127. Blast From The Past

'Isn't this cafe supossed to be doing well? If the sales keep going down, I doubt I'll get paid this week. We barely even have enough float to restock.' Glancing at the back office behind him, Niel caught a glimpse of his supervisor on a phone call, laughing himself off without a care in the world. 'The owner was strict but seems alright now. It's a relief I had barista experience doing part time jobs...'

Grabbing a tray, he cleared the tables and tended to the remaining few customers. 'This work will have to do until I get a better job. Fighting!'

Grabbing a mop, Niel tidied up, his attention constantly drifting to the people walking outside. Everyone seemed to get by about their errands and despite the location, he'd hoped such a densely populated neighborhood would make the cafe packed? 'Come to think of it, wasn't this the only coffee shop I'd seen in the neighborhood? Or those that lived around just weren't into coffee?' Niel looked at the time on his wrist watch. 'Now that rush hour is over, I have to sit idly by and wait! Meh, at this point, I might just start sending my resume again until more customers walk in.'

"Thats right!" Niel hyped himself up and went on about his duties. There appeared to have been a commotion outside but he couldn't careless. His attention was focused on how much money had been made so far since he'd reported for his shift at 6:00am.

"I'll head out and follow up on supplies. I hope you can manage everything by yourself until I get back."

"Sure thing boss." Niel smiled.

"Wow, we made more money than yesterday!" Niel's supervisor patted his shoulder, his eyes on a handover book next to the cashier. "Seems our shop is becoming more and more popular by day. I wasn't sure I'd pull it off in this area. My other franchises are doing well compared to here..."

"I also wondered why we only have a few customers. I'd thought this place would be packed."

"It's still new and people do not trust new things. If you stay longer with me, you'll be able to see it grow. I'll get going... Oh! Better use the back door, everyone is going crazy out there."

Niel laughed and put the money back inside the cashier and looked it. The creak of a door opening startled him as he looked up, happy to get a customer.

"Fina...lly?" Niel's expression went from excitement to surprise. "Elric? W-what are you doing here?" Niel asked, his eyes looking at people barging in after Elric's entrance.

Smiling, Elric grabbed a seat closer to the wall and sat down. "Don't mind me. Carry on."

"Is...Yeon alright?" Niel assumed after noticing how dowdy in appearance his fated looked. He found it unusual since Elric often payed much attention to his dress code, even if he were just taking a simple stroll outside. "Did he contact you?"

"Excuse me...I 'd like to order."

Niel hadn't noticed the queue infront of the counter and apologized, rushing to attend to the customers. His attention had been on Elric that he failed to notice how quickly the cafe had filled to full capacity and after a while, he walked to where Elric sat and noticed the dark circles under his eyes.

"So, this is where you work?" Elric's smile was the usual however, he appeared somewhat exhausted. "I had to come see for myself."

"M-my shift ends at 10:00am, do you mind if I meet you afterwards?" Niel suggested. From the looks of it, he knew Elric was about to throw a tantrum. They'd been arguing the last couple of days, Niel taking a back seat knowing it was pregnancy making his fated all giddy.

"I haven't seen you in two weeks."

"Is anything the matter?" Niel's supervisor appeared, his customer experience smile in check.

"Oh, sir, it's this customer. He was looking for another coffee shop so I was simply showing him..."

"This is the only coffee shop around here, I'm sure you must mean ours." Niel's supervisor shot Niel a fierce look, which made him appear crazy considering he still had his broad smile on.

"We are delighted to have new customers. I hope we can convince you to stay with us."

"I'd enjoy that. Your staff has treated me welcomingly, making me feel at home away from home."

"Lovely to hear that. He is our trainee and as his supervisor, it makes me glad to know I have an eye for choosing good service. Please, allow me to show you to another seat since you're sitting just right under the air conditioner."

"Why thank you." Elric seemed pleased and amused

"Niel, I'll give you his order later. Tend to other tables."

'What is he up to? And how did he find out I work here? It has to be his mother of course! I hope I don't get fired...' Niel thought to himself and went about his duties.

'Look at him laughing away as if he isn't aware how he surprised me. Why is he here anyway...and why does he look pale?'

"Uh, excuse me, do you know the owner of the Maybatch V-Class parked outside?"

'He came with that?' Niel shot Elric an angry look. "Yes. Is anything that matter?"

