Scion

3. Hot Chocolate

Brooklyn (the barista)^
Harper's POV

The next day

I'd wanted to do some reading up on the man my father wanted me to murder, to find out his location, his strengths and his weaknesses. Except, there wasn't much to read.

There was his name of course: Sonny Robertson and I knew that he had some affiliation with the Matsa and that was it. The man was a ghost. He had no public information available, and no private information either. According to all systems everywhere he didn't exist. I sat back and stretched,
this Sonny Robertson, whoever he was, had some friends in high places.

A loud smack, jolted me from my thoughts, followed by angry whispers. Strange. I tiptoed towards the door of my room, opening it slightly, thankful that my stepmother would never allow any door to squeak in her modern mansion.

Peering through the door I watched as a short blonde boy flung curse words at my brother in the hall, usually Rye wouldn't take this from anyone, in fact the boy was lucky he still had his life in all honesty.

The boy drew back and swung his hand back again, seemingly trying to slap my brother for a second time. However as his hand came close to his face, Rye easily caught it, and instead of twisting his opponent around and breaking their arm like I'd seen him do many times before. He instead leans in to whisper into the short blondes ear. From my doorway I watched as the boys face became flushed and he stop wriggling in Rye's grasp.

As long as I've known Rye, I've never seen him not go in for the kill, he always gives his opponent just what he thought they deserved, and what they deserved was almost always painful.

Just as I began to wonder what made this particular boy so special. I watched as Rye once again spun him round and captured the boy's lips with his own. Capturing his lips in a passionate kiss. Shocked I closed the door, I felt as I was intruding on a private moment.

I knew Rye had a secret but I could never have guessed it was as big as this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today had been completely unproductive, I had done nothing to learn about my target and the most that I did was spy on my brother and his... boyfriend.

Deciding to take a walk to clear my mind had been my best decision all day. I walked down the road with my arms swinging free, the wind ruffled my hair as I felt suns fading rays on my face. I took a turn, walking into town, it was a half-mile away but I decided that a long walk would help me, maybe even improve my fitness.

Although I went to the gym daily and ran every week, it was still nice to be in fresh air. I walked over the cracked pavement, carefree for once.

Passing the shops with glass fronts I watched as people shopped for clothes and sat and laughed while waiting for food in a restaurant. Until coming upon a quaint café. Looking up I read the name 'Smol Bean' smiling. It was an odd name but it had character.

Stepping into the place my nostrils were immediately filled with the scents of coffee and spices. It was warm and peaceful, even though people murmured over the calming music.

Along the walls the menu was entirely hand written in chalk and there were several booths for people to sit and work at. While a short line of people waited to order. After all my years of living in the area I had never seen this particular place in town before.

Approaching the line, I noticed the boy behind the counter, rushing around, filling mugs with the warm brown liquid, filling orders with ease. He wore a light brown apron with a light pink shirt beneath it, a uniform I guessed.

I observed the boy as he greeted every customer with a wide smile, almost taking me aback. Never had I seen a smile so bright or genuine, and the very sight of it made my mood lift.
When my turn came to order I found I was speechless, I'd spent so long staring at him that I had forgotten to decide my order.

'What would you like sir?' He said staring up at me with wide eyes. His eyes were an indescribable shade of green, but like every other part of him they were bright.

'I don't know.' I replied, still at a loss for words 'Surprise me.' I said surprising myself.

Less than a minute later the boy presented me with a frothy cup of what tasted like hot chocolate. After tasting I quirked a brow, why serve hot chocolate in a coffee shop.

Seemingly understanding my confusion the boy shrugged.
'You don't seem like a coffee kind of guy.' He finished with a smile before turning to the next customer as I'd been holding up the line.

Turning I took a seat in the nearest booth, astonished, he was right. I'd never much liked coffee. I found it far too bitter. How on earth could the innocent boy have figured that out?

One thing I knew for sure was that I would definitely be visiting this café again.