I Wish We Met Sooner (BoyxBoy)

Chapter 4

Daniel

IF I'M BEING HONEST, I'd be dead without grandpa. He's a scientist who has invented the many weapons I use today. He wasn't pleased about it, but one of his weaknesses is saying no to me. Out of the many inventions, the Camouflage is my favorite. It's a Wi-Fi-powered mask that changes my appearance with the help of an app, also created by him. Before activating it, a clear transparent face shield is all there is. After starting, however, I can adjust any style I desire, and the mask will portray it.

I stand in front of the mirror to view my new identity, Vandal Hough, security guard to Gold's Pawnshop at the Beverly Hills Mall. According to the employee's database, the real Vandal is on medical leave for the next three days. This is a perfect disguise. Though I'm disgusted by how this man looks. The saggy cheeks, and musty beard that stops on my collarbone, aren't a good look on me. His shiny bald head is just the cherry on top. I won't feel bad framing him; shall something go wrong.

Then again, I never felt bad for anyone.

Not anymore.

I adjusted my blue striped tie and nearly did the same to my hair until I remembered I'm Vandal now, and he's bald. I then programmed the Red Demon mask to appear on my face, if any mishap surfaces.

I'm not about to expose my true identity by selling some stolen jewelry.

I fasten Vandal's spectacle and make my way out of the men's bathroom. The mall seemed rather active on the weekend. Aside from the swarming crowd, there was a live performance by the center court, where a tall skinny figure stood with a microphone in his hands. He was singing Mamma Mia by ABBA with two female backup singers.

I'm surprised how people are fond of their singing when the guy sounds like he has a frog stuck in his throat, and the backup singers matched the voices of Drizella and Anastasia from Cinderella. These people wouldn't know delightful music if it hit them in the face.

But then again, they'd be dead if that happened.

Now that is what I'd like to see.

I excused myself from the cheap performance and took the elevator towards the third floor, where Gold's Pawn is. The doors opened, and I arrived, as the shop was located nearby the elevator.

Unfortunately, I can still hear the live performance from the center court. If I stay any longer, I might just kill someone here, and unwanted attention is the last thing I need.

I walked through the revolving doors and was immediately blown away by the red and gold interiors. It looked as if I was in a ballroom from the nineteen hundreds where the building structure was circular shaped with the counters aligned in the same form. A classic crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling as I step on a red carpet covering the ground.

The air had a rich scent of lavender and roses, and I could easily imagine myself standing in a field of lavender and roses if I closed my eyes.

As I made my way to the trading counter, I noticed a family of four by the necklace section, where one of the staff was providing her assistance. An average-looking family glanced around the displayed jewelry pieces as if they'd seen better stones. The younger daughter, however, says otherwise.

"Good afternoon, Vandal!" A female staff behind the counter stood up the moment she saw me. "Is everything okay? I thought you were on medical leave?"

"Everything's perfect," the first sentence I spoke that wasn't my own voice. "My parents dropped off their famous chicken soup, which cured me in a flash."

She blinked in confusion.

"I thought you said your parents had passed away," shit.

"Did I say, parents? I meant grandparents," I blurt.