When I woke up it was already dark outside. I had slept the entire day. 

Mental fatigue was killing me. My head felt like it was going to explode and my eyes had swollen even more, perhaps from having left my arms over them for a long time.

Even though I hadn't eaten all day, I had no appetite.

Despite I had already decided something, that didn't take away the fact that Matt wouldn't be with me from now on, and that he would be living his life on the other side of the world.

I got up weakly and went to take a shower.

When I got out, I lay back down and fell asleep again.

When I woke up, it was already the next day. I blinked a few times and turned my head towards the nightstand. I stared at my phone for a while and then reached over to grab it.

I pressed the middle button and it didn't turn on.

It was probably off. 

I put it back where it was and stared at the ceiling for a while. After that, I turned my head back to the phone.

I reluctantly got up and turned it on before leaving it to charge. As soon as I sat up in bed ready to get back into bed, my phone turned on and notifications started ringing. I rarely got notifications other than work, so I got up again and grabbed it.

As soon as I pressed the unlock button, the screen showed the time.

It was nine in the morning. 

My start time for work had already passed several hours ago.

I ruffled my hair. I really didn't feel like leaving the room. Just as I was about to text them to give them some excuse, the phone started ringing.

It was a call from John.

I took a while to answer, thinking about what to say.

– Hello? 

– Alex! – John said, sounding more relieved than worried.

– Yes, I'm sorry. I wasn't feeling well. I just turned on my phone and looked at the time. – I told the truth.

I heard a sigh on the other end of the line. John was talking to someone else, there was a noise and then they answered.

– Sweetheart, are you okay? Tell me what's wrong, I'll tell John to bring you some medicine. – The omega sounded really worried.

– It's nothing, he doesn't have to do it. – I said half-heartedly.

There was silence, and then the owner spoke.

– Take the day off, kid.

– Thanks, and sorry again. – I replied, then hung up.

I put the phone down to crawl back into bed.

I woke up again because of the phone's sound. I looked at my phone, but it wasn't blinking.

I frowned.

I sat on the bed and looked around the room. Suddenly, I remembered the phone that connected directly to the reception area.

I reached out to answer it, but they hung up before I could.

I dropped my hand and lay back down, snuggling into Matt's jacket.

I was able to let it aside just one day when I started to get over him, but right now I needed it again. I was starting to fall asleep again when suddenly I heard a knock on the door.

– Sir, are you alright? 

From the voice, I could say it was the receptionist guy. I didn't want to reply, but if I didn't he would probably open the door.

I stood up and went directly to it. 

As soon as I opened it, I was met with the surprised gaze of the beta, who was half turned towards me and half turned towards John, who was standing next to him, looking worried. 

– Alex! – He said, letting out the air he had been holding. – Thank god you're fine. 

The beta brought a hand to his chest and sighed in relief.

– I've been calling you since yesterday because you came in and didn't come out or ask for food. I'm glad you're safe. 

– I'm sorry, I didn't hear the phone. – I replied with a low tone. 

Hearing me, both looked worried.

– I brought food to share. – John said, trying to sound cheerful.

I glanced at the bag he had in his hand. 

– No, thank you. – I had no appetite for anything. 

– Well, I insist. – He declared, opening the door wider and making me stumble.

He gently grabbed me by the arm to keep me from falling backwards. I hadn't noticed how weak I was.

– I'll take care of him now, thanks. – He said, turning his head towards the beta with a smile.

The beta nodded with a small smile and went towards the stairs to return to the reception.

I didn't have the strength to kick him out, so I just let him carry me back to the bed.

– Did you eat something? – He asked. 

I remained silent because I simply didn't want to talk. John looked at me and kept his gaze on me.

I snorted and shook my hair.

If I didn't reply he would probably keep looking at me in that way.

– Does the bottle of water from yesterday count? 

He opened his eyes and frowned.

Then sat me on the bed, stood up in front of me, and bent his knees slightly to be at my height, placing his hands on my shoulders.

– Alex, you can't do that. You need to take better care of yourself. From the way you looked yesterday, I can say you must be very sad, but you can't abandon yourself like that. 

