Serina: The Alpha’s Mate - Chapter 66

Nicholas stood up from his seat and walked to the guard, signaling him to give the phone so that he can talk to Serina himself. The guards handed it to him hesitantly but with little push of compulsion in to his mind, he gave in to Nicholas.

“You can tell that person to leave. I’m not going out. I’m busy. Also, next time – ” Serina mumbled on and on without knowing that the person on the other end of the line has changed.

“Rina.” Nicholas muttered softly and this stopped Serina from saying more. “It’s me. I’m here outside, at the gate, waiting for you to come out.”

Serina looked at the telephone receiver, doubting herself if she was really hearing things correctly. She knew that Nicholas had visited her several times in the past but she didn’t expect him to come during this moment. She was just building up her courage to start over again and here he was, crumbling everything.

“Rina, can you hear me? Can we talk? I really need to talk to you. I have a lot of things to explain.”

“I have nothing to tell you, though.” Serina stubbornly refused even though a part of her was screaming at her to go out and see him. “I have lots of things to do so, you might as well go home.”

“I won’t leave the city unless I get to talk to you.”

“I won’t go out of this school unless you leave the city.”

“Why are you so stubborn?”

“Right back at you.” Serina retorted, holding her ground to never let him sway her heart again. “Nicholas, you are just wasting your time. I honestly don’t want to see you right now. I have – ”

“What about the letter?”

“What letter?”

“The invitation to your birthday.”

Serina felt her heart clenched in pain but she refused to give in. She didn’t want to recall the helplessness she felt on her birthday. She didn’t want to recall the pain. She wanted to bury them altogether with the memories of him. “My birthday has passed. You didn’t come. That letter is useless.”

“You said you wanted to – ”

“Shut up!”

Nicholas was stunned.  It was the very first time that she yelled at him and he felt the power of her anger and despair. She wasn’t just making excuses. She didn’t really want to see him.

Serina sighed and closed her eyes for a moment as she walked towards her bed. “I’m sorry for yelling at you but, can you not mention anything related to that letter? I’m begging you Nicholas. Please go back home.”

“Rina, I’m really sorry. I know you don’t want to hear these things but I’m really sorry for not coming. I’m sorry for being late. I hope you can forgive me. And please, I’m begging you as well. Please hear me out.”

‘Let’s give her some space.’ Kiro told Nicholas because he could feel the pain that’s ripping her heart. ‘I told you, it won’t be easy.’

‘You are not helping me at all. I told you to build me some points to her.’

‘In the first place, this was all your doing. Why should I help you? Fix this by yourself.’

Serina held the necklace that Nicholas gave her on her 16th birthday. It was something she treasured so much and even when things weren’t going well, she didn’t put it away. At least, she could feel his presence through the necklace. “Nicholas, I’m sorry.” She ended the call right after saying these words and curled up on her bed. She just promised she wouldn’t cry anymore but she couldn’t stop herself at all.

Nicholas held the telephone in his hand, looking at it, hoping that she’d call him back. However, that apology coming from her told him everything won’t be the same. Serina chose to shut him out of her world. It would be very difficult to win her again. Not even their previous friendship could help them.

He returned the telephone to the guard and went to get his luggage before getting out of the school premises. He’s not giving up. Not this time. He wouldn’t allow his cowardice and selfishness to end the happiness that he should have for a lifetime.

Nicholas hailed a taxi and went to the booked hotel. “I have decided.” Nicholas mumbled to himself when he reached his room. “I will stay here and court her formally.”

‘Hotel is expensive. You have to find a house or a cheaper place. You can’t waste your money on this.’

“I know. That won’t be a problem. Let’s stay here for the time being. Mom booked this hotel for a week. I’ll have to look for a cheap place to stay after that duration.”

‘I agree on this decision.”

“Then, will you help me build some points to her?”

‘No.’Kiro refused without the slightest bit of hesitation. ‘If I do that and she finds out that you and I are the same, she’d think we cheated. I don’t want to add more lies to her. Just do your best.’

“Just tell her that I’m really honest with my feelings.”

‘I’ll help you if I can feel your sincerity.’

“Hey! Are you really siding with me or not?”

‘Of course, I’m not.’ Kiro grinned and retreated, leaving Nicholas to deal with everything.

The next morning, Serina used magic to return her puffy eyes to normal. She showered and changed into really nice clothes before leaving the dorm. She planned to visit Natalya, Corrine and the two children. It’s been a while since she last saw them and she didn’t want to coop up in her room, staying depress and all negative. She wanted to find a source of happiness, a great distraction from all negative energy.

She decided to meet them in one of the cafés nearby, treating them to some desserts while they catch up with each other. Last time, Damon told her that Corinne was in danger. It turned out that she was being harassed with another vampire. Thankfully, Damon’s subordinate was able to get to her before something bad happened.

Corinne looked a lot better now. Although she still couldn’t speak, she was lively and optimistic in life. She takes care of the two kids really well and with the help of Natalya, she could shape-shift with no problem. However, they needed a place where they can be free. The hotel wasn’t very safe for them and it’s also expensive.

“Rina.” Natalya called her the moment she laid her eyes to her friend. “How are you? I was really worried when we couldn’t connect…I mean contact you.”

“I’m doing great, Natalya.” Serina replied and hugged her friend before turning to Corinne. “I’m so glad that you are okay. And the kids, too.”

‘Someone helped us. I don’t know who that was but I’m sure it was a vampire.’ Corinne told Serina through their mental link.

‘That was a friend of mine.’ Serina replied so that the other woman won’t be anxious over little things. “Let’s have a seat. What do you guys want?” She just finished her question when the wind chimes made a sound that caught her attention. And there, Nicholas was standing at the door with his eyes looking straight at her. “I…I guess, we should look for another place.”

“Don’t you like it here?” Sylvia asked while looking at the cakes inside the glass display. “I think it’s great here.” The child has no idea of the swirling negative energy in the room.

“O-okay. We can stay here.” Serina replied and handed them the menu so that they can choose what they like. It didn’t escape her observation that Nicholas was walking towards them. “I’ll go out for a moment. I need to make a call.” She said, lying through greeted teeth as she picked up her bag and left.

Corinne looked at Nicholas and then to Serina’s fleeing back. She might be mute for the time being but that didn’t mean she didn’t know what was going on. She looked towards Natalya to question her but the latter only shake her head, indicating that they shouldn’t involve themselves in this matter.

‘Rina, are you okay?’ It was Kiro but Serina didn’t reply to him. ‘She’s upset.’ Kiro told Nicholas.

‘That’s expected.’ But he won’t stop. He’ll show up in front of her every chance he gets – even if it will annoy her. “Ladies, can I sit here?” Nicholas shamelessly asked even though Serina might curse him to death. He wasn’t afraid because amidst her anger towards him, she still thought of him, enough for her to wear the necklace that he gifted her before.

‘Don’t be so confident.’ Kiro told him and retreated when Serina came back.

Nicholas raised his head to meet her eyes but for a moment there, he saw something else. His heart went still. His breathing hitched and he felt the strong pressure coming from her stare. “Just so you know, I’m not giving you up. Not now and not ever..” Nicholas told her, thinking that she should hear it directly from him, word for word with the sincerest conviction he could muster.