Dior, halls upon halls of luxury Andrew wasn't used to. If anything, the local waitresses weren't used to the show displayed in front of them either.
The enthusiastic yelling from a single stall attracted the attention of waitresses, customers and the manager. However, the customers were Maya Stewart and Alicia da Costa... one of the branch's most 'opulent' customers, let alone Dior openly sponsored Alicia. They could only shut up and allow them to do whatever they wanted.
...
"These look perfect on you!" The Mexican beauty picked clothes left and right as if they were free, technically, the discount she received was so massive that they might as well be free.
"Oh, and once this belly's gone this shirt will look splendid!"
"All that is good and really, thanks for the clothes, but... why are the two of you here with me!?"
Outrage, confusion, and perhaps a little arousal permeated Andrew's mind. He wasn't a kid, and yet these ladies were determined to treat him as so, unaware that beneath the carcass of a role model student, lay a man.
Alicia and Maya weren't helping either, they were still wearing their leggings and yoga attire while looking for the best clothes for his date, however, considering the number of shirts, trousers and even underwear they were picking, it made him believe they hoped to fill up his whole wardrobe.
"What do you mean? to help you change of course!" Maya answered matter of factly, she glanced at the shirtless Andrew, they were in one of the changing stalls together, a relatively tight space. He fruitlessly tried to cover his crotch but she released a small giggle, fully aware of what was concealed within just like Alicia. Maya had more control of herself than the Mexican that was unashamedly licking her lips.
'You're retired, Maya... no more of that'.
"I don't need help!" Andrew yanked a shirt out of Maya's shivery hands and tried it, although the situation was unusual, he couldn't help but feel happy that he was being treated this way. He knew very well that it wasn't normal for a boy and some ladies to be this close, but he found respite because Maya was always this cuddly and also...
'I'm underage so it is not like they're going to do anything to me'.
The lad had no idea what sort of hyenas he was in the stall with.
"It is not a matter of whether you need help or not, sweetie. You're getting our help, and you will keep it, alright?~"
"I have no options, do I?"
"No, you don't, now be an obedient boy or..." Alicia's eyes shone subtly... briefly, in a reddish tonality as she pressed an unaware Andrew against the stall's mirror.
"O-Or?"
"Or things may get a little naughty inside this stall, not as you'd mind, I'm not you're not as innocent as you let out, Andrew".
Her voice was challenging and tantalising, and yet the innocent boy foolishly believed he had the upper hand in this argument, temptation was okay, but more than that...
"I am-" He began, but wasn't allowed to finish as if the mere argument was so hilarious to Alicia that she didn't even bother to allow him to finish it.
"Underage? No one is watching us right now, bonbon~" Her next action was to pin both of his hands above his head, Andrew -who was in the middle of changing his shirt- was unable to see Alicia's expression in which he believed there was a gaze filled with mockery and some teasing.
Nothing farther from the truth.
"Calm down, Alicia" Maya stated solemnly, giving her 'partner' a dead glare that said 'you're going too far'.
"But he's so cute! And a little appetizing too~"
*GULP!*
Andrew gulped harshly, that last line didn't sound like a joke.
"Do me a favour and get some nice summer chinos for him, I'll help him change myself, alright?".
Maya's gaze indicated that she wasn't playing any games, it sounded more like an order than a request. Alicia's expression looked irritated and she regarded the still-pinned Andrew with reluctance.
'You can't hog him for yourself'.
'Gloria asked me to do something, you're in the way... moreover, he's mine, I don't allow you to touch him'.
'Yours? I don't think Gloria will like that~'
'...'
"... okay" Without further ado, Alicia helped Andrew and released him from the press.
'T-This woman is a little forceful... I have to be careful with her' Although Andrew was used to being 'courted' he wasn't used to women being this forceful... it raised a lot of red flags that immediately made him set a barrier between himself and Alicia. However, the opposite happened to Maya whom he believed to have helped him just now.
"I'll be back in a bit, I better not hear any moans~".
"..."
Alicia departed the stall, leaving the two of them with more than a fair share of clothes to try on, the plan was to choose something simple for this date, a task that was taking remarkably longer than Andrew hoped.
