly, like a knot undone. I breathed out slowly, letting relief wash over me.

"Thank you," I whispered.

After a small silence, I gathered the courage to ask, "Will you... will you come to Professor Zenon’s office after school today?"

Rennon didn’t answer right away. My pulse quickened, nerves slowly creeping back in. But then his voice came, gentler still before my imagination could run wild.

"Do you want me to be there?"

"Yes," I blurted out too fast, making me sound too eager. The word slipped out before I could stop it, and my cheeks heated instantly. "I mean—"

But before I could stumble any further, his chuckle hummed through the speaker, rich and kind. "That was all I needed to hear."

I pressed my free hand against my chest, heart fluttering, as he continued, "Then I will be there. And, Elira? I’ve got more chocolates and cookies for you."

My lips parted in a small gasp, then curved into a helpless smile. "You didn’t have to..."

"Maybe not," he said, warm amusement threading his words, "but I wanted to."

The line fell quiet for a beat, and I found myself unwilling to end the call, clinging to the sound of his voice.

---

By the time classes ended, my stomach was fluttering with nerves. I bid byes to Cambria and the others and adjusted the strap of my bag before walking toward the administrative block, every step felt both hurried and hesitant.

When I reached Zenon’s office, I hesitated for only a breath before knocking softly.

"Come in," his clipped voice called.

I eased the door open and slipped inside. Zenon sat at his desk, papers neatly stacked to one side, his posture straight as a blade.

His dark gaze flicked up, pinning me in place for a second before he gestured toward the chair opposite him.

My hands trembled faintly as I set my backpack on the floor and sat. "Good afternoon, Professor."

He inclined his head but didn’t waste words. "You look less tired than yesterday," he said, his voice neutral, though his eyes lingered on me as if testing the truth of my appearance.

"I—" I swallowed, managing a small nod. "I tried to rest."

The silence stretched until the door opened again. Rennon entered first, steady and kind as always, carrying a small box.

And behind him, Lennon strolled in, bright-eyed and easy, like the sun after a storm.

"I hope we are not late," Rennon said gently, his gaze warm when it landed on me. He set the box on Zenon’s desk.

"You are on time," Zenon replied, tone even.

But before I could say anything like offering a simple greeting, Lennon was already beside me, dropping into the seat so close our arms brushed.

He leaned in, eyes sparkling with his usual playfulness. "Elira," he said softly, and before I could answer, his hand rose to pat my hair as if smoothing it down.

Heat flooded my cheeks instantly. "Good afternoon," I whispered, completely embarrassed, but his grin only widened.

"You look tired," he teased lightly as his fingers trailed down to tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear before brushing my cheek.

The gentle stroke immediately sent my pulse racing. And then, suddenly, the memory of the female professor I had seen him with a few days back, struck me.

The way she had turned from him with tears streaking her face.

The image jolted through me, sharp and unwelcome. My chest tightened, conflicted with feelings tangling inside me.

Lennon’s thumb brushed softly over my cheekbone, pulling me back to the present.

"Don’t frown," he sounded concerned. "I don’t like seeing you sad."

I quickly tried to push the memory away. "I’m fine," I murmured, forcing a small smile.

On my other side, Rennon shifted closer, sliding the box discreetly toward me.

"Here are the chocolates and cookies," he said softly. "You can share them with your friends." His voice was warm and steady, a perfect counter to Lennon’s playful touch.

"Thank you," I said, letting my gaze linger on the box for a second before shifting it back to Rennon’s face.

"You are welcome." He flashed a kind smile at me, and then turned to go sit on the sofa.