Keep out of it

"Just drop me here", Kian unlocked the door of the Jeep to step out. He heard Elian shut off the engine and reached the door lock by the driver's seat.

"No, you're staying here and waiting for me mister", he instructed, annoyedly.

The alpha frowned, "I don't think so. This place doesn't look very safe for you", he said, looking through the window at the narrow street they had driven into, with a few stores lined up along the road and a rundown bus stop at the entrance of it splattered with graffiti.

A butcher shop was at the very end of the alley followed by a laundromat with flashy signs hanging out, a few small convenience stores and a couple of closed shops.

"This is not even close to being unsafe. I don't know if your stupid or just way too rich to know what a normal street looks like", the angry boy taunted. Elian frowned harder looking at him. "I know what normal streets look like. Why do you always talk back to me? I'm only worrying about you", he retorted.

"I don't need you to worry about me! I can take care of myself", Kian yelled back sharply. "Yeah right, I've seen you taking care of yourself. I'm coming or you're not leaving at all", the alpha ordered. His words were sarcastic and yet his tone was stern and sincere.

The omega didn't have the energy to fight the man any longer after his morning trip to the hospital. It was already humiliating to find out that he'd need to breathe in Elian's pheromones to ease his pain. Why were things always like this when it came to this man? Why did he always need him? It made him feel small. He felt like he was inferior to him whenever such things were brought up. What was worse was that it only fueled more hate in his heart for the alpha despite knowing that it was not completely his fault.

Kian released a loud sigh, "Fine, do whatever you want", he stepped out and shut the door behind him and the alpha followed. As he walked towards an entrance of a place that looked like an office, he turned around to look at Elian, "Don't say a word in there. I don't want your nose in my business", he warned. The alpha rolled his eyes in exasperation and continued following him.

As Kian pulled open the glass door and entered the store, he felt relieved as the cold air from the outside subsided. "Hello, Uncle Martin", he greeted the man sitting on the desk chair behind a counter. "Oh, Kian. Afternoon son, thought you weren't coming", he exclaimed, in his hoarse voice.

"Oh I'm sorry about that. I would've reached on time but...something came up", the omega smiled, apologetically. The old man looked at the tall alpha that had followed Kian inside, looking around his office suspiciously as if he was inspecting it.

Kian noticed him frowning at the alpha, "Oh, he's just a…a friend", he reluctantly clarified. The man nodded in response while Elian stoically stood in his place. "I'm glad you made it. I almost thought Henderson was lying when he told me you were very serious about this bakery business", he joked. "No of course not, I'm very serious. I wouldn't be late if it weren't for my friend here", Kian replied, turning to Elian who did respond to the comment.

Elian could tell what this place was from the brokerage signs stuck on the glass door. The owner looked like he was in his late fifties. As he got up in his chair, he appeared rather short and a little stout.

The man withdrew a set of keys from his pocket and walked around the counter to the door of his shop. "You know, this place has only been vacant for a few days and a bunch of clients have already called in for it", he exited the door and the two followed his steps as he continued speaking, "But Levi kept bugging me to save it for you. I was like huh! That guy's always acting so needy", the man continued, "He hasn't changed one bit, acting all stony broke for favors'", he joked, looking back at Kian who uncomfortably smiled back.

Elian wondered if Kian felt hurt by the comments made by the guy. Despite not being well acquainted with the owner of the orphanage, he could already tell from what he knew that Kian respected him very much.

The old guy unlocked the door of the closed store that was a few shops down from his office. "Looks good, this place doesn't it?", the man asked, as the three of them entered the empty store.

The lighting of the room was dim and the area itself was small. It was hard to see any establishment operating there without it getting congested. The front of it was all solid wall except for one translucent textured door on the side. Elian winced at the very sight of it, thinking that it would operate better as a pot smuggler's office than a bakery.

"So? What d'ya think?", the man asked, smiling at Kian.

Elian looked at him, waiting for his response to be a loud no. The boy however, just looked around, like he was hoping there was more to it somehow. He reached to the door at the back and opened it looking inside. He grimaced at what he saw and closed it shut. "Ahm….It is….uhhh….pretty good", he forced a smile. Elian could tell he was lying, but didn't understand why. The place was pretty bad. He obviously didn't like it.

"Told you didn't I? I mean it looks kinda sketchy now but, it won't be so dull after you move in. You know? Pretty boys like you would catch a lot of attention in this neighborhood", he laughed as he put his hand on Kian's shoulder, who awkwardly smiled back.

Elian felt a sudden influx of rage in his chest. He felt his breath fastening and blood drawing to his face. "To be honest, I don't think you should be allowed to rent this place. Is it even licensed?", he chided.

The old man frowned at him and moved his hand from the omega's shoulder. "You calling me a fraud, son?", he inquired.

"No, I'm just saying it looks extremely unfit for renting out. And even it is, by the looks of it, this place can't even work for drug dealers", Elian scoffed.

The broker stared at him for a couple seconds before turning to Kian, who was also staring at the alpha, appalled.

"What is your friend saying, Kian? Do you not want this place?", he inquired. Kian shook his head, "I apologize on his behalf. He's crazy, don't take him seriously", he pleaded.

"Nobody would want this place sir, especially after talking to an insolent prude like you", the alpha countered.

"Fucking prick!", the old man cursed, "Well if you hate it so much why did you bother me showing it to you", he scolded.

"Uncle Martin, he's just kidding. I'm so sorry", Kian reached for Elian, "Get out right now!", the omega hissed looking right into his eyes.

"Why? You clearly hate this place, I can tell from your eyes. Just say no!", Elian replied out loud.

The old man glared, his gaze shifting between Elian and Kian, "You know what Kian, I agreed to let you rent this place just because that Levi son of bitch was bugging me for days. I thought I'd do the poor guy some favors. Otherwise I'd never lend a place like this to omegas, knowing that I probably won't get my rent on time with your dumb lousy bakery", he abused, "Out of here you two, fucking bastards".