Stefan's Manor
"Fuck you, Trevor. Where's nonna and nonno? I almost flew here, with my head throbbing and my hand a painful bitch, only to find out that they're not here?" Devon bellowed and glared so hard at Trevor Hathaway, his friend, and one of Stefan's bodyguards.
Trevor arched his brows and flopped on the sofa in the living room. "Stop being a whiny bitch, Dev. Not my fault if you chose to drown your ass in alcohol because of that fucking cheater. I don't want to say this but... I told you so," Trevor added with a smug smirk and if not for Devon afraid of awakening the monster, he would have already bashed Trevor's smirk.
Devon sat down in front of Trevor, a sharp glare still on his friend. He sipped the strong coffee and savored the warmth and bitter taste. Devon was actually hoping that it will help him snap out of his stupidity over his ex. It was only his ego that he broke, but truth be told, it hurt him.
His ex-sub broke him, and now, Devon is dealing with trust issues. "I will never, ever, fall in love with innocent bitches. Over my dead body," Devon gritted out and Trevor was surprised by Devon's declaration.
Trevor did not expect that Devon was truly hurt by Jamie. They had played it off as Devon's ego being stomped, but slowly, Stefan and Trevor can feel it. Even Devon's family can feel it. Devon is slowly retreating into his shell. Trevor doesn't want that. He doesn't want to witness his friend turn into a stone and become a cold motherfúcker because of someone as worthless as Devon's ex.
Stefan called earlier and told Trevor that the former formulated a plan to keep Devon from wasting his life away. In an unexpected turn of events, Elijah, Stefan's newly-hired bartender, turned out to be in the care of Devon's grandparents. Also, someone that Trevor and the others should protect.
Trevor was not able to reply to Devon because the latter got up and walked out. Trevor sighed and pulled his hair. "This is going to be a pain in the ass. Let's just hope that Stefan's persuasive skills are not that rusty," Trevor helplessly whispered and fished out the phone from his pocket. He needed his fiancé. Jesse seems to make everything better.
****
Elijah's Apartment
Softly perched on the plush sofa, Elijah was hugging the life out of the throw pillow, his brows drawn into a confused frown, as he stared at his boss. "You need my help, sir? Can you please explain? Why would you need help from me?"
Stefan understands the confusion. He was basically throwing things at Elijah, knowing that the boy will have a hard time understanding it. Stefan cleared his throat and loosened his tie. "Have you seen the mansion beside yours?"
Elijah nodded. He wants to correct his boss that technically, this house is not his, but he prefers to listen to his boss. If there is one thing Elijah abides from all the stuff he learned from Ryzel, it was to listen to other people's sides before arriving at a conclusion. According to Ryzel, miscommunication is the root of any problem. As humans, we are already different from each other. If we fail to communicate, it will lead to misunderstandings and unnecessary fights.
Stefan sighed and offered Elijah a warm smile. Elijah felt relieved and comfortable because of that, so he relaxed in his seat and slowly released the throw pillow from his tight hold. "You see, Elijah, I have a friend. He's very important to me."
Elijah's attention was captured. "You do? I also have one too! His name is Ryzel Thompson, but I don't know where he is right now," Elijah said with a sad tone and his little fingers dug on the soft fabric of the pillow. "Actually, I applied for a job because I want to find him. Maybe, the police are not helping me find Ryzel because I have no money," Elijah added in a whisper and failed to hide the crack in his voice.
Stefan gritted his teeth and filed that information in his mind. He will be sure to ask Elijah who those prick uniformed officers were. "Ryzel's really important to you, huh?"
Elijah smiled softly and nodded. "Yes. He has been with me since..." Elijah shook his head and forced a smile. "Um, you were saying earlier? About your friend, sir?"
Stefan did not push the topic about Elijah's past. They knew bits and pieces about Elijah's true identity, but they did not know what happened and how he got caught by two of the vilest creatures in the underground world. "As I was saying, I need your help. You see, my friend, Devon Slane, recently experienced a bad breakup."
Elijah gasped and his eyes widened in horror. "Oh no. That must be painful. Did he cry? Where did it hurt? Can I see him? Is he okay? According to those movies I watched with Ryzel, heartbreaks are so painful, to the point where they could lead you astray. Wait a minute, please don't tell me he tried jumping off a roof. If he did, bring me to him and I'll knock some sense into his brain. Killing yourself is a big no," Elijah finished with a huff, his arms folded in his chest.
Stefan's bewildered expression morphed into an amused one. He can even hear Grayson snicker on the side; both of them are extremely amused by the boy in front of them. So perfect for Devon. My friend won't know what hit him when he meets Elijah, Stefan thought.
