Fallen (HIATUS)

1.6 - Allen Reid

ARC 1: ALLEN REID
Chapter Six

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Saturday.

Allen felt drained. Even though he opened the shop as usual, in his usual time, continued to serve the products wanted by his customers and tending to his flowers, it was noticeable that he wasn't in any particular mood to work.

Though his expression remains the same as usual, he had become practically mute. He did not say anything to anyone that it fell on Carl's shoulder to talk to the paying customers.

At that time, though Carl very much still worries about the roses delivery despite it only needing to deliver for two more days, he's more concerned about his absentminded boss.

Allen, for his part, knows that he's worrying his only employee with his attitude, but he frankly could not care less as at the moment, he felt tired.

He had just absorbed the full 32 years of Allen Reid's life, making it so that he knows every single event that happened in his current identity's life. Doing that though, is painful and taxing. A full 32 years in just a single night. His mind still feels the ache he was subjected to when he forcefully accepted everything instead of the recommended gradual process.

Not only that, he also retained some aspects of his current identity's habits and likes such as his fondness for flowers and obsession with hidden messages just using them. It was the reason he decided to make a flower business after all. He also felt cravings for jalapeno and eating it raw. Thankfully, it seemed that was the only things he 'inherited'.

He also found out some things about Allen that he knows would make his life a little complicated. Such as that unknown man from yesterday.

He knew him. That was Nikolai Hall. The original Allen Reid and him were apparently classmates back when he's still studying in the university. But he is sure that the other doesn't know him in those years as he's basically just one of the 'side characters'. Not even that. Just an inconsequential mob.

The only reason Hall thinks he is familiar was because the original Allen had, unfortunately, back when he had just turned 30, slept with him.

Allen wasn't a stranger to sex. He occasionally looks for other people to satisfy his sexual urges. Basically a one night stand and he has always been with women as he is straight.

But he was drunk. He met Hall in one of the clubs he hunts while looking for a bed partner for the night, got to talking with him and was surprised to see that they clicked. He blamed alcohol for becoming stupid and sleeping with a male.

Nikolai Hall was the first man he ever had, the first to touch him in a completely different way than usual and the last man he swore that would ever do. He had become even more reticent in looking for bed partners after that day.

He'd become close acquaintance with his hand just like back when he was still in his teens. It's like he met with his long-time ex.

Back when he was Calvin, he died a virgin at the age of 22, just a few days left before he graduate college. He did not even know nor see who killed him as he was shot while he was relaxing on the rooftop of one of the buildings of the university, eyes closed. He had not even have any romantic relationship and every single one of his firsts were unclaimed. He is completely inexperienced even if he's not naive.

That's why finding out about Allen's exploits felt like he was finally visiting a new realm in the world. It made him a little overwhelmed and not know what to do.

He decided to just continue following Allen's intention. To live life the same as usual and forget about anything that would disrupt his peace.

That though did not completely erase the unease in him, especially when he uncovered Allen's connection with Hall. He did not know why he felt that way and it's stressing him out a little.

Those things made him unmotivated, even more so than his usual self.

He felt like he used every single cell in his body just to think. It's annoyingly taxing to himself who strives to be worry-free despite the task he had to do.

"Boss, you really look tired. Why don't you retire early?" Carl's worried tone woke him from his silence. Though he thought about doing just that even before he rose from his bed earlier that day, he couldn't do it.

Because of the OOC thing. He could not go out of character.

Allen Reid might be seen as awkwardly unsociable, kind of cold, a little lazy and a man of few words ind of person, but his dedication to his work is perfect. Unless he really could not do it, his shop will be open 6 days per week starting from 9 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon. That never changed. Not to mention that Allen, despite not wanting to talk much, likes recommending appropriate flowers with appropriate meanings to his customers.

It's his passion. The messages perceived in the flowers. That's why he could not close the shop simply because he seemed to have expended his energy about the memories of Allen. So he shook his head in answer to Carl's suggestion.

"I'm okay," was what he said. The first he actually spoke of since earlier.

"If you say so," Carl doubtfully says as he looks at him. Allen ignored that and continued to slowly go back to his usual routine. It just turned 1 in the afternoon. Just a couple more hours are left anyway before he could finally close the shop.

"We can close the shop early boss. Like you did on Wednesday!" Carl exclaimed happily as he stared at him. He really looked like he wanted Allen to rest. Did he look so horrible?

He remembered that on that day, he was worried that something might happen that would delay his target from 'falling in love' so he closed the shop and monitored them. Thinking about that and the fact that there are no choke-hold that happened that would indicate he had been OOC, he accepted Carl's suggestion.

He went to the back to arrange the bouquet of roses they are going to deliver. Since they are going to close the shop earlier than usual, might as well do that in the delivery as well.

He had not even finished the arrangement when he heard Carl's loud voice.

"Hey! You are not allowed back there!"

Allen looked up as he heard the door opened. Right there, looking at him intently, was the least person he wanted to see.

What is Nikolai Hall doing here?

TBC.