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 had not eaten all day, I had no appetite.

Despite I had already made up my mind, that did not change the fact that Matt would not 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 toward the nightstand. I stared at my phone for a while and then reached over to grab it.

I pressed the middle button, but it did not 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 got up reluctantly and turned it on before putting it on the charger. As soon as I sat up in bed, ready to get back in, my phone turned on and notifications started popping up. I hardly ever got notifications except for work ones, so I got up again and picked it up.

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

It was nine in the morning.

My start time for work had passed several hours ago.

I tossed my hair. I really did not feel like leaving the room. Just as I was about to send a message with some excuse, the phone rang.

It was John calling.

I hesitated for a moment before answering, thinking about what to say.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Alex!" he said, sounding more relieved than worried.

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

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

"Darling, are you alright? Tell me what's wrong, I'll tell John to bring you some medicine." The omega sounded genuinely worried.

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

They were silent, and then the owner spoke.

"Just take the day off, boy."

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

I put the phone on the floor and crawl back into bed.

I woke up again to the sound of a phone ringing. I glanced at my phone, but it was not blinking.

I frowned.

I sat up in bed and looked around the room. Suddenly, I remembered the phone that led to reception. I reached for it to answer, but they hung up before I could.

I let my hand fall and lay back down, snuggling up with 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 his voice, I could tell it was the beta guy from reception. I did not want to answer, but if I did not, he would probably open the door.

I stood up and went straight there.

As soon as I opened it, I met the beta's surprised gaze. He was half turned toward me and half toward John, who was standing next to him, looking worried.

"Alex!" John said, letting out the breath he had been holding. "Thank God you're fine."

The beta put a hand to his chest and sighed with relief.

"I've been calling you since yesterday because you went inside and did not come out again, not even to ask for food. I'm glad you're safe."

"Sorry, I didn't hear the phone," I replied quietly.

Upon hearing me, they both looked concerned.

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

I glanced at the bag in his hand.

"No, thank you." I had no appetite at all.

"Well, I insist," he declared, opening the door wider and making me stumble.

He gently took my arm to keep me from falling backward. I had not noticed how weak I was.

"I'll take care of him now, thank you," he said, turning his head and addressing the beta with a smile.

The beta nodded with a small smile and headed for the stairs, probably to return to the reception.

I did not have the strength to send him away, so I just let him lead me back to the bed.

"Did you eat anything?" he asked.

I remained silent because I simply did not want to talk. John looked at me and kept his gaze fixed on me.

I sighed and tossed my hair.

If I did not answer him, he would surely continue looking at me that way.

"Does yesterday's water count?"

He opened his eyes and frowned.

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

"Alex, you can't do that. You need to take better care of yourself. Judging by how you were yesterday, I can tell you must be very sad, but you can't neglect yourself like that."

I looked into his eyes, and he looked genuinely worried.

I had not really thought about neglecting myself; I simply had not had time to think about food. I had 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 sharply and looked at me again.

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

His concerned smile made me nod.

He was treating me like a little toddler who needed to be looked after, and it was starting to piss me off. Still, I did not want to bother complaining about it.

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

He shook it out and folded it.

"It's still very important to you, isn't it?" he said without looking at me.

"Yes." He'd said it loud and clear.

He nodded and bent down to put his jacket back in the drawer where he had seen it the last time he came over and we were together.

Remembering that made me look away.

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

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

I looked down, embarrassed.

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

"But this one's yours..." This one probably had a lot more food than the other.

"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 devoured the food so fast I almost choked on a piece of meat.

"Slow down," John said, standing up to rub my back.

He took the opportunity to pass me a bottle of what looked like passion fruit juice 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 it but decided not to answer, since I had nothing to say.

When I finished, I put the fork back in my mouth, as I still had a little of the flavor.

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

I looked up at him and he was smiling broadly.

"Mom made it especially for you. She said you looked really happy when you ate this with them."

I felt my heart warm and could not help but smile weakly.

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

"I know," I replied after taking the fork out of my mouth. I knew perfectly well that they were.

We sat in silence for a while, just sitting next to each other.

"Alright, I think I should head back now," John said suddenly.

"Are you leaving?" I asked immediately, sitting up.

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

"I left the cafe with my parents, so I have to go. But I'll be back as soon as we close. I'll bring dinner, so you'll have to eat it all, okay?" he scolded me.

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

I nodded slightly.

He stood up and took the Tupperware container from my hands. He put it in the bag on top of his own and placed them on the floor.

He stroked my head and took my hand.

I jumped slightly at his touch. I looked at him, and he moved his hand away from mine, raising them 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 covers and covered myself up to my mouth.

I turned toward the drawer and started to reach for my 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 slightly, though I could not see his expression. He came back to me and handed it over. I took it immediately, tucking it under the covers.

John squatted beside me, chuckling softly. He raised his hand and placed it back on my head, stroking it.

He stood up, and before he could leave, I grabbed his sleeve. I pointed to the nightstand, where the room key was.

"Should I take it?" he asked, hesitating.

I nodded. I did not 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," he said, almost whispering.

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