They were sharp. Filled with intent. And captured Kaden’s attention the moment he stepped into the club. The cold blue eyes felt like they pierced right through him. On that couch, two equally intense people sat on either side of the man, looking more like a pair of bodyguards than friends. Kaden couldn’t break eye contact when he made his way past their table. Finally, when he only saw the man out of the corner of his eye, was he able to look away. He could have sworn he saw a faint grin spreading across the person’s lips at the last second.
Kaden realized that if he saw him again, he would know exactly what that exchange meant.
Walking further into the unfamiliar darkness of the club, he heard the sound of footsteps. They seemed purposeful and were likely headed in his direction. Kaden turned around with suspicion and saw the grin he only thought he had noticed before.
“Excuse me if I’m mistaken, but… You’re after the same as me, aren’t you?”
Kaden backed up, his face turning a darker red. His earlier guess had been confirmed.
“Maybe…”
The man stepped closer, as Kaden moved back once more, feeling a cold surface sting against his back. He used the wall for support when he slung his arm over the man’s shoulder, urging him on.
Right next to them—he heard a sudden noise—that sounded like… a bark?
Kaden’s eyes opened and he awoke to two jet-black eyes staring intently at him. He rushed to sit up in his bed. A drawn-out sigh left him when he realized what had happened.
“Morning, Aziel…” He trailed his hand lazily over the head of the German shepherd, who was standing on the floor next to his bed.
“Why him, huh? Did I really need to be reminded of that guy?” The dog merely tilted his head. During the momentary silence, Kaden felt something stir next to him. He turned his head to see another pair of dark beady eyes. A collie of significant size was lying there on the bed, wanting his attention as well.
“You too, Kane? Ah, I couldn’t possibly ignore that look.”
After a few more moments, he finally managed to drag himself out of bed. Still irked by the dream, Kaden looked around the room, lost in thought. That is until Kane suddenly jumped off the bed and joined Aziel on the floor.
“Oh, you two. I do appreciate both of you for giving me some kind of routine.” The dogs looked at him attentively, searching for any words they might understand.
“Speaking of… I suppose it’s time for food and a walk, yeah?” Now they reacted, already halfway out of the bedroom. The door was open after all. No one else was here, so no reason to close it.
“I’m writing that damn application when I get back. I… have to let myself out.” He noticed the two impatient dogs’ heads turn back to him, wondering why he was still standing there. He gave them a wry smile, before finally leaving the room—and walking out into an even bigger one. It was… Too big. Too empty.
It was about a week later.
Kaden pulled out one of the many blazers that had practically been abandoned. He shut the closet door, and threw the jacket over his shoulders, covering the white dress shirt underneath.
“It’s been too long.” He turned around to see a peppy collie standing by the doorway to his room. A darker shape was moving in the background, which stopped when it noticed the two of them.
“Alright, boys. You’ll need to keep each other company. I’m going to be away much more than you’re used to.” Unsurprisingly, it didn’t quite seem like they understood. They just followed him as he walked to the front door. He got everything necessary ready, such as keys and his laptop. Kaden gave both of them a long look, missing his favorite two animals already.
He unlocked the door and went outside. Giving them a wave goodbye, as he closed and locked the door carefully. Feeling tense, he stood there for a moment.
“Yeah, I know… mom… dad… You two would have wanted this.” He took a big step away from the door, before turning around to leave.
“Give a warm welcome to your new coworker… Kaden.” An encouraging hand lands on Kaden’s shoulder and he gives the group of people in front of him a polite smile. He scans the small crowd, trying to get a feel for the workplace environment. But… These people were incredibly unreadable. That was until his eyes landed on a particular individual. He was standing among some others who Kaden assumed were way higher-ranked workers. And exactly like he was trying to scan the room, that person seemed to be looking for something in him as well. That face of his was vaguely familiar. The way that short brown hair somehow managed to curl just above his eye. It couldn’t be…
His thoughts were interrupted by the man taking his hand off his shoulder. He moved the topic to where Kaden would be working and what projects he would be helping with.
His brain was still a bit preoccupied with who he might have seen. But, he tried his hardest to focus on what the guy was saying.
It was later in the day and Kaden was using his lunch break to get more familiar with the building. He walked along one hallway to another, before something caught his attention. While most doors were either open or fully closed, he came across one that was only slightly open. The voices of the people in there were also weirdly quiet. Kaden couldn’t help but be curious about what was going on, so he moved closer to the door.
“He hasn’t let up yet? Vaida, I told you, you’re allowed to go for more extreme methods if needed.”
“I’m not the biggest fan of it, but if we can’t get him to give up at the next negotiation… then I guess I’ll have to.”
“Perfect. That goes for you too, Aaron. We both know those assholes don’t deserve that money anyway.” With two revelations in such a short time, Kaden didn't quite know what to think. He narrowed his eyes at what was visible through the small opening in the door—the man he had seen earlier.
“Those names… It can’t be…” Though it was barely a whisper, the conversation came to an abrupt stop. Kaden’s eyes widened. They definitely heard him. The door opened up further, those blue eyes more familiar than ever.
