Love Next Door

Chapter Eight- He's a stalker

Playlist- https://goo.gl/zMxdxA

It had been about a month since Jay and Ash had started dating. As stupid as it was, Jay felt like it had already been six, at least. Now he was pretty much completely comfortable with Ash, which was something he had never experienced before.

Ash planned a dinner to celebrate. It was ready when Jay walked in the door, so unfortunately he still did not get to see his boyfriend in action in the kitchen . He hoped that there had been magic involved. He was really itching to see something but not much had happened yet that he had seen with his own eyes.

It was Lasagne, His favourite meal. However, he had never had such a perfect looking piece on his plate before. His mouth was watering. The smell hitting his nose was incredible.

"How did you know? I don't think I've ever mentioned it." He asked Ash, who was standing proudly next to the white beechwood table. Candles and flowers adorned it. Jay hoped the hair which fell on his face would cover his blush.

"A boyfriend's intuition of course," Ash joked.

Needless to say, it was the most amazing meal he had ever had, and he had to restrain himself from gulping it all down in the first minute.

"Y-you do have to eat, right? You aren't like eating just to be normal?" He asked suddenly, watching Ash slowly devour his plate. Much slower than himself.

As always, he laughed. "I do need to eat too. How else can i get the energy to dazzle you?"

Jay made a sarcastic noise.

"Hey, you haven't even introduced me to your 'otherworld' yet, how rude." Jay quipped half seriously. He felt a little guilty wanting to see more of his warlock life.

"Sure, you can after dinner. If you're brave enough."

Jay thought he was brave enough. However, when he was led into the room down the hallway, presumably across from his bedroom, He felt himself become a little anxious at the dark aura the room emitted. The room was cluttered and chaotic, much unlike the rest of his apartment. Strange coloured vials and bottles laid on tables and bookshelves, which were full of extremely old looking books and scrolls. There wasn't a window, and the light that flickered on was a weak yellow, casting the room in sinister shadows. The room was a stark and frightening contrast to Ash. Do I want to know what happens in here?

He took a deep breath in without Ash noticing, who was rushing around tidying up, mumbling excuses in embarrassment. He said this was where he ran his business, where he created his products.

"How does your business even run? If you don't have like a website or a phone number, or even a shop front, How do you get customers?"

Jay had only seen a handful of his customers, who spoke to him at his doorway every few days. Although, Jay wasn't there all day to see if there were more. Most seemed like normal people, whilst a few were...a bit creepy and strange. He suspected Ash must make a lot of money from his so-called business if he managed to keep such a luxurious apartment in this city.

"There's an underground market that only a few normal people know about. That's where I 'advertise' I guess. Besides, news travels fast in my world, so it's not long before everyone knows who you are and what you do." He explained, taking on a rarely seen, serious tone. "I wouldn't ever take you there, though, it's too dangerous and pretty...seedy. As for how people contact me...They either leave a slip under my door with their request, tell me while I'm down there, or they're regulars who always get the same thing."

Ash had stopped tidying and instead stood next to a table filled with a mixture of empty and full bottles, slowly rearranging them on stands.

"What kind of...stuff do you make for people?"