"W-we want to see the owner...and also ask them to park it properly too. I was told he came in here."

"Oh, I apologize." Elric appeared infront of the counter, Niel's supervisor with him. "I'm new to this area. Please give me a moment." He added and left the cafe with the two customers while others stared on.

"Niel, that customer looks rich! Make sure to give him the best service possible and have him come here again."

"Sir..." Niel hesitated. "I don't think..."

"Come on, have confidence in yourself. Look around, in a span of five minutes, our shop is full...and he drives a Maybatch V-Class! Who cruises in a Maybatch in this neighborhood?"

'If only you knew how Elric switched cars every year in campus...'

"I want him to give me a ride. Can you ask him for me? He looks interested in you since he kept asking me how long you've been working here."

"If you want, I can send him off."

"Send him off? We need more customers like him!"

The creaked again and Elric walked back in, bringing more customers in.

"Welcome back sir."

"Wow, your shop must be very popular." Elric spoke as he walked towards the counter.

"Someone took my seat already too..."

"Ah, I should have been more vigilant. Niel, kindly tell that couple the seat was already reserved."

"Do not bother. Actually, I prefer seats by the counter. That way, I get to have a look at how my coffee is made."

"As you wish. I make the best coffee here. Our signature drink is hazelnut late with toffee on top."

"I'd like to try that."

"Excellent choice." Niel's supervisor said and began the drinks preparation as Niel went to tend to other tables.

"Sir, I hope you don't mind my asking but are you a celebrity?"

Elric laughed off the flattery. "If I were you'd have heard of me."

"Perhaps you are one of the few humble ones sir. With a car like that though, it will be difficult for you to enjoy a quite life. We have a reserved parking underground for our staff. You are welcomed to use it in your next visit. I can show it to you later if that will be okay with you..."

"Excuse me... Elric, is that you?"

"Oh my," The supervisor said excitedly. "I knew you are a celebrity!"

"He is a celebrity allright." Said the new customer. "Fancy seeing you here...and marked? Had I known you could go both ways I'd have marked you instead...or looked for you harder after I graduated."

"Do I know you?"

"Oh, how rude of me to assume you'd remember. You always kept one partner for each day." The man laughed. "The rules were very clear right from the start."

Elric kept mum and simply stared at the man.

"Right...so I was one of your partners about two years ago. I used to be your senior by one year. We had a good spin...perhaps now that you're marked, are you still strict on that rule? I'd like to be considered instead of wasting my time with riffraffs out there. It's hard finding a good lover such as yourself..."

Leaning closer to Elric's ear, the man whispered. "I can be as rough as you want me to be. I'm still single and haven't marked anyone yet. No strings attached. I'll be as good as gone the moment you say so..."

"You want me as your bottom?"

"Why not? You're marked aren't you?"

"And so?"

"Oh, I see where this is going. You're a dominant. That still hasn't changed. Then you can ride me all night long..."

"I never spin the sheets with ugly lots such as yourself."

"What?" The man's face dropped.

"...And listening to you run your mouth like you know me makes me want to vomit."

"Oh, is this part of your play?" The man smiled. "It does turn me on hearing that pretty mouth of yours hurl insults at me..."

"I think you lost your way coming here." Turning his gaze to a baffled supervisor, Elric added. "Get lost."

"Wait...are you serious right now?"

"E-excuse me Mr..." The supervisor seemed teased. "I'd rather you leave..."

"Are you ignoring me?" The man yelled.

"Please Mr. customer you should leave or we will call the security..."

"You'd kick me out and keep this trash here?" Turning to Elric, he shouted, "you should respect your seniors..!"

"He said you should leave." Niel grabbed onto the man's hand before it landed on Elric's face.

"What the hell let go!" The man pulled his hand from Niel's grip. "You shouldn't have come here! What are you trying to do, show off? This is not campus!"

Panicking, the supervisor reached for the phone. "I'm calling security..."

"Let go asshole!" The man yelled at Niel who'd yet again grabbed onto his formed fist. "You're breaking my fingers!"

"Babe, let him go. He isn't worth it. Let him hit me so I can sue him for all he's worth and his entire family combined."

"...B-babe?"

