X: Valet

Chapter zero

I lost my parents early and soon, tired of begging and working for ungrateful disgusting people, I began to steal from them. And so on one of those days I tried to steal some fresh loaves of bread through the baker's window. My fingers wouldn't obey, and the window frame kept trying to creak, which could immediately attract unnecessary attention to me.

"Poor job"

That voice was like a bolt from the blue. It wasn't rude or bass, it just came out too suddenly. With incredible efforts, I managed not to flinch, so as not to make an extraneous sound. And then I raised my head. The stranger was sitting on a wooden beam between two houses, and the sun, shining so brightly in my eyes, did not allow me to see his face.

"Who are you?"

I looked displeased, in a sense, I actually snorted at this guy, but only because I knew that if you give up, you might get beaten up.

He grinned. I heard it so clearly, as if he had done it right in my ear, although in fact the grin was completely silent. The stranger jumped to the ground and immediately hit the glass with his gloved hand, which is important to note. I immediately recoiled and pressed myself against the wall, letting go of the pastry. Now I had to stand still so that the shopkeeper wouldn't notice me.

This allowed me to take a closer look at the person who framed me. His face was handsome, chiseled, and now a grin continued to shine on it. His hands were locked as he leaned against the same wall as me, but on the other side of the window. There was definitely a hat on his head, as black as his gloves and raincoat. I would say that he was tall, but not so tall as to attract attention to himself. His gaze was piercing – it seemed like he could kill with it if he wanted to. Fortunately, devils were dancing in them at that moment – the position he put me in clearly made him laugh.

When the baker finished all his checks and left the kitchen, I hurried to turn into the alley – it was risky to stay, and I didn't particularly want to linger next to a stranger. But he followed me.

"What, you won't even thank me?"

He easily caught up with me, and at the same time did not accelerate his pace for a second. I don't know how he did it. No matter how abrupt his movements were, it never looked like he was in a hurry.

"Thank you?!"

I got even angrier.

"You almost got me caught!"

"And without me, you would have been caught"

He was in front of me in the blink of an eye and stopped me by putting his hand on my chest. His face was no longer so friendly, and there was so much strength and firmness in his hand that I never saw in any other person that I met on my way. Despite his coldness, there was always an elusive charm about him. Sometimes it was tough, but he always had it with him.

"Well, yes, of course"

It was an evil laugh. I couldn't show my fear.

"Do you want to bet?"

He tilted his head, and there was interest on his face. His hand came down smoothly.

"My name is Seth"

That wasn't his real name.

"It's a pleasure"

I didn't even hide my indignation, but it didn't bother Seth a bit. That's probably what I liked about him the most. He has never been provoked.

"I need a man for a business"

Seth began to adjust his cuffs. He wasn't looking at me – he was watching what was happening around him. There were too many people. But we hardly occupied their thoughts.