Finding My Second Swan

Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

DQ:
A few weeks later...
Eventually, I settled in with working at the café. I have to tell you though, I really love it. Luca, loves it too, especially the free cupcakes. Unfortunately for him though I've had to limit him to one a day. And for two reasons too one, it will rot his teeth and two is because he's hyper as hell. I mean, especially when he's had more. Since he'd started reception yesterday. I need to calm him down as much as I can, but now that he's there, it's made it easier with working. It's made my mornings a little more manageable by not having to keep my eyes on him while I work.

"DQ, can you pop into Phoenix for me, please? I need to get this box of cupcakes to Mars." V asked while standing in the kitchen doorway, looking hopeful I'll do it.
Of course, I do for her. I mean, don't mind doing it, it's a nice change of scenery. Not that this place is bad or anything. No, I just love looking at all their artwork. I love seeing all the different works the ones that are all hanging on the walls. Not to mention that the fellas aren't too bad to look at either. Wow, is all I can say just wow.

Anyway, I take the box from her outstretched hand and then make my way to the tattoo studio. Once in there, I'm hit with a posting smell of disinfectant. I also smell leather too only because I'm standing by a coat rack full of leather jackets. Oh, it smells amazing. Yeah, I know. I'm weird that way.

"Hey, DQ... Ooo, what you got there, darling?" Leo asked as he stood from his bench. He's walking over to me, looking down at the box of cupcakes I have in my hand.

"V sent me in with a little gift. Apparently, it's for you all. She'd told me to tell you all that she hopes you have a happy Valentine's Day."

His face lights up as the rest of the guys and Hales come over. They're all looking to see what she's given them. Seeing their excitement made me chuckle. Wow, they sure love their cupcakes.
When Leo opened the box, he practically swoons when he sees the red and white rose cakes inside.

"Oh, come to papa... if I wasn't married, I'd marry that woman, just for her cupcakes."

"Hey, don't let my sister hear you say that," Mars said as she walked into the studio. She smiles when she sees me standing there in the centre of all her friends.

"Hey, sweets, is there any left for me and Kayne, or have they eaten them all already?"
I'm giggling when I tell her there are two left if she's quick. When they all eventually, back away from me that's when Mars takes hold of the remaining cupcakes.

"Thank you sweets, and tell V, I said thanks."
She's looking around the room silently reminding them all to do the same, which they do eventually. When she turns back to look at me, she caught me looking again.

"You really do like that one, don't you?" She asked while I stare at my favourite picture. My only favourite in this place.
I nod my head with a little grin on my face.

"Yeah, it's beautiful. Can I ask who drew it?"
She smiled and said it was her nephew.
"He only picks the pencil up now and again. Well, since quoting his job at the gym anyway. But since then, he's been spending more time here. He'd been perfecting his skills; with the help of me of course, but he's pretty good actually. He's picking it up pretty fast.
Do you have any Ink?" She asked while looking at my arms as if searching to see if I do.
"Unfortunately no, I don't have any. I could never afford something like that either. Not unless I win the lottery anyway."

I'm still looking at it when I tell her, and I fall into a little daze looking at the beautiful Swan. Yeah, my favourite piece is one of a Swan sitting alone by a bench.
I end up sighing, and after telling them goodbye, I head on out. I don't know what it is about that picture but I feel like there's a story there. It just sucks you in as soon as you look at it.