7

Once we were back at his house, we split off and took showers. Once again that shower head made my body feel amazing. Once that was done, I came back out and got dressed in some black leggings, a tank, and a burgundy hoodie. I moved down stairs to see Rafael in grey slacks and his white buttoned up shirt. He was standing over the stove when I entered. He looked over at me and smile, his hair was already neatly combed, and he smiled when he saw me.

"I figured we could eat together before we head into the office. I don't have to go for another hour." he suggested. I could hear the nervousness in his tone. Maybe he was waiting for me to reject his offer. He pointed his spatula at the island that had some mixed fruit in a bowl. My favorites were in them too: blueberries, strawberries, ambrosia apple slices, grapes and pineapple. "Got your favorite fruit out. That veggie bacon is almost ready and then its scrambled eggs coming right up." I blinked a bit, showing I was impressed. I gave a polite, yet genuine, smile and leaned over the island.

"Looks good." I replied and he smiled wider and turned back to the stove.

"You know when you mentioned that veggie bacon I was a bit skeptical but I tried a piece that I made and I got to say, it was pretty good." he said. I grinned and bit a piece of pineapple.

"Told ya." I said. He grinned and leaned back to take a strawberry and bit down on half of it before turning back to the stove. Once the eggs were cooked, he handed me a plate. "Thanks." The eggs looked fluffy and delicious and my veggie bacon was a tad too dark, but I wouldn't complain. It was a nice gesture.

"Coffee?" he asked turning to his Keurig. My nose crinkled.

"No. I don't like coffee." I replied. He chuckled.

"Trust me when you get older, you will worship this drink." he said. I grinned.

"We got orange juice I'll take that." I replied and he nodded and moved to grab a cup from his cabinet along with the jug of orange juice from the fridge. He poured me a glass then got himself coffee. We ate over the island in a moderately comfortable silence.

"Well this is nice." he said suddenly. I glanced up at him and he motioned his head at our plates. "Us just eating and enjoying each other's company." I nodded half heartedly keeping a polite smile.

"Yes." I replied and looked down and kept eating.

"Listen I know I was supposed to have the day off today, and I'm sorry I have to go in. I don't want you to think I'm such a workaholic that I'd put my job over you." he said. I wasn't really thinking anything about his job only that I'd have to talk to an AntiDom member. Right now I didn't care if his job kept him at work all the time. I sipped some of my juice then shook my head.

"Don't worry about it. It's really nothing." I replied. He looked at me half sure.

"You sure? When women say that it usually means the opposite." he said carefully. I nodded.

"You're an attorney. I'm sure you'll get called in by your job all the time. Once school starts tomorrow, I'll be focusing back on it. We may not always see each other, and I think for the time being that's fine until we… get used to each other." I explained watching him now to gauge his reactions. He nodded, his eyes never leaving my face.

"Alright." he said. Now the silence was awkward. "So Journalism at school… do you plan to join any clubs related to your major?"

I began to pick at my eggs in thought.

"I am already involved in clubs. I help organize events for the dance and choir clubs on campus. We perform at school events and things around the city like charities and stuff." I replied. He squinted in confusion.

"Shouldn't you be preparing to go into clubs that go with your field?" he asked. I shrugged not sure why we were having this conversation.

"I have plenty of time to do that. I want to have my…fun while I am young. I made a promise to myself anyways." I replied. He blinked and stared at me curiously.

"What promise?" he asked. I looked up at him now before looking away.

"The promise that if somehow life was cruel enough to give me to someone, it would not change how I lived in college. I would still do everything I wanted." I said lowly. His body stiffened some and he tilted his head now looking smug.

"And that freedom involved throwing your life away for AntiDom?" he asked. I stared at him stiffly for a moment.

"Yes. Because it would have been my choice." I said with confidence and continued to eat. Now there was silence and honesty my appetite was completely gone. Rafael sighed before his jaw tightened again.

"So is organizing things something you like to do?" he asked. I shrugged some trying not to be social.

"I like to do organize things yes." I replied. "You?" He shrugged as well.

"Aside from skiing and yacht parties, I like to golf, attend dinner parties and stuff." he replied. Old man stuff, basically. I just nodded picking at my food some.

"You know you don't ever have to worry about being home for my sake. If you have to work, then you have work. I am sure attorneys must work until the next day. I'll have school stuff to deal with that will keep me there after classes end." I explained. He chewed his food slowly and swallowed as he listened.

"Well that'll be fine. Just as long as you let me know what you'll be doing." he said. I glared already filling offended. So now I have to tell him where I'm at all the time!

"Yes master." I replied sharply and leaned up from the island. He gave me a shocked look obviously surprised by my outburst.

"What- no this is not how we are going to start our morning. We are not going to be fighting every second we are around each other! Amara!" he said setting his coffee mug down. I placed my plate in the sink.

"We have an agreement and I am going to fulfill it." I said running water over the plate.

"You make it sound like your agreement has an expiration date. Well it doesn't. So, grow up and get used to it. When we walk in to the station today you are not going to have any childish tantrums." he stated. I gasped and looked at him.

"Childish tantrums?" I asked.

"Yes childish tantrums. I have an image to uphold in front of my colleagues and you will not come running around throwing fits." he stated. "I am going to get my coat and my briefcase. Want me to get yours?"

I shook my head.

"No. I am just fine. I will get it myself." I told and moved towards the stairs only to have my forearm grabbed and I faced him.

"You need to lose the attitude. You may be my beta but you are still an adult, so act like it." he snapped, and I ripped my arm from his hold.

"You know what Rafael, you don't get it, you got to have a child hood a free child hood with regular worries about school, a job, and a family. I had to grow up wondering if I will even get that luxury of having choices and I didn't! I don't get to do anything by choice now. I have to spend my life pleasing you. My freedom, whether you see this as a good thing or not, is gone!" I snapped before turning and running up the stairs. "I'm staying here!" And with that I moved to my door and slammed it, locking it in the process.

Barba's POV

I heard the door slam shut, and I grit my teeth together. God, I am dealing with a child here. Not like I could be upset about it. I knew she was not wrong in feeling how she felt. I sighed and moved up the stairs and over to her room. I moved to open the door, but it was locked. She locked my door. I looked at my watch then leaned into the door knowing we had to be heading out soon.

"Amara, please." I said lightly. "You're right. I didn't have to worry about ever being the beta. I got to live my life free and happy like I wanted. I get it. You don't have that luxury, or you feel you don't. But with me I am not like the alphas you've been told about. My job is to help people, all people, not just alphas." I got no response. I closed my eyes in thought wondering what it was I could do.

"What'll it take?" I asked. Now there was more silence, and I winced not liking the silence. The door unlocked, and I moved back and watched it open with relief. She had her coat on over her hoodie and I felt relief that she was still coming with me to the precinct, but her face was drained of emotion and I didn't like it.

"Nothing. Let's just get this over with." she said and walked around me and down the hall. I exhaled with agitation and closed my eyes. We were so close to having a normal day without fighting. Is this how it was always going to be with us?