"Well," Stefan snickered before he continued, "Devon did not go that far as to throw himself on the roof." Elijah nodded in appreciation and listened to him. "Rather, he was continuously drowning himself in alcohol. We're getting worried." Any person related to Devon and cares for Devon would get worried. Stefan was running out of ideas to help his dear friend until fate intervened and threw Elijah on Stefan's lap.
"Actually, you don't have to do much. Just be yourself when you see him. Just be yourself." Stefan is confident that Devon will fall for the innocent boy, unaware of the fact that Devon practically cursed the existence of innocent beans such as Elijah.
Elijah frowned and scratched his forehead. "Sir, that is so confusing. Aside from my nanny, Ryzel, grammie, and grandpops, only you and Mr. Gray did not get angry at me for asking too many questions. Are you sure he won't get angry at me? Your friend, I mean?"
Stefan shook his head. "Don't worry, Elijah. My friend is kind of dense sometimes, but he is kind. I promise you that. If he acts like a jerk when you see him, report to me immediately. I would flick his forehead."
Elijah's eyes turned wide and he giggled. "That will hurt so much, Sir. Getting flicked in the forehead. Oh my gosh," Elijah added with a snicker making Stefan and Grayson smile.
"Do you have other questions, Elijah? I can answer it now."
Elijah nodded. "Sir, can you explain how you are related to grammie and grandpops? By the way, where is your friend? What does he look like? Is he a grumpy monster? Because I don't deal with grumpy monsters," Elijah paused, pensive. "But, if he loves to eat cookies too, then I guess we can be friends. People who love cookies can't be that bad, right?" After that, Elijah rummaged on the paper bag and giggled happily when he took out a Tupperware of cookies made by his grammie.
Stefan let out a chuckle before answering Elijah's questions. "Actually, Amanda and Robert, your grammie and grandpops, are Devon's grandparents. Since I am friends with Devon, I actually treat the couple as my grandparents too. As for Devon, I think by now, he is talking with his grandparents." Elijah nodded and continued chomping on his cookies, looking so pleased.
"Devon is also tall like me. But because of his heartbreak, he is now a grumpy monster because he is hurt. I hope you'll be patient with him if you ever get to meet him. However, I think both of you have something in common; Devon also loves cookies, especially coffee-flavored ones." Stefan smiled with a nod when Elijah's eyes widened and bounced in his seat in appreciation. Another cookie monster like you, Devon.
Grayson approached Elijah and handed him a glass of orange juice before sitting down beside the boy. Grayson glanced at his boss, and Stefan understood what Grayson meant.
"Elijah, what do you say? Would you accept this apartment and be friends with Devon?"
Elijah placed his container of cookies on top of the coffee table and took a sip of the orange juice, before heaving a deep sigh. Elijah thinks that this is his boss's way to help. "Sir, did grammie and grandpops put you up to this?" After all, Robert and Amanda have been trying their hardest to give Elijah better housing and provide the boy everything he needs.
Stefan shook his head immediately. "No. It was truly a coincidence. I just really want to offer you a better place to live in, especially when you mentioned that it took six hours from the bar to your place. Also, it's the least I can do in exchange for your help. Don't worry, the job is still yours. You want to earn money for Ryzel, right? This is a very attractive offer, Elijah. You can save a lot of money if you accept my help."
Elijah looked straight at his boss, before sighing. What his boss said was correct. He really needs to earn money as fast as possible. Elijah is getting consumed by worry with each passing day because he doesn't know where Ryzel is, or if Ryzel is safe and eats three meals a day.
"Alright. I accept your offer. Since Devon loves cookies, I think we can be friends too. But I hope he is not a very grumpy monster. Can I flick his head if he becomes one?" Elijah asked hopefully and squealed when Stefan gave him the okay.
"Just be yourself, Elijah," Stefan reiterated with a chuckle. "Flick him or pinch him, whichever way you want. By the way, are you ready for your job tomorrow? Your schedule is 9:00 am to 4:00 pm." Stefan will not be assigning Elijah on the night shift. The boy is too pure for that. Also, it's their way to ensure Elijah's safety.
Elijah nodded. The schedule is also fine with him. However, there is one question that has been nagging his mind since earlier. "Sir," Elijah called out to Stefan with a frown."
"Yes? What is it?"
"How did you get here? Did you fly like superman? Or ride a magic carpet? I mean, I just called you, and you arrived an hour later. That's so amazing! What did you do?"
Stefan shook his head and smiled. "I rode a chopper, Elijah."
Elijah's frown deepened. "C-Chopper? What is that?" Does it have something to do with knives? But that's impossible and silly.
Stefan and Grayson shared an amused look. "Elijah, do you want to fly?"
Elijah nodded furiously and got on his feet almost instantly. "Oh my gosh! How?!"
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