"Sorry, Alicia can be quite passionate sometimes, it is obvious that you picked her interest," Maya remarked while sorting out something fresh, a navy blue shirt and some tan joggers, " Wanna try this set?".
Andrew nodded with a smile and allowed Maya -whom he felt a lot more comfortable with- to help him and give her opinion.
"Do you think this one's okay? I don't need this many clothes, this date with Clare is just for her to help us in the case" He stated, trying to evade every single one of Maya's erogenous zones. If that wasn't enough, he could see both of her bugging bunnies through the tight top she was wearing.
Maya noticed his gaze which he immediately evaded and released a little giggle, "There is no need to feel shame. If anything... aren't we both erect?~"
!!!
Andrew rubbed his temples and released his crotch, what else was there to do? though there was something he didn't understand, 'why is she so comfortable? Is she used to dealing with men like this? or she doesn't see me as a man?'.
"I don't think this is okay" He stated, referring to the closeness and lack of inhibitions. however, this instead of pushing Maya away, made her act bolder and get closer as if the difference in age was nonexistent.
"Why not? see? I made her leave, surely you don't have a problem with me, right?~ we have already slept together and everything".
'YOU'RE WORSE THAN ALICIA!' he remarked inwardly, cursing how she could state words that misinterpreted their previous interactions, sure they had slept together... but with clothes on and in a very 'familial' way.
Andrew tested a few joggers together with the Navy shirt and ended up deciding on the cream Puma ones as well as a jumper, it was a fresh look he thought. Nevertheless, his attention had long since diverted from his own look and remained on Maya who squandered between attires, bending down unashamedly and showing up her assets with a wicked smile.
'Teasing him is funnier than expected~'
"Are you nervous, Andrew?"
"Hmn, yes!"
"About the trial, Gloria's nagging, Christian's expectations, your auntie's attitude... you must be a little overwhelmed" She whispered in his ears, tip-toeing to match his height.
'Y-You meant that...' Andrew's eyebrows twitched, sure he was nervous but for a completely different reason. Although he had been close to girls his age all his life, Maya Stewart was quite 'intimidating' he didn't know if because of her age, or how stunning she looked... but whenever he was together with her alone in the same place, only restlessness remained.
"I sort of am... it feels like my life changed too suddenly, I have never gone to a trial either but... I feel like I can do this".
"You will do just perfectly, trust me" She turned him around until they were looking at one another and imparted a rather warm and deep hug which Andrew appreciated. It could have been a great gift to calm down if not for how aware he was about her this instant.
The hug was brief, and after giving him some distance, Maya still didn't release his cheek and instead, caressed it with his thumb.
"Maya?"
It wasn't until her thumb traces his lips that Andrew realised things were starting to get a little heated.
"You have been working so hard as of late. I have always seen you. How you leave for school every day, then to your part-time job, studying and preparing yourself back and forth to meet expectations that shouldn't even be on your shoulders. Don't you think you deserve a reward?"
**
**
A few days ago, in an undisclosed location in New York, Maya sat comfortably at a table, together with another individual... both of them enjoyed a cup of coffee while looking down on the massive city filled with unaware civilians.
"Gaia's children are always so blissfully unaware, don't you think, Maya?"
"You have been watching them for thousands of years, and yet you release this line of yours so often".
"I'm just envious of how they can leave so peacefully when their lives could end at any moment, for no reason at all. It is difficult for me to die, but if I was as vulnerable as them, perhaps I'd have my guard up at all times."
"That wouldn't be a life worth living".
"That's exactly why you followed 'her' out of Hell, right?"
"Yes... I was tired of the power struggle. I enjoy life, yoga, cute things, sex, drinks, parties, and women's bodies, turning them beautiful... that life of constant killing, scheming and trickery is not for me. I'll leave that to you and 'her', you're more fit than me for that".
"Your contract with me stipulates that as long as you support me in my endeavour, I'll make sure that you can remain here, away from hell and limbo; have your peaceful little life away from the Soul Eaters and the Battlefield. Isn't that right, general?"
Maya sipped her coffee and frowned in annoyance, knowing where she was coming from.
"For you to remind me of the terms of our contract..."
"Yes, I need you to do me a favour... Maya, it is about Andrew".
"What is it? If you want me to spy on him... I won't" She declared right away, fully within her right to do so, 'Andrew's presence shouldn't influence her endeavour in hell, hence, this task is not one I'm forced to partake in by the contract'.
"Could it be that you like the boy? aren't you a little old for that?~"
"Not really, but he's sweet, that's all..."
"Have you yet sensed the spirit around him?" Gloria inquired.
"The ghost girl? I can't see her as she's a lost spirit... but she's starting to morph into an evil spirit and her stench has permeated my nostrils. Is this request about her? If you want me to erase her, I can".
There was no feeling in Maya's voice, no remorse, 'Andrew is quite attached to that girl, but... if she were to suddenly disappear one day, he will only think she moved on to the afterlife'.
"No, I'll leave to you whatever may happen to that girl, what I need is something else. You see, I have a certain suspicion about Andrew and I want you to check up on his soul, a soul check is what I want you to do for him".
"..."
A frown, then a gaze filled with anxiousness.
"Hmn?" Gloria frowned upon realising that she wasn't obtaining an immediate 'yes' as always.
"I don't want to".
"I wasn't asking you... I'm ordering you".
"This has nothing to do with your endeavour".
"It has. You succubus are one of the most reliable when it comes to doing it and I suspect Andrew's soul is unique, if your assessment happens to be positive, it will mean a considerate advantage for me in Hell".
Gloria stood up, leaning down until her lips were gracing Maya's cheeks. Her eyes shone in a deep crimson light and her silhouette began turning hazy, almost shadow-ish.
"Therefore, you can't reject..."
"Why don't you do it yourself?"
"Andrew is quite defensive when it comes to girls. All of his life, girls have been pretending to like him just so they could get to Archonte. He has what you could call a defensive barrier around him in that regard. If I were to make such a move on him, he'd start hating me and I can't allow that~"
"That's why-" Maya started, anxious, she immediately caught on her intentions.
"That's why I want you to do it, Maya... you're the only one close enough to him just so he lets his guard down and also... I'd rather he places those barriers around you and not me~"
"What you asking of me, it is heartless... have Gaby or Vanessa do it, it doesn't matter if he starts hating them, right?!"
"Oh, but I don't want to~" Gloria giggled and walked up to the glass separating her from the gigantic metropolis, giving her exquisite back to the angry Maya.
"Why!?" The surgeon's anxiety reached the peak to the point she banged on the table and stood up, seeking an explanation.
"Because he is becoming rather close to you and I don't want that... the boy's mother left early, he's going to start looking at you that way, it is the perfect spot for you to enter his heart, by then... regardless of whatever role you wish to play, his mother or his lover... it will be easy"
"Y-You..."
"That's why I must get rid of you and take that spot myself, Maya~"
Maya grits her teeth harshly, it was her intention from the start, 'You have always been this possessive over everything, you damned Drought Demon'.
Gloria smiled and walked back to the standing Maya, coming up to her face to face until their breasts clashed in a battle of size that had no definite winner.
"I know it is heartless for you, but... you will do it, don't you?~ because you're not interested in the kid, or at least, that's what you just told me".
"..."
'I left hell because of demons like you... Wickedheart' Maya stated inwardly, recalling that horrible place which made her believe she was born in the wrong world, something she confirmed upon reaching the Earth.
"Moreover... I have future plans for him anyway, he's mine" Gloria took a seat back down and took out her smartphone, checking up her notifications until Maya's lips pronounced infamous words.
"I thought 'she' would get the custody... aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself? The one that has the contract with Gemma Wingfield is 'her', not you".
"Depending on your verdict, I may change that... I may offer her something in exchange for Andrew's custody. I just have to find something that will catch her eye without looking overly suspicious".
"You think he's more than a simple esper?"
Having lived with him a few days, Maya could tell Andrew was not common, for one he was able to openly interact with spirits, 'But that doesn't make him so special as for Gloria to want him, what else could he have?'.
