The Change|| BxB

2. Shadows of responsibility

Max sprawled on the couch in the living room, unwilling to budge. He was too ensconced in comfort to move, even defying his dad's usual knack for rousing him. The clock ticked past 1:30 PM, and he'd been in the same spot for an hour or two, absorbed in a TV show he struggled to recall the name of—something like Teen Wolf, maybe. He found himself envying the characters' camaraderie and looks.
Growing increasingly irritated with the show, Max finally switched it off and called out to his dad upstairs, boredom seeping into his voice. "Dad, I'm bored! Need anything from the store?"
A booming response echoed down, "We need milk and Pepsi Max! You keep drinking it all. Money's on the counter—go!"
Ignoring his dad's complaint, Max nodded to himself. He grabbed the keys, pocketed the cash, and set off for the corner store. As he walked, he mused over the proximity of the store to his house—was it really that close?
Sixteen minutes later, panting from the heat, Max rushed into the small corner store. He briskly collected milk, Pepsi Max, and a stash of cookies for himself, planning to devour them all in one sitting.
Navigating toward the cookie aisle, Max collided with a towering figure.
Instantly recognizing his boss, Valentino, Max froze, unable to hear anything amidst the rush of adrenaline. He'd forgotten about work entirely, laziness consuming his day.
Valentino's stern voice broke through his stupor, "Max. You are nine hours late to your fucking shift" Valentino yelled as he had a grip on max's shoulder. Max quivered under the weight of Valentino's anger, feeling terrified like never before. "I- I'm...."Stammering an excuse, he fought back tears, overwhelmed by the consequences of his negligence.
Valentino's hand slammed above Max's head, "So? What are you gonna say for yourself huh" demanding accountability and threatening consequences that sent shivers down Max's spine. The encounter left Max fighting back tears until he returned home with his father, who reluctantly drove him to the restaurant. Max wiped his eyes, straightened his shirt, and entered the establishment with a heavy heart.
Clocking in and grabbing his notepad, Max worked through his shift with a mix of exhaustion and fear of encountering Valentino again. Later, Kyle ushered Max into Valentino's office, where tension hung heavy.
"Valentino wanted to see you after your shift. Looks like you're in for it," Kyle teased, trying to lighten the mood.
Minutes dragged until Valentino entered with deliberate steps, taking his seat with a commanding presence. Max noticed blood staining his boss's hands, a grim reminder of the man's other life.
Valentino's unexpected smile unnerved Max
"Im sorry for my little outburst at the shops today... I had a, bad day" His words sent conflicting emotions through Max, who couldn't help but flinch at the sudden warmth.
Summoning courage, Max voiced his fear,"sir, would you ever hurt me?". The response was ambiguous yet unsettlingly gentle, Valentino reached out from across his desk and caressed Max's face, the silence was loud until Valentino finally spoke up "you're too pretty for that" and smirked, leaving the small male unsettled.
As Max left the office with Kyle, Valentino's anger erupted behind closed doors. His frustration at his own actions underscored a peculiar interest in Max, stirring a turmoil that left him questioning his motives.
"Why did I say that? I should've just...," Valentino's voice trailed off in anger, his actions betraying a complexity that even he struggled to comprehend.
Outside, Max and Kyle walked away, unaware of the storm brewing behind Valentino's office doors, each grappling with their own uncertainties amidst the shifting dynamics of their lives.
Max was completely clueless though, he didn't know what was coming for him.

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