CHAPTER 4

Smell you.

After lunch, a quick study session in the library, and the rest of my day that quickly faded into oblivion, it was time to leave for work. After that, I walked to my place of employment from the d school. As the client arrived, I went inside to wait. I heard someone say that and looked up to see the same boy I had seen the day before. He grinned broadly at me, and I could feel my heart skipping a beat.

There, good morning.

With a smile, he said.

I said "Hello.". I was clearly excited, but I was trying not to look at it.

What flavour would you like to suggest I try today?

he enquired.

I thought about it, and then I asked.

What flavour do you like best?

He said, "Your scent," in such a low voice that I think I must have heard it in my head.

He said that he would enjoy any flavour.

A coconut would you like?

Yes, that would be fine, he said in response. I gave him a cone with two scoops of coconut ice cream and nodded.

For a split second, I watched him scrunch his nose in disgust.

"Hey.

Why don't you join me since there isn't much business today?

He inquired while grinning slightly.

"No. I gave an immediate "I'm fine" response.

In a pleading tone, he begged, "Please. I thought about it, and then I decided to try it, and I nodded.

I gave him a big smile in return.

Why don't you get some ice cream too, he suggested.

".

Considering that I hadn't had ice cream in a while, I complied.

My flavour was the same.

We both sat down in the window-side booth when it became available. We ate ice cream without moving.

I'm Ares Kings, so tell me what your name is, he commanded.

".

My stray hair from my loose ponytail was tucked behind my ear as I introduced myself as Alana Queens.

As if to check how it sounded, he murmured, "Alana.". Upon hearing my name, my body—more specifically, my heart—reacted. My name wasn't that special, but the way he said it—with such care and such a quiet voice—made it sound special.

What would you like to become, Alana?

he enquired after a brief pause.

I don't know why, but I made the decision to tell him the truth about what I wanted to be but couldn't. "I want to have creativity.

".

"Oh wow. I can't draw for the life of me. I would like to see some of your drawings then," he jokingly said, a look of pride in his eyes. I couldn't understand why, if I succeeded, he would be proud of me, but I chose to ignore my doubt.

"What do you say?

What are you doing, I enquired.

He claimed to be handling "my family business," but it was clear that he had other ideas.

Are you Nick's brother? I asked him.

"Yes.

And your siblings?".

"No. In a dejected tone, I responded, "I'm a single child, and I've always wanted a little sister.

He changed the subject once he realised I was down. We had a 30-minute conversation. I discovered some of his earliest memories, as well as his favourite food and colour. I mentioned to him that I really wished I had a sister and that he has one more sibling, his little sister. He said I would get to meet her. I didn't feel like I was talking to a complete stranger; rather, I felt like we had been close friends for a very long time. Most importantly, though, it felt right.

It began to ring on his phone.

It was grasped by him.

As he listened, his jaw first clenched and then relaxed. He appeared, furious and defeated. I couldn't help but feel sad that he had said, "Okay, I'm coming," and then had to go, and I caught myself frowning. He hung up, ended the call, and then faced me. He became more enraged when he saw my frown, and both my eyes widened and his green eyes darkened. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then his eyes were back to the stunning greens.

Sorry.

I have to leave, even though I don't want to, he murmured.

Okay, I muttered.

Tomorrow, I'll see you, he said.

"Okay, good bye.

As I said, "Bye," I gave him a small smile. We'll see you then.

".

"Bye.

He seemed to be about to give me a hug as he said, "Take care," but he restrained himself by clenching his fingers into a fist.

Prior to leaving, he waved briefly.

I focused my eyes narrowly.

At that point, I was grinning the widest I had in years.

I worked as I waited for customers before going home.

He wasn'

t in the house as often as he used to, which makes me so happy that I'm no longer bruised. I ate and then retired for the evening.