[In the privacy of Vale's room-]
The late afternoon rays that streamed through the windows of the bedroom gave a bright, golden glow. Upon entering the room, Vale noticed that Vincent's face grimaced as his eyes glanced around the room. Figuring that it was probably due to the overwhelmingly bright sun rays that shone into the room, Vale proceeded to draw the dark blue curtains close slightly. Then, he helped the men unload the bags they were carrying and guided them to his office.
Vale's office was a reasonably large space that was cordoned off from the rest of the room. Other than where the door of the office was, there was an in-built shelf along the three walls of the space. Vale had purposely ordered the special furniture for the sake of his hobby and passion-- reading novels, comics, and just about any forms of hardcopy versions of stories. Not known to others, Vale also enjoyed the smell of books that surrounded him every time he entered his office.
"I must say, Dixy, every time I walk into your office, I can't help but be amazed by the number of books you have collected over here. Have you read them all?" Morris said.
"I'm glad to hear and yes, I've read them all." Vale replied and chuckled. Truth be told, he had read a number of books repetitively and also had a ton of other books that were not on the shelf-- the reason being that the shelf was already filled to the brim.
'I wonder if I should have some in-built shelves in the main area of my bedroom as well', Vale thought to himself with a smile.
"Whoa. That is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G~" Morris exclaimed.
"Yes, it most definitely is." Vincent agreed and smiled.
"It's nothing, really. But thank you." Vale said as he rubbed the back of his neck in bashfulness.
"Why are you so shy, Dixy?! The whole of your room-- Ah! I mean, the whole building was furnished and decorated by you! I love it all! You did a marvelous job~"
"I--"
"Shush! I was here when you had first bought the building. So, I know that you've done A LOT of work on it! Just say 'thank you' when I'm complimenting you!"
"But I--" Vale started to deny but stopped when he saw the stern look on Morris' face, "Ah, yes. Thank you."
"By the way, I've noticed that the main door of your bedroom is of AO's specially designed door. Are you by any chance, living with an alpha or omega?" Vincent asked.
"Ah~ Someone recognises his company's door~" Morris teased.
"No, I live alone but since I work and serve people of all genders, there were precautions I'd taken in case of an emergency. Truth be told, both my room and main office on the second floor have special doors. Usually, in case of a staff member or customer having their heat or rut, they will be quarantined on the second floor. However, if there are multiple omegas or alphas involved, my room here will provide the ample space needed. Furthermore, there are suppressants-- both pill and syringe form-- stored on every floor." Vale explained.
"Ah~ Then what about when an alpha loses all reasoning due to their rut before you can even give him a suppressant?" Morris asked.
"Oh. For that, amongst other matters, we actually have some staff members who essentially work as-- for a lack of a better word-- bouncers during the cafe's operating hours. We have experienced a number of potentially dangerous occasions previously and thus have hired them."
"Really? I don't think I've noticed anyone of that kind of presence." Morris commented and tilted his head.
"Ah, that's because there's only one during the day. Did you notice the big, bald headed man sitting in the corner?"
"Oh! That teddy bear drinking some green smoothie at the far end of the cafe! Yes, I noticed that muscular man~" Morris said in a sing-song manner which caused Vincent to raise a brow at the fashion designer.
"Yeah, that is Carl. He sits there to have the full view of the cafe and he loves mint smoothies."
"Ah, how adorbs! So, he's the main guy?" Morris asked.
"Yes, he is the strongest and best we got. Plus, he had been working here for 2 years now. He is quite reliable and has helped with a couple of incidents already." Vale replied.
"Phew~ That is very thorough of you to have all these precautionary steps for the cafe-- with the suppressants and all." Morris said.
"Yes, your staff and customers are lucky to have a responsible boss and cafe owner like you." Vincent complimented.
"Thank-- Thank you." Vale replied shyly and went to get the men refreshments.
Since the weather was neither too cold nor hot, drinking freshly brewed tea with cherry biscuits was simply a delight. It was a calm setting and for a few minutes, the men simply enjoyed the biscuits and the peace.
"Dixy, why are you so adamant to keep your modelling a secret?" Morris asked inquisitively. Unlike all the other models he has worked with, Vale was the only one who enjoys modelling yet does not want to tell anyone about it.
Other models would especially be constantly updating their social media accounts with flattering pictures and videos of their makeup, outfits or behind-the-scenes footage of their photoshoots. Vale, on the other hand, rarely posted on social media and when he did, it was all about food or stories he had enjoyed reading.
Although it was about what he enjoyed eating or reading, it was not personal to the extent that it told anyone about who he really was or what he did day-to-day. That being said, it was rather surprising to Morris when Mr Coleman had insisted on approaching Vale for the upcoming event that AO Company was about to organize.
Vale shrugged, "I just don't want people to look at me differently."
"You are a very skilled yet humble model, and I appreciate such quality." Vincent spoke in a smooth, low tone.
"Yeah, it is such a shame that not many actually know of Dixy's talents~" Morris chimed in.
"You both are too kind. I am just a man who does this for fun. I am neither talented nor humble. I am just inexperienced in so many ways. It is just a fact and I am not comfortable with outsiders expecting more from me when I am just an amateur." Vale answered as he looked down at his cup of tea.
Vincent leaned in closer over the counter, "Vale, looks like you are unaware of your raw talent. Dixon, when you model, even the audience is able to feel the emotions you are trying to convey. It's a talent that only few have. You are captivating and no one is able to pull their eyes away from you when you are modelling."
Vale flushed and averted his gaze. Vincent may have been complimenting his innate talent for modelling but with the way the powerful looking man was looking at him, it felt more of a confession, "I—"
"My goodness, dear boy! Just say thank you! Mr Coleman isn't one to take an interest unless the person is really skilled and good at what they do!" Morris exclaimed.
"But—"
"Shush!" Morris put an index finger on Vale lips to silence him, "Now, Mr Coleman, please tell Dixy why you are here~"
For a brief moment, Vale thought he saw displeasure on Vincent's face. However, when Vale blinked and looked again, there was just a calm and pleasant smile on Vincent's face.
'Perhaps it was just my imagination. I have been running around from place to place since very early in the morning. I probably should take a short nap or retire early for the day, ' Vale thought to himself.
"Yes. Dixon, I would like to hire you as an ambassador of AO Company." Vincent said as he looked at Vale earnestly.
It was a very unexpected and amazing offer. AO Company is the main company that works on producing medicine and equipment to help alphas and omegas deal with their pheromones release, heat and rut, many other things that may concern the two gender categories.
"Whoa. I… That is an amazing offer. I'd love to take the offer but—"
"Ah! Stop it! We won't take no for an answer. Plus, this ambassador thing will not take up much time from your running of the café. I promise! Mr Coleman, please show him the contract!" Morris, who was the top fashion designer in the country and owner of his own clothing business, can be very authoritative.
Once Morris had made up his mind, there was no stopping him. Even so, Morris has a big heart and is always there when others are in need. Sometimes, he can also act like a mother hen and be pushy when it is for that person's own good. Nothing he does is ever for personal gain and that was what Vale admired of him. It was one of the many reasons why they have stayed friends after many years.
I guess I should really hear them out, Devlin thought to himself and sighed.