I looked him in the eyes, and he seemed truly worried. 

I didn't think that I had abandoned myself, I just hadn't had time to think about food. I just wanted to sleep.

– I was just sleepy, not hungry. 

He tightened his grip on my shoulders slightly and closed his eyes, lowering his head.

He exhaled through his mouth and looked at me again.

– Okay, it's okay. Just eat what I brought, alright? Let's eat together. 

His worried smile made me nod.

He was treating me like a toddler who needed to be taken care of, and that was starting to piss me off. Still, I didn't want to bother complaining about it.

John placed the bag he brought on the bed, too close to Matt's jacket. I quickly reached out to grab it before it got dirty, but John picked it up before I could reach it.

He shook it and folded it.

– It's still very important for you, isn't it? – He said without looking at me. 

– Yes. – I said it loud and clear.

He nodded and bent down to put the jacket back in the drawer where he saw I had taken it out the time he came and we were together.

Remembering that made me look away.

As soon as I heard him close the drawer, I turned to look at him again. He went back to the bag, from which he took out two tupperware containers and handed one to me, sitting down next to me.

As soon as he opened his, the smell of her mother's cooking reached me, making my stomach growl loudly.

I looked down, embarrassed.

John chuckled, handed me his already opened tupperware, and took the one he had in his hands.

– But this one is yours... – This one probably had a lot more food than the other one.

– Yeah, well, the hungry one here is someone else, so just eat it. – He gave me a half smile and opened his tupperware, ready to start eating.

I stared at the food for a moment. It was lomo saltado.

I speared a French fry with my fork and brought it to my mouth. As soon as I tasted it, I closed my eyes. It was delicious.

Without thinking, I pounced on the food so fast that I almost choked on a piece of meat.

– Slowly. – John said, standing up to rub my back.

He took the opportunity to hand me a bottle with what looked like passion fruit that he had left near his feet and I took several sips before continuing with my meal.

– We were all worried after that call, you know?

I glanced at him but decided not to answer, as I had nothing to say.

When I finished everything I stuck the fork in my mouth, as it still had a bit of the taste.

– You ate everything. – John suddenly said. – Very good. 

I looked up at him and he was smiling widely.

– Mom prepared this especially for you. She said that when you ate with them you looked really happy when you ate this.

I felt my heart warm and couldn't help but smile weakly.

– Don't make them worry, okay? They're good people. 

– I know. – I answered after taking the fork out of my mouth. I knew they were.

We stayed silent for a long time, just sitting next to each other.

– Alright, I think I should go back. – John said. 

– You leaving? – I asked immediately, sitting back up.

He turned to look at me, somewhat surprised. A smile slowly formed on his face.

– I left the store with my parents, so I have to go. But I'll be back as soon as we close. I'll bring dinner, so you have to eat everything, understood? – He scolded me.

Now I felt exactly like he was treating me, a toddler who wanted attention, and he was giving it to me. 

I nodded slightly.

He stood up and took the tupperware from my hands. He put it inside the bag on top of the other one and set them on the floor.

He patted my head and took my hand.

I jumped a little at his touch. I looked at him and he moved his hand away from mine, lifting them up a little, while with the other he lifted the sheet.

Then I understood that he wanted me to lie down again, so I did. I got under the sheets and covered myself up to my mouth.

I turned to the drawer and started to reach for the jacket, but John stopped me.

– I'll do it. – He said simply.

John turned around and pulled out Matt's jacket again. He looked at it for a moment and tightened his grip a little, though I couldn't see his expression. He came back to my side and handed it to me. I took it immediately, tucking it under the covers with me.

John crouched down beside me, laughing softly. He raised his hand and placed it on my head again, stroking it.

He stood up and before he left I grabbed him by his sleeve. I pointed to the bedside table where the room key was.

– Should I take it? – He asked, hesitating.

I nodded. I didn’t want to have to get up to open the door for him when he came back.

He smiled and took it, putting it in his pocket.

– See you later. – John said almost whispering.

– See you. – I replied, giving him one last look before closing my eyes.