“It’s not nice to eavesdrop, you know.” At first, the tone was cold, but once he got a proper view of the unwelcome guest, he started looking a lot more complacent.
“I have a feeling your little side business or whatever isn’t so nice either, Ivan.” Kaden’s voice was sharp and Ivan shifted right back into a cold glare.
“So it really is you. I’d suggest staying far away from this. I wouldn’t want to damage that pretty face of yours. …Or any other part for that matter.” Before Kaden could respond, the door was slammed shut in front of him.
“And he dares call other people assholes…” Kaden muttered to himself. He was struck with too many emotions to handle at once. Still standing by the door, he was just about ready to force himself inside. Though in truth, with those three in there, he’d probably get overwhelmed. Listening closely, he heard the quiet sounds of Ivan whispering and immediately leaned up against the door.
“…Yeah. I’ll never forget that sight. But the woman was tough. She lasted much longer than that so-called business owner.” It didn’t seem like Kaden was able to glean any more information, as it had gone too quiet. But it was enough to make his heart race.
Filled with a sense of dread, he headed back in the direction of his office area. This was too much to comprehend in such a short span of time. He was almost tempted to just leave right then. Though that would be way too risky, especially on his first day. So he sat down with a heavy sigh, trying to concentrate on the work that had been assigned to him. He hoped it would push those thoughts to the back of his mind for the moment.
The door clicked as he turned the lock, his bag hitting the floor with a soft thud. In that instant, two excited shapes came bounding towards him. His expression got a little softer as two pairs of gleaming eyes looked up at him. Kaden kneeled down, trying his best to get an arm around each of them.
“Now this is what I needed…” The dogs were full of too much energy; he had to stand up to not lose balance.
“I’ll admit, coming home to your dogs is kind of a nice feeling.” He got some snacks and their leashes ready for them. It was all purposefully placed by the entrance, so he could easily take them out.
“I think I need a walk myself, to be honest.”
It wasn’t enough.
Kaden had found himself in some dark corner of a small and rather cozy-looking bar. He thought it might be better to go out to a place like this to unwind, but he was already regretting it. All these people with their wants and ulterior motives.
Why exactly did he think this would work? His connection to everyone was already strained without having even spoken a word to them. Kaden felt himself sink further into the couch, not at all able to think like he meant to.
His eyes narrowed when someone’s hand placed a cold glass of clear-looking liquid in front of him.
“You look like you could use this.”
Kaden’s eyes narrowed further as he directed his suspicious gaze higher up. He locked eyes with a stranger’s surprisingly captivating green ones. His hair was longer than usual, wavy, and black, which complimented those green pupils. However, what stood out the most, was the visible scar across the bridge of his nose. Such a deliberate wound had to mean something.
“Taking a drink from a stranger? And I’m supposed to not expect to end up in a freezer tomorrow?” Though Kaden had his guard up, he couldn’t deny that this guy was intriguing. Getting a chuckle in response, Kaden’s face heated up a little. That laugh wasn’t too bad…
“Haha, fair. More for me then.” The man carefully sat down beside Kaden. He took a sip from the glass, which made Kaden speak up again.
“Trying to prove its innocence?”
The stranger took another sip, a glint in his eye.
“Do I look that sketchy to you?” Despite the words, his tone was light. Kaden leaned back, showing his guard might be softening up a bit.
“Well… to be honest… everyone in here does.”
The man smiled, as he leaned back against the couch, glass still in hand.
“You’re not wrong. May I ask then… Were you forced to come here by a friend or anything like that?”
Kaden glanced off to the side. It wasn’t that the question was tough. But why did he think this place would help? Maybe… his answer was right here.
“Ah… No. I just have a lot on my mind. I guess…”
He tilted his head slightly at that. He was even more curious about Kaden now.
“Work? Terrible people? Broken down car?”
Kaden let out a sound that could almost qualify as a laugh.
“A terrible person at work, yes. But the car is fine.”
“Close enough”
Kaden smiled to himself, sitting up a bit.
“I’m not about to elaborate, but uh… at least you don’t seem too bad.”
“Of course, no need to.” He placed the glass on the table, feeling around for something in his pocket.
“Thanks though. Glad I came off that way.”
As Kaden stood up with a nod, the guy pulled out what looked like a business card and held it toward him.
“Ignore the rest, but there is a number on here that might be of use.”
Kaden saw the tiny numbers at the bottom.
“Oh really? Sounds interesting.” He reached out and took it, walking over to one side of the table to look at him across from it. Kaden glanced down at the card, then up again.
“Lyon Pereth.”
The man smiled over at Kaden after his name had been said.
“In the flesh.”
Kaden locked eyes with him, before shoving the card in his pocket. He then reached for the glass and put it up to his lips, taking a careful sip of it. He wasn’t sure if he saw that correctly, but it looked like Lyon gulped at the sight. Kaden placed the glass back down.
“See? No freezer.” He joked. Kaden let out a short laugh.
“I’ll call. Maybe.” They looked at each other for a few more seconds, before Kaden turned to head out of the bar
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