Library
Home / Wolf / 34. Matias

34. Matias

34

MATIAS

D inner with my little rabbit.

Candles light the room, a home-cooked meal sits on the table, and soft music plays in the background. I almost laugh out loud at the sight. This is new, even for me. Yet, here I am, setting the table and pouring wine like some character out of a rom-com.

I hear the soft pad of footsteps, and my heart quickens. Glancing up, I see Kali hesitating in the doorway, taking in the scene before her. Her eyes shine with a mixture of surprise, and for a moment, I see the faintest hint of a smile tug at the corners of her mouth. "You cooked all this?" she asks, stepping into the room.

"I hope you're hungry," I say, gesturing to the meal. "I've prepared—a savory chicken dish with roasted vegetables and garlic potatoes." It's simple, but I take pride in my cooking skills and want to show her this side of me.

She doesn't move from the doorway, and I sense her wariness. I get it; this is probably the last thing she expected from me. I cross my arms, battling a sudden wave of self-consciousness. "Well, aren't you going to sit?" I prompt, my voice taking on a harder edge.

Kali snaps out of her daze and approaches the table slowly and carefully as if expecting a trap. "You don't have to force me, you know," she says, her eyes narrowing. "I'm here, aren't I?"

Her words sting, but I force myself to stay calm. "Just sit down, Kali," I say, keeping my voice even. "Please."

She eyes me for a moment longer, then sits, and I join her at the table, pouring wine into our glasses. We eat tentatively, but as she takes her first bite, I see her eyes widen in surprise. "This is really good."

Kali takes another bite, her eyes closing in appreciation. Cooking has always been a secret hobby of mine, something I indulge in to quiet the constant noise in my head.

"So, what do you study at your fancy university?" I ask, leaning back in my chair and swirling the wine in my glass.

Kali looks up, a hint of surprise in her expression. "Architecture," she replies. "I've always been fascinated by how buildings can shape how we live and interact."

I nod, intrigued. "Architecture, huh? That's an interesting choice." I take a sip of wine. "What made you decide on that?"

She hesitates. "Well, I've always been drawn to creating something from nothing, you know? Turning a blank canvas into something functional and beautiful." She pauses, her gaze meeting mine. "It's a way for me to leave my mark on the world."

"Leaving your mark? I can respect that." I lean forward, my elbows resting on the table. "What about your family? What do they think of it?"

I lean back in my chair, swirling the wine in my glass as Kali speaks. Her words paint a picture of a life so different from my own—loving, supportive parents who encouraged her dreams even when money was tight.

"My parents were amazing," she says, smiling. "They have always believed in me even when I wasn't sure I could do it. They were thrilled when I told them I wanted to study architecture." She pauses, her eyes taking on a dreamy look. "They don't HAVE much, but they scraped together every penny they could to ensure I had the best education in Arizona."

I can't help but feel a twinge of envy as I listen to her. My childhood was a far cry from the one she describes—filled with violence, neglect, and a constant struggle for survival. Having parents who unconditionally supported your dreams is so foreign to me.

"That's great, Kali," I say. "Not everyone is that lucky."

She nods, her gaze meeting mine and a flash of understanding entering her eyes. "I know, I'm sorry." She bites her inner cheek. "I wasn't thinking."

I shake my head. "No, it's fine. Please continue."

"I got a full ride to Brown, you know. My parents were over the moon." Her smile widens, and I can see the pride shining in her eyes .

I nod, taking another sip of wine. "That's impressive." I pause, carefully considering my next words. "So, what made you choose Brown? It's a long way from home."

Kali's expression shifts, a hint of sadness creeping in. "Well, to be honest, I needed to get away. My parents are amazing, but I felt like I was suffocating a little, you know? I wanted to spread my wings, to see the world beyond our little town."

I can understand that desire for freedom. I've grappled with it my entire life, even if my path has been vastly different from hers. "And Brown gave you that chance," I murmur, my gaze holding hers.

She nods, her fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass. "Yeah, it did. It was the perfect opportunity to start a new chapter and to become my own person. I'm grateful every day for the chance I've been given."

I can't help but wonder what it must be like to have such support and encouragement, to know that there are people in this world who will stand by you, no matter what. Other than Thiago, I haven't had that, and our relationship can be strained at times. It's a foreign concept that I find myself both envious of and fascinated by.

As I watch Kali, I can't help but feel a pang of longing. She's so different from the broken, damaged people I'm used to dealing with. So different from me. There's a light in her that I find myself drawn to. A spark that I want to nurture and protect.

Comments

0 Comments
Best Newest

Contents
Settings
  • T
  • T
  • T
  • T
Font

Welcome to FullEpub

Create or log into your account to access terrific novels and protect your data

Don’t Have an account?
Click above to create an account.

lf you continue, you are agreeing to the
Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy.