BEAUTY MARKS

EDGY

"She's over there."

Dominque could only imagine how Kaede's team perceived him; just as he said, their opinion didn't bother him. The man was over the stages and trends of the cold-hearted guy. Portraying a man blowing hot and cold was a tiresome process. It was okay for a teen, but the deed became time-consuming for an adult, especially when the man knew what he wanted from the woman he courted.

Most people in Kaede's staff did not understand why she refused Dominque's advances. He appeared honest and decent. Since the kiss, the man came every day to chat with her. Dominque didn't ask for her number. Instead, he initiated casual conversations about other things such as the latest trends, fitness, the weather and, Netflix movie flops during Kaede's breaks. They even debated about the high price of gas, pollution, and expensive parking lots, Uber magic, basically any subject a person could discuss when Steph didn't interrupt for no reason.

That day Kaede didn't wish to speak to Dominque even though her blown-out hair and the Jacquemus dress she wore were initially for his intent.

"He's a nuisance."

Because of Dominque, she became more self-aware. She hated that she consciously desired the man to drool over her appearance, especially now she heard these things.

The kiss on her cheek left a strong imprint. Kaede could almost feel the prick of his two-day mustache, the softness of his lips, and the smell of hair shampoo when she focused on the memory.

Iman and Kaede's stare followed Dominque, who stopped to greet Kevin, the stockman, "I would say he's entreating you," Iman dropped after Kaede's comment, "It's the best stage. I used to love it when my husband chased me around campus."

At this instant, what annoyed Kaede was the conquest of bashfulness over her body. The woman could barely stare at him. The more she saw Dominque, the more she noticed features that appealed to her. There wasn't a day where either his appearance or behavior failed the man who did not falter in his daily pursuit.

One could wonder how long the man's patience ran.

The two women watched Dominque's exchange from afar. The former football player gone professional sniper for French Intervention wore cargo pocket black shorts and tee. Like Kaede with her slit Jacquemus dress, the man showed a little leg, not the drumstick, but well-toned and tanned calves that some would effectively want to eat like chicken.

"Wow, Kevin, what's up, man?" Dominque shook his hand with enthusiasm.

"I'm good, and you?"

Dominque smiled, "I'm good, too; what are you doing here?"

"I work here, I've seen you around, but you just walk right past me."

Dominque swiped a hand at the back of his head; the man was awkward. All that mattered when he came to the store was Kaede; he realized he often made abstractions of the people around him.

"I'm sorry, Iㅡ."

"No, worries, I understand; she's that lose-your-head type of girl."

Dominque grinned and stared in Kaede's direction, who turned her gaze away, "yeah, she's that type. So do you like it here?"

"Well, the guys from the other store were like, dude, you're crazy. You're signing up for the gulag, but she's cool. The pay is good."

"I'm glad to hear that you should pass by the club sometimes."

"Man, I don't know. The coach is probably still pissed that I hung up my gloves."

The Miguens owned a boxing club in Aubervilliers. Kevin trained there, and when the contracts came in, Dominque's father continued to coach him. Things were going great until Kevin got a K.O that left him three weeks in a coma. After that, his girlfriend refused to see him climb back in the ring, saying she didn't wish to be Adrianne, and he was no Balboa.