Beta's Fragrance [ MxM ]

5

DAYS HAS PASSED, and it's Saturday already.

My boss at the pizza shop invites me to rest, as always, after I delivered the last order for today.

"Are you gonna work here on another week as well after your schooling, kid?" He asked and handed me a bottle of water.

I wiped the sweat coming from my face, down to my neck. "No, boss." My student contacted me that he was fine now ready. He has a lot of homeworks and lessons to do.

"Just say a word if you want to work on  weekdays here again. You're a big help here." He laughed a little. "You can work here anytime. But not on Sundays."

This time, I can't help but to smile. "Got it, boss."

I've been working on him for 2 years now. I may not seem like it but, I'm really thankful to my boss. He's a person I really respect the most.

When I was at my worst, he found me.

He was my saviour.

After finishing my work, as what I usually does, I went to a convenience store to buy something for dinner.

When I got home, I washed up first and eat the things I bought for tonight.

When it was time for bed, I just lay down on my bed, staring at the dark corner in this tight room. I'm tired but I still can't fall asleep.

Suddenly, the scent of soap I used 'lingers on my nose. It's not strong, and even no hint of any sweet flavoured smell.

Strong and sweet.

I used my arm to cover my eyes. Why did I even think about that smell again?

I just can't get myself to forget about that scent after that night, even until now.

I don't like sweet things, and I don't hate it either. Just not my thing.

I can barely remember what the exact smell is, but I still got shivers whenever I just thought about it.

I wonder what perfume was that.

As I don't want to think about it further than this, with my senses that was still here didn't help me to stop thinking about it.

What's even wrong with me.

Tomorrow came, a day for my newest job.

I decided to go at the bar an hour early for my shift. I don't wanna be late for my first day working here.

When I went inside, Uncle's smiling face welcomes me. He still look as usual. "Vine! You're here!"

Why's he so excited. "I don't wanna be late for my first night."

"Well, that's good. Go and change your clothes first.'' Looks like he would be busy for tonight.

"Uncle?"

"Yes?"

I'm hesitate to ask but, "Can I..not wear the bow tie?"

"Eh?" He looks like I've asked something random. "It's fine but..." His face changed like he realized something. "Okay. If that makes you comfortable, then do what you want." His smile is back again.

I nodded and excuse myself. I went inside the locker room to change.

But when I get inside the room, an unfamiliar face is here.

It was a guy. He's thin, but not totally small, though I'm probably bigger than him. His skin was so pale like a paper, and the most noticeable on him was his silver hair.

Who is he? I didn't see him last time I was here.

"Uhm.." I just noticed that he was currently half naked. He was changing clothes.

I apologize for the disturbance. "Go on. Don't mind me."

I went to my locker to get changed.

"Ah.. are you also a new worker here?" After the long silence in the room, the guy breaks it by asking.

I looked at him. "You're new here as well?"

His eyes widened and moments after, I saw him sighed in relief. What? "So it's you. Mr. Kim said that there was also a new hired other than me. I was nervous but I can finally relax because you're here.."

Mr. Kim? That's Uncle, right?

And a new hired?

"Oh.. My apologies for the late introduction.." He said when he saw my confused look. "I'm Glenh Tachibana. I'll be working on the counter. Nice to meet you." After saying that, he lowered his head, bowing infront of me.

What's with the attitude? "... Likewise. I'm Vine." I told him to stop lowering his head. "I'm also new here so there's no need for that."

He finally raises his head. "Can I call you Vine then?"

Well, that's my name. What would you call me then. "Yes."

His mouth creates a smile. A genuine one. "You can call me Glenh. Please be comfortable around me and let's both work hard for tonight." He make a sign 'finghtin!' like he's encouraging me.

Glenh. The friendly one. Got it.

We both left the locker room and went inside the bar. Some of our co-workers were already here and preparing what would we needing for later.

"Are you gonna be okay?" Glenh asked. We were here at the counter preparing for our work.

When we talked a bit in the locker room, he also asked if it's my first time working at a bar, and I said yes. He must be pertaining about that.

"I'll just gonna give some orders. It's not hard." It's not like it's my first time to be at a bar. "Worry about yourself. Aren't you nervous."

He laughed a little. "I still am. But more than that, I'm more relax now."

Good for him then.

Customers starts on coming not too long after that.

"Beers and juice on table.."

"A bucket of beer on table.."

"More wine on table.."

Hours passed, the number of customers were increasing.

"Wow, you're more reliable than you look. Aren't you tired?" Mikhel, the bartender commented.

"Not at all." I did a lot more hard of works than this. "4 apple juice and snacks for table 6."

I don't even remember how many times I've been getting and giving orders to customers already. Though it seems it's been hours now.

"Here's your order-" I was stunned when a familiar strong yet sweet scent filled the air. It was the same for the last time.

It's nearby.

I cover my nose when the scent is getting stronger. The hint of sweetness didn't leave but just getting stronger every seconds.

My chest.. starts to feel heavy as well. Was it like this before?

I can feel my legs trembles and gets weaker, like any moments they could drop.

What's wrong with me?

My mind was still in mess when a strong-cold hand grabbed mine, and starts to drag me somewhere. I can't recognize them because I was facing its back.

But one thing is for sure. The scent, is much stronger than before.

It was coming from this person.

______

;))