Synergism

Chapter 10

The sun had set before they reached their destination. Zhan peered through the window of the café bookstore that was situated in a hub of cool one-of-a-kind stores, restaurants, and galleries. The area was designated pedestrian only, so Yibo dropped him off noting his eagerness to get out of the car, before going in search of parking. Zhan found his way through the myriad of Victorian inspired architecture and marvelled at how it was all fused seamlessly with 21st century design.

Inside the café, bookshelves lined the two sides and were separated from the main area by a few steps up to a raised section with comfortable couches. In the main seating area, a counter with a small display case full of pastries was situated directly in the centre. Zhan could see a lady, possibly in her 30's, standing behind the counter. She moved smoothly from the espresso machine to the display putting together an order for a customer. Her auburn hair was pulled into a bun atop her head and ever so often she reached up to tuck an errant piece of hair behind her ear. While she was filling food and drink orders, her coworker was standing over a small seating area where an older couple was listening aptly to something she was saying. When one of the patrons asked her a question, her green eyes sparkled with laughter and she nodded causing the soft mass of light brown curls that puffed out around her head to float with her movement.

Zhan was excited and apprehensive all at the same time. When Yibo heard Shantel had a partner the first question he asked was if she was also a Negator. Zhan told him Shantel hadn't told him outright, but she hinted at it when she said they had a lot in common.

"Hey," Yibo's voice said quietly from behind him. "You ready?"

Zhan tried to draw upon the calm and strength he felt from Yibo. "Uh... Yeah, I guess so," he replied. He took a deep breath and pushed the door open. He let the scent of the coffee and pastries wash over him before stepping in further.

"Welcome," the woman called out from behind the counter.

Zhan felt Yibo's hand on his back gently nudging him forward. His mouth felt dry as he looked from the menu to the barista. "Hi... I'm.."

"Zhan?"

He turned towards the voice that had called out his name. The lady who had been speaking to the couple in the seating area was now standing not too far from him.

"You look like your dad," she said, answering his questioning look. "I'm Shantel and this is my wife Marissa." Her glance shifted over Zhan's shoulder. "And you must be Yibo."

Marissa came out from behind the counter and gave them both a friendly smile and small nod. "So glad you guys made it. Was it a long drive?"

Yibo answered and they exchanged a few banalities, none of which Zhan really heard. He took a step back and didn't notice the way they all glanced at him in concern. For some reason he found himself a million miles away feeling disassociated from his body. All he could think about was how these people in front of him had answers, and how some of those answers could possibly take Yibo away from him. A cold fear made his chest constrict and he felt his heart begin to race. He staggered back, not noticing Marissa and Shantel's quick glance out the windows when the streetlights flickered.

The warmth of a hand wrapping around one of his own was what paused his descent into a full-blown panic attack. "Babe," Yibo whispered, seeking out his eyes, "Look at me."

Zhan slowly focused on Yibo's gaze and felt like he entered into a world where only the two of them existed. Right at that moment, he wanted to bolt out of that café, pulling Yibo with him away from everyone and everything.