Nathaniel walked through the empty halls of the college taking advantage of the calm to be without their disguises. That is, without your hoodies and cap, because the mask would never come out of your face when you were in public. Although it seems little, just the fact of showing the scars on the arms and hands was already a breakthrough.
Still, Nathaniel had a feeling that the few people he would bump into on the way would look at him and notice his marks. However, Nathaniel would make an effort to ignore them.
For now his scars also carried other memories, which were warmer and more welcoming to the point of making him smile under the mask.
— Nathaniel! How long it haven been!
Julio opened a wide smile, nodding shyly to the joker.
— Hello, Julio. Are you working?
— The movement in the library is so low that I am taking the opportunity to study the notebooks you lent me the other day. You know how it is, week of exams.
— I hope my notes are of some help.
— Of course they are! I can understand better what you wrote than what the teacher explained. So I'm confident that I will get a good grade.
Julio didn't seem to be a bad person, however Nathaniel remembered that the last time they saw him he had been trying to cover the omega with his pheromones. It was very lucky that Jake appeared, although all this resulted in a crime committed in the library.
Now he was an omega. However much he was a man and could defend himself, that didn't mean the alphas would respect him and keep their distance. Quite the contrary, they would try to take advantage.
Being aware of this, Nathaniel lowered the mask enough to reveal his nose. As long as he kept an eye on things, everything should be fine.
— But what about you? Did you come to get some books to study?
— Yes, Jake said that this week he has exams with Professor Cristian, so I will help him study.
Julius blinked a few times and then leaned over the counter to be able to speak lower.
— That Jake, is he just your friend?
—Why, it doesn't seem?
— Is not that! — The alpha quickly denied with his head — It's just that he didn't seem like me so much.
— I don't think that's it. Jake usually gets along with anyone.
A group of students entered the library. Nathaniel automatically turned his back to Júlio and went to the bookshelves of the administration course, being followed by the alpha.
Probably Jake would have an economics test that week, and the teacher was the same one with whom Nathaniel had class last semester. Although he have some notes that could help the alpha, it would be better to indicate books for him to read.
Also... Nathaniel wanted to know how Jake was when he was in school. He was probably intelligent and would understand the content with some ease, but it would be good to be on his side so that he could ask questions. And also see his face all serious while are focused should be a beautiful sight.
While Nathaniel was looking for an economics book, he kept talking to Julio who insisted on following him.
— You know, I'm an alpha and I felt him cover you with his pheromones. And honestly, I can smell him coming from you even now.
— It must be because I borrowed his clothes — Nathaniel replied naturally, looking at the books — But why do you bother with him spreading pheromones?
— Oh, don't take it wrong! I swear I'm just worried. Since you release omega pheromones every now and then too.
Stopping to walk, Nathaniel cast a sharp look at Julio that even made him shudder and hesitate.
Not that Nathaniel was trying to keep the fact of being an omega secret, but it was problematic knowing that he was releasing pheromones without even realizing. Despite being taking the inhibitors and following the treatment of doctor Priscilla according to what she prescribed, you never know if something can go wrong.
Nathaniel needed to be careful with the alphas.
— You don't have to worry about me.
— We are friends, right? — Julio would smile taking a book and handing it to Nathaniel — So it's natural to worry.
Staring at the book cover, that's what he was looking for. Was that guy paying attention to what he was looking for as they were talking?
Amazing.
— Thank you for your concern. I don't intend to let my pheromones be a problem for the alphas around me.
— Are you taking inhibitors?
— Yes.
— Don't abuse too much, huh! They do bad too.
That advice... Nathaniel had heard before. His brother had said something like that at the beginning of the school year. Something about any drug causing reaction in the body. It made sense to some extent, although the omega was not so interested.
— I will keep that in mind.
— Oh, and last time I said I was going to buy you a drink for lending me your notebook. I can take my break now, what do you think?
Nathaniel checked the time on the wrist watch he borrowed from Jake. There was still some time until the end of the training, he just needed to be there about twenty minutes before.
— All right.
As soon as Julio wrote down in the library system the loan of Nathaniel's book, the two boys went to the cafeteria. On the way, the alpha took advantage to take some questions from the matter, receiving very complete answers of the omega.
Not to mention, Nathaniel was one of the best students in his period. At least his nights full of study were worth it.
The cafeteria that Julio took Nathaniel was the same as the omega had gone with Jake the other time. And like the first time he was there, the omega asked for a table away so that he could be without mask.
The table was the same as he and Jake had been on the other time. Automatically Nathaniel asked for a mocha and a hot chocolate cake. With the waiter leaving after serving the orders, Nathaniel took off his mask and took a deep breath.
The air seemed lighter when he was without mask. Nathaniel was beginning to think it would be better to stay without.