"No, I think he's way more than that... I studied the incident that took place in Horace Mann where a fugitive shadow was involved and even a Vanquisher was repelled. He was involved in that case. That's why, upon checking up on what he is I need you to tell me straight away and not anyone else, especially not 'her', do you understand?".
"Hmph! Naturally, it is a clause within our contract that I can't reveal anything to 'her' before you... even if she is my previous boss".
**
**
'I'm sorry...' Those were the words in her mind while Maya's lips started to approach Andrew's a boy who -in his mind- believed their ages to be so far apart to the point that she could be his mother.
A boy who was pure-hearted, a gentleman, a considerate person good enough to give her warm during the night as no one had done before.
'And yet you had to meet someone dirty like me...'
Any other boy his age would get horny beyond belief upon receiving what he was about to get, but Andrew Mayers was different.
The heir gasped when he felt Maya's lips on his own, gracing, touching... trespassing the boundary. He held her hips instinctively and struggled, trying to push her away but all of a sudden Maya seemed stronger, like an unmovable boulder, pressing forward.
He whose height was a few inches higher than Maya's got pressed against the wall with his first kiss being stolen by what he considered an 'overly gorgeous milf'.
It was so tame and light at first, myriad thoughts circulated Andrew's mind. Mostly confusion and anger.
All his life, every single woman approached with only one intention and this time it felt no different. Even if the kiss was tame and warm, even if he was enjoying it... he couldn't help but think of the only natural conclusion which shattered the passion out of the moment faster than a viper's poison eroding the victim's life.
'Maya, is this why she tried to get closer to me...? She as well... is just interested in Archonte'.
'I am not!'
!!!
He could have sworn he just heard her voice in his head, filled with anxiousness and determination.
There were many messages Maya desired to convey yet felt unable to, 'I don't love you... I definitely don't have those feelings for you, Andrew... but I'm also not interested in Archonte or anything else. I believe you're the sweetest boy ever... I hoped our first kiss would be under different circumstances'.
Even then, she couldn't convey the message, 'Why do I feel so flustered? am I really... that afraid that he will hate me?'
Upon releasing their lips, Maya didn't let go... she wouldn't let go until she made sure Andrew wasn't going to throw a fit and run. It didn't happen, but his expression conveyed that he wasn't happy... if anything, he wanted an explanation.
"This is your first kiss, right?" She said, panting... only now realising that she hadn't accomplished her objective, in order to perform her check-up she needed to either deeply kiss or engage in intercourse with the subject, effectively exchanging 'fluids'.
But she didn't do that just now.
'I just kissed him...'
"Why? At least tell me why... you're way older than me, we don't know each other that well, is it money you're after?" He shot his bullet and it did impact straight in Maya's heart.
However, instead of feeling guilty, Maya pouted, outraged.
"Any other boy would be dying to get a kiss from me like this, regardless of whether it was driven by money or not, shouldn't you be happy?!".
"I'm not just any boy, Maya!"
Andrew pressed back into a standstill, 'I have never begged anyone to love me for who I am! even if you're the hottest woman I have ever seen!'.
Seeing his pride and stubbornness, Maya blushed a little and doubled down with a challenging expression, "I can tell you're not just any boy. Now stick out your tongue, sweetie, you made me upset... I'll kiss the f*** out of you".
"Mhn!?~" Andrew felt flabbergasted upon realising that without his permission, his tongue stuck out on its own!
'What!?'
...
"Maya".
Alicia's voice came from outside the stall.
"Just wait outside for a bit, Alicia... no peeking".
"Hmph! should have done this in a hotel, by the way, I call dips on the next one".
With his tongue out, Maya's eyes shone with a purplish light as she held both of his cheeks and stuck out hers, what happened next was perhaps the naughtiest thing Andrew had ever experienced.
Her tongue worked wonders on him without even entering his mouth, Maya closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment, twirling like snakes in summer, seemingly forsaking who the other party was.
Andrew felt a rush of adrenaline, 'I-It feels good...'
It didn't matter how prideful he was, this was undeniable... as if to make things worse, Maya took both of his quivering hands and placed them on her hips while hers squeezed between his armpits and towards his back.