"You owe me an apology, and one to the owner of this cafe. This shop has cameras which I'm sure recorded everything. Look around. I have witnesses who can testify that you not only attacked me but my fated and obstructed the operation of this cafe as well. Your violent nature is a threat to yourself and any occupants in this place. Who knows? You may have banged the table in fury and broke a mug, sending a broken piece to fly mid air and stab my neck or any customer so to prevent a future catastrophe from happening, just because you lost your temper, apologize."

"I...I'm sorry." The man replied instantly.

Turning his gaze towards the supervisor, Elric asked. "Do you forgive him?"

"...Ahh..." Niel's superior was still in awe over what had just transpired.

"He doesn't and neither do I." Elric looked back at the man. "You almost assaulted me and I'm three months pregnant which means you assaulted my child too."

"W-wha...?"

"If it wasn't for my fated, you'd have smacked my face."

"...But it didn't!"

"Even so, I feel threatened and afraid. How do you intend to pacify me?"

"Elric, it's fine." Niel finally spoke. "He has learned his lesson."

"My lawyer will get intouch with you. Make sure to not run away or you'll be more sorry than you already are. Now, disappear."

"Oh my..." The supervisor uttered, putting his phone down and looked at Elric.

"I want the camera footage."

"Sir..." He stuttered. "Niel is...your fated?"

Elric nodded and smiled as if nothing had happened. "I came to show I support his work."

"Oh, I apologize..." The supervisor spoke nervously. "Niel, you can take all the time you need with your fated. I'll tend to the tables and do service recovery."

'Of course he'd run away.' Niel thought and looked at Elric.

"I missed you,"

"That's why you came?"

"Yes."

"You miss someone you call them."

"I did. I guess you've been busy."

"Elric..."

"Babe, I'm very upset right now." Elric sulked.

"Are you aware how moody you've been the last couple of weeks?" Niel asked but didn't get a response.

"Are you really going to sue that guy?"

"Maybe"

Niel sighed. "I think my boss might fire me. He is afraid of you."

"Are you really going to talk about your boss after I've just told you I'm upset?"

"Here we go again..."

"Babe, you wake up early and come home late. According to your boss, your shift is only four hours."

"I have another part time job."

"..."

"I can't quit until I find something better. Can we discuss this when I get home?"

"When I'm already asleep?"

"I'm working Elric..."

"You haven't taken me on that date you promised either. It's been a month since..."

"I've been busy..."

"Damn it! You make it feel like I'm doing something wrong when I don't even know what's happening to me! I feel irritable! I keep making mistakes that my mother chased me out of her office for the first time...! What's happening to me?"

"You're just pregnant that's what." Niel began to sense Elric's scent and pulled him towards him, covering him with his scent. 'It was pointless to argue when he gets like this...and people are watching too.'

"She called me fat."

"It's only natural you'd gain weight since you're pregnant."

"I...haven't told her yet."

'What?' "Why?

"I haven't told anyone either. Remember, I'm supposed to have a child a year after the wedding. It was well stipulated in my father's will..."

Niel bent down towards Elric's ear and whispered. "Then why did you take the fertility pills?"

"Both you and I were on pills for a long time. Who knew how much damage we were facing inside our body with scent suppressants and heat inhibitors?"

"I took them because of Mijin not being able to take my scent..."

"...And I took them because of...well...people like the asshole who just left."

"Oh goodness." Niel pulled Elric closer to him. "Being fated to you has been one hell of a headache."

Elric laughed, prompting Niel to smile too.

"Do you like working here? I thought you wanted to become a successful investor?"

"I still do but you being pregnant changes everything. I don't want to be entirely dependent on you. I live in your house, drive your car, eat your food..."

"You seem unaware of your value to me."

Niel chuckled. "I think I know why you came here. Aside from being bored with no one to annoy, you are dealing with two yearnings. Yours and Luca's. Perhaps I've starved you both of my scent far too long."

Elric blushed and burried his face on Niel's chest.

"Fine. You win. I'll quit my other job and come home early."

"Okay."

"We also need to talk about your father's will."

"That's simple. I've looked over many scenarios. If we wed the earliest, and count from the time I was marked, by law, a marking and imprint especially to a fated is considered as good as a binding bond equivalent to marriage. However, if Luca is delivered outside a legally binding document, then that's troublesome. My father's relatives will have more power against mother and I can't say I'll be able to protect Luca's inheritance."

"I thought it was yours."

"It is mine, until Luca comes off age."