— Wow, so that's why you wear a mask.
— Does it bother you?
— Not at all! — Julio answered quickly — It's just that... kind of unexpected. I thought you used for other reasons.
— Usually they think so. But then people get used to it.
— Have your friends gotten used to it?
— Yes. So I don't have to wear a mask all the time.
— It must be suffocating to wear a mask all day, right?
Blinking stunned, Nathaniel was surprised by the question. Did he seem upset? Nathaniel felt that it was already something natural, did it seem different to the other people?
— Not so much, I'm used to it.
— You know, I'm glad I had the chance to get to know you better.
— Is that so?
— Yes! It's that you are always serious and distant, even the way you talk is as if you really do not care about things. But in the end, you end up being more caring and doing amazing things.
— I never did anything surprising.
— Of course you did! You lent me your notebooks, and today went to find a book to help your friend. Not everyone would be so willing to do things like that for others. That's why I like you.
Those words sounded different to Nathaniel.
The person sitting in front of him was an alpha who smiled amicably, enjoying a coffee with his friend while praising him to boost his morale. However, to Nathaniel those last words seemed to have nothing to do with such kindness.
Unfortunately he would not question anything, after all could be just an interpretation error of his part. Still, Nathaniel wanted to keep in mind that alphas were creatures that needed special attention.
After all, he was an omega.
— That's very kind of you.
Shortly after the requests arrived, and then Julio began to talk about his life. That afternoon the two met more by talking about their personal tastes. The kind of music they like, television shows, if they liked some sport.
Nathaniel was surprised to meet someone who did not ask about the rumors about him and much less about Ares.
Until then, there was only one person who fit that question.
And it was a certain alpha with dark hair and light eyes who smiled like an angel.
Ah... he wanted to see Jake.
When Julio's break time ended, the two boys said goodbye in front of the cafeteria. Checking the time again, Nathaniel was happy to be on schedule.
Should he go to the gym already?
Nathaniel wanted to see Jake training. It was always interesting to see him play all serious.
— Excuse me, are you Nathaniel Callegari?
Stopping at the same instant, the omega looked over his shoulder and found a man in a suit and a briefcase. He did not recognize him, which made Nathaniel alert.
— And you are...?
— My name is Otávio Espíndola. I am the legal representative of the Mckenzie family.
A shiver passed through Nathaniel's body.
The lawyer.
Remember that Jake said something about talking to the lawyer earlier. The fact they were looking for him was not good.
— If you're looking for Jake, he's at the gym training.
— Actually, I came to talk to you — The lawyer held his briefcase and opened it looking for something. Soon took out a white envelope delivering to the omega — I think this is of interest.
Hesitantly, Nathaniel took the envelope and opened it. The contents left him alarmed and surprised.
Photos.
Photos of Nathaniel and Ares.
One photo, Ares was kissing Nathaniel's knee. On the other, the two were walking hand in hand through a park. All the photos showed the closeness and intimacy between the two.
— But what...
— My clients would like to talk with you in person, in order to prevent unnecessary information from gaining public knowledge.
He was being threatened.
Either he were going to see Jake's family or they would publish the photos through the press.
— That's as annoying as being persecuted by journalists — Nathaniel murmured — May I ask what subject you wish to deal with me?
— I'm afraid it's better to talk about this in a proper place and directly with my clients, don't you agree?
The lawyer kept the formality in his words, although he made clear his intention. He would not give any information to Nathaniel, no matter what he asked. Everything to ensure that he was meeting with the McKenzie.
However, Nathaniel did not want to go.
Not without Jake.
He needed to buy time. If he did, it was like admitting that those photos were compromising and his weak point. Nothing would guarantee they'd use them again. Yes, this was something that Ares had been through before, Nathaniel had seen him deal with this kind of threat from the rejected sponsors.
— I'm just asking if this is related to Ares or Jake.
— Will the answer be different for both situations?
— Sure — Nathaniel replied with a pungent — If it's about Jake, I'd prefer to settle without getting involved. And if it is about Ares, then I recommend that you seek a spiritualist who can help talk to the deads.
The lawyer sighed dissatisfied with the response received.
— Maybe because you are young, you still do not know how problematic it would be if the photos were published in a magazine.
— And apparently the Mckenzie do not read these magazines, since I had several of those kind being published — Approaching the lawyer enough to speak lower, Nathaniel did not hide his anger in the tone of voice — I am known as the one who destroyed the Ares' career. Are the Mckenzie trying to test me?
— Is that a threat, Mr Callegari?
— Sure — Nathaniel raised the white envelope as he walked away — I will keep these copies with me and look forward to the next issue of "Guys" magazine.
Leaving the lawyer behind, Nathaniel felt his head throbbing and his blood boiling.
How long would they use Ares against him?