"Who is it?" I groaned, eyes still half closed. Like, who the heck calls at literally 2 am in the morning?

"A-Aiden," A sob from a very familiar voice broke me out of my sleepy state. I immediately stood up, now worried and panicking.

"Miss? What's wrong? Why are you crying? Is everything okay? What happened?"

"I-I didn't want to bother you, but A-Aaron run away and I...I don't know here he is," I could hear her breathing rapidly, probably in the midst of a panic attack. "W-We've been looking for 3 h-hours already and the police haven't found him yet."

"Miss-"

"T-Tristan and I were-"

"Professor-"

"-fighting a-and I didn't know-"

"Amayah," I said more firmly. She finally stopped talking, but her rapid breathing and sobs still broke through. "I need you to take a deep breath for me, okay?"

"I-I can't-"

"Try for me please?" I whispered softly as I struggled to put on sweats and a jacket. "I need you to close your eyes and take a deep breath in with me, okay?"

A small broken murmur of 'okay' was heard from the other line. I took a breath in as she did too.

1...2...3...

"Okay, now hold your breath," 1...2...3... "and exhale slowly. Do it again, alright?."

I felt a bit of relief when she did so. Moving as fast as I could, I went down the stairs, still holding onto my phone and keys to my bike while my focus on listening to her rapid breathing gradually slow down.

"Concentrate on your breathing, okay? Stay with me on the line and just breathe."

I put my earphones on and place my phone on the holder attached to the bike and quickly started pedaling. Why the heck don't I have a freaking car? I should've said yes when mom and dad offered to buy me one.

"That's good, I'm proud of you," I tried to say without sounding out of breath when I noticed she's finally calm and her breathing went back to its normal pace. "Take your time calming down. I'm here."

"This is all my fault, Aiden. I didn't know he was awake when his dad and I were fighting and I just- I should've made sure he was asleep."

"Hey, stop blaming yourself. This isn't your fault, okay? I know Aaron, he's probably just upset and he wants to be alone, so I'm going to look for him. Don't beat yourself up for something you couldn't have known would happen."

"But it is my fault," Professor Peterson sniffed. "I was the one who confronted Tristan first, Aiden."

"But Aaron missing wasn't a part of that, right?" I didn't wait for an answer. "You waited until he was asleep before you confronted your husband. You two didn't fight in front of Aaron. You couldn't have known he was eavesdropping, so no, it's not your fault."

When she didn't say anything back, I continued, hoping she was actually convinced because what I'm saying is true. It's not her fault.

"Stay with me on the line, okay? You can talk if you want or you can just stay quiet. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

"Okay..."

I went to two destinations Aaron mentioned to be his favorites spots, the park where he and his parents usually go to and the playground. Unfortunately, he wasn't there. Amayah also mentioned that they've already look for Aaron at still opened stores and fast food chains.

I cursed silently when my phone suddenly died, our call ending abruptly.

Already panting and tired from pedaling for almost an hour, I went to the place he once mentioned to me. It was a small book store Professor Peterson used to take him when she wasn't as busy as before compared to now. To my utter surprise and delight, Aaron currently sat on the floor, reading one of his anatomy books and leaning against the closed door.

Aaron must've heard the noise from the bike because he looked up, his eyes meeting mine. I witnessed as his eyes turned wide before tears slowly formed, I dropped the bike quickly and ran to the boy, hugging him against me.

"Oh, thank goodness you're okay," I sighed in relief, kneeling down in front of Aaron. "Are you okay? Are hurt anywhere?"

"I'm okay, Aide," he sniffed, wrapping his arms around my neck and leaning his head on my shoulder. "I'm just tired of pretending to not hear them fight almost every night."

"Do you want to tell me more?" I asked softly, the kid nodded. "Is it okay if we take a walk back home while you tell me what you're thinking?" A nod once again.

I held onto my bike with my right hand while holding Aaron's with my left one. We walked silently as I waited for him to start talking.