It wasn't until she was happy enough that she finally stuck both of their tongues inside his mouth before taking him inside hers.
'I'll make it so that you don't hate me after this... no, Andrew... I'll make you addicted to me. Let me see if you're going to keep being so prideful after you experience this succubus'.
The kiss only deepened with Andrew not even getting the chance to breathe as Maya grew more and more rampant.
'Sophia!'
'No one is going to save you'.
When the kiss finished, this time it wasn't so simple... a rush of weakness hit Andrew as his legs quivered and Maya shamelessly pulled both of their salivated tongues out of his mouth again, this time A blue-greenish goo-like fluid departed Andrew's mouth together with his saliva and Maya slurped all of it as they both fell on their knees.
'S-So tasty and minty... his soul... is definitely not normal, but-'
*RUMBLE!*
All of Maya's blonde hairs stood on an end and her countenance palled all of a sudden. She immediately released the kiss with Andrew and embraced him, struggling to conceal her expression.
"Maya?" Andrew, although with many questions in his mind, noticed how her body started to shiver and took one of her hands which was also quite cold.
"A-Alicia..." The surgeon's words sounded like she was struggling, so much so that Alicia immediately chimed in to witness the awkward position they were at.
"Ah, you two-"
"T-Take him away, please".
"What is going on, Maya?!" Andrew noticed something was not right with her and although he had many questions, for him Maya's wellbeing was the priority, if not for her coughing, how unusually cold and pale she looked was a dead giveaway.
"Don't worry sweetheart. I'll call you later and give you a proper explanation, alright? Just for now please go... have fun on your date and don't worry about me".
At all times there was a smile on Maya's expression, but that smile didn't go along with her shivering and paleness.
A confused Andrew departed the stall pulled by Alicia; leaving Maya who immediately started coughing.
*COUGH!*
Her hands clenched against the floor of the stall, her nails elongated and the tone of her skin became even more pale, her golden hair grew in length and two curly golden horns manifested on her head.
*COUGH!*
*COUGH!*
'I-It hurts! but also... s-so delicious, what in the hell is this!?'
*COUGH!*
She felt the urge to puke and when she did so, what came out of her mouth were threatening bluish flames. That fell on the floor yet burned nothing. Those same flames started to permeate around her body, staring from her hair... like a spreading disease!
*COUGH!*
*COUGH!*
'T-This is not good... I-If I don't do anything... I'm going to die, his soul is so poisonous!'
Staggering up, Maya desperately thought about what to do. A mysterious black oval-like portal appeared beside her and she squeezed her hand with elongated nails inside, looking for something scattered inside until she found it and yanked it out.
It was a bottle of sorts, with a reddish liquid inside. Opening the lid, she gorged the potion with such desperation that many drops rolled down her cheeks.
Still panting she fell down on her butt, waiting and seeing how the bluish flames stopped spreading, but they didn't disappear, just like the ridiculous pain she was feeling.
'I-It is not enough!? what should I do...'
Thinking about her options, Maya immediately thought about Gloria, surely she'd have something that could help her, but...
'If I meet her like this... it would be the same as confirming it. I can't tell her... If I tell her, Andrew...'
*COUGH!*
Leaning against the stall myriad possibilities manifested in Maya's mind. The future... about her, about Beatrice, about Andrew and about the ghost, Sophia. What she discovered just now, changed everything.
'I didn't want to go there ever again, but things are looking really bad for me right now... I have no option but to tell Gloria what I found, I'm forced by contract, but... I can at least prepare myself for what's to come'.
Nevertheless, with no other option, she bit her lips until they drew blood. A delectable crimson liquid rolled down her luscious lips and onto her finger.
That droplet then fell down onto the floor and started spreading like an accursed lake of sin, her body together with the bluish flames started to sink inside this bloody lake even as she continued to cough.
'How many centuries ago I abandoned hell under a contract... Andrew, I will get you back for this sweetheart. Even if you are the punisher I'll get this back from you, every single drop. The next time I see you, I'm going to kiss you again until I'm satisfied'.