Loving Eros

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

“We've come too far to give up who we are,

so let's raise the bar and our cups to the stars." -Daft Punk

 

As the hours passed by, the cafe that only held Benjamin and Story was filled with chatter and the barely acknowledged existence of the barista. The warm heat and drifting smell of hazelnut was intoxicating, and as Story found, as was Benjamin’s present. She was unsure if she was feeling the warmth of the cafe or the warm feeling Benjamin emitted. How welcomed she felt, his willingness to listen to her every word and care about each one. His interest in her life, her hobbies, her history. Yet, when it came to her asking about him, he somehow banaged to breeze the conversation back towards her. Story didn’t want to impose and be rude by stating she wanted to learn more about him, or be too frank. Ozzy made that up enough for everyone.

Benjamin took a deep breath, letting out a brief chuckle. “Well would you look at that… We’ve been at this for what, about two hours?” He grinned.

Story’s head shrank back into her shoulders, smiling. “Yeah, I suppose so.”

Suddenly, the two were greeted by the surprise of a third voice. “Well, I’d say it’s been more like three hours.”

The two turned their heads to find the realization that the barista was in fact present, and existent. Resting his chin on his hands, there at the counter was a blonde man with a grin from ear to ear. His blue eyes sparkled with wonder, his focus mainly zoned on Story. When she noticed his seemingly intense stare, she scooted a little towards the window, turning her head in embarrassment. The man blinked in confusement, then quickly caught on to the surrounding he’d just created. He laughed.

“Terribly sorry! Don’t mind me at all. I must admit, however, you two certainly have piqued the sense of curiosity in me. Hah!” He tilted his head a little, his smile never phasing. “My name’s Seraph! From what I caught on, your Story Henrick, right? The new Spera employee?”

Story blinked, turning around to look back at him. “You know…” She pressed a hand to her forehead. “Goodness. More people have heard of me than I’d imagined!” She slowly lowered her hand. “So you must know Araceli? Or perhaps Grey?”

“Neither!” Seraph chirped with enthusiasm, making Story’s shoulders drop. “Well, I know them both, but I’m mainly an acquaintance of Araceli’s. I’m just closer buddies with Ozzy.”

Benjamin, who had apparently grown tired of being invisible, spoke out. “You’re friends with the emotionless doll?”

Seraph frowned. “Doll? That’s kind of an odd term to use. Although, it does make a little bit of sense. Just a little. Eheh, I’d hate to insult the guy.”

Story dawned a look of surprise. “I never knew he could be close enough to someone to call a… Friend.”

Seraph laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. “Well, he’d say colleague, but I like to say friend. Or at the very least, I’m a friend to him.” He waved a finger. “But nevermind that! I’m curious, how’s work been?”

Benjamin scowled, once again being shrouded into the background as Story took a moment of thought on how to reply.

“Well… I haven’t really been able to actually do any work. I’ve only been in the office a few times and been to a meeting or two, but I haven’t really… Done anything…” Her eyebrows furrowed, ideas crawling into her head. If Spera was working on such a strong case, why wasn’t she working from morning until late every day? What use was she at this point?