"They've been fighting a lot, I could hear it everytime dad gets home late. I think it was about a woman. I'm assuming it was dad's mistress." My eyes widened in shock. Sir Tristan is having an affair? With who? Is this why Professor Peterson has been acting that way recently? "Mom and dad tried pretending everything is normal everytime all of us spend sundays together, but it wasn't the same as before. They don't seat together, holds hand or act sweet around me. The last time I saw them kiss was over a year ago. I knew something was wrong, I just don't understand why they're not telling me."

"I'm young, Aiden. Not stupid. They can be honest with me," his brows furrowed as his grip on my hand tightened. "I'd rather see them less than witness them acting like they can't stand each other's presence."

"Do you want me to say something?" I questioned. Aaron shook his head.

"I just want you to listen, that's all I need right now."

"Of course, bud. Anything you need."

Sir Tristan thanked the police as Professor Peterson, for the past hour, has not let go of Aaron. She kept asking if he's okay and hugging the boy. I smiled at the scene, not wanting to approach them and interrupt the moment. Although, I kind of need to go back to the campus now.

I stood up straight when Sir Tristan came up to me. "Thank you so much for finding him, Aiden. I owe you a lot. Is there anything I can do for you in return?"

Stop seeing your mistress and hurting your wife?

Of course, I wouldn't say that.

"You don't owe me anything, sir. Aiden's a friend, I was glad to help look for him."

He smiled, patting my shoulder. "You're a good kid. Come on, I'm sure Amayah wants to talk to you."

We approached the mother and son duo, Sir Tristan immediately pulling his son into a bear hug and moving away from us to talk to Aaron alone. I quietly sat down beside Professor Peterson who gave me a smile.

"Thank you, Aiden. Not just for helping him, but for... for also helping me earlier."

"You don't have to thank me, Ama-" I stopped, internally cursed and mentally slapped myself on the forehead.

I almost called her Amayah again. It was one time. Almost slipped, shit.

"No need to thank me, you know that."

She smiled, looking down at her interlaced hands. "I know, but I did say it's unprofessional of me to rely on you regarding my problems."

I frowned, disagreeing. "You're not relying on me though, you're simply letting some frustrations out and that's okay."

Professor Peterson chuckled heartily. "Why do you always have something to say?"

"It's easy when it comes to you," I blurted out without thinking, regret immediately coming in.

But instead of taking it back, I let it be. I mean, I already said it. No point in denying. Besides, I think she knows I'm basically attracted to her to this point.

She cleared her throat, eyes avoiding mine. "You were so different a few months ago. I remember you being so shy and timid."

"I still am. I'm like this around people I'm comfortable with."

With that, she glanced at me for a few seconds before looking away once again. I smiled lightly, finding her shyness rather adorable.

"You don't like it?" I asked. "My new found confidence?" I added to avoid misinterpretation.

Shaking her head quickly, Professor Peterson said with a smile, "No, no, I like it. You look way happier these days compared to before."

"I am happy," I confirmed, staring up at the sky, remembering the good news mom brought to me a week ago. "Happier than ever in my life."

"Why's that?"

"Because I'll finally be able to be with the person I love after a long time." Her eyes showed a bit surprise, although it quickly vanished. "I'll live with my mama again."

"Oh."

I chuckled involuntarily. "What do you mean 'oh'?"

"Sorry, no, I just thought of something else." I raised a brow, not believing her. But Professor Peterson didn't even bother explaining herself. "So, uh, why again? You don't live with your mother?"

"I live with one, but the other isn't with us," was my brief answer. I didn't want to elaborate. Thankfully, Professor Peterson noticed my hesitance and didn't ask more questions regarding it. Although I was the one who opened up the topic.

"I'm happy for you, Aiden."

I glanced down to see her hand moving, seemingly contemplating whether she should touch my hand. Without saying anything, I gently laced our hands under the table, giving hers a firm squeeze.

"Thank you, Miss."

Her hand fits perfectly in mine.