Julien took some time off from everything and enjoyed being lazy at home. It was Friday and he thought of meeting with Etienne and drinking some wine in a nice place.
When he was walking down the stairs, he noticed Ioan standing on the steps up to the front door holding a brown paper parcel.
Ioan turned to him and said hesitantly: "There's a package for you."
Julien's eyebrows tangled in an accusatory frown: "Odd. I haven't ordered anything recently."
Ioan gave him the package and said as he left in a hurry to meet with own friends: "Well, maybe you forgot about it."
It was addressed to Julien Baume. There was no sender's address or name.
[System: Just open it already.]
Julien opened the parcel and inside found a red box containing chocolates wrapped in gold paper. There was also a plain white card. Written on one side, in black ink in neat cursive handwriting, was:
Hold me tight, just like we have never met
It's alright, although a lot left unsaid
Never mind, all that you have done is alright
Don't stay far away like you are
Julien recognized the modified words of his song.
Julien's eyes were wide with disbelief: "Can it be Lucius?"
[System: Can you think of anyone else?]
Julien frowned: "I have no idea."
Lucius slept well for the first time in five days. Maybe he was feeling the closure he had hoped for, now that he has sent this gift to Julien. As he shaved, the asshole in the mirror stared back at him with cool, black eyes - liar.
Julien had not let himself dwell on the villain for the past week.
Why had he sent him this?
Julien said with a completely straight face: "I can't accept these chocolates from him. I'll send them back."
Etienne and Julien walked into the bar and that was how night started.
The bar was a little loud and hectic, full of young students from the university. Julien leaned on the bar and was buying a red wine for them: "What are your plans after you graduate?"
Etienne shrugged: "I haven't made any plans and need to get through my final exams."
Julien smiled like a boss: "My brother's company for sure runs some excellent internship programs."
Etienne was lightly touched that Julien was offering him a job: "Oh. I'll bear that in mind. "
Then he waved his hand giving up on this: "I'm not sure I would fit in there."
Julien cocked his head to one side: "Why?"
Etienne laughed: "As an artist it's not suitable to have practical professions bringing money."
Julien put his arm at his shoulder and laughed with him: "It's obvious, isn't it?"
Julien was wearing a blue check long-sleeved underneath his navy t-shirt with minimal design, pair of distressed jeans and inhibitor with velvety sapphire. It looked well put together and a lot of alphas were peeking in their direction.
Julien whispered in Etienne's ear: "Another glass?"
Etiennie giggled: "Are you trying to get me drunk?"
Julien winked at him and ordered a next glass.
It was not a good idea.
Julien's head was spinning. He tried to get up from their table, but had to grab the back of the chair to stand properly. He decided that he should visit the toilet while he was on his feet.
[System: Good thinking, Host!]
Julien ignored the System as he staggered off through the crowd. There was a line, but at least it was quiet and cool in the corridor and he was feeling more comfortable.
Julien reached for his mobile phone to relieve the boredom of waiting in line. He kept looking at messages from the villain in the complicated mood.
Was he having fun with Ioan now?
Julien tried to suppress his drunken state. He hit the automatic redial by mistake.
Lucius answered on the second ring and was surprised that omega called him on his own initiative: "Julien?"
He didn't hide his surprise or his pleasure. The background was noisy and it sounded like omega was at a party or in a bar. Ioan glanced at him, so he got up off the sofa and out of his earshot.
Julien was angry at himself: "I accidentally dialed your number. Sorry."
Lucius's voice is filled with concern: "You sound strange. Are you okay?"
Julien's courage fuelled by alcohol and he splattered to him: "I'm not the strange one, you are! "Why did you send me the chocolates? I have enough to eat at home!"
Lucius's tone became more cold: "Have you been drinking?"
Julien rolled his eyes: "Why do you care?"
Julien sounded surly and belligerent, and Lucius knew he was drunk, but he also needed to know that he was okay: "I'm just curious. Where are you?"
Julien smirked: "In a bar."
Lucius was frustrated and irritated: "Which bar?"
Anxiety bloomed in Lucius's gut. Julien was a young omega, drunk, somewhere in city center. He was not safe.
Julien enjoyed this game of cat and mouse: "A bar not far from A University."
Lucius asked: "How are you getting home? You are not with Ioan."
Julien pointed his nose: "Somehow."
Lucius's tone was dictatorial: "Which bar are you in? Tell me now."
He pinched the bridge of his nose in the vain hope that the action will distract him from his fraying temper.
Julien imagined the villain as an old-time movie director wearing jodhpurs, holding an old-fashioned megaphone. The image made him laugh out loud: "Oh, I'm so scared! You are truly a dominant alpha! So domineering!"
In any other situation Lucius would find this charming. But right now - he wanted to show him how dominant he could be. Julien was driving him crazy.
Lucius sweared at him: "Yes, I am, so help me, where the fuck are you?"
Julien was not impressed by this: "Goodnight Mr. Valentinus and until then, fuck off."
Lucius was completely frustrated: "Julien!"
Julien hung up on him very proud of himself.
Lucius stared at the phone in disbelief. No one had ever hung up on him.
What the fuck!