The smile grew as Leo shook Asher’s hand. Leo’s heart thudded against his chest. He crossed his arms as if he needed to hide the phenomenon.
“Yes, well, I prefer to act as a silent partner. Business keeps me away often.”
Leo raised an eyebrow. “For over twenty-five years? I was basically raised in this store, I would have remembered someone like you.”
“Oh? Do you find something memorable about me?”
Leo’s cheeks turned as red as Asher’s hair. The air rippled like water. “You’re a spirit.”
“For many years now.”
“What kind?” Leo scrunched his face. “I’m sorry, that’s a rude question to ask a stranger. I’m still…”
“There is nothing to forgive. I can only imagine your sorrow right now.”
Leo shifted, his eyes slid to the door. “I - uh - came to check on Tallulah. I sort of left her alone since the funeral.”
“I was not aware you worked here.”
“I don’t...I just come by to help every now and then. I always felt bad that my parents left the part-timers alone all the time.”
“How noble.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
Apprehension grew in Leo- the spirit’s eyes traveled over him. Like picking out a prized cow. Leo’s eyebrows threaded. The lush tone of Asher’s voice distracted Leo, it almost fogged his mind. Leo’s parent’s mentioned that they ran the store, but they weren’t the owners on paper. It made sense that they wouldn’t bother to tell a child such a detail, but even as an adult, Leo never heard about the original owner. Asher held his gaze, a smirk brightened his face.
“So, what did my parents say about me?” Leo asked, his cautious senses returning.
“Ah, well, they mostly talked about what a wonderful son they had. Though they failed to mention how handsome you are.”
Intention Leo didn’t want to think about weaved in the words. His stomach flipped, and he clenched his fist. “Parents do that, but it doesn’t explain why they never told me about you.”
Asher sighed and slipped into the pocket of his tailored suit. “I suppose it is fair that you are suspicious of me. It seems your parents were more irresponsible than I thought. But then again, I am sure you know more than anyone how foolish they were.”
Leo’s throat tightened. Finally, someone said it out loud. He couldn’t release the stiffness in his shoulders. “They didn’t raise their son to be as foolish.”
Asher chuckled, warm and inviting. Heels clicked on the floor; Tallulah stepped out from the back. Most of the part-timers called Leo for any inconvenience if his parents weren’t around, which was often. Tallulah, on the other hand, managed on her own. She had an air of strength about her. But a grace that reminded Leo of the nobles he sometimes saw at the docks. Confident and dignified - though Tallulah lacked arrogance. Her dark brown skin radiated against her red blouse, her gray skirt swirled around sky-high legs. Long braided black hair swayed with her steps, the same hue as her bright dark eyes. In her heels, she stood above Asher; without them, she wasn’t much shorter.
“Oh, Leo!” she stammered. “What are you doing here?”
“Just making sure you’re okay.”
Tallulah smiled. The pity stung Leo. “You don’t need to worry. Asher came by the moment he could.”
Leo’s eyes panned between the two of them. “You know him?”
“Well, of course. He’s the owner.” Leo’s hard gaze made Tallulah falter. “Ben and Faye never told you?”
A weight fell on Leo’s shoulders. He had no reason not to believe Tallulah, she proved herself to be trustworthy. Still, his parents would have told him, wouldn’t they? The sharp smell of pine trees and wildflowers wrapped around Leo. Asher laid his hand on Leo’s shoulder. Leo fought the urge to shove the hand away. Instinct told him to be wary, but his mind started to get fuzzy again.
“I was not aware of how much your parent’s actions, or lack thereof, hurt you. Why not stay a spell? We have much to talk about.”
“Like?”
“Your future.”
“My future has never been attached to this store.”
“How disappointing. While I do not intend to replace your parents. I would like to show that I am...useful. It is the least I can do given the circumstances.”
Leo’s eyes widened, heat rushed over his body. “That’s bold, considering you don’t know me.”
Asher leaned in, a pointed nail pressed under Leo’s chin “I would like to get to know you.” Leo froze, unsure of what to do. He shoved away Asher’s hand and stepped back.
“I’m not interested in men.”
“Oh? My apologies.”
Asher’s tone didn’t sound as sorry as the words. His honey-brown eyes filled with laughter, refusing to drop his eyes from Leo’s. Sudden regret of the encounter flares Leo’s anger. “I need to go, or I’ll be late for work.”
“Of course. I look forward to your next visit, Nikolai Kingsley.”
Leo darted before Asher could say anything else. The winter air did little to cool Leo’s flared cheeks. He fought the temptation to look back into the window. The knot in his stomach ached. Maybe his parents didn’t tell him about the real owner for a reason.
“Yo! Leo. I thought Boss told you to stay home. And why is your face so red?”
Leo blinked, looking up. “It’s cold.”
Ozir pulled Leo close. “My poor human brother, can’t stand the cold. Should I keep you warm?”
Leo laughed and pushed against the ogre. The pair have been joined at the hip since childhood. Bonded over their mutual daily occurrences of bullying in school. For an ogre, Ozir was too tall, broad, and strong. He towered over most humans. His red skin was too light, his tusks too short for his kind. But to human women, he was handsome, in a rough sort of way. Despite his unusual appearance. Ozir’s had a kind face and smile. A prime target for bullies. Leo, in stark contrast, was small and scrawny, a fact he often ignored when he came to the defense of the bullied.
“I’m guessing you’re on your way to work?” Ozir asked with a sly smile. Leo nodded. “Good. Boss will yell at someone other than